Cassidy blinked, surprise showing clearly on her features. "Really?" She let out a whoop, and the nurse gave a disapproving glare from the hall. "Was it my near death experience?"
Will looked into her honey brown eyes, thinking about the way he felt when he pulled her from the wreckage. He'd never been so cold or numb in his life.
"No," he said simply. "It was mine.
Sheila, who had been lingering on the edge of the room, let out a snort that pulled both of their gazes to her.
"Too corny?" Will asked.
Sheila was nodding, but her eyes were also shimmering with tears. "Definitely." She shuffled out of the room, shaking her head and grumbling as she walked past Minister Fole. Will smiled and looked back at Cassidy, who had the same foolish grin painted on her lips. He couldn't believe everything that had happened, and how comfortable he was to arrive in this moment. Minister Fole was pretending not to watch from his chair in the hallway, but Will wasn't worried. If this were a movie, the threat had been neutralized, he'd gotten the girl, and there was no room for a sequel. It was almost too neat. An attendant pulled the curtain around the two of them, and Will listened as she and a passing nurse talked softly. Background players. All they needed was a title drop.
"Is that tray for the Fole girl?" a nurse said.
"Who?"
"The preacher's daughter."
Will smiled, thinking to himself: Roll credits.
THE END
To Love of a Rogue Duke
A shadow of a young girl was painted along the road which led out of the village. Wanting to look her best, Annabelle avoided the puddles and dirt which blighted the surface of the road. She followed the long avenue of cedars that led to the distant but imposing Middlebrook Court. The tall spires and strong walls had played host to many ghoulish tales during her upbringing. Growing doubt seeped into Annabelle’s legs causing her to slow her pace. But knowing she had no choice she forced her legs to keeping walking.
Annabelle arrived at the estate’s administration lodge just as the church bell tolled nine. She stood outside the large ornate door. After a silent prayer, she bit her lip and knocked on the door.
“Enter.”
Annabelle opened the door and stepped into the reception where an elderly man sat behind a heavy oak desk. The air felt cold and quickly unnerved her. But it was the old man’s spectacled eyes that unsettled her most. Sat under white busy eyebrows they stared at her from head to toe. Wanting to break the silence, she quivered a quiet, “Good Morning.”
“State your business.”
“My name is Annabelle Fordinnier. I am…”
“I am Benoit, the butler of the house.” The elderly man then nodded. “And you must be Jayne’s daughter. I have been waiting for you. I began to fear you had a change of heart.”
“I had not.”
“Then why are you late?”
Annabelle pinched her lips while she felt confused. “I did not think that I was… I was told nine.”
“I do not tolerate tardiness, Annabelle. It riles me like a mosquito in the night. If I say nine, I want you here eight thirty… I will give you this warning only once.”
“It was more of a misunderstanding that tardiness, Benoit.” Annabelle felt her heart plummet. “I can assure you that I am a good worker who keeps a clean house. Since I have a sick father and my mother just passed. I am responsible for the upkeep of the house.” She then smiled, “My mother always spoke highly of you, Benoit.”
“As I speak highly of Jayne. Your mother was a fine cook. But, unlike her daughter… she was never tardy… It’s a shame you did not take after your mother.”
Annabelle stood with her back straight like a soldier on parade. “I will not be late again, Benoit.”
“As I said. I only give people one warning. The second mistake gets you thrown out with the pig swill.”
“I promise to heed your warning, Benoit.”
Benoit suddenly took a less stern tone. “If you don’t mind me asking, How… how is your father?”
“His leg is totally lame.. he is left making baskets to earn a meager living..”
“I will make a note of buying one this week.” Benoit slammed his ledger shut. “Now back to business. I am more than happy to give you a chance… more so because of your mother, than what I have seen before me today.”
“Thank you, Benoit.”
“You will work under my close guidance.”
“I will follow you like shadow.”
“Learn quickly without too many mistakes. Then you have a job for life.” Benoit shook his boney finger towards Annabelle. “But I want no further Tardiness from you and no excuses, young lady.”
“I won’t let you down.”
Benoit rose from his wooden chair. “Now come, I will show you your quarters and introduce you to the staff.”
~
The Duchess stormed along the long mahogany paneled corridor. Fine china and expensive art sat on sideboards or within show cabinets that lined the walls. On reaching the Duke’s study, Daniela entered without knocking. Her false smile thinly veiled her frustration. “Come for a walk, Charles. The weather is delightful this afternoon.”
“I do not wish to be disturbed, Daniela.”
“But you have been working on these plans all week. When will you have time for me?”
“My chief engineer needs my decision on his drafts by Monday. Time is of the essence.”
The fact Charles hadn’t bothered turning to face her angered Daniela. “I am your wife. You are married to me, not your precious engineer.”
“It’s men of his kind who are changing this world.”
“I feel as though I am extinct.”
Charles turned on his pivoting chair to face Daniela. “My love, you must understand. My family have owned and taxed these lands for hundreds of years. But I have found that there is even more wealth to be had from under the ground. But without my engineer’s steam engine… the coal will remain underground.”
“I know, you collieries are successful, you tell me every day. But don’t you employ managers to take care of business? ”
“Yes they have done well. But now we have extracted all what we can. Next we must dig deeper to exploit the rest of the coal seam.”
Daniela frowned while shrugging her shoulder like impudent child. “Then buy them more shovels.”
“It’s not a matter of shovels. Most of the coal sits below what we call the water table. We need efficient steam engines to run powerful pumps to extract the water from over hundred feet deep. That is far from an easy feat.”
Daniela huffed as she folded her arms across her chest. “Charles… When did you become such a bore?”
“You won’t think I’m such a bore when I’m not just the richest man in the county… but rather the richest man in country. My wealth will match your beauty… and you won’t be able to resist me.”
“Your words may intend to flatter, but they make me sound like a money hunting jezebel.”
Charles, as if he knew his words had been misplaced, finally rose from his chair. “I’m just tickling your ribs. I’m sorry.”
“I fear that is how your eyes truly see me. A woman with no morals who falls on her back every time she receives a fine gift.”
“That’s not true, Danielle. I apologise for my cruel words. Although in truth, envisaging you as a woman of such ways... well, it makes one tingle below the belt.”
Daniela scorned, “Your libertine tendencies disgust me.”
“I mean not too, but you do stir such emotions.”
“Well how about you give me my walk, then later...” Daniela pouted seductively. “I’ll give you more than just a mere tingle.”
“As tempting and provocative as you are… I’m afraid you have to ask Benoit to accompany you.”
“I am not walking with the butler. I see the old wretch more than I see you.”
“These pumps will not be designed themselves.” Charles turned back to his plans. “Plus Benoit
could do with a walk. I employed a slim butler… and now I have one which resembles one of those fancy hot air balloons.”
“Charles! I’m lonely… Don’t you get it? A wife needs to be loved.”
“I do love you. I tell you every day.”
“You love nothing but your precious engineer.”
“You love this house, this estate and your clothes.” Charles slammed his hands on his desk. “How do you think it was paid for?” He stood, then turned to face Daniela. “How?”
“But I’m desperate. So desperate that I talk to the bloody dog… What’s worse I would swear that he understands me more than you do.”
“Nonsense.”
“It’s true.”
Charles could see the tears welling from Daniela’s tear ducts. He reached to wipe away her tears. “Don’t cry. I work hard not just for me and you, but for our children.”
“We haven’t got any children.”
“We will in the near future.”
“We’ve been trying for years… I’m failing in my one duty as a wife. Is that why you have lost interest in me?”
“I love only you.” Charles took his wife’s hand and led her to the huge portrait of a younger Daniela. “Now, can you find that smile. The one there.” He pointed at the watercolor. “The one which I fell in love with all those years ago. You see… it captured my heart and made me want to go to the grave, one day, knowing that we had fulfilled each other.”
“Do not try to manipulate me.”
“I’m not. I do love you. With all my heart.”
Daniela broke from Charles’s arms. “Charles, if you did. Then I wouldn’t have to come and beg you to spend time with me. What’s more, I am more than patient with you. I have been waiting patiently for days, weeks… a life” She then burst into tears. “Just for you to be with me.”
“Daniela! You’re now acting like a temperamental child. Put your emotions in check.”
“I despise the selfish man you are.”
“I am carrying out my duties as man.”
Daniela stamped her foot into the ground. “Not as a husband, you’re not… But don’t worry, Charles. I will no longer pester you as I will walk on my own… as always.”
“I told you… Benoit can accompany you.”
Daniela opened the door. “Charles...” She glanced over her shoulder and glared at her husband. “Fuck you… and fuck the butler.”
Annabelle pulled a sack of bedding along the polished floorboards of the corridor. A door opened half way down and out stormed a tearful Daniela. Trained not to make eye contact with Duchess, Annabelle immediately glanced down at her own shoes.
Screaming at the top of her lungs, Daniela swiped the vases from the top of the sideboard, sending them smashing on the floorboards. Not content with the damage, she gripped her fingers over the back of the sideboard and toppled it over. Shaking her head she then left the carnage and barged passed Annabelle. “Move out of the way, stupid child.”
“Sorry, my Duchess.” . Annabelle jumped as the Duchess slammed the bedroom door. Knowing that she could not leave the mess as it was, Annabelle knelt beside the sideboard and began tidying its shattered contents into an empty pillow case.
With the broken China cleared, Annabelle heaved as she uprighted the sideboard. But to her frustration its cupboards shed their contents of books onto the floor.
Once the sideboard was standing, Annabelle dropped to her knees and began to tidy the books away. However the sight of books lit a flame of curiosity and she couldn’t resist opening one. Her eyes widened as she began to read the first page. Lost in her imagination she didn’t notice that she was being watched.
“You, girl..”
Annabelle fell into a panic as she snapped the book shut. “Yes, my Lord.”
“What is that in your hand?”
“I was restocking the cabinet after the duchess… accidently tipped it over.”
“My eyes did not deceive me.” Charles shook his head while he continued to speak, “You were reading from the book.”
“But I only read a few words.”
“Poppycock! I have been stood in this doorway for over five minutes.” Charles’s lips cracked a smile. “You were engrossed in the text... weren’t you?”
“I... I’m sorry.”
“Tell me, what burns inside you?”
“My Lord, I don’t know what you mean?”
Charles stepped up to Annabelle and took the book from her hand. “I will tell you. It’s called curiosity. You feel the desire for knowledge.”
“I do enjoy reading.”
“That maybe. However, what I didn’t like was your dishonesty, rather than any reading you did. The fact untruths slipped from your tongue with apparent ease was quite unnerving..”
Annabelle felt close to tears as she felt her job was slipping through her fingers. “My Lord, I’m as honest as the first day of spring. Untruths have no home within me.”
“I beg to differ from what I have just witnessed.”
“I promise. Curiosity got the better of me, and I promise I would have placed it immediately back in the sideboard.”
“What is your name?”
“Annabelle, my Lord. Annabelle Fordinnier.”
Charles heard Daniela’s weeps from his bedroom. “I have more pressing matters at hand rather than dealing with a maid and her sallyway tongue” His lips formed a wry smile as he returned the book to Annabelle. “But we will return to this important topic soon.”
“I understand.”
“Now put this cupboard right... I want the books in alphabetical order... my books have to be such. Even these seemingly forgotten ones.”
~
Alone in the parlor, Annabelle polished cutlery while she hummed a childhood song that reminded her of her mother. The door opened and in stepped Benoit who carried a silver tray of glasses. She smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
“I am talking this to the Duke… so I’ll…” Benoit froze as shouts of an apparent argument echoed from the kitchen. “What the?” He then carefully passed the silver tray to Annabelle. “Take this to the Duke. He is sitting reading his documents on the terrace at the lake.”
“But?”
“No buts…. Place the tray on the table and ask him if he needs serving. Other than that, don’t speak unless spoken too”
“OK.”
“Right, now I must go see what the bloody hell has just happened in the kitchen.”
Slowly walking out of the southern entrance, the brightness of the low sun caused Annabelle to squint. After adjusting her eyes she consumed the majestic landscaped beauty of the ornamental gardens.
In the foreground sat a large lake complete with islands which separated the hall from its huge estate. Annabelle spotted the Duke sitting in the sun while reading a book. She carefully negotiated the steps before walking across the gravel towards the terrace.
Annabelle’s heart pounded away as she nervously stepped towards the Duke, who sat with his back to the table while reading from his hardback novel. She felt gripped by fear when she noticed the table covered by sheets of technical drawings. “My Lord. I b… believe you wanted some lemonade.”
“Leave it on the table.”
“But your drawings, my Lord.”
“Ah, yes… I was lost in a good book. ”Charles turned around. “Wait one moment while I fold them and put them in my satchel.” His eyes then set Annabelle. “It’s you.”
“Yes.”
“Annabelle the book thief?” Charles listened to the glasses rattle on the tray. “You are acting as though you’re facing the guillotine.” After taking his drawing from the table, he gestured for Annabelle to place down the tray carefully. “No need to fear me. I didn’t think you were a thief for one second.”
“Thank you.”
“It was just nice to see someone with an interest in reading… especially a young woman like yourself..”
“It’s OK.”
Charles, then
glanced at his book. “Like you, I escape in a good book.” He waited for Annabelle to reply, but noticed she just gazed at shoes. “Have you always read?”
“I learned a little from my mother. But I largely taught myself... around the age of eight.”
“Most impressive. It must be highly challenging … take a lot of self-determination.”
“I wanted to read my mother’s bible.”
Charles rolled up his drawings. “I always start my day by reading from the new testament “He then slid the drawings into a metallic tube. “How widely do you read? Voltaire, Shakespeare… maybe the classics.”
“Very few… in-fact just the bible.”
“But you should. Those intelligent eyes need words to feed on.”
“Forgive me, it’s not that I don’t want to. It’s just that I rarely come into contact with books. I don’t have the means.”
Charles poured the lemonade into his glass. “Is there not a library for you to visit… does your school not have books?”
“My parents didn’t have the money to send me to school… and, well, there isn’t a library in the village.”
“Well… One needs to start her collection.”
“That is a dream. But I fear that it will remain just that… a dream.”
“I have a library full of books that I have collected from all over the world. I need space to place my latest additions. One might just find its way into your hands should you play your cards right.”
“Really?” Annabelle couldn’t hide her joy. “That would be a dream, my Lord.”
“Then I will let you know when I have rearranged my collection.”
“May God bless you, my Lord.”
Charles waved Annabelle away. “Now, off with you… I’m sure you have other chores to do.”
~
The sun hadn’t yet risen as Charles heard footsteps out in corridor. He gently climbed from the bed as not to wake his wife. Quietly he tiptoed to the door then slowly opened it before stepping out into corridor. Benoit had been waiting with a sack which he promptly handed to Charles. “These are the clothes from my younger days.” He then asked while Charles began rooting through the clothes. “Can I ask one last time why you want them?”
ROMANCE: CLEAN ROMANCE: Summer Splash! (Sweet Inspirational Contemporary Romance) (New Adult Clean Fantasy Short Stories) Page 99