I stared out the window as the carriage moved on, watching her small form grow smaller. Half of me was relieved I had left. I hadn't wanted to just leave a lady in the pouring rain, but I was glad to be out of the danger of her discovering me. Yet, the other half wanted to go back. She had me curious. Her clever comment about not exactly being friends had caught me off guard. With my comment about not being strangers, girls like her sisters would've giggled and maybe even blushed. So why hadn't she?
Common sense said she knew I was a flat liar. But the small smile on my face wondered if that was perhaps my first glimpse into her real personality. And why was she so far out in the rain anyways?
"Excuse me, sir," I addressed the driver, "Would you mind stopping once more?"
He didn't bother hiding his annoyance, "Do you want to get to the hotel or not?"
"I've changed my mind," I chuckled, "Just drop me here."
I grabbed my umbrella and left some extra allowance on the seat as the carriage slowed. I thanked the driver and climbed out, not entirely sure what I was doing. The carriage splashed me as it drove off and I realized that I had acted on impulse. Now that I was out in the rain I wasn't sure of my next move. What was I going to do, chase Miss Ainsworth down and demand to know why my charm didn't have her swooning?
"Neeellly!"
I jerked my head around; It was Mr. Ainsworth's deep voice. His daughter's lighter one soon echoed it.
I looked back over my shoulder to see them splitting up across the lawn, continuing to call out into the rain. I hesitated, considering the sudden options before me.
The letter I'd recieved from Charles today said he'd been delayed and it might be a few more days before his return. I'd be considerably bored at the hotel, just as I had been before I left. This was also another chance to prove to Ms. Ainsworth that I was indeed a friend, not a stranger.
"Mr. Ainsworth, is something wrong?"
"Oh," he seemed relatively surprised to see me, "Mr. Samuelson. What are you doing out in this weather?"
I laughed and tried to speak over the growing roar of the storm, "What are you doing out shouting in it. Can't be healthy for the vocals I imagine."
He smiled beneath the wet board he held over his head for proection. But concern soon ruled his features once more.
"It seems my youngest has gone exploring. But its nothing you need concern yourself about."
"Well," I grinned, "I think I'm as about as wet as I can get. What can I do to help?"
He seemed a little relieved. "Well, if you don't mind, my eldest daughter and I were going to split up and search while the others mind the house. Would you mind going with her? I'd feel much better about it."
I glanced Ms. Ainsworth's way. She had been calling for her sister for awhile and was now walking towards us. I couldn't read her expression well through the rain but I hoped she wouldn't mind--it was the perfect opportunity for my tactics.
Eager to please the man vital to my cause as well, I turned my gaze up towards my umbrella.
"I think there's room."
He smiled, "Good. Thank you."
I pursed my lips in thought for a moment, trying to imagine which direction looked most appealing to a little girl. Childhood days of my own temporary escapes provided ample sources and I soon located a sturdy wooden fence several yards away from their property--perfect for climbing.
"I might have an idea," I replied, "But the roads are a little muddy. Mind crossing some country?"
She looked like she could care less so long as we found her sister. So I didn't trouble her with any more questions and we moved on. I tried my best to keep up with her worried stride in order to be the gentleman and keep the umbrella overhead but it was nearly in vain. She didn't slow until we reached the fence.
I easily leapt over it and she let me help her over as well. We continued across the wet, entangled tall grass with only the constant thud of the rain on the umbrella and the brush of our feet against the foliage. It was a good five minutes before she finally struck up a conversation.
"So shouldn't a man as important as you have something other to do than tromp around in the rain?"
"Plenty," I smirked, "But a man as important as I can chose when to do those things. Now which direction are we going?"
She looked over at me incredulously, "I thought you were the leader here. Its comforting to know you're so prepared."
I smiled, relieved that she felt at ease enough to tease.
"I brought an umbrella."
She only shook her head with a soft smile and I was reminded of how pretty she was. Her golden-colored hair looked darker in the rain and stuck to her face but it didn't mar her image in the least. In fact, in some ways it enhanced it. It had now fallen out of its former pinned state, allowing it to fall more freely down her back. Those brown eyes that I could never seem to read looked on into the rain and her small mouth seemed pursed in both determination and thought.
Meanwhile, the suit Charles had bought me was utterly soiled. My bangs constantly got in my eyes and I could feel mud kicking up from my feet onto my trousers.
"Nelly!" Ms. Ainsworth tried again, bringing me from my thoughts. I examined our surroundings again. They remained relatively the same: tall grass trimmed with small flowers and trees, the entire image swaying in the wind. Then, through the slanted sheet of rain, I spotted a good-sized blur.
"The grove of trees," I muttered to myself. Of course! The hideout she had described. On impulse, I grabbed her hand and began pulling her behind me, "I know our direction now!"
She seemed a little startled by the action but was too busy gathering her dripping skirts and trying to keep up with my long legs to say much. Frankly, I startled myself with it. I hadn't acted in such a way since I was back home. There were no strategies behind it, no speculating before it. It was simply doing what came naturally--and it was strangely refreshing.
Before long the blur grew into individual trees. Ms. Ainsworth quickly caught on.
"Nelly's hideout, of course!"
"Where is it at?" I yelled over the increasing wind.
"I'm not sure from here," she replied, "Nelly!"
I followed suit and began hollering her name as we stumbled through the small patch of trees. Our voices were nearly hoarse by the time Ms. Ainsworth turned towards me.
"I don't seen her anywhere," she said, her voice full of worry, "Should we look elsewhere?"
I was just about to nod in agreement before, through all the noise around us, we heard a small yelp. Immediatly we glanced at each other for confirmation of the noise and then broke into a hard run towards it.
By now the wind was pushing completely against us, pulling at my jacket and trousers mercilessly. I closed the umbrella as it quickly lost its purpose and wrapped an arm around Ms. Ainsworth in a chivalrous attempt to support her as we pushed forwards.
We called for her again and followed the noise for several long mintues before we found the hideout. It was just as Ms. Ainsworth had described. There was a small hole in one of the trees hardly larger than a dinner plate. However, it seemed the girl had become tired of her usual play place and climbed the actual tree itself. Like a frightened kitten, she clung to a thick branch a good twelve or so feet up, her face wet from both tears and rain.
"It's alright, Nelly," Ms. Ainsworth called out, "Just climb down slowly. We'll be right here to help you."
"No!" she violently shook her head, "the wind will blow me off!"
"It won't, Nelly," she tried once more, "I promise. Just move slowly."
The small girl moved about an inch before whimpering and clinging tighter, "I can't!"
Her older sister frowned in thought. I could tells she'd like nothing more than to climb up and retrieve her sister, but with heavy skirts and a guest present, she seemed reluctant. Still, that appeared to be the only way to get her down.
I began pulling off my wet gloves and she looked over at me.
"Oh no, Mr. Samuelson, you don't have to."
I recognized the tone more as spiteful than apologetic. She didn't seem fond of being dependent on people. Had I not been standing here I was sure she'd been up the tree a long time ago. But I only smirked and strained my voice once more, "Relax, Ms. Ainsworth. You've done far more than most ladies would've done already," I moved to climb the tree and then paused to add, "Besides, I might need someone to catch me."
I didn't wait for her reaction before climbing. My hands had become a little softer during my stay here, but they fared well enough. I scraped up my knees and tore a hole in my shirt maneuvering from branch to branch and found the feat much harder than it used to be. Lack of practice and bad weather greatly influenced my abilities. The hard part, however, was climbing back down.
"I've got you Nelly!" I yelled, wrapping one arm around her small waist, "You can let go!"
"Mr. Samuelson?" she risked a quick look over her shoulder.
Her sudden excited tone made me grin, "Yes. It's Mr. Samuelson. Now let go so I can get you down."
She did so reluctantly. I held onto her until she had inched herself off of the branch and then she immediatly latched onto me. With a small chuckle, I shifted my weight to balance to the two of us.
"Alright," I said, "You hold onto me and I'll climb down. Agreed?"
She nodded and wrapped her arms tighter around my neck. It was then, looking down, that I realized just how high up we were. The wind blew branches into my face and the rain continued to pelt me. And, as if to add to the trauama, the branch I had most my weight on suddenly lurched. Nelly squealed in my ear and I realized that if I didn't get moving, we'd go down the easy way.
It was a long, nerve-riding trip to the ground with Nelly tugging on my hair and the slippery footholds, but we eventually made it. Ms. Ainsworth tackled the next challenge of prying her sister off of me.
Despite the trauma, Nelly quickly recovered and jabbered on to me the entire journey back. I was informed of every topic ranging from her new slippers to her doll's name. Though I could tell Ms. Ainsworth was a little embarressed by her sister's carrying on, even she contributed a little to the conversation. The familiar suspicion or uneasiness seemed to have ebbed away some. That meant my worst threat was close to overcome! And before Charles even knew it had been there.
Now to explain the hole in my shirt...
Common sense said she knew I was a flat liar. But the small smile on my face wondered if that was perhaps my first glimpse into her real personality. And why was she so far out in the rain anyways?
"Excuse me, sir," I addressed the driver, "Would you mind stopping once more?"
He didn't bother hiding his annoyance, "Do you want to get to the hotel or not?"
"I've changed my mind," I chuckled, "Just drop me here."
I grabbed my umbrella and left some extra allowance on the seat as the carriage slowed. I thanked the driver and climbed out, not entirely sure what I was doing. The carriage splashed me as it drove off and I realized that I had acted on impulse. Now that I was out in the rain I wasn't sure of my next move. What was I going to do, chase Miss Ainsworth down and demand to know why my charm didn't have her swooning?
"Neeellly!"
I jerked my head around; It was Mr. Ainsworth's deep voice. His daughter's lighter one soon echoed it.
I looked back over my shoulder to see them splitting up across the lawn, continuing to call out into the rain. I hesitated, considering the sudden options before me.
The letter I'd recieved from Charles today said he'd been delayed and it might be a few more days before his return. I'd be considerably bored at the hotel, just as I had been before I left. This was also another chance to prove to Ms. Ainsworth that I was indeed a friend, not a stranger.
***
"Mr. Ainsworth, is something wrong?"
"Oh," he seemed relatively surprised to see me, "Mr. Samuelson. What are you doing out in this weather?"
I laughed and tried to speak over the growing roar of the storm, "What are you doing out shouting in it. Can't be healthy for the vocals I imagine."
He smiled beneath the wet board he held over his head for proection. But concern soon ruled his features once more.
"It seems my youngest has gone exploring. But its nothing you need concern yourself about."
"Well," I grinned, "I think I'm as about as wet as I can get. What can I do to help?"
He seemed a little relieved. "Well, if you don't mind, my eldest daughter and I were going to split up and search while the others mind the house. Would you mind going with her? I'd feel much better about it."
I glanced Ms. Ainsworth's way. She had been calling for her sister for awhile and was now walking towards us. I couldn't read her expression well through the rain but I hoped she wouldn't mind--it was the perfect opportunity for my tactics.
Eager to please the man vital to my cause as well, I turned my gaze up towards my umbrella.
"I think there's room."
He smiled, "Good. Thank you."
***
"I'm not sure where to start," she said, hugging her soaking shawl around her in attempt to get warm, "She left hours ago."
"I might have an idea," I replied, "But the roads are a little muddy. Mind crossing some country?"
She looked like she could care less so long as we found her sister. So I didn't trouble her with any more questions and we moved on. I tried my best to keep up with her worried stride in order to be the gentleman and keep the umbrella overhead but it was nearly in vain. She didn't slow until we reached the fence.
I easily leapt over it and she let me help her over as well. We continued across the wet, entangled tall grass with only the constant thud of the rain on the umbrella and the brush of our feet against the foliage. It was a good five minutes before she finally struck up a conversation.
"So shouldn't a man as important as you have something other to do than tromp around in the rain?"
"Plenty," I smirked, "But a man as important as I can chose when to do those things. Now which direction are we going?"
She looked over at me incredulously, "I thought you were the leader here. Its comforting to know you're so prepared."
I smiled, relieved that she felt at ease enough to tease.
"I brought an umbrella."
She only shook her head with a soft smile and I was reminded of how pretty she was. Her golden-colored hair looked darker in the rain and stuck to her face but it didn't mar her image in the least. In fact, in some ways it enhanced it. It had now fallen out of its former pinned state, allowing it to fall more freely down her back. Those brown eyes that I could never seem to read looked on into the rain and her small mouth seemed pursed in both determination and thought.
Meanwhile, the suit Charles had bought me was utterly soiled. My bangs constantly got in my eyes and I could feel mud kicking up from my feet onto my trousers.
"Nelly!" Ms. Ainsworth tried again, bringing me from my thoughts. I examined our surroundings again. They remained relatively the same: tall grass trimmed with small flowers and trees, the entire image swaying in the wind. Then, through the slanted sheet of rain, I spotted a good-sized blur.
"The grove of trees," I muttered to myself. Of course! The hideout she had described. On impulse, I grabbed her hand and began pulling her behind me, "I know our direction now!"
She seemed a little startled by the action but was too busy gathering her dripping skirts and trying to keep up with my long legs to say much. Frankly, I startled myself with it. I hadn't acted in such a way since I was back home. There were no strategies behind it, no speculating before it. It was simply doing what came naturally--and it was strangely refreshing.
Before long the blur grew into individual trees. Ms. Ainsworth quickly caught on.
"Nelly's hideout, of course!"
"Where is it at?" I yelled over the increasing wind.
"I'm not sure from here," she replied, "Nelly!"
I followed suit and began hollering her name as we stumbled through the small patch of trees. Our voices were nearly hoarse by the time Ms. Ainsworth turned towards me.
"I don't seen her anywhere," she said, her voice full of worry, "Should we look elsewhere?"
I was just about to nod in agreement before, through all the noise around us, we heard a small yelp. Immediatly we glanced at each other for confirmation of the noise and then broke into a hard run towards it.
By now the wind was pushing completely against us, pulling at my jacket and trousers mercilessly. I closed the umbrella as it quickly lost its purpose and wrapped an arm around Ms. Ainsworth in a chivalrous attempt to support her as we pushed forwards.
We called for her again and followed the noise for several long mintues before we found the hideout. It was just as Ms. Ainsworth had described. There was a small hole in one of the trees hardly larger than a dinner plate. However, it seemed the girl had become tired of her usual play place and climbed the actual tree itself. Like a frightened kitten, she clung to a thick branch a good twelve or so feet up, her face wet from both tears and rain.
"It's alright, Nelly," Ms. Ainsworth called out, "Just climb down slowly. We'll be right here to help you."
"No!" she violently shook her head, "the wind will blow me off!"
"It won't, Nelly," she tried once more, "I promise. Just move slowly."
The small girl moved about an inch before whimpering and clinging tighter, "I can't!"
Her older sister frowned in thought. I could tells she'd like nothing more than to climb up and retrieve her sister, but with heavy skirts and a guest present, she seemed reluctant. Still, that appeared to be the only way to get her down.
I began pulling off my wet gloves and she looked over at me.
"Oh no, Mr. Samuelson, you don't have to."
I recognized the tone more as spiteful than apologetic. She didn't seem fond of being dependent on people. Had I not been standing here I was sure she'd been up the tree a long time ago. But I only smirked and strained my voice once more, "Relax, Ms. Ainsworth. You've done far more than most ladies would've done already," I moved to climb the tree and then paused to add, "Besides, I might need someone to catch me."
I didn't wait for her reaction before climbing. My hands had become a little softer during my stay here, but they fared well enough. I scraped up my knees and tore a hole in my shirt maneuvering from branch to branch and found the feat much harder than it used to be. Lack of practice and bad weather greatly influenced my abilities. The hard part, however, was climbing back down.
"I've got you Nelly!" I yelled, wrapping one arm around her small waist, "You can let go!"
"Mr. Samuelson?" she risked a quick look over her shoulder.
Her sudden excited tone made me grin, "Yes. It's Mr. Samuelson. Now let go so I can get you down."
She did so reluctantly. I held onto her until she had inched herself off of the branch and then she immediatly latched onto me. With a small chuckle, I shifted my weight to balance to the two of us.
"Alright," I said, "You hold onto me and I'll climb down. Agreed?"
She nodded and wrapped her arms tighter around my neck. It was then, looking down, that I realized just how high up we were. The wind blew branches into my face and the rain continued to pelt me. And, as if to add to the trauama, the branch I had most my weight on suddenly lurched. Nelly squealed in my ear and I realized that if I didn't get moving, we'd go down the easy way.
It was a long, nerve-riding trip to the ground with Nelly tugging on my hair and the slippery footholds, but we eventually made it. Ms. Ainsworth tackled the next challenge of prying her sister off of me.
Despite the trauma, Nelly quickly recovered and jabbered on to me the entire journey back. I was informed of every topic ranging from her new slippers to her doll's name. Though I could tell Ms. Ainsworth was a little embarressed by her sister's carrying on, even she contributed a little to the conversation. The familiar suspicion or uneasiness seemed to have ebbed away some. That meant my worst threat was close to overcome! And before Charles even knew it had been there.
Now to explain the hole in my shirt...
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