Yes, Hodges' sermon had been a bit over the top, and sure, the fault wasn't all Elliot's, but did I have to be the one to go and apologize? One minute I was sure my conscience wouldn't let me stand idle in my house another minute, the next I was quite sure Elliot had gotten what he deserved. Still, it would be best to just go and apologize. The look on his face had burned within my mind's eye and my cheeks still burned at half of the things Hodges had dared to say. And, admittedly, part of all of this was my father's fault, even if I didn't want to think how it was he who had instigated the hurt I now felt.
Finally my restlessness won out, and I flung open the door and stepped out, finally glad I'd made up my mind about it. Being indecisive had been worse than actually going and apologizing.
I took the walk slowly, trying to figure out what exactly I should say in my apology or how I could face Elliot after I had so rudely slammed the door in his face. I shook my head; no matter how many scenerios raced through my thoughts, there was never a perfect one, especially not if I went directly to Elliot's hotel room. Imagine all the gossip I could stir, with just a simple knock. And it would be worse if Elliot invited me in!
No, I decided, I would just simply have to go to the Lettington's place and ask Mr. Lettington to go offer an apology on my behalf. That way, I smiled to myself, I wouldn't even half to face Elliot at all!
I picked up the pace, glad that Mr. Samuelson wouldn't have to even take a part in this. Now all I wanted to do was get it over with, so I could go back to my home guilt-free. The Lettington's home came into view, and it wasn't long until I found myself on the doorstep, hand lifted, ready to knock.
Taking a deep breath, I lowered my hand, giving the door a good two loud knocks and stepped back, even taking the time to straighten up my apperance, so as not to look distraught to Mr. Lettington.
The door finally popped open after what seemed like a ten minute waiting period for my nerves. Mr. Samuelson's eager face which happened to be in a smirk appeared, making my heart sink to the bottom of my shoes.
I cringed, knowing all to well that he had every right to slam the door in my face. Had the roles been switched, I would have done so, and in fact, had.
Fortunately for me, Mr. Samuelson was a bit more hospitiable. He blinked a few times his sky-blue eyes cutting through me, and the smirk slid off his face in a matter of seconds, but the door stayed open. "Uh... Are you lost?" He asked, dumbfounded, and I hardly blamed him.
Even I wasn't expecting to find him at the only relative he had in town. Sadly, the odds were quite high that he would actually be there, and unthinkingly, I hadn't even considered that fact.
"Uh, no, not lost. Although maybe I should go." I turned, cursing my stupidity and the fact that Elliot and I seemed to meet only under uncomfortable circumstances.
"Oh.. Alright then." Mr. Samuelson seemed confused, but allowed me on my way. I heard the door close as I turned my back to him.
I muttered under my breath at my own cowardice. Such a fool I had become! Yet, I couldn't get myself to go back there, face the man who might have to be my husband. I was angry at him, at myself, at my father, and even a little at Hodges for putting me in such a position as this.
Huffing and puffing with anger, I didn't even look as I stepped into a large hole that just so happened to be in the road. Crying out with a Umph! I fell flat on my face, twisting my left ankle- the one that just happened to have caught on the hole.
Ashamed at such a state I had let myself into, I picked myself off, dusting off the road and rocks that had lodged in my hands. My left ankle throbbed in pain, and I knew it would be a miracle if I could walk myself back home; I still had quite a ways to go, and who knew how long until help would come.
Sheer determination forced me to continue on, even trying out my left foot, only to recoil in pain, and give a sharp intake of breath. No way could I walk on it how it was.
Luckily, there was a fence only a few feet away, and I hobbled over, grabbing the railing as I hopped from my right foot. I may have looked a bit ridiculous, but it got the job done. Now all I had to worry about was running out of fence.
"Need some help there?" The blood drained from my cheeks as I realized I wasn't alone, but had somebody trailing behind me. And not just anybody, but one Mr. Samuelson. He approached me somewhat reluctantly, and I was unsure how long he had been following me, but he stood his ground as I clung desperately to my fence post.
"No, I'm quite alright, thank you." I tried to use a dignified manner, but I'm sure it only made me look more ridiculous, as I hopped to the next prong in the fence.
At first, Mr. Samuelson didn't know what do to. He opened his mouth, only to close it again. He moved towards me, paused, and stood still as he watched. Finally, he shrugged and seemed to throw everything he knew behind as he approached me, and I carefully watched him, making sure he wasn't going to try anything.
Unfortunately, he took me by surprise as he came up from behind me and scooped me up in his arms, bridal style. I was defenseless; I couldn't run, and now he held me hostage in his arms as I sat, my mouth open in terror.
"I demand you set me down at once, Mr. Samuelson! I don't need your help, I can get by by myself." I crossed my arms across my chest defiantly, refusing to look him in the eye. "Imagine the shame and horror if anyone actuallly saw us like this!" I muttered, not actually intending it for his ears.
"Yes, but how long will that take you? Besides, it's not like I have a choice in the matter, it's sort of my duty to help out. Imagine if people saw us as you hobbled along the fence, and I, your promised, did nothing to help you. I'd be the talk of the town!"
"As if you aren't already." I rolled my eyes. But he was right about one thing, it would have taken me the rest of the day if not longer to finally make it to my front door. But a thought crossed my mind as he carried me, and I had to voice it, even if I didn't want to make conversation with him. "Why were you crossing this way, anyways?"
Elliot decided to answer with a question of his own."What were you doing at Charles' house this morning?"
"I asked you first." I argued, pushing my point.
"I was actually coming over to your house, if you must know." Elliot huffed, stepping over a mud puddle. "I thought I had done something to provoke you, and was coming to apologize. If you haven't notice, we haven't exactly been getting along swimmingly, since our engagement."
"Well then it's quite agreeable that you are coming up with a solution to end it then, isn't it? The less we see of each other the better." I suggested, blowing a loose hair out of my face.
"You've avoided my question, Miss Ainsworth, and don't think I haven't noticed." Mr. Samuelson's smirk returned.
I was sorely disappointed he had noticed. "Well, if you must know, I was actually coming over to apologize too." I acted nonchalant, hoping to play the situation down. "I wanted you to know that I was sorry for encouraging Hodges to berate you like that. It was a poor decision, on my part, I'm afraid. Even if you did deserve it." I added hastly.
Elliot seemed to cringe. "Ah, so you did play a part in it!"
"Just accept the apology, because I can assure you, you will not be getting another one from me in the future." I scowled.
"Miss Ainsworth?" Both Mr. Samuelson and I stopped our conversation and paused.
Mr. Scotts walked past, his eyes wide and staring coldly in our direction.
My cheeks heated as I realized just how compromising our situation looked. "It's not what you think!" I called out fruitlessly, as it fell on deaf ears.
Mr. Scotts didn't even miss a step as he continued on, not looking back.
I smacked my hand lightly on my forehead, and wearily rubbed my eyes. There was just no winning in this situation.
Mr. Samuelson gave a small, nervous laugh. "Sorry." He gave an apologetic smile.
Well, I did deserve the shame and humiliation, at least a little bit. I had about done the same to Elliot, and we could only say we were even now.
"We've already come this far Mr. Samuelson. Might as well carry me the rest of the way home and stir up all the scandal we can." I stated sarcastically.
Taking that as my consented approval, Elliot began to walk again, as I sighed and decided I might as well go with it.
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