Star crossed

Chapter 21: Reputation

A warm hand touched Amelia's forehead, it was gentle. The warmth seemed to heal her. When the hand retreated, she craved for it to return. Muffled voices came from a few feet away.

"Why hasn't she woken yet!" the sobbing followed.

"She will, the fever is down," her father's hand was again on her forehead. He appeared to be reassuring himself more than others. Darkness enveloped her.

When Amelia woke up it was dark. Her father was sleeping awkwardly sitting in a chair holding her hands.

The door opened and Emma walked in. Her father woke up with a start.

"How is she now?"

"The same," his voice sounded weak and painful.

Emma, without a word, pulled Nicholas into a hug.

"I brought you some soup, would you like to drink now?"

Nicholas shook his head.

"Ok, why don't you sleep. I will wake you once Lady Amelia wakes."

"No, you should rest."

"I slept with Jr. You look dreadful. Please sleep I will wake you in two hours."

"Fine, who is with Jr?"

"Amanda. He is sleeping now. His fever is completely down, little coughs now and then."

Amelia could feel something hot being spooned into her mouth. She tried to swallow, it was difficult. Her throat felt dry.

Emma alternated between hot water and broth. Then Emma rubbed down Amelia's arms and legs with a warm towel. Once done, Emma took her hand and sat on the chair mumbling prayers.

When Amelia finally woke up, she had a mild cold, not sick enough to keep herself tied to a bed. Despite her father's protest, she planned to attend the festivities in Brentwood castle that evening.

"Did you hear that Lady Amelia pushed her stepbrother into the lake?"

"What! I thought he fell-"

"He is only six, how could he have left the nursery on his own and found the lake?"

"But I heard she too fell in the lake."

"She is a spiteful one. She just wanted to finish him off. The arrival of Mr. Bennet forced her to give up."

"I never liked her really-"

The ladies noticed Amelia. She ignored them and continued. But they weren't the only ones, whispers followed wherever she went. After an hour, it got too much to bear. How could anyone think she was spiteful enough to hurt a child. She would die before seeing Junior hurt.

She walked out but couldn't enjoy the view as she usually did, the sight of the lake in the distance made her breathing shallow. She walked up to the museum in the castle, it was a small stone building set apart in the distance.

It was dark, only a few candles were lit, she knew the place very well from her numerous visits when she was young.

She was startled when she heard someone ask, "What are you doing here?"

She gasped and clutched her heart as she looked at Antony.

"Why do you always give me such a fright?" she asked, glaring at him.

"Why do you always get scared when you see me?" he glared at her but ruined the effect by smiling.

She laughed at his expression.

"Why are you here?"

"Just wanted to spend some time with my own company," he said.

"Similar reasons."

They both were silent for some time before Amelia said, "Thanks for saving me and Junior."

"You have already thanked me."

"Yes, but I want to thank you again."

Amelia didn't notice the time slipping by as she talked to Antony. She supposed Antony got along well with almost everyone. It was his charm. Wait! Was she thinking Antony was charming?

They both stopped only when a thunder sounded, has it been raining? The snowstorm began in earnest. They couldn't see anything outside. Amelia dared not to venture outside.

They closed the doors and windows to prevent snow from sweeping in, but the temperature dropped with every passing minute.

"Where are you going?" Amelia asked with her teeth chattering.

"Looking for a way to keep us warm."

The windows didn't have curtains. He removed a large tapestry from the wall and wrapped it around Amelia.

"Aren't you cold?" she asked in between the shivers.

"No."

"How is that humanly possible!" she wondered loudly.

Trying to think of an answer, Antony's mind recapped his months of imprisonment. Calling that place a hell would be a vast understatement. He had spent endless nights in the bone-freezing cold with not even a shirt.

The mere thought of it brought him shivers; something that the raging thunderstorms outside failed to do. His eyes grew dark; the surroundings closed in. His heart yearned to eye a ray of light but the room was only growing darker. There was a roar in his ear. The twitches grew stronger, the pain of the torture felt fresh.

A warm presence bought his mind back to where his body was. Amelia had scooted near him and thrown the tapestry over him too.

As the night progressed, Amelia's shivers drained her of all her energy. When Antony hugged to keep her warm she didn't protest. She hugged him back, nuzzling closer to him seeking his body's warmth.

"Better now?"

"Y.. ess."

"Lord Advent must be searching for you."

"Hee.. wouldn't c- care."

Antony shook his head but didn't contradict. She didn't see Lord Nicholas when she was kidnapped or when she fell into the lake.

"Someone might notice your absence. It might ruin your reputation."

"Like I have any reputation left-", she mustered her might in between the shivers, "I am going to die a spinster, anyway."

"My honour wouldn't let me."

"What?"

"I will marry you."