Midnight Bliss

Chapter 6

For two days I pushed Nathaniel Barrows out of my mind. For two days I went on countless strolls and boat rides. All conversations pointed to the same things, but some conversations had gone further. Three men had caught my attention. Two had won that affection fair and square. Nathaniel was the third man and I felt a pang in my chest as I painfully recounted on the stroll with Jack. The way he stroked the woman's chin. The way I wish he would stroke mine. No! I pushed the thought away and angrily set down my sewing hoop.

Kara noticed my displeasure and set down her tea cup, "It is a beautiful day to be so upset, Dear."

I sighed and admired the day for a moment. It was sunny and warm. Warm enough that I wore a dress more loose and billowy for my taste. Something that would be considered more along the lines of a summer dress than something for tea, but oh well. I was already the topic of gossip. 

"I am just bothered." I admitted.

She nodded, "By the gossip?"

It had been two days since the garden stroll, but in two days the rumors and gossiping of Barrows and I's secret relationship had blossomed. Perhaps I had already found my suitor, people thought. I had found him so fast, they thought. Snagged the Lord of Barrington and taken him away from his Bachelor lifestyle. None of these things were true and I gritted my teeth.

"Lord Peter Barrows requests an audience with you, M'Lady." A servant announced.

I furrowed my brows at the name because I did not recognize it, but even more so because we were having tea outside. I had never heard of a Peter Barrows, but the last name being the same as Nathaniel's they were bound to be related. I nodded and Eloise followed me to Peter's study room where I was seated promptly and met with the same man I had seen in the hall. He held his hands firmly up to his mouth as he was deep in thought and just as I was beginning to speak, he smirked at me.

"You are a beautiful woman, Ms. Griffons." His eyes flickered from my feet to my head.

I blushed, "Mr. Barrows-"

"Call me Peter." He waved a hand and stood, walking to a window and admiring a bird sitting out on the terrace.

"Is there a particular reason you wanted a meeting with me?" I asked suddenly.

Eloise pursed her lips at my promptness.

"Unfortunately, Dear, I believe we have a problem." He clicked his tongue.

I didn't understand, "Excuse me?"

"It seems you have become talk of the court."

"Gossip means something to you?"

"Gossip means something to my family." He said suddenly fierce.

I was taken aback and Eloise took a step closer to my side. He paced the room and then came to a stop before me, sitting on the edge of his desk.

"Stop showing interest in my cousin and we will cease to have an issue. We are handling-" He began, but Eloise fiercely cut him off.

"Sir, I would like to say as her escort it is wildly inappropriate her Father is not here having this discussion with you. Any further discussions can be made with the Mr. and Misses themselves." She dug the words into him and yanked me from the seat.

Within seconds we were out the door and into the court yard. I was flustered, but even more so when I turned and came face to face with Nathaniel.

"Lady Griffons-" He grinned.

I held up a hand, "Control your family, Barrows!"

I stormed off in a rage and Eloise tapped along beside me easily. I walked to my chambers and felt like throwing something as I slammed the door behind me and made Mother jump. She raised an eyebrow at me and then stood suddenly. 

"Dear, your face is broken out with hives!" She cried out.

I sucked in a deep breath and tears shot to my eyes. It was silly enough that rumors and gossip were something strong enough to crush your reputation, but to have a man ruin your reputation was even worse. I knew Barrows was a strong, mysterious family, but we still barely knew one another.

"I am fine." I assured Mother.

She wiped a cold cloth across my face, "Nora, what happened?"

I forced a smile and took a deep breath, "Nothing. I got overheated outside and Eloise helped me back in."

Eloise nodded behind me and within minutes I was stripped to my sleep wear and sent to bed. I wasn't tired but as the night dragged on, I felt the need to walk and slipped from bed, tying my robe around me and watching as it billowed to the floor and shimmered with its emerald green material. It had silk embroidery along the cuffs and I had always admired the way the flowers were so tiny and delicate, but held so strong.

I slipped from our chambers silently and into the hallway. No one was around, but as I made my way to the garden I became suddenly aware I wasn't completely alone. I looked up from the ground and was met with dark eyes from across the court yard. They moved quickly across the grass and suddenly a man I recognized was standing there. Jacob Bea. We strolled together in the garden yesterday, but I hadn't felt a spark. I had promptly sent him my apologies and he was on his way, but yet here he was.

"I have to ask why." He said fiercely.

I was taken aback and blinked, "I beg your pardon?"

"Why not me? I believe I am a worthy man."

This couldn't be happening, "Jacob-"

"No! I don't want excuses." He said again in a rage.

He stepped forward and I tilted backwards. His hands grabbed at my arms and caught me, but I tried to move away and he pushed me over a bush. His hands moved around my waist and couldn't figure out what he was doing until I smelled the heavy alcohol on his breath and heard his belt. I began to fight then. I kicked my legs out and he stumbled backwards. This gave me enough time to lurk away, but he lurked at the same time and we rolled across the ground. The fabric on my robe rippled and suddenly my chest my exposed as the fabric underneath was ripped away.

I opened my mouth to scream, but his hand clasped over and concealed it. I struggled under his weight and as I felt his weight shift further down he was suddenly off me and across the yard in a second. I sat up and covered my chest with as much fabric as I could as a shadowy figure moved swiftly and yelling was heard across the yard. A few yells and punches were thrown and suddenly Barrows was in front of me. I felt my breathing slow, but then he looked me in my eyes and my breathing hitched, tears flowing to my eyes.

"Nora? Nora, are you alright?" He asked quickly, removing his jacket and putting it over me.

I accepted the added clothing gratefully and tears streamed down my face, "No! No, I am not alright!"

"Nora-"

"Why are you always here?" I cried out.

"I just happened to be walkin-"

"I am fine!" I cried out again.

"Fine! I'll leave-"

"NO!" I grabbed his arm as he began to stand.

His muscles moved under my hand and I let him go slowly as he helped me stand. His eyes watched me softly and as he steadied me, he pulled his hands back. I wished he would put them on my face, my waist, my hips... I wish he would pull me close. I shook my head and he escorted me back to my chambers.

"Make sure you have an escort next time." He spoke gently.

I nodded and as I turned to the door, he stopped me. I was confused, but suddenly his hand was on my chin and my breath stopped. If someone saw us! If anyone saw us! I panicked and as I opened my mouth to speak he put a finger over my lips and I felt the warmth across my mouth as he took his finger away. I was left at my doorstep breathless and clutching his jacket to my chest.