When a Young Heart Loves (The Secret of Moonacre Fanfiction)

Lessons in Sword Fighting and A Wedding

Maria forced her eyes open and sighed. If she was to meet Robin for breakfast, she would have to get up now. She nibbled on her cookies and milk before drinking some of her tea. Her stomach all the while spinning from embarrassment, she could only imagine Marmaduke's reaction. She couldn't bear the thought of facing him.

'And William! His nerve to be so forwards with me, and in my own room,' Maria huffed with indignation as she braided her hair. 'What about Robin?' A voice whispered in her head. 'Well-well of course he wasn't so decent either... Sneaking into my room...'

But despite what she told herself, a part of Maria's heart didn't blame Robin at all. He had been kind, and dare she say it, even gentlemanly-'Well if sneaking into a lady's room is ever a gentlemanly thing to do,' she scoffed at herself. She sounded ridiculous. She knew Ms. Heliotrope and Mrs. Watson would find that far from respectable. Yet nonetheless, Maria trusted Robin. 'Of course, he only wanted to make sure I was safe, as a good friend would.'

Her mind conjured up Robin, his sleepy smile, his raspy morning voice, and the way his curls spread about the pillow. Her face flushed red and butterflies fluttered in her stomach. 'And unlike William, Robin was quite respectful. After all, he didn't try to kiss me...'

At that thought, Maria felt her heart sink a bit. She looked into the mirror. She was about to be 17 in a few weeks, but unlike Jane or Cat, she didn't have a full bosom, or pink and round cheeks. Maria was still pale; her red hair and freckles were the only color on her face. She wondered if Robin really did think she was no longer a child, then she scolded herself for such thoughts, she needed to snap herself out of this foolishness! She swung her turquoise skirts behind her and marched down to the hall with her head held high. She was determined not to give Robin any more of her mind-he already had enough of her heart.

"Good morning uncle," she greeted Sir Benjamin. He was sitting in the parlor drinking some coffee. His eyes were red and struggled to remain open. He absentmindedly waved his hand to her in greeting.
Wrolf was curled at his feet, sleeping soundly away. It seemed he was the only one who had gotten any sleep last night.

The morning air stung her eyes and she shivered from the cold. She found Robin napping beneath a tree. His bowler hat was placed over his eyes, and his scarf was wrapped snug around his neck. There was a tear in his leather jacket from the poker she attacked him with.

Maria quietly stepped towards him. She reached for his head, planning to take his bowler hat. She was so focused on the hat, she failed to see Robin's smirk beneath the brim. He reached out and grabbed her ankle. Maria yelled and tried to step back, but with her foot still trapped, she fell on her bottom.
"Robin, you oaf!"

"Don't go about stealing people's things, especially my hat," he playfully scolded as he jumped to his feet and helped her up. "How are you doing? Feeling better?"

"Much better, though a certain birdbrain almost got me into trouble a few times."

Robin chuckled. "I only wanted to make sure you were alright. I did not mean to stay so late, promise. I was simply tired, closed my eyes for a bit, and somehow fell asleep. Besides, that William bloke visited you too!"

Maria stopped herself from laughing, she didn't want him to think this wasn't a serious matter. "Both of you were at fault, and as far as Marmaduke knows, only you were in my room. Though, thank you... for keeping me company."

He smiled and looked away, plucking a few leaves from the low-hanging branches, "it was nothing."

She looked around the gardens as her hands played with her braided hair, "Why did you want to see me?"