The Cousin - ONC 2023

Chapter four

Emily stopped laughing. Why would he say such a thing? She could get into serious trouble if her family had heard those words.

She took the bow from his hands and started putting away her things. Once the arrows had been pulled from Cecily’s bonnet she let it fall to the ground, then quickly kicked it behind the tree and under a bush, where she prayed no one would find it.

"Did I say something wrong?" Oscar asked her from behind.

She shook her head, but didn’t dare face him. Instead, she put everything into her saddlebag, bow over her shoulder and led her horse to a large rock.

"May I assist you, Emily," he asked.

"Please don't call me that. My name is Miss Hollyford."

"Come now, we have known each other all our lives. We are practically family, you are almost like a little sister.”

Emily winced at that remark. He may be out of her reach, but it still stung.

"It's just... less complicated.”

She then ignored his offer, stepped upon the rock and mounted her horse—a beautiful brown mare with white circles around her hooves. It had been a long time since she had ridden such a magnificent animal.

Her aunt and uncle only kept one horse for riding and the poor thing was as decrepit as the crumbling house they lived in. Emily could only ride him for errands—which was not very often at all. Aunty Prue preferred she stayed close to the cold and draughty manor, out of sight and out of mind.

Oscar mounted his own beautiful white beast and came to a stop beside her.

"How is it less complicated?" He asked.

"If you'll excuse me, I really must be getting back. I'm sure Aunty Prue will be wondering where I've gotten to," she said, avoiding his question.

"I dare say she will still be sleeping off the wine from last evening."

"I am feeling rather famished, now that I come to think of it," Emily replied, in agitation.

And with that she pulled on the reins and galloped back through the trees towards the house. Unexpectedly, Oscar followed close behind, she had desperately hoped he wouldn’t. Being seen with him gallivanting about the countryside could only end in disaster.

At least her uncle was not in residence, if he were, she would have been in grave danger of a sound lashing. Her back tingled as memories of previous beatings came to mind. Attempting to clear her thoughts, she rode faster. He was back in Yorkshire, he could not hurt her here.

"Emily, slow down, you could hurt yourself!" Oscar yelled from close by.

No more than she had already been hurt in the past eight years. What is a fall from a horse compared to losing both parents in a horrific way, and being forced to live with people who did not care whether she lived or died. She pushed her horse harder.

"Emily!" He yelled again.

But she couldn’t hear him, she was free. At that very moment, free, and death did not scare her, not when she felt so exhilarated.

Then, out of nowhere, Oscar drew up alongside her, grabbed at her reins and forced both her and her horse to slow. They came to a stop near the stables. Emily was panting as she stared daggers at Oscar.

"Why did you do that? I was fine!"

"Fine? You were about to get yourself injured, or worse yet, killed, and for what? Honestly, Emily." He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You were a silly girl at thirteen, but this was by far the silliest thing you've ever done. Do you have no regard for your own welfare?" His piercing gaze held only anger.

Emily felt like she had been slapped. Of course he thought of her as just a silly girl. Once upon a time she had been convinced they would be married by now. How naïve and blind she had been. Her eyes travelled to the ground in defeat.

"Emily, forgive me, I did not mean to yell," he said with a sigh. "Aunt Florence would never forgive me if I let something happen to you before the house party and of course, your coming-out ball. And I'm sure you would not want to ruin Miss Andrews' chances as well?"

Of course, precious Cecily, we wouldn't want to hurt her precious feelings. Emily only nodded and trotted towards the stables. The sooner she was away from him, the better.

"I think I'll stay out a while longer. Good day to you Emily," he said in a brisk tone.

And with that, he was gone. She wished he would stop calling her Emily. It was too familiar—felt too intimate. With any luck, she could hopefully avoid him for the rest of the day.

Once she dismounted, she hid her bow and quiver behind a small bale of hay in an empty stall and made her way back to the house. Thoughts of Oscar, Cecily and her Aunt and Uncle ran through her head. She wondered what a life away from the Andrews' would be like—perhaps at Lilywood or a home of her own.

"Where have you been? And why were you talking to Lord Trentham?" Cecily demanded, as she ambushed Emily outside of the dining room.

"Aunt Florence said I could ride one of her horses and it's such a pleasant morning," said Emily in her defence.

"And Lord Trentham?" Cecily placed her hands on her hips, pushing for an answer.

"He was out riding, and we stumbled across one another. He was kind enough to escort me home and then continued on his way."

Emily hated having to justify herself to her cousin.

"Very well, but remember, if I see you trying to steal him away from me, you'll be sorry, Emily Hollyford. Very sorry indeed."

Cecily’s scowl turned into a sweet smile as Aunt Florence descended the staircase. Cecily proceeded past Emily into the dining hall to breakfast.

"Good morning Emily, I trust you slept well?"

"Yes, thank you, aunt. It's a lovely room, and the bed was most satisfactory," she replied.

"I'm pleased to hear it." Aunt Florence leaned in and whispered in her ear, "I gave you the best room in the house, apart from my own of course."

She smiled at her Aunt, why couldn't Aunty Prue be more like her?

"I want you to enjoy your stay here Emily. It's been so long since we've had the pleasure of your company." Aunt Florence grabbed her hands and squeezed them affectionately.

"Thank you Aunt, this visit means more to me than you'll ever know.”

Looking Emily up and down, Aunt Florence pursed her lips together and nodded. "Tomorrow we shall visit the modest and acquire you a new wardrobe. This childish material and odd fit will not do."

"I fear Aunty Prue will not allow it," Emily replied.

"She will never know until it is too late. The best advice my dear grandmama imparted on me as a young child—it is much easier to ask for forgiveness than it is permission," Aunt Florence said with a wink then laughed.

"Wise words indeed," Emily said, unable to contain her own laughter.

Aunt Florence stopped and smiled. "Were you about to go to breakfast? Shall we go in together?"

Emily shook her head. "No, you go. I was just heading up to my room.”

Aunt Florence nodded. "I look forward to tomorrow." She released Emily’s hands and walked away.

Emily was no longer hungry. To be alone was what she craved, away for Oscar, away from Cecily. She turned on her heel and went up to her room.

Locking her door, so as not to be disturbed. She sat down in the window seat and looked out across the beautifully manicured gardens and out towards the forest.

The more time she spent at Lilywood, the more she felt like her old self and after a visit to the modest, she would look like her old self. Excitement now pulsed through her veins at something as simple as a new dress—because it would be hers and not an old hand-me-down of Cecily’s that was too big and too short.

Oh, how she had missed Lilywood.