Dusk til Dawn

-4-

I watch as the door slowly opens and an arm is wrapped around mine. My heart was beating faster then ever. I was breathing out of order and in an awkward pattern which was causing my to get slightly light headed. In-front of me is a man. I assume he is the one who called out only moments earlier. He was a rather tanned man, not unnaturally, but it was just perfect to fit his loving smile. When I was brought through the door, his smile slowly faded as he looked me up and down. I'd assume it would be surprising seeing the dirty little girl from the woods all dressed up, in a princess gown and makeup. The man looked like he was in a trance. I never knew I could have that affect on someone. He was quickly snapped out of it by the man that had his arm wrapped around mine.

" Miss Miller," said the man in-front of me, as he took a quick bow and stood up straight looking in my eyes. I retuned the favour but bowing as well and then returning to look him straight in the eyes. His eyes were a bright green. Brighter then the green on the trees in late Spring. They were beautiful. His hair slicked back on the top of his head. A stunning black and white suit, perfectly tailored to his body shape and size. A small smile crept onto my face, he noticed almost immediately , as the exact same smile crept upon his face as well. I quickly moved my eyes to look at the ground, since I could feel the heat gaining in my cheeks. I had never felt that feeling before. It was different. I couldn't tell if I liked it or not. " Miss Miller, we are you escorts to the wedding, I am Peter, and this is my partner John. We are just here to make sure you get to the chapel safely." Said the man from in-front of me.

" Miller, lets get moving alright." Said the man who was wrapped around my arm. His name was John. He looked like a John. He was an older man, much older then Peter. Peter looked to be maybe a few years older then me, where as John had to be over 50. A give away of his age was his constant frown and many greys that filled his balding head. He didn't seem to be the happiest man. He would probably be perfect for my Aunt. John shoved me forward as he began to start the walk to the chapel. The grip he had on my arm was beginning to hurt and I could see the red marks beginning to form on my forearm.

" Excuse me.." I said in a faint voice. You could tell I wasn't quite comfortable with the situation.

" What do you want?" John spat. He clearly wasn't interested.

" Would you mind loosening your grip on my arm? It is hurting my arm and I wouldn't want a red mark on my arm at my wedding." I said, a little bit more confidently. That was a mistake. His grip tightened on my arm as he stopped walking and turned me to face him. He brought me close, leaning down til our faces were only centimetres apart.

" What did you say little lady?" He asked. Peter hadn't noticed that we had stoped. I looked around and many other men in armour and uniforms creating a path between them that I assume was leading us to the chapel.

" I said.." I paused, making sure to word this next sentence perfectly. " Your hurting my arm, you log-headed dim wit?" I said, the end of the sentence coming out a lot louder then the beginning. As soon as I said it I lifted my foot and then planted it as hard as I could, straight down on Johns shoes. He yelped in pain, letting go of my arm. I was free. But I wasn't stupid. I used the freedom to catch up to Peter. He was rather surprised to see my jog up beside him.

"Miss Miller?" He questioned.

"It's Peter, right? You can just call me Sydney. Miss Miller is rather formal, don't you think?"

" Oh yes. Of course. I hope you don't mind me asking, but what are you doing?" He asked looking once again straight into my eyes. I looked back into his. I swear you could get lost in his eyes. A feeling arose from my stomach. A feeling I have never felt before. Almost as if my stomach was filled with butterflies.

" Umm, yeah." I said quickly darting my eyes anywhere away from his. It was almost as if I was getting trapped in the same trance he was trapped in when he first saw me. "Your partner was being kind of rough and I felt if I walked with you I wouldn't have a bunch of red marks on my arm."

" Fair enough." He said moving his eyes away from mine as he reached his hand up to rub the back of his neck. He seemed nervous from his facial expressions. I have never had someone act like that around me. Most of the time people are just scared or disgusted.

" Peter! You trapped her. Good job Lad." John said out of breath from running to catch up to us. His eyes locked on me. He reached his hand out to grab onto my arm once again. But suddenly, Peter reached his arm out and pushed John's back down to his side.

" John, I can take it from here." Peter said. John looked mortified.

" Peter... What do you think your doing? I am your superior, you listen to me. Now move out of my way so we can continue to the chapel, if we are late, we will both loose our jobs."

" I won't be loosing my job, and I won't be listening to you. I will escort Miss Miller. I mean Sydney, the rest of the way." A small smile fell upon my face. No one had even been protective of me. It was rather different and it made the butterflies in my stomach a lot bigger. That was until John began to yell.

" Peter! Don't talk back to me. You come from a good family and you should know better."

"John, have you looked at the poor girls arm? The red marks are going to become bruises and imagine how the Duke will feel knowing you left these marks on his beloved bride?" Peter said, continuing the defend me. " Sydney, we don't want you to be late, so would you care to follow me to the chapel?"

" Yes. Of course Peter. I would love to." I said starting to walk with my arm linked with Peter's. No in a strict way, but instead in a way that made me feel safe. I looked back to where John was standing. He looked fuming, but there was nothing he could do. I gave him a smirk, which I made as obvious as I could, to make sure he saw it. He grunted, turning back to the house in defeat.

I turned back to face the direction we were walking in. Right in-front of us was majestic looking building. It would easily be the biggest building in the village. From the stain-glassed windows and the statues out front, I could tell this was the chapel. Out the front was many people if beautiful dressed and suits chatting amounts each other.

Suddenly, a loud bell erupted from inside the chapel. I jumped at the noise, which caused Peter to hold me closer to his strong frame. " It's just the bell letting everyone know to get to their seats and that your arriving." He was right, the people from outside began to make their way into the church. Peter stopped me where I was. We waited for everyone to be inside before we began walking again. We kept walking until we reached the stairs of the chapel. The massive white building towering over me. Peter turned me to face him, a lot more gentle then the way John did minutes earlier. " I know you don't want to marry him. I think it's crazy they could rip you from the woods, your home and force you to marry some rich Duke." He said, his voice quiet and calming. " Since your marrying the Duke, I will become one of your butlers. So if you need anything, just shout out. I know many ways to escape the Palace for a few hours if you need some air."

" Thank you Peter. I mean it, Thank you so much." I said, my smile fading away as I knew what fate was leading me to. Peter grabs my free hand and pulls it towards his mouth, planting a soft kiss on my knuckles. Then he released it, letting it fall back down to my side. I wish that moment could last forever. I wish I could stay there with Peter forever. Even though I didn't know him, I felt more comfortable with him that anyone else, including my Aunt. Peter makes me safe, yet I am marrying a different man.

Can my life get anymore complicated?