Louise

Chapter 14

Upon reaching a hill, she gazed into the distance, feeling an unusual sense of peace. It was an emotion she hadn't experienced in a long time. The fields stretched out before her, a patchwork quilt of greens and yellows that seemed to stretch on forever. The gentle breeze caressed her cheek, and the scent of freshly cut hay filled her nostrils.

Liberated and unburdened by the weight of expectations, she twirled around in the field, letting go of pain, guilt, and grief. The sun warmed her face, and the laughter of distant children carried on the wind, filling her heart with a long-forgotten sense of joy. For the first time in years, Louise felt truly alive.

Raindrops began to fall, turning into a shower, then a downpour. Undeterred, Louise continued to twirl, feeling as though she had escaped from her troubles. The rain plastered her hair to her head and soaked through her clothes, but she felt cleansed, renewed. The field became a muddy mess, but she enjoyed the feeling of the earth beneath her feet, the water streaming down her face.

Unbeknownst to her, a horse galloped towards Louise at a rapid pace. The animal's hooves created a thunderous noise as they pounded against the earth, churning up great clouds of mud. Oblivious to the approaching danger, she remained lost in her moment of liberation.

The horse abruptly stopped, causing its rider to fall to the ground with a loud thud.

Startled, Louise halted her twirls and rushed to the fallen man. "Oh dear! Are you alright?" she asked, her voice lacking its usual emotionless tone. The man on the ground, his face smeared with mud, stared at her, captivated by the enchanting beauty that stood before him. His lips parted, and he struggled to find words.

Louise, with her curvaceous figure and graceful movements, crouched down beside the fallen man. As Louise took in his appearance, her heart started to race. The man had striking blue eyes and blond hair that framed his handsome face, he exuded an air of mystery that drew her in. Despite being covered in mud, she couldn't help but feel a strange attraction to him.

As they gazed at each other, a connection sparked between them—an unspoken understanding that went beyond societal expectations and propriety. In that moment, beneath the pouring rain, the muddy field seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in a world of their own.

Louise swiftly averted her gaze, realizing the impropriety of their situation. The stranger on the ground was already making quite an impression on her, and she knew that such feelings were not only unbecoming of a woman in her position but also potentially dangerous. "I apologize for my attire," she said, trying to sound more like her usual self. "I did not expect to find anyone else out here."

The man struggled to stand, and Louise offered him her hand. As he took it, she felt a spark of electricity pass between them. Despite his muddy state, his hand was strong and confident.

When Louise realised, she had touched him, she quickly bowed her head. "I apologize for touching you sir, please forgive my clumsiness," she said, keeping her tone even and professional. She glanced at him, trying to gauge his reaction to their brief interaction. His eyes seemed to hold a mix of confusion and surprise, but there was also an undeniable spark of curiosity.

"Why are you apologizing? You didn't do anything wrong. In fact, it was my fault entirely for not being more cautious while riding. I should have been paying better attention to my surroundings," the man said, his voice strong and confident despite the lingering hint of mud. He brushed a lock of hair from his forehead, revealing a playful smirk.

Louise shook her head, her shoulders hunching inward. "Because I am of a darker complexion, sir. It is not seemly for a woman of my station to be seen consorting with a man of your...prominence. I fear I have put you in an untenable position. I should have been more considerate of your reputation, and my own standing in society."

The man frowned, clearly troubled by her words. He gently grasped her hand again, insisting firmly yet kindly, "My reputation is of no consequence compared to your well-being, my lady. You must not concern yourself with such matters. You have done nothing wrong. In fact, why should your complexion define what interactions you can and cannot have?"

Louise looked up at him, her eyes filled with surprise and confusion. Confused by his progressive words, his understanding and acceptance of her darker complexion, and the warmth in his gaze. He was unlike any man she had ever encountered; not only because of his striking features and noble bearing, but also because he seemed to genuinely care for her well-being. His words pierced through the barriers she had so carefully constructed around herself, making her feel seen and heard in a way that she never had before.

As the rain suddenly intensified into a downpour, Louise looked at him once more. "Once again, I apologize for my attire and my behaviour, sir," she said softly, her voice no longer devoid of emotion. "I fear I have made you uncomfortable, and for that I am truly sorry." she said before running back towards the manor, leaving the stranger in the muddy field, alone with his thoughts.

"Wait! What is your name?" the man called out, his voice carrying over the relentless patter of the rain. Though she could not see him clearly through the sheets of water, she could sense his gaze upon her. His words resonated within her, stirring emotions she had thought long forgotten.

"Once again! I am terribly sorry!" Louise yelled over her shoulder, not stopping. Her feet pounded through deep puddles as she fled, heart pounding with exhilaration and uncertainty over what had just transpired.

Watching her graceful figure disappear into the distance, the man felt enchanted, as if he had just witnessed a dream. The rain pelted down upon him, but he barely registered the discomfort. His thoughts were consumed with the woman who had just left him standing in the mud. He wondered why she had reacted so strongly to his presence, and why she had been so insistent on apologizing. She was unlike any woman he had ever met; so proper and reserved, yet there was an undeniable fire burning beneath the surface.

Louise finally reached the manor doors, her heart racing and her lungs burning from the exertion of running through the rain. She paused for a moment, struggling to catch her breath, as she wiped the mud and rainwater from her face. As she closed the door, in walked in Katherine and Lady Cordelia.

Lady Cordelia rushed over to Louise's side "Oh goodness dear, you must have run quite the distance. Come, sit down and dry off. We must get you into something warm and dry immediately." Katherine nodded in agreement, eyes gleaming with concern.

"I am fine, truly," Louise insisted, refusing to be fussed over as Katherine and Lady Cordelia exchanged glances. "It was nothing more than a mere mishap. Please, you both must not concern yourselves with me." Her words were steady and calm, each syllable enunciated with precision. As they continued to fuss, she managed to escape their grasp and started walking up the stairs, when there was a knock on the door.