Ensnared in the brambles of love.

Chapter 7: On the road again

A tall slim dark haired man whom wore a wide grin and bright eyes stepped up to the threshold, it was Timilas son. "Oh my boy! it is my greatest joy to see you" exclaimed Timila as she pulled him into a warm embrace and went on her tip toes to plant a kiss on his cheek. Timila glanced behind her son before inquiring "Lukas where is my sweetest grandson? Where is Asher? " do not fret mother, Asher is well " said Lukas reassuringly "I regret to inform you that he has decided to stay in Berlin until next month he has business to attend to". Timila stepped aside to let him in then let out a resounding sigh "I can't see how any amount of business can prevent Asher from visiting his lonely old Oma" she mumbled to herself , the two of them then entered the breakfast room and there at the table sat Lilian with a powdered face and hair done up elegantly yet her expression was not quite as pleasant.
Her fearsome scowl quickly faded when she noticed the two of them had entered. "Lukas" Timila nodded at him "I would like you to meet miss Lilian Laustson" Timila said as she shot Lilian a smile "MISS LILIAN LAUSTSON!" He exclaimed with a great amount if enthusiasm in his voice " it couldn't be miss Laustson daughter of Pastor Jean Laustson could it?" With a Questioning look He turned his attention to his mother and watched as she nodded slowly with a mischievous smirk placed on her lips. "W-well miss Laustson it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance I am Lukas Fostas duke of wellingsbuttle " he bowed accordingly and then proceeded to sit at the table, as did Timila. "Lilians coach man is in need of some assistance to release miss laustsons carriage from its present predicament. Would you be willing to assist them just after breakfast?" "Of course mother anything i can do for miss. laustson" Lukas spoke in a genteel demeanor.

"now shalt we say grace". "Yes indeed but i must ask, Lilian would you give us the honor?" Lilian shifted in her seat then shyly nodded. The only people she prayed with was her father and Adrian but rather than dwelling on that fact she bowed her head and began to pray aloud as she did she imagined it was her father and Adrian with her. "Dear father in heaven I am grateful to the kind heart you have blessed Timila with and how diligently you have given us help by bringing her son to us, I pray you would help us be on our way as soon as possible, thank you lord for the food you have brought before us bless it to us Amen" . "Amen!" Timila repeated back as they all reached for their silverware "so miss Laustson how far up the road is your carriage " asked Lukas before he took his first bite " About two miles I presume or so would be my best guess". " Your probably better off asking mr.Felswick the coachman after breakfast Lukas" chirped Timila "but never mind that , do tell us of your trip to Berlin. Have you made plenty of new acquaintances? I'm sure there were an exceptional amount of parties". "Oh yes indeed mother but I regret to say I was only able to attend two, of many, my career kept me quite occupied " "as it always has but what of the new acquaintances?" Asked Timila attentively "I'm sure their were plenty of eligible women to associate with at the mere two events you attended" Timila said slyly. "I'm sure their were but that's not where my attention lay" mr.Fostas spoke solemnly before he took another bite of his meal. It was silent for a few minutes before Lilian found her voice she couldn't fight off curiosity "i don't mean to pry but mr. Fostas do tell us about your sons business in Berlin. Is he a man of law?" Over come by her presumptuous curiosity the duke nearly choked on his breakfast. Once he had cleared his throat he spoke informatively "Well originally he was going into law on a prestigious scholarship he received due to his academic success at the school in Rostock" "he's a very intelligent young man full of potential and were terribly proud of him" added Tamila with a glowing smile. "But after he experienced a life threatening illness, his original scheme full of success and glory dwindled, and he insisted his mission in life was to not only a lawyer but an evangelist as well "giving a voice to those whom have none" as he says it". Over taken by awe and inspiration made Lilian Unable to respond to such a climactic testimony, never had she heard of someone so full of sincerity and cared so genuinely. Tamila cut the awestruck silence "so what radical dilemma kept him in Berlin this time?" She questioned "it's a rather unusual case mother it will take much investigation and may perhaps keep him away longer than expected" at this mr.Fostas lowered his tone "the case was abandoned quite A few years ago because of the lack of required testifiers but obscurely the court decided to reopen it due to a recent confession made by a dying suspect". "My that is extremely intriguing what was the cases name perhaps I will recognize it" Tamila spoke with an edge in her voice and wide eyes. "I cannot confirm the name because the judge has not released it yet but.." Mr.Fostas looked around and leaned towards his mother "but" he said in a hushed tone " I have reason to believe that it is the notorious Herrlich estate case, do you remember it? its the one about the mysterious disappearance of Bartram.p.Hertzog it was in the news just prier to Ashers birth." "Herrlich estate?" said Lilian slightly puzzled "i believe that is the name of my aunt Gurwins estate in fact that is where i'm venturing after the carriage is released". "Is it really?" came timila curiously "my my this is exponentially intriguing, do you know anything about the case lilian?" The two began to stair at Lilian until she blankly replayed "honestly I know very little about my aunt except that she's substantially wealthy, my father insisted I live with her for the year". The cluster continued on their conversing until they had all finished their breakfast, shortly after addressing mr.Felswick they began venturing to the carriage. Thereafter a long struggle of pulling on the horses part and being pushed by the two gentlemen the muddle finally arrived in its conclusive state on solid ground. "My that was quite the predicament" came mr.fostas with a tone which revealed exhaustion "much more then what I first has in mind" . "I am sincerely grateful to you Mr.Fostas had you not arrived today I may have had to return home, but now I must continue onward for my arrival at my aunts is long over due". Mr.Fostas, Tamila and Lilian then proceeded towards the freed carriage the three of them indulged in a warm embrace before Lilian boarded. "take care dear and remember your always welcome to visit us" spoke Tamila warmly as she gave Lilians hand a tender squeeze through the carriages window "Feel free to write to us of you adventures and discoveries in Berlin" mr.Fostas shot her a final grin. "Don't worry I'll make it priority to do both it's the least I can do for your kindness, good bye! And thank you." The carriage then lurched forward, mr. Felswick took Lilians words as a cue to leave. They were on the road again to the destination.