The Promise

Chapter 13

After I bathe and ready for the day, I head to breakfast and take my seat, picking at some berries and drinking away at my tea. Alexander joins like clockwork everyday, paper in hand and not noticing my presence. This man truly is torchering me with confusion. "Did you sleep well my Lord?". Silence. Why does he speak to me in the dead of night but not in the day, during the day I do not exist to him and at night it's as if he soughts me out simply to confuse my nimble mind.

After breakfast, I ready myself to head out into the gardens, just as I am doing so Winnie brings a letter addressed to me. I take it from her, thanking her I head back to the quite bench in the forgotten part if the garden. A chill was in the air but the grey skies had not yet caused any rain. I opened the let and began to read.

'My child I am thrilled to hear knews of your wellbeing and safe arrival, I to miss you dearly. I can assure you this confusion will pass, me and your farther loved instantly but that does not happen for everyone. You must remember dear that this is new to lord Alexander aswell as you my dear. You must trust that he will do well by you and trust is important now, he is your husband and you must do whatever he sees fit.
I miss you always and forever
Mother'

I close the letter and clasp it tight, trust, I must trust him. He spoke of trust last night and to that I owe him the trust he deserves. I must fulfill the duties of a wife whatever that may be, my trust lays with Alexander. I look up to the room where he studies but see no sign of him, no light lit as if he were not there at all. I stand up and head back toward the house as the skies begin to open, stirring up another storm. By the time I had slipped in through the side door I was coated in a layer of wet rain, with my hair dishevelled and beginning to tangle, the kitchen help continue about their buisness as I make my way past them "what have I told you girl!" Cecil stops me in my tracks and looks up at me as if she were disgusted at my mere existence "where is my husband?" I ignore her attitude as I speak "he does not wish to be disturbed, leave him be" she spits "I asked you a question, I did not require your input" my tone matched hers and she stepped back, she did not respond, I walked past her and left the kitchen.

A take a deep breath and smile with glee, that felt so good. I know we should always be polite and respectful but she is something else and I cannot bring myself to be patient with her anymore. I head towards Alexander's main study and bump into Winnie along the way who was putting kindling on the fire in the main entrance hall. "Winnie have you seen Lord Alexander?" I ask still smiling from my previous accomplishment of standing up for myself "I believe him to be in his quarters ma'am for that is where he requested lunch" she speaks as I make haste up the stairs and toward his room.

I knock lightly before I enter, closing the door behind me and looking over to Alexander who sat at his study, this time wearing a shirt buttoned halfway up so his chest is still visible. He does not look up at me, maybe he believes that I am the help, I clear my throat to gain his attention but he still does not look up at me "speak" he mumbles as his hands adjust the papers that hold his attention. "Last night my lord, in the library, after the mouse..." I laugh a little at the though "you disturb me over a mouse? " he places his papers down, resting his chin on his fist against the desk, looking over to me with an irritated expression spread across his face. "No my lord, you spoke of trust and I just needed to inform you that I trust you, I am your wife, I trust you do well for me, for our future. I trust you" he licked his bottom lip, biting it as I spoke and bringing his eyes to a close as if he were trying to shun away his thoughts or my voice.

He arises from his desk and walks over to me until his breath is felt against my hairline. "I will not touch you Francesca, not until you beg because the thought of me inside you is something you long for. I want you to dream of me and tell me what you dream. I want to be your every thought. I told you, I want you to want me" he removes himself from my presence as I almost suffocate for I did not realise I was holding my breath the entire time he were close. He returns himself to his study and the door knocks lightly, I move out of the way as Cecil enters, giving me a wretched look as she delivers Alexander's lunch tray and sets is on his study desk. "I told her my lord, I told her not to disturb you but she does not listen" her voice agitated as she spoke, heading towards me and shooing me out of the room. Why does Alexander allow her to speak of me like this?

She closes the door to Alexander's room stepping out with me as she looks me up and down "you really are a silly little girl" she hisses "That's lady Seymour Sinclair to you, for you are no more than the help and can easily be replaced" I look down at her, my tone stern as I finally find my voice, she looks to the floor as she leaves, scurrying down the stairs almost slipping on her way down.

I lunched in the drawing room by the roaring fire and spent the afternoon playing piano in the ball room before heading to my quarters to ready for dinner with Winnie's help. The empty ball room played on my mind, the darkness, the emptiness and the lack of life, I wonder if Alexander will take kindly to a ball of our own. Probably not,but it is a nice idea. "Winnie, do you think Lord Alexander might like a ball? Only this house rather grand for just the two of us and the ball room seems an awful waste to have if not to be used" she pauses for moment before responding "maybe, the idea is lovely but Lord Alexander is a hard man to read, you could mention it at dinner" she suggests.