The Promise

Chapter 15

I didn't mean too, but I did, I did dream of him. Not moody daytime Alexander but the nighttime Alexander where he conversates, smiles and occasionally laughs. I dreamt of our usual meeting in the library, I dreamt we accompanied each other on the chaise, I dreamt that he kissed me and continued to kiss me. I didn't say no or push him away, I kissed him back and he lays me down, climbing on top of me as he continued to kiss me, sliding up my nightdress kissing my neck as I moan. My hands in his hair, holding him close, not wanting him to stop.

"Good morning ma'am" Winnie's voice chirps as she enters the room "forgive me my lady, I assumed you would already be awake like you have been most mornings recently" she sets the morning tea tray down "it's quite alright Winnie" I smile as I bring my hands to my extremely flustered face, climbing from the bed and seating myself at the vanity. I feel rather... warm and tingly, a feeling I had never felt before.

I seat myself at the dining table, pouring myself some tea as I wait for Alexanders arrival. He was later than usual today but still joined me with a paper in hand. "Sleep well Fran?" he asks, as he fills his plate with an array of meat he looks up at me for an answer "very well Alex" I smile at him "I had very pleasant dreams indeed and didn't want to wake" I laugh as I watch him almost choke on his tea. The rest of breakfast was silent but not an uncomfortable one, it was actually rather pleasant. I clear away my dishes and hand them to Cecil who always stands and watches us while we eat.

I make my way back up to my quarters and retrieve my list of ball requirements then I begin to stroll around the house in search for Winnie. I remembered how her face lit up when she helped me ready for the last ball and figured maybe she could help. After a short search I found her dusting down the pictures in the drawing room "Winnie, might I steal you away for a few moments" I point towards the settee where she walks toward and sits herself. I hand her my papers of ideas and lists "do I appear to be forgetting anything?" I ask, she looks at the papers up and down multiple times before responding "I don't believe so ma'am, this looks to be a grand ball indeed" she glows as she speaks, a smile forming on her face "how long do you believe notice should be for something so grand?" I ask, her eyes still scanning the papers in her hand. "These things take time my lady but if we pull together and work a little harder, I believe we could do it in two weeks, the invites could be sent out later today and they will arrive within a week, giving guests a week to prepare ma'am" her excitement bubbles as she speaks and so did mine.

"I must begin the invites immediately and inform Cecil of the upcoming event" I think about her face souring as I give her my list of demands and chuckle slightly. I depart from the drawing room with my papers in hand and make haste toward the kitchen. I swing the doors open and almost sing her name upon entry "Cecil. Cecil. Has anybody seen Cecil?" I float around the kitchen for a moment before she enters "what is it you want?" her voice just as bitter as always, I hand her my papers as u speak "I will require the invitations on my study by lunch so I can begin writing them, ready to send this evening and this is everything I will be needing from you" I walk past her and out of the kitchen before she has time to object.

I stroll in the garden for a little before lunch and walk around the flower beds, seeing what other options I have for my flower arrangements if I decide to alter them slightly. It was a beautiful day, with the sun beaming down and the birds singing. I could stay out here until night but I have invites to write. I smile at the thought as I make my way back up the stairs and to my quarters. I sit myself at my study and begin to write the invites copying the list of names of whom to invite that Cecil had provided me with. A lunch tray was already waiting for me but I wasn't hungry, I was to excited and I wanted to make sure everything will be perfect.

I wrote and wrote and wrote until I had finished the stack of two hundred invitations. Out of those two hundred I knew of one person, that was Lady Genevieve and I truly wished to see her welcoming face. I massage the feeling back into my fingers as the door knocks lightly and Winnie enters "need help readying for dinner my lady?" I looked toward the window in disbelief "the day has escaped me for I did not realise it were so late" I walk over to the vanity and take a seat readying for dinner with Winnie's assistance.

I head to the dining room and realise only my place had been set, where is Alexander? I sit myself down and wait a moment, sipping from my wine hoping that his place will be set soon. It wasn't. I looked to Cecil, standing against the wall where she always does " Is Alex unable to make it to dinner? Is he well?" I sip from my wine again "Lord Alexander is perfectly fine" her tone sounded as if she were correcting me on what I call my husband.

"Please excuse me" I stood collecting my still empty dishes "I have no appetite" I hand them to her before I leave. What could be keeping him from dinner? I know he is a busy man but I never know why, what does he do in the main study all day?