The Promise

Chapter 23

The door knocks, pulling us from our moment and I quickly lower my dress as Cecil enters "I came to tell you dinner is ready my Lord" the smile she wore soon fades as she sees me "what have I told you about disturbing Lord Alexander?" she paces towards me grabbing me by my wrist "it is quite alright Cecil" his voice stern but she does not listen "release her this instant, we will dine right here" his voice raised as her grip loosens from me. She looks from Alex to me and back again before stomping her way from the room. "She really does despise me" I say rubbing my bandaged hand "it takes her awhile to warm up to change" he approaches me wrapping his arms around my waist and sitting himself back on the bed, pulling me with him so I sit in his knee.

"Alex" he begins to plant kisses on my neck as I speak "how did you come to know of all this?" I move my neck away from his lips and lift his chin, forcing him to look up at me "an old friend" he smiles as he pulls me into kiss him "I didn't think you had many friends" my lips smile against his as he kisses me once again "do you wish to hurt my feelings" he laughs rejoing our lips "I wish to know more" I kiss him again as he pulls me back so I lay on top of him. "How much more?" he questions as he parts us "all of it, I think" I smile with embarrassment, nestling my head into his neck.

"There is much to know" his voice was glazed with disbelief as he spoke "let's get to it then" I plant kisses along his jawline before he rolls on top of me parting my lips to make room for his tongue. My hands begin to unbutton his shirt before he pulls away "steady, you need food and rest" he presses his lips against my head before laying beside me. "I need you" I smile forcing his lips into mine once more before the door knocks and Cecil enters with a tray of dinner forcing us to remove ourselves from the bed that we lay upon.

After we ate I head to bathe and ready for bed. "You are glowing ma'am" Winnie smiles as she brushes my hair. Yes I am. The thought of him plays on my mind and everytime he parts from me I need more. Instead of heading to bed I make my way to the library but I am stopped in the hallway by Cecil's voice, coming from Alex's room, she was shouting in a hushed tone "she is no good for your needs and deep down you know it, this needs to end. Now!" I hear her footsteps and quickly close myself into the library, closing the door quietly behind me. What does she mean? If I am no good for him then why did he choose me as a wife when apparently he had a large selection of women to pick from.

I sat and looked out at the skies for what seemed like hours, I counted the visible stars and let the thoughts in my mind consume me until I felt numb. I did not realise that I had once again fallen asleep in the library until I felt the warmth of a blanket lay over me, my eyes flutter open to see Alex standing over me "sorry, I didn't realise I had fallen asleep",i wrap the blanket around my cold body before I sit myself up shivering slightly. "Winnie is looking for you" his voice still husky as if he had just awoken. I stand myself up and head to my room with the blanket still wrapped around me. "Your disappearing will be the death of me my lady" she ushers me toward the fire and I sit myself in the chair warming my body. "I will collect you some fresh tea" she disappeared out of the room  leaving me with the memory of last night and what Cecil had said to Alex.

Winnie returns with my tea setting it in my hands for me, I sip at it as the warmth burns my throat warming up my insides. It's tastes different" Is this a new tea Winnie?"I swill the cup around examining it" No ma'am, is something wrong?" she says," it must just be me" I smile as I take another sip, it was rather tangy and bitter. I set it down on the table "if you wish ma'am I can go and make some fresh tea but this time I'll make it, so it's to your liking" I stand and walk to my vanity to ready for the day "it's quite alright Winnie" I sit myself down and begin brushing my hair.

As I ready with Winnie's help I begin to feel a little dizzy but I ignore it as I haven't slept well. I head to breakfast and sit myself down, pouring myself some tea and taking a big gulp, this tastes tangy too. I look over to Cecil "may I have some fresh water please" my throat begins to feel dry, as Cecil exits into the kitchen Alex enters "are you well Fran?" I couldn't respond, my throat felt as though it was closing in on me. I clasp at the glass of water Cecil had brought in with my vision beginning to blur and eyes beginning to water. "Fran, Francesca look at me" I heard Alex's voice in a complete state of panic as I fell to the floor. "What has she eaten? How long has she been like this?" I feel his hands under my head as he joins me at my side, holding me "send for a doctor, quickly" he reaches for my hand and holds it, I do my best to squeeze it to let him know I hear him but my eyes grew too heavy to hold open and everything went black.