The Promise

Chapter 27

I sit alone at the breakfast table for a while before Cecil brings in a pot of tea "that reminds me" I clear my throat to speak loudly "what herbs did you put in my tea last time?" Cecil stops before me with a face like thunder "I beg your pardon" she hisses "I don't mean no offence only, it tasted rather bitter and I would just like to know for future reference" her eyes widened as if I had just accused her of poisoning me, I might be thinking it but I certainly didn't say it out loud. "I did not add anything to your tea, you are not worth my herbs" she slams the pot of tea onto the table and it splashes onto my hand, scalding me as she leaves.

Alex enters as I shake my hand trying to let the cool air calm the burning sensation. "Is everything alright?" he speaks as he sits himself down watching me "quite so, I think" I stop shaking my hand to look over at him "you think?" he frowns his eyebrows as he talks "yes, well, I appear to have made Cecil angry by asking about the tea she made me" I hold my hands on my lap and begin to twiddling my thumbs. "Whatever do you mean Francesca?" his jaw begins to clench and he appears to become frustrated "it tasted very bitter last time, I wanted to be sure I avoid that herb in the future" he didn't respond and we ate breakfast in silence, just like we used too.

After breakfast I played piano in the ballroom, remembering how lively it was for a short period of time until Winnie enters "where would you like to lunch today ma'am?" I thought for a moment, "in the garden if you care to join me?" I say as I follow her through the house and into the garden "I mustn't join you ma'am Cecil will have my head" she laughs as if it were a joke but we both know it wasn't. "Have you managed to find if Cecil had put anything in my tea that day Winnie, I asked her myself but" I pause and rub my hand "no ma'am, she insisted it was just normal tea but she refused to let any of the staff drink the leftovers like we normally do" she says in a frantic whisper "do you think she would be capable of such things Winnie?" I return her whispered tone as I know we both completely understand the conversation we are having "I truly do not know ma'am, I wouldn't like to think it but she certainly isn't the kindest of people, expecially if you get close to Lord Alexander" Winnie's names gets called as she finishes her sentence and she darts off back in to the house, leaving me with my mind to run crazy.

Maybe I am officially losing my sanity, I eat my lunch and wonder what to do. Maybe just getting out of this house will help, even if it is just for the day,but the nearest town is a long carriage ride away. Maybe I could visit Mother, it has been a while since I had heard from her, maybe I could go shopping for the day or have tea with Genevieve. I could even do all of those things over a couple of days and stay in the town. After I finish lunch I head up to the main study where I know Alex will be, as I climb the last step and walk towards his door Cecil exits closing the door behind her. "He does not wish to be disturbed" I roll my eyes at her voice and continue to approach the door that she now guards. "You will listen girl" she puts her hand against my chest in an attempt to stop me "you will remove your hand from me or I will cause you harm, I am beginning to get rather sick of you and your attitude problem, now move" I push myself further into her hand as I speak, I really am growing frustrated with this vile woman "I know what is best for him and it is certainly not the likes of you" she shakes her head as she barges past me and I slam my way into Alex's study.

"I require use of the carriage so I can get away from that insufferable woman" my voice raised loudly as I pace back and forth "I need to get out of here for the sake of my sanity,I want to spend the weekend in town, please" I stop to look at Alex who is still writing away, "I cannot do that Francesca, you are still recovering" his voice calm, to calm. "I am perfectly well, I just need out of this house Alexander, please I beg of you" I plead, approaching his overcrowded study desk. "Maybe when you are better" he speaks with his voice full of concentration "I fear I will not get better here only worse if I do not get out soon" I am almost begging as I speak, just hoping he will look at the seriousness on my face "don't be ridiculous Fran" is all he says. I look at him in disbelief for a moment but he does not see it as he is still writing away. I storm out of the study slamming the door loudly behind me like a child and head into library. The library is arguably the safest place in this house, nobody enters through the fear it may be haunted, I haven't told anyone it were harmless mice that made the noises in the walls. I fear if I do my sanctuary will be taken away. I do not know what to do with myself, I cannot settle myself to read a book, I cannot even sit myself down, I am angry and I am frustrated. I wanted him to listen, I wanted someone to listen or even just someone to talk to who might understand.