First at Last (Updated Version)

Chapter Sixteen

"Good morning, Miss—" Agnes paused, gasping. "What happened to you?"

I rubbed my eyes, yawning, and looked down at myself. I hadn't even bothered changing out of my dress last night before falling into bed and going to sleep. I was still a complete mess. Panic flared inside me and I looked up at Agnes. "Please, don't tell Mother," I pleaded.

She pressed her mouth into a thin line and nodded resolutely. "Of course, Miss," she curtsied quickly and set down the tray of food she was carrying on the table by the window.

She left the room, keeping the door slightly ajar, and returned a moment later, followed by servants carrying a washtub.

I bathed and dressed quickly in an elegant forest green gown edged with gold.

After Agnes brushed my hair, she turned to leave.

"Thank you, Agnes," I said to her and I hope she was able to understand how grateful I was for her.

She nodded, offering me a sympathetic look. "My pleasure, Miss." She turned and left the room. As she left through the door, something fell out of her sleeve, landing with a clink.

I reached for the item on the ground. It was a key. "Agnes, you dropped—"

But she only glanced at me, a sly smile on her face, before she stepped out of my room and shut the door.

I smiled to myself, picking up the little brass key. I looked around my room for a place to hide it, one where Mother would never look. After a moment of contemplation, I went over to my bookshelf, pulled out a book a shelf above my head and dropped it in before sliding the book back into place. It felt a little obvious, but Mother had no reason to suspect I had a key at all and, even if she did, I doubted she would check my bookshelf for it, thinking that it was too obvious. It was the perfect spot, I should think.

After hiding the key, I went to my table and dug into my breakfast. It was a relatively plain meal: porridge, fruit, and tea. But it still tasted good.

I had just finished my meal when I heard a soft tapping sound. It was so quiet I thought I might have imagined it. I stilled and waiting, trying to confirm if I'd actually heard it or not. After a moment, the tapping came again.

I walked over to the balcony and pulled open the door. William stood before them, his hair tousled, his clothes slightly rumpled from the climb.

"William," I breathed, taking a step back in surprise. And then, a horrible thought occurred.

What if someone sees him? We will both be dead.

With that in mind, I took hold of his wrist and pulled him into my room. I peered out the door and looked around, but I could not see anyone that might have noticed. I shut the door and turned to him, eyes wide. "What are you doing here?"

He smiled, his sapphire eyes alight. "I have come to rescue you from your boredom."

I stared at him, uncertain. "Really?"

He nodded earnestly. "I hated the idea of you being trapped in your room all alone for the whole day. I thought, perhaps, we could spend the time together. That way you wouldn't be completely alone."

My heart ached at the unexpected kindness. "Thank you," I said. "I would love to spend my aloneness with you."

He grinned. "Excellent. Now what?" He looked around my room as though looking for something to do.

I laughed quietly—so that Mother could not hear, if she was nearby. "Surely, you cannot be bored already."

"I could never be bored with you, Erika," he said, meeting my eyes. His expression was so sincere, so open and honest.