Magic and Lace

8

   Phillip had spent the night sitting next to Lacey's bed making sure her rest was peaceful. Bertha came in at eight O' clock sharp with Lacey's breakfast, but she wasn't up yet.

"That poor child what that man had done to her, and she sleeps like a baby."

Phillip smiled

"I think the two and half glasses of whiskey is the reason she is sleeping so soundly."

Bertha's eyes widened.

"Lardy you gave her two and half glasses of whiskey she's goanna have an awful bad head ache when she wakes up don't you know."

Phillip only nodded he had one himself after he put her to bed he had finished the bottle. Guilt and whiskey did a lot for a man first thing in the morning. It was an hour later when Lacey finally woke up. At first, she didn't want to open her eyes and when she did it felt like an explosion going off in her head. When she looked over and saw Phillip Lacey gave him a halfhearted smile, but when she saw the empty bottle sitting on the nightstand, she groaned.

"No wonder I feel so good."

Phillip, whose head was pounding couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you but you didn't have the honor of drinking that whole bottle, you my dear had but only two and a half glasses."

Lacey fell back on the pillow and regretted the move immediately.

"You must feel lots better than I do then."

She glanced over at him just the sight of him made her feel better. His hair was tasseled, she just wanted to run her fingers through it. She couldn't help but wonder if he looked so devilish every morning. They both sat in silence not knowing what to say to each other. She wanted to apologies for being such a burden. Phillip wanted to apologies for not taking better care of her. The silence was broken when Bertha came in carrying the water for Lacey's bath.

"Oh, good your up I thought you was going to sleep the day away."

Lacey gave Bertha a weak smile.

"How could I sleep the day away when we should be on the road to the Downing Farm?"

Phillip was surprised after what she had been through how she could possibly think they would be traveling.

"We'll leave tomorrow."

Lacey looked over at Bertha,

"Could you please leave us alone for a few minutes Phillip can help me to the bath."

Bertha was shocked at such an idea, last night it was a necessity but this morning that was something else. Bertha looked over at Phillip to see his thoughts on the matter and was disappointed to find by the look on his face he was in agreement with Lacey's request. She stomped out of the room mumbling to herself.

"This isn't right no sir re it's indecent that's what it is,"

She slammed the door behind her.

Lacey sat up and leaned over to take hold of Phillip's hand. He got a glimpse of her perfect breasts and saw there was a bruise on the left one. The anger that he felt last night when he found Jacob on her returned. He would see Jacob paid for the damage that he had done to her.

When she spoke, it was more painful to him than thinking of what Jacob had done to her.

"I want you to know how sorry I am for all the trouble that I've been causing you, but you can't postpone the trip because of me I won't have it I'll have to insist you go and leave me behind."