"I hope you wouldn't mind if I went for short walk, this morning." I said to Mrs. Bradfield who was enjoying the sunny weather whilst lounging on the couch.
"Yes of course." She suddenly snapped to attention, "Would you mind taking Emily with you? She could really use some fresh air."
I swallowed and tried to smile, though I'm sure I looked ghastly. "Of course." I had been hoping for a relaxing Sunday, though that clearly was no longer an option.
Emily came bounding down the stairs, "Mum, may I please go to the marketplace?"
Mrs. Bradfield gave me a knowing smile as I sighed inwardly, "Actually, Ms. Wilson has kindly offered to take you."
Emily crinkled her nose, "That won't be necessary."
"Darling?" her mother said shrilly.
Emily frowned, "I will fetch my bonnet," she said with finality.
. . . . .
I glanced other my shoulder, and watched Emily begrudgingly trudge behind me while discreetly trying to fan herself with her hands.
"Would you like me to return home to fetch you a parasol?" I asked.
She waved away my offer with her hand, "No. The sun is not bothering me."
"Any particular reason you want to visit the marketplace?" I asked, slowing down to walk alongside her. At this, she perked up and her eyes brightened.
"Minnie said she would be at the marketplace today - I have not seen her in ages!" She exclaimed.
"Minnie? Is she a good friend of yours?"
Emily rolled her eyes and I pretended not to notice, "Only since before we could walk!" "Anyway, I wanted to personally invite Minnie to the banquet, before the formal invitations are sent." she rambled.
"Banquet?" I asked.
She nodded her head and clasped her hands in excitement, "In a fortnight, Mum is planning to throw a big banquet for my twelfth birthday."
"Sounds like it will be a grand party." I said with a smile.
She looked at me earnestly, "I do hope so."
"Have you been to a banquet before?" she asked.
"Oh no," I said, and she genuinely seemed upset for a moment. "I'm sure I wouldn't enjoy it that much anyway."
She shook her head, "it's absolutely wondrous!" She twirled around with her arms spread open, "The ballroom glittering with hundreds of candles, flowers of every hue hanging from every balcony, piles of food from all over the country. And best of all - dressing up in finery and gliding around the dance floor all evening." She sighed, "It truly is amazing! I'm sure even a prude, like yourself, would enjoy the merriment of it all."
My eyes widened in surprise, "prude?"
She giggled, her eyes narrowing with mischief, "Maybe."
"How so? I am distraught." I said with a smile.
"You will have to prove you are not a prude." she said, her grin widening.
"Is that so?" I mused. Pondering aloud I said, "now how do I go about that?"
She suddenly poked my arm, "tag, you're it." I watched in surprise as she lifted her skirts and sprinted down the path.
"Emily!" I cried after her, "you'll hurt yourself!" Tucking the basket into my side and holding onto my bonnet with the other hand, I began to sprint after her. I've lost her now, I thought, I could bid my career farewell.
Rounding the corner I stumbled into a gentleman, spilling the contents of my basket. Absolutely splendid, I thought, I've not only managed to loose a child but my respectability, in the mere span of two minutes.
"I'm quite sorry," I said to the gentleman while scrambling to collect the spools of ribbon that had begun to roll away.
"No, no, I am the one at fault. For that I duly-" he said, pulling me to my feet as I gazed up at him, "apologize."
My cheeks burned and I hastily released my hand from his. He was handsome, likely one of the most handsome young men I'd ever seen.
I curtsied, "I'd best be on my way." I said, turning on my heel.
"Wait!" he said, his fingertips landing lightly on my elbow. "Are you alright?" "I believe I ought to at least know your name."
"I'm fine," I said looking down at my shoes. "Wilson, Catharine Wilson."
"Charles Lockhart, pleased to make your acquaintance," he said as he bowed to place a feather-light kiss on the back of my gloved hand.
"If I may be so bold, where had you been off to in such a hurry Miss. Wilson?"
I looked up into his clear grey eyes, "My student... she had run off."
"I'm actually looking for my sister" he said with a warm smile, "I'm sure they couldn't have gone far."
We both made our way through the busy marketplace, while I kept a vigilant eye for a familiar head of honey blonde hair. Various merchants had set up stalls all along the streets, enticing customers with delightful music, food and vivid-coloured merchandise. As it was a bright Sunday morning, people of all ages poured out of the churches and were now milling about the marketplace. We wove through a throng of rowdy young boys when I heard Charles say, "There! I spot my sister!" Guiding me across the street, he yelled overtop the crowd, "Minnie!" What a relief!"
"Minnie?" I said with a gasp. I looked over at the petite dark-haired girl he pointed to and was surprised to spot Emily chattering excitedly with the young girl.
"Emily! Good to see you." Charles said amicably as he ruffled her hair.
"Emily... But..." I stammered
"Ah, you are Emily's governess? What a small world!" he said with a chuckle.
"Minnie, this is Ms. Wilson, Emily's governess." he said as she curtsied gracefully.
"Nice to finally meet you. I've heard much about you." Minnie said giggling
"Good things I hope," I said shooting Emily a look, as she avoided my stare.
"Are you fairly new to the Bradfield household?" Charles asked.
"I've been Emily's governess for less than two weeks and do not believe to be any closer to winning her over."
We both suppressed our laughter, "She's a tough one," he said. I beamed up at him, taking in his chiseled jaw, wavy raven-coloured hair, warm grey eyes and could not shake the familiarity of his face.
Just then a man clapped Charles on the shoulder, "Always a charmer with ladies, eh Lockhart?"
Charles swivelled around, his face breaking into a wide grin, "I learned from best, Pierce." I stared wide-eyed into James' mischievous green eyes, "Mr. Pierce..." I trailed off.
"A pleasure as always, Ms. Wilson." He said with a bow. "I see you've had the misfortune of meeting my cousin."
Cousin? Lockhart? Of course. Absolutely splendid.
* * * * *
Author's Note:
Pierce is back?
Let me know what you thought!
Until next time...
Booklover
YOU ARE READING
Unearthed
Romance"He came closer until he was well within arm's reach, "Catch me if you can." He whispered with a sneer. His footsteps filled the silence eventually fading away entirely while his voice continued to ring in my ears. Catch him, I certainly would. ...
