The Earl's Kitten

Chapter XXX

January 1st 1888, 13:30 PM

After having lunch, I went upstairs and got Isabelle to change my dress. I was originally wearing a blue day dress, but I changed into my riding outfit. Since we were going out of the estate – and I was going without Jackson – I would have to wear a dress rather than my peasantry outfit. If I was seen by any other than those in my household or Alois's household, then there would most certainly be a rumour or scandal spread about me. I sighed as I walked down the stairs, moving my hand over the rim of my hat before looking up. The Triplets were waiting at the bottom of the stairs, causing me to smile. I picked up my skirts and hurried down a little faster, placing my arm over Timber's when he offered it to me.

"Are you all ready to go?" I looked up at them all, and they nodded. They were smiling slightly, but I could see worry in Timber's eyes. I nodded, letting go of Timber's arm and beginning to make my way through the Manor.

"M'Lady!" I heard Jackson's call from behind me. I froze, but calmed myself. I did not turn to face him though.
"Jackson?" I asked.
"Where are you going, M'Lady?" I heard him stepping closer, and straightened my posture.
"I'm going out on a horse ride with the Triplets, Jackson. I am not sure when I shall be back." I began to walk away again, when my elbow was suddenly grabbed. I spun on my heel without thinking, slapping whoever had dared to touch me across the cheek. Jackson stood there with wide eyes, watching me in surprise. "Do not leave this manor until I return. That is an order." With that, I turned and walked away, no longer even caring if the Triplets followed me or not.

I was mounting my horse by the time that the Triplets made it to the stables. I huffed, sitting on my saddle and hooking my right leg over the fixed pommel. I shifted my left leg so that it rested under the second pommel, and then fixed my skirts before taking the reins. When I looked up, the boys were ready to go as well, and each of them gave me an encouraging smile. I sighed, reaching down to pat Diamante's neck before spurring her onwards, encouraging her to leave the stables. For a long while, it was silent. Neither I nor the Triplets spoke, and only the clip-clopping of our horse's hooves could be heard. Once we had ridden a few hundred metres out of the estate, I took a breath.
"If you were back in the Manor, would you be able to hear me talking from here?" I looked over to Thompson and Cantebury, who were riding on my left.
"No, M'Lady. Our hearing would not extend far beyond the walls of your Manor." Thompson smiled at me, and I nodded, looking up ahead as we continued to ride on. The horses were only at a walk currently, so it was nice and easy to talk with the Triplets.
"Mm." I closed my eyes, dipping my head a little for a moment as I thought how to explain my actions from this morning. "As I am sure you are aware, I am in a contract with Jackson." I paused, sighing. "But it has never felt like a contract. Jackson has always come across as a kind Demon." I heard a snort on my left, and snapped my eyes open, glaring at Cantebury. "You have a problem with my words, Cantebury?"

"Not as such your words, M'Lady. I find it hard to believe that any Demon can be kind." He smirked at me, showing off his teeth.
"I can understand that. However, you have seen how Jackson takes care of me. He comes across as a Father figure to me, someone I trust. If I were not able to order him about, I am sure he would come across as a regular servant and nothing more." I frowned, shaking my head. "That's beside the point. We were practicing dueling this morning, with swords. He had called aller, and we were three steps in when he turned and cut my cheek." I frowned, looking down at my reins. "I know I should keep in mind that he is a Demon at all times, but I had almost forgotten about that. Forgotten about our contract. I guess... the way in which he reminded me came as a shock." A shiver went down my spine as I remembered the feeling of Jackson's tongue across my cheek.

Delicious.

The thought disgusted me, and I scrunched up my nose.
"That would explain your behaviour towards him." Timber mumbled. Timber was riding on my right. I looked over at him, then sighed.
"Yes. I did think it was rather strange that you were tense this morning during breakfast." Thompson frowned. I hummed softly in response.
"And how you slapped him before we left!" Cantebury grinned over at me, "I could hardly believe my eyes!" I frowned again, then shook my head.
"He's going to be so angry at me when I return." I turned my gaze to the sky, my frown slowly melting away into a smile. "Oh well..."