The Soul Promise

chapter 2

My heart  was beating frantically  as i woke up to a bright light streaming in through large rectangular windows.  I cannot seem to focus on anything but the window.  After several deep breaths i try to focus and look around my room...only its not my room.  Hoping to wake up from this dream (or nightmare) as i'm feeling seriously nauseated, i close my eyes and offer up a prayer to the good Lord.

Slowly, i open my eyes and look straight back up at the windows.  Ok then Eva, your fainting spells now are dreams instead of nothingness and darkness, i think to myself.  Anything was better than that.   A pain in my head has taken residence and was painfully pushing at the edges of my temples.  Crap, thats all i need.....

I looked around my surroundings and noticed the beautiful furniture, quite elegant actually, strategically placed around the room.  I was no history buff but the furniture looked to be Georgian in style.  My favorite actually.

This dream is so vivid!!! The four poster bed i've woken on almost looks like mine except for the bed linen.  Mine were shades of beige.  This was pure white.  Gosh, this dream felt so REAL!

I suddenly heard voices beyond the door to the room and i scrambled off the bed to hide.  Why?  i don't know but i knew i needed to hide.  I hit my head on the bottom frame of the bed as i dove under it ...gee that hurt !! It shouldn't have hurt, i never felt physical pain in my dreams before but the pain was so damn real that i actually cried out in pain.

"Evelyn!  Is that you?? Evelyn!??" boomed a  male voice as the door opened............

I see leather boots walk around the room before stopping right by the bed.  Oh my god, he is going to find me hiding here....

"Evelyn, what are you doing under the bed? Kindly come out please......" Crap.................

I slowly emerge from under the bed and look up to see a tall dark haired gentleman, smiling indulgently at me.  Thick, wavy chestnut colored hair fell across his forehead and down to his shoulders.  His dark brown eyes twinkled with amusement.  Not a second later, he pulled me close and frowned as he touched the spot on my forehead where i had hit it earlier.  His aristocratic nose flared slightly as he tilted my chin to the side for a better look.

"What happened?" he asked gently as he looked into my eyes.  Concern was written all over his handsome face.  I liked this dream or fainting spell or whatever the hell it was......

"oh, umm, well.... i hit it when i tried to retrieve my shoes from under the bed" I lied quickly...

"Your shoes are by the chest, Evelyn, as they always are" he advised me with a smirk, " now then, i shall meet you downstairs for breakfast.  Unless you want to eat in your undergarments, i suggest you change into your morning clothes" he chided as he left me staring after him.

I quickly looked at what i was wearing and realised my "undergarments" consisted of more than a bra and panties.  I seemed to be wearing a muslin style short sleeve dress.  Well, i needed to put on something and quickly. 

I walked towards an armoire when i heard a soft rapping against the door.

"My lady? " A young blond maid walked in.  She looked about 16 years old. " I have come to help you dress"  She quickly headed towards the same armoire i was aiming for and pulled out a high necked, long sleeve light blue gown.  Loving the color, i let her dress me for breakfast.

Everything felt so real to me.  Surely if i tried, i could make myself wake up.   I just didn't want to at the moment.

I followed the maid as she left my room, out into the hallway and down staircases that looked to be extracted from the set of Gone with the Wind.

I heard HIS voice and followed it through the door to what looked to be the dining room.  I see HIM smile at me and motion for me to sit down.  The butler left as i sat down. Wow, the table was laden with all sorts of delicious foods and many of them were my favorites.  I LOVED food.  Seeing as i hadn't really been eating lately, i figured i could pig out in my dreams.

I piled my plate with fruit and some yogurt and added a yummy looking croissant that was oozing with jam.  Mmmmmm, delicious....... Now, where's the coffee?????

"Evelyn, i hate to bring up such a sensitive subject but we need to talk about our sleeping arrangements" he casually uttered.  I nearly choked on my croissant.

"What about it??"  i decided to answer

"We have been married for 6 days and we have yet to consummate it" he stated with a twinkle in his gorgeous brown eyes.  Was he teasing me??  Is he serious?? 

"Well, my lord.... " what was i to call him? "ummm....well........"  Oh my God! how was i going to answer that???????  " I haven't been feeling the best lately " i lied quickly

" Indeed..." he looked at me cautiously " you don't seem like yourself today.  Shall i get the good doctor to come up and see you?

 "No, no i'm fine.  I'll go for a walk may be the fresh air will help" Maybe it will, i think to myself. I better leave now before he asks too many questions.  The dream is getting too specific.  He looks at me with questions in his eyes but luckily for me thats where they stay.

 I grabbed an apple and headed for the front door, feeling the need for some soul time.  Soul time is what i call the time i spend reflecting on myself and my life. Even in my dream i felt compelled to allocate some soul time.  Looking around, i see acres of beautiful well manicured gardens.  I walked towards a hill about 1/2 a kilometre to the left of the house and just beyond it was a small flowing stream. 

 All of this seemed familiar to me and i felt sheer joy just being here.  I sat under a large elm tree just by the stream and enjoyed the beautiful morning sun.    The small ripples on the water indicated life underneath and the soft breeze carried natures perfume to my waiting senses.  Inhaling deeply, the jasmine settles and soothes my brain and I lay back on the soft grass and pondered my dream. I was confused yet i felt at home within this dream and trying to reflect on my current situation exhausted me as i couldn't seem to grasp anything except the image of HIM.