Soot & Ashes

Five: The Nobleman and the Dishcloth

Deep in the woods Theodore waited, covering himself in mud and twigs as he did every time he met with Soot. Only today, as he watched from the thick of the bushes, he didn't see the same sweet maiden walking up the forest trail. He frowned glumly as he saw little Ethel Cinders lugging a huge axe behind her, dredging up the dirt. She was in rags and had dust and dirt all over her, he felt sorry for her as he had for Soot. He was about to walk out to introduce himself when he felt an arm go around his shoulders.

"So brother, this is the reason you've been disappearing these last few months." A handsome young man laughed quietly, he was dressed like a gentleman, not in rags at all. "She is quite pretty for a dishcloth I suppose!" He scoffed.

"No, I have never met this girl before, I swear it!" Theodore defended himself, his cheeks glowing red.

"Now brother! Do not lie to me. If you didn't know her, you would not be all in rags and dirt! I shall go ask her and see what she says." Then without a second thought he strode out of the undergrowth, making Cinders drop the axe in surprise.

"W-who are you! Come no further, or I shall... I shall scream!" Poor little Ethel Cinders squeaked, trying to make herself seem less afraid.

The young man smiled in surprise. "You certainly are a feisty one, speaking to a noble with such little respect."

"I am as good as any noble! Besides the truly noble wouldn't sneak up on poor unsuspecting girls!" She insisted, unflinchingly as she put her hands on her hips.

The nobleman laughed, "Oh, Theodore, I can see why you like her." He called back to the bushes.

Cinders was alert then, peeking over towards the undergrowth curiously. When the twiggy, muddy young man stepped out she frowned at him scornfully. "I should never let someone dressed thus fall in love with me. I have never met this man in my life!" She looked away, her face turning a little green. She had only been poor little orphan Ethel a day and she still quite forgot her new attire.

"Well I never, I owe you an apology..." The nobleman began.

"Yes you do." Cinders snipped.

"I meant Theodore, wench." Now, less light and congenial, the young noble had become very noticeably stern. "You should mind your tongue and how you use it, dishcloth! I'm sure you're shown lenience on account of your wit, but the gentry are not so easily amused." He uttered this as if he were speaking holy law, his whole demeanor reflecting a regal sort of command.

Ethel Cinders gulped, then looking down at her rags. Her cheeks flushed a rich red as she realised, even if she had been in all her splendor, she would have bowed her head to him. "I...I'm sorry sir. I beg your pardon." She curtsied humbly.

"You're pardoned," He allowed. "Now, tell me your name and what you're doing so far from any residence I can recall in the area?"

"E-Um, Cinders my lord." She answered, her head still dipped low. "I was forced out here with that infernal axe to chop a tree for firewood. But you see, I can barely lift the axe!" Cinders complained, pointing a harsh finger at the axe where it stuck up out of the ground.

The young nobleman laughed once more. "I see, was there no one else who could cut the wood?"

Cinders shook her head. "Not since the staff was all let go..." She sighed.

"Even my little Soot?" Theodore asked a grieved expression passing over his face.

"So there was a girl?" His brother smirked, amused at the least.

Cinders eyes narrowed at the question. He knew Soot, was that the true reason she had tried to help? Could it be over a stupid, mud covered boy that Susan had stood up for her? Was her kindness all just an act? She could feel her heart hardening again, little by little. She did not like being made a fool of!