Dalliance

Chapter Two

"You told him we shared blood?" Dawson exclaimed in surprise. "That could not be farther from the truth."

"I know that, but he does not. It was the only way I could have you here...I cannot bare being alone here...it is terrifying and not what I had expected."

Dawson then saw her lip as he jumped from his rested position against the wall to her face. Slowly, he slid his finger across her injured lip before looking down.

"Did he hurt you? Did the bastard force himself upon you?"

"No. He did not force me, but he does threaten me, to harm those I care for if I do anything...inappropriate. The thought of being here alone with that, is a fate worse than death."

"I am not going to leave you...But...what about Eleana..."

"Before you arrived-just before, we spoke about sending a servant. To care for her, for her to have weekly trips here...it is only a short distance, but a familiar face allows me the comfort he deprives."

"I understand...." He paused. "What exactly is my duty here?"

"I do not believe an official title is stated for such a thing..."

"You speak of it as if it is worse than-" His gaze hardened. "What did you agree to have me do?"

"Stable hand-"

"I am capable of more..."

"I know that, and so does he. He wants to keep us as far apart as possible."

"Well I can be honest...and say we have never been apart...I am not about to start now."

She smiled. "I admire your valiance. I adore your sense of independence and strength."

"You have that to."

"I wish it were true...but I am afraid my traits consist of being shy as well as useless..."

He grew angry at her adjectives about herself and grabbed her arms. "You are incredibly idiotic." Her eyes went wide in surprise as he continued. "You have the most beautiful heart and caring touch I have ever known. You taught me to read and I am four years older, as well as know between the poison berries and the ones that you can make into pie...You are very intelligent and...." He paused as he realized he was getting lost in her eyes. "And never speak of yourself being useless...or I will have every sense to tickle you."

"You wouldn't dare."

He smirked. "Do you want to attempt it?"

She pulled back, throwing her arms in front of herself as the doors came open. There stood a man with a deep glare between them.

"I expect my wife explained the details of your time here?"

"Hardly." He said with a smirk towards her.

"I will make it simple. You are to stay in the stables no matter the weather. You will sleep in the loft above the horses and cook in the kitchen along with the servants. You will clean, fix, and do whatever I ask, is that understood?"

Dawson nodded as he balled his fists at his sides.

"Yes, sir."

"Very well. Hurry on, then."

And just as soon as she felt safe, she felt isolated once more.

Holly spent the rest of her day learning the large home before finding her way into an abandoned cellar. Her fingers drug along the racks before accidentally knocking one over, causing a loud crash to be heard through the long corridors. Within a matter of seconds, Nicholas entered the room before pushing her up against a wall.

"Our wine! Are you completely daft or acting it?"

"I am sorry, it was an accident-"

Picking up a piece of glass from the ground, he moved it towards her.

"What are you-"

"I told you I would brand you...so if anyone attempted to be with you...they would see you were mine."

"You do not have to, I am yours." She said, fearful for what his actions would permanently cause her.

"You should believe it better before you say it." He then dropped the glass, causing it to shatter at his feet as she fell back into tears with a small scratch on her chin, where he held the broken glass.

"Pick it up." He demanded as she collected the glass and then used a cloth to wipe the alcohol before he smiled. "I can see how acquiescent you are...I admire it...It will make things easier for you...And trust me...you do not want to see how nasty I CAN be."