The room was full of people, everyone entertaining themselves as we all experienced the silence together. I was sat in an arm chair at one end of the room, an edition of Wuthering Heights between my fingers. The heavy velvet curtains were pulled to one side allowing the sun to shine through. Catherine basked in the sun, her nimble fingers enjoying some embroidery, a soft glow shone from her features, no doubt the after effect of the night before.
She had come into my room late last night, spouting all of the joys that occurred in her evening, I had learnt that her partner for the evening went by the name of Mr George Charlton, a good friend of Mr Ridley. I had managed to keep the events of my night quiet until early this morning, when Lady Catherine had begged me to tell her everything.
She was shocked about how rude he had been, but she had been even more shocked when she discovered that I'd slapped him. We laughed about it for quite a long time, my jaw was aching by the time we stopped laughing.
I looked up from my book to see Mr Ridley sat in the armchair at the opposite end of the room. He hit his fingertips against the arm of the chair creating a quiet but steady beat, his lips were pursed but his eyes were glaring at me, small flames of anger roaring behind them. The intensity of his stare proved that he hadn't quite calmed down yet.
I turned back to my book, trying to ignore him. However I soon looked up again, my focus spoiled by the realisation that his harsh glare was unwavering, he wasn't even trying to hide his anger. I slammed the book shut, causing everyone in the room to look at me, I blushed, getting a little embarrassed.
"If you'll all excuse me." They all went back to their previous activities, I quickly stood and left the room, taking the book with me.
I fanned my face, still very much flushed from the embarrassment, his gaze was uncomfortable on a normal day, but today it was unbearable.
"Lady Abigail." He called after me, his deep voice echoing through the hallway. Mr Ridley had followed me for some reason the idea of being alone with him made me quite anxious.I quickened my pace, trying to get away from him.
"Lady Abigail wait." I did not wait, in fact I almost ran.
"I need to talk to you." His voice was not in the slightest apologetic. It was dark and distant and cruel.
"Too busy being wild Mr Ridley." I kept walking, not looking back, he didn't say anything else and his footsteps stopped chasing my own.
+
I sat alone under a tree in the garden, reading alone in my quiet surroundings away from everyone.
In the distance I could see two figures on a stroll, I couldn't make out who they were, they were getting closer and I soon realised it was Lady Catherine and Mr Ridley . Through waiting to see who it was I had lessened the amount of time I had to get away. I shut the book quickly, I didn't want to talk to him today, or see him for that matter. I couldn't hide behind the tree, the trunk was too small. I held my skirt up with one hand and wrapped the other around the lowest tree branch, hoisting myself up onto it. I climbed up a little further, looking down at the clearing below me. I cursed myself when I saw Wuthering Heights lying in the grass, their voices got louder as they neared and soon Mr Ridley came into view below me.
He picked up my book and started looking around,he was soon joined by Lady Catherine who also began looking for me.
"She left her book." Catherine stated the obvious, the response was only a low grumble from Mr Ridley, she continued to look for me whilst he just stared at the book. Catherine soon looked up, grinning when she saw me balancing above her, a small giggle escaped her lips as she looked at me. I hushed her and she nodded quickly.
"I expect she's inside Mr Ridley, you should go and give her the book, it would give you a chance to talk to her." She walked off, probably expecting him to follow but he didn't, he just continued to stare at the book in his hand. I adjusted my footing, immediately regretting it when a twig snapped and fell to the ground, the sound it made rang the the quiet air.
He looked up, his face contorted into surprise when he saw me above him, he said nothing for a while.
"So are you going to come down?" He asked, I nodded, then realising that I couldn't get down, the distance between the ground and myself beginning to unnerve me. I bit my lip, not really knowing what to do.
"You're stuck aren't you?" He asked again, I hesitated before nodding again, he sighed moving closer and patting the lowest branch.
"Sit here." He said, I nodded slowly lowering myself onto the branch. The ground really wasn't that far away but the distance still made me nervous. He gently placed his hands on my waist helping me to slide off the branch. My feet soon hit the grass and I coughed awkwardly, I knew I was blushing heavily at this point.
"Embarrassed?" His face was emotionless but I knew he was humoured, I was proving him right, I was an embarrassment. The only comfort I got from this entire situation was the blossoming bruise on his cheek, evidence that the slap had caused him pain. I smirked slightly.
"No, I'm just being wild Mr Ridley."
A/n:
Word count: 970
A shorter unedited chapter today as I have a busy weekend ( SEEING THE 1975 LIVE IN THE O2 ARENA) , but I hope you enjoy!
P.s did some light editing, I noticed I used wayyyyy to many commas so hopefully it flows a little better now, enjoy !
- Lucy :)
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Abigail
Historical Fiction(Current chapters are being rewritten before the book is continued, please bare with me! :) ) Is accidental time travelling possible? Abigail finds herself in the right place at the wrong time. However with the help of friends she starts to settle...
