When I got back with the apple I found Velvet standing under a tree looking agitated. Slowly I walked over towards him and held out the apple. He ignored it and then bent down to nibble on some grass as if to show me he had no intrest in becoming my friend. Walking closer I lay the apple on the ground and backed away, Velvet looked up at me in surprise then cautiously trotted over to the apple and nibbled it. I grinned as he finished it and then saw him trot closer. Standing completly still I felt his nose search my pockets them ny hands and finally my shirt and hair.
Feeling his breath in my hair I couldn't help but laugh.
"I don't have anymore. Sorry bud. I'll bring you another one tomorrow." I promised.
The next day I brought another apple and then I brought one the day after that. Each time I would move closer to Velvet and leave the apple and walk a little ways away. Each time he'd eat the apple and come looking for more. Finally after maybe two weeks I was ready to try hand feeding him.
I walked up to Velvet slowly and he glanced at me with little intrest. That was a good sign. I took the apple out of my pocket and held it out on my hand, being sure not to let any of my fingers bend, as they might look like a tastey peice of grass and I'd no longer have that finger.
Velvet looked at the apple and trotted over to me. Shutting my eyes and waited. I felt nibbling on my hand and opened my eyes in surprise. He'd eaten it and not killed me! He nuzzled my hand and I laughed with relief and pleasure.
Knowing that if I went back into the house I'd be given more chores I lay down on the grass and took a nap. Ian found me later when the horses needed to be taken in.
The 3 months of servant work went by slowly. I learened a lot and made many new friends. Since I had nothing better to do most days I would walk the 3 miles to the villiage and help Mr. Potts carry his goods home. He was the person I'd thought I'd have the most trouble making friends with but really it was Mrs. Flocks. At first she didn't trust me and wouldn't let me help her but as time went by she slowly let me help her with things. Once I'd gained her trust she sort of adopted me. I would always look forward to a good meal at her home on the days my food was taken away. Those days happened more and more often as the ball came closer.
Lord Doyle would invite guests over and they would all leave, drunk as mules. I would be called in after everyone was gone and receive a beating for anything he could possibly think of to beat me for. Sometimes if I sassed him afterwards he'd beat me again and I'd go unconcious.
Bethany and I became just like brother and sister. She would come home with me some days to help with the horses and I would stay at her home whenever I needed a place to stay. She helped me deliver Autum's foul, who we named Jewel. After a while I decided that I would teach Bethany to rise and she decided to use Fairy as he training horse. She fell off more then once but always jumped back up and tried again. She helped me see that I needed to keep going, even on days I just wanted to die.
The money I was given to shop with was always more then I needed so the other's would let me keep it. I'd almost saved enough money to leave but I knew that if I did Lord Doyle would take my mother's money.
The day for us to leave for the Ball came and I couldn't have felt less prepared and more ticked off at my stepfather then I did at that moment. I received more then one beating as I refused to help the Ladies pack and then another when I refused to hook up the horses after I'd loaded all the luggage on the carriage. I had to drive the carriage because Lord Doyle didn't want to take along another passenger. If only I could get out of this.
YOU ARE READING
Arrogance & Innocence
FantasíaIf you DON'T like sad beginings DON'T read this. The begining is very sad. Please feel free to comment.
