1842 || hs

Two

Word Count: 2076

I brushed out my freshly cleaned hair and stared at myself in the tiny mirror that I could see my pale reflection in. My sister had it in her possession all morning, saying she needed to be ready in case somebody stopped by. We all knew that somebody was Harry. She had rambled about him on the rest of the ride home, during dinner, whilst she breastfed Jacob, and while she lay in bed next to me. I pretended to listen, only thinking of the young man myself. I held his handkerchief in my hand since I got it, afraid to lose it from my sights. I stood from the creaking chair and wiped the unseen debris from my dress. My hair was in its natural state, with a ribbon to hold back half of it. I placed my bonnet over my head and grabbed my basket that previously held some of my belongings in.

"Don't be too long. I saw some herbs and such on the ride here yesterday. Be back by lunch." My mother called as I walked out the door to the still unfamiliar cabin.

I liked the outdoors. It was one of the few things I was glad about moving. My long skirt swished in the long grass we hadn't yet trimmed and breathed in the crisp air.

"Where are you going?" Felicité yelled from the second floor where our shared room was. Her large head was poking from the small window.

"Gathering herbs for Mother. She wants you to help her peel vegetables." I hollered back, not bothering to turn around to talk to her.

I heard the window close and I continued up the path we had traveled yesterday. I stopped every so often to gather the green herbs my mother had requested. I began to wonder how many people even came up here. There wasn't much up here. Beside a lot of trees. I kicked a small pebble up the path and watched as it landed in a narrow stream. I smiled as I pulled Harry's handkerchief from my pocket, putting the half filled basket on a patch of grass. I lifted my dress, crouching down to wet the small cloth. I removed the mud from it and rubbed a few leaves of peppermint against it to make it smell fresh again. I draped it over my basket handle in an effort to dry it.

Though I was out collecting herbs, I had chosen each path carefully so I would end up at Harry's house. I couldn't keep his handkerchief forever. Though a part of me wanted to. I stood up and brushed the dirt from myself. I wandered around, becoming bored of searching for plants.

"Here's your hanky Harry." I pretended to hand the tall boy his hanky back. "It was awfully kind of you to let me use it." I swayed back in forth, trying to find an attractive way to speak to an attractive man.

"It was," I brushed my hair over my shoulders, "awfully kind of you to let me use your, manly hanky." I pursed my lips and batted my long lashes.

As I tried to curtesy, a cat ran from the bushes, scaring every ounce of confidence right out of me. "Hell almighty." I breathed out as I landed on my rear.

The cat wandered over to me, brushing its soft body against me. I felt it purr as it's head nuzzled against my breast.

"Cheeky bastard." I laughed as I stroked it's head gently.

I stood from my spot on the dirt road and once again brushed myself off. I picked up the basket, determined to make it to Harry's house before I would be late to lunch. I wasn't in the mood to get a lecture from my mother about punctuality.

I watched as the cat followed me down the path, meowing every so often. I soon saw the familiar log structure in front of me and smiled to myself, I made the small walk up to the door and knocked loudly. The house was silent, no sound of anyone living there.

"Mr. Styles? Harry?" I called out. But no answer.

I walked back to the path, confused. Where would he even go? There's not much to do. As if a light bulb went off in my head, I looked at the barn, hearing a quiet voice singing.