Romantic Short Stories

Benefits of Meddling (Historical)

Nathaniel was in the library of the family estate when he heard a gentle knock at the door and a second later he saw a familiar face smiling at him apologetically. He nodded at his sister's companion, Miss Annette Guptil, and beckoned her to come in. He stood up from the writing desk, where he'd been sitting for some time, and walked toward her but she waved him off with a little smile and said, "Do not trouble yourself Mr. Wessex. Your sister has only sent me in for a book and I know where to find it."

Nathaniel did not stop though. He continued to walk towards her as she turned and headed to a far wall where the books extended to the ceiling and a rolling ladder was used to procure the books that were beyond one's reach. He felt a little nervous when Miss Guptil rolled the ladder to a specific spot and then began to climb it. She was standing on the 4th rung by the time he had reached her side and took hold of the ladder, keeping it steady.

"Miss Guptil, this is not safe. Allow me to retrieve the book in question?" He asked her gently as he steadied the ladder. He watched anxiously as she reached for a large, heavy volume. "Please," he entreated her fearful that she would lose her balance, fall and hurt herself.

"It's alright Mr. Wessex. I've got it now," she replied though her voice was a bit strained as she tried to pull the volume loose from similar thick volumes that were pressed against it. "It is heavy, to be sure, but I've just about managed it."

Nathaniel sighed and readied himself in the event that the action of pulling it free should un-foot her and he'd have to catch her. "Why the devil has Florence sent you here on such a mission? Does she want you to break your neck?" He asked irritably, which caused Miss Guptil to laugh lightly and good naturedly.

She stopped pulling on the book to turn ever so slightly and look down at him. Nathaniel's worry increased. Twisting like that on the ladder could not be safe. He wished she would just hurry and get down. But, she didn't seem the list bit concerned that she was five feet from the floor and standing on an ancient ladder that could not be trusted.

Miss Guptil graced him with a mischievous smile and said, "I know exactly why she has sent me on this mission."

"Whatever do you mean Miss Guptil?" He asked with renewed irritation. He was not irritated with her but with his sister's meddling for surely she was up to no good.

Miss Guptil was not the least bit put off by his scowl or the change in his demeanour and even laughed lightly at his discomfort as she turned back to the book and finally pulled it from the shelf. The ladder wobbled dangerously and she was forced to press herself, for a moment, against the rungs while clinging to the heavy volume with one hand and the ladder with the other.

Nathaniel felt sick with worry for her and in a commanding voice said, "Miss Guptil, come down right away!"

Any other woman would have been afraid of his tone or hurt by his brisk manner; however, Miss Guptil only responded with a nervous laugh as she made her way down. Nathaniel reached out for her waist the moment she was in reach and he plucked the volume out of her right hand freeing her to use both hands to get down the ladder.