Edited by @XxJemanixX
Chapter Three
A heavy silence fell upon the pair, only broken when the strange man sighed heavily and sat down on the all too small armchair beside the bed. His shoulders hunched, he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees and his fingers steepled, supporting his chin. He was evidently deep in thought.
“Where am I?”
“May I know you’re name miss?”
A deep chuckle escaped the man’s throat as he considered how to answer his current ward’s question.
“You are in my home, of course.”
He then paused as if considering revealing something of import, but then thought better of it and asked instead,
“Now you’re name if you please miss? That is if you do indeed remember it.”
Feeling out of her depth and alone Emma suddenly felt very small. She knew next to nothing of her past and the only person that was willing to help her she found she could not trust, her gut told her he was dishonest, there was something this altogether strange man was hiding from her person.
“Em..Emma. I can’t seem to remember my surname. It is most frustrating. Pray, tell me what happened to me …sir…? My memory weakens me.”
“Oh, my name is John miss. John Hanover..err.. I meant Hargrove. John Hargrove. It seems my own memory is nothing to be boastful about ey miss?”
He grinned uncertainly at her and the grin slowly dissipated as he saw the distrustful expression the lady wore. John struggled to rectify his mistake, but all he could do was stutter and then clamp his mouth shut in a grim line hoping against hope her memory would fail her, yet again.
After studying him for a lengthy time causing the poor man to shift uncomfortably in his seat Emma sighed.
“Alright, Sir, should I call you sir? ...”
Her indecision and hesitation was oddly endearing to John and he was quick to ease her discomfort.
“John will do. I won’t have you address me in esteemed terms.”
Confusion flooded her face and John marveled at her varying' expressions, he could read the lady like one would a book.
“John...”
As if simply feeling the name on her tongue Emma paused. John felt something move in his chest causing slight discomfort as he heard the delicious way she pronounced his name. Putting a hand to his chest he rubbed at the sensation spreading to his limbs. Causing blood to rush to a particular part of his body that caused him to shift ever so slightly in the chair, silently he willed her to carry on and leave his current state unnoticed.
“Well John. I must first alert you of my gratitude. The pains in my body leave me cause to think I have escaped something dire and my savior may well have been you si- John. You have my eternal gratitude. Now that you are aware of that; I need you to deport me back to where you found me. I will find my own way.”
John could do nothing, but stare at her, taken aback. She tilted her head to the side slightly, expectant. His shock began to wear away and his tongue began to work once again.
“I’m sorry miss, but I refuse to let you out of my care in your current condition! I simply do not know what I would do if you came to harm, I certainly would lay the blame at my very own doorstep, are we understood?”
The stern look on John’s face did not sit well with Emma. Her temper rose.
“I beg your pardon? I am in no way obligated to stay here one more minute. I assure you I will survive. If you take me back it may be that I am reunited with my family. I certainly will be more cared for in the hands of family than entrusting my life to a stranger on a whim.”
She huffed indignantly and felt a stab of guilt in her chest when she saw the hurt look cross John’s face. His expression suddenly hardened and a quiet fury schooled his features.
“Now you listen here miss. I will not be responsible for leaving you unaided in the middle of absolute nowhere. I hope we are understood on this matter, I wish not to discuss this any further. The answer to this particular question will remain a no until I see fit. The middle of the woods is no place for a woman to be wondering alone.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but closed it immediately as she acknowledged the very last statement.
“What was I doing in the middle of the woods? What circumstances did you find me in exactly?”
“My footman found you lying on the carriage trail, it seems you suffered a nasty fall and hit you’re head on a rock. We managed to bring you here and clean you up.”
“Where am I?”
“You’re in my home.”
“No. Where am i? Don’t play these tiresome games with me please sir. I owe you my life and am forever in your debt, but my patience wears thin.”
He smiled at her. The smile not quite reaching his eyes. His eyes looked uncertain, Troubled.
“You are in Duncombe Park, my lady.”
A grimace passed over his face before he carefully arranged his features to appear impassive.
“Duncombe park….Duncombe Park. Aah! Is this not the residence of the Duke of Cambridge come the hunting season?”
Relief flooded John as he answered enthusiastically.
“Yes! Yes it is!”
“So you are the duke?”
“err…..yes?”
John silently cursed his loose tongue as Emma gasped.
“You must forgive me, my lord! I was unaware of your title. Oh how I threw decorum to the wind. I am so very sorry. Please accept my humblest apologies.”
She looked stricken and John found her so very endearing in such a state, he visibly trembled at the thought of those supple lips tugging at his own. Her wide eyes flitted around the room in agitation.
“It is quite alright, Miss. There is no need for addressing me as such, please do call me John and behave with me as you would a friend, after all that is what I’d like to be if you would allow me the pleasure Miss Emma.”
She looked uncertain and leaned forward to say something, but closed her mouth and leaned away. John found her simply enchanting! How small and petite she appeared yet she carried a quick temper to aid her. After a short period of silence Emma finally spoke.
“Call me Emma.”
John smiled widely as she glanced at him uncertainly.
“Alright dear Emma, I suppose we should not delay the matter of feeding you any longer?”
He chuckled lightly before abruptly leaving the safety of the armchair and in a few long strides reached the tall oak door. Twisting the handle he turned around to see Emma watching after him. He gave her a lopsided grin before leaving the room and shutting the door quietly.
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Royally in Love
Historical Fiction“Kiss me.” Her mouth dropped open, his statement seemed to bring her to her senses as she pushed away from him stuttering and flushing a bright hue of red, all at once. It is the 1500's and England has seen the first Queen of England. Emma Cardo...
