Eastern District School

Chapter 70 - Goodnight

"Well that was eventful!" Rich had said once her mother and Nan, had gone up to their room. His father had retired to his study, and her mother upstairs. Rich had insisted helping Sarah with the clearly of the table, to which Rose had closely followed. Despite having had several glasses of wine, she was feeling remarkably in control, which was of course a sure sign that she wasn't, but she helped with the dishes nevertheless. 

"Thank you," she said softly as she approached him carrying two more wine glasses. She spoke under her breath so as not to give something for poor Sarah to worry about. 

"For?" he asked simply. 

"For saving me back there. I just didn't know what to say. I'm surprised that she has agreed to come down and see it tomorrow, but Rich if you need to be with your family. I cannot ask any more of your time. I am overwhelmed with the hospitality your family have give mine in such.....circumstances." her voice wavered as she sought the right words to not dig a hole in his heart for any emotion to come flooding out. He had been so strong, for her. 

"It'll be fine. Anyway that's the last of them. Thanks Sarah." he said turning to the maid, to which she simply nodded with a smile.  "Shall I walk you to your room?" he asked Rose kindly, but he seemed distant as he walked beside her through the hall.  The stairs were somewhat larger than other staircases, not so much smaller than the ones in Eastern District, she had thought, and although they had only walked the stairs single file before, there was in fact enough room to walk side by side, which is what they started to do, when Rose lost her balance. She had only taken the first step, but somehow lost her balance and had fallen against Rich, he had of course very adequately caught her.

"Woah, easy." he said simply, looking like he rather might have liked to say something else. 

"I'm fine," she said, trying to regain as much of her composure as she could, and rubbing her hands in the light fabric of the dress. 

Truth be told, it was not the wine to blame, but merely the close proximity of her perfect gentleman. Her secret keeper. That was of course, something she didn't want to share with him. Her nerves were ripping away at the inside of her body. 

"I would have advised you to cool down with a swim, but you have had too much to be in a pool Rose." he said gently, obviously not aiming to offend her by his words. "I can of course wake you up earlier tomorrow, if you'd like?"

"You dare!" she said strongly. "And that's not an invitation!" I will set my own alarm, thank you!"

Rose laughed that incredible laugh once more, and Rose reached for the banister, to help her from buckling with her knees that suddenly had become weak. 

Rich laughed at her attempt, clearly thinking she was rather more intoxicated than she actually felt. 

"Here," he said and reached for her arm, as he lowered his shoulders to her height. Instead of wrapping her arm about his neck, she had pulled back sharply away from him. Leaving Rich looking slightly wounded. "Did you want me to carry you instead?" he asked, and Rose wasn't quite sure whether he was joking with her or not. However briefly weighing the two options in her head she decided she would much rather take his first offer. "Hey didn't I just help your Nan up the same way?" he teased then.

"Shh. No you didn't and I know what you're implying."

He giggled lightly sending shivers along her arm with the vibration through his neck, where her arm lay. His hand on her own, holding her fixed into that position, and his other hand around her waist. Rose's free hand was still gripping the stair railings, and was holding on tightly, with all that she could muster. Feeling that it was her only rock to keeping her feet steady on the ground.