A Most Mysterious Gentleman (#1 Sweet Nineteenth Series) VERY SLOW UPDATES

AMMG ~20~

Henry woke up, skull pounding and whole body shaking. He opened his eyes rather groggily to see a small, young girl, no older than 12, smiling right into his face.

"What in the blo-"

She stopped shaking him and stood up, glaring all the while.

"'Scuse me Sir, but you all looked like you was in some sorta trouble. I was only tryna help."

Henry laid his head down on the ground, trying to gather his thoughts and wits as to how he got in this particular situation, and drew nothing.

"Young Lady, I'm the Duke of Richmond." He peered at her irritable face underneath closed lids. "I'm very sorry to have vexed you in anyway-"

"That's right Sir wot you did."

"Hmm. I suppose I should remedy that then."

He turned on his full beam of a smile, his most very charming and got up slowly, shaking a little as he did. 

He bent and kissed her hand. "My Lady, I was very sorry to have irritated you, could you find it in  your heart to forgive me and lead me to the nearest house?" He dramatically held his hand to his heart and pretended to look very pained.

She giggled a schoolchild's giggle and curtsied. "Maybe, Your Grace, I might. And  you are on the Earl of Rochester's grounds."

She turned serious. "But I will only take you there under one condition."

Henry's eyes widened a fraction, imagining what kind of punishment he was to pay. He stared at her, a new dress perhaps? She was only in a brown, stiff woolen dress that smelt of some kind of cow excrement, her brown hair matted with mud. Well, he'd humour her, it wasn't like he didn't have the money.

"Yes My Lady?" He smiled again at her, humoured by the bright blue eyes that seemed to twinkle at him.

Her enthusiasm toppled her almost over as she lunged at him, "Could you carry me on your back to the house? It looks exciting and none of my brothers will!"

He laughed a full belly laugh at her excited pixie features.

"Well-"

"Thank you Sir! Thank you!"

She climbed on a rock and jumped onto him, clinging on tightly. He re balanced himself and shook his head slightly to clear the cobwebs, ignoring the sharp pain. 

Henry held onto her legs and went in the direction she was pointing him in.

"So, why won't your brothers carry you?"

She buried her face into his neck bashfully, "Well Sir, you won't be too angry? Well they only be  4 and 6."

He laughed again.

She spoke excitedly again, "Can you be a horse? I've ridden George but I could practice now. Trot on!" 

He smiled at her antics and 'trotted' and even 'cantered', heart warming at her girly squeals. He ignored the sliver of doubt has to how everything had happened, and why he was on the Earl's ground but put it down to excess drink. Though as to why he was drinking that much he wouldn't know. 

He also had the feeling of something important that was supposed to be happening, but for the life of him couldn't remember.

The Girl, who'd quickly introduced herself as Grace, pointed to a large log. "Oh can we jump it? I can pretend I'm a proper hunting lady!"

Henry stopped and stared doubtfully and the log that towered over his waist.

"Um, maybe that one." He nodded to a small stick on the floor.

"Oh okay."

He heard the disappointment in her voice. "But I'll jump it largely, like it was that log."

She giggled again.

He jumped it, and nearly fell over in the process trying to keep her weight central.

He couldn't work out why he felt so comfortable cavorting around and playing with the child, but his whole mood was happy and relaxed.

His eyes were getting gradually more blurry and the feeling of euphoria increasing.

They arrived at the house and he dropped her down.

He found a stray daisy on the ground and gave it to her in a flourish and bowed. She gave him a quick hug around the waist and bounded off happily.

He walked quickly up the stairs feeling more queasy and light headed the more he went up. By the time he had got to the door and knocked, he thought he was going to faint. The door opened and a footman ushered him to a near seat.

He was fairly aware of the Earl arriving and shouting at him, something about a wedding, jitters and disappearing.

And then he fell unconscious.

-----------------------------------------

Henry became aware of voices murmuring and the rustling of papers.

"Ahh Old boy, I see you're awake."He blinked furiously as the Duke of Trent's face came into view, aware of his cold tone of voice.

The Earl of Rochester then came into view.

"Gads man you better tell me what's happening."

Henry felt like someone had rubbed his throat raw and gestured to the glass of water next to the chair he had clearly fainted on.

A maid held his head as he drunk long gulps of the stuff, not pausing for a minute.

Once he had finished he attempted to speak and managed a croak of, "What happened?"

The Duke's face turned red and his kunckles became white. "You were supposed to be married today! To my daughter! My precious daughter! Who you compromised! But instead you get drunk and 'disappear' , pretending you got kidnapped and sending us all on on a merry chase. Now Rosalie is missing and we find you with papers and letters on your person proclaiming to have poisoned the old King!"