The Sea & The Storm

two

"You aren't going home then?" I trailed after him.

"No."

I opened my mouth to say something then closed it upon consideration. I was at a loss for words with this man. He didn't say much to begin with.

"Well, won't someone miss you?"

"Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"No, sir. But I don't want to trouble you any more. I can handle myself-"

"Evident by the swollen eye and cut knees."

"My father's done worse," I mumbled under my breath tiredly.

"What was that?"

"Oh, nothing at all."

He stopped short at an inn. The sign was too decrepit to read, but a picture of some waterfowl adorned the front. The shabby wooden building looked questionable whether it would stand for much longer. The sky behind it was starry and clear. The rain must have moved to better places.

"Mr. Gerrard, will someone miss you then? You have a household I imagine."

He sighed, "No, no one will miss me besides the few hands I have around the house. Satisfied, kid?"

The door creaked on its hinges when he opened it. Aidan stepped aside to let me through. I scowled at him as I passed.

"I'm not a kid."

His thick black brows rose ever so slightly in amusement. "No? How old are you anyways, Natalie?"

"Nineteen."

"Impressive," he obliged me, "you've almost turned two decades. I see the good it's done you..."

I narrowed my eyes when he gestured at my eye and my scraped knees.

"In you go," he gestured indoors.

I trudged in, my shoulders slumped and face pinched from irritation.

________________

Mr. Gerrard escorted me to my room and lectured me to stay put.

Apparently, I wasn't trusted to do so already. He would sleep downstairs, in the lobby. I figured it was the innkeeper's daughter, the pretty blonde lady.

It wasn't my business anyhow.

A low knock sounded at the door and I took my time answering.

"Natalie. Natalie." Mr. Gerrard sounded impatient.

The door swung open effortlessly and I came face to face with a bundle of clothing and a big pitcher of heated water.

"Bathe," he said, handing me the basin. "And a change of clothes. A dress, this time."

He pushed the blue bundle at me.

I held the fabric up to my frame and it looked as if the bodice was twice my size. It would work, I'd have to tie it at the back, but that was better than nothing.

He stood there, expecting something. On an amusing whim, I stooped lower and dropped into a gentile curtsy then slammed the door in his face.