Muted beauty

Chapter eight

Lady Nicolette looked at the beautiful girl with great wonder.
She smiled at the pretty girl and Emily felt her heart lurch in her throat.

She tried sitting up ;propping up on her elbows and leaning back against the headboard. Sweat trickled down her forehead due to the exertion. Lady Nicolette moved by her compassion for the dame she moved forward in haste strides keeping her envelope on the edge of a bedside table she touched Emily's hand which surprised her. Lady Nicolette did not know how to tell her it is alright,instead she smiled. Seeing the regal smile Emily calmed down with a blush.

The Lady expertly put cushions behind Emily's back and helped her sit up. She was still in her fine satin nightie. Emily bowed in appreciation.

The door opened,Lalage pushed a tray of goodies and tea towards them. Nodding to Lady Nicolette she looked at Lady Emily squarely ",My . Lady. Your. Food. Is.  Served. Do. You. Need. Anything. Else?".

Lady Nicolette watched with semi shock.
Emily shook her head bringing out a piece of paper showing it to Lalage.
Lalage read slowly",I-I am f-fine. Ow you are fine. Of course my Lady".she struggled to read.

Lady Nicolette let her curiosity get the hang of her",Can she hear?".

Lalage shook her head and said",She reads lips madam. Best if you wrote or spoke facing her directly and speaking slowly".

Nicolette nodded. Left alone Emily began to eat,nervous at the Lady beside her. Nicolette taking a sip of her tea watched as Emily ate and finished. Drinking water to wash it down and dabbed her lips. Then as if remembering her company she blushed . Averting her gaze.
Her pale complexion gaining a healthy colour.

Nicolette smiled. Then put it to practice",I. Have. Something . For. You".She said looking at Emily.

Emily brought up a journal,sifted through papers and picked up a note. Showing the lady.

What is it?

She asked . Nicolette passed her the envelope. Emily looked at the letter shocked. It was not how she thought. For sure she expected scolding and hatred ,not kindness.

From whom ?

She asked using another note.
"Niklaus". Lady Nicolette said slowly. Satisfied to see a glimmer in the girl's eye. The colour returning to her face, making her look less dead.

Emily looked at the letter. She cannot believe he wrote her. She cannot believe .....

What if he is denying her?
What if the lady is just smiling to let her down slowly. Killing them with kindness.

Drawing a deep breath. She opened the envelope to see the familiar beautiful writing.
It was him. Just to think he took pains to write her ,had her hands trembling. She unfolded it then drew a deep breath to read.

Whether her demise or heaven. Only the devilish man knew.

Dearest Lady Emily

I am conveying my apologies for my absence these continuing two weeks.
It is with great sorrow that I miss your company very much so. I have been held up in Dresch manor on a corporate matters. I look forward to seeing you if not in the coming week then certainly at your sisters wedding.

I hope I have not caused any discomfort in my lack of communication. I just happen to dislike writing a lot but I will make it a point to make  it my favorite past  time.

I have many things I wish to tell you ,but I think all the paper in the world could not fit .

I wish I was with you . I did write in one of  the papers the last day me met that I was only going away for two weeks and now that period is extended because if the pompous Lady Berchand who want me in her skirts. How shameful. I have to figure out a way of getting out of her with my purity in place. Not that I was really pure.......anyways this month I have I promise. I have been a very good boy.

I believe your enchanting looks have bewitched the likes of me. I cannot lay my eyes on any other female,seeing you in my thoughts and mind at every awakening moment.

I do not lust after you....okay...I do ,what man wouldn't . I want you at every waking monent.But I like you beyond the thoughts of my loins of your luscious creamy mounds and red lips I fantasize about at every turn......

Lady Emily folded the letter quickly startling the Lady who had been watching Emily's face redden at every word.

Nicolette judging by her horrified look  and her bright red face,she could guess he wrote more things a gentleman shouldn't.

Nicolette then saw a look of steel determination enter the girl's eye.
Emily put the tray on the side table. Then the letter delicately on the bed. Got of the middle to the edge of the bed. On the other side then pushed up her
elbow the put her feet down.
Nicolette watched in awe and horror as the bed ridden girl stand to her feet. Her hair falling in ringlets around her face and lower back.

Moving towards her closet for more than one purpose . Opening the door she took one day dress and wore it . It was not fancy,had white floral prints with a high white neck piece. She pulled her normal boots and adorned them. Pulling her chest all the way to the middle of the room ,breathing heavily she plopped down besides it and opened it. Pulling out papers and papers.
Nicolette looked at her in curiosity. Walked towards her picking up one journal like page and read

Lord Niklaus do you fancy flowers?
Evidently Emily's hand.
If you are among them ,then yes. I very much fancy this black haired alabaster skinned flower. Do you not?

Then a reply said
Lord Niklaus do not give me such flirtations. I know I hardly am not the epitome of my species. So surely there are more prettier flowers and far more easy to handle.

That ,my fair lady is all because they are the same and attainable . But you,a rose among lilies. You stand out mightily. Your thorn bush is what keeps all the cowards from thee man . Besides ,If I was flirting you would certainly feel it and stop reading immediately due to your hearts palpitations.

You jest my lord. Perhaps you see me as easy prey as I have not known any man or talked to one for as long. You surely want something. What is it?

What I want is-

The page ended and there was no continuation. Nicolette's cheeks flaming at the thrill of young love. When Charlotte got married ,she merely asked for his title. But now,she promised herself that she will be involved.

Emily took out the all the letters. Searching for his words of promise. Seeing none she went to her journal. Pouring all her papers on the bed  she,searched through it and finally finding it.

She sat down to read.

Dearest Emily

I am going away to Dresch hall as my father has a meeting on business with her.

I am going two weeks and am going to miss ye .

I tried telling you by mouth but your mind was struck by how my kiss on your skin was so scorching it made you lose our marbles. I apologise for not being there but I will see you. Of that be sure .

Perhaps I can be as daring as to kiss you squarely on your lips.

Yours flying kisses
Niklaus Herbert Slyter.

She released a breath she did not know she was holding all this time.
She stood up with a steely determination of any regal maiden and picked up the letter
And resumed reading ,now assured it would not lead to her demise.

However ,I am not only fantasizing about that, but of a wonderful gift of a future with you.

Please wait for me. I promise to behave.

Write me and give my grandmother to send it to me,lady Berchand is rather behaving like a cat in heat.

Please hold on for me. Remember I love....I like you immensely.
I miss you terribly and achingly

Yours Niklaus.

She smiled. She looked at Lady Nicolette then rushed to her and hugged her and murmured a slurred thank you.