Deeds Not Words

❥ chapter two: first protest

"Hi there" He said, smirking slightly at me, I blushed. "H-hi" I stammered nervously and held out my hand for him to shake, the picture of ladylike behaviour. He shook it and I think I was almost as red as a tomato.

"So what's your name?" He asked me, shifting over closer. "Marigold Aldaine" I replied smiling sweetly at him like an angel. "I've heard lots about you Marigold, the boys have hearts in their eyes when they see you, especially Archie " He whispered and I let out a soft giggle, Archie wasn't the nicest boy per say but you could diffently gossip with him.

"And what's your name?" I asked curiously. "Benjamin, you could refer to me as Benji if you desire" he answered.

Benjamin! What a beautiful name. If I ever get any children when I'm older, I'm gonna name one Benjamin!

"That's a beautiful name" I thought out loud. Benjamin smiled once more and looked around the teashop, where he got some unwanted glances by fellow wealthy folk he looked down ashamed.

"Want a slice of this chocolate gateau?" I offered him, putting a slight French accent on "gateau" to make it sound more romantic. "No one I know speaks that poshly" he chuckled and took a slice I cut for him. He ate it like he hadn't ate for days. I laughed softly. I had stopped eating due to me feeling like I was gonna burst out of my dress, I hope to God it isn't noticeable.

"That's a pretty frock you have on Marigold, It's a beautiful shade of yellow," Benjamin complimented me reaching out his hand and running his hand down the sleeve, "and an amazing feel" he chuckled and I blushed a soft shade of pink. "Thank you" I smiled

*

"You've got a pash on him!" Winnie practically squealed in public, making a few heads turn. "No..well yeah but I need to know him better, all I know is he likes my dress, that's about it, I don't know what he does for a living" I explain, walking along back to my house.
"Well I know, he sells newspapers, votes for women and some ladies fashion ones. I go there for the ladies fashion ones of course. Those suffragettes are daft," Winnie explained which made me go red and gulp. "And his mum and dad put him in the local orphanage, Mr and Mrs Jennings took him and his sister under their wings, they teach him from home, but he said he struggles"

I would have never thought that because he was so well-spoken! He used very lengthy words.

"So-uhm Winnie, tell me more about the suffragettes, I have no clue what all this fuss is about?" I lie. Winnie takes a brief pause and begins, "well, they're this group of women that protest for women's rights and to get the right to vote". I interfere, "but why would you hate them if they are trying to do something to benefit our gender?"

Winnie goes silent but then comes back. "Due to the way they do it"
"However there is suffragists, they do it peacefully"
"But they still do some wrong things, like standing in the streets to give out them damn old newspapers, a bunch of idiots"

At that I was infuriated, so much so I stormed home by myself. She was calling after me but I ignored her. I was very devastated she would think that! Well she isn't the only one who thinks that. Father thinks that and the rest of the public.

I bumped into Benjamin on the street of my house, Kentmere Avenue. "Woah," He jumped when he saw me, "no need to scare me like that" he let out a soft chuckle and I apologised profusely. "I'm so sorry, did I make you drop any newspapers?" I asked and squatted down to see if I did, I picked up an issue of "votes for women" and handed back to him.

"Do you want to buy it? It's only a'couple of pence" he offered. "Yes please" I replied and handed him the amount of money. He smiled and gave me the newspaper. "Have a good day Marigold, I'll see you soon" He waved goodbye as I ran off to the doorstep of my house, "goodbye!" I yelled from the grand looking entrance, I waved madly at him. He waved back.