To The Ocean (COMPLETED)

Chapter Eleven - Changes

It was the fifth day of the party and today was the last dance. For the last four days I have refused to attend the dances at night and have usually stayed in my room most of the time. Daniel would try to visit but Mary never let him in and I would always hear James asking how I was throughout the day. All I need was to have some alone time after what happened on the first night. I never thought I would find myself in that kind of situation but yet there I was. It shocked me.

I heard the door open just a cracked and I rolled over. James was peeking into the room. He was in a silk button down shirt with matching silk bottoms that were meant to be pajamas. When he saw I was awake his eyes got big and he was about to leave when I sat up.

"Wait, I'll meet you by the stairs for breakfast in a minute."

He tried to hide a smile as best as he could and nodded. The door shut softly and I rolled out of bed. I couldn't just sit around hoping if I never did anything that nothing bad would happen. Even if I didn't go to the dance that probably would have still happened anyways. I slipped into a long silk nightgown and quickly brushed my teeth and ran a brush through my hair. I could still see the faint bruises on my wrists and waist in the mirror but I ignored them.

I walked out the door and saw James waiting for me on the top step. He was sitting and watching the servant get ready for the next themed party. Cooks baked before hand and perfected their recipes while decorators planned out what they would do. I sat next to him and watched.

"You haven't talked for awhile. I never got to ask you if you were okay."

I smiled.

"I'm fine now. I was just shocked for awhile. I'm sorry for leaving you alone at the dances."

He chuckled.

"You had a good reason. Being disgusted at men is an acceptable excuse to miss a few dances. I just hope you know that not all men are like that. Some are gentlemen."

I laughed and looked at my bare feet on the marble stairs. His voice was good to hear again and his accent still made me smile. I stared down at the organized chaos downstairs and nodded finally.

"Like you?"

He didn't answer but I could tell he was smiling. He held his hands in his lap and I caught a glimpse of the scabs across his knuckles. Some looked as if they were newer than the others which made me think back to the noise that night. I grabbed one of his hands but he pulled away. I looked at him and grabbed it again. He watched me as I examined the scabs and shook my head.

"I'm fine. They don't even hurt anymore."

I rolled my eyes and he smirked. As if that made a difference. I touched one lightly and his hand flinched slightly. I looked at him and gave the look.

"Yeah, sure looks like it doesn't hurt. What did you do?"

He sighed and nodded towards his door where I could see a servant fixing the broken wall. Holes littered them everywhere that looked like a fist had been punched through them. I looked at him in shock and he chuckled slightly.

"Made a few wall repairs. It's better than taking it out on someone else. I thought I was going to kill that guy when I saw him. Good thing Daniel was smart and went after him before I did."

"You're still mad?"

He looked at me with pained eyes and nodded without hesitation.

"No woman should have to go through what you did. Even if we stopped it before it got worse. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy."

I nodded and we sat in silence. The smell of breakfast came upstairs but neither of us moved. I watched as the decorators argued about what was suppose to be done.