A Lark In The Bushel

Chapter 15 - "It's All The Colours At Once."

Richard allowed himself to be steered along the path and through the walled garden at Kitty's insistence, he glanced worriedly at her arm that had been broken,still bound tightly in a bandage. He took solace that her arm didn't look misshapen and the bandage was clean, no signs of leaking from the wound. He told himself she would be getting the best medical care, her family could afford to pay for the most reputable doctor in the area, she did look happier and healthier than he had expected her to be. He had assumed she would still be resting, sleeping and healing, he thought it could be weeks before he saw her, he certainly didn't expect her to be waiting eagerly for his arrival. He worried he was tiring her, but also saw the good his company was doing her,their conversation flowed as easily as it did that night, they had much to talk about with recounting tales of the past few weeks. Richard told of his relief and elation at William's visit, Kitty told of hers as she convinced her father easily to send William with the good news of Richard's offer of employment. Richard worried about how well he would perform in his new role, but Kitty's good arm that linked his cheered him, he felt as though anything was possible as long as she believed in him.

He wanted to tell her how much her belief in him meant, but he was distracted by how cold the skin of her exposed forearm felt against his. Richard searched her face and saw she looked tired and flushed. "Kitty, are you feeling quite well?"

She turned her face to his, her sudden smile bringing a healthy glow to her features, he wondered if he was imaging the unease he had glimpsed on her face momentarily and chided himself for worrying excessively. She was recovering from a broken arm after all, she was allowed to feel less than her usual self just a few weeks later, lesser mortals would surely not be as active as she was.

"All the better for having you here Richard."

He returned her grin,not wanting to push the point but still there remained a nagging doubt at the back of his mind. "I am surprised you are up and about so quickly after your accident, I had thought you would want to rest until you are recovered. After all, the faster you are healed,the quicker you can take me riding again."

Kitty laughed, the sound of her mirth echoed around the walls of the garden and she squeezed his arm affectionately. "Of course, I have so been looking forward to riding with you again, and perhaps this time I can remain seated."

"I feel as though that would be for the best, yes."

"Terrible judgement on my part. My timing was ill-considered for a start and that was not the correct way to dismount."

Kitty searched Richard's tight smile, his face didn't portray the lightness his words suggested and she nudged him gently towards a stone bench,pulling him down to sit beside her. "Please don't look so worried,I just need to sit for a while to regain my breath."

Richard attempted to dispel the memory of Kitty falling from her horse that repeated in his mind, he didn't feel as though she was haunted by the same images, if anything it should be worse for her. She was the one who had sustained the injury, he expected to find her more subdued after that horrific experience, but Kitty did not appear fazed by anything. Richard marvelled at how strong and brave she was, to be able to act as her usual bubbly self after all that had happened to her. She was one in a million, no doubt.

"I get the impression you've been doing too much since you returned home, I would hope your servants have been strict in telling you to rest."

"They can tell me nothing, I am my own woman and I shall do what I please."