The Secret of Moonacre - SECRECY

Chapter 43

* A few days on *

"Maria dear, what is going on with your hair?" Ms Heliotrope questioned, squinting at me from across the table.

I looked up through my eyelids at the mass frizz on my forehead and sighed. "I don't even know myself, Ms Heliotrope"

"Well I think it looks... Wild" Robin chided from next to me. I kicked him underneath the table and shook my head.

The kitchen door then opened and Uncle entered, looking somewhat relieved. We were all waiting on news of the next plan with Loveday, the Couer De Noir and Marmaduke.

He sat down at the head of the table and cleared his throat. "The village is being rebuilt at once, and we are getting our healthiest men on task to start on that. It'll take time so in the mean time the village hall and remaining houses shall have to be used as homes for the people for now. We can't keep offering our hospitality, it'd take months and people cannot be handed things on a plate, metaphorically. In other news, the manor is now set, Ms Heliotrope, Marmaduke, myself and Maria shall be moving back at dawn tomorrow morning. I would like the thank you for letting us take refuge for far too long here and anything you would like from us is gladly yours"

My heart sank at the news of moving back to the manor. As much as this castle gave me the shivers and creaked at night, I had grown to love it and spending my nights with Robin. From his facial expression, I could tell he was just as upset as I was. I reached for his hand under the table and gave it a gentle squeeze, which he returned.

"Well isn't that wonderful!" Ms Heliotrope enthused. "I can finally have the comfort of my own bed back"

I chuckled at Ms Heliotrope's excitement and excused myself from the table, walking up stairs to my room. With Christmas just less than a week away, I was glad I could be settled back at the manor. I just wish Uncle would let Robin and Couer De Noir join us again. He still wasn't keen on inviting them in our home. It still shocked me how cold Uncle could be. After all that Moonacre had done to us, he was throwing them out.

There was a knock on the door, excusing me from my thoughts. "Enter" I said.

"Hi, it's only me" Robin poked his head around the door.

"Robin, this is your room, no need to knock, silly" I chuckled.

"Only being polite, Princess" he replied, throwing himself of the bed.

I sighed and shook my head, kneeling down by the bedside.

"Is everything all right?" Robin asked, rolling over so his face was only inches from mine.

"Yes of course" I replied. Only a little lie, I didn't want to worry him.

"Very well then. What's on the agenda today then? You're at least having a break from taking care of everyone here, aren't you?" worry flashed across his face.

I shook my head. "There's too much to be done I'm afraid"

Robin sighed and heaved himself up, clambering off the bed into the drawers, filing through them.

"What are you doing?" I raised my eyebrow at him.

He didn't reply until he pulled my long black shoul out of one of the drawers and threw it at me and then found my boots by the door, and knelt at my feet, putting them on for me.

"What are you doing?" I repeated.

"Put that thing on" he instructed. I did as I was told and wrapped it around my shoulders, over my red polo neck jumper. Suddenly, Robins arms scooped me up and he kicked the door open, carrying me down the stairs and out the main doors into the bitter cold.