The Earl And The Lady

Four

Never in a million years did he think that he would find Isobel crying but he did and the first thought that entered his head was that she looked pretty when crying and the next thought was that he is going to m**m Ben for making her cry.

Then he thought about his reaction, why did those thoughts enter his head? Its not like he cares what happens to her. He is only here because he wants to keep his king happy. Right?

When he heard her sniffles die down, he realise that she was slowly falling asleep. Is this how she sleeps at night, crying to herself until she has no more tears, he suddenly felt bad at how he treated her, no woman deserves that especially from someone who she is married to.

Moving towards her before she fell asleep completely, he smoothed her hair backwards arranging the wayward strands that refused to stay in place. He felt her stiffen under his hand but he ignored it as he continued to touch her hair then she asked in a small voice that sounds fragile.

‘ what are you doing here?’ Andrew knew that she didn't know her voice sounded that way, she was not the type that openly shows weakness like Whitney. On the contrary, she did the opposite, he suddenly felt that he did not like seeing the version of her that she shows everybody, he wants this version of her that nobody sees and he could bet that that was what Agnes saw that made her became Isobel guardian... Wait since when did he want anything to do with her, Anthony ideas are just affecting his as usual whenever they had a quarrel.

‘I am sorry for letting them harm you that way. It is not honourable. ’ Andrew said, carefully picking his words.

‘ for you or for them .’ she answered with a snort

Andrew opened his mouth to warn her about her manners when he realise that she is doing it on purpose, she doesn't know how to act with him so she strikes out. Realizing that she is right even if she was striking out, ‘ for all of us. Especially me ’ he answered and she visibly flinched away from him

‘ what's wrong with you ?’ Isobel asked in a worried tone ‘ are you okay, you are sounding delirious. Do you have fever?’ she started feeling his head for an increase in temperature.

‘I am alright ’ Andrew answered when he finally got over the effect of her touch in an intimate way in an intimate place. The fact that a bed is about five steps away didn't help his concentration at all.

‘are you sure ’ she asked now standing besides him biting her lips nervously .

Maybe he isn't since his mind has completely went insane.

‘ I have been nothing but mean for you and yet you care for me .’ Andrew asked in a surprised tone.

‘ oh, ’ she suddenly stiffened again as she withdrew her hands from him and he nearly voice out a complaint at her withdrawal.

‘ I don't want to be accused of killing my husband along with a treason against the crown. ’

He stiffened at her words already ready to attack her when he realise that she was baiting him. That was her defense against the world. When she does not know what to do or she is backed to a corner she reacts by attacking. Could she also taunt and disgrace ... of course she could, that's what she did to Whitney.

He realise then and there that he was curious to discover all her actions and reactions to everything. Why...? He would figure that out later.

‘ we both know that not your real reason. You lash out when cornered .’ he said more to himself than her and when she gasp, he knew that he has the right answer.

‘ why are you really here ?’ she asked tiredly.

‘ to tell you am sorry and I would like to start all over with you again. ’ Andrew said with out thinking but knew he said the right thing when light entered her eyes.

Allowing him to see her venerability.

‘ really ? ’ she asked in a soft tone that he had never heard from her before.

‘ really. In fact, let's go on a picnic tomorrow. ’ he added impulsively.

‘ okay. ’ she answered then blushed as she looked towards the bed.

He knew that she was not comfortable to that extent yet so he decided to wait until she was which was weird why would he wish for her to be comfortable around him, he would think about that fact later with the rest that he had to think about.

‘ goodnight, I still have some work to do, see you tomorrow morn. ’ he said then kissed her finger tips then left knowing that the night is going to be a sleepless night for him.

***

‘ can you cut the fruits into smaller sizes but not too small. ’ lady Isobel said to the maid who was arranging the picnic basket for her and her husband.

She has been a flurry of positive energy since she woke up...well she was after she went to look for Andrew to confirm if it was a dream or her imagination.

It had been neither, she realised it when he smiled at her when he saw her and when he asked what she needed, she blurt out the first thing that entered her mind that was really embarrassing, she said that she missed his company at night then his face and that made her flush red in her face and it made him release a booming laugh then he sent her on her way, with a promise that he will come for her before noon.

‘ my lady, are you day dreaming ?’ Agnes asked which made her blush in embarrassment, she needs to control her blushing.

‘ Agnes ’ she scolded her maid softly, out of all times, her maid chose this time to be free with others and the very first thing she did was to call out her actions.

They can't blame her for day dreaming, when your husband who decides that he will let societal ladies to hurt you one moment and the next he is doing something that almost sound like he is professing his undying love for you, you just have to day dream and imagine that it is really happening.

‘ well it's the truth. ’ Agnes said with an eye roll that made her smile, her maid is becoming more and more free with her.

‘ I want you to help me with my preparation to the ball tonight. ’ she said trying to divert Agnes attention from the present issue.

‘ fine, I will drop the subject, where will you see a gown to wear? ’ Agnes said focusing on what her mistress asked her.

‘ can't I wear one of my gowns ?’ Isobel asked after thinking with Agnes for a while with no solution.

‘ no, it will make the ladies hound you, the men treat you harshly and your lord angry. ’ Agnes said curtly.

‘ then what should I wear ?’ Isobel asked in a worried tone. This means that she can't wear her gowns ever again, as long as Andrew is not okay with it.

‘ I know a place for gowns. ’ Agnes said with hesitation ‘ already made gowns, they are for the merchant daughters, the ladies without title and the gowns are beautiful. ’

‘ okay ’Isobel said nodding her head, ‘what wrong with the place and why were you hesitant about mentioning it? ’

‘ it's for the middle class who wish to look as stylish as the high class but less quality ’ Agnes said quickly then cowered as if expecting that Isobel will strike out at her for even bring such a solution.

‘ great. Now how do I pay for a gown there if I want one. ' Isobel said

Agnes blinks then asked in a tiny, stuttering voice ‘ pardon me ?’

‘ I said how do I pay for the gown if I want one. ’ Isobel said arranging the picnic baskets then all of a sudden clapped her hands together in excitement. ‘ won't they accept one of my gowns on exchange for theirs. Mine is more fancy and of higher quality I presume ?’

‘ yes, my lady ’

‘ great exchange mine with them for one of theirs. ’ Isobel said ‘ how will they know my size, I can't leave Andrew for that. ’ she concluded feeling down all of a sudden.

‘ I have a good eye for clothes my lady. I can tell the clothes, designs that will fit the wearer. ’ Agnes said shyly.

‘ great, thank you Agnes, you have been nothing but a great big help for me. A thousand thank yous. ’ she said as Agnes smiled uncomfortably about being thanked.

‘ your Ladyship if I may, I asked for another maid to arrange for your bathe, I have a quick errand to run for lord Andrew. ’

‘ what of his man, Ben? ’ Isobel asks not knowing why he would need her maid when he had his own.

‘ he was whipped last eve because of how he treated you. ’Agnes said with a smile then bowed and left while Isobel sat in shock taking in the news. He whipped his servant because he was rude to her. That is a big surprise.