Blakeney ordered the coach to return home. He stared out the window of the coach, after awhile he said. "I thought I raised you to have more respect for your family, I am disappoint that you would act so disrespectfully."
Emilie reddened when she saw the way Milord was angrily looking at her and realized she had committed a major social faux pas. She took a step back and bumped into Hastings. She looked up at her Tim without speaking, terror in her eyes. Milord ordered the prisoner�s release and said he would escort her safely home. Safe? Home? She did not want to go home now; she was in a lot of trouble. Lord Blakeney took her arm and led her to the carriage, not speaking. He helped her in and ordered the coach to return, then stared out the window. Emilie sat squirming, waiting for the ax to fall. They sat in silence for a while. Finally Blakeney spoke up, in a cold tone. Emilie bowed her head. �I am sorry, sir. I didn�t intend to be disrespectful,� she whispered, tears falling from her eyes. Lord Blakeney�s approval meant everything to her.
My lord Hastings stood there a few moments more watching Lovell and Cristof, noting the interest that the younger man took in the poor girl. Lovell's manner assured him that Laurel was in good hands with Lovell, Hastings resolved to visit her at a later time perhaps with Percy and/or Andrew with him. The problem now is Blakeney. His lordships was most upset with the turn of events and would in all likelihood take out his frustrations on poor innocent Emilie or on Percy. Hastings ran back to his horse, climbed on and raced after Blakeney's carriage.
Blakeney did not look at her, his gaze wandered outside. "That boy in all likelihood is out there and will strike back at you. I had intended to obtain that creature's whereabouts from his accomplices, a few days in the stocks would have loosed their tongue. But instead of respecting my wisdom, you make a fool of me. I thought you had more loyalty than that. Very well. You are not to leave the house, it is for your own good. Those people will in all likelihood come after you."
Emilie felt terrible. Milord wouldn't even look at her. She had just wanted the blood to stop, instead she had ruined everything. She stared at the floor. "As you command, my lord. I humbly apologize for my thoughtless actions, and pray to never give you another moment�s trouble" she whispered, choking on her tears as they rode away.
Blakeney reflected for some time. Her contempt her him was painfully apparent to Blakeney, why else she open him up from humiliation and ridicule? She despised him as Percy despised him. Not that she didn't have cause, life in the Blakeney household was becoming worse and worse. At lest with that little upstart she seemed to have found happiness. Life will be happier for her even if she took a piece of his heart with her. Life would be easier for her when she went to live with that Hastings. "...Things will be better when you've gone..."
Emilie reeled and started to shake, feeling like the entire world was collapsed around her. She would have gladly preferred to have been subjected to any torture rather then hear those words...they felt like fire. She loved Milord, she used to make believe he was her real father, to be told he didn't care about her...
"Are you a giant coming to eat me?" she had said the first time she had met him, he was so big and scary, but she had liked him the minute she had seen Milord Blakeney. He had told her that He wanted to take her home. "Cornwall is so nice, I shall need a souvenir for my son and I think I'll take you" making her laugh. He was taking her away from mean Miss Agnes, he said there was a beautiful room filled with toys for a little girl in Richmond and he thought she'd like it. Agnes had always told her she was a horrible brat and slapped her, that no one wanted her. "What shall I call you? Lord Arthur Blakeney is such a big name, even for you" she had asked. Lord Blakeney had laughed. "It is, isn't it" he had said. "Well, what did you call your father?" Emilie had asked. "Sir" came the reply. "Then you will be Sir and I am going to be your best little girl in the world" she had said. Such tranquil times, they seemed like a memory. Through everything, she had loved him and now to find she was a burden. Her father sent her away, Milord didn't want her around, she felt so alone. The coldness in his voice just broke her heart. She wished to just throw herself on her knees at Milord's feet and beg forgiveness, to plead for him to care for her again. She was feeling nauseous and filled with pain. She merely stared at the ground. He was sir no longer and she would give anything just to be his "dear girl" again.
"Your Lordship, I humbly and deeply ap...poligize for the pain I caused and th...thank his Lord...ship for keep-p-ing me for all these years, t-t-treating me as if I was a member of the family. I never...wished to...disappoint you, I am deeply sorry for my ungratefulness and my disloyalty...I can only hope one day I can repent for the pain I have caused your lordship and the burden I was" she said, her voice shaking and as well as she being in tears as she saw they had arrived home...no to Blakeney manor, this was not her home. Cornwall was her home but she would rather die then go back there, it was common fact. She felt utterly alone.
"Your Lordship, I humbly and deeply ap...poligize for the pain I caused and th...thank his Lord...ship for keep-p-ing me for all these years, t-t-treating me as if I was a member of the family. I never...wished to...disappoint you, I am deeply sorry for my ungratefulness and my disloyalty...I can only hope one day I can repent for the pain I have caused your lordship and the burden I was" she said.
Blakeney heard the pain in her voice and turned to look upon the sobbing girl. For a moment he forgot himself, he reached across to her and gently lifted her head to face him. "You were never a burden. You are a member of this family, forgiveness goes without saying. But I know that things will be better for you when you've gone, you'll find happiness with that Hastings." The carriage pulled in front of the house at that moment, Blakeney drew away her and got out quickly. Ordering the nearby Dessau to see Emilie to her room. He had to go and think, he cursed himself for not hanging the trio, for showing emotion, and, most importantly, for failing his family.
Emilie had never seen Lord Blakeney so open with his feelings as he raised her head. He cared for her, he forgave her, she was a member of the family, she wasn't a burden! She felt like she had been freed from the darkness of hell itself. But before she could respond, the carriage stopped and Blakeney pulled away from her. He didn't even help her, he merely fled into the house, yelling to Dessau who was helping her out of the carriage to see her to her room. Emilie allowed Dessau to accompany her into the house and upstairs. As she passed Percy's room, she noticed it was empty. "Where is Percy?" she asked in a worried tone.
My lord Hastings galloped full force after the carriage, his mind racked with doubt and turmoil, but one thing was clear: Emilie needed him. As he arrived at the Blakeney estate he saw the coachman leading the carriage to the stables. They hadn't been there long, perhaps nothing had happened. Hastings left his mount with a valet and dashed to the door, this time he won't fail in protecting Emilie as he had failed to protect Michelle. He pounded on the door.
Charlotte spent a quiet day, trying to forget about the pain in her hands. Milord and Lady Emilie had left early that morning so she had some time to sit in the kitchen and soak her hands. Milord came back in a hour later and stormed into his quarters, she had fled into a corner and busied herself when she saw him. She went to the foyer to see a pale Lady Emilie being taken into the house and upstairs by Dessau, the girl looked drained and very sad, obviously she was going to be confined. At least she wasn't being carried or dragged in. Then came a pounding at the door. She looked around and then opened it. She saw it was my lord Hastings, looking very nervous. She curtsied. "Please come in, my lord. I shall inform Milady Emilie that you are here though I think she is confined to her rooms for now" she said and showed him into the parlor. She ran up the stairs and found Emilie a few feet from her room, Dessau standing by to see that she was all right, or that she was going to her room and nowhere else. She curtsied "My Lady, Lord Hastings wishes to see you. Shall I send him away?" she said. Dessau started to speak up but Emilie interrupted him. "I shall go to him" she whispered. Emilie knew she had been ordered to her room but Lord Blakeney had said she was a member of this family and she was not going to allow valets to bully her. With a defiant smirk at him, she rushed down to the parlor and saw Tim there. "Tim!" she said softly. She knew he must be thinking the worst of Milord. "I wish you hadn't seen what Milord did" she whispered.
Hastings drew closer to her, placing his firm but gently hands on her shoulders and looking her in the eyes. "I'm glad I did," Hastings said with a note of concern. "I feared that he might retaliate against you for speaking against him, my love. The sooner we are married, the sooner you will be away him."
Emilie smiled and kissed her dear Tim. "I am fine, my sweet. Lord Blakeney would not harm a hair on my head. He just sent me to my room after telling me he was disappointed in me. Tim, he's my guardian, he's not some monster who is keeping me in a tower like Rapunzel, he cares for me as if I was his child. When we are married, he'll still be a part of our lives, just like your family will unless you plan to keep me all to yourself" she said, her pale face trying to seem more light hearted then terrified. She was trying to forget slamming into a desk. Milord said he cared for her and she believed him.
Hastings looked passed Emilie calm expression to the fear in her eyes, he see there that her soul was in torment. "I'm sorry, milove, your eyes express too much. There's no need to protect him! I'm here, I'll protect you at whatever cost. Better that than to lose you. There should be no reason for you to be afraid. You are too kind and beautiful to suffer like this!"
Emilie looked up at Hastings in terror and back away from him. "Hush, keep your voice down. Please, everything is fine, Lord Blakeney hasn't hurt either of us nor does he plan to unless you give him a reason to! I don't want you getting hurt, Tim, Milord is willing to do anything to protect me. You saw what he did to those people; just don't get involved, for your own sake. I am all right; nothing is wrong as long as we keep up appearances" she said and then rushed back into his arms. She held him tightly. "There are reasons. But if we are to be married, then we are to be honest with each other. Do you swear never to tell anyone or to act on what I tell you?" she asked in a soft voice. Her voice shook with terror, if Milord overheard...Hastings would be doomed!
Hastings held Emilie tightly to him, but the muscle in his jaw tightened. She was asking him to set aside his honor, to ignore a tremendous wrong inflicted in his future wife. "It is only at your request that I swear this, Emilie. I can refuse you nothing, darling, but if he attempts anything in my presence I cannot vouch for his safety. But I pray you tell me everything."
Emilie nodded. "All right, Tim. Three days ago, Percy fell asleep in my room since I was hurt. Lord Blakeney was furious since it looked improper and well... he threw me into a desk. It was an accident, he felt terrible after but..." and pulled her hair up, revealing the scar where she had cut her head. "After that, he's been ever so kind to me, but he has a temper and sometimes it scares me. He had Andre whipped in front of me, he beat Percy very badly after you left yesterday, and four days ago, that's why we ran away and you saw what happened today. But he wouldn't do all this if he didn't care for me. Tim, I have to take care of him, I am afraid if I am not there, Milord will one day lose him temper and hurt someone else. I just have to try to smooth things over so that he doesn't. That is why you must never tell anyone. Tim, he's a good man, I promise you that. He just has a hard time, that's why I try to keep things smooth. If I wouldn't have run away, everything would be fine. But Tim, I am safe here. Lord Blakeney would never intentionally hurt me, especially now that you and I are courting. He cares for me, he said so on the carriage ride back, after scolding me. Tim, sometimes I think if I leave, Percy and milord are doomed. I've been the Lady of the house since I was six, what will they do without me? Who'll take care of them?" she said, leaning against his shoulder.
As he looked at the gruesome scar impressed upon her head, his face turned pale and his blood ran cold through his veins. It was all he could do to keep his promise and not called Blakeney out on the spot. Using every bit of strength he had he resumed his composure. "I'm sure that Percy and milord can take care of themselves," Hastings said. "But I see that Lord Blakeney is more of a monster than I had previously thought. We must spirit you away from this place as soon as possible. Only then will I rest easy."
Emilie saw the anger in Tim's eyes and she squeezed his hand. "Tim, I am fine, I don't want him to hurt you. He's not a monster, he took me away from a real monster and brought me to live with him, even though I wasn't even related to him. How do you plan to honorably spirit me away, my youthful lord? I can't run away again without putting myself and you in danger. Unless you wish to elope with me right now, which considering we've been courting for less then a day would be daft. We just need to keep up appearances till we can go home to England. I want to go home very badly, Tim. Things were simpler there, I could run through Richmond freely and no one tried to hurt me" she said in a wistful tone. She suddenly felt very much like a traitor, letting Hastings think such cruel things on Milord. She continued in a surer tone. "As long as I keep Milord happy, by being a good obedient girl, he won't hurt me. He never does anything unless he has a reason to, he's a fair man" she whispered. She hung her head. "I should not have told you this, Milord would be very disappointed with me. He already said I am ungrateful and disloyal, I want to please him so badly, I want him to care about me more then anything else in the world. He's the only real father and family I have. Tim, I am alone in the world, my mother and brother are dead, my father is obsessed by his mistress and cares nothing for me, Milord and Percy are all I have. I have to help them" she said softly.
Hastings gathered her up in his arms and held her tightly, it killed him to see her like this... in some much misery and pain and with nothing that he could do about it. He could feel his anger rise and felt powerless to vent it, he gave his word. For whatever it was worth. He, then, tried lightening up the situation by donning the flippant, comical airs he used in society. "Lud, Madame! The fella ain't worth it! Who said anything about eloping? I say we push forward the engagement!"
Emilie allowed Hastings to hold her, her thoughts muddled. She could feel his anger and she knew how much he cared for her. She could never tell anyone else all this. Love had been so strange. She had fallen for Chris and then Hastings had swooped in and stolen her heart away. She supposed she hadn't loved Chris, she had barely known looked up at him. Hastings had been a friend since they were nine; he was always there for her, even when she didn't want him to be. She had always seen him as funny but irritating, plain and simple. Things were either black or white once. She had always been so rational, what had changed? Hastings spoke in his flippant tones. It usually exasperated Emilie when he did that but she needed a good laugh and she did. Laughing felt nice, especially in this household. "Push forward the engagement? Timothy, we've only been courting for less then a day, at the speed we are going, we are going to be grandparents by Christmas. You haven't even graduated school yet. You can't marry me till then. Anyway, Michelle is still sick, and if we marry without her there, she'll be furious. But when you go back to England, I'll tell Milord as your fianc�e I must to go back with you to meet your family" she offered. It would be the first time she had been away from the Blakeneys but she had been taught, a woman must follow her husband, no matter how far he takes her away from her home. "But at least properly court me till then" she teased.
Hastings laughed pleasantly. "You've an object to being a grandmother by Christmas?"
Emilie smirked. "Can't we at least wait till Easter? Being a grandmother is large responsibility" she said and tapped his nose. "I wish I could talk a walk with you but I am confined to the house. Shall we play a game of chess? Winner gets a kiss from the loser" she offered.
Hastings's eyebrow raised and a smile spread over his lips. "A kiss?" Hastings led her to the chess board and within two hours, Hastings tipped his king. "Well, mideary! I suppose I have to pay up!"
Chris left the Chateau and climbed on a horse. He had a full day ahead of him. He planned to see the girl but first, he needed directions from the pet. He didn't know where the blond girl lived. Well, he could switch the plan around a bit. So he rode over, planning to get the pet alone again and avenge Laurel a bit. He stopped and picked a few flowers by the road and then continued on. When he arrived, he felt a bit nervous, that monster might lose his temper on him but he'd be careful. He'd have to be, that man was violent. He knocked on the door and a maid showed him into the parlor where the pet and the thief playing chess. "Good day, pet and you too, Chastings"
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Emilie had thoroughly enjoyed the chess game. She enjoyed seeing the clever side of Hastings and the game was hard won. "Yes, you do" she laughed and then noticed Chris being shown in. She blushed. "Hello Cristof." she mumbled. She wondered how to tell him. Chris noticed her discomfort. "Anything wrong, pet?" he asked, noting she didn't hug him or anything. "Well...yesterday...I...um, I...well" she mumbled.
Hastings stood up and gave Cristof a curt nod. "Ah, M...er... Flow-veel, isn't it?" Hastings returned with an air of good humor. "Always pleasant to see you! But I really must object that that little familiarity you use to address my fianc�e." Hastings smiled, and watched for Cristof's reaction.
Chris just stared. His eyes narrowed as the information processed into his head. The pet was engaged? How dare she? That strumpet didn't know he loved Laurel; she might have hurt his feelings. She was a liar and a temptress; he should have her put in the pillory shaved and branded, maybe which would show her a lesson in honesty. The thought that Laurel, sweet wonderful Laurel suffered for the honor of this two-faced little Delilah infuriated him to no end. He had to make sure she suffered dearly for this. As for that smug little Anglais, he'd deal with him too. "Fianc�e? You never told me you were engaged" he said softly. Emilie blushed. "I wasn't till yesterday" she answered. "I see, and when did you plan to tell me this? I cared for you and this is what you do? I must say my dear, considering I saved your life and helped you; you show great lack of appreciation. I was coming here to see you, since I thought you were the girl for me. But every time I come, I find you in the arms of another and now I find you're engaged. What kind of person are you?" he said in a dangerously soft tone and then turned to Hastings "And my name is Lovell!"
Hastings bore his plastic smile even though a great urge to pound the froggy into bits overtook him. Emilie's face was pained by Cristof's words, had she really loved him? Did she love him even now? No, her eyes showed him true devotion when he held her in his arms. "Ah, beg pardon, sir! You have a very heavy accent, it's hard to understand you, you should open your mouth a little wider when you speak, you have a tendency to mumble. Shows poor upbringing," Hastings bantered. "However, I had to defend the lady and say that milord and I rather sprang it on her. Lud! perhaps his lordship rushed into it to keep her from marrying the wrong sort, a lot of them around here. But I daresay I'm rather fond of the dear little middy, I ask that you curb your outrage in her presence." These last few words had a deadly tone in them. "But it show good sportsmanship, M. Flovell. Join me in a toast to our future happiness."
Emilie stared sadly at both of them. She would just be shouted down if she spoke up so she just listened and got ready to intervene if it got violent. By the look on Chris's face, it just might. Chris was looking livid and wondering if he could take this boy in a fight and win. "I do so apologize. I must have been speaking too fast for you or perhaps my vocabulary is too large for you. Well, Milord has a habit of rash choices, today's events certainly proved that. I can see you are fond of the lady and most definitely congratulate your acquisition; I just hope Emilie one day is as happy as you are. Emilie, my dear, well, I wish I could help but alas, this is out of my hands. Cheer up, I hope it won't be as bad as it seems. As much as I'd enjoy sharing wine over this... event, I am on a mission of mercy and came to ask directions to the house of your friend who was hurt yesterday, my father wishes me to extend our deepest sympathies. Could you tell me how to get there?" he asked.
"Lud, sir! if you were on a mission of mercy, you'd leave the poor little middy alone!" Hastings laughed.
Emilie saw that Chris was a step away from losing his temper entirely. She touched Hastings's arm lightly in warning. "No fisticuffs, my love" she muttered. He was getting positively nasty to Chris and she didn't want a brawl in her parlor. As much as she enjoyed listening to Hastings's wit, she was friends with Chris and she still had trace amounts of love for him. She knew the two didn't like each other but she would like Hastings to show a bit more manners to her friend, even if he was in love with his fianc�e. She smiled at her betrothed though, she knew Hastings was angry and finally someone was not taking their anger out on her.
"My darling Lord Hastings has quite the ready wit, but please, we are among friends, good sir, lay down your comical arms before milord sees the two of you acting like children. Chris, what a kind gesture, I am sure Michelle would be very happy to have a pleasant visitor to distract her, do give her my best wishes" she said in a dubious tone, remembering Michelle hated Chris. As much as it would be amusing if the two fell in love, Andrew would most likely do something to the Vicomte that he'd have to repent for in sackcloth and ashes with his best friend Hastings enthusiastically aiding.
Chris nodded. "Most likely more happy then I am now" he muttered.
Emilie walked over to him. "Chris, please, my engagement does not mean the end of our good friendship and I do hope you still wish to remain on amiable terms with my sweet fianc�e and I. I will never forget your kindness to me and still hope to see you in the time I am in France. Now Tim dear, be nice and shake hands. It's good sportsmanship. Come on, both of you. This is a happy time of celebration. You should be happy for me." she said lightly.
Chris just looked angrier. "And was that little sermo generalis in town in celebration of your betrothal? Should I be happy for that too?" he asked darkly. Emilie sighed and shook her head. "I see, bit of a stain on such a happy day. Well, Emilie, do you wish to accompany me to your friend's house and give her your good wishes yourself, that is, if your fianc�e gives your permission" he then asked mockingly.
As loathsome and abhorrent as touching the Frenchman was, Hastings maintained his plastic smile and extended his hand. "Lud, Madame! I'm sure, M. Flowveel, takes my comments as the playful humor they were intended in!" Hastings said with a laugh. "Ah, I see you were out rescuing fair damsels in distress, monsieur! But I daresay that milor, would not approve of Emily going out." Then as a low aside to Cristof. "Too many ill-intent Frenchies on the road."
Chris felt his jaw clench in rage and he remained silent for fear of swearing. He had never felt insolence like this before! He felt it was beneath his dignity to shake this puppy's hand but he did so grudgingly. He had better be on his best behavior, that monster was nearby and he was afraid of him. Emilie smiled. "Excellent, you see, peace is possible. I...." she said and suddenly her head started to spin. "Dear God" she said as she tried to grab onto a chair. Everything...spinning, so fast...
Chris caught her as she fell back. "There you go, pet" he said, holding her tightly. Emilie's eyes just looked glassy and confused. "What happened?" she asked. Hastings had made a move to catch Emilie as she fell, but found her quickly in Cristof's arms. "There you go, pet" he said, holding her tightly. Emilie's eyes just looked glassy and confused. "What happened?" she asked.
"You swooned, darling," Hastings said, using his vice like grip to remove Cristof's arms from her and then carried her to a sofa. "I fear that today has been to much for you, especially considering the horrors of the week." He knelt beside her and held her hand, keeping an eye on Cristof. "Perhaps you should rest, dearest. I'm sure M. Lowhell can find the door himself, your valet can give him the instructions he needs."
Chris scowled and tried to ignore the pain in his arms. He would have revenge taken on them both. "I hope you feel better, my pet. I'll get the directions and wish the girl your good wishes. Monsieur Anglais, farewell" he said softly. He found Dessau and motioned to him. "Lady Emilie is ill, you'd best tend to her. Oh, and how do I get to the Ffolkes home?" he asked.
Emilie looked up at Hastings. "Farewell and thank you, Chris. Tim, I'll be all right, this has been happening a lot, my love." she whispered.
Hastings kissed Emilie's hand, trying to hid the pain in his eyes at seeing his beloved brought into this state. "When did these spells start?"
Emilie sighed. "Since Milord got angry at me, I've fainted three or four times though it could have resulted from when I was kidnapped. I was hit on the back of my head a few times by that brigand so that could be it. " she whispered and squeezed his hand. She looked at him, her Tim. There was no one in the world she could tell everything to like this, well, she could tell Michelle a lot of things and she could always write to Andrew for advice, but Hastings she could really open her heart to. "I'll miss you so much when you go back to school" she said softly.
Hastings jaw tighten when he heard her describe how she had been so brutally assaulted, he had sworn not to seek out vengeance otherwise he would storm into Blakeney's study and challenge him to a duel on the spot. He gently pressed her hand to his lips then held it to his heart, with his other hand he gently stroked her face with his fingertips. It broke his heart to see her like this... so weak... so helpless... so willing to allow herself to be destroyed to protect others. "What if I don't want to go back to Harrows. What if I choose to remain here with you?" He kissed her gently on the lips. "Would you have me leave without my heart? I don't think I would be able to live very long without it!" he said smiling down on her.
Dessau nodded and gave Cristof the directions, when Cristof left, Dessau went into the parlor and paled at the sight of Hastings and Emilie. If his lordship walked in at this moment they would all certainly be brutally murdered. "Lady Emilie, I must insist that you follow his lordship's instructions and return to your room."
Hastings tore his gaze away from Emilie and looked at the shocked _expression on Dessau's face. "I fear the lady fell into a bit of a swoon, my dear sir," Hastings exclaimed, then turned back to Emilie and said. "Perhaps it is best you get some rest, darling. I swear I'll return to you in the morning," he smiled. He stood up and turned to Dessau. "My dear sir, do you think it would be permissable for me to carry the young lady up, under your supervison, of course. The little niddy's had a most frightfully exhausting day and her nerves are rattled it would set my mind at ease to know that she is tucked away safely in her bed. And I daresay I am a bit obsessive as to who put their hands on this gorgeous creature, after all she is going to be the future Lady Hastings."
Emilie had been happily enjoying Hastings's attention and tending; he could make her feel so wonderful. Why did Dessau always have to show up? She was starting to think that Dessau thrived on her misery. She smiled weakly at Hastings's words, he was such a treasure. "You heard his lordship, Dessau, those are Lord Hastings's instructions and I daren't disobey. My lord, it shall be as you command, I do wish to set your mind at ease" she murmured softly and held out her arms to her Tim.
Hastings chuckled merrily and swept Emilie up into his strong arms, a smile to melt any woman's heart and inspire men upon his lips. "Lead the way, Dessau!" he said merrily. Dessau pale and greatly put out, proceeded out of the parlor and up the stairs, followed by my lord Hastings carrying Emilie in his arms. They made their way to Emilie's room an inside Hastings laid the lovely lady on her bed. "Here you are, my darling, all safe and sound in your room. I want you to avoid his lordship's temper and if anything happens sent a servant to fetch me. Dessau, after I've left would you be so kind as to send Lady Emilie's maid up to make her comfortable?"
Emilie laughed as Hastings carried up her the stairs. He was like sunshine with that smile of his. She knew that this was improper but frankly, she didn't care as long as she didn't get caught. If this was going to be her future, she couldn't wait to be Lady Hastings. When he laid her down, she wished he could stay and sit with her. "I am always safe with you. I'll be fine, don't worry, as long as you come and see me. When you go back to Harrows, maybe I'll join the school too, be the first female student so I can be with you. I'd make a good student, wouldn't I? I am sure the students would love me and I would help you devils with your mischief. I am sure fagging, Latin lesson and dormitories would be enjoyable as long as i could be around you, my love" she said weakly with a smile as she held onto his hand. "I wish you could stay here" she said, her eyes shining with love for him.
"Lud, love ya, madame!" Hastings laughed. "You'd make an excellent student... as long as I am your fag master!" He laughed heartily and gently stooped to kiss her forehead. "As much as I would love to stay by your side, you need your rest and I do think it unwise to anger his lordship any further. So unless you have any commands of me, I will bit you adieu!" Hastings bowed.
Emilie blew him a kiss. "My only command is that you return soon, my darling" she said softly as she leaned back against her pillows. "Shakespeare was wrong, parting is only sorrow, nothing sweet about it till the return" she mused.
Hastings smiled, then noting the panic-stricken look upon Dessau's face, turned on his heels and left. He showed himself out of the house and to the stable, where he collected his steed. He mounted and sat there a few moments, Emilie appeared to be relatively safe, though he still still worried about when his lordship's temper would flare up again. Hopefully Percy would be able to protect her in the meantime. He urged his horse back to Calais, to speak with Planchette and Laurel. They were in bad shape last his saw them, after that he would go to see Andrew and Michelle and inform them of what had transpired.
When Hastings had left, Dessau turned to Emilie. "That was very dangerous, my lady! Lord Blakeney would had tanned that boy's hide if he found out. Do you want more blood on your hands?"
Emilie finally lost her temper. He had spoiled everything! She was the future Lady Hastings and it was about time she acted like it. "I have heard enough insolence and do not wish to see you here. Send up a maid and remove yourself from my presence. Now" she commanded and pointed to the door.
