Charlotte was walking by her Ladyship's room with the laundry. She had heard that she was feeling better from Elsa, the nurse. "Maybe this time, she'll be cured for real," she thought wistfully. As she passed, she heard screaming and then saw Master Percy and Miss Emilie dash out and slammed the door, with genuine fear. Master Percy looked as scared as a trapped deer, poor thing. "Percy, come on, we must get your father" Miss Emilie was saying, her face seeming quite worried as she took his hand. But Master Percy seemed to get even more terrified. "NO! Don't you get it, Emilie? If Father sees Maman like this, he'll kill me! Literally." he yelled, pushing her hand away as he tore off like the wind. Miss Emily stood there for a moment and then followed him as she always did for Master Percy. Charlotte ran down the stairs to find his Lordship. "Your Lordship, please come. Her Ladyship called for you, she seems to have worsened after seeing the children," she said as soon as she found him.
* * * * * * * * * *
Lord Blakeney sat in his study in deep in thought, perhaps he should set Percy down and have a long talk with the boy. Their relationship had been strained for some time and he was at risk of losing him. He was very much like Percy when he was growing up, and now he was becoming more like his own father and the thought terrified him. The least he owed Percy was to explain his side of things, why he was being so hard, and to listen. There had to be some way of patching things up before it was too late. He stood up, ready to go back to he's wife's bedroom and try to make peace with his son when Charlotte burst into his study and said, "Your Lordship, please come. Her Ladyship called for you, she seems to have worsened after seeing the children."
* * * * * * * * * * *
Emilie smiled at Percy's surprise at her guess. "Come with me? How'd you guess that I was planning an escape?" He asked faintly, but with a small smile that made Emilie feel better even though she could see he was on the verge of tears. He wiped his nose with his sleeve, making Emilie laugh. "I wouldn't mind the company- I just can't face him right now. No matter the good things you say, Father will blame me anyhow for making Maman upset. I think he left dents in my back from earlier." He quipped as he hesitantly rose to his feet and motioned for her to follow him. "How did I guess you were running away? It's all you do lately. I guess maybe it would be better to get away for a bit, maybe your father won't notice or won�t be livid," she said as she walked along with him. "Yes, and maybe we'll sprout wings and fly. Lord B is going to flail us both if we're fortunate. Even Percy won�t be able to take all the blame for this one," she thought sardonically. "I hope you are not too injured, I can't believe he used a riding crop on you, he could have badly hurt you. You're all bloody and you must be quite sore. Well, let's be prepared for the journey, take some food and blankets from the stores. Pack a bag and let us be off swiftly. Lord Blakeney will notice our absence soon and he'll check here first," she directed briskly to Percy. "Here is where some old clothes are," she said as they entered the barn. She went to a shelf and pulled out a bundle. "One moment," she said and went into a closet by the door. A moment later, a slim boy with long brown hair dressed in breeches and a loose white shirt stepped out. "Well, how do I look?" Emilie asked laughingly, turning around.
Percy gave Emilie a faint smile and tried not to laugh. What she LOOKED like was a little girl trying to play dress up but there was no way he would say that to her, especially when he was on the verge of getting out of there. Percy winced in pain at her statement. Why did people always enjoy stating the obvious? "Why should you be surprised? A riding crop is nothing. You should try getting beaten with a piece of wood from the shed. That hurts like hell." Percy paused, knowing that he must look a sight. His shirt all torn up and him all bloody and bruised, his eyes watery. "Need help with that saddle or should we just go bare back?" Once more, Percy felt a twinge of nausea because of an on coming headache and the other wise intense pain he was in. He finally gagged and leaned over but nothing came up. "S-sorry, I'll be ok. Just nerved is all."
Emilie hoped she looked authentic as she gathered the supplies she needed into a bag. Percy seemed to be angry at her words of comfort. "Why should you be surprised? A riding crop is nothing. You should try getting beaten with a piece of wood from the shed. That hurts like hell." Percy swore and winced. That was definitely not what Emilie needed to hear since that was most likely what would happen to them when they returned from their little hiatus. If a riding crop was nothing to Percy who looked a mess, then both of them were doomed. She wished she could help clean him up a bit but she had nothing to give him besides her handkerchief. "Need help with that saddle or should we just go bare back?" he asked and then winced again. He finally started to gag. "S-sorry, I'll be ok. Just nerves, that is all." he sputtered. In seconds, Emilie was at his side, with a handkerchief she had dipped in a trough of water. "Here, Percy, this will make you feel better. If you feel well enough to go, I have the supplies, if we are going, we must go now, or we will be noticed. I can go bareback, now are we going?" she asked.
Percy groaned softly and nodded. "Yes, we should probably go." The *last* thing Percy needed was to throw up in front of Emilie right when he was on the verge of getting out of this mess. "We'll go bare back. I'm not even sure if I can TRY lifting a saddle with the state my back is in."
Emily nodded and mounted her horse, placing her bag over her shoulder. "Then let's be off before someone catches us" and spurred her horse. '"I am ready" she said and looked at her nephew.
Percy gave a weary nod over towards his aunt, also spearing his horse before his father could catch them and whip the tar out of both of them. "Do we even have a destination in mind?" For a minute, Percy panicked because this had not been thoroughly planned and what if he got them both lost? It would do neither of them any good. "Maybe we could go to Paris- it would take pops forever to find us in a crowd like that."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Andre left Planchette and Mazzarini to talk and when down stairs, to receive directions from Henri, where he was told where the packages were destined. Andre chose one of Planchette finest and fastest horses and rode hell-for-leather to the estate occupied by the Blakeney family. As Andre approached the boy could sense an ominous air about the place as if something terrible threatened to come crushing down. Unlike any of the other houses Andre delivered to, not a servant was in sight to take the horse so Andre tied the creature to a nearby tree and cautiously approached the house. Holding the package tightly, Andre climbed the steps up to the door and knocked.
Charlotte opened the door, half frazzled. "Yes, what is it?" she snapped when she saw the boy standing there. She grabbed the package and yelled, "We�ll settle the bill later" slamming the door in his face.
Charlotte dashed to the barn trying to avoid his Lordships' anger. "Master Percy, your father wants you" she called in. She heard a noise and turned around. A horrifying site greeted her. She saw Master Percy and some boy ride away, with bundles under their hand. She strained her eyes when the second boy turned around. It was Miss Emilie. Running away again, the nerve! She ran back to his Lordship, eager to tell the rest of the maids. "Your Lordship, Master Percy and Miss Emilie have taken horses and seem to have run off" she sputtered and cowered a little. It was never easy bearing bad news.
Andre stood there for a moment, stunned. M. Planchette wouldn't be happy about this, but nothing was to be done at the moment. Inside the boy heard the maid scampering around like a hen who had lost her eggs, evidently something serious had happened. Andre slowly returned to the horse keeping an eye on the house, and as he untied the horse the boy caught sight of another horse race by with Sir Percy and a girl in male garb riding bareback upon it. Andre mounted the horse, glanced at the house then at the fleeing figures. Andre's spirit adventure took over and he followed Sir Percy and Emilie, even if their horse was faster they wouldn't be able to go full speed riding bareback, and Andre was an excellent rider.
Charlotte dashed to the barn trying to avoid his Lordships' anger. "Master Percy, your father wants you" she called in. She heard a noise and turned around. A horrifying site greeted her. She saw Master Percy and some boy ride away, with bundles under their hand. She strained her eyes when the second boy turned around. It was Miss Emilie. Running away again, the nerve! She ran back to his Lordship, eager to tell the rest of the maids. "Your Lordship, Master Percy and Miss Emilie have taken horses and seem to have run off" she sputtered and cowered a little. It was never easy bearing bad news.
Lord Blakeney stood up and went to the window, in the distance he could make out a horse and rider, probably two. He realized it was now too late to reconcile with his son, if only he had a few more moments he told himself. No, if only he had come to his senses long ago, now one of the most important people in his life was gone. Perhaps forever. As they rode away a piece of Lord Blakeney's heart when with them. He dismissed Charlotte and returned to his wife. He sat beside her and stroked her hair, tears were running freely down his cheek. It was all his fault, his wife's health, his son's unhappiness, even his sister-in-law's life had been ruined at his hands. When and if Percy ever returned, his father would never be the same. His was now a broken man, who prayed that one day he could earn his son's forgiveness.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Emilie smiled as she and Percy rode off. "Paris sounds wonderful, I'd love to see it" she said as they both galloped off. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Charlotte, that nosy maid see them go off. Emilie shuddered but kept on moving. "Percy, we have go to change directions, someone has seen us. Ride this way for a while and then we'll loop back" she called as they rode like the wind for a few hours. It was freedom, sheer freedom. Emilie kept checking over their shoulder to make sure they were not being followed and to her knowledge, they were not. "Percy, when should we camp, you need a rest" she finally called as she spurred her horse.
Percy rode for several miles before speaking. It felt wonderful to get out of there- out of that house of dank and gloom. Even though Percy was clumsy and awkward, at least he had a good sense of direction. "We should rest in about an hour- I'm still feeling a bit sick to my stomach, mainly from the pain." Normally, the pain did not get this bad but today it was. Perhaps it was the additional worry and guilt that he felt concerning his mother. "That ok with you? And we can safely stop in another hour, right now, we need to keep riding as long as we can, no matter how crummy I feel."
As the pursue continued Andre kept respectfully behind, besides Percy was in too much pain and Emilie was too lost in thought to notice. Eventually they came to a stop and dismounted. Percy collapsed to the ground and Emily was at his side. Andre came in close and noticed blood on Percy's clothes and that the young woman carried a bundle, and was able to surmise that they were fleeing. He doubted if they had a place to go or that they were fit to travel if they did.
Emilie looked worried but knew that Percy hated being lectured. If he wanted to suffer, then let him. So they continued riding, Emilie enjoying the freedom. She never had this time, everyone was always acting as if she needed to be guided. Well, here she was. After an hour, she began to slow down. She had never ridden this fast and far and her legs hurt. Besides Percy needed to rest and that stubborn boy would walk on fire before admitting weakness. "Let�s stop"
Percy finally had to agree with Emily and so he stopped the horse. Slowly, he climbed off of it and all but fell to the ground, his entire body aching. "Urgh, Emilie- I feel awful." But Percy had to admit, he would have felt even worse had he spent anymore time at home. It was then he became ill, sobbing quietly as he doubled over onto the ground, trying to hide his fear from her.
Percy slipped down the horse and he truly looked dreadful. "Urgh, Emilie- I feel awful." he whimpered as he began to sob. As usual, Emilie was at his side. 'Percy, don't worry, it will be all right. Just have faith. You know that your mother and father love you, they kept you with them. My father did not care what happened to me as long as I married well. I have barely seen him in four years." she spat bitterly. Emilie never talked about her own father, the subject was too painful for her. "Percy, what happened with Tessa is not your fault. She's ill and the sight of you gave her so much happiness. She always wanted a son, Percy. She told me that all the time. Now, no more bad thoughts, for the time we are free, let us be happy and free. All our problems are eagerly awaiting our return, let's enjoy what time we have" she said, covering him with a blanket. "Hungry?" she asked, patting his back.
Andre decided that the best approach was the most direct, so he rode up to them. As he near they both looked up with some considerable fright on their faces, not that they should after all Andre was smaller than Percy and when he spoke he voice was of a boy who's voice hadn't broke. "Good Morning to you, Sir Percy Blakeney and to you dear lady. You look as though you could use some assistance perhaps a place to rest and recuperate, if you will let me I can be of some assistance."
Percy glanced up from the ground, not even having had a chance to answer Emilie's question. "Assistance?" His voice broke and once again he found his stomach churning, mainly from nerves. He desperately tried to hold it back in front of his aunt and now this new comer. Wouldn�t do any of them any good if he became ill again. "Where do you live at?" He asked wearily, all of the fight gone out of him and relentless waves of nausea passing through him, Percy clutched his stomach and he winced in pain from the earlier beatings. "I suppose it is up to her, I mean, I can't make all the decisions around here." He gave a weak smile and allowed his eyes to close.
Emilie pondered allowing the small boy to help her. This running away scheme seemed smart hours ago but Percy was not going to make it much further. She had to trust him and if he betrayed them, Percy had taught her how to defend herself. "We are your debt, sir. My name is Emilie, and I see you know Percy. Pardon my forwardness but how can you help us? Not to sound ungrateful, but you do know you are risking a lot. If Percy's father finds out you have helped us, it will not go well for you either.�
Andre let out a merry laugh, "'Risks'? I'm not as concerned about risks as I am about people, dear lady Emilie. Your lordship won't make it long without some rest and I know of a place where you will be welcome. It is humble, but the people there are kind." At this Andre leapt down from his horse and bowed. "My name is Andre and I work for M. Planchette, a tailor in Calais. If you trust me you won't regret it."
Emilie could not help but smile at this brave and gallant young boy. She inclined her head. "I am sure I will not regret it, Andre. Thank you for helping us, I suppose we will come with you, but let Percy rest a few moments. Would you like something to eat? I took some food from the manor before...we left� well, ran away" she said, blushing scarlet. "Where would you take us?" she asked.
Percy grimaced at the mere thought of food. He was quite literally, choking back bile and threatening to gag. "Emilie, I'll let you two alone for a moment, I'm feeling sick again." What he needed to do was crawl behind a tree so he could throw up until everything was out of his system. No matter how hungry Emilie was, Percy was positive that he would choke on anything if he tried to eat just then. "Come get me when you are ready to g-go.." Slowly, Percy crawled behind a near by tree, emptying his insides until nothing more could come out. Then, he promptly collapsed and let his eyes close.
Emilie winced as Percy vomited and fainted. She sat by his side, wringing her hands and then trying to lift him. Even if Percy was thin, he was still far taller. Then she looked up at her gallant new friend. "Andre, help me get him to that place if yours. I think Percy is getting worse. Oh god, don't let him die" she said, starting to cry and falling into Andre's arms. "Maybe I should just throw myself at Lord Blakeney's mercy and take him home. He'll most likely be furious with us, oh I am so scared"
While it was imposed that Percy was unconscious, he was in truth, sound asleep on the grass, so comfortable that he didn't even want to move. For the first time in several days, he felt at peace with how things were going- and would feel even more so once they got to Paris. Oh sure, Percy still hurt but the cool grass felt good on his skin which was covered with bruises and blood. He moved about on the ground, but didn't wake....
Andre looked down at Percy, "He's resting, if I'm correct in assuming they you are being pursued, then we should be off. If you will aid me, we can hoist him up on my horse and I'll steady him, while you ride the other. Can you ride on your own?"
Emilie nodded, wiping her tears a bit. "Of course I can ride on my own, I am as strong as any boy" she said as she bent down to help prop her nephew up. She knew she should be angry at the way he assumed Percy had helped her ride instead of her helping Percy but she enjoyed Andre's presence. "Well, I am ready, try not to touch his back, he's been beaten and is sore" she said, blushing and wondering if she had said too much. Percy would hate that others knew what happened. "Thank you again for helping us, I hope your Master will not be too angry with you" she said as she mounted her own horse. "Let's be off then"
Andre looked at Emilie as they hoisted Percy on top of his horse, she seemed upset about something he said. Andre knew that riding bare-back was uncomfortable and perhaps that was the reason, but it could not be helped. "I know riding bare-back is not comfortable, but if you need a rest at any point let me know," Andre said. "The house is about a league from here. If we travel fast we can be there in no time. Madame DeClaireville will be most happy to set you up, considering the favor milor here did for her daughter." At this he helped Emilie up onto her horse, then mounted his. "Follow me," he said, and was off in a flash.
Emilie followed, marveling at how strong Andre was for such a short boy, managing to hold up Percy and still ride. It was not easy to ride but she would not show pain, she needed to be brave. She noticed she was also fixing her hair and wondering how she looked to Andre. Soon, they came to a small house, which was the smaller then the size of the kitchen at the manor. "Is this it?"
"It is indeed," Andre replied, pulling up rein next to the house and pulling Percy down from the horse, after which he helped Emilie descend. "Wait here a moment, whilst I go in and let her know you're here." Andre dashed into the house and a few minutes later had returned. With Emilie's help they carried Percy inside and laid him on a small bed in the corner of the central room, he produced a blanket, a bowl of water, and some rags. The house had indeed seemed even smaller on the inside and the room they were in seemed to serve as a sitting room, bedroom, kitchen, and dining room all in one. "I know that it is poor and no where near what you're used to, but you are both welcome to stay as long as you need to."
Emilie smiled as she helped her cousin. "No, it's lovely. Who are we to complain, Percy and I are poor runaways, with nothing. This is most wealthy to us. Thank you so much for your help, I don't know how I shall repay you." She said, kissing him on the cheek. "Is there anything I can do to help you with your work or Madame's? I can sew or cook" she sputtered, feeling quite out of sorts. She was always raised to do as little work as possible and here she was asking. Well, running away meant changing a bit.
Andre had a puzzled expression on his face when Emilie kissed him, "You will have to forgive me, but I must finish the task that M. Planchette gave me, Lady Emilie. Madame is resting in the bedroom. She sews for M. Planchette and Laurel takes her work to him, if you're of a mind for it I'm sure she would appreciate the offer, but it is unnecessary. When I return to Planchette's I will bid Laurel to return. Until then I suggest that you see to Sir Percy's wounds. Now I must bid you adieu." With this Andre bowed and turned on his heels, he peeked into the indicated bedroom for a moment and then left.
Emilie sighed to herself as she sat at Percy's side, lost in her thoughts. Where would they go? She ached to go home, even if she and Percy would be punished for running away. She was worried about her sister and she wondered how long Percy would be ill. All in all, running away was far more complex then she thought it would be. "What am I going to do?" she thought to herself as she thought of Andre. She could have a boy from the way he seemed to look at her. She wished she was prettier and tears fell on the cover. "My god, Percy, what the future holds" she thought.
Slowly, Percy opened his eyes. His head hurt and so did the rest of his body but he would live wouldn't he? Rather, the beatings and marks were an annoyance on his father's part. "Emilie, you there?" He asked softly, trying to focus and to sit up. He must have hit the ground hard for he was rather sore.
Emilie was overjoyed that Percy was awake. She threw her hands around him. "Of course I am here, my dark. How are you feeling" she asked. At least something was going well. "That boy brought us here to someone who he said you helped's house. Percy, I know that we agreed to run away but maybe we should go home and not see Paris. We have no supplies, no money and we can't stay here too long. Let's wait a few days, get his lordship worried and he'll be happy to see us home" she said, "and not hang us or flay us" she thought.
Percy winced a bit when Emilie hugged him. "Slow down will ya? If I don't get beaten to death, I'll have to say on my tomb stone that my aunt choked me to death." Percy joked, trying to wriggle away from her tight arm.
Emilie grinned at her nephew. He seemed to be in a good mood. "I did not know I was such a danger, Percy. So tomorrow we go back? It's up to you" she asked.
