Emilie followed Laurel in, relieved that she was safe again. "Who was that dreadful boy and I wonder what he'd think if he knew he was calling Lord Spencer of Cornwall's daughter a peasant?" she said as they walked up to visit Percy. "So, Laurel, I guess now we can finally be properly introduced. I am Emilie, but I believe you know that. Thank you so much for the dress offer, it is nice to have a girl my own age around. It's usually just Percy and I, and his parents." She laughed. "So, do you usually take in British runaways?" she asked merrily. She could tell why Percy liked the girl and was willing to take a beating for her. "If nothing else comes from this, at least I'll have a friend" she thought.
"It is a true pleasure, I am Claudette Laurel DeClaireville," Laurel laughed and while saying this reached into a chest and pulled out a dress which she handed to Emilie. "No, you are the first English runaways I've had. But that boy you met was Vicompte Cristof Lovell, he is not one to take lightly. How is Sir Percy?"
Emilie smiled as she tried on the gray dress. It was simple, very simple but she liked it. It was easier to get on then most of her own clothes, as Emilie was usually laced up by a maid. "I can tell, the Vicompte scared me out of my wits, though we have not been gone long enough for anyone outside the family to know of our absence. I hope he does not return soon. But nevertheless, Percy is fine, a bit weak but he'll be out and about in no time, tripping over his own feet before you know it" she said, laughing to herself. She debated telling Laurel what happened, why they had ran away and what price Percy had paid for his excursion with her but decided that was not for her to tell. "Well, come see him. I am sure you would make him feel better" she said.
Laurel approached the bed, Percy looked scare and in pain. "Lady Emilie would you look in that chest and find a shirt for Percy, please? How are you doing?" Laurel asked cheerily hiding any true emotions that might make either Percy or Emilie feel any worst.
Emilie noticed Pretty Miss Laurel was fussing over Percy and bitter bile rose in her throat. "Well, it seems every boy in the city loves her" she said to herself as she opened the closet. "Here's a shirt" she said, handing it to the pretty French girl. "I wonder if Andre loves her too. I don�t know why Percy likes her, he got beaten for taking her along. So what if she is beautiful, smart, kind and wonderful?" she thought bitterly. "Well, I am going to get some air" she said and walked to the door in a huff.
Laurel saw Emilie leave for the door, she seemed upset and Laurel worried that she might up said or done something to upset her, "Wait, Lady Emilie," Laurel begged. "Forgive my forwardness, but are you alright? What happened to you two?"
Emilie nearly spat with rage inside but managed not to show it. Could this girl get any more ideal? She smiled sadly and said "I am all right, Laurel. I am just worried, that incident with that Vicompte scared me. Well, poor Percy was late for some reason today. His father was really upset, he beat the daylights out of him with his riding crop. You see, my sister, Percy's mother is very sick and instead of him seeing her when she was feeling a bit better and asking for him, he was out. His father was very angry and made Percy regret it. The poor boy came up, nearly soaked in blood. But it gets worse. His mother relapsed. He felt so guilty about not seeing her that he and I ran away. I am so worried, when we come home, his father will be furious and I am not sure what he will do. If only he had come home sooner. I do not know what was keeping him" she said softly.
Laurel stood there in stunned silence, so it was her fault. She had brought so much pain to an entire family because she kept the poor boy away. Her stomach churned nd her knees almost buckled underneath her. She cursed herself for a fool for not being more considerate. She had to make it up to them, had to beg their forgiveness. She began in a weak voice suppressing the tears that threatened to fall, "Lady Emilie, I must humbly beg your forgiveness. I fear I am to blame for your misery. Sir Percy gave me a ride to work and that must have kept him from returning home. Please believe that I had no intention of bringing misfortune to your family."
Emilie inwardly was positively gleeful. "Take that, usurper" she thought to herself but she decided to bide her time. "What's done is done, I am sure Percy felt it worth it. I just wish he could have seen his mother, sometimes I think she won't last much longer. She loves him so much. I am more worried about what his father is going to do to Percy and I when we do get home. I know Percy will take all the blame, being a gentlemen and his lordship will beat him again." She said, trying to twist the knife further. "I was so worried when we left, Percy was so sick. I was so glad that that wonderful Andre saved us, he is so brave. Laurel, could you tell me more about him?" she asked.
Emilie inwardly was positively gleeful. "Take that, usurper" she thought to herself but she decided to bide her time. "What's done is done, I am sure Percy felt it worth it. I just wish he could have seen his mother, sometimes I think she won't last much longer. She loves him so much. I am more worried about what his father is going to do to Percy and I when we do get home. I know Percy will take all the blame, being a gentlemen and his lordship will beat him again." She said, trying to twist the knife further. "I was so worried when we left, Percy was so sick. I was so glad that that wonderful Andre saved us, he is so brave. Laurel, could you tell me more about him?" she asked.
Every word that Emilie said sent pain shooting through her heart like daggers, she would find some way to make up for what she had done she swore to herself. She could feel tears welling in her eyes, but would not let them go. She couldn't allow herself to sink into despair, she had to help them first. "Andre?" Laurel asked in a state of confusion brought on by the emotional overload. "Andre works for M. Planchette, he was a poor child that M. Planchette took pity on and put him in his employ. He works to support his family by delivering for the shoppe." She when to the bed where Percy lay and helped to roll him on stomach and ripped open the back of his shirt and began to clean the wounds. She hadn't looked either of them in the eye since she had learned what she had done, she could bear to and knew she wouldn't be able to stop herself from crying. "There is some food in the basket, if you're hungry. I'm sorry it's not more."
Emilie saw what a state Laurel was in and was deeply pleased. "Oh no, the food is fine. Thank you so much" she said sweetly helping herself to an apple. She sat by Percy, wincing at his scars. "My poor Percy" she thought to herself. She did not really like Laurel taking care of her nephew but she would plot till later. "Well, Laurel, you speak excellent English, where did you learn it?"
"My mother is an Englishwoman by birth and my father was an ambassador to England, we spent much time there. I was brought up to speak both English and French," Laurel replied, still avoiding the other girl�s eyes.
Percy was semi aware of the conversation going on around him for he had been half conscious when they had brought him to Laurel's home. His entire body ached from the bruises and scars but he would live. "Don't feel much like eating now, but t-thanks. And no regrets, ok? I had fun this m-morning."
Emilie nodded to Laurel and then saw Percy was feeling better. "I am so glad you are better, Percy, now don't exert yourself." she said, patting his hand. "Well, we can't help what happened this morning, don't worry about it. So when should we start for home? I think in a day or so, before we are presumed dead if you are feeling up to it" she said, aching to leave this place. If Laurel acted any sweeter, she would throttle her. The sooner Percy and her left, the better.
Percy sighed. How he hated it when Emilie brought up this subject! For it was a touchy one and it was all he could do to keep from wringing his aunt's neck but of course he wasn't strong enough to even attempt such a task. "Why must you bombard me? I left home to get away from it all and now you're forcing me to make a decision?" Percy shouldn't treat her meanly but he was so UPSET. "Give me time- at least tonight to think, all right? I've been through hell, I don't need it again so soon."
Laurel watched the scene between Emilie and Percy, she wished that she could say something to end their argument, but then she was the cause of it. Hoping that to help, she said, "You can both stay here as long as you like, our home is yours." She stood up. "Please excuse me, I must go and check on Maman." She glided across the room to the little door that lead to her mother's room and entered. Her mother appeared to be sleeping and Laurel began to silently weep.
Percy sighed and shot her a nasty look that made Emilie take a step back. He looked just like his father when he was angry and she felt the familiar fear turn her heart to ice. "Why must you bombard me? I left home to get away from it all and now you're forcing me to make a decision?" He made a movement with his hand and Emilie was sure he wanted to hit her. That was silly, Percy would never hit a girl, especially her. "Give me time-at least tonight to think, all right? I've been through hell, I don't need it again so soon." Emilie looked like someone had actually struck her and almost burst into tears but she would not allow Laurel the satisfaction of seeing her cry. Her voice quivered though as she spoke. "I am sorry, Percy. I was just worried, I'll not talk about it again. I know you have gone through a lot. We don't have go till you're ready" she said, her face gray and ashen. It was Laurel's fault, Percy never yelled at her at home. She did not know what spell this girl had him under but she was going to break it. Where had that angel of ruin gone anyway? She debated going home alone but there was only one horse and that would only make Percy suffer more when she got home. Anyway, she was not leaving her beloved Percy in that little conniver's hands. She'd most likely have Percy married to her by the time he got home. That must be why she likes him so much, she wants his money. "I am going to go get some air, dear" she said softly.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Laurel wipe the tears from her face with her apron, and went to her mother's bedside. "Yes, it's me Maman!" she said, the sadness gone from her voice. She lit the candle by the bed for her mother to see by. "Maman, we have guests. I invited them to stay if you don't mind. They're English and the young man helped me this morning." As Laurel said this last part the knot twisted in her stomach. "It is alright isn't it, maman?"
Percy instantly felt bad for raising his voice at his aunt. "Look, I'm sorry- it's just been a long day. When I can think more clearly, I will tell you my decision."
Emilie sighed and did not turn around. "I'll go check on the horse" she said and walked out of the house. She liked being alone when she was angry, it made her feel more in control. She could not believe how Percy spoke to her in that manner. It was disgraceful and wrong. The forest seemed so nice, she decided to walk around a bit and get Percy some flowers. He loved flowers and maybe that would cheer him up. She did not want to be too long, Percy needed her. "Maybe I should not nag him so much but he must understand I worry. If anything should happen, I'd die" she said, wandering further. "I'll apologize to him when I return" she thought as her conscience itched about Laurel as well.
Her mother's face was very serious, "Laurel, you mustn't just let anyone into our home. What if they want to rob us or kill us? You don't know them."
Laurel laughed lightly, "They are going to do nothing of the sort, Maman. They're English nobility, M. Percy Blakeney and his aunt, Emilie. They're really very nice. Please come and meet them."
"How do you know they are who they say they are? I remember the Blakeney, we used to go to their home in Richmond for routs that Lady Blakeney would hold. But I've heard that she is as mad as a loon, and her son is probably touched as well," Lady DeClaireville replied. "Well which did you bring home, a liar or a loon?"
Laurel smiled, "I brought home neither liar nor loon, Maman. M. Planchette can confirm their identity. Please do come! I'm sure you'll like them."
Lady DeClaireville studied her daughter's eager smiling face. It was very difficult to refuse the young woman. "I will see them." With Laurel's aid Lady DeClaireville stood, changed her clothes, and made herself more presentable, so that when she entered the main room she looked nearly regal in her humble garb. She held herself as loftily as any lady at court.
Laurel proceeded her mother into the room, she noted that Emilie was gone and wondered what had happened in her absence. "Sir Percy, I would like to introduce you to my mother, Lady Laura DeClaireville."
Percy painfully raised himself up on one elbow. "Bonjour, madame- it's nice to meet you." He blushed and found himself wincing in pain. Percy couldn't help but wonder where his aunt was, he hadn't meant to make her angry, he just wasn't feeling well... "I hope you don't mind the intrusion."
Lady DeClaireville looked at the sorry condition of the young man, and her attitude lightened up a bit. this skinny young man was of a threat to no one. "It is no intrusion at all, Sir Percy." She caught sight of the remains of the bloody shirt and understood why Laurel had brought them here. She looked around and said, "Claudette, I thought you said there was a young lady here as well."
"There is, maman," Laurel said and looked out the window quickly to see if she spot Emilie. "She probably gone out for some air or to check on the horse. I'll go fetch her!" At this Laurel went out and looked around the house, only to be met with disappointment. She then when to search along the path through the forest and came upon a ribbon that she had seen in Emilie's hair. The ribbon had stepped by a foot much larger than Emilie's, which caused Laurel to wonder what had happened along that road. She picked up the ribbon and ran along the road, but Emilie was no where in sight. When she came out on the other side, without meeting Percy's aunt she stopped. This path led to land owned by the Lovell's and to their home in a round about way. It was not likely that Emilie would have gone this far had she been left to her own devices. Still holding the ribbon in her hand she ran as fast as she could home. Perhaps she had missed Emilie and the girl was there now.
When she got home she when inside to find only her mother and Sir Percy present. "Sir Percy, I can't find your aunt anywhere! Only this ribbon, in the forest!"
