Chapter 3
He was so damn annoying, that Lord Richard. Ann wasn't in the habit of cursing at her employers, even in her head, but she just couldn't help the fact, that every thing in him annoyed her, not excluding his good looks.
After leaving the drawing room, she had headed straight to the kitchen to get a dishrag, and while returning, had met the Butler Mr Ravens croft, dragging a piece of furniture, so she decided to help out, even though he had made it clear it wasn't a companions job to do.
He was a very stern man of morals he took his job very seriously, and with great pride, he wouldn't allow anyone to treat him like a weakling, which explained why at 79yearsold, Ravens croft was still in employ. Well the fact that he had been the valet of the previous lord Arnold, before he was promoted, can also be an added bonus as to the reason the household was not willing to release him either. Anna knew his type, and realized he could use a helping hand, so she helped him against his wishes.
“Ow, careful” she turned around to see lord Richard staring at his toes, she had stepped on him.
“I'm so sorry she winced.
“ It didn't hurt” he smiled
“Oh!....oh” she stammered.
“ Ouch!it did " he winced.
“Let me see it” she said squatting to take a good look at it.
“What toe?” She asked as she raised her head, he was grinning.
“What?” She asked suddenly growing irritated.
“You are so easy” he said laughing.
“Well I'm sure you are happy now?” She asked standing upright.
“I was just teasing” he said shrugging.
“Well said sir” she said folding her hand, over her breast, which he still managed to notice, even while staring at her face.
“My apologies for making fun of you” he said, giving a charming bow.
“Oh....there's no need for such pleasantry my lord” she replied as she blushed, embarrassed by his over excessiveness.
“Oh there is my lady” he said giving her hand a light peck, as he grinned mischievously.
“And here you are making fun of me again” she said smiling, as she pulled her hand off his warm hands.
“I can't help been charming, it's my nature” he said smirking boyishly.
“You call this charming?” She asked scoffing.
“95% of the ladies of the ton loves me” he said shrugging his shoulders helplessly.
“And the other 5%?” She asked.
“Are the mothers” he said grinning.
“Look at you been proud of the number of ladies head over heels for you” she replied.
“A man gotta do what a man gotta do” he said grinning.
“Such confidence, you should be awarded" for it she said smiling.
“You have such a lovely set of dimples, you should smile more frequently” he said surprising himself. He didn't even know he knew she hadn't smiled since they met.
“I used to smile frequently” she said surprised at the turn of the conversation, although she had been complimented a lot about her dimples, it still felt different coming from him. It felt like he was telling her what to do, and she couldn't help but speak defensively.
“But not now” he said almost kicking himself, or his nosy mouth if possible.
“Anyway the point is that, you should smile more frequently, trust me it looks especially good on you” he said trying to make the conversation less awkward.
“ Thank you” she replied.
“So how did you manage to get Ravens croft to allow you to help him with those furnitures?” He asked.
“I, too, can be charming you know” she said smirking.
“That I know, but I can also testify that charms don't work on him” he said.
“ Well I can also be stubborn occasionally" she said smiling.
“I very well agree with you on that” he said nodding.
“I'm not sure whether that's a compliment anymore” she said still smiling.
“It's a compliment I assure you” he said picking up her hand again to give it a kiss.
“ Enough with the kisses” she said yanking off her hand from his grip.
“I wonder why I should” He said smirking.
“ Well.....well just stop" she said blinking rapidly, as she opened the door to the drawing room.
“Miss Ann!” Ara shrieked as Ann enter.
“Thank goodness, You're back finally” Anna said.
“Yes I.....” Ann started.
“ We were just wondering what color will look best on us for the ball”Ara said cutting in.
“I think yellow look bright though, and Ara says bright colors are always lovely” Anna said grinning.
“ Anna!!....” Ara winced.
“Well, although you are quite fair, yellow might be too bright for your complexion” Ann said picking her words carefully.
“ At least I'm not the only one oblivious of your poor choices of colors”Ara sighed
“I will not mind wearing a black dress instead” she said shrugging.
“Oh Anna” Ara sighed.
Ann and Richard just stared at the exchange as Anna rolled her eyes at her complaints.
“Blue! You will look ravishing in blue” she said cleaning the table with the rag.
“Then blue it shall be” lady Arnold said as she entered.
“Mother I thought you wished to go for a walk” Anna asked.
“I planned to, until I heard your arguments in the hall, but it seems Ann already manage to save the ears of this household”she replied.
“ And where for goodness’ sake have you been” she asked turning to Ann.
“Mr Ravens croft needed help in raisi.....”she started again.
“ Mr Ravens croft?! Help?!” Ara asked with wide eyes.
“How did you manage to put those two words in a sentence?” Anna asked.
“Well I......” Ann started once again.
“Did he really let you help him?! And here I was, wondering how possible it is”Lady Arnold said.
“ How did you ma.....” Ara started.
“Keep quiet” Ann half shrieked wondering how possible it was for a family to look so alike, even during interrogation.
“Uhh.... Miss Ann?” Lady Arnold said, touching her.
“OH...well all I did was convince him that I wasn't doing it for him” she said suddenly uncomfortable with the number of gray eyes staring at her.
“I'm sure I've done that before” Richard said.
“Me too” Anna said.
“He told me to mind my business when I persisted” Ara murmured.
“ Miss Ann, you are really the best” Anna said grinning.
“Well I don't know about that” Ann murmured.
“Uhh, uhh” Mr Ravens croft cleared his throat as everyone turned.
“Your mare has been prepared” he said.
“I thought you were taking a walk?” Richard asked.
“Yes I am” lady Arnold answered.
“On a mare?” Ara asked.
“ No! With a mare”she said.
“Are you ridin...” Anna started asking.
“I'm walking to the park with my mare...by.....my.....side!” Lady Arnold said.
“And stop....asking....too....many....questions” she added when she suspected Anna was about to complete her question.
“I'll see you all later” she said, when everyone was still too quiet.
“Have a nice day mother” Richard said giving his mother a kiss on the cheek.
“Meet me at the stable Rave” lady Arnold said to Mr Ravens croft.
“Yes my lady” he replied.
“Miss Ann! Thank you Mr Ravens croft said.
“It was a pleasure, and I'm always happy to help if you need one” Ann said.
He nodded and quickly bowed at the other ladies. “Lady Anna, Lady Ara" then he nodded at Richard, who responded the same way and left.
" I need to go and press your gown for the evening "Ann said.
"Excuse me" she said before leaving.
" I suggest we have some more tea why we while away time" Anna said after the door had closed.
"I have some business downtown but I'll be back in the evening for dinner" Richard said as he kissed both goodbye.
"Excuse me" he said as he went to the door.
"Look at him running away" Anna said.
"I heard that!" He said from the hall way.
"Let's have that tea" Ara said.
"I'll ring for more scone" Anna said.
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I hope you liked it......pls like and comments to air your views......thanks for reading.....I love you all
Chapter 4Ann took another bite of the hot crunchy biscuit, cook had bake for the evening, she adjusted her chair as she opened her book to continue reading. She had done her duties for the evening and was enjoying the scenery of her newly found favorite spot at the rose garden, she was told that lady Arnold had planted it when she first got married into the Arnold household, there were about 5 different colors of roses, and they were planted in a way that each shade stood at its own patch, there was also a well trimmed apple tree at each side, and a water fountain at the middle, Ann thought it looks magical especially during sunsets. She had barely finish reading a complete paragraph when she heard footsteps behind her, she turned around to see Lord Richard standing at the door with folded arms. He smiled when they locked eyes and strolled over.
Chapter 5“We would stop to visit madame Lambert shop for your fittings before we begin our stroll” Ann announced as she waited for the footman to help the girls into the carriage.“I hate fittings” Anna mumbled.“What about the one we had a fortnight ago” Ara asked sharing in her sister's grief.“It got mixed up” Ann drawled.“She is forever mixing up our measurements” Anna groaned.“ What about the pigeons? You promised we could feed them” Ara asked with a sigh.“ We can do that after your fittings” Ann answered.“But miss Ann there won't be pigeons to feed by the time
Chapter 6“So what do you think about her?” Daphne asked while watching her and Ann feed the pigeons.“I like her” Richard said smirking.“Yes I'm sure you do, but I really hope you do not cause her any...” Daphne said eyeing her brother.“Harm? Why are you all so convinced that I will harm her? Richard asked annoyed."Your reputation should explain quite a lot" Daphne said."Well I do not plan on ravishing Miss Ann" Richard said with sacasm."I know you will not do something untold, I'm saying you are an earl and she is ...Ann"
Chapter 7Richard and Ann sat in comfortable silence as they watched the twins argue about yet another thing.“ Have you finished reading your book Richard asked.“ Yes your grace” Ann answered.“ Your grace?” Richard asked raising a brow.“ Yes, your grace” Ann answered again.“ I suppose you never promised to call me by my given name” Richard sighed.“ I believe my calling you by your name is very improper” Ann announced.“ And I should also believe you find it not improper to say Daphne's name” Richard scoffed.“ I was given proper permission to do so” Ann replied.
Chapter 8The house was bursting with movement when they got to Westonhigh. The servants were busy preparing for the evening.Ann escorted the twins to their rooms and gave orders to a maid to prepare their bath and dresses.After the twins got dressed, she did a quick work with their hair, pining it up into simple styles that were perfect for the evenings atmosphere, before shooing them downstairs.Then she went to her room and changed into a more comfortable dress after which she went to the kitchen to help Mrs cook.Although it was not a part of her job, Ann enjoyed helping in the kitchen.This was because it was very convenient, and the maid were the only other people she could talk with
Chapter 9“ I have come to believe that nothing happens without your knowledge mother” Anna said joining them with her twin at her side and Stephen stopping to give instructions to a maid behind them.“ One day, I just might end up cutting off that vile tongue of yours” Lady Arnold replied eyeing her youngest daughter.“ Good evening your grace, you look exceptionally beautiful today” Lord Mayfair said embracing his mother-in-law in a hug.“ I am positive you said the same thing to Mrs Cook and every other older female” she replied patting his back.“ And I meant every single word” Lord Mayfair said.“ My goodness, Miss Ann, where have you been?” Lady Arnold asked once she saw Ann.
Dada!" Little Roberta shrieked once she saw her father enter the nursery. She quickly and clumsily pulled her self down from the top high chair, she had sat, while her governess read a book for her and her brother. She jumped into her fathers waiting arms, and he lifted her up, almost covering her small frame in his hug."How is the most beautiful princess in my world doing today?" Lord Mayfair asked whilst covering her adorable little face with kisses."
Ann sat on a bench in the rose garden with a volume of Romeo and Juliet, which she had borrowed from Lady Daphne. It was her day off today, she visited the park or went on an afternoon walk with the twins or their mother every Thursdays and Tuesdays, while she took Wednesdays off. On her off days she usually help mrs cook in the kitchen, although there was an abundance of kitchen maids to do the work, she did it because she enjoyed their company. And mrs cook was always happy to hand her a bowl of newly baked biscuits.Ann snacked on the biscuits while she enjoyed the scenery, the garden was the most peaceful place in the house other than the library. The sun was bright and fell lovingly on the flowers, making the scenery just as bright and colorful as a painting.She open her book, I mean Daphne book.Funny how Lord Richard had expected her to borrow and read his too. 'Lord Richard' she blushed at even the thought of his name.