Chapter 4
Ann 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.
“There goes my peaceful evening” she murmured taking a bite of her biscuit and pretending to read.
“Miss Ann” he said, when he got to where she sat.
“Good evening Lord Richard” she said standing up to bow.
“Where are you going?” He asked.
“No.... I just....” She stammered.
“Oh there's no need for such pleasantries” he said shrugging his shoulder.
“As you wish” she said sitting.
“It is such a lovely evening, may I join you?” he asked.
“Of cause yes, you can take my chair I'll sit on the blanket” she said standing up.
“Or we could both sit on the blanket” he suggested smirking.
“ I will sit on the chair your grace” she said quickly.
“ Would you like some biscuits?” she asked.
“ Yes please, thanks” he said as she passed the tray of biscuit.
“ Are you still reading lady winter ham” he asked giving the book a quick glance.
“Yes your grace” she said.
“So what page are you?” he asked.
“Page three your grace” she replied smiling.
“You have not gotten far” he said.
“I'm afraid I could not, as I have been very occupied with you” she drawled opening the book.
“You have quite the mouth for a companion” he said grinning.
“I'm sorry your gr...” she smiled sheepishly.
“Sorry?...please don't be, I am not so shallow as I get angry over something so small...like that” he said waving his hand.
“So what your story” he asked.
“Story?” she asked raising a confused brow.
“Well you seem like a well-bred lady” he said.
“Oh nothing too dramatic..... I lost my father” she said.
“ Oh.....my deepest condolences” he said with genuine sympathy written all over him.
“I don't find it so painful......sad yes, but painful......” she replied shaking her head.
“Oh” he said. There was silence...more silence, and then.
“Sooooo...what the book about” he asked trying to stir the mood by annoying her.
“As I said my Lord I'm in page three, but if you are so interested, I found another volume in the library, I can go and bring it” she smiled.
“I'm not a fan of books, to be precise I can hardly read one page without dozing off” he said surprised at how freely he had mentioned it.
“Well... that's interesting” she said and went back to the book again...'miss winter ham turned around and saw the window shaking'...she read for the fourth time.
“Your book is upside down” he said.
“Hmm?!” she asked turning the book to see, she looked up to see him grinning.
“It not” she said pinching herself for falling a bait.
“It still shows you're not reading” he choked.
“I was though” she said keeping the book, as it didn't seem wise to keep deceiving herself.
“You didn't go for the ball?” She asked.
“No” he answered.
“Why?” she asked.
“I needed to finish some business and savor this view in peace” he replied.
“Ah right... the responsibilities of an heir” she said nodding.
“You didn't think been an heir is only about privileges, did you?” her asked.
“Of cause not” she said.
“It's just..... most Young heir I know don't spend so much time doing as much” she added.
“Not all though, most of my acquaintance perform their duties” he said.
She remembered the one heir she had been close enough to know and frowned, shaking her head as if to dust off the depressing thought, she looked up, and he was smiling.
“Do you come here frequently?” she asked.
“Yes, when I'm in town....to clear my head” he said still smiling.
“What?” She asked.
He raised one eyebrow in question.
“You kept smiling.......so I was wondering what is so amusing? She said.
“We are together in the garden” he replied.
“So?” she asked.
“My family have this belief that any couple that happen to meet in the garden, are fated together” he answered.
“Why such superstitious belief?” she asked laughing.
“I can't answer that, but so far it works, my grandparents met here, my parents met here and surprising enough, my sister met her husband here” he replied.
“Oh” she blinked.
“Hard to believe right” he smirked.
“Well it's quite fortunate for us” she said grinning.
“Why...... is that a proposal miss Ann” he asked grinning.
“No silly....we won't be getting married, therefore we might help in breaking such ludicrous curse or blessing” she said feigning pride.
“You want to break a blessing?.......you are so unbelievable” he choked.
“What can I say?” She laughed.
“Oh Ann...you never cease to amaze me” he said grinning.
“I can't help it” she said still grinning.
“Lord Richard....” she warned suddenly frowning.
“What?” He asked feigning innocence.
“I don't remember permitting you to use my given name” she replied.
“You didn't?” He frowned.
“You know I did not” she answered.
“Well.... I can't seem to wash off the feeling that you did” he grinned.
“Oh....stop the act, you are very poor at it” she replied waving him off.
“Since we are already on it, why don't we just go on” he smiled.
“We?” She asked adding a wealth of meaning to the word.
“I mean you.....you can call me Richard” he said “.....while we are alone, although I find no offense with you calling me as much in public” he added.
“And if I refuse” she asks.
“It might be very disturbing for me, but I'll keep calling you Ann” he said.
“Hmm” she said.
“ Friends call each other by their given names” he said matter-of-factly.
“And who said we are friends” she scoffed.
“Oh, don't nag me about that too” he winced.
“And why should I not?” she asked folding her arms.
“I have only one friend around here, and he has already been sagged into marriage by my sister, it is too hard to see him as frequently as I see you” he smiled.
“Well you should not have to make friends with your mother's companion” she said.
“I know where you might think this is going to Ann, and I promise we would be only friends” he said “except if you decide to change your mind” he added just to spite her.
“So you don't like reading” she asked resigned.
“I find it quite difficult a task” he replied feeling as though he had won an important bet.
“But you do read” she said.
“Occasionally... when it desperately calls for it” he shrugged.
“Why?” she asked annoyed by her excessive nosiness.
“Well...... I'm not sure if you will understand but when I hold a paper the words don't seem to focus...and I have to work harder in placing them"he shrugged.
"Have you considered getting a spectacle?"she asked.
"No......surprisingly enough,I had gotten so used to it, I didn't even considered that" he replied surprised by himself, most people just left it when he said he didn't like reading, and by most people he meant his family and a few close friends, no one had asked why? not to talk of bringing up a solution.
"Well I think you should"she said.
"Thanks I'll consider doing that" he said smiling.
They stayed in a comfortable silence until they heard the Arnold carriage roll up the driveway. Ann excuse herself to prepare for the night, and Richard went into his study to check the ledger, and go through the last few months accounts details.
.....i hope you enjoyed it..... thank you for reading pls like and comment to air out your opinions.
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.
Ann walked up the stairs to a labyrinth of hallways, she visited this part of the house frequently, and was familiar with the location of the library.She pushed the door open to reveal the large Arnold library, it boasted many tall and huge shelves of book arranged in rows. She had been requested by lady Arnold to bring any book she could find on embroidery. Lady Arnold had been very concerned when she saw theflower Miss Anna had tangled on her material.Miss Anna was mostly interested at things that most girls her age will not be interested in. She could ride stallions and climb trees, she was the first person Ann had met when she came into employ, and she had met her slouching through knee deep mud, searching for something Ann could not remember. She Was very flustered when Anna had made her promise not to tell.So Ann was not a least bit surprised when she saw the embroidery, instead she offered her a thimble as her finger had gone blue from