As They Fall [First Draft] ~ Currently Editing ~

Nine

A/N: Sorry for the delay due to the fiasco with the older chapters. I hope you enjoy this chapter! As always, vote if you liked this chapter and comment your opinions below :)

          The sun was high in the sky when we finally reached the Marsh's manor, which was still as large and grand as it had been the night of the ball. I was sore and tired from sitting so stiffly atop the horse, in my attempt to refrain from touching Sir William. Once I had dismounted I noticed a number of serving boys carrying chests and boxes full of my possessions into the house.

"Did you speak to my steward Arthur about removing my possessions?" I asked Sir William, speaking to him for the first time since we had left the village.

"Of course. It was his idea that you be taken care of by my family," he replied, handing the reigns of the chestnut horse to a short, round stableboy. My eyes widened in surprise at his response, I knew Arthur did not wish to worry me, but did he really believe I would be better off in the care of the Marsh family?

"Welcome to your new home," said Sir William, cutting into my thoughts. I scowled at his words but followed him inside nonetheless. The main hall had not changed much and was still completely spotless as always. Sir William led me through to the room where he had cornered me during the ball and stopped. I froze in place and swore I could see realisation washing over him. He turned to face me properly, a sinister grin spreading across his face, as he said,

"If I wasn't so sure he was the Blacksmith; I could have sworn that it was Sir Lewis you were speaking to earlier." I kept my expression neutral but my heart thrummed frantically in my chest.

"The Blacksmith?" I laughed, feigning surprise, " what a ridiculous suggestion. Where would he get an invitation to the ball, let alone have the composure to converse with gentlemen such as yourself." I fluttered my eyelashes and gave him a coy smile, hoping flattery would distract him from the topic.

"Perhaps," he mused, flashing me a reassuring grin I knew I couldn't trust.

          After leading me through the rest of the manor I was finally delivered to my new room. I couldn't deny that it was everything a young lady could want, a large balcony, expensive furnishings and beautiful decorations. I might have stopped to admire it longer if I did not have more pressing concerns. I needed to catch up to the man who had taken Uncle Henry and every moment I wasted in the Marsh manor allowed the man to take my uncle further and further away from me. I paced about the room trying to think of anything that would give me an excuse to leave. I remained deep in thought for over an hour, until I heard a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" I called as I quickly sat down at a nearby table.

"It's Elizabeth," she called, from behind the door. I was surprisingly relieved, I had almost forgotten Elizabeth was Sir William's younger sister.

"You may enter," I responded, standing up once more. When she opened the door and entered the room I noticed she had a light bruise on her left cheekbone.

"What happened to your face?" I exclaimed, rushing over to inspect the injury. 

"My punishment for disappearing," she stated, pulling away from my reach. Hearing the resignation in her voice I gave her a small smile, but knew better than to upset her pride by pitying her. It was then that I realised she was my way out of the manor.

"Elizabeth..." I began, looking straight into her bright, green eyes, "I need your help."

          An hour had passed by the time I had explained the situation to Elizabeth and formulated a plan to escape. She was hesitant at first, afraid of being punished so soon after her last escapade. However, once I reminded her of her debt to me, she eventually agreed to help me. The plan itself was relatively simple. Elizabeth would speak to her brother and say that I had delicate, personal possessions hidden in my bedroom and wished to go and fetch them myself, rather than trust them to the care of a servant.