Finding Him

26l A Surprise Guest

It was difficult to keep track of the days that followed. Due to hunger and purposeful starvation, Hadassah's mind could hardly tell when one day ended and another began. She hoped that by starving herself to the point of near death, Lord Hadley would release her of this prison or even better, he would change his mind about the marriage he had planned for her. But it didn't matter how much she starved herself and for how long, Lord Hadley was bent on his decision. She then found herself hoping that by starving herself, she would lose weight and become undesirable to any man in his right senses. She hadn't met the man Lord Hadley intended to have her wed to yet, but she hoped he would be too disgusted by her appearance to agree to the marriage. And if he doesn't get disgusted, she would be sure to inform him of her nights with Daniel, making it very clear that he wouldn't be getting a virgin bride. Surely he would turn away from her then, rejecting her uncle's marriage proposal. Lord Hadley would then tire of her presence and agree to the contract, exchanging her freedom for her father's estate.

She found herself dwelling on the thought for many days, encouraging herself with the idea she knew would work. It was only a matter of time, she decided. It was only a matter of time and Lord Hadley would release her.

When she wasn't thinking of being released, she thought of Daniel. In the midst of her weakness and hunger, she found her craving for him to be even more severe and sickening than her craving for food. Her weak, tired mind would dream of him, some times even causing her to hallucinate and be convinced he was in the room as well. She would run to the image of him and would suddenly be met with a wall when she got close. Realizing it wasn't real, she would scream and lash out at the furniture in her bed chamber.

She was on the verge of losing her sanity when she decided she needed food, she needed it to hold on to Daniel and the memories they shared. Her memories of him would be the only thing that would see her through her uncle's wickedness.

Clutching her knees to her belly, she watched the maid place a tray on the dressing table. The young woman glanced up shyly at her, curious brown eyes beholding her briefly before turning to scurry out of the room. She waited until the maid closed the door behind her, before crawling out of her bed, weak legs coming to settle on the floor. She barely made it to the dressing table before falling on the wooden chair and ravaging the hot bowl of porridge. She drained the cup of hot cocoa and leaned back against her seat, a soft sigh of relief escaping her lips as her stomach growled in appreciation.

After her meal that evening, she stumbled back into bed and gave in to her tears.

The next morning, she laid with her back pressed to the mattress and her eyes scanning the ceiling as her mind dug up memories of Daniel and her ears listened to the dull sounds that spoke of the activities of the servants within the estate.

She heard her bedroom door being opened and didn't bother to glance up at the maid she suspected had been assigned to her to take Leah's place. She wondered about Leah; would she be worried for Hadassah? Would she be busy trying to find her? She hoped Leah would see to Daniel's needs in her absence. Would Daniel remain in the manor in Rye? She didn't think he would for she was his only reason for staying in such a manor.

Perhaps he was trying to find her? She doubted he was for if he was, he would have found her by now.

Tears slipped down her cheeks and she immediately wiped them away. There was no use crying for her tears would fail to bring about change.

“A bath for my lady.” The maid's voice broke through her trail of thoughts. It was however not powerful enough to warrant a glance her way. As usual, she ignored her.

“Please, my lady, you mustn't remain like this, you mustn't starve yourself and then choose to remain in filth for an entire month.”

A month?! The revelation shocked Hadassah. She had been in Sheffield for a month?!

“My lord wants you to be prepared for a special guest that is scheduled to arrive this afternoon. He will be displeased to find you in such a state and if I must speak so boldly, my lady, I will lose my employment for allowing you worsen under my care.” She sounded desperate and on the verge of tears. Still, Hadassah ignored her. She would not take a bath, she would instead wallow in the filth that was her uncle's presence until he was willing to release her.

After a long while, the maid exited the room, the water grew cold and about an hour later, the maid returned to pour out the bath water.

“My lady?”

Hadassah sighed in frustration but didn't turn to acknowledge the maid.

“Would you like me to pick out a dress for you?” Silence. “Comb your hair? It does appear tangled but it is nothing some scented oils and a brush cannot fix.”

Her words reminded Hadassah of the time Daniel combed her hair, it had been the night they consummated their marriage. Even now, her body warmed at the thought of that night.

“You are to receive a guest, my lady. Please, do not displease my lord by appearing before your guest in such a poor state. Even you should know this is unladylike.”

Hadassah wanted to say she didn't care for a guest. Yet, something the maid had said gained her attention; the guest was hers. Whoever was coming, was coming to see her! Perhaps the man Lord Hadley intended to have her wed to?

Nervous, she laid going over the conversation she hoped would take place between her and the stranger and the ending she prayed desperately for; he would turn around and walk away from her.

The maid returned to inform her of the presence of the guest and beg once more that she take a bath or at least change out of the red dress she had been wearing for an entire month.

“Where is he?” She turned to the door.

“Please, my lady, let me help you get cleaned...”

Turning from the maid, she pulled the door wide open and made her way to the drawing room where she knew her uncle accommodated his visitors. With her heart pounding in her chest, she paid no mind to her uncle's footman who stood by the entryway as she entered the drawing room.

Gasping, Hadassah pulled to a halt at the sight of the man who stood with his back to her. A cold shiver of dread raced down her spine as she shook her head, praying with all her heart that she was only imagining things, that the man she assumed was standing before her was only a figment of her imagination.

“Lady Hadley.” His voice confirmed her suspicion. Still, she found herself praying, hoping desperately that she was wrong about his identity...

She wasn't.

At the same time he turned around, her feet unconsciously took a step back, her mouth opening to form the words; “Lord Talbot...” Her voice trembled, eyelids widening as Julius' face broke into a smile.

“Please, call me Julius. You must, if we are to be married tomorrow.”

Copyright © 2018 Lily Orevba All rights reserved.

A/N

I thought, since I've been so scarce lately, you guys deserve an explanation. I've been busy with school and as always, I've been stressed. I barely have the time to do anything, least of all, write.

This is just a heads up for when I'm taking a while to update. Do bear with me.

Again, thank you for your super duper support so far. I look forward to reading your thoughts on this particular chapter and seeing your votes.