Rory:

We said goodbye to our final guests just after eleven o'clock, it was evident that Cecilia was exhausted so I tried to hurry the departure of everyone after the last round of cards.

The earl and his wife were the last to leave along with Mr Herald and as we bade our goodbyes I took the opportunity to slip my arm around Cecilia's waist.

The poor girl looked like she could fall asleep at any second. I felt her body tense as I pulled her closer to me before her body slackened and she leant herself on me.

We waved after the final guests as they disappeared into the indigo amorphous mass of the night, only interrupted with a few dark silhouetted trees in the distance.

Ellis closed the door on the retreating carriages, letting in a cold gust of wind as he did so. I felt Cecilia shiver next to me as small goose bumps flecked her pale skin.

I gripped my arm more tightly around her, pulling her into me to offer my body warmth. This time she gladly accepted the offer and leant her head against my chest. I felt my heart beat quicken at the innocent motion and I had to resist the urge to run my hands through her raven tresses.

As she lay her head against me I became aware of the distinct smell of lilies and cinnamon wafting towards me. I breathed in her intoxicating scent that set all my nerves alight and tingling. I had to stifle a laugh when I noticed her smelling me too.

I went rigid as I felt her small hand gently run across my chest until it was positioned over my pounding heart. How could such a harmless touch make me feel such things?

The small area of her hand scolded me through the layers of my clothing with a burning desire that I had to battle to control my longing for her.

As if noticing what she was doing and our closeness she immediately withdrew her hand as if she were the one who had been burnt.

"I think we need to get you off to bed," I tried to speak with as much control as I could muster.

She nodded at me mutely before gracing me with an adorable, sleepy smile. I was almost glad when she pulled away from my grip for I did not know how much longer I could control myself.

The want to pull her into my arms and kiss her senseless was increasing by the second but I knew I would come to regret it, for she did not feel the same way.

She marched off in the direction of the stairs before accidentally stumbling over the hem of her dress. "Bollocks," I chuckled as she cursed her ill-luck. I was by her side in a matter of seconds, my arm returning to around her waist to steady her.

"Easy there," I murmured whilst shaking my head at the girl. God she really was quite something else. What on earth would I do with her though? The girl was quite the foolhardy lamb.

"I am quite capable," she said brusquely as a scowl formed on her beautiful face.

"Right now you look as if you are going to fall asleep where you are stood, I hardly think your sleep walking skills are adept enough to get you from the bottom of the stairs to your chamber. Now then," I smiled whilst sweeping her, quite literally, off her feet.

She let out a small shriek of surprise and irritation as she was lifted from the ground and carefully positioned in my arms. Her slender arms reached up and twisted around my neck to give her better support before the angry words began.

"Put me down this instance! How dare you manhandle me in such a way you scoundrel!" She cried in protest, to which I simply smiled. Ignoring her complaints and assault on my chest I continued my way up the staircase, a smile still stuck to my face.

Giving up her feeble fight she grunted before squirming into a more comfortable position in my arms. I looked down at her as she snuggled into me, her eyes closed as she drifted off peacefully, and I couldn't help but feel delirious with happiness.

A huge smile spread across my face, maybe I was getting somewhere, maybe, just maybe, she was starting to trust me.

I opened the door to her room carefully and gently placed her sleeping body under her sheets. Reluctantly I let my arms drop from around her body and was immediately greeted with a sense of emptiness and discontentment.

I watched, torn, as her arms reached out to me, as if she too felt the vacantness of not holding one another. I longed to go to her, to hold her whilst she slept but I knew she was not fully aware of her actions as sleep had ruled her mind.

I moved closer to her to brush a few stray locks away from her face before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. She stirred slightly before turning her head away from me and entering the land of dreams.

I walked back into my own room, sleep suddenly seeming very appealing. Maybe I would be greeted with Cecilia in my dreams if I could not have her in reality.

I quickly changed out of my evening wear and into my nightgown before letting sleep take me from the harshness of the real world.

**********

I woke with a sudden jolt, taking a moment to adjust to the light falling onto my bed. I frowned, I must have forgotten to close my curtains last night. I lifted my tired body from my warm bed and was immediately met with a harsh coldness that swirled around my ankles and spiralled upwards.

Yawning, I stretched my arms above my head and then out horizontally. Dressing quickly, I left my room and headed down to breakfast. I stopped just before I entered the dining hall when I heard voices floating through the door.

I recognised both of them immediately, Ellis and Cecilia. I checked to make sure the hallway was empty before I moved closer to the door so to better hear what they were discussing.

"A lady like yourself should not be rising at such an early hour your grace, I am sure I know no other lady who awakes before the dawn." Ellis clucked at her although he spoke fondly.

"Well Ellis, I am not one of those ladies you speak of. I can't imagine anything worse than sleeping through the best part of the day! Lord, if I ever turn into one you must put an end to it immediately, promise me that Ellis."

"I promise your grace," he laughed at her unusual antics.

"Besides," her voice became slightly quieter and I had to lean closer to the door to hear what she was saying. Why was I even listening? Oh well, I'ld wait until she'd finished speaking now that I'm here...

"I like to think it is nicer for his grace to have some company to breakfast with in the morn, I believe I am the only one in this house in a position to provide that."

There was an "Oh," from Ellis, an "Oh," I knew very well, it was the sound he made when he was pondering over something. I didn't have to wait a minute longer to see I was correct, he had been toying with a question, and it was not one I liked.

"Forgive my impertinence your grace but, do you love his grace?" I didn't wait to listen for the answer I knew I didn't want to hear. She did not love me that was obvious, why would Ellis even suggest such a notion? Hell, the girl hated me and had told me so only a day previously.

I knew I did not love the girl and I hoped I never did for I knew she would never requite such an emotion, so why would it bother me to hear her confirm the knowledge that she did not love me, in fact quite the opposite?

As soon as Ellis spoke the words I opened the door to the room, as cheery a smile as I could muster plastered on my face. I took my normal seat at the head of the table and turned to Cecilia, "Good morning, I trust you slept well?"

For the first time since I had entered the room I noticed the unmistakable blush covering Cecilia's cheeks, or maybe it was anger at Ellis for proposing such a ridiculous idea?

"Yes thank you your grace-"

"Rory," I interrupted, offering her what I hoped was an encouraging smile.

"Rory," she corrected herself, "I believe it is you I must thank for putting me to bed, I am sorry for being an inconvenience to you." She bowed her head slightly.

"Not at all, it is my duty is it not to see that my wife is looked after properly?" She simply nodded her head, her brows furrowed.

"Would you be so kind as to pass the fruit?" Obligingly I picked up the bowl of fruits and passed them to her. She took an apple from the platter which she began to play with in her hands, gently throwing it from one to the other.

"Would you accompany me on a ride this morning Cecilia?" The words had left me before I had even thought the idea through. I was not given much time to consider the spontaneous plan as she eagerly replied, a beautiful smile returning to her face.

"I would love to." I knew she had a love for horses and it was evident in the way her eyes seemed to sparkle like sapphires against her pale skin. Her whole being seemed to radiate energy and excitement as she fidgeted in her seat.

"Will you give me a moment to change into my riding habit? I will not be long I promise, shall I meet you in the stables?"

I couldn't help but smile as her enthusiasm spread across the room like a blanket, engulfing me in an excited giddiness. "Of course, I shall meet you there in a short while."

She pushed her chair back and moved towards the door before stopping suddenly. I felt myself momentarily stiffen, had she changed her mind?

Before the thought could take root however, she was rushing back towards the table and halting just in front of me she bent down and placed a kiss on my cheek. She blushed as if surprised at her own actions before speeding out of the room and up the stairs.

A floor above I heard the opening and closing of her door and the sound of scuffling as she busied herself around her room. I chuckled to myself and shook my head, she was one of a kind.

I reached my hand up to my cheek to touch the spot where she had kissed me before noticing the quizzical look Ellis was giving me.

I snapped my hand immediately back to my side as his eyes danced with humour. I stood up embarrassed, not wanting to remain under Ellis' scrutiny any longer I made my way outside to the stables to wait for Cecilia.

Hello All,

Here is Chapter 16! Can't believe I've almost got 2,000 reads thats amazing! Thank you so much guys for commenting and voting and please keep doing so! Have a great day (even though it's Monday ugh)

Much love

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