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.
It has been a week since what she now referred to as 'their almost kissing fiasco' she still could not believe she had just sat there while waiting for him to do as he wished, although she knew he would not have taken advantage of the situation. Either way, she was very embarrassed by her lack of a proper reaction, and she was very grateful that his two years old niece Bobby, had managed to save the day.
Anyways since that very embarrassing incident, she had avoided him like the plague and even though she was sure he would have noticed it, she could not help but have a glimpse of him sometimes.
Ann had long realized that although Richard was an incorrigible rake, he was a good person and he deserved someone good enough.
And she also knew she was not the best person for him, take that back!, she was the worse considering the big difference in their social status. It was obvious it could cause a big scandal if they ended together (and scandals were hadly ever a good thing and considering how popular his family was, it would surely be worse for him) and if there was no scandal, it would mean she had ended up as a mistress (and Ann most certainly will not let such happen).
"Good afternoon Miss Ann" a painfully familiar voice said from behind her.
"Your...your grace" Ann stammered turning to see Richard. She instinctively got up and was about to weasel her way out of his charming presence, the sun was making even more wonderful enhancements to his already handsome features.
"Where are you running of to?" He asked raising a brow.
"Me? Why should I run?...I mean I most certainly am not running" she stammered again as she blushed embarrassed.
" well, I can't say much since you have been avoiding me for the past few days" Richard said with a frown.
" oh! No! Your grace" we just have not crossed path, long enough to make a conversation" And retorted.
"I have only seen you peeking and other than that, I did see you in my mother's drawing room, but in both occasions you made sure not to utter a word" Richard said.
"Well I didn't look at you in the kitchen, I was only watching something over your shoulder" Ann defended.
"What kitchen?" Richard asked confused.
"Please ignore that" Ann said quickly realizing he had not notice her watch him in the kitchen.
"Can I still consider you a friend?" Richard asked.
"Of course your grace" Ann answered.
"Your grace? So I guess you are back to calling me that" Richard said finding it hard to hide his disappointment. He knew he was at fault for what happened, and he should have just apologized for it, but he also had a sinking feeling that an apology would only embarrass her even more. He look at her as she fumbled with her book, she was as beautiful as ever, even now that her face was pink with embarrassed blushes. Richard knew if he had been with another woman a week ago, he would not have stop in fear of what she would think about him. It was like ...he lost his confidence around her, funny how she was the only woman who made him giddy with nervous energy. Since he met her, all he has felt is concern, he was concerned about her past, her family and how she felt about the most tiny details. He had no idea why he always wanted her around him, he had no idea who she was and why he talked too much around her, all he knew was she intrigued him like no woman had ever.
As strange as it felt, he was quite elated to hear her answer, deep down Richard had feared the whole situation had spooked her enough to make her withdraw. And he was bent on not ruining what he considered a second chance.
"Um...Richard" he heard her correct herself.
"May I join you?" Richard asked gesturing to the bench she was sitting.
"Yes of course" she said adjusting to one side the bench.
"I most certainly missed your company the past week" Richard said with a happy sigh.
"Well I was a bit occupied last week" very occupied hiding from you I guess, Ann wince at her excuse.
"You are reading Romeo and Juliet?" He asked looking at the cover of her book.
"Yes I borrowed the volume from Daphne, but not too worry I would borrow yours once I am done" Ann said almost laughing at how ridiculous she sounded.
"You don't have to borrow mine, how silly of me to have had made you promise, I'm sure it is going to be an hassle reading two same books" Richard laughed.
"I would not have read your copy, nevertheless it is very considerate of you, so thank you! I'll do just that" Ann replied smiling.
They talked about a lot of things and although they had started at an awkward note, Richard's good sense of humor had managed to loosen the tension and Ann had enjoyed his company greatly.
Ann told him about her younger cousins back home, and how much the Mayfair cousins had reminded her of them. They were silly, noisy and nosy but they were also adorable and always lifted her mood whenever she was having a bad day. He laughed when she told him about how they had pranked their governess into believing there where ghost of frogs in the nursery, just so they could stay outside for longer.
He also told her tales of when he and his siblings were younger and by evening she had found out a lot about him, she knew he was silly enough to love almonds because they sounded like Arnold and he raced a horse with his best friend whenever he was in an unpleasant mood.
In Ann's opinion, the time had passed too quickly, and she had ended up not reading even a full sentence in her book. She secretly hoped today would never end and although Ann knew deep down that she should not form attachments with the handsome gentleman beside her, she could not help but wish they had met in a completely different situation, like at the masquerade ball two years ago she was sure they would have had a happier ending then. Nevertheless she decided to enjoy this moment why it last.
Afterall pushing Richard away never works, does it?.