Her lips were opened and then closed back before she clenched her fists.
"Wasn't it doubtful that you refused to attend church with the others and yet at night end up here alone?"
I stood and walked towards her.
"Good night, Mr Houston. I would like to take my leave"
"Not so fast!" I held her hand as she made to walk past before I knew it.
She turned to me in horror and yanked her hands away before she retreated as if I were some plague.
"What is that for?"
I breathed. "What are you doing at the church by this time of the night?"
"And what do people do at church?"
"Pray," I answered. "But is that really what you're doing?"
Her face was one of shock and dismay. But she schooled her features which I couldn't see clearly and stood tall and rigid. "Whatever I do is none of your business. And I reckon you stop trying to suspect what is not there, Mr Houston, with all due respect." She turned and walked out of the church.
I stood there watching her retreat. Did I overreact?
I sighed and walked out of the church to pick up my horse.
I met her at the path as she walked leadenly, her long black gown sweeping through the grass. It was almost midnight and the house was still a bit far for someone to walk at this time(especially at this parish).
I went forward to ride beside her.
"I could give you a lift, or you could take my horse"
There was no response. She rather, started walking faster to escape me but how fast could her feet walk?
"Mrs Williams? Mrs Williams?"
"What my Houston?!"
Oh, she seemed offended. That came off very harsh.
"I can't let you walk through this park at night, no matter how I feel about you" Her steps slowed before she began walking faster again.
"You will get tired Madame"
"I do not need your help," she said through gritted teeth.
I smiled. "But I will offer it nonetheless, even if there is no tangible reason. I don't know how much you have spent in the parish, (it's not like you interact with anybody at all), but I'm telling you that the park is not safe here at night"
She stopped. "Is that true?"
"Of course," I rode nearer to her now. "And I don't want my Mother's beloved housekeeper to come to harm's way"
She sighed. "Even at that I don't need your help or your ride to get to the house, I would still walk anyway"
"Alright," I said and kicked my horse to ride past her.
I rode far enough to turn back to find her still standing there. She wasn't moving. Didn't she know how to call? God! I couldn't leave her there, I turned back.
"Didn't you hear what I said? You want to walk this place alone at night?"
"What kind of a gentleman are you?" She scolded. "You offered me help and then tried to make me beg you by leaving? You can go. I brought myself here and I would take myself back"
She started walking but this time slowly beside me, still keeping that length between us, and with her hands, she wrapped herself as she turned sideways in fear.
I chuckled internally. She was really scared.
"Aren't you going to walk faster this time?"
She made no response.
After a while. I got down on my horse and chose to walk with her.
"I'm not that bad, I would accompany you."
Seeing her state I resolved not to engage her in any conversation. But she did appear calm currently as we walked and she made sure to maintain a safe distance between us till we got to the house.
I went to drop the horse at the stable and returned, surprised to see her still standing at the door.
"What are you still doing here? Aren't you going in?"
"No, you go in first and I will lock the doors."
"You are cold and had walked that long distance, I would do it" I sought the keys from her hand.
"No, it is my job and I wouldn't let you. Go in first, Mr Houston"
"You seem to enjoy my company. I would stay and we could stand here all night" I leant on the wall trying to see her countenance but as usual the shawl was on her face.
Once she got the hint that I wouldn't make a move, she dropped the keys in my hands and sauntered off.
I chuckled. "It's not that hard Mrs Williams."
I turned back to the park as the night breeze blew. The eerieness of the place was still intact and ever melancholic. There was not even a star in the night sky, was it going to rain?
I stared at the keys in my hands and then back at the opened door in remembrance of the woman who had just left. I smiled.
What could go wrong?
I entered the house and locked the doors, going ahead to check all the doors of the house, the kitchen, the backyard, and all. I knew well enough about housekeeping, especially when I was once close to one.
Done and sure everything was secure, I decided to go to the library(father's study).
But, I stopped when I saw a figure at the stairs.
"I told you, Mrs Williams, you have nothing to worry about and you won't lose your job, what are you afraid of? It's my father's house."
After a few seconds, I heard the light steps mounting the stairs.