[CrazyClavie]

Okay, so, the other one closed today.

I'll re post the story once my knees stop hurting K?

Luv ya all.

Clavie

[CrazyClavie]

Written in the Rain

Chapter One:

Before

It was John’s voice the one that had always urged Sara on. Scary as sometimes Sara thought it was, John Parker had been a central part of her universe (small as said universe was) since the day she had met him almost eleven years ago.

There were many things that made John extra special to Sara but that first encounter had been like a sign from the sky.

First, the rain had lured Sara out of her spacious –but very adult-like room at Silverhill Park’s Manor House where she had arrived that very same day after almost a month traveling from Cairo. Sara had run outside, barefoot over the wet grass, enjoying the sweet spring rain as only a desert child could.

Sara had run and run through the manor’s gardens until she reached the wooden hills behind the manor and a small rock formation overlooking the Wye River.

She had spurn around, arms wide open, laughing with childish abandon for the first time since her parents deaths or perhaps even before that. People took their rain for granted all the time, but until that day, Sara had never seen rain like that.

Her father had been a respected archeologist and had dragged Sara and her mother through desert after desert, until Sara’s mother had left him. He had kept Sara, just to spite her and Sara had grown sullen and unhappy. Her mother had died just six months before and her father hadn’t lasted much longer. Sara had been living with a clergyman’s family for almost two months before word had come from her uncle with a ticket to England.

And it was then, as she spun around and laughed, that her grief and hurt and bitterness had finally begun to recede, washed away by the sweet spring rain. But spinning about over wet rocks had never been a good idea. Sara had edged to close to the border of the rocks and her feet slipped.

It was then when she had met John, who at thirteen had been just strong and big enough to clamp his arms around her ten-year-old self and pull her back from the rock’s edge. John had held her afterwards, he always claimed it was to make sure she didn’t fall on the way down to solid ground but Sara had always suspected he had felt the same peace she had in that moment.

It was John who had taken her to his own mother and his own house to dry; it was him who had shown her the way back home when she had finally admitted she was lost. It was John who had taught her all the secrets of the Peak County. It was John who had taught her everything. And from that day on, it had been John and Sara running up and down Silverhill; to Sara’s cousin Fred’s constant annoyance until they had included him on the play group.

They had been quite a three some that spring and summer… until Fred’s tutor had commented on how smart John was and, after talking it out with Mrs. Parker, Lord Stapleton (Sara’s uncle) had offered to pay for John’s education at Eton –provided he passed the admission’s test and kept his grades up.

And for reasons Sara never understood, un-ambitious John had agreed and went away that Fall with Fred to one of England’s most prestigious school’s while Sara stayed at Silverhill (though her uncle had offered to sent her to a fancy boarding school in Paris) and inherited Fred’s tutor. Sara had cried for two days straight and swore she would never speak to neither Fred nor John for as long as she lived. Said resolution only lasted a week, until a letter from John arrived, just a week after he had left. In his letter, John told Sara about the school and the teachers and how much he missed Silverhill; he told her that, though he was making friends, she would always be his best friend.

That was the first of many letters; Mrs. Parker even said that John wrote more to Sara than what he did to his own mother. John never mentioned Fred though – neither did Fred though his letters were far more scarce – and Sara later understood that something had happened between Fred and John that first week away from home and that they weren’t friends anymore.

Sara wept with relief –selfish but there you have it – when John told her he wouldn’t be going away to University –even though, again, Lord Stapleton had offered to pay for it – instead he would remain at the estate and apprentice under Mr. Webber, the estate manager.

“There is only so much education I need, Sara.” John had explained as they sat in the rocks where they had met, the first weekend after he had come back from Eton (where he had graduated top of his class). “My Mom was a lady’s maid, my Father a farmer. What would I do with a University Education? I know what I need to know, and Mr. Webber can teach me the rest.”

“So you’re going to stay here with me, always?” Sara had asked.

“Yes, until you decide that Peak County is too small for you and go and marry some handsome young earl and forget all about me.” John had said, half joking, half not.

“I will never leave you or Silverhill.” Sara had vowed.

“I’ll remind you of that when you’re twenty and on your way to your first London Season.” John had joked, pulled her close and hugged her.

They stayed there for a long time, just staring out the river until it started to rain. Then John had took Sara’s hand to guide her home, and Sara knew, even at fifteen, that she would never let go, no matter what.

It was a promise she intended to keep, she just didn’t know quite yet how hard it would be. Society could be vicious and no matter how many times she wished she had not, she had been born Lady Sara Douglas, and with that came specific obligations she didn’t know how many yet, but she would.

….

End of Chapter One.



To Kylie 'cause she rox!!!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Written in the Rain

Chapter Two:

Right About Now

“I’m telling you, Kate,” Sara was complaining to Katherine Parker, John’s sister (only a year younger than him) and with whom Sara had become very close to after John had gone away to school. Though she was very young for the position, Kate had become Silverhill’s housekeeper just last year at Mrs. Jenner –the former housekeeper – recommendation. “I’m not mad.”

“Then why do you keep looking out the window every five seconds to see if he’s back?” Kate asked.

“I’m just checking the very fine weather we are having.” Sara retorted, resisting the impulse of looking again and beginning to fold the newly laundered linens Kate was occupying herself with.

“It’s going to storm, the roads might get impassable. He did well in not taking you.”

“But it’s not fair! I don’t mind the rain. And I know the way just as well as him. I wouldn’t have gotten in the way.”

“Sara, John went to work, he’s not having fun. He always takes you when he can but he wanted to go to Derby and comeback today, alone he can even ride in the dark, with you he couldn’t have done so. He would have had to take the carriage and in carriage it would have taken at least two days and it wouldn’t have been proper.”

“We could have ridden; I’m as good a rider as him.” Sra complained.

Kate shot her a knowing look. Sara was a passable rider at best, she began to scream as soon as the horse began to trot, and she gripped the rains so tightly when the horse broke into a gallop that more often than not the horse would halt mid straight and nearly throw her off.

“It’s going to storm,” Sara said, looking out again. “He’s going to get all wet.” Now, Kate could detect a hint of worry.

“John said he would be back by supper, and he always keeps his promises.” Kate said calmly. She knew as well as Sara that no one knew the lay of the land better than John he knew many shortcuts and little used ways that would get him home fast.

“Yes, of course.” Sara agreed. “He better be in time, after all the convincing I had to do for Mrs. Sowerby to do his favorite desert.”

From the distance, Kate and Sara heard the sound of many hooves turning into the road that lead to the manor house. Eagerly, Sara ran to the window even as Kate commented that it was two much noise for one rider.

Two carriages came into view, coming closer and closer. “We better go see who that is.” Sara said, already more than convinced that it was her uncle, Lord Robert Stapleton, who had been away almost a full year.

The house’s main door was just opening when Sara reached the bottom of the stairs, and a tall figure stepped inside and Sara threw herself at it.

“Uncle!” She cried happily.

Though she didn’t see much of her uncle, what with Lord Stapleton’s constant travels, Sara and he had always had a special relationship and they wrote to each other frequently and her uncle always sent her lovely presents from aboard.

“Hey there, little imp.” Lord Stapleton said and Sara blushed swiftly when she realized the voice wasn’t coming from the man she was holding, but from her uncle who was standing, looking amused, a couple of feet away.

Sara stepped away quickly and muttered a “Sorry,”

“No need to, my lady.” The stranger she had held said in a gallant, cultured voice.

“Sara, you remember my friend, Lord Worthington?” Fred said, he was standing right behind his father.

“I believe we met last time you visited London,” Nigel, Lord Worthington said, taking hold of Sara’s hand and bowing over it, making Sara blush again. She wasn’t used to that kind of thing, sure, people curtsied around her sometimes, but it was only people she didn’t knew very well. Most people in her little, comfortable word in Silverhill knew that she didn’t like all that bowing and curtsying business.

“I believe so, my lord.” Sara said stiffly and tugged at her hand, turning to her uncle finally and throwing her arms around Lord Stapleton with a joyous “Uncle!”

“You are just the same, aren’t you, imp?” Lord Stapleton said hugging her affectionately.

“Uncle, I’m so glad you’re home!” Sara said, stepping back a little and letting her Uncle’s arm rest over her shoulders.

Lord Stapleton was an imposing man, and at his 45 years of age he was still handsome, active and just about one of the best men Sara knew; all of that, coupled with a vast fortune made him quite irresistible to the ladies. He had been widowed almost twenty years ago, when Fred was just a boy of five or six, and even though many a lady –with both economical and physical attributes – had tried to seduce him, Lord Stapleton refused to take a second wife.

“One marries for love and for nothing else,” He had said once when Sara had asked him why he had rejected Lady Conrad (one of his most persistent pursuers, a rich, beautiful widower like himself though she was, perhaps, ten years younger than him). Sara remembered it so well; Lord Stapleton’s dark eyes had been alive with pain and memories. “I don’t love Lady Conrad. I’ll never love anyone like I loved your aunt, Sara. One can only love like that once in a lifetime… and perhaps it’s for the best. It hurts too much when it ends.”

“But it doesn’t have to end, not if you really love someone. Don’t they stay alive in your heart?” Sara had asked.

“Yes and no,” Lord Stapleton had said kindly. “You can’t cling to ghosts forever Sara, it gets very lonely. Believe me, I know. You’ll understand when you’re older.”

Fred’s voice took Sara out of her memories as he demanded. “Don’t I deserve a hug too? You even hugged Worthington.” He said, as always sounding just a little sullen.

“I’ll think about it.” Sara said with great solemnity, feeling secure in her Uncle embrace.

“See here, Sara…” Fred began but quickly shut up when Sara hugged him too. That was the thing about Fred, he was used to have everything always going his way and he could get really nasty when things didn’t, so Sara saw as her mission in life to take him down a notch. But deep down, she loved her cousin too.

“So? Impromptu visit?” Sara said, once again attaching herself to her uncle.

“We thought we’d surprise you,” Lord Stapleton said with a sigh. Though he loved Silverhill, he rarely spent there more than a couple weeks at the time. Too many memories, Sara guessed. “Can you please tell the housekeeper to ready our rooms?”

“I’ll get to it right away, my lord.” Kate said gently, she had been standing a few feet away, at the base of the stairs, having arrived a few moments after Sara.

“You’re not Mrs. Jenner.” Lord Stapleton said perplexed, trying to identify the young, beautiful woman in front of him. Sara rolled her eyes a little; everyone had that reaction to Kate. She was beautiful with her honey colored hair and wide eyes the color of spring’s baby grass.

“Uncle, remember I told your Mrs. Jenner’s son – the one who lives in Suffolk – sent for her, apparently the store he installed there is doing very well, and he was able to send for Mrs. Jenner. She moved there last summer, and she recommended Kate to fill the position. John wrote to you asking for your approval.”

“Oh, well, I’m afraid I rarely thoroughly read John’s letters, I trust his judgment.” Lord Stapleton said. “So, Mrs.…”

“Miss Parker,” Kate corrected, gently.

“She’s Mrs. Parker daughter, remember she came to work here after Mrs. Parker died.” Sara explained.

“Right, right.” Lord Stapleton said, though he really didn’t remember. “Could you please see about the rooms?”

“Of course, my lord. I’ll get right to it. Excuse me.” Kate said with a dazzling smile and turned to climb the stairs back up.

“What a nice piece of –” Fred began but was cut short.

“Watch it, Freddie, that’s my sister.” John’s voice cut in a dangerously low tone just as Sara stopped glaring daggers at Fred and turned to John and hugged him.

“Pardon,” Fred said, sobering up due to both John’s threatening stance and the glares Sara and Lord Stapleton shot him.

“It’s nice to see you, John, as usual.” Lord Stapleton said, clasping John’s arm warmly.

It wasn’t an exaggeration when one said that everyone loved the Parkers at Silverhill. Mrs. Parker had been the former Lady Stapleton’s lady’s maid but beyond that they had been great friends and confidants. By the time Lady Helena had died, John and Kate’s mother had already married Mr. Parker, a local farmer, and remained around.

When Sara had arrived, sullen and ill mannered from Cairo, it had been Mrs. Parker who had shown her the affection and attention she had needed and had guided her into young womanhood as she had guided her own daughters – Kate and Jessica (who had married recently and moved to the neighboring town of Ashford). Sara had mourned Mrs. Parker more than what she had mourned her own mother and took every slight against Kate or John (and even against Jessie and John’s other brother Henry –who had also moved away after joining the navy) as personal insults.

“Likewise, sir.” John answered.

“Well, now, why don’t we move inside instead of just stand around here?” Lord Stapleton suggested as a small army of servants came to carry the luggage of the newly arrived to Silverhill. “Sara, I’m starved; any chance that diner will be ready soon?”

“We usually eat at seven, uncle. Kate, John and me, that is.” Sara explained and Fred snorted. Sara turned to him, her expression like a thunder. “They are my friends,” She said defensively. “And they are nice enough to keep me company so you…”

“Now, now, settle down you two, you’re putting quite the show for Worthington here,” Lord Stapleton said with an indulgent smile. “And there is no need to mess with tradition, John and Miss Parker can very well join us all for diner.”

“Thank you sir but –” John began to excuse himself but never got to finish thanks to Sara’s elbow, which she had nudged quite firmly to his midriff with a sharp murmur of “Trifle for desert” knowing how John had never been able to resist a strawberry jam trifle. “We’ll be delighted to dine with you sir,” John amended quickly.

“Wonderful, I better go tell Kate and start to set the table!” Sara said happily and began to drag John away. “And you have to go dry yourself, John, where would we be if you got sick with all the work there is to do?”

Sara effectively took John away from her cousin, it was better if they didn’t spend much time together, they always ended up fighting and John clearly had the upper hand when it came to fighting, and, though she knew how provoking Fred could be, socially he had the upper hand and could cause trouble if he lost to John. Fred never did like to lose.

“Well, I guess I’m going to go upstairs and rest a little before supper.” Lord Stapleton said. “See you in a while.” He excused himself and went up the stairs.

After Lord Stapleton left, Fred waited for a moment before leading Nigel to the library and to Lord Stapleton’s private selection of liquor. They helped themselves to some of the thoroughly aged brandy Lord Stapleton preferred. They drank some of it and sighed.

“Your cousin is as lovely as I remembered her.” Nigel said. “I’m glad you talked me into coming with you. It’s a shame she’s buried here in the country.”

“I know and it’s all John’s fault. Sara would follow him to the end of the earth. I’ve tried to get rid of him but father won’t hear about it. He claims John is the best steward he has ever had and that he knows everything there is to know about Silverhill. Best man for the job and all that crap.”

“It’s still a shame.” Nigel said. “You want her, don’t you?” Fred shot him a glare. “I thought as much. What I don’t understand is why you invited me. I’ve made no secret that I find your cousin attractive since you introduced her to me and she has a nice fortune one can’t turn their nose up at. But I would think you got enough competition already, no need to bring me into the equation.”

“Of all my friends you‘re the one I wouldn’t mind so much losing Sara to. My father won’t allow us to marry, much less if Sara is unwilling. He would kill me if I compromised her. But you, my friend, have a better chance at seducing her than I do. I know your father wants you to marry before the year is through or he’ll cut you off his will. And you are one of London’s most notorious rakes, seducing my innocent little cousin shouldn’t be major problem for you.”

“Knowing what you know about me,” Nigel said. “Knowing how I feel about marriage and that I’ll probably won’t be faithful to Sara (no matter how pretty she is); you want me for cousin-in-law?”

“Better you than John.”

“You really dislike him.”

“He should know better than to even look at Sara. You saw how familiar he is with her; it’s unacceptable, an effrontery to our way of live. We belong to the ton. Sara should know her place in life, and so should John. With you Sara will finally take on her real role in life, I won’t see her diminished by her association with him.”

Nigel’s mouth was touched with a cynical smile. “All right then,” Nigel said. “I’ll take your little cousin. Helping a friend and all.”

“Cheers to that.” Fred said and they made a little toast with their glasses.

…

Meanwhile, upstairs in the master suite, Kate was busily running about, checking the maid’s labor and dismissing them to work in the other rooms they were preparing. Mrs. Jenner had warned her that Lord Stapleton was very particular about the way he liked his things and Kate wanted to do everything right. He was, after all, her employer; and her brother’s employer… technically, if she did a bad job it would reflect on John.

“Alright, you two go to the next room.” Kate said to the remaining two maids. “I’ll unpack for his lordship.”

The two maids left and immediately Kate wished they hadn’t as she eyed the heavy trunk they had left by the door and which she was going to have to drag into the dressing room to the little table there which was designed to hold the trunk while it was being unpacked. Since it would take a while to get a footman up there to move the trunk, Kate decided to do it herself and drag the thing along. She wanted to finish before dinner time so she could go to her room and tidy herself a little –with a passing glance to the looking glass she had seen that large portions of her hair were beginning to tumble free from her pins.

With a big sigh, Kate pushed her hair out of her eyes and reached for the trunk, pulling it with all her strength and moving it half an inch if at all. Just as Kate gave a frustrated hard tug, the trunk was lifted and Kate nearly fell down.

“I’m sorry, Miss Parker. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“My-my lord…” Kate stammered

“Were you going to put this on my dressing room?”

“No - yes, I mean, don’t bother yourself with that. I’ll do it.”

“A little slip of a thing like you? I doubt it. And it’s no bother.” He said kindly. “But shouldn’t you go get ready for dinner?”

“Oh, no my lord.” Kate said. “Sara, that is Lady Sara and I have an agreement of not changing for dinner. Unless… you find my appearance inappropriate.”

“If she lets you call you Sara I’m not going to object.” Lord Stapleton said with a smile. “And you look lovely.” He said and then turned away; he shouldn’t be saying that to housekeepers half his age. “I mean your look fine.”

“Thank you sir, now I’m going to unpack your things, unless you wish to be alone?”

“No, is fine, don’t leave on my account.” Lord Stapleton said as he pushed the heavy trunk into the table.

“Thank you, sir.” Kate said with a small smile.

Truly, Mrs. Jenner had been exaggerating. Lord Stapleton wasn’t nearly as impossible was the old housekeeper had claimed. Lord Stapleton had been nothing but nice to her since his arrival.

With a small smile still playing on her lips, Kate opened the trunk and began to sort the clothes into piles (the ones that needed to be laundered, the ones that needed to be pressed and the ones that she could replace in the shelves and hooks). After a while, Kate even forgot that Lord Stapleton was just beyond the door and began to sing to her self in a hushed voice as she worked.

And she was completely unaware that Lord Stapleton was just a few feet away from here, sitting on a wingchair he had positioned just outside the door, pretending to be reading but really just listening to her.

It was funny, how it happened in just an instant; but Lord Stapleton knew that the course of his life was changing even as he sat there. There was something in the air, something different. For the first time in years he didn’t feel like running from Silverhill just as soon as he arrived. Instead he wanted to stay. He didn’t know why, not yet, but deep down in some unused part of his heart, Robert Stapleton knew that it had something to do with the little, sweet voice coming from the other side of the door.

.-.-.-.—ooo---.-.-.-.

End of Chapter Two.

.-.-.-.—ooo---.-.-.-.




Written in the Rain

Chapter Three:

Sweet like Dessert

“Sara, you may stop that now,” John said with a bit of a laugh as Sara tried to towel dry his dark brown hair – the color of fine mahogany – which he kept short in a practical style.

“I don’t want you to get sick, and you can’t go home change or you’ll get all wet again.” Sara said but finally allowed the towel to drop back to John’s wide, strong shoulders.

Secretly, Sara had enjoyed very much taking off John’s coat and hanging it from the back of a chair near the fire in the kitchen so it would dry, and then watching the way John’s shirt clung to his skin, showing the contour of his back. Then she had made John sit next to the fire too and had attacked him with towels.

John smiled, running the towel against the back of his head and neck, and regarded Sara with amused blue eyes. Sara had always been able to tell John’s moods by his eyes. They were normally sky blue – with a darker blue rim around the irises – but they darkened to cobalt when he was excited about something – or when he was going to kiss her, something that happened all too infrequently for Sara’s liking – and they seemed to pale to grey and flash when he was angry.

“I thought you said this morning that you didn’t care if I lived or died.” John said.

“I was angry.” Sara admitted. “I wanted to go to Derby too, but I still wouldn’t want you to get pneumonia. Kate is too busy with the running of the house, and I would be the one who would have to take care of you and it would be a bother.” Sara said but she had turned away from John, they both knew she was lying and John could see that the tips of her ears were beet read.

Checking first that they were truly alone in the kitchen, John went to Sara and hugged her from behind, brushing away her hair and kissing her cheek. Sara always made John think of cinnamon and chocolate. Her eyes were reddish-brown, like cinnamon, and her hair was like really good chocolate: rich, dark and lustrous.

“I’m sorry, but I had a good reason to go to Derby alone.” John said slowly. “I seem to recall that certain someone’s birthday is coming up… I had to get that certain someone’s a surprise present. Because I know she loves presents of the surprise kind.” Sara tried to remain huffy, but it was very, very hard when she knew that she was the certain someone he was talking about.

“So…” Sara began innocently. “What did you get?” And relaxed into John’s arms.

“You’ll find out, eventually.” John said with just the smallest trace of smugness in his voice. Sara always tried to figure out what he would give her, but she never managed. John always found the best hiding places for the things she got her. Sara wasn’t nearly as good as hiding stuff; John was usually able to figure out his present before hand. It was a little game the two of them played.

“You’re mean! Now I’ll be going out of my head trying to figure it out!”

“It’s only two weeks until your birthday, you’ll be fine.” John said, kissing the top of her head and cuddling close. And Sara let herself enjoy it since it was rare John was so openly affectionate with her. Oh, John was a loving man, but he was also very aware of how little it took to set tongues wagging and to ruin a reputation.

There were little touches, certain looks that sometimes passed between the two of them but, for Sara’s sake, John was rarely really physically affectionate with her. For one thing, most often than not he found really difficult to control himself around Sara and suppress the urge to just snatch her away and keep her to himself. And there was the ever present problem of their different stations in life. Sara didn’t mind, and everyone at Silverhill was happy to look the other way when it came to them, but the outside world wouldn’t be so kind and John knew it.

---ooo---

By the time John and Sara made it to the dinning room, everyone was there though it seemed Kate and Lord Stapleton had just arrived since he was helping her with her chair and glaring at both Nigel and Fred who hadn’t stood up when Kate arrived as a gentleman should on the presence of a lady. Lord Stapleton would have scolded them out loud but he really didn’t want to get into an argument about how Kate was technically a servant like any other in the house. Instead, he just glared.

“I noticed on the way here that there is a new building in the villa.” Lord Stapleton commented as he moved to his seat –since John had already helped Sara to her seat before either Nigel or Fred could even move –the question was clearly aimed to John but Sara answered.

“Oh, it’s the new school; it was finished just two months ago.” Sara said with enthusiasm.

“What happened to the old school?”

“Well, the building was falling down in pieces and since we had to suspend classes until a new teacher was hired, John and I decided it would be better to just build a new school all together. And we thought it would be better to construct in the villa, that way kids wouldn’t have to go far from home for their lessons, especially in the winter. The old school was just too out of the way.” Sara said, happy to have the conversation going.

“Yes, I remember you mentioned something on one of the letters you sent me,” Lord Stapleton said to John. “But I thought it would take months to build,”

“The villagers were eager to help the project in anyway they could. So the construction went fairly smoothly. We hired only local people instead of sending for men to Ashford or Bakewell, people really appreciated that too.”

“I would imagine so. Did you hire a new teacher already?”

“Yes, Miss Yarrow.” Sara said and rolled her eyes.

“Sara doesn’t like Miss Yarrow.” Kate said in her small, shy voice.

“She always scowls at me when I go help with the little ones.” Sara said defensively. Most days, John walked Sara from the house to the small village’s center – only a mile away from Silverhill – so she could help the smallest children with their lessons and that way let Miss Sylvia Yarrow concentrate in the older students. But the woman didn’t seem to appreciate that, instead she was always sour with Sara. “And I insist she would do a much better job if she didn’t lose so much time mooning at John when he accompanies me to the school.”

“She does not moo at me.” John said with a small smile though it was common knowledge that she did. Sara was ridiculously jealous of Miss Yarrow –who was a passably good looking woman (though Sara thought Miss Yarrow had rather bushy eyebrows and that her eyes were funny-looking) in her mid twenties. “And she does an adequate job.”

“I know,” Sara said. The kids seemed to like her well enough though Sara thought that sometimes she was too strict and too harsh on their punishments when they misbehaved but, as Kate always pointed out, Sara had too much of a soft heart when it came to children.

“It seems strange to me,” Nigel cut in. “That a beautiful young woman such as yourself is buried down here. You shouldn’t be helping school teachers, Lady Sara; you should be out in London enjoying the season.”

“I don’t care much for London,” Sara said. “And I didn’t like it when I went to have ‘a season’”

“You stayed in London for two weeks,” Fred pointed out. “Went to one ball, and then you came running back here.”

“It was long enough for me to realize I don’t want to ever leave Silverhill,” Sara said dismissing the subject. Silverhill was the only true home she had ever known and John was a big part of that. It was a lie that she never wanted to leave Silverhill, what – who – she didn’t want was to leave John.

“I don’t know how you endure the country, Sara; there is nothing to do here.” Fred said dismissively.

“There is plenty to do here, Fred,” Sara said.

“Speaking of things to do,” Nigel cut it. “What does one do here to pass time?”

Fred thought about it for a while. “We could do a hunt; I think its fox season.”

“It is.” John supplied shortly.

“I don’t suppose you hunt?” Nigel said in derision since hunting was considerate a gentlemen’s sport.

“I’m a good shot, if that’s why you were wondering but Sara does not approve of hunting.” John replied impassively.

“I just don’t understand men’s unholy desire to go out at the crack of down and shot small, defenseless animals.” Sara said a small scow insinuating between her brows. “I would hardly call that a sport.”

Nigel and Fred laughed, “You’re a girl, of course you don’t understand.” Fred said.

“Fred, enough.” Lord Stapleton said quietly but firmly. “What about the new horse jump course? It was re-done couple of years ago, I don’t think you’ve tried it Fred.”

“I suppose that would be adequate.” Fred said. “Is that acceptable, Sara?”

“Do whatever you want.”

“Aren’t you going to come with us? Technically you’re the lady of the house, therefore the hostess. You have to see that our guest is entertained.” Fred pointed out.

“Sorry, I got work to do. Tomorrow is school day and in the afternoon Kate and I have to consult with Mr. Sowerby for the inventory and supply order of this week.”

“Surely that can wait.” Fred began.

“No. I can’t disappoint the children and the supply order has to go out tomorrow.” Sara said, taking perverse delight in refusing.

“You can take a day off, Sara, I’m sure –”

“I’m sorry Uncle Robert, I wish I could do something but the house has to be run on schedule.” Sara said.

“Father!” Fred said in that whinny tone he used to get his way. It was cute when he was five, but at twenty-four it was more annoying than anything else.

“We kind of did come unannounced, Frederick.” Lord Stapleton said, taking Sara’s side in the most diplomatic way he could. “I’m sure you two can find the way and amuse yourselves tomorrow.”

“You aren’t coming either?” Fred whined.

“I have to go over the account books with John.” Lord Stapleton said. “If that’s agreeable?”

“It will be fine, sir.” John said, knowing well that all of the books were in order and pretty pleased that the fields were turning in considerable profit (they hadn’t while Mr. Webber had been the estate’s manager). “At whatever hour you want.”

“Not at eight, that time I have to be at the school.” Sara cut in.

“After nine, it’s fine.” Lord Stapleton said, a little bit amused by how Sara managed John so deftly.

Sara always had, actually. Managed John, that is. Since they were children, John had always been happy to do whatever it would please Sara if it was within his reach.


“I can’t believe you prefer to work than to go out with us.” Fred said, sullen.

Sara ignored him. “Fine, I want to retire, are our rooms ready, girl?” He asked Kate rudely.

“I don’t know what manners did you learn in your Grand Tour, Frederick, but that is no way to address a young lady. So, ask Miss Parker again, in a manner that it’s appropriate.”

“But she’s a servant!” Fred said outraged.

“Never the less, I’ve always believed that all women should be treated with respect. That’s what I taught you, and that’s what you’ll do.” Lord Stapleton said.

“My lord, that’s alright.” Kate said gently. “And yes, all the rooms are ready.”

“Is not alright, Miss Parker.”

“My apologies, Miss Parker.” Fred said, rolling his eyes and in a tone that let you know he wasn’t sorry at all. “Now, father, I shall retire for the evening.”

“Have a good night.” Lord Stapleton said with a nod.

“Excuse me,” Nigel said half amused by all that was going on and left with Fred.

“I suppose it’s time I retire too.” John said. He didn’t live in the mansion, because he thought it would be too improper with only Sara there. But soon after he had taken over the position as estate manger, John had convinced Lord Stapleton to sell him a cottage that was within the limits of Silverhill Park. Cherrywood Cottage had been John’s for at least three years now and he liked it very well there.

“I’ll walk you to the door.” Sara said and jumped to her feet, eager for whatever stolen moment she could have with John.

“Good night, my lord. Kate.” John said and left with Sara.

“My lord,” Kate said after a while. “Thank you, for defending me like you did.”

“I did teach my soon good manners, it costs him nothing to put them in practice.” Lord Stapleton said with a good humored laugh.

“Still, thank you.” Kate said.

“Don’t mention it.” He said kindly.

There was a silence, not awkward or even tense, just prolonged, during which Lord Stapleton and Kate just looked at each other. Kate could feel a flush climb from her neck to her cheeks but couldn’t look away.

“Are you going to go with Sara to the village in the morning?” Lord Stapleton asked after a while.

“Oh, no, I stay here.” Kate said as her heart pounded for a reason yet unknown to her.

“Then I’ll probably see you around,” Lord S. said.

“Probably,” Kate smiled, exited at the idea.

Just then, Sara came back, smiling from ear to ear and with a dreamy air about her. Kate knew her enough to know that she had probably managed to convince John to kiss her.

“Is John gone?” Kate asked.

“Uh? Yes.” Sara said. “I’m going now; do you want to come too, Kate? I’ll walk you up.” Sara said, snapping back to reality and remembering that John had asked her to remind Kate to lock down her door tonight and for as long as Fred’s friend was in the house. Apparently John knew a thing or two about Lord Nigel Worthington and didn’t feel all too comfortable leaving his sister there. Sara was somewhat protected by her rank, Kate wasn’t.

Knowing Sara like she did, Kate knew that she probably had something to tell her, so she wished Lord Stapleton a good night and followed Sara. Kate was surprised that Sara walked her all the way to the third floor of the mansion – where the upper servant rooms were located – and that she was looking furtively about. When they reached Kate’s door, Sara opened it and followed Kate inside.

The room, like most other rooms in the mansion was big and Kate kept it very tidy, if someone happened to be there, Sara would have noticed already, still, she went to check behind the changing screen and the closet door.

“John said that you should keep your door locked, no matter what, for as long as Lord Worthington is in the house.”

“Alright.” Kate said, palling quickly.

“Tomorrow I’ll ask Mr. Sowerby and Mrs. Sowerby to move up here, to the room next door. And I already told Mr. Barnaby to keep his eyes open in case there is something fishy around.” Sara said, mentioning Mr. Sowerby – who was Mrs. Sowerby’s husband and who took care of the horses and carriages of the estate – and Mrs. Sowerby, the cook; and the butler, a venerable old man called Barnaby who had served the Stapletons for at least twenty-five years.

“Thank you, Sara.” Kate said, sinking to her bed.

“Good night Kate, and don’t worry so much. John just wanted you to be alert. He says that if something happens, you have to tell him and you’ll stay at the cottage with him until they leave.”

Kate nodded and said “You be careful too, Sara.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Just be careful.”

---000---

End of Chapter Three

---ooo---

[CrazyClavie]

Written in the Rain

Chapter Four: Spring Showers

Sara could feel Miss Sylvia Yarrow’s eyes pinned to the back of her neck. The woman certainly didn’t like her one single bit, and she had been giving her decidedly nasty looks since the rains had started. Oh, there weren’t storms quite yet but gentle showers that came suddenly and lasted about an hour or two, leaving the air fragrant and the grass spongy and soft. Sara love it, so did John, but Miss Yarrow didn’t lose any opportunity to remark on how ‘inconsiderate some people were’ meaning that she, Sara, was selfish because –during spring –more often than not John got wet when he came to pick her up in the afternoon to take her home after the classes were over.

Any minute now, John would come, he was always punctual, and arrived everyday at three. It was a Tuesday and it was raining. Miss Yarrow was not pleased and was currently pursing her lips and commenting how ‘prolonged stays in the rain were bad for the bones’.

Sara nodded and sighed trying to block out the sound of her voice and focus on tidying up her side of the classroom, she had helped the little ones to make flashcards to help them remember their multiplication tables. Most often than not, Miss Yarrow got on her nerves but Sara just smiled and let it be, she couldn’t just fault the woman because she didn’t like her. And she couldn’t blame her for liking John as he was the best man Sara had ever known and loved him so, herself.

A cool blast of wind announced John’s arrival; Sara turned quickly to greet him with a smile but Miss Yarrow, who happened to be standing closer to the door, was already trying to attach herself to John’s side and was currently offering him some tea to warm up.

“Thank you, Miss Yarrow.” John said politely. “But I think Sara and I better leave, her uncle expects her early.”

“Of course, Mr. Parker,” Miss Yarrow said with a bit of a sniff. “Oh, by the way, there is a leak on the roof of my room upstairs.” Miss Yarrow added with a sugar coated voice. When the school was built, they had added a second floor so they teacher could live there – “You said that if I ever needed a repair done I could just ask you.”

Sara frowned; she could bet there was no leak at all, unless Miss Yarrow did one with a hammer herself.

“I’ll have someone look at it; it’ll be fixed by the end of the week.” John said courteously.

“Thank you so much, Mr. Parker.” Miss Yarrow said, blinking fast in the sort of movement that was meant to display her eyelashes but really was just making her look like she got something caught in her eye.

“It’s nothing,” John said but he was trying hard not to laugh. “Shall we go, Sara?” John added gently.

“I’m ready,” Sara said as she put on her bonnet without bothering to tie the ribbons. “Have a good evening, Miss Yarrow!”

“Evening, Lady Sara.” Miss Y said and stalked away. The woman never lost an opportunity to use Sara’s honorific title – the earldom that had belonged to her father had passed from the family but Sara was allowed to keep her honorific. Sara knew it wasn’t said due respect, but because Miss Yarrow wanted to throw in her face that Sara and John were from different worlds, while she and John weren’t.

“I only brought one umbrella.” John said once they were outside. “So we are going to have to share.”

“How convenient,” Sara said, forgetting all about Miss Yarrow.

“I thought so too,” John admitted, taking Sara off the main path towards Silverhill’s manor house and taking her to a smaller, less used track through the fields which lead to the wooden hills and to Cherrywood Cottage. John’s home.

Cherrywood Cottage sat on one of the nicest bits of terrain within Silverhill; it was close to John’s childhood home – which John and Kate had decided to sell after their parents deaths to provide a small dowry for their younger sister and to buy a commission in the navy for their younger brother – and it was close to the rocks were Sara and John had first met, their special place.

The house itself was adorable, with four medium sized bedrooms distributed on the top floor, a kitchen, small sitting room, even smaller library and a cozy family room in first floor. All of it was surrounded by a garden and a whitewashed fence. John and Sara had personally planted all of the flowers in the front garden, and the vegetables in the kitchen garden. On a whim of Sara’s, John had planted ivy against the front of the house and now it rose about two feet into the wall giving the impression that the whole structure had just come out from the ground.

Usually, when John didn’t have too much work, and Sara didn’t have to worry about her Uncle finding out just how much time she really spent with John and the true nature of their relationship, Sara spent most of her time there.

In many ways, Cherrywood Cottage felt like home in a way that Silverhill Manor never had.

“I thought you said Uncle Robert was expecting me?” Sara said as John opened the door for her to come inside the house.

“With this rain? Are you crazy, you’ll get sick!” John said with mock alarm. “I dare say they aren’t expecting you until the rain clears completely.”

“So you lied!”

“Just a little bit.”

“I’m glad.” Sara said as she removed her wet coat and bonnet while John went to work on lighting the fire in the small crate in the family room.

For the first few minutes they were able to pretend there were in an innocent social call. They made tea and ate the tin of biscuits that Mrs. Sowerby had given John just the day before. And they sat together in front of the fire, talking about everyday stuff.

But they hadn't really gotten to see each other alone in a week - not for more than five minutes anyway - what with Lord Stapleton wanting to be put up to date with the affairs of the estate and Nigel and Fred always trying to keep Sara away from John.

Slowly, Sara moved closer to John until she was tucked under his arm and she could feel the heat from John's body seeping into hers. John rubbed his cheek against the top of Sara's head, feeling her silky hair against his skin, while he finished a story on how Fred had fallen from his horse that morning when Lord Stapleton had made him go with him and John to inspect the southern fields.

By the time the story was finished, John had readjusted his hold on Sara so they were more or less facing each other.

One of his hands settled at Sara’s hip while the other went around the base of her head, fingers diving into the simple chignon Sara had pulled her hair into, and disheveling it. They stared at each other for a moment before Sara lifted her chin in invitation and John leaned down to kiss her.

At first he just nuzzled his lips against hers, placing small, close-mouthed kisses against Sara’s lips, waiting until she sighed to pull her closer and kiss her properly. Sighing with a contentment that came from her very bones –and which she only felt when John held her and kissed her just so – Sara wrapped her arms around John’s neck and kissed him back. Trusting him with everything she was, Sara just enjoyed the perfect feeling of being in the arms of the man she loved.

Soon they were sprawled over the couch as they kissed. Sara had tugged John’s shirt from his trousers and was running her hands over his back. John’s hand had found its way under Sara’s skirt –quite a feat all things considerate – and was stroking her thigh just above the gatherer of her stocking. He would have loved to roam his hands freely – Sara certainly wouldn’t have stopped him – but he didn’t trust himself to pull away if he did.

It was a dangerous game the one they played when they got like this, but sometimes they couldn’t help to want to be together.

They had only become like this during the last year. Things had begun to change for them when Sara had come back from her failed attempt of a London Season. At some point between London and Derbyshire, Sara had realized that she loved John and that she wanted to stay with him no matter what, and whatever that meant.

John had been reluctant at first. He had even flirted with girls from the village in front of Sara, trying to push her away, knowing that admitting his feelings for her would accomplish nothing but setting them both for heartbreak.

He had thought that, as long as he didn’t kiss her and admit his feelings, then he would be able to move on with his life once Sara was gone from Silverhill, happily married to some handsome, young earl with a good nature and a good fortune and who loved her almost as much as John did.

But all crumbled down to nothing. Sara knew John too well and saw right through his attempts to push her away. And she wouldn’t be swatted. She had used everything of her dubious knowledge and skills –learned all from the romantic, sometimes racy novels she had found in the library, it was her Aunt Helena’s secret stash and Sara enjoyed them very much – to make John admit his feelings.

She had corned John and pressed her lips to him, doing everything she could think of –within the realms of decency. John had resisted, for about half a second, but he had wanted to be with Sara for so long (he had calculated it was since the summer Sara turned fifteen) that he just gave a soft curse and kissed Sara back for the first time.

They never spoke about their feelings, some things didn’t need to be spelled out when you loved like they did. They saw each other everyday, and kissed when they could. John was always aware of every aspect of Sara’s life, and they always managed to find time everyday to be alone and talk or kiss or just hold hands. It was probably going to drive John’s body crazy, but they made it be enough, for now.

---000000---

Kate sighed with relief as she poked her head inside the library and found it empty. She had been practically confined to her room and Sara’s since Lord Worthington and Lord Fred had come to Silverhill. Her room, Sara’s and the kitchen had become pretty much the only safe places in the house. When it wasn’t one it was the other, but both Nigel and Fred were always following her around and making lewd comments and trying to corner her alone.

If it weren’t because Sara had put the whole house in alert – to protect both Kate and the maids- probably Nigel and Fred would have succeeded already, but Sara had made sure that the footmen made rounds on every floor and hallway, and had instructed the maids to always be in groups of three or four if Fred and Nigel were in the house. If they tried to say or do something to them, they were to go directly to the kitchen and stay there.

Sara loved Fred and all, but she had nothing but contempt for people like him and Nigel, who thought it was their right to harass the maids –and women in general – just by virtue of their position.

Luckily, the two of them had left for a house party in Derby and wouldn’t be back for a week or two.

Kate was more than grateful, hiding was hard and exhausting.

Moving deeper into the library, she carried her small satchel with all of her sewing implements and a bigger basket of clothes she had to mend. Supposedly, she should be mending John’s clothes (as she was his sister and all) but Sara insisted on doing that herself (hence that John’s clothes were always impeccably mended and were never missing buttons), so Kate had taken on helping Mrs. Sowerby (whose eyesight wasn’t as good of late), and now that Lord Stapleton was in residence, she mended his clothes too (Nigel’s and Fred’s clothes were always having freak accidents, though, getting burnt or overly starched and things like that, no one liked them).

Deciding that one of the chairs in front of the massive windows at the far end of the room, was the best spot for her sewing (it was too early to light candles, so the only light in the room came from the windows, only that it was a bit overcast so she had to sit as close to the window as possible to get the best light).

“My lord!” Kate practically yelled when she saw that Lord Stapleton was sitting on the loveseat next to the chair she had been planning on using.

“You sighed quite vehemently just now. “Lord Stapleton said. “I wonder why?”

“My lord,” Kate said and dropped to a small curtsy, even as she stammered. “Wh-what are you doing here?”

Lord Stapleton went on like she hadn’t spoken. “I wonder if it was in relief because my son and his friend are gone.”

“My lord, I wouldn’t –“

“Miss Parker, I’m not a fool. The footmen hover about, the maids travel in packs, and you rarely leave the kitchen. It didn’t take a genius. What surprises me is that no one approached me about it.”

Kate was silent for a moment. “May I speak bluntly?” Lord Stapleton nodded. “How could we tell you? He’s your son, the rest of us are disposable by the ton’s standards.”

“That’s true, I suppose. But I was always a bad peer.” Lord Stapleton said with a smile. “What’s more, I’m aware of my son’s behavior. I love him, of course, but I’m not blind. That’s why I sent him to the house party, to cool off. I’ll speak with him and his friend when they return.”

“Would you do that for us servants?” Kate asked surprised.

“I don’t approve of their actions and if Fred’s mother was alive she wouldn’t have put up with it either.” Lord Stapleton said in a tone of defeat. He turned a little and covered his face with one hand. “I think he would have been a much better man if Helena were still here. Sometimes I feel like I failed her, letting out son become the dissolute young man he is. I should have done better, I should have remarried so he would have had a mother, but I didn’t I failed.”

Kate couldn’t believe what she was seeing and hearing and she had no idea what he was choosing to speak with her like that. Lord Stapleton, who had always seemed a bit invincible, looked so sad, so alone. He looked so defeated.

Out of impulse, Kate reached out and laid her hand on top of Lord Stapleton’s free hand. Lord Stapleton startled a little but finally turned to see her. “You’re not a failure, my lord. You raised Sara too, didn’t you? And she turned out fine.” Kate declared, playing on the love she knew Lord S. felt for his niece and offering her a sincere smile.

Slowly, as if he was trying not to scare her, Lord S turned his hand so his palm was touching with Kate’s. He looked down and saw how small her hand was compared to his.

Just the sight of their hands together was enough to send a wave of tenderness and protectiveness through him, something he hadn’t felt in so long he almost didn’t recognize the emotions at first.

Kate held still as Lord S intertwined his fingers with hers, but she moved quite compliant when Lord Stapleton tugged at their joined hands and made her sit next to him. His hold was gentle but firm.

“I like talking to you Miss Parker – Kate.” Lord Stapleton said, holding to Kate as if for dear life.

“I’m here,” She said, squeezing his hand reassuringly.

They didn’t speak after that.

But as the rain kept falling outside, he didn’t let go.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Written in the Rain

Chapter Five:

Birthday plans

Sara was beyond herself with excitement when the day of her birthday arrived. It had not always been so, though. Back when she had been a little girl, she hadn’t enjoyed her birthday one single bit. When she was really, really small –back before her parents had separated – Sara could vaguely remember the time when she had been living in Bombay with her mother while her father roamed about India. Her mother had used her birthday as an excuse to spend her father’s money in a lavish party in which Sara herself had played a very small roll.

Sara remembered that her nanny had dressed her in frills and then she had had to sit still for hours and hours as her mother played the hostess and flirted with all the men present. They had even cut the cake without her and she hadn’t been allowed to eat any because they had put brandy on it. Sara had been miserable though all of the proceedings. The next day, her mother had showed up at the nursery and dumped all the presents the guests had brought for her the night before, as if that made it all right. Sara had begun crying and kept crying until she made herself sick. And from then on she had taken an almost violent dislike to her birthday. Then her parents had separated and her father had begun to drag her about. Lord Douglas couldn’t remember half of the time that he had a daughter, much less when her birthday was.

All of that had changed when she had arrived at Silverhill. When Mrs. Parker had first wanted to celebrate Sara’s birthday, Sara had been reluctant but between Mrs. Parker and the other servants at Silverhill, they had put together a lovely party and made sure she had a good time. After Mrs. Parker had died, John and Sara started a new tradition: They would spend all day together doing whatever Sara wanted (Kate sometimes came too, sometimes she stayed behind). And in the afternoon, Mrs. Sowerby would bake a cake and make all of Sara favorite foods and they would eat at the servants dinning room (a large, rectangular room located next to the kitchen where the servants took their meals). They would cheer as she blew the candles on her cake and they would all share it and later go to sleep with their bellies full and a light heart.

The gardener would make a special bouquet for Sara with all of Sara’s favorite flowers, and –since her uncle was always abroad – a present would arrive sometime within the month. Only John ever gave her an actual present on her birthday.

Sara’s favorite part was when John gave her her present. It could be anything: a music box, a craving he had made (John’s grandfather had taught him to do the most amazing cravings on wood, and Sara had quite a lovely collection of craved animals, plus a beautiful ring craved from the heart of an oak, adorned with oak leaves and tiny acorns, which she wore all the time, either on her finger or on a cord around her neck), a book or even a special rock with amazing colors. Sara didn’t care what it was, she would love it because it came from John and she loved him.

This year, John had promised to take Sara fishing, something that she loved to do but couldn’t do often due the fact that there was no one to go with her (Kate didn’t like it and John was busy most of the time), and besides she got to be alone with John all morning. Alone, in the middle of the forest behind the mansion where no one could bother them.

It would be lovely.

Sara woke up very, very early and dressed in a pair of trousers she had kidnapped from John’s house (it was not like he wore them since they were from around the time he was fourteen, if Sara tried to put his pants on now, she would swim on them, since John was much taller than her), a plain white shirt, a big coat and an ancient straw hat to shield her from the sun and which was her lucky hat.

“I’m going fishing, I’m going fishing,” Sara muttered over and over as she jumped down the stairs all happy.

“What are you doing dressed like that?!” Fred’s voice cut sharply.

“Freddie? What are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming back till next week.” Sara said, stopping and not answering the question and thinking that she probably shouldn’t have tried to short cut to the kitchen by the crossing the main dinning room.

“We just came back,” Fred said. “I remembered that your birthday is coming up.”

“My birthday is today,” Sara said dryly.

“Why don’t you sit for a moment, Lady Sara?” Nigel said, trying to be charming.

“Yes, Sara.” Lord Stapleton said, apparently he had been woken when Fred and Nigel had arrived. “Sit for a moment.”

Sara sat.

“Fred had an idea and I think it’s worth some consideration.” Lord Stapleton started. “He thought we should throw a ball in your honor. For your birthday.”

“It’s not necessary.” Sara said. “I don’t like balls.”

“That’s nonsense, all the girls love balls.” Nigel said dismissively.

“Well, I don’t. There is enough do to around here without having to worry about planning a party.”

“No, Sara, think about it. You hardly have any friends in the region, you won’t go to London, you are all grown up and you need to socialize with people of your same status, and make friends among them.” Fred said.

“I have friends.”

“Sara, the servants are not friends,” Fred said in a haughty voice that annoyed Sara no end. “You need to associate with people of your own station in life. And about planning the party, don’t worry, Nigel and I will help you. It will be marvelous. We already asked some of our friends at the house party we were at and they all said they would come.”

“I don’t know any of those people, why would I want them at my party?” Sara asked. If Fred and Nigel’s friends were… well, like Fred and Nigel… she didn’t want them at the house.

“Precisely, these are the kind of people you should meet. Respectable ladies, eligible men.” Lord Stapleton said. “I fear that you sometimes are too lonely here, Sara, think about it.”

“Uncle…”

“Sara, please.”

Sara crossed her arms over her chest, feeling annoyed. “Fine, But I want John and Kate at this party, they are my friends and I want them with me.”

“That wouldn’t be-” Fred began to protest.

“I don’t care, I want them there.” Sara said fiercely.

“Allowances can be made,” Lord Stapleton said diplomatically. “You can go to Derby today and get yourself a pretty dress, Sara; it would be a gift from me, of course.”

“No, I don’t have time to go to Derby; I’ll go to the local seamstress with Kate tomorrow, I’m sure she can procure dresses for the two of us. And now I must go.”

“You aren’t leaving the house dressed like that, are you?” Fred asked appalled.

“I already made my birthday plans and I get to do whatever I want today.” Sara said and wouldn’t give more explanations. She got up and disappeared towards the kitchen.

“That was very rude of Sara, father, I hope you talk to her about it.” Fred said all huffy.

“I will,” Lord Stapleton said, “But first I must talk to the two of you. It has come to my attention the way you were behaving with the maids, and I must tell you that this is not acceptable. Not in my household. If you wish to stay here –and apparently you do since you came up with this idea of a party of Sara – you will abide by my rules. You too, Lord Worthington, if you can’t promise to treat my servants with respect, you’re not welcome to stay.”

“Father!” Fred said outraged.

“I don’t mean to be rude,” Lord Stapleton said. “I really don’t. But if you start chasing the maids that interferes with the running of the household and I won’t tolerate it. I don’t pay my maids to run away from you, they are paid to do a job and your molesting them isn’t in their contract.”

“This is unheard off!” Fred said angry.

“I don’t know how your friends run their houses, and I don’t doubt you might have found a willing maid here or there, but I want this to be clear, not in my house.”

“We’ll behave, Lord Stapleton,” Nigel said with a sickly sweet voice. “We were just having fun; anyway, of course we would have never done anything to the maids.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Now if you excuse me,”

“Looks like we will be looking for our sport elsewhere.” Lord Worthington said unconcerned.

“I can’t believe he would… I’m sorry, Nigel, I didn’t think he would take their side.” Fred said.

“Some people do,” He said with a shrug. “Remember Lady Sheridan? She kicked us out in the middle of the night.”

“Still…”

“Don’t worry, Fred, we have to stay focused on the game. I need to marry your cousin before the spring is out or my father will cut me out. I don’t have time to worry about chasing housemaids.” Nigel said. He had recently received a letter with an ultimatum from his father, he would cut him off unless him was married (or at least engaged with a wedding date set) before two months. That’s why they had returned from the house party. Nigel had to begin playing in earnest and it was too late to look for another prospective bride. All the good ones at London would be already taken and Sara was close at hand.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

“It’s horrible, I don’t want a party like that,” Sara said as she rode in front of John, they were sharing one horse. “But I made my uncle promise that both you and Kate could come.”

“You shouldn’t have, darling,” John said, pulling on the rains to slow the horse a little.

“I won’t sit in a room full of people I don’t know with no one to talk to.” Sara said fiercely. “Kate and I are going tomorrow to buy dresses. It’s a waste of time and money but my uncle insists.”

“I’m sure you will look lovely.” John said, stopping the horse and dismounting and reaching up to help Sara down. Sara let her body rub against John’s all the way down. “Don’t play games.” John warned and took Sara’s hand.

“You know I’m serious,” Sara said.

John kissed Sara’s cheek softly. “I know, and that only makes it worse,” he said with a smile and turned to grab their things from the horse. Besides their rods they had a quilt to sit on and a generous lunch packed by Mrs. Sowerby.

Sara and John sat very close together at the edge of the pond. “My foot is half the size as yours.” Sara said as she wiggled her toes over John’s foot, they had taken off boots and socks and rolled their pants up to their knees.

“You’re half the size I am,” John said, wrapping his arm around Sara’s waist and cuddling her close. “But you’re far more pretty,”

“Well, of course,” Sara said with an impish smile, snuggling into him. This was one of the things she loved about fishing: the quiet. She could sit there for hours and talk to John, she might or might not catch anything but it was relaxing all the same.

After a few hours sitting by the pond, John and Sara decided to have their picnic and sat on the spread quilt and ate the cold meal Mrs. Sowerby had prepared for them. “Are you happy?” John asked.

“Yes,” Sara said with a huge smile. “This day almost makes up for the horrid party my uncle is going to throw for me.” Sara added, no quite so happy anymore.

“It’s going to be a nice party, I’m sure; Lord Stapleton wouldn’t let them do it otherwise.” John said.

“Are you going to dance with me? At the ball?” Sara asked, climbing on top of John. “I know you don’t like dances… but,”

“If my lady is kind enough to save a dance for me, of course.” John said, brushing back Sara’s hair and kissing her exposed neck. “Though I doubt it will be the case. The place is going to be crawling with eligible suitors. You won’t have a moment for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sara, your uncle is trying to match you with someone. I guess he wants you to pick a husband. You’re of age, after all.”

“John, in my heart there is no other.” Sara said as she moved more firmly over John, bringing their bodies together.

“Sara,” John said like someone who was being subjected to a cruel but delicious torture.

“No other,” Sara repeated, letting all of her weight on John, and kissed him. She liked that she was able to be bold with John, she didn’t have to hide her herself, she could give into her desires and express her ideas and do what she felt like doing knowing that he wouldn’t scold her or think less of her.

With a groan of surrender, John gave in, kissing Sara, running his hands over Sara’s willing body, Sara let him roll them until John was on top and she was neatly tucked under him. She loved the feel of John’s body all around her.

“You’re going to drive me crazy; you know that, don’t you?” John said against her lips for once letting his hands move up from her waist to her breasts.

“Oh, John – yes,” Sara said incoherently.

“I shouldn’t—” John began, but lost completely his train of thought when Sara tugged at the buttons of her shirt until this fell open revealing the pale, soft skin he had been dreaming of ever since he could remember. “You play dirty, angel.”

“But I get my way,” Sara grinned, unconcerned by the amount of skin she was showing and opening her arms to John.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

It took two full weeks to plan the ball, Sara’s had been moody with everyone and reluctant every step of the way. Even Kate, who usually hated gatherings (specially when they were full of people she didn’t know), was taking it more calmly. The two of them had gone to the village and commissioned two dresses. Kate’s was to be made in the palest shade of pink, Sara’s would be in a jeweled shade of blue (Sara rather thought it was like John’s eyes), and it went really well with the locket John had given her for her birthday.

Oh, Sara blushed just remembering her birthday. John had kissed her and touched her more boldly than ever before – he still refused to make love to her, even though Sara was willing – but she had made her feel all sorts of lovely, warm things that day.

“I feel like I’ve been standing here smiling for hours and hours.” Sara complained when the last of the guests arrived.

“Introductions had to be made,” Lord Stapleton said with a smile. “Now the fun can begin.”

“Oh, there is Kate and John, finally.” Sara said and practically ran to the two of them. John looked very handsome in his sober evening attire. And Kate, well, she was one of the most beautiful women Sara had ever known, so it didn’t came as much of a surprise when she showed up looking adorable and striking.

“You look beautiful, Sara.” John said, taking Sara’s hand and kissing it.

“I look like a rag compared to Kate.” Sara said with good humor, moving to stand right next to John.

“And I still think this dress is much too extravagant.” Kate said mortified, she was pretty sure her whole year’s salary wasn’t enough to pay for the dress. But John had told her not to worry and buy whatever dress she liked, that he would pay.

“Kate, you deserve it.” John said. “Think nothing of it.”

Kate sighed and rolled her pretty green eyes, sometimes she thought that John went a bit over the top with trying to provide for her. On the other hand, if he hadn’t been able to afford the dress, he wouldn’t have let her buy it, John, for all his love for his siblings, was very practical; he didn’t buy what he couldn’t afford.

“Sara!” Fred said coming over with Nigel. “Come on, you have to make the rounds! And I have to be with you to introduce you to everyone,” he said animatedly.

“But I was talking to John and Kate,” Sara protested as Nigel clamped his hand around Sara’s arm. “And I was already introduced to everyone,”

“Come on, you don’t want to be rude.” Fred coaxed.

Sara threw John a desperate look and rolled her eyes. “Wait for me here, will you?”

“We’ll be here, Sara.” Kate said with a brilliant smile.

Letting her shoulders sag a little, Sara allowed Fred and Nigel to lead her away, wishing that the party was over already.

John and Kate stayed together for about five minutes, talking amicably. John noticed that many of the present men were looking at Kate, and he figured he would probably have to spend the night fending them away and was fully prepared to do it when one of the faces staring at Kate came in focus, and a sudden rage took hold of John.

“Stay here,” John said to Kate and quickly got lost in the crowd.

Kate blinked, John’s voice let her know that there was something fishy going on, but looking around she couldn’t see what possibly could be going wrong, so she just shrugged. Not five minutes had passed since John had disappeared than the first gentleman –who introduced himself as Lord Mowbray - approached her and asked her for the first dance. Kate had shook her head gently and said that she had already promised it to someone else, but that perhaps later in the evening –which was a lie, but she had never been comfortable around strangers.

Lord Mowbray declared himself heart broken, excused himself and made Kate promise to save him the dance after the first set. Kate smiled and but didn’t agree to anything. Once he was gone, Kate noticed another gentleman approaching and quickly made her escape to the nearest door, unaware that she was being followed.

John was so angry he could barely see straight.

“What are you doing here?” He demanded as he stopped in front of a tall, blond man. A man that once upon a time he had called a friend.

“John! What a surprise I just –” Stephen, Lord Westman said warmly. Stephen had been the first friend he had made at Eton. When Fred had gone up and down telling lies about him and his family, most of the other children at school and scorned him. Stephen had sided with him though, and offered him his friendship. For almost ten years they had been the best of friends.

“If you wanted me to put another bullet through you, all you had to do was ask.” John said icily. “Otherwise, I would advice you to leave now.”

“John,” Stephen said. “I - .”

“You know you’re not welcome anywhere near Kate, I suggest you leave now, or this time I swear I’ll aim to you heart.”

“Please, John, I wanted to see her. I love Katherine.”

“You know nothing about love, Westman.” John’s tone turned cooler still as he eyed his once friend up and down. Westman had been one of the popular boys at Eton, and when most had mocked him for the things Fred said, Stephen had sided with John and they had become friends, had had many adventures together – sure, Stephen had always been the ‘you-go-first’ kind of guy, but John had always been sure that he had his back… up until the day Stephen had broken Kate’s heart.

“I love Kate, John. I would have married her, truly. But I had a duty.”

“You had a choice, Stephen. It’s all about choices!” John said. “You swore to love her, you asked her to marry you. But when your father snapped his fingers you deserted Kate, fearing his disapproval and went and married the woman he chose for you. Is as simple as that.”

“Is not that simple, John you don’t know how much I have suffered being away from Katherine.”

“But I know how much she suffered after you deserted her. So I’ll tell you this once: If you come within twenty paces of my sister, I’ll kill you.” John said. He meant it too, after Stephen had deserted Kate, the two of them had dueled; back then, before he saw how much Kate really hurt, John hadn’t had the heart to kill him, he had put a bullet through his shoulder and left it at that, but now, after seeing how much Kate had been hurt, John wouldn’t be so kind.

“John,” Sara’s voice cut through his rage. “John,” She said again, taking John’s arm – Fred and Nigel were trailing close behind. “The dancing is about to start and I can’t find my uncle, would you dance the first set with me?”

“Of course,” John said, still glaring at Stephen, but allowing Sara to lead him away.

They took their position in the middle of the ballroom.

“Thank you,” John said as they waltzed. “I wouldn’t have controlled myself much longer.”

“I know. I’m sorry; I didn’t notice Fred invited him.” Sara said.

“It wasn’t your fault.” John said, smiling at Sara.

…

Kate wandered up the hall. She didn’t feel like spending much time in that stuffy ballroom. John was no where to be found and without him to act like a buffer, men would probably come and surround her, she had gotten enough proposals – decent and indecent – to know this to be true.

Kate slipped into the library and went to stand by the window, she probably should have closed the door but she didn’t. It was early still and she doubted people had begun to sneak about just yet.

“You should wander alone,”

Kate jumped and turned quickly. “Lord Stapleton,” She said and even she could hear the smile in her voice.

During the last few weeks they had spent a lot of time together, mostly at this very room. Lord Stapleton would always find a reason to summon her and then they would talk for hours, laughing and enjoying each other company. Kate was amazed how quickly she had come to trust him. She had always been shy, and after what had happened to her a couple of years before, she had become extremely mistrustful of men. But with Lord Stapleton, Kate felt safe and happy, and it wasn’t long before other type of feelings- which she had never expected to feel again – began to crawl into her heart.

“You’re lucky is just me. I saw how everyone was looking at you, you have to be careful.” Lord Stapleton said.

“I didn’t think, just wanted to get away for a moment.” Kate said, and blushed a little.

“You look very beautiful tonight, Kate.” He said coming closer still, Kate was pretty sure they were standing too close but with Lord Stapleton she didn’t mind.

“It’s just a new dress, still the same old me.”

“Same old you is beautiful,” Lord Stapleton said as his fingers brushed against Kate’s cheek, running down her neck and to her shoulder.

“Lord Stapleton ---”

“Robert,” he said, letting his hand cup the back of Kate’s slim neck. “Call me Robert, please.”

“Robert,” Kate said in a low, husky voice she barely recognized as her own.

“I think I’m going to kiss you – I must.” He said and lowered his head slowly, brushing Kate lip’s in a gossamer kiss. “I really --”

Kate closed her eyes and tipped her chip up. Robert, feeling very much like a lad with his first love, brought Kate more fully into the shelter of his body and kissed her for a long time.

----

End of Chapter Five

…


To Darling Lauren 'cause her idea got me out of my stuck place!

Luv ya girl!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WRITTEN IN THE RAIN

Chapter SIX:

New Developments

No one really wants his or her life to change, but it happens. Bottom line, the thing is that even when we see change coming, we are never ready for it when it strikes. Change hit the delicate balance of Silverhill like a thunderbolt: suddenly and out of nowhere. John never saw it coming.

It was a peaceful morning, he was doing some of the accounting of the state as it was time to pay the servants wages. Usually Kate helped him but she had claimed that she had something else to do and wandered off. Sara would be occupied at the school until three so John was left with the tedious work of reviewing the accounts and tally expenses and the like. He was actually rather glad for the interruption when Barnaby –the butler- had come to say that there was a visitor for Lord Stapleton but that he couldn’t find Lord S. anywhere.

John told Barnaby to send the visitor to the library – where he was working – and to keep trying to find Lord Stapleton.

“Lord Stapleton?” The man – who was just John’s age or perhaps a little older. “I was lead to believe you were older.”

“I’m not Lord Stapleton, I’m John Parker, the estate manager, I’m afraid Lord Stapleton is currently unavailable but if there is something I can help you with, eh, I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”

“I’m Gerald Kane, Lord Trevelyan.” The man introduced himself as he sat down at one of the chairs in front of the desk John was currently occupying.

“My lord,” John said with a nod and sat a little straighter. “Would you like to drink something?”

“Yes, please, it has been a long trip from London.” Nodding again, John indicated Barnaby to bring refreshments.

“Well, I’m not sure how long will it take for Lord Stapleton to come back but if I can be of any help, you just need to ask.”

“Actually, I’m not exactly looking for Lord Stapleton, I’m interested in talking with his niece, Lady Sara Douglas, but since Lord Stapleton is her guardian I thought it would be for the best if I first asked him for permission to approach his niece. You see, I’m a member of London’s Historical Society and I’ve always been very interested in the late Lord Douglas’ work. I’m particularly interested in a manuscript he mentioned to several of his colleagues at the Society, but unfortunately no one knows where the manuscript is. I was hoping Lady Sara would have a clue on where it is.”

“I don’t know if she knows anything about it, but she’ll be back at three, if you wish to speak to her.” John said, he himself had read Sara’s father’s works at school and though they seemed interesting he had never particularly cared for treasure hunting (what Lord Douglas disguised as archeology work). “Or we could go look for her now, if you’re in a hurry.”

“Not exactly in a hurry but I would like to speak to her as soon as possible, yes. Though I would also like to have Lord Stapleton’s approval first.”

John nodded and went back to his accounting, he was rather looking forward to see Sara before expected, but if Lord Trevelyan wanted to wait, John didn’t have a good excuse to postpone his work.

“Is that her?” Lord Trevelyan interrupted a moment later.

“Mmm?” John said, looking up and following Lord Trevelyan’s pointing hand to a portrait of Sara which had been painted when she was seventeen.

“Lady Sara, I mean. Is that her?”

“Yes.” John said, smiling fondly at the portrait. Sara had been painted sitting on a swing in one of the gardens of the estate, flowers blooming all around her.

“I have heard rumors than the late Lady Douglas was very beautiful, she must have been, her daughter certainly is.”

“She looked like that, I suppose.” John said pointing to a portrait on the other side of the library. “That’s the late Lady Stapleton, she and Lady Douglas were sisters. Twins, in fact.”

Lady Stapleton had been a striking woman, short but well proportioned, with thick, dark hair like Sara’s and pale blue eyes (unlike Sara’s). She had died when John had been about seven years old, but he had always remembered her fondly. Lady Stapleton had been kindness personified. John’s mother had told him how Lady Helena had been the belle of the Season the year she had made her debut in London but that she had never been the snobbish type of girl who used her influence to make other people miserable, on the contrary, she had befriended wallflowers and girls who weren’t popular and helped and encouraged them to come out of their shells and she had also protected them from the slights from other popular girls.

John didn’t know if Lady Douglas had been like that too, but for the way Sara’s eyes clouded when she –in the rare occasions she did – talked about her mother, John very much doubted it. Mrs. Parker had never spoken ill of the late Lady Douglas – it was wrong to ill speak of the dead – but she had never praised any aspect of her character like she often did with Lady Stapleton. John himself remembered Lady Stapleton’s ready smile and the way she always sneaked him cookies when she had visited her mother after Mrs. Parker married Mr. Parker.

“Tell me, Mr. Parker, how is Lady Sara? Do you think she’ll be willing to help me?”

“Sara will do whatever she can to help whoever she can.” John said with a smile. But then again, thinking of Sara always made him smile.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Kate was trying to do her job quickly, she had a lot to do before Sara returned from the school and the two of them could begin working on the order of supplies for the following week. Usually, she wouldn’t have had so much to do but she had been neglecting her work just a little –too much – during the last couple of weeks. But, in all truth and fairness, it wasn’t exactly all her fault.

Currently she was in the music room, all the way in the back of the house, pretty sure she was all alone. She had told two of the maids to polish the grand piano there and now she was checking that the girls had done so. Kate had always liked that piano, she couldn’t play more than a few songs, none of them complicated, but she had always loved that piano and loved to listen when Sara played. She began to test the keys and run her fingers in a quick scale, she had never played with great technique but she loved doing it.

She was so absorbed, trying to remember the first bars of a Mozart piece, that she didn’t hear when the door of the music room closed with a soft click. She didn’t notice there was someone else in the room until that someone else wrapped his arms around her. At first she tensed, but then she positively melted when she felt him press small kisses to the column of her neck and nuzzle her hair.

“My lord, you shouldn’t!” Kate said in a loud whisper.

“I thought we had agreed you would call me Robert,” Lord Stapleton said.

“When we are alone, but someone could overhear us here, the door is open and -”

“You really have to pay more attention, I closed the door.” He said, turning Kate so she could see the closed door, and then he took her by the hips and lifted her until she was sitting on the piano. “I saw you come in a few moments ago and I followed you.”

“So you head my disastrous attempt at playing?” Kate said mortified.

Lord Stapleton – Robert pressed a kiss to Kate lips and smiled. “It wasn’t disastrous; you looked very adorable just then, trying to remember what note came next.”

“I still feel you’re making fun of me.” Kate said suspiciously.

Robert laughed and kissed her until she forgot the very idea, his arms holding her safe and his lips distracting her from everything else outside the moment she was sharing with him. They had been like this ever since Sara’s belated birthday party. Some days she would be walking about, making mental lists of the things that needed to be done in the house, when suddenly and arm would shoot out from behind a door and pull her inside, and Kate would find himself alone with Robert and he would kiss her senseless.

Other times, Kate would claim to go for a walk and leave the manor and she would meet Robert outside and they would walk together and talk for hours and hold hands. He told her about his travels and all the places he had been to, and she would tell him about how it was like to grow up in Silverhill with John and Sara. And so their relationship wasn’t just about illicit kisses and clandestine embraces.

Kate fell in love.

She had never thought it would be possible for her to ever fall in love again after Lord Westman’s deception, and she was surprised when she realized that time and distance had healed her heart and she had never suspected she would be brave enough to let another man become so important to her, but it had happened.

After a few more heated kisses, Robert let her go. “Will you come to my room tonight?” He asked.

Kate blushed, she still blushed when the subject was brought up but she nodded anyway. They hadn’t jumped into bed together right away but it did happen, and though Kate knew that she should feel embarrassed about how easily she had compromised herself and her morals, she couldn’t bring herself to feel guilt or even regret, not when she was with Robert. He hadn’t seduced her, passion might have had to do something with it, but it was Kate’s choice to return to his bed after the first time –which had caught them both rather unaware.

Kate thought she must have had a very wanton, wicked heart because she enjoyed greatly what they did, the way he would caress her and kiss her slowly, is if he had all night, the way he made her feel special and when he cuddled her afterward. She loved falling asleep in his arms, even if she did have to wake up extra early to sneak back to her own room (or sneak him out of her room when he was the one who visited her).

With a final kiss, Lord Stapleton left.

“Tonight.” Kate thought.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Sara was in the middle of telling the little ones a story when someone knocked at the school’s door and Miss Yarrow went to open it.

“Mr. Parker! What a delight to see you,” She said, already pressing herself to John’s side, the little tramp.

“Good morning, Miss Yarrow.” John said, moving quickly out of her reach. “I just need to borrow Lady Sara for a moment if it’s not a bother.”

“Oh, of course,” Miss Yarrow said disappointed and Sara had to bit the inside of her lips not to smile as she approached John.

“What is it?” She asked softly, so Miss Yarrow wouldn’t hear.

“You have a visitor.”

“I don’t know anyone,” Sara said plainly. “Who is it?”

“Oh, that would be me.” A voice said and Sara was gave a small, startled jump. In her happiness of seeing John, she hadn’t noticed the man behind him.

Now she did and she couldn’t help to stare a little. The man was a little bit shorter than John, and had a lot of blond hair cut in the long side of short; his eyes were of a pale blue, his mouth etched with sensual lines. He was the most classically handsome man Sara had ever seen up close, almost like a fairy tale prince.

“I’m sorry,” he said in a pleasant voice. “Didn’t mean to startle you. Allow me to introduce myself,” he said with a bow in her direction. “I’m Gerald Kane, Viscount Trevelyan, and I have a few questions to ask you Lady Sara.”

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

End of Chapter Six.

[CrazyClavie]

WRITTEN IN THE RAIN

Chapter Seven: Good Intentions

People tend to do things for a lot of different reasons, and some times, even when the intentions are good, the outcomes are unpredictable. Meaning well doesn't necessary means that things will end well.

As spring moved steadily into summer, the inner workings of Silverhill were changed forever in ways that no one could even begin to fathom just yet. Some could say it all started the day Viscount Trevelyan arrived, all smiles and polite manners, some say it started earlier than that but, in life, is very difficult to establish clear culprits. You rarely can say 'this happened exactly because this happened before', you can't affirm that you're a certain way because of a cookie you ate when you were twelve.

At Silverhill, the wheel of fate had been set into motion and as it began to spin on its own axis fate began to deal the cards, waiting for those who would play.

Lord Stapleton had to say something about young Lord Trevelyan, he was sneaky and charming. Somehow he had managed to convince Sara to help him with his research – especially after Lord Stapleton had confirmed that many of her father’s things were in the house’s attic packed up in eight crates that hadn’t been opened in years – and managed to also get himself invited to stay at Silverhill during the course of his research.

Sara was truly awed, Lord Stapleton didn’t really like to have strangers in his house, but what with the fact that the nearest inn was all the way out in Bakewell, there hadn’t been really any other place for Lord Trevelyan to stay.

Lord Trevelyan ended up staying at Silverhill for a full month… and it was clear to everyone that he was enchanted with Sara. He insisted she helped him going through the crates and each time they found something interesting, he would explain it all to her, and tell her in how many ways her father, Lord Douglas, had done so many great things for archeology. Sara came to appreciate her father in certain way though, deep down, she still thought that being a brilliant archeologist didn’t compensate for being a lousy parent but she was at least learning a facet of him that she could admire a little.

At first, Sara had been really aggravated when Lord Trevelyan had asked her to help him go through the crates in the attic, she hated missing days from her work at school: Miss Yarrow hated her as it was and what with Sara spending so much time in the mansion – or showing Lord Trevelyan around when they got tired of looking through old books and diaries and artifacts – Sara just knew that Miss Yarrow would find a way to put herself in John’s path and rub herself all over him and, in Sara’s own opinion, she was only one who got to do that.

John wasn’t around as much now that Lord Trevelyan was around, he always found a reason to be outside, inspecting the fields or running errands in the neighboring towns; something that Sara found odd in deed since, on the occasions when they had talked, John and Lord Trevelyan seemed to get along pretty well. Both of them had gone to Eton – though Lord Trevelyan was a couple of classes ahead –and liked to talk, and make fun, of the teachers they had had, and they shared many views on social reform and industry.

Sara loved hearing John talk about such things. John had always been such a bright child and had grown into a bright man, he was both book-smart and life-smart, and Sara’s adoration for the man had nothing to do with her opinion about it.

“Lady Sara, it has been a pleasure being here.” Lord Trevelyan was telling her just the day before he returned to London with his findings, though he had said that he would come back to check some other things that were stashed up at the attic.

“We all liked having you here; it’s rare that we have guests.” Sara said with a smile, thinking that she would be completely free by the following morning to go to the school and resume her schedule.

Besides, something about Lord Trevelyan’s handsome looks unsettled her a little… and she wasn’t sure if that was good or bad, but she liked him anyway. She just hoped it wasn’t something bad.

“What about Lord Worthington?”

“Nigel?” Sara asked with a small laugh. “He has been here for months, I secretly thing that it’s because they don’t want him at home… and we have to put up with him.”

Sara expected him to laugh, John would have, but Lord Trevelyan just smiled, clearly finding it amusing but not willing to show it as it was very un gentlemanly –or lady like for that matter – to make fun of someone like that, to his credit, he didn’t reprimand her like Fred always did when Sara made fun of Nigel.

But that was the thing with Lord Trevelyan; Sara never knew what he was going to tell her. Sara could read John so, so well, they had been together for so long that it was like John was another part of her, another self but still the same person. Sara knew John, knew what he found amusing, knew that he knew that she did have a mean streak in her though she worked hard not to let it show and hold to her temper, John knew everything. But with Lord Trevelyan, Sara never knew, and she found that fascinating, he made her realized how small her world really was…

“My lady,” Lord Trevelyan said some time later after a lengthy pause.

“My lord?” Sara said, sensing the change in the mood.

“Lady Sara,” He began again and stopped, “I know it’s terribly forward of me, but would you mind it terribly if I used your first name?”

“Of course not, after a month acquaintance I don’t think is very improper, is it? I really don’t know the rules of polite society beyond Silverhill.”

“I think it should be alright, Sara. You can, of course, call me Gerald if you wish.” Sara nodded. “You know, Sara, I don’t understand what you are doing here in Silverhill? Someone with your beauty and breeding would be a success in London.”

“That’s what everyone keeps telling me,” Sara said with a smile. “But I don’t worry too much about it. Uncle Robert says I should be concerning myself with finding a husband instead of staying here, but I like it here. It’s peaceful.”

“But you are not, say, adverse to the idea of marriage?”

“Not with the right man, no.” Sara said, thinking about her right man –who had gone off to Derby that morning and wouldn’t be back until the following day. “I know most people don’t expect me to say that, not after the utter failure of my parents’ marriage, but I’ve seen real love. John and Kate’s parents, for example, and even Uncle Robert when he talks about my Aunt – but, why are we talking about this?” Sara said suddenly, stopping herself, she was talking too much.

“Oh, nothing,” Gerald said with a secretive smile. “Just idle thoughts… I hope to be back soon, I need to show my findings to the Society but I hope to be back to finish with the rest of your father’s things. If that’s agreeable with you?”

“It will be fine; I’ll look forward to it.” Sara said with a smile and when Gerald smiled back at her, she blushed.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Lord Stapleton came awake very early the following morning. In the time he had been with Kate it had become very clear that she was a complete pillow hugger, so he always ended up being the one waking her up, either to let her know he was going to sneak back to his room, or to help her back to her room.

They were on their sides – a bit in a spoon-like fashion- on Robert’s big beg, lately that’s where they always slept as Kate’s bed was much smaller, and because he liked having her there with him, surrounded by his things and looking like she belonged right there.

It comforted him.

Checking the clock on the bedside table, Robert realized that he better wake Kate up soon; the servants would be up and about soon, but at the same time he didn’t want to wake her up, or at least not to sneak her out and up to her room.

Robert stared at Kate’s naked back and smooth shoulders, and at all of her honey-blond hair spilled about his pillows and loved the sight of her there. If only everything else were so easy. His conscience had been nagging at him lately, as he realized that he had fallen in love with a girl young enough to be his daughter, he had been thinking about a lot of things.

He and Kate could shut out the world when they were together but they couldn’t do it forever and he knew it. He had compromised Kate so many times and, though he had been careful as not to get her pregnant, if their relationship was known, it would ruin her. Everyone at Silverhill loved the Parkers, that was true, but Silverhill was a small, out-of-the-way little thing of a village, and people were very set on their ideas. If they found out that he and Kate were lovers, they would shun her.

And Kate wouldn’t be able to marry now. Oh, Robert supposed that a marriage could be arranged – if it ever came to that- he could make a settlement for Kate, but just the idea galled at him. He didn’t want Kate to be with anyone else. It was selfish and twenty different kinds of immature, but that was how he felt. And she would never be his mistress, Kate wouldn’t let him support her and settle her up. She had made clear to him that they were together because they wanted to.

The only time Robert had seen her close to losing her temper was one night when he had been talking about how he would like dress her in pretty, silk dresses and beautiful jewels. Kate’s expression had closed and she had told him in no uncertain terms that what she felt for him was special and that she wouldn’t let him cheapen her feelings for him by treating her as if she were a loose moral-ed woman who was with him for his money.

He had taken the hint and apologized, and was smart enough to never bring it up again; but a part of him still wanted to take care of her, wanted to provide for her and keep her safe, happy and healthy and by his side.

As these thoughts chased each other in his mind, Robert scooted closer to Kate, placing his hand at her hip and sliding it down over her stomach, bringing her closer to him. She murmured sleepily and turned in his arms.

“Wake up,” he said, kissing her softly.

Kate turned a little more and buried her face against his chest. His desire flared into life.

“You’re a pillow hugger if I ever saw one.”

“It’s early,” she said, “And you kept me up half of the night.”

“I’m sorry,”

“Don’t be,” She said with a smile, opening her arms to him and holding him close.

Robert smiled and sank into Kate’s small, warm body as a thought struck him.

Who would have thought that Kate Parker, with her undemanding nature and sweet smiles could get him to contemplate what the many women who had thrown themselves at him over the years hadn’t managed.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

The next day, after Lord Trevelyan left, Sara was free to go back to working at the school; she was so excited to return to her little ones! Miss Yarrow had been completely annoyed when the kids – all of them, not just her chargers – had raced to her and hugged her and show her their progress in the weeks she hadn’t been there.

Sara had hugged and kissed every child in the class and praised their efforts on math or grammatical improvement or just a pretty picture they had drawn.

By the time it was three o’clock and the children had all gone on their way, and Sara had had to put up with Miss Yarrow sullen demeanor, Sara was free to go back to Silverhill. She assumed that John wasn’t back yet or he would have gone get her.

Thinking on surprising him when he got home, Sara took the path to Cherrywood Cottage, making plans for the things she wanted to do. If he came early, she could stay with him and cook him a meal, if he came up late, well, she would leave him something to eat and tidy up his house –though usually there was little to tidy up as John was pretty neat with all his things.

She was just unlocking the front door of the cottage when the door opened from the inside and she was pulled through the door.

“John!” Sara said with a huge smile, throwing her arms around him. “You’re back! Have you been here long?”

“Not long, just arrived, I saw you coming down the path.” He said as he closed the door and gently pushed until Sara’s back was against the door and he was leaning into her.

“John?” She asked, noticing the intensity that radiated out of him.

“Is Trevelyan gone?” He asked suddenly.

Sara nodded, thinking that perhaps it wasn’t for the best if she told him that she and the young Viscount were now on a first name basis. “Yes, he left early this morning. He said he’ll be back though, in a few weeks.”

“Did he say why?” John asked in that same intense way.

Sara shrugged- “He said he wanted to go over some of the other of my father’s things but that he had to show his findings to the Historical Society first.”

A rueful smile broke across John’s face. “You can be so innocent sometimes.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sara said, her temper flaring a little and she scowled at him.

John shook his head, relaxing a little. “I’ve seen they way he looks at you, Sara. I know what he’s thinking and…”

“John, don’t talk in riddles with me.”

“And I know you find him attractive too. Don’t deny it, I know you more than well enough to know.”

Sara flustered a little, but knew that she had to answer with total honesty, John deserved no less. “I find him attractive, yes. The same way you can look at a woman and see that she’s pretty. It doesn’t mean anything beyond that.”

“Are you sure, Sara? He’s the kind of man you should be with, and I know he likes you, and…”

A delighted grin reached Sara’s lips. “You’re jealous!” She said.

“Don’t you look so pleased about it!”

“Oh, this is wonderful!!” Sara said, hopping up and down a little. “I’m usually the jealous one! I get to hold this over your head!”

“Sara, be serious.”

“Oh, I am, I find this delightful.”

“Sara…”

“Oh, John.” She said, hugging him tightly. “I love you; don’t you know that by now? I’m here and I’m yours whenever you want me, any way you want me.”

“You deserve more… Everything.”

“You’re my everything. All I need, all I want.”

John didn’t answer but he didn’t have to, he dropped his head to kiss Sara and showed her with the caress of his lips and of his hands how much he loved her.

Sara held on tight and kissed him back… things were a lot cleared to her when they were together. Sure, she found Gerald attractive, he was sleek and polished and good mannered and handsome, but John was everything else… kind, adoring, with his dark good looks and hard working nature, his broad back, his strong arms that held her safe from everything, nothing bad would ever happen to her as long as she was in his arms because he wouldn’t let it

In that moment Sara was sure there would never be other man, she thought about all the smiles he saved for her, about his practical nature and all the other things she knew about him.

This man, John, was her destiny.

Their love was strong, she was sure, but it would be strong enough to survive the chain of events that had been already set in motion and that could very well mean the end of the delicate balance the kept things bound together in Silverhill?

.-.-.-.-.-.-

End of Chapter Seven

.-.-.-.-.-.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Written in the Rain

Chapter Eight:

So Many Complications

Nigel was growing desperate, incredibly so. His father was growing more and more pushy about Nigel’s nuptials (as in he better married NOW or kiss bye-bye to the family’s money), and Lady Sara still wouldn’t look his way twice. She was still completely hung onto John Parker, and Lord Trevelyan wasn’t helping the matters.

After a lot of thinking, Nigel decided that he needed to act fast. He realized that he wasn’t likely to get rid of John any time soon – though it was a small mercy that he did not live in the manor – but Lord Trevelyan was gone and wouldn’t be back for a couple of weeks. Nigel saw this as his window of opportunity and decided to act upon it. He had hoped it wouldn’t come to this but he was fully prepared to compromise Sara and then offer to fulfill his duty by her and marry her before another month was out.

It was late one night and it was storming. Nigel had spent the better part of two hours drinking alone in the library, waiting for the right moment… Sara was had stayed late in the kitchen with Miss Parker working on the household expenses. He would wait until they made their way upstairs and jump –literally – Sara when she was left alone.

It was just before midnight when Lady Sara and Miss Parker made their way upstairs. Nigel waited until he heard Miss Parker continue her journey up the stairs to the third floor and then he quickly climbed the rest of the stairs to the second floor and stalked Sara.

Sara felt unease, but she told herself there as no reason for it. The house as safe and Nigel and Fred hadn’t been up to their old tricks for a good, long while. But she couldn’t shake the sensation that someone was following her, and cursed that her room was the very last on the hallway – she had the best view of the garden, but it was a little out of the way from Fred’s room and Lord Stapleton’s master suite –she began to walk faster, scolding herself for being paranoid but walking fast none the less.

She had just passed Fred’s door when she felt arms clamp around her, and a big, sweaty hand cover her mouth and nose. She could smell alcohol and when the voice came from somewhere behind her ear, she knew who was clutching her so and began to trash about. Trying to yell but barely getting enough air to breathe…

“Stop that!” Nigel’s voice commended, the words slurred together. “You’ll see how this works well for the two of us!”

Sara’s vision was beginning to curl and turn black around the edges, she was going to lose consciousness and she knew it, her head felt fuzzy and cotton-filled, she needed to do something. When Nigel’s sweaty paw slip a little, Sara opened her mouth and bit into his hand, clamping her teeth shut as hard as she could. Nigel jumped and trusted her away.

Sara hit the wall with a dull thud and let out a wail, screaming with all of her strength, she screamed and screamed again but before long, Nigel was over her again.

“Shut up!” Nigel hissed.

One moment Sara’s terror clouded vision was filled by Nigel’s angry face, and the next there was nothing but the ceiling. With jerky movements, Sara gathered herself against the nearest wall, trying to appear invisible. She didn’t know if cry or scream or go kick something. Two big shapes where engaged in a fight, rolling over and over and letting out curses.

“Sara, Sara…Sara!” She heard in the distance, as if the voice was coming through a very long tunnel.

She didn’t answer, just stared ahead. She almost didn’t recognize John’s big shape as he pounded the living-hell out of Nigel. After some time, Sara couldn’t know how long, it seemed a century to her. John let Nigel’s limp body fall down. Nigel groaned and rolled over, but didn’t try to rise again.

Sara could still hear that someone was calling her name but she couldn’t react, she tried to open her mouth, say something, but all that came out was a blood, curling scream.

Something had frozen on John’s veins when she had heard Sara’s scream. He had been waiting the storm to slow down a little before heading home, he had just said goodbye to Sara and Kate as they had gone upstairs to their rooms. He was waiting, pacing a little in front of the staircase, thinking that, if the storm didn’t stop in ten minutes, he was going home any way, water or no water.

Then Sara’s scream had reached his hears. John had run up the four flights of stairs to the second floor, half blind and more than half crazy with rage and fear. Sara’ had sounded so scared. And then John had seen Nigel all over Sara. He lost it. John wasn’t really a violent person but he went after Nigel like a rabid animal.

He stopped, eventually, when Nigel stopped fighting back, he let him drop and tried to control himself. He looked over at Sara and his heart broke at her blank stare. Kate – who had come down a moment after John arrived – was trying to get Sara’s attention, but she was unresponsive. Lord Stapleton tried too, but Sara just began to scream and scream, covering her ears with her hands and beginning to rock back and forth.

It broke John’s heart. He pushed Lord Stapleton out of the way and wrapped Sara in a secure, strong hold. She trashed a little but John began to talk to her.

“It’s me, Sara, it’s me. You’re safe.” He said, over and over again.

John’s voice seemed to do the trick, a little bit of color returned to Sara’s face and she began to tremble but at least wasn’t screaming anymore.

“That’s better,” He said when Sara went limp in his arms, her head resting against his shoulder. John picked her up slowly, and she wrapped both arms and legs around him, like a small girl. John carried her to her room – never minding Lord Stapleton and Fred who were standing about, unable to do anything since Sara simply wouldn’t respond to them.

Between Kate and John, Sara was tucked into her bed.

“No,” She said, stopping Kate when she was going to blow out the candles. “I’ll be afraid in the dark.”

“Alright,” Kate said, leaving a candle burning at Sara’s bedside table.

“Try to sleep,” John said gently.

“You won’t go, will you?” Sara asked frantically, grabbing John’s hand and not letting o. “I don’t want to sleep without you, and I don’t want to wake up without you. I’ll be afraid.”

“John can’t stay, Sara.” Lord Stapleton cut from the doorway.

“Please,” She begged.

John nodded and sat next to Sara, “Only until you fall asleep, Kate and I will stay.”

Sara nodded, scooting closer to him. John ran his fingers through Sara’s dark, chocolate-y hair in what he hopped was a soothing manner.

Lord Stapleton moved forward, as it to protest but Kate threw him a look and shook her head, as if to say that he would do more harm than good by making John leave. Sara was shaky still, holding to her reality for a fine thread, feeling safe just because John was there with her. Propriety should be ignored for the time being…

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Dawn was coming through the windows when Sara woke up; she looked around and saw that Kate was asleep in the daybed under the window. And John had fallen asleep on a chair next to her bed, Sara was still clutching his hand and he was sprawled in a position that didn’t look at all comfortable. Sensing she was awake, John came awake with a little start, he looked around trying to figure out where he was, then his eyes landed on Sara and they both smiled.

Sara tugged at John’s hand playfully, trying to bring him closer. John resisted a little but then gave in, or at least was going to when a knock came from the door and the moment was lost.

“Sara, you look better this morning,” Lord Stapleton said though his gaze encompassed both Sara and John.

“Yes, uncle, I’m feeling better. There wasn’t really any harm done, thanks to John.” Sara said.

“Yes, well. John, I would like to speak to you for a moment before you leave,” Lord Stapleton said and turned to leave. As he did this, he caught sight of Kate sleeping by herself in the window seat; his gaze lingered on her for a moment too long but the left swiftly, trying to cover that last fact.

“I better go down now,” John said, rising from his chair and moving closer to Sara. “Will you be alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine; I just got scared last night. But you were there and everything is fine now.”

“Alright, then.” John said, bending over Sara to kiss her forehead and then moving down a little bit to kiss her lips softly. “I love you, Sara.”

“Love you, John,” Sara murmured.

John tucked Sara’s blanket a little more snuggly around her and then woke up Kate and left the room, rolling his shoulders to work out some of the stiffness in them. Sara’s chair had been incredibly uncomfortable. Covering a huge yawn and tucking in his shirt to get it to be somewhat presentable again, John knocked on Lord Stapleton’s library door.

“Come in,” Lord Stapleton called and John pushed to door open.

“You wished to speak with me, sir?”

“Yes.” He answered and paused. “Though I’m very grateful for what you did for Sara last night, I can’t help but to notice that your behavior with her was most untoward. As Frederick has pointed out several times in the past, you and Sara much to close to each other…”

“We have always been, that had never been a problem before.” John answered, already knowing where this conversation was headed.

“She wasn’t of marrying age before.” Lord Stapleton said. There was another lengthy pause. “Before leaving, Lord Trevelyan informed me of his intentions to ask for Sara’s hand in marriage when he returns next month to finish his investigation. I plan to accept on Sara’s behalf.”

“With all due respect, do you really think Sara would accept?” John asked, his voice turning icy.

“Sara will see that this is what’s best for her. If you wish to retain your job, John, I suggest you stay away from Sara. She’ll leave soon enough and you’ll be able to move on. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t like you, I esteem you and I esteemed your mother, but things are what they are. Marrying you would only be on Sara’s detriment and I can’t allow that.”

“Detriment?” John said slowly. John closed his eyes and shook his head.

“I’m saying this for your own good as well.”

“Kindly, sir, don’t assume what’s for my own good.” John said. “You say that I can keep my job and be near Sara? Very well, then, I’ll stay till the end of the month to finish up the current pending matters of the estate. Meanwhile I’ll suggest you’ll find another manager.”

“And what are you going to do then? Without a secure job, how do you plan to provide for Sara if she’ll have you?”

“My lord, I don’t need this job to provide for Sara, if she’ll have me.” John said, and left. “I’ll be back later to take care of the daily business. If you wish me to train my replacement, you should find him fast. Now, if you’ll excuse me I’ll go home change.”

Having said so, John simply turned around and left.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Fred was conflicted!

As Nigel had pointed out, it had been initially Fred’s own idea that Nigel compromised Sara to force her marry him. At the time, Fred had thought it was for the best… up until he had seen Sara’s scared eyes and heard her scream her terror. It had been incredibly shameful for him to admit it, but he had done something wrong… and he didn’t know if he would ever be able to forgive himself…

He just hoped that Nigel would keep his mouth shut and don’t rat him out…

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Sara was impatiently pacing about in the library by the time John made it back from Cherrywood Cottage; she was wearing a pretty cream colored muslin dress and pacing in the library. Kate was quietly sitting on her usual chair by the window and fixing the cuff of a man’s shirt – not John’s though, as if Sara would let her.

“There you are!” Sara said, going to him quickly. “I have been waiting for you forever!”

“I’ve only been gone an hour, sweetheart.” John answered.

“What did Uncle Robert want to talk with you about? He was angry after you left.”

“Well, it turns out I won’t be working for you uncle after this month is over.” John said slowly.

“WHAT? Where are you going? Why?” Sara said quickly, firing question after question and clutching at the front of John’s coat.

“Sara, angel, calm down,” He said and cupped her cheeks in his hands.

“You can’t leave me!”

“And I’m not… your uncle said that I couldn’t keep my job and be with you –”

“He didn’t!” Sara exclaimed and Kate stopped inspecting the shirt’s cuff and looked at John questioningly.

“He did, so I quit. I’ll just finish the pending business and help train my replacement if you uncle hires someone before the month is through. But when that time is up, I’m going to ask you to marry me.”

“You are?” She asked, her eyebrows going up in wonder, and though she was angry at her uncle’s actions, she couldn’t help but to glow with happiness. She thought John would never ask her. Not because he didn’t love her or lacked the spine, but because John always thought she deserved better and Sara thought it would take her much longer to convince him that HE was the best for her.

“I am. I hope you say yes.” He said with a smile. Now that he had made the decision everything seemed cleared, his heart felt lighter. It had started last night when Lord Stapleton had wanted him to leave Sara’s room. John realized he didn’t want to be in a position where he wouldn’t have a right to take care of Sara. And this morning when Lord Stapleton had talked about giving Sara to Lord Trevelyan, it became real to John. He could lose Sara forever, and he found out that he was selfish enough not to want that to happen.

So he had quit his job on the spot. Sure, he loved Silverhill, it was the place of his spirit, but Sara was his heart and soul and as long as he had her, John would be fine.

“I’m going to.” Sara said and stood up in her tip toes and kissed John soundly.

Sara and John were too wrapped in each other to notice Kate expression but, though she kept her smile in place, her eyes had turned sad, and they had filled with unshed tears as something in her soul broke a little and she suddenly knew, just knew, that she would never be fully happy. Not like John and Sara, for she loved one man and now she knew that his views of the world would forever keep apart.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

End of Chapter Eight



-----------------------------------------------------------

Written in the Rain

Chapter Nine: Not So Welcome Surprise

Sara was over the moon from the moment John had told her that he was going to propose by the end of the month. She began to make plans: how she wanted her dress to be, when she would like to be married, Would John mind if Sara kept working at the school? Surely not, the school was a very dear project of the two of them.

She was a little sad that John was so busy all the time though, he really didn’t want to have any pending affairs after the end of the month, he had been taught that a job well done was it’s own reward so he wanted his projects for the estate to be finished and finished well before he left the post.

Lord Stapleton wasn’t really looking for a new estate manager, though, and that seemed a little odd to Sara, but he hadn’t spoken to her about it but Sara tried not to read too much into it as her betrothal to John wasn’t quite official yet – but it would be, John always kept his word, so Sara considered herself already engaged formally. She wondered if Lord Stapleton would really object the marriage once the announcement was made.

It was true that he was Sara’s guardian and he could object, in which case they would have to either elope or wait until she turned 25 and became of age, but that was three years away and she didn’t want to wait that long. Uncle Robert could also retain Sara’s inheritance –at least till her 25 birthday upon which her father’s fortune would pass to her (in case she hadn’t married yet) – but that didn’t worry Sara at all, she knew John wasn’t marrying her for her money, and she had a little money she had saved herself – out of her quarterly allowance which she had been receiving ever since she was fifteen – it wasn’t much, really, just about two thousand pounds or so, but if there was ever a need for money, that was a bit of patrimony for the two of them.

Oh, Sara was brimming with plans, and her head was on the clouds. But not so in the clouds that she didn’t notice that something was wrong with Kate, she seemed upset and listless more often than not. It was not that Sara thought Kate wasn’t happy for her and John, but there was a lingering sadness about her that had Sara worrying, especially when Kate had seemed so happy in the last few weeks…

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Kate was getting ready for bed, brushing out her hair. Robert always laughed that she insisted on donning her nightgown every night, even when he was going to wiggle her out of it a few minutes later, but old habits died hard, Kate supposed.

“I do love your hair,” Robert said as he came to her.

Kate gave her long, golden mane a little shake; the stuff fell almost down to her waist and was just a little wavy without getting frizzy. She had always thought it was one of her best features but she rarely got to wear it down as it was not proper for unmarried ladies of certain age to wear their hair down.

There was a pause and she realized that Robert was waiting for her answer, she just smiled then, she didn’t know what to say. Lately she had found herself very tongue-tied around him, unsure of what to say or how to behave.

“Seems like Sara is set on marrying your brother,” Robert commented as he began to disrobe.

“They have loved each other since always; it wasn’t as if it was such a bit a surprise.”

“I wanted to stop it before it got too serious,” He said, tossing his shirt aside. “Is not that I don’t like John but I always thought he had a better head on his shoulders.”

“You pushed him, he reacted. He probably wouldn’t have quit if you hadn’t issued that ultimatum. He loves Silverhill, always had. Mama always said that Silverhill was a big part of John’s spirit.”

“Are you taking his side?” Robert asked without heat or rancor.

“No. I’m not taking anyone’s side.” Kate said gently with a little smile. “I just say that it should be acknowledged, their bond I mean. All their lives and they have only loved one another. I remember when John first brought Sara home… we were just children, of course, but I knew, even back then, and I’m pretty sure they knew too.”

“Knew what?”

“That they were each other’s destiny.”

“I don’t doubt John’s feelings but society won’t be kind to them. I just wanted to protect Sara.”

“I don’t know much about society, I’ve never been beyond Ashford, but I know this: John loves Sara more than what he has ever loved any other living being, more than what he loves Silverhill itself. I don’t believe that anyone else in this world would love Sara more or make her more happy.”

“Those are noble feelings, darling, but the world doesn’t work that way.”

“Evidently.” Kate said sadly.

“But let’s not talk about that, I have the feeling it’s going to make us fight.”

“I don’t want to fight.” Kate said and went to him.

“Me neither.” Robert said and grinned at Kate.

Kate kissed him and took the time to savor the moment and store it up deep within her heart. She loved kissing Robert, and when he held her she felt safe and warm. Happy. So, so Happy.

Too bad that she had come to believe that, for her, happiness was always doomed to be short.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

A few nights later, John found himself working late at his desk in the library. Well, he was working, alright, but every now and then, Sara could show up to offer him coffee or tea or her lips to be kissed and it was hard to concentrate when she did that.

“You work too much,” Sara said, wrapping her slender arms around him from behind as he sat at the desk, and leaning into him. “I won’t have you getting sick before you can make a proper married lady out of me, if you know what I mean.”

“You know, it’s not al all lady-like for a bride-to-be to think so much about the… wedding night.”

“That’s all we brides-to-be think about, and who denies it, it’s lying.” Sara said. “So, as you see, it’s important to me that all your parts are in working order.”

John laughed, “Though I don’t know how I feel about being married for my body, they are, don’t you worry.” He said, as he dragged Sara from behind the chair to set her on his lap. “As you can asses.”

“Sir, are you trying to seduce me?”

“No, just proving a point.”

“Drat! Here that I was just getting excited.” She said and exerted her little vengeance by wiggling her bottom rather deliberately.

“Shameless tease,” John said and brought their faces together for a kiss.”

“I should go now, right? So you can finish?” Sara asked dejectedly when he ended the kiss.

“Well, see it this way: the faster I finish the quicker I’ll be able to propose.”

“And I’ll be able to accept.”

“I’m going to contact Hugh,” John said mentioning his brother-in-law, Hugh Fields who had married John’s youngest sister Mary the previous year. “I think I better ask him to marry us, I wouldn’t like to get Vicar Jones into trouble in case your uncle feels really strongly about stopping our marriage.” He added.

“I don’t think he’ll go that far,” Sara said though she wasn’t all that sure. She had been sure Lord Stapleton wouldn’t object her marrying John but he had.

“I’m sorry to cause this rift between you and your uncle, Sara.”

“He’ll come around, when he sees how happy you make me.”

“I wish I could give you more.”

“Do I have your heart?” Sara asked.

“All of it.”

“Good, that’s all I need.”

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

It was either very late or very early, depending on how one wished to see it, Fred thought as he stumbled along the hall to his room. He had spent the better part of the night at the most disreputable tavern within five miles of Silverhill (which was not saying much at all). He had gambled, whored and got drunk; but the stakes weren’t high, there had only been one passably good looking tavern wench. At least the alcohol, though of poor quality, had done its job right and he was completely foxed.

In fact, he was so drunk he was having trouble finding his door.

Stumbling into the first room whose door he would open, Fred got the surprise of a lifetime.

He wasn’t in his room, but in his father’s. The fireplace was lit and the light coming from it was casting a soft, golden glow about the master bedroom.

And there, in the huge four poster-bed, was his father, the sheet hanging low on his hips and his body molded around a small female form. Lord Stapleton’s face was buried on a soft wealth of blond hair.

Now, Fred was drunk but he would have recognized Kate Parker anywhere. Like it or not, they all had grown up together, and when he had been very small –before Sara came to live at Silverhill – his mother had made him play nice with the Parker children.

And she was there, Kate, sleeping soundly on his father’s bed; one white, smooth shoulder exposed as Lord Stapleton’s arms held her close.

For a moment, Fred didn’t know what to do and then he just gave a vicious kick to the base of the bed. When that didn’t accomplish anything but to hurt his foot, Fred went to the nearest table and threw the first thing he could grab – a book – against the massive cheval mirror which stood near by the foot of the bed.

There mirror’s glass shattered with a very loud crash – to Fred’s satisfaction – and woke both Lord Stapleton, who rose on one elbow while keeping his other arm protectively thrown around Kate, who rolled over and sat up a little and then quickly grabbed the sheet and tugged it up to her shoulders.

Lord Stapleton raised his eyes to meet his son’s.

“Hello, Father,”

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

End of chapter nine

[CrazyClavie]

Written in the Rain

Chapter Ten:
BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO

The whole thing had been awful, Kate thought as she held still under the covers. From the moment Robert had come awake all he and Fred had done was yell at each other.

Kate looked from Robert to Fred, to her nightgown tossed over a chair by the fireplace and thought how long would it take her to go into the dressing room and retrieve her dress. She wondered if she could leave the room while they argued and if they would notice, she thought they wouldn’t but she didn’t want to risk walking around gathering her clothes while only wearing a blanket.

Being naked under a sheet was not so fun when Robert wasn’t with her, Kate decided.

“So, what exactly do you do?” Fred asked, addressing her from the first time. Kate had sort of tuned out when he had started calling her *^&$^& and ^$#@$^^. “Make his bed with you in it?”

“I don’t see why I should answer you.” Kate said, holding more tightly to her sheet. Noticing that, Robert picked up her nightgown and gave it to her. Kate nodded and managed to wiggly it on while covering herself with the sheets and quite grateful that Robert had gone to stand in front of her, shielding her from Fred’s view.

“I really never thought you were so dumb, one would think you learned your lesson the first time around. Did you really think Father was going to marry you?”

“No, I didn’t.” Kate said quietly, and that seemed to take some wind out of Fred’s sails.

“Well, at least you are not terminally stupid like your brother.” He said with derision.

“Frederick, stop with the name calling. And leave my room at once.”

“Aw, you want some alone time with your *^&$^&?”

“Now.”

“Don’t think we are done, Father. Have her gone by morning; I won’t have her in my mother’s house.”

“This is my house, Fred, not yours. Leave before I lose my patience.”

“So, you’re kicking me out because of her?”

“No, but –”

“Have her gone, Father. I can ruin her so easily, in fact, I don’t promise I won’t.”

And with that Fred left. Leaving them to sort the rest of the mess out.

“Perhaps it would be better if you did leave,”

Kate had been waiting for those words, almost from the beginning, knowing they would come any day now since they day John had quit his job. But hearing them was still a deep blow to her heart.

“Alright,” She said and went to the dressing room and threw on her dress and put on her shoes without bothering with the stockings and gatherers.

“It’s not that I want you to leave but I need to figure out what to do with Fred.”

Kate smiled though not in a happy way. “You’re never going to see me again.” She said.

“No, Kate, this is just temporary.”

“I know, I even understand. Fred is your son, I’m just me. You love the people you love; I always liked that about you. And perhaps I am a coward, but I love you enough not to stand in your way. I never expected you to marry me, I never really did. I know that people like you don’t marry people like me. I just wanted to share with you whatever time we had. And now is over.”

“Kate, I’m going to make this work.”

“No. You’re a good, fair man, for the most part; you know your role in life and the role of those around you. You like your life as it is, and when I’m gone, you’re going to talk yourself into thinking that if you lived without me for so long, you can do it again. And you will forget me, that’s how it works between good respectable men like you, and silly young girls like me who fall in love.”

“Kate,” He said sadly.

“Goodbye, Robert.”

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Dawn was just breaking when the pounding started and John stumbled down the stairs to answer the door and he came wide awake at the sight of his sister looking disheveled and with a small bag at her feet.

“I won’t be working at the manor anymore. I was wondering if I could stay with you for a little while.” Kate said.

“Of course,” John said and opened the door wide to let her inside.

Kate said, moving like someone so much more older in years: slowly and with effort. “Perhaps you should want to hear the story before saying that.”

“You’re my sister, you’re always welcome. But if you need to talk, I’ll listen.”

Kate dropped her face to her hands and began to cry in heart wrenching sobs and scared the hell out of John. Last time she had been like this was when she had read the announcement of Stephen’s wedding in the paper just a couple of weeks after he supposedly had gone to tell his father that he was going to marry her. John sat next to his sister and wrapped his arms around her as he had done so long ago, sensing that he was going to end up dueling someone again.

Kate told him everything, starting from the time she had accidentally met with Lord Stapleton in the library, to the time he had kissed her at Sara’s (belated) birthday ball and ending with just a few hours ago when Fred had walked on her and Lord Stapleton. She didn’t share the intimate details of course, but she knew by the way John tensed that he could fill the blanks as well as the next person.

John cursed and stood up to pace around the room frantically. “I’m going to kill him.”

“No, John, you will not.” Kate said. “Sara wouldn’t forgive you, and he didn’t make any promises to me. I did what I did because I wanted.”

“I can’t bear to watch you go through this again, Kate, I can’t. You’re my little sister… and,”

“I’ll be fine, John, if I learned anything at all from Stephen is that the pain of love gone wrong is not enough to die for. I will be fine again; I just need to stop feeling like my heart has been torn in a million pieces.”

“Oh, Kate,” He said, kneeling in front of his sister and giving her an awkward pat on the head. He hadn’t known what to do when Stephen broke their engagement, he didn’t know what to do now.

“Don’t hurt him John. Please, don’t.”

“I have to do something.”

“You’re doing enough.” Kate said reassuringly. Her heart was broken and stomped on, but she still tried to reassure him. That was Kate, always kind, always thinking about everyone else but herself. His sister was a jewel, John thought, and if Stephen and Lord Stapleton couldn’t see how lucky they were because she had gave them a piece of her heart, then they were damn fools who didn’t deserve her… now, if he could only convince his sister of that.

After Kate cried herself to sleep, John gently lifted her and put her in one of his guest room’s, covered her with a blanket and let her sleep. He would have wanted to stay with her and make sure she was fine, but she wouldn’t want that and he had business to take care of.

He was going to talk to Sara. There was no way they could marry now, not when her uncle, one of the people she loved the most, had hurt his sister so badly. He couldn’t bear to force her to make a choice between him and her Uncle, so he was doing it for her.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

When John arrived at Silverhill’s manor he was still angry as hell, but he had to finish his business, and then seek Sara.

“I wouldn’t go there, John,” the butler told him when he made it to go to the library, where he usually worked. He was just going to pick up some papers and go back home. He didn’t want Kate to be alone when she woke up.

“What is it?”

“Lord Stapleton has been in there for at least four hours, drinking alone. Master Frederick went in a, maybe an hour ago, and he came right out. I hadn’t seen his lordship in so bad shape since Lady Stapleton died.”

“Well, that’s too damn bad.” John said and went inside.

“GET OUT!” Lord Stapleton’s voice cut from the darkness.

“I’m not staying.” John said not masking the anger in his voice.

“Kate’s at your house?”

“My sister is not your concern, sir.” John said.

“I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

“Tell that to someone who cares.”

“You’ll want a duel.”

“My sister just wishes to be left alone, she doesn’t want to make a scandal, and a dead earl would cause just that. But understand this, my lord, the only thing that’s keeping me from putting a bullet through your heart is my sister’s wishes.”

“John?” Sara asked from the doorway, in her hand she clutched a piece of paper. “What’s going on?”

“What did you hear?” He asked.

“Not much, I just came in to tell Uncle Robert that Lord Trevelyan sent a telegram saying he hopes to avail to our hospitality next week. But then I heard you arguing and…”

“It’s time I left.” John interrupted and made his exit.

Sara stared after him, and glanced back to her uncle, there was something going on there that she hadn’t caught on yet, but she would. She would make John tell her.

“John, wait! What happened?”

“Ask your uncle.”

“I’m asking you.”

John was about to answer when he happened to look at the paper she was holding. “I don’t expect we we’ll see each other again. What your Uncle did to my sister is something I can’t forgive. I won’t be coming back here.”

“John…” Sara’s voice trembled.

“You’ll be fine with Trevelyan,” He said nodding towards the piece of paper in her hand, which she dropped at once. “He’s going to ask you to marry him, didn’t you know?”

“I’ll say no.”

“You don’t have to. It’s better this way, for your own good.”

Well, hell, Sara had never liked the things that were for her own good.

It took her a moment to react – which John took to slip away from the front door and down the stone steps and disappear from sight – but when she did she had a firm purpose in her head.

“He’s right, Sara. It’s for your own good.” Fred said from the stairs.

“Go to hell Frederick,” Sara said and left after John. She knew where he was going and there was no way she was letting him just walk away.”

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

End of Chapter Ten

.-.-.-.-.-.-.

[*littleless16candles*]

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
I love your story!!!!!!! ♥♥♥
You have to update soon!
I don't want John to go away :icon_mecry2:


************************sTeW :hyper:

[laEspanolaBailando]

Posting so I have the story in my 'replied' topics.

I always love a new thread.

[I'm Jesse's Gurl]

Yay!
New Thread!
Yay!

Oh Please Update Soon!

I had to quote this again:

CrazyClavie, on Apr 22 2007, 04:21 AM, said:

“Go to hell Frederick,” Sara said and left after John. She knew where he was going and there was no way she was letting him just walk away.”

Thank god someone said it. |o|

{♥} Catie * x *

[bold~brunette~220]

You know the only thing that could have made what Sara say better was if she slapped Fred when she said that lol.

Update soon because I can't wait!

[~booknerd~]

Yay, a new thread!

Quote

Okay, so, the other one closed today.

I'll re post the story once my knees stop hurting K?

Luv ya all.

Clavie

I hope you're okay!

John rocks (even though he's being a jerk right now)!

Emily :icon_queen:

[Katie*ShoppingPrincess]

yay! a cool new thread!
Update as soon as you can!

Katieeeeeeeee*

[CrazyClavie]

Yeah, thanks

A water-burned hand later, and lots of warm-water bottles in my knees later and I'm okay.

:D


=)

I absolutely love Sara in the next chapter!!!

LOL

It's going ot be great, I just need to begin typing it.

Clavie

[kgurlroxthiswurld]

Eek! Now you've gotten me all excited!!!

Quote

You know the only thing that could have made what Sara say better was if she slapped Fred when she said that lol.

OR if she kicked him in the crotch!!

I would have

:angel12:

[CrazyClavie]

The Nutcracker
I love it.

It used to be a signature move of sweet-little me when I was in middle school
:D

Well, Sara will yell at everyone in the next chapter, all the guys anyway, and she might do a nutcracker for your reading pleasure.

[kgurlroxthiswurld]

Quote

Well, Sara will yell at everyone in the next chapter, all the guys anyway, and she might do a nutcracker for your reading pleasure.

Are you serious??

Don't you DARE get my hopes up about this and then CRUSH THEM WITH DELIGHT! Or even mild amusement.

The yelling sounds fun!

[CrazyClavie]

kgurlroxthiswurld, on Apr 22 2007, 09:33 PM, said:

Are you serious??

Don't you DARE get my hopes up about this and then CRUSH THEM WITH DELIGHT! Or even mild amusement.

The yelling sounds fun!

Well, Kris, you know I luv ya

And you know I'm always open to... persuation

:D

[bold~brunette~220]

Quote

And you know I'm always open to... persuation

Really ok!

*starts playing the Nutcracker music*

*after one second realises it won't work and goes to pain B*

*kidnaps famious ballet company and makes them preform a private viewing of the Nutcraker for Claive*

Please have Sara yell at them and do nutcracker it sounds so entertaining and they deserve it!

[tk_st_pd_fan]

The second thing I love after jealous male characters is female characters bumming them out by making more sense than them so I can't wait for the next chapter!

(I'm not sure if that made sense but oh well)


~aa~

[meaghan848]

Yay, a new clean thread. Please update soon!

-Meaghan

[CrazyClavie]

:D
I began to draft the chapter today.

I do love Sara.

Clavie

[kgurlroxthiswurld]

Quote

And you know I'm always open to... persuation

....What sort of persuasion??

Food? :mgicecream:

Cute animals? :krakrani: :mgturtle: :cat: :dog: :fish:

Sexy men? : http://bana.aerandir.com/art/manip027.jpg

OH c'mon!!!!

GIVE IN ALREADY.

[CrazyClavie]

Oh, you know me so well.

:D

[SoccerRules]

Aw, come on I've seen better. Whois this guy anyways?

[SoccerRules]

thanks for continuing the story!

[CheekyYasmin]

please please please please please please please please update

[~helena~rose~]

That last Chapter was horrid. I HATe Frederico. He is such a butthole. And Staples is being a super jerk, and John is being stupid.

There is something seriously wrong with all the men in that chapter.

Well, except fo rthe butler. He seemed pretty cool. But he's probably just a woman in disguise and that's why he's not throwing hissy fits and breaking up with people all over the place.

P.S. BUMP

[CrazyClavie]

lol
Don't worry.

Sara sets John straight.

:D

And the butler is very nice

:P


Ummm... I forgot about Lord Westman, I'll see if I can squeeze him in this chapter but more likely he'll be sent to the next one.

:D

[~helena~rose~]

So the butler isnt a girl in disguise. Interesting. Another theory gone wrong.

[kgurlroxthiswurld]

Quote

Oh, you know me so well.

I try. :icon_flower:

Quote

Aw, come on I've seen better. Whois this guy anyways?

That is Eric Bana, who I know Clavie has a weakness for, therefore I use him as persuasion to make her update sooner!!!

Quote

lol
Don't worry.

Sara sets John straight.

Will she use HER form of 'persuasion'?? *please say yes!!*

Quote

So the butler isnt a girl in disguise. Interesting. Another theory gone wrong.

Ahhh. I was rooting for that theory too!!

Now, just to confirm...You did say that there would be Nutcrackering and Fluff in the next update....RIGHT???

[~helena~rose~]

Quote

Now, just to confirm...You did say that there would be Nutcrackering and Fluff in the next update....RIGHT???

I'm holding you to the fluff stuff.

BUMP

[jessesquerida1]

That is really and I mean REALLY GOOD!!!!! *New reader by the way* Fred is such an @$$!!!! I hope Sara dos the nutcrackin on him!

[tk_st_pd_fan]

Good to know you've started working on the next chapter and I seriously can't wait for the bits with Sara.


~aa~

[CrazyClavie]

kgurlroxthiswurld, on Apr 24 2007, 03:59 PM, said:

I try. :icon_flower:
That is Eric Bana, who I know Clavie has a weakness for, therefore I use him as persuasion to make her update sooner!!!

Oh, in deed, I lust after him 24/7.
I even own Black Hawk Down
And I forgave him for the Burger King Debacle over Green Ketchup caused by his movie the Hulk.

So yeah, I love him hard core.

kgurlroxthiswurld, on Apr 24 2007, 03:59 PM, said:

Will she use HER form of 'persuasion'?? *please say yes!!*
Ahhh. I was rooting for that theory too!!

*goes in search of notebook*

*finds notebook with a pretty piccy of Tomoyo from CCS on it*

*looks for the right bit^*

"You could stop looking so pleased with yourself, " John said thoug he had a very dumb grin on his face, too. He left the bed to add another log to the fire.

"But I am pleased, and happy."  She said, John thought her voice sounded a little weird, and when he turned to return to the bed he saw that Sara was rolling all over the bed, moving first to the right and then to the left. 

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to decide which side of the bed I want."

kgurlroxthiswurld, on Apr 24 2007, 03:59 PM, said:

Now, just to confirm...You did say that there would be Nutcrackering and Fluff in the next update....RIGHT???

*nods nods*

Se above, haven't gotten to the nutcracking yet, but I will.

[princesskate14]

You seriously need to update ASAP, after that little teaser of yours. I need to know what happens BEFORE that. *wink wink* *hint hint* Get what I mean, eh?

Katie ♥

[Katie*ShoppingPrincess]

oh my gosh, after that teaser, you MUST update! Please!

Katieeeeeeeee*

[Haunted Forever]

Quote

"You could stop looking so pleased with yourself, " John said thoug he had a very dumb grin on his face, too. He left the bed to add another log to the fire.

"But I am pleased, and happy." She said, John thought her voice sounded a little weird, and when he turned to return to the bed he saw that Sara was rolling all over the bed, moving first to the right and then to the left.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to decide which side of the bed I want."

Tehehehe. *giggles*

[tk_st_pd_fan]

^hehe, yea, I thought it was pretty funny too. Sara is so cool! :D


~aa~

[*HONEY*]

Hello, the chatter ain't pleasing moi.

-xx tephy

[~helena~rose~]

I HATE teasers. Please, please, please update.

[~booknerd~]

Quote

QUOTE
"You could stop looking so pleased with yourself, " John said thoug he had a very dumb grin on his face, too. He left the bed to add another log to the fire.

"But I am pleased, and happy." She said, John thought her voice sounded a little weird, and when he turned to return to the bed he saw that Sara was rolling all over the bed, moving first to the right and then to the left.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to decide which side of the bed I want."


Tehehehe. *giggles*

I second that. :blush:

Quote

I HATE teasers. Please, please, please update.

I agree. Especially about the update part.

Emily :icon_queen:

[JessMastriani]

Wow, I'm personally surprised that this hasn't gone to page two yet because there is a lot crammed on to page one so far! Haha. Oh, and update as soon as you can Clavie!

[CrazyClavie]

That's because I crammed the chapters three at a time instead of doing one post per chapter :P

Heheh

Well, I'm going to work on the chapter, I just need to do some other school stuff first.

Please, pray I don't come down with the flu which is how I feel now.

[kgurlroxthiswurld]

CrazyClavie, on Apr 24 2007, 07:16 PM, said:

"You could stop looking so pleased with yourself, " John said thoug he had a very dumb grin on his face, too. He left the bed to add another log to the fire.

"But I am pleased, and happy."  She said, John thought her voice sounded a little weird, and when he turned to return to the bed he saw that Sara was rolling all over the bed, moving first to the right and then to the left. 

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to decide which side of the bed I want."

Heheheheehhehehe *goes into girlish giggles* That's so ...ADORABLE.

*ponders* Either that's pre or post...well...dirtyness.

I CAN'T WAIT TO FIND OUT. *bounces* So um...please update soon!!

And if you do... well...you shall be rewarded!

[CrazyClavie]

Well, I finished - amost- drafting the conversation with Lord S now I need to move into Fred and Sara.

:D

And Nutcrakering :D

[noleey]

Ooh, la. la.UPDATE SOON!

Nicole :heartbeat: