ELLA
I keep pacing across the floor as I wait for Hannah to return from her date. I’ve left the door open so I can see out onto the landing. The noise of someone climbing the stairs has me sitting on my bed and trying to look like I’m not counting down the seconds since she left. Her smiling face appears in my door and I try to look surprised.
“Hi.”
Hannah races to the bed and lands beside me with a piece of paper in her outstretched hands.
“What’s that?” I ask.
“It’s for you. From, Lucas.”
I take the note and open it. Hannah’s excitement has me smiling.
I look forward to seeing you at our date tomorrow.
Lucas
I glance up at Hannah. “My date is tomorrow.”
She claps and bounces with excitement. My own is bubbling up until she stops and gives me a soft smile.
“Are you going to tell me what really happened to your face?”
I’m surprised by her question, I really had taught she believed me. I rise and put the note that Lucas gave me in my drawer.
“Lucas’s father slapped me.” I return to the bed and can’t help but touch my face. “With a pair of leather gloves.”
Hannah shakes her head. “Why, why would he do that?”
“He said I had no manners.” This knowledge is dangerous to share and the last person I want to endanger is Hannah. I know I still have to be punished, I have no doubt that Lucas’s father isn’t finished with me yet.
“Oh, Ella. What a monster.” She squeezes my hands.
“Hannah, you can’t ever tell anyone.”
She chews her lips and I pull her hands, getting her full attention. “I’m serious. Please don’t tell anyone.”
She nods reluctantly. “Okay.”
“Now tell me about the rest of your date.” I move to calmer waters and listen as Hannah tells me every detail. I smile through most of it. She sounds hilarious.
I spend the rest of the day in a daze. I try to avoid Sandra and her narrowed eyes. She looks angry every time she sees me. She must be surprised that I’m still here and not sent away. I want to tell her that I am as surprised as she is.
That night I can’t sleep and toss and turn until the morning bursts through my curtains telling me it’s going to be a warm day. I’ve decided for today that I will wear a lilac, spaghetti-strapped, summer dress for my date with Lucas. The way we parted the last time made me nervous. I’m excited to see him. I have missed seeing him, but I also have to remember that this isn’t going to go any further. Sandra is his future, not me. Straight away my heart plummets as I think of his father’s words. I have been kept here to keep him in line. I need to warn him. I don’t know what Lucas can do, but I need to tell him. He never has to know about the slap, I will leave that out. I doubt he would believe me anyway.
I arrive at the spot where we are having our picnic. George smiles at me. “Miss O’ Leary.” He greets me while gesturing to the rug that’s placed on the lawn. It’s surrounded by all the flowerbeds. It’s a perfect place.
“Thank you.” I sit down and take in the wicker picnic basket that’s half opened. The food has already been laid out, it’s identical to what Hannah described. My stomach churns nervously and I run my hand across my hair and fix my dress. I am so nervous.
I’m not sure what way he will be with me. My stomach flips as I spot him across the way. He looks even more divine and I try to calm my pounding heart. He’s favored a white shirt that has three buttons open at the top, showing his tanned skin. The closer he gets, the heavier my heart beats and I drop my gaze from his inky eyes. I can’t figure out if he’s happy to see me or not but I pour myself a glass of water and instantly think of Hannah eating all this food.
I smile and it calms my heart. Lucas’s legs come into view and he squats down in front of me. I look up into eyes that I don’t mind drowning in. He reaches out a hand.
“Come for a walk with me.”
George is still here and he clears his throat. In a warning? I’m not sure how wise it is. But, this one day, this one moment, I would live it. I place my hand in his, the feel of skin is warm and I allow him to help me to my feet. Once I’m standing, there is a moment where we are standing so close and he still holds my hand. Against my better judgement, I look up at him. His free hand touches my cheek with a gentleness that weakens my knees. His eyes are an oasis of turmoil as he strokes his thumb across my damaged cheek.
No words are passed between us. No words are needed. He knows. He knows and he’s angry. My vision blurs and I want to cling to him, but I remember George is watching. Letting my eyelashes rest on my cheeks, I release Lucas’s hand and step away causing his hand to flutter to his side.
“A walk sounds nice.” My voice is more controlled. When I glance back up at Lucas his eyes search mine for answers.
I start to walk, cutting off his nonverbal interrogation on my heart.
“I haven’t seen you around much lately, Master Lucas.” My delivery of Master Lucas is automatic. Maybe his father’s discipline had worked.
Warm fingers wrap around my wrist and over the beating of my heart. “He will never put his hands on you again.”
Each strike of my heart is bending the bit of will power I had coming to this date. “Thank you,” I whisper. I have no idea what Lucas had to do or say to make that possible, but not to be in constant fear of his father meant everything to me.
His eyes bore into mine until it’s nearly uncomfortable to hold his stare. He’s too much right now, too much anger, pain and regret swirl in his stunning eyes.
We continue walking, both of us silent. It’s not how I saw this date going. I don’t know what I expected, but not this kind of pain. Each time I steal a peek at Lucas, his jaw is clenched, or his shoulders tight. He doesn’t seem like he wants to be here.
Maybe that’s why he wanted us to walk instead of sitting down and talking.
We walk along the hedge of the maze and I know soon we will come to the opening. The maze that I nearly got lost in. I shiver as I think of Henry, but the cold abates quickly as I feel Lucas move closer to me, his warmth wraps around me like a warm blanket.
“Are you cold? I’d offer you a jacket if I had one.”
I think of him taking off his shirt for me, I would get to see what’s underneath. I try to drag my mind out of the gutter. “I’m not cold.” I admit as we reach the entrance of the maze. I have a thought, and my heart pounds as I take a step towards it.
“What are you doing?” Lucas doesn’t follow me as I take a few steps into the maze.
Looking at him over my shoulder, I see fear in his eyes until they reach mine. “Come in.”
He doesn’t move. “Come out.” He sounds irritated and I know if I go back out to the garden our date will end and I might not see him again. My stomach twists painfully. This is my only chance. I turn and run into the maze.
“Ella.” His warning has me smiling. He’s mad, but he’s following me.
I don’t really go far and he catches me easily. Spinning me around, I second guess myself when I see the fire in his eyes. His lips crash down on mine and I react straight away like two chemicals mixing, exploding and becoming one.