Thread: Au-delà du Temps: Beyond Time (LeatrixSage x SacrlettRose)

She had filled her day with following Annette around and putting her hand in helping the household meet the demands of their Lord. They had resisted her at first, one young lady had looked faint when Addie had folded a dress. But, after she explained that she didnt know anyone, she couldnt go anywhere, and there was absolutely nothing else for her to do, Annette relented. At least, on the grounds that Addie didnt fold anything else. She did try to tell them, multiple times, that she wasnt nobility, but they were having none of it. Apparently, her attempt at helping had proven she had no idea how to take care of the richly appointed dresses and gowns, and they didnt believe that she had ever worked a day in her life. Now that lunch and dinner had passed, she was beginning to regret her efforts. She felt the lack of sleep wearing on her like jetlag. Addie had hoped to do a little snooping while Wessex had napped, but Annette was damnably loyal and had kept Adelaide in check. The woman liked her, but she wasnt about to allow Addie free reign of the house. So, it was that she stood upstairs in her rooms, all dressed and ready for travel, with a couple of girls wringing their hands worriedly while their master bellowed from downstairs. Adelaide smirked as his voice boomed, his obvious irritation making up for the lack of the hot shower she was longing for. My lady, please, one of the women began, but stopped when Addie turned to look at her. Their tension made her feel guilty. She was being petty, and stubborn, and childish, and she was comfortable with that. But, she didnt like the stress she was causing them. She wanted to tell them to leave, but shed already tried that. They just stayed and fidgeted. No wonder they were given to flights of fancy. Of course, Wessex wasnt helping to curtail their wild ideas. Giving that young girl money for a dress for his wedding had made the whole house go mad. There were eyes everywhere, and they had all been on her, all day long. Clever bastard. And that was why she was going to sit right where she was for just as long as she could get away with it. If he was going to make her miserable, well, she could return the favor. At some point hed have to confront her himself. When she heard heavy footsteps coming up the stairs, Adelaide stood to face the door, but it was Annette that came in, and she sat back down as the woman frowned at her. Youre ready, then? she huffed, her voice clipped in a way Addie hadnt heard from her before. I am, Addie admitted with a thin smile. The older womans eyes narrowed, and the two women that wouldnt leave a moment before scurried out of the room just as quickly as they could. Adelaide folded her hands in her lap and flited her chin a notch to give the woman a haughty look, but she wasnt having any of it. This is unreasonable, she began in a stern, motherly tone, youre acting like a child. And, I promise you, it wont end well for you. Imagine, if you will, the indignity of being carried out of this house, flung over the Lords shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He wouldnt dare, Addie said uncertainly as she imagined bouncing painfully on the mans shoulder as he carried her down the stairs. Hes a rake, certainly, but he wouldnt- Oh, Oui, he would, Annette cut her off, her voice cold, but pleading. He has done it before, Mademoiselle. He will do it again, I promise you that. Fuck me sideways, Addie huffed as her shoulder drooped. Annette blushed at her language, and then began to grin. He very may well if you keep acting the way you do. They both began to laugh, and then they heard a shout, and what had to be Wessex thundering up the stairs. In a flurry of motion, Addie snatched the chestnut brown hat she had been given to go along with the rich, traveling coat they had given her to wear over her dress. She was wearing so many layers of clothing, she was surprised she wasnt suffocating under it all. Or that she could cross the room so quickly. Annette pulled the door open and Addie stepped out just in time to catch Wessex taking the final few steps in a single stride, and then stopping in his tracks as she came down the hall to meet him. Pardonnez-moi, mon Seigneur, she spoke pleasantly as she placed the hat over her carefully coifed hair, holding it in place with one hand while Annette followed her, trying to pin it into place. The night is still young, nothing is fucked, and we are on our way. Addie gave him a wink as she passed him, trotting down the stairs as a sharp pace to leave him behind. It was satisfying to be the first out the front door. But, as soon as she stopped, Annette was upon her with hairpins that must had materialized out of thin air. She pinned Addies hat in place, and then gave her a quick, but warm hug. Dont test him so much, the older woman whispered as she held Addie at arms length. He is a good man. Let him be, and he will surprise you. She quickly kissed each of Addies cheeks, and then hurried back inside just as Wessex reached the door, leaving Addie standing on the front steps, staring after her in wonder.