C4 Chapter 3

He was so damn annoying, that Lord Richard. Ann wasn't in the habit of cursing at her employers, even in her head, but she just couldn't help the fact, that everything in him annoyed her, not excluding his good looks.

After leaving the drawing-room, she had headed straight to the kitchen to get a dishrag, and while returning, had met the Butler Mr. Ravens croft, dragging a piece of furniture, so she decided to help out, even though he had made it clear it wasn't a companions job to do.

He was a very stern man of morals he took his job very seriously, and with great pride, he wouldn't allow anyone to treat him like a weakling, which explained why at 79yearsold, Ravens croft was still in employ. Well the fact that he had been the valet of the previous lord Arnold before he was promoted, can also be a bonus as to the reason the household was not willing to release him either. Anna knew his type and realized he could use a helping hand, so she helped him against his wishes.

“Ow, careful” she turned around to see lord Richard staring at his toes, she had stepped on him.

“I'm so sorry she winced.

“ It didn't hurt” he smiled

“Oh!....oh” she stammered.

“ Ouch! it did " he winced.

“Let me see it,” she said squatting to take a good look at it.

“What toe?” She asked as she raised her head, he was grinning.

“What?” She asked suddenly growing irritated.

“You are so easy,” he said laughing.

“Well, I'm sure you are happy now?” She asked standing upright.

“I was just teasing,” he said shrugging.

“Well said sir,” she said folding her hand, over her breast, which he still managed to notice, even while staring at her face.

“My apologies for making fun of you,” he said, giving a charming bow.

“Oh....there's no need for such pleasantry my lord” she replied as she blushed, embarrassed by his over-excessiveness.

“Oh, there is my lady,” he said giving her hand a light peck, as he grinned mischievously.

“And here you are making fun of me again,” she said smiling, as she pulled her hand off his warm hands.

“I can't help been charming, it's my nature,” he said smirking boyishly.

“You call this charming?” She asked scoffing.

“95% of the ladies of the ton love me,” he said shrugging his shoulders helplessly.

“And the other 5%?” She asked.

“Are the mothers” he said grinning.

“Look at you been proud of the number of ladies head over heels for you” she replied.

“A man gotta do what a man gotta do,” he said grinning.

“Such confidence, you should be awarded" for it she said smiling.

“You have such a lovely set of dimples, you should smile more frequently,” he said surprising himself. He didn't even know he knew she hadn't smiled since they met.

“I used to smile frequently,” she said surprised at the turn of the conversation, although she had been complimented a lot about her dimples, it still felt different coming from him. It felt like he was telling her what to do, and she couldn't help but speak defensively.

“But not now,” he said almost kicking himself, or his nosy mouth if possible.

“Anyway the point is that you should smile more frequently, trust me it looks especially good on you,” he said trying to make the conversation less awkward.

“ Thank you” she replied.

“So how did you manage to get Ravens croft to allow you to help him with that furniture?” He asked.

“I, too, can be charming you know,” she said smirking.

“That I know, but I can also testify that charms don't work on him,” he said.

“ Well I can also be stubborn occasionally," she said smiling.

“I very well agree with you on that,” he said nodding.

“I'm not sure whether that's a compliment anymore,” she said still smiling.

“It's a compliment I assure you,” he said picking up her hand again to kiss it.

“ Enough with the kisses,” she said yanking off her hand from his grip.

“I wonder why I should,” He said smirking.

“ Well.....well just stop," she said blinking rapidly, as she opened the door to the drawing-room.

“Miss Ann!” Ara shrieked as Ann enter.

“Thank goodness, You're back finally,” Anna said.

“Yes I.....” Ann started.

“ We were just wondering what color will look best on us for the ball,” Ara said cutting in.

“I think yellow looks bright though, and Ara says bright colors are always lovely,” Anna said grinning.

“ Anna!!....” Ara winced.

“Well, although you are quite fair, yellow might be too bright for your complexion,” Ann said picking her words carefully.

“ At least I'm not the only one oblivious of your poor choices of colors” Ara sighed

“I will not mind wearing a black dress instead,” she said shrugging.

“Oh, Anna” Ara sighed.

Ann and Richard just stared at the exchange as Anna rolled her eyes at her complaints.

“Blue! You will look ravishing in blue” she said cleaning the table with the rag.

“Then blue it shall be,” lady Arnold said as she entered.

“Mother I thought you wished to go for a walk,” Anna asked.

“I planned to until I heard your arguments in the hall, but it seems Ann already manage to save the ears of this household” she replied.

“ And where for goodness’ sake have you been,” she asked turning to Ann.

“Mr. Ravens croft needed help in raisi.....” she started again.

“ Mr. Ravens croft?! Help?!” Ara asked with wide eyes.

“How did you manage to put those two words in a sentence?” Anna asked.

“Well, I......” Ann started once again.

“Did he let you help him?! And here I was, wondering how possible it is” Lady Arnold said.

“ How did you ma.....” Ara started.

“Keep quiet” Ann half shrieked wondering how possible it was for a family to look so alike, even during interrogation.

“Uhh... Miss Ann?” Lady Arnold said, touching her.

“OH...well all I did was convince him that I wasn't doing it for him,” she said suddenly uncomfortable with the number of gray eyes staring at her.

“I'm sure I've done that before,” Richard said.

“Me too,” Anna said.

“He told me to mind my business when I persisted” Ara murmured.

“ Miss Ann, you are the best,” Anna said grinning.

“Well, I don't know about that” Ann murmured.

“Uhh, uhh” Mr. Ravens croft cleared his throat as everyone turned.

“Your mare has been prepared,” he said.

“I thought you were taking a walk?” Richard asked.

“Yes, I am” lady Arnold answered.

“On a mare?” Ara asked.

“ No! With a mare,” she said.

“Are you riding...” Anna started asking.

“I'm walking to the park with my mare...by.....my.....side!” Lady Arnold said.

“And stop....asking....too....many....questions” she added when she suspected Anna was about to complete her question.

“I'll see you all later,” she said when everyone was still too quiet.

“Have a nice day mother” Richard said kissing his mother on the cheek.

“Meet me at the stable Rave,” lady Arnold said to Mr. Ravens croft.

“Yes, my lady” he replied.

“Miss Ann! Thank you Mr. Ravens croft said.

“It was a pleasure, and I'm always happy to help if you need one,” Anna said.

He nodded and quickly bowed at the other ladies. “Lady Anna, Lady Ara" then he nodded at Richard, who responded the same way and left.

" I need to go and press your gown for the evening, "Ann said.

"Excuse me," she said before leaving.

" I suggest we have some more tea why we while away time," Anna said after the door had closed.

"I have some business downtown but I'll be back in the evening for dinner," Richard said as he kissed both goodbyes.

"Excuse me," he said as he went to the door.

"Look at him running away," Anna said.

"I heard that!" He said from the hallway.

"Let's have that tea," Ara said.

"I'll ring for more scone," Anna said.

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I hope you liked it......pls like and comments to air your views......thanks for reading.....I love you all♥️