“I’m sorry, Greyson.” I replied.
Greyson looked at me grimly.
“Amelia, Thomas cannot know about this. I do not trust him!” He whispered.
Greyson lowered his head towards me.
“I know you love him and would not want to keep anything from him but this is one thing no one should ever know about.” He added.
“I know, Greyson” I said as I looked away.
“Everything must go as planned today, if you have to meet with Thomas, you do so, if you have lunch with your Father, you do so. No one must be the wiser of our plan. Go and I will see you at 3am” Greyson concluded.
I picked up my books and returned to my room. At the end of the hallway, Thomas stood.
“You are not fooling anyone, Amelia” he said.
“What are you talking about? I asked.
He followed me as I entered my room.
“Thomas, you have an overactive mind.” I added.
He laughed.
“So shall we go riding?” He asked.
“Sure” I responded.
“Let us go to your little cottage in the Willshire woods” he insisted.
My heart almost stopped at his request.
“All the way to Willshire?” I answered.
He smiled as he wrapped his arms around me and said “A man enjoys private time with his wife, once in a while.”
I giggled and responded, “Why go so far, when we can begin right now.”
Those beautiful green eyes could convince me of anything.
His soft gentle touch and his kisses drove me wild. I let him have his way with me, not that I did not enjoy it because I did. I just had to keep him from suspecting anything. Greyson did say everything should play on as normal.
“You are not afraid of being caught by Mother or Father? He asked as he removed my slip.
“No, that makes it more exciting, do you not think?” I replied as I kissed his neck.
Mother and Father were out so I knew we had a bit of time for ourselves.
As always our love making was like a dream. Thomas was a forceful but gentle lover. He always knew exactly what to do to make our time together unforgettable.
After the wonderful time I spent with Thomas, the day went on as usual. I attended my classes, did some training and then prepared for dinner with our parents. The day was moving so fast as if it knew what was going to happen tonight.
During dinner, Father began disclosing some thoughts towards me.
“My dear Amelia, you have grown to be such a beautiful woman. I must find you a suitor since David no longer qualifies”.
I glanced at him and then my Mother.
Confused I answered “We have all the time in the world, Father.”
Thomas looked at them and said “Why could I not be a suitor?”
Father looked over at him, laughed and replied “Thomas, you are not worthy of her.”
Thomas looked angry and confused “And David was worthy? A Traitor was worthy?” he replied.
“THOMAS!” Mother yelled.
Thomas stands up, slams his hands on the table and says “How about if I tell you that Amelia and I…”
I immediately interrupted “Thomas, please do not.”
Thomas looked over at me and asserted “Do NOT? Are you ashamed?”
Mother intervened “Thomas, this not the time.”
I had never seen Thomas like that, he was so angry.
He slammed his fists on the table again and said “Father is a strong man, why must we always shield him, now is a good time as any.”
Thomas shook his head in disagreement and left the room.
Father looked over at me and asked “Why is Thomas so angered? Is there something I should know? Is Thomas the suitor you chose?”
I looked at Mother, then back at Father.
Mother gestured as if for me to say yes.
I said nervously “Yes, Father.”
Father looked so confused but did not say a word. I quickly left the room to find Thomas.
I found him at the Kings Men Stables.
“Thomas, Thomas” I called out.
He turned around and very upset.
“I am so sorry.” I quietly said.
“I do not understand Amelia, do you not love me? He asked.
“Oh Thomas, I love you but now was not the time to tell Father, not with all that is going on.” I added.
“Then when is an appropriate time Amelia? Father is never going to accept me as your suitor, either way, you heard him, I am not worthy.” he snapped.
I reached out to him as I guided him to me, as my fingers touched his face I said “He did not mean that Thomas. We will both know when the time comes. Either it be today or many days from now, our love will not end.”
I kissed his teary eyes.
“My love, I have given myself to you. You are my life. I will never stray.” I added.
He did not look convinced so I added “Does it matter who knows and when? As long as we do, that’s all that matters. I LOVE YOU THOMAS!” I shouted.
The men outside the stables all looked at each other and walked away.
Thomas looked up at me and responded “If you did love me, like you say you do, you would have said something to Father.”
I touched his lips and uttered “I did, Father asked if I wanted you to be my suitor and I said yes.”
He stood up and began walking towards the door.
“I was not there so I did not hear, telling Father then is a little too late” Thomas concluded and left the stables.
I sat there in silence.
My heart hurt but I had an eventful night ahead and I could not let this trouble me.
Evening had come and it was time to prepare for bed. I returned to my room with an empty feeling in my heart. Shyanne awaited me with my bed
clothes. She began brushing my hair. She could not help notice I was sad. “My lady, what is wrong?” She said worried.
I had no words to explain how I was feeling.
She wiped my tears and said “My sweet Amelia, if these tears are for Thomas, they are wasted. He knows you mean no harm to him, do not cry.”
I covered my mouth and mumbled “I have hurt him Shyanne and I do not know if it can be mended.”
She gave me an endearing look and responded “Thomas knows you love him, his hurt is temporary, you will see.”
At that moment there was a knock on the door.
Shyanne opened it slowly, there stood Thomas.
“Good Evening Shyanne” He said.
Shyanne dismissed herself as he entered.
“I’m so sorry, please forgive me, Thomas” I blurted out.
He grabbed my hand and kissed it.
“Amelia, I have nothing to forgive, I have acted like an envious spoiled child, on the contrary please forgive me.” He said.
How could I not forgive him, he is the love of my life, my reason for breathing. I quickly hugged him and whispered in his ear “Thomas, I belong to you never doubt it.”
He kissed me good night and dismissed himself.
He would not be staying due to a Sportsman competition in the morning.
I could not sleep, my heart raced as I anticipated the moment of freeing David.
I paced back and forth near my window as I watch the guards, one by one fall asleep or become distracted. Exactly at 3 I heard tapping on my door. I slowly opened it.
“Are you ready, my lady?” whispered Greyson.
With a smile I nodded in agreement.
We made our way through the dark passageways. Today it all seemed so much farther. I felt like I have walked miles to get to him. All was quiet, the prisoners were all asleep. David anxiously waited in his cell.
“Prince David, please follow the instructions to the letter, any misstep can get us all killed,” Greyson advised.
“My horse will be waiting for you near the creek,” I added.
David grabbed and hugged me.
“Little sister, I owe you my life.” He said as he kissed my forehead.
I handed him a bag with some of his belongings.
“What about tomorrows hanging?” David asked.
“I have that covered. You go and live your life, my boy.” Greyson replied.
David ran down the corridor to the open exit, at the door he waved, blew me a kiss, and disappeared into the moors.
I smiled.
A feeling of accomplishment filled me.
I think that is the only time I had ever seen Greyson smile.
Greyson quickly turns to me.
“In the morning, you act as all is normal. I will bring out the prisoner and will retrieve him afterward. No one will know differently. You tend to your Mother and especially Thomas.” Greyson asserted.