The Maids Adventures chapter 10 part 5

The Maids Adventures chapter 10 part 5


I did, where's the Princess? Garrett responded abruptly. And then wished he hadn't because next to him Bridget winced. Despite his reassurances, he could tell that she was jealous of the other woman, and it wasn't that he didn't understand exactly... it was just that he knew very well she had no reason to be and so her lack of trust in him grated.

Captured!

What?

She ran off through the woods towards town. I followed her but she got picked up by a troop of soldiers. Looked like the Spanish. Samuel shrugged. The odds were bad, so I let her go. If nothing else they'll probably ransom her off.

Garrett chewed his lip. Some part of him insisted that he should go after the Princess. Although by now the marriage negotiations must have fallen apart considering that she hadn't arrived the way she was supposed to have. Royalty could move awfully fast when it came to making and breaking alliances, especially when one of the parties to an arranged marriage didn't show up. His main duty, however, was to get the documents home. And on top of that, he wasn't sure how Bridget would take him running off to rescue the Princess.

While he wanted to be a better man for her, it was hard to in these circumstances. Besides, he couldn't really think of what he could do against a troop of soldiers, especially since he'd have two women with him. And there was no way he was putting Bridget in danger. The only other option would be to leave her here in town while he went to rescue the Princess on his own, and however good of a person Bridget might be, he was sure that was the quickest way to losing any affection she might have left for him.

Finally he nodded.

Alright then! Both Samuel and Bridget eyed him, Samuel curiously and Bridget suspiciously. So what will you do now?

Samuel shrugged and glanced at Bridget. A little of this and that!

"She knows," Garrett said and Samuel gave a start of surprise.

Well then. Still this and that until I get a contact from your father or pick up some information on my own that might be of interest to someone. I was thinking I might go to Paris, see what happens there. I'll be able to let you know when and if there a ransom for the Princess comes in.

"Paris?" Garrett mused. "Yes, that might be best."

"You're off to England?"

Garrett glanced at Bridget, but her face was blank. Yes, tomorrow morning. I need to beat any messengers that Lord Navarre might send back to England.

Best of luck to you then, said Samuel. Tell your father I'll be headed towards Paris eventually. I'll send him messages as I need to. The men shook hands and Samuel smiled at Bridget a kiss for the road, little maid.

Growling, Garrett pulled her back and Samuel laughed before sauntering back off towards the games.

Deciding that he didn't want to stay in the same inn as Samuel, even if the man was marginally trustworthy, Garrett escorted Bridget back out into the street, leading her down to the nicer of the other two inns.

We'll stay here for the night, he said.

Bridget finally spoke up. "Oh will we?" Her voice was sarcastic and uncooperative, and she crossed her arms in front of her, halting them in the common room of the inn.

Please Bridget, he pleaded in a low voice, turning his back to the room so that no one there could overhear or see what was happening. Bridget was an attractive woman and he didn't want anyone to think that she was without protection. Let me get a room and we'll talk. Or not whatever you want for tonight. But I do have to leave tomorrow and I do really hope that you come with me.


Staring up into Garrett's earnest dark eyes, Bridget found herself conflicted all over again. It was so much easier to hold onto her anger when he wasn't looking at her, especially like that.

"What about the Princess?" she asked. Not even sure why. Part of her felt like she should care what had happened to her former mistress, but truthfully she felt guiltier than anything, guilty because she didn't actually care anymore what happened to the other woman.

She made her own choices, said Garrett. His tone was dismissive, but she could tell from the look on his face that he felt a little guilty too. Well, at least he wasn't rushing off to rescue her. Can we talk about this in the room? His voice turned coaxing. After a hot bath, I'll have them bring you some fresh clothes... some food.

A bath, fresh clothes and food did sound good. She looked down at herself, only now realizing exactly how tattered she appeared. While she'd managed to keep her clothes fairly clean, they were definitely looking worse for the wear. Swallowing down her anger at him, she realized that he was right. And she shouldn't turn down his generosity, because she had nothing else to rely on at the moment.

Two rooms, she asked, looking up at him a bit plaintively. She needed some space from him, although she shouldn't be asking him for anything right now, did she really have a choice? Despite the slight change in circumstances, he still had all the power because he had all the money and she had nothing but what he decided to give her.

To her relief, Garrett nodded. He didn't seem angry or upset at all, more relieved than anything else. Why would he be relieved unless he truly cared about her staying?

Half an hour later, soaking in a hot bath and scrubbing herself down enthusiastically with a bar of sweet smelling soap, Bridget was still pondering the question of

Garrett's true feelings towards her she come to accept that she had feelings for him, because she cared far too much about his feelings for her to continue denying her own, but that didn't mean that he returned them. Of course, from most of his actions the past day it certainly seemed like he did but what about the days before that?

It occurred to her that part of the reason she was fighting her feelings so hard was because she didn't particularly want to have them for a man that, by all rights, she should hate. Just because he had a good reason, or at least a justifiable one, for maintaining his persona in front of the other men, that didn't excuse the acts that he had perpetrated on her. And all the same... she felt like forgiving him which made her feel angry with herself!

Still, did she really have any choice in the matter? As she hated noted before, Garrett held all the cards, by which she meant the money.

Sighing, she continued to scrub and rinse, scrub and rinse, until she was pink and squeaky clean. It felt as though she was washing away more than just the dirt and grime, but also her recent experiences. As she rose from the tub, for the first time in ages, she felt wonderfully refreshed and clean. Garrett had even had the inn's maids bring her new clothes, which were waiting for her on the bed. It was a beautiful dress, much nicer than anything she'd ever owned before. The dress of a merchant's daughter or even a gentle woman the blue fabric was soft against her hands and skin as she slid it over her head and when she looked in the mirror she felt quite beautiful.

If only she didn't feel beholden to Garrett for it.

As if her thoughts had summoned him, there was a knock on the door and she heard him calling her name. Swallowing hard, unsure if she was truly ready to face him, Bridget went and opened the door.

She wasn't the only one who had taken a bath. Clean-shaven, dressed in new clothes, with his dark hair trimmed and brushed back from his face, Garrett looked every inch a young lord, even if he was wearing simpler clothes. He also looked like the kind of man she could easily swoon over, based on looks alone. Knowing exactly how much pleasure he could bring her didn't help her situation, because just looking at him sent a completely inappropriate surge of lust through her body.

May I come in and set down the tray he asked.

Bridget started, realizing that she was standing in the doorway staring up at him. Her cheeks flushed as she hastily moved to the side; she hadn't even noticed that he was laden with a tray of food! Now that her attention had been drawn to it she realized how hungry she was and how good the food smelled.

There were two meat pies, laden with vegetables and spices, and she almost moaned with happiness to have food that hadn't been cooked over a camp fire. The pastry was flaky and buttery, practically melting in her mouth. She closed her eyes and just concentrated on the wonderful flavors, thinking that this was the best thing she'd ever tasted. The wine that came with it was spiced and flavorful, and there was a small piece of sharp cheese for both of them. It was the best meal that she'd had since beginning traveling.

Enjoying asked Garrett. She looked up, realizing that she'd almost forgotten his presence in her enjoyment of the food. No not forgotten. That wasn't quite the right word. But just relaxed to the point where his presence hadn't been an intrusion. It felt right to be sitting here, sharing a meal with him.

It's wonderful, she replied honestly. He smiled at her and she smiled back without thinking, too satisfied with the wonderful meal and happy in the warmth and comfort of the Inn to do anything else. The smile slowly faded from her face as she remembered that she was dependent on him for all of these comforts and that if she did not travel with him, she would be on her own and in the street.