The Damsel

Chapter 7

I apologize for the length of time between this chapter and the last. I have been quite busy these past few weeks. I spent time polishing this chapter and choosing better words, sentence structures and literary devices. I also hope that this chapter is not as uneventful as some of the previous chapters have been! If it is please tell me, I don't want to put you to sleep!

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Sophie awoke the next day feeling much better. Her headache had subsided and her cough was not as harsh.  She sat up and saw her father sleeping in a chair by the bed. Sophie knew that he’d probably been there since they arrived here two days ago. He was so protective. Sophie lied back down and turned onto her unbroken arm so that she could see out the window. It was a bright, windy day outside. A perfect day for riding, not that there was a chance in hell Sophie’s father would let her out of the bedroom.

Mark woke up then, at first he was groggy but soon he noticed that Sophie was fully awake and became alert.

He came to her bedside, “My darling, oh dearest, you’re awake.”

Sophie smiled at her father, “I’m feeling much better.”

Mark kissed Sophie’s head and asked her if she wanted something to eat.

“Yes, I would.”

Mark summoned Matilda and asked her to bring some toast and tea. A few minutes later she returned.

As Sophie sat up and ate her breakfast she asked her father if she was permitted to attend the dance that Jessica had spoke of.

“If you are feeling better on Saturday then you may attend. And before you even ask child, the doctor will be the one to judge if you are well.”

“I knew you were going to say that.” Sophie rolled her eyes.

Just then Grandfather Luke entered, “Ah, Sleeping Beauty has awoken! How are you Princess?”  His booming voice echoed of the walls.

Sophie studied her grandfather trying to recall memories of him but none appeared. It was funny, Sophie thought, that she remembered nothing of her of grandparents. If she and her father had seen them often, why could she not recollect anything

Sophie sat upright and pulled herself up to her full height; she wore a distant expression.  “I am well.” Sophie replied stiffly.

Grandfather Luke drew closer to the bed; Sophie shifted away.

 “Why so aloof Princess?” Grandfather Luke inquired, his eyes fastened to Sophie’s, whose own eyes swerved away.

Sophie forced a smile, “I am not being aloof, only polite.”

Grandfather Luke turned his gaze to Mark, he spoke coolly, “I see you have neglected to differentiate me from my wife Mark.”

“My apologies.” Mark responded quietly.

Grandfather Luke re-focused on Sophie. “I am not your grandmother. I never plotted to capture you from your father. My only wish was to see you more frequently as you reminded me so greatly of my beautiful Anne.”

Sophie met her grandfather’s eyes for the first time; she saw in them the grief of a childless man.

Sophie reached over and grasped her grandfather’s aged hand; his eyes brightened instantly.

Mark watched on and within a few moments decided to give Sophie a few minutes with her grandfather. He excused himself to go off and eat his own breakfast.

Once they were alone, Grandfather Luke asked Sophie about her schooling and the people she knew. Sophie gave all the usual answers: “I am learning about Henry VIII.” “I’ve met a great many if the nobles.”