Without You

Chapter 2

I gave my dirtied uniform to my mother. "Is this your blood or other soldiers blood?" She asked.

"A mixture of both" I answered regrettably.

The copper bath we had was already filled with hot water, I took my bandages off and then took my long wavy hair out of the ribbon that held it in place and I slipped into the warm bath, soaking my wounds which stung and caused me to hiss.

"Eve are you okay?" My mother asked knocking on the door.

"Fine mother" I lied. After about an hour I decided to get out, and redressed my wounds, I then had the towel around me and I padded across the hall when I heard my mother talking about Ross.

"Apparently Ross Poldark has returned and is looking for the person who saved his life" She told my father.

'Ross was looking for me?' I asked myself. Then I slipped into my dress wincing a little, once I was decent I walked down the stairs and I saw my aunt sitting in one of the arm chairs.

"Eve my love, its great to see you're okay" She stated rising out of her chair and kissing my cheek, then hugging me.

"Ow still a bit tender" I told her.

"Were you wounded badly my dear?" She quizzed me.

"No, just stabbed in the side, a few cuts and bruises" I replied, my mother handing me a cup of tea in a china tea cup with roses painted on the side.

"Do you know who saved Ross Poldarks life?" My Aunt asked me.

"Yes, they're sitting right in front of you!" I exclaimed.

"You...you saved your own officers life?" She quizzed me.

"Yes" I nodded. "Ross had been nothing but kind to me, our bond was strong, it was the least I could do" I added.

"Well he's looking for you" My aunt repeated what my mother said.

"I know" I replied taking a sip from my cup.

"But he'll think that I am just another woman making stories up just to admire him" I said my head looking at the floor.

"You do realise we have a painting of you dressed in your uniform, perhaps if you showed him that, then he may believe you" My father suggested.

"Perhaps" I said.

"Ohl I forgot to give you this!" My Aunt suddenly exclaimed pulling a letter from her coat pocket, then handed it to my father.

"It's from Trenwith inviting us to a ball to celebrate Ross' safe return" He read it aloud.

"Perhaps you could tell him then" My Aunt stated.

"No its too soon" I answered. "When is it?" I asked excitedly.

"Tonight" My Aunt answered before my father could.

"I will need something to wear" I stated.

"Well I bought this dress for you in case you did return and it was a celebratory token" She explained and handed me a box, I pulled the red ribbon back, and in there was a dark red wine dress, it was beautiful.

"Thank you" I told her.

"You're welcome" She replied.

That evening I wore the red dress to the ball, the ebony carriage waiting outside with a grey steed, with 4 black socks, a black muzzle, mane and tail. The tack matched the carriage, but the horse had gold on the bit in its mouth.

My family and I clambered in and trotted off towards Trenwith. The horses soon broke into a gallop and pulled at the carriage rocking it.

I was nervous and my hands were shaking. "You'll be okay" My aunt reassured, resting her hand on mine. We soon arrived and a stable boy held the horses while we got out, my father got out first and helped my mother, aunt and I out of the carriage.

We then waltzed in to the grand estate, my mother on my fathers arm and my aunt walking with me. We entered into the hallway and our cloaks were taken from us and we were led to the main hall where it was swamped with people dressed in different colour clothing.

I walked in and I gazed around the room, it was well lit and a crystal chandelier was hung in the middle and it glittered with the candle light alot of people were clustered in the middle and it was there I saw my old officer.

Our eyes met but I looked away immediately and my aunt then introduced me to Elizabeth and her husband Francis.

"Nice to meet you" Elizabeth told me.

"Your secret is safe with us" Francis said shaking my hand.

"Secret?" I quizzed him.

"You saving his life, you did, didn't you?" She questioned me.

"Yes" I said and then glared at my aunt as she began to gloat about me saving Ross' life, then a smaller, kind looking woman joined us.

"Thank you so much for bringing him home to us, you shall be rewarded" She thanked me.

"Eve meet Verity, Ross' cousin" Francis introduced us.

"Nice to meet you" I said curtsying to her.

But then another rather small smug lady came over and began to say "I am pretty sure your aunt is making up stories, there is now way you saved Ross Poldarks life, you couldn't get into the army, you're a woman!"

"My dear you're quite ignorant and arrogant. Besides what have you done for your country, ohl that's right nothing, while I was the only woman who seemed to care and I fought by his side, I saved his life and most of my countries. Now would you care to see the wounds I suffered during the battle" I replied, that made her turn her nose up at me and then walked away.

"Good speech" A man said wandering over.

"Eve meet George, one of my oldest and most trusted friends" Francis introduced us. He politely took my hand and kissed it gently.

"Its a pleasure to meet such a brave beauty such as yourself" He greeted me,

"You're too kind sir" I replied my cheeks beginning to blush red, as it wasn't very often men ever paid me any compliments. I was hoping he hadn't noticed but judging by the look he gave me he had. So I rushed out to the ground floor balcony for some air, but I then heard the clatter of familiar boots behind me, causing my heart to beat faster and flutter with in the bodice of my dress, I turned around and there stood Ross  Poldark.

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