You're Mine

Chapter 6

I shut my eyes in surprise as he stops inches from my lips. We were eye to eye. He whispers, “I know you think much of the past, but that was then and this is now. I’m not falling into my own stupidity again.” I was enraged. “Your own stupidity!?” I shot up and  quickly scooted to the other side of my large bed in defense mode. “So your love was nothing but a fluke?” I hissed at him with tears stinging my eyes. Before he could open his mouth in protest I zipped out of the room tripping over my dress. I ran out into the garden, past the rose bushes, past the greenhouse, past the old oak tree, and onto the grounds we used to call our “Place.” I sobbed my eyes out and took the pearl out of my pocket. I was about to throw it when a hand stopped mine. “Mi- Miss Cynthia!” a voice said with surprise. I turn to see my father’s new servant, hired yesterday to help with gardening. I look up at him still weeping my heart out. “You, um, you may not know me well, Miss, but I-” He stopped. I couldn’t help but look away from him, my face must have been a mess. I felt him lift me up with his strong arms. The boy was only one year older than me, but he was as strong as an ox if not stronger. He was about as tall as Clarence, but his eyes were a cloudy shade of green. His hair was a charming rust color, and his physical appearance was astounding. 

“I’m sorry, I um, I have not introduced myself have I?” He stammered. “I um, my name is.. I mean. Uh. I’m Ruben. Ruben Sheperd, Miss.”

“This, *Sniff* Isn’t the best, *Sniffle* Time for introductions.” I forced out.

“Oh.” he sounded very nervous. “I just, I don’t know how to, ah, to talk to. Um. Women.” He stuttered. By now I had regained my cool and stopped crying, I let my arm go limp letting him know to let go, and he did. 

“That um, thing. Uh, the one you were about to through.” He paused for a bit examining my hand. “It means a lot yes?”

I thought for a bit gazing at the pearl. “Yes.” I answer softly.

“I see.” he stopped, indicating he was thinking of something to say. “If, if it means a lot then you should. Um, take better care for it.” I didn’t answer him. He couldn’t help but notice that I only wanted to fall to the ground and cry so, in protest to that, he picked me up completely off the dirt and into his arms right when Clarence came through the bushes running after me.