WHOA GUYS! in my last author's note i said i would update once i got 100 votes which usually happens in 7-9 days. you all somehow got me 100 votes in about 24hrs! i totally wasn't expecting that but thank you! and since i am a woman of my word, here's your chapter! i had to write it late at night and very last minute but i hope you enjoy!
Lilly's POV
"No, you don't understand!" I pleaded loudly.
Croonie ignored my plea and just stood there smiling at me, as if what I had just said gave her the power to control the world.
I considered myself to be quick on my feet, being an employee for Ambrose I had learned to be able to get myself out of tricky situations. Yet, here I was, unable to think of any viable cover-up to explain why I said I was Mr. Ambrose's secretary.
I just stood there with my mouth agape, knowing that Croonie would know how to use this against Mr. Ambrose and that any plan he had previously would now be crushed with the weight of the words I just uttered.
I felt sick. Is that how one was supposed to feel when they did something wrong, even if it was merely accidental? My head started to feel dizzy and the aching in my feet seemed so much more noticeable.
"Look," I commanded Croonie's sky blue eyes to meet mine, "a scandal like this would completely destroy a man's reputation. Especially a man like Ambrose. Do not use it against him. Please."
"My sweet," Croonie smiled down at me, her voice taking a darker tone, "I could not care less about your gentleman's reputation. I just need him to do as we ask. Is that too much?"
"Then let me talk to him!" I tugged my hands in the ropes that still bound them, hating my limited freedom.
"Talk to him? To plan an escape? I hardly think so," She laughed heartily, throwing her head back and letting her black hair flow everywhere.
"No! No! To convince him to help you!"
Her unnerving stare pierced into me as if I were completely and utterly see-through. She sat back down on the cot and even though her head was below mine, it was clear she held the upper hand.
"And why would you do that?" Her eyes narrowed at me.
I despised how flustered I was. What would I say? Why would I do that? These people were planning on keeping me forever!
"Because you care," my inner voice chided.
"Is it because you care for him? You told me you did not love him," Croonie looked genuinely confused, cocking her head to the side to really examine her face.
"Oh great, the woman is a mind reader too. Ooh maybe I should stop talking."
"Can you not care for someone without loving them?" I ignored my inner voice.
"Pumpkin! Caring is just a step on the way to loving! Willing to save him from societal ruin? You are putting his needs above your own! That is caring and loving."
All this talk of love and caring and Mr. Ambrose was making my head spin even more.
"Is it late yet? Can I rest?"
"Yes my dear, you may rest," She got up from the cot and gestured for me to turn around.
I complied and she at once started working on the ropes binding my now sore hands.
"You may sleep in here. There will be a guard outside the door. If you need anything just talk to him and he will have someone come fetch me. I will keep this information about you and Mr. Ambrose a secret for now, but I trust you can convince him later."
I stretched my hands and could not stop from smiling as I rubbed them together and relished in the joy of being able to move them.
"I promise to talk to later...if I am allowed. I promise."
"Excellent," Croonie pointed to the sooty cot, "now sleep."
I nodded gratefully at her and laid down. The pain in my feet left and my whole body relaxed. The cot was hard and uncomfortable but not too miserable. I watched as Croonie left the small room and closed the door gently behind her. I heard her summon the man named "Spitshine" and give him orders to stay outside my door.
I yawned and rested my hands on my stomach as I lay flat staring at the ceiling. My eyelids fluttered and I felt sleep coming to overtake me but my mind was still flooded other questions. Was Mr. Ambrose still talking to Boss? Was he safe? Would he be absolutely furious at me for what I had let spill to Croonie? More importantly, would Croonie keep our secret?
***
"Lilly! Lilly wake up!"
Huh?
I grumbled as I lifted myself from under the covers to see my petite sister looming over me.
"Ella? What's going on? How long have I been asleep?"
"Well, it's almost eleven in the morning so you missed breakfast, but since it's only Sunday Aunt was not too upset.
"Oh my god," I brought my hand to my forehead and felt my heart start to hammer in my chest.
"What?" asked Ella. "Are you okay?
"Yes," I smiled sadly at her.
"Why do you look upset? Did you have a nightmare?"
I shook my head solemnly, "No, Ella, I just had the most interesting dream! I was kidnapped and Mr. Ambrose was there and-"
"Mr. Ambrose?" She cut me off. "Why was he there?"
"Oh, Ella, you have no idea!"
Suddenly we both jumped at the sound of a loud knock on our bedroom door.
"Coming!" Ella quickly got up and swung the door open, most likely expecting to see our Aunt or one of our sisters.
What she had not expected to see Mr. Ambrose in the flesh, now standing in the doorway to our bedroom.
"Mr. Ambrose, what are you doing here? Oh goodness I'm so sorry," Ella flushed, and curtsied.
I stayed still in bed, looking at his large frame entering my room. He looked funny compared to my small room.
"Lilly," He breathed, coming closer.
"Lilly?" Ella was beyond startled, "How do you two know each other?"
"Could you please leave the room Miss Linton," Mr. Ambrose gave her a harsh look with a commanding tone.
Ella looked as if she would faint. Then she looked between me and him several times, contemplating what to do. It was improper to leave him in this bedroom alone with me but Ambrose was also not a man to be trifled with.
"Yes, sir. Call if you need anything, sister," She shot me a comforting and worried look.
"Lilly." Ambrose knelt by my bedside and placed his hand on my shoulder.
"What do you want?" I asked him, my brows knitting together.
His dark hair was tousled in the most attractive manner and his ocean colored eyes were stuck to mine.
His hand started to softly shake my shoulder, "Lilly wake up."
Was he mad?
"I am awake!"
He did not stop.
"Lilly, wake up!"
Had he gone over the bend? He was making no sense.
"I am awake Mr. Ambrose, stop shaking me!"
The shaking continued until I decided I had enough. I placed my hand on his and tried to pry it off. "Stop, I am already-"
My entire body jerked up as my eyes flew open. My heart was pattering loudly as I took in my surroundings. I sighed loudly. I was still on the same dusty cot I had fallen asleep on, not in the comforts of my home. The only difference was that there was a hand on my shoulder. Before even looking I slapped my assailant clear across the face and winced at the immediate pain in my hand. I looked down and focused my gaze on none other than Mr. Ambrose, his eyes wide.
"Miss Linton, you must have been in a quite exciting dream," he groaned.
author's note: so, what do you guys think is a reasonable updating schedule that i can keep to?