The Enigma of Albert Morris by Leo 6

 

 Episode 6

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It was supper time when Victoria asked Charlotte to skip today's lesson because she wanted to talk to Catherine. "My dear." Victoria said Catherine stood up in her honor."Did you enjoy last night?"

"I'm grateful to you for whatever you've done for me and my life Aunt Victoria. And yes I enjoyed last evening tremendously. In fact it was the best evening of my life after mother and father died." Victoria took her hand and pressed it." You deserved it my dear. I'm delighted that you feel home here.'' After a moment's pause she began ,''There's something I wanted to discuss with you Catherine. How did you find Edmund?'' Victoria waited for Catherine's reply. She began to find suitable words to describe Edmund she had no idea who he was all she knew and thought about was Albert. ''He's ......nice, I mean I have no idea who Edmund is . I think I was occupied with something else.'' she shot an arrow in the dark. Victoria quietly listened to Catherine. Then she said,''I know who clouded your mind. This is what girls do when they are your age . But the thing is that what I am going to talk about is rather serious. You know when you have to decide for your future. Who will you choose. The main marriage thing. That's what I wanted to discuss with you. Lord Edmund has asked for your hand in marriage. In such a proposal I could have agreed at the moment right away but I thought to hear from you. Your approval will make the final decision. However Edmund has many proposals. A bachelor his age and the wealth he encompasses needs no thought but even then I want you to think about it. I'll give you a day to decide and think further as he's older than you. In my opinion you both will be a best match. Think about it and let me know. In the meanwhile he will court you so you both can come up with a better decision.'' Victoria went to the hall but Catherine sat there in silence. With the humming of birds which was like a soothing song. I have no idea who he is. Her mind was answering her own questions.

It was about midnight but Catherine was awake reading something. Which was merely a distraction. Her mind was still thinking about Albert and that stupid proposal. Until she came to the final decision. ''If she wants to seize these rights from me let her but I will never take a decision about something that I know nothing about.'' she closed the book and tried to take some sleep.

It was early really early. The sky was still black slightly but she woke up. She had an urge to runaway and feel the wind on her skin and her hair flowing in the air. She dressed herself up and secretly went to the stable. Her favorite horse ''Wind'' was greeting her, gifted to her by Victoria when she told her that she was an excellent rider, Wind felt relieved from her touch. ''Easy boy, do you want to run away with me for a while, yeah you do let's go just be quiet so we don't wake anyone.'' she took hold of Wind's reign and mounted it. She rode faster and faster till she felt herself flying. ''That's my boy.'' she tapped his back with appreciation. '' This is why I named you Wind. You can beat the wind my boy.'' She had came far from the estate and Victoria palace. She had entered a forest. Where she unmounted and sat on a stone for a while.

The view was incredible. A river flowing, thick trees around. The song of birds a sweet melody. She began humming with them. She removed the ribbon from her hair and stretched her arms in the cold dawn breeze. 

''A lady shouldn't be alone in a forest as such.'' a familiar voice emerged. Catherine turned back shocked. It was him. The one she's been thinking about. Wind neighed with her astonishment.

''Don't be afraid it's me.'' he came closer and sat with her on the stone. 

''It is a beautiful day indeed I had no idea that my heart will get what it wanted from me, you wouldn't believe me I was thinking about you and haven't slept since the past two days.''

''Morning to you too.'' she was surprised as she had felt the same.

''Your coming here is the proof that you too felt the same.'' he was dressed differently today. Casual clothes and his hair was flowing with the wind.

''I have no idea what you are talking about me, yes we met but by a coincidence. I have a habit of riding. Back there at Dover I had nothing to ride upon thus I used to take a walk.'' she lied perfectly but Albert smiled as if she was caught she surely was.

''When I met you the first time I saw a frightened girl with courage and today your eyes tell me something else. Something quiet the opposite. It is a lady in front of me who knows how to hide secrets well enough.'' he smiled looking at her. She became uneasy. He was so close to her. This was the first time he was that close to her. She gazed in his eyes but she couldn't see anything in them.

''At least mine say something yours are so concealed I wonder whats hidden in them.'' she didn't break her gaze.

''There's hell load of things I practice to say to you but whenever I come near you I forget all about them.'' a goose flew and sat down near the riverbed. The sun was ready to shine.

''I just want you to admit that you brought me here in Victoria's home.'' she was looking at the horizon now.

''What makes you think that?'' his scent which was musk filled the air. The

''I don't think about it I'm certain about it.'' she stood up and went near the riverbed.

He followed her. 

''Listen Catherine.'' he took her by the arm and turned her to face him.

They both looked at each other for sometime. Albert leaned closer and kissed her slightly. She stood their looking at him in amazement. Albert felt like she would slap him hard instead she just looked at him in total surprise. ''I'm sorry I shouldn't have forget about it.'' this time Catherine kissed him back. He kissed her rather more passionately. First his scent clouded her mind and now his taste was on her lips.

''I didn't slept for two days in a row and why I am here at this time so early was the reason I wanted to break free from all those things but yet I found you here too have you been following me?'' they both sat near the riverbed and their horses were enjoying together freely just behind them.

''Yes and no this time I came here myself just like you as I have already told you about.'' he laughed just at the thought of it.

''It's not about the night at ball it's from the very beginning since I have been thinking about you and lost all concentration, the night at Dover's inn when you came to serve at my table since that moment I have been thinking about you.'' he took her hand and kissed it.

''Just thinking, not anything else?'' she was smiling again.

''Not only thinking I have fallen for you pretty badly for a girl who doesn't even cares about me not the very least.'' 

''What makes you think like that, I too have been thinking about you since that day when you came to the cottage to help me. I have been thinking really hard.'' she got up and rubbed the dust of her frock. ''I must go now before anyone finds out about my absence.'' she went near her horse and mounted it. Albert came near and tapped Wind's head with love. ''Till we meet again.'' she said smiling at Albert her hair which were the length of her back flowed in the wind. ''Sure we meet again. '' he smiled and watched her leave.

 

At breakfast Victoria was delivered a letter. She read the envelope and gave it to Catherine. Catherine looked briefly at the title.

''To dearest Lady Catherine Ayling.'' she was excited thinking that it has came to her from Albert and barely ate anything and got up.

''Sit down Catherine. Finish your meal the letter won't run away.'' she was serious.

Unwillingly she sat for the next twenty minutes watching Victoria eat. 

''Maybe she is torturing me on purpose. It's been three months and twenty days since I came here and this is the first time I have witnessed her eating that slowly.'' she said in her heart.

''Alright girl go now that you have had your meal.'' she smiled. Catherine jumped with joy kissed Victoria before leaving and she laughed. 

She went running to her room and jumped on her bed and read the title many times to make sure it was really for her and then opened the letter. 

Her joy drained after reading just the last two names.

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