When Worlds Collide Page 3
“So, what were you reading before I surprised you?” she asked.
Remembering my book, I raced over to pick it up, my place well and truly lost.
“A princess was fighting a dragon,” I said.
“Have you ever seen a dragon?” she asked.
I laughed. “No. You must have hit your head pretty hard.” I slammed my lips shut realising how rude I must sound. I could imagine Dad shooting me a glare from across the room.
“There’re no dragons in Australia?” she asked.
I raised an eyebrow. “Nope, they’re only fantasy creatures found in stories.”
“That’s a shame. They’re beautiful and wondrous animals,” she said.
My eyes widened then narrowed again as I realised I was being stupid. Dragons weren’t real anywhere.
“I told you, you wouldn’t believe me,” she said.
“Maybe you could tell me anyway?” I said, curiosity getting the better of me. “We’re going to be stuck in this storm for a while and I’ve lost my place in my book. I’d like to hear a story.”
“I wouldn’t know where to begin,” she said sitting up a little.
“How about I make you another cup of soup and you start from the beginning?” I suggested.
Olivia
YARINGTON, SALTIVA
“William Archer!” The gruff voice of a guard carried up to where Will and I sat huddled together on a branch among the dense yellow leaves of an oak tree.
I tightened my fingers interlaced with his and watched as a grin quirked up the corner of his mouth. My eyes wandered along his strong jawline and down his broad shoulders.
“Do you think he’ll find us?” I whispered.
His piercing blue eyes met mine sending a warmth racing through my body. It didn’t matter how many times I caught his gaze; the effect was always the same. As though understanding the effect he had on me he leaned forward until his face was mere inches from my own, his hot breath making my lips tingle. How I’d been so lucky to attract his attention was beyond me, but I’d enjoyed every moment wrapped in his arms or lips pressed against his throughout summer. It’d been two months of bliss and I never wanted it to end.
The sound of heavy footfalls sounded below us and he pulled his gaze from mine leaving an ache in my chest.
“William, there you are.” The guard appeared beneath us, his balding head clearly visible from our vantage point. “Your father insists you come home immediately.”
Will groaned, “I told him I’d take care of things. Can he not simply trust me?”
Will climbed down branch by branch and I followed him using the branches as a ladder until we landed on the thick green grass with a thud one after the other.
The guard eyed me over and I suppressed a smile clasping my hands behind my back.
“Your father didn’t realise what you had to do would take all afternoon. He has things he’d like to discuss with you that are of the utmost urgency,” said the guard, I couldn’t remember the name of. I hadn’t bothered to remember the names of any men Will’s father sent to watch over him. Why would I when they could barely hide their disgust at the son of a noble spending time with a dirty orphan girl?
“I only need a few more minutes,” said Will.
“Your father insisted you come immediately.”
It was though I had simply vanished.
“It’s okay Will, I should head home anyway, Edith will be wondering where I’ve gotten to,” I told him.
Wills eyes softened as he turned to me, his gaze not warming me as usual but planting a sinking feeling in my stomach.
“Yes, we both best be going,” said Will. “Thank you for another fabulous evening Olivia.”
“It was my pleasure.” My smile didn’t quite reach my eyes as I watched the glance exchanged between Will and the guard. They knew something I wasn’t privy too and it made my chest ache.
Will took hold of my hand and slowly raised it to his lips, his ice-blue eyes meeting mine and easing the tightness of my breath.
“Run,” he whispered.
My eyes widened in question.
“Run.” He gripped my hand and we took off in a run across the thick grass lawn.
He ran so fast I was afraid I might fall, but his hand guided me firm and I turned to spot the guard throwing his arms up in frustration as we disappeared into the Lambsby’s wheat field.
The sea of brown stalks towered above us, whipping at our arms and faces as we ran until we were certain the guard couldn’t find us.
Will slowed to a walk and stopped, turning towards me. “I think we lost him.”
“You’re going to be in so much trouble,” I said.
That look crossed his face again, the one that made me nauseous and nervous all at once.
“What is it?” I asked. “Is something wrong?”
“I just… This isn’t easy for me to tell you,” he replied.
“You can tell me anything,” I replied stepping closer.
He placed his finger on my chin and lifted my face until my eyes met his. “You have the most incredible emerald eyes I’ve ever seen.”
“William!” bellowed the guard’s voice.
“I need more time,” he groaned, taking my hand once again and leading me through the swaying stalks of wheat. We crossed the boundary and ran across the grass buffer between it and the Stallwood’s corn field. Cutting through the field we emerged in the grassy stretch between the fields and the cliffs edge which is where Will guided me.
As we drew closer, the wind grew stronger gushing past us and making my long red curly hair blow back behind me and my yellow skirt flutter. I’d told Edith I needed something special to wear to impress Will and she’d traded some loaves of bread for the beautiful fabric and had sewn it for me.
As we reached the edge, the roar of crashing waves sounded from below the cliff where it dropped off straight into the sea.
Will stopped and turned to face me, tucking a strand of loose hair behind my ear. “There’s something I must tell you.”
My breath hitched as he took both of my hands in his. “Yes?”
“I’ve enjoyed every moment I’ve spent with you. And it’s no secret you’re the most beautiful girl in Yarington.”
My heart beat loud in my chest, my head growing light.
“But…” he said.
The word had my heart dropping into my stomach.
“But,” I repeated.
“Although this has been the most wonderful summer of my life, my father insists I must marry by the end of the month. If I don’t, he’ll cut me off from his fortune. He’s chosen a girl from Valburton to be my wife.”
“But you’re eighteen,” I said. “Aren’t you too young to marry?”
He shook his head. “My father married my mother at eighteen. It’s a tradition in my family to marry young. As is arranged marriage.”
“You could say no,” I said.
How I wish I could be that woman from Valburton, being invited into his home, sleeping in his bed, having his children.
“I’m sorry. That’s simply not an option.” He released my hands and took a step back.
My throat clenched tight.
“We’ve had a wonderful summer together, but you must have known this wasn’t going to be forever,” he said.
“But you said you loved me,” I said.
“I shouldn’t have said that. I was caught up in the moment and I wasn’t thinking straight. Surely you must understand the position I’m in. I’m the heir to my father’s estate and you’re…” he trailed off unsure how to put it.
“I’m just a poor orphan girl,” I said swallowing back tears.
“You’re beautiful and you’re young. You’ll find someone new.”
“I’m seventeen,” I said finding my voice. “Only a year younger than you.”
“Yes, but…” He looked to his feet before meeting my stare. “Being the son of a noble means there are cert
ain rules I must follow. Certain standards I must meet.”
Standards I didn’t meet and never would. Had I really been so stupid to think this was more than a summer romance that would die as autumn arrived? He was right. I should have known this would end eventually, that he could never really love an orphan girl.
Tears pricked at my eyes, and my bottom lip quivered. I was so stupid.
“Olivia, I’m so sorry…” he said.
“You’re right,” I said stepping farther away. “This was never going to work. I was stupid to think it would.”
“I knew you would understand,” he said.
My heart ached at the distance between us. I’d spent the past two months falling in love with the boy standing in front of me. Believing somehow I could be enough. But there was no way he could choose me over his upbringing, nor would he want to. What could I offer this boy but a life of misery and heart ache? I wasn’t enough for him, nor could I be the woman he needed.
“William!” the guard’s voice came from the bottom of the hill.
My lip wobbled, my tears ready to burst and I spun on my heel and ran. Sprinting past the windmill, down the alleyways between the wheat and corn fields until I was running over the cobbled streets of Yarington.
“Dear, are you okay?” a voice trailed behind me. I didn’t stop to see who it might be. Tears streamed down my cheeks and I longed to curl up in my bed.
Shops turned to small cottage homes then even smaller ones until I found Edith’s and pulled open the front door.
Edith jumped in front at my sudden entrance, knocking over something on the table where she sat and sewed.
“Olivia, sweetheart, what on earth is the matter?” she called behind me.
Pushing through the white curtains to my small bedroom I crawled into my small bed and pulled my knees to my chest facing the wall. My body shook as I sobbed, my tears soaking my pillow. Why couldn’t I have been born into a family worthy of Wills love? How could he ever want me when even my own mother hadn’t?
“Olivia?” The give in the bed as Edith sat on its edge broke through my tears. “Sweetheart, why are you crying?” She brushed hair from my face and caressed my cheek.
“It’s stupid,” I said.
“It can’t be stupid if it’s made you this upset.”
Remaining silent I couldn’t decide if I wanted her to leave me alone in my misery or if I wanted her company so I wasn’t alone.
“You can always talk to me,” she offered.
I rolled over slowly and faced her, her kind face much older than it’d been only a few years ago. But her tender smile still held the power to make everything feel much better.
I wiped at my nose and sighed. “It’s Will. His father is making him marry by the end of the month.”
She sighed. “I worried this day would come.”
I burst into tears once again. “Why didn’t you forbid me to see him?”
“Would you have listened? You were so happy I couldn’t bear telling you it might all end someday.”
I shook my head. “I love him Edith.”
“I know it feels that way now, but in time you’ll see he wasn’t right for you,” she said.
“Why not? Because he’s a noble and I’m a dirty orphan?” I bit at her.
She did her best to hide the pain behind her eyes. “You are the most beautiful young lady in all of Yarington and I for one know you shower at least once a day.”
I shook my head. “That’s not what I meant.”
“I know sweetheart, and I know this hurts right now. I wish I could give you the life you want, but his is the best I have to give,” she said a tear in her eye.
I took her hand and squeezed it. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You took me in and raised me as your daughter when my own mother didn’t want me.”
“I’m grateful she left you at my doorstep. If it wasn’t for your mother, I would never have had the chance to raise a child. You’re the most important thing in my life,” she said. “I just wish I could take away this pain.”
“I wish I’d told him how I felt. Instead, I ran away crying. I should’ve told him I was upset and that he was breaking my heart. Told him I loved him.”
“You did what any girl who’d just had their heart broken would do,” she said.
“Did James ever break your heart?” I asked her. James had been Edith’s husband and they had raised me together until he passed away five years ago.
“Never. Not until the day he died. That was like losing a part of myself. The only reason I was able to keep putting one foot in front of the other was because I had you,” she said. “When a man loves you, he’ll love every piece of you. That’s how James loved me.”
Could someone really love all of me when my own mother couldn’t?
“You know the best way to mend a broken heart?” she asked.
“No? What is it?”
“Time with friends who care about you. A carnival rolled into town today and are setting up in town square, the biggest one I’ve seen in a long while. Maybe you should go with Audrey and Narelle, they’ve been around here looking for you all summer.”
“I don’t know. I don’t think I’d be the best company right now, broken heart and all.”
“They’re your friends, Olivia, they just want to see you. It’ll be a good distraction,” she said.
“I’ll think about it,” I said having no intention of actually going.
Olivia
YARINGTON, SALTIVA
Laughing and loud voices floating in through the open window across the room woke me from the deep sleep I’d fallen into while lying and wallowing in sorrow on my bed. Sitting up, I wiped at my sticky cheeks before padding through the workshop and peering through the window. Night had crept in while I slept, and a group of people danced and played as they walked down the street towards town. Music sung in the distance, a melody of strings and percussion. A loud bang and sparks of light in the sky drew my attention to the stars dotting the night.
“They must be heading to the carnival,” said Edith from across the room.
I turned to find her sitting at the small table sewing.
“You should rest,” I said making my way over to her. “Your hands must be aching.”
“They are, but we need the money and the work keeps my hands nimble,” she said.
I pulled out the wooden chair across from her and sat.
“Audrey and Narelle came past earlier. I told them you were resting and that you’ll meet them at the carnival later,” she said.
Singing voices sounded outside drawing my attention back to the open window, a cool breeze blowing through. Whoever the revellers were they’d obviously had a few brews at the carnival already.
“You should go,” Edith said.
“I’m not sure I’m up for it,” I said.
The first time I’d met Will was at a gypsy carnival. He’d spotted me dancing with Audrey and Narelle and had asked me to dance. They’d whistled and giggled as he spun me in circles hand in hand and we danced until our feet ached and we needed to catch a breath. He’d bought some bread and honey and we found a quiet spot on a bench beneath an oak tree at the edge of the carnival and ate. He’d told me about his travels, holidays to Roystone and Travalia, places I could only dream to visit. I’d sat wide eyed and quiet, absorbing every word he spoke, his piercing blue eyes making my breath hitch each time they found mine. Once we’d eaten, he took my hand and we walked among the gypsy vans and market stalls until we came across a caravan with a sign that promised to tell our fortunes. He’d insisted I follow him inside where an old woman draped in scarves of purple and blue told us our fortunes. I believed none of it. She told me I’d have many adventures that would lead me to my greatest love. Will was told he would marry young and live a happy life.
At least she’d gotten the married young part right. Heaviness sat in my chest once again and I closed my eyes leaning back in the chair. My heart ached at the thou
ght of him and it was hard to believe the longing and pain would ever end. There was so much I wished I’d told him. Maybe if he knew how much I loved him he’d realise he couldn’t marry a stranger, not when he loved me?
I was angry at myself for crying and running away. So many things were left unsaid. But maybe it wasn’t too late?
A smile spread across my face once again.
“What has you smiling so suddenly?” asked Edith putting her sewing down.
“I think you’re right. I should go to the carnival,” I said rising from the chair and straightening my skirt.
“That’s my girl. You’ll see, a night with your friends is just what you need.”
I needed to see Will. Tell him how I felt. The excitement of seeing him raised my spirits and I hurried to comb and braid my hair then pulled on my best white dress.
Once ready, I gave Edith a kiss on the cheek before grabbing my coin purse and making my way to the front door.
“Have fun!” she called out as I stepped through the doorway.
Closing the door behind me I jogged down the cobblestone road towards Will’s home… Archer Manor.
Leaning over my knees, I waited for my heart rate to drop and my breath to steady. Fixing my hair and wiping at my warm face I stare up at the large white building stretching out and up before me. Dark red drapes hung in its wide windows and its dark grey awnings and roof stood stark against the bright greens of the immaculate grass lawns that stretched all around it, framed by manicured gardens of roses of all colours from the palest pink to the deepest red and clipped hedges. A stone fountain that looked like an upturned vase stood as the centrepiece. Behind and to the right of the house the tall dense trees of the Blackwood forest created an eerie background making the building more ominous under the light of the full moon.
With a deep inhale and exhale, I strode across the lawn, walking up the painted white steps towards the large grey doors and banged the heavy brass knocker. Within moments the door opened, revealing Emerson, the Archer’s butler, standing straight and tall in a fitted black suit.