In hindsight, it wasn't her smartest idea, in fact, it was the biggest mistake she'd ever made in her life. Eloise knew better than this, sneaking out of her house in her father's stolen boots, saddling up one of the horses, and riding off into the night was something wild, rebellious girls did, and she was not a wild, rebellious girl. She mastered all of her studies, always did her chores on time, and never stayed out a minute past her curfew. What was she thinking?
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7nolXAaFj
Cold summer rain pelted down on her as her horse galloped through the woodland path. A quake of thunder, followed by a blinding flash of lightning, caused the horse to rear onto her hind legs and nearly sent Eloise crashing to the ground. "Woah, easy girl."
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5v2qQk4Xv
Strawberry let out a startled whinny in response.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZc9Fx5bVpg
"You're okay, girl," Eloise whispered as she quickly dismounted and led Strawberry into a dark cave in the near distance. They would wait out the storm here and then... She didn't know what.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX3GEmZzUW
Of all the nights, why did she have to choose this one to run away? Her nana had warned her a downpour was coming, but Eloise ignored her warning. The skies were clear when she fled the manor, but dark looming clouds flooded the night sky the way a spilled can of paint floods a previously blank canvas. Now she was alone in the dark with soaking wet clothes and nowhere to go.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxrv9nV6Zo
After what felt like an eternity of waiting, she spotted a rapidly approaching figure in the distance. "My Lady, what are you doing all the way out here?" The lantern's warm illumination revealed the man's face. It was her family's butler, Albert.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2THMmSqyL
Eloise burst into tears. "Oh, Albert, I've made a terrible mistake. I never should've left the manor!"
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgjGSR0vki
Albert set his lantern on the ground, lighting up the darkness. "Don't cry, my lady. Everything will be alright." He pulled her close in a comforting embrace. "Your gown is soaked! You must be freezing! This simply won't do." He shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around her shivering form.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH38mgAHC2T
A loud crash of thunder boomed in the distance.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQw4Q1B9Zy
Albert frowned as he appraised the clouds. "It's not safe out there. We should stay here and wait for the storm to pass."
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Q1CvQtPOl
"I'm so sorry, Albert. You never should've come looking for me. You were better off staying at the manor, where you are safe."
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUXSzL3WbJ
"Don't be ridiculous, Lady Eloise. It is my job to care for you and your family, and that's precisely what I plan to do."
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqXzMZjphC
"You're far too kind to me," Eloise sniffled.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkvVgBsSm5
"Nonsense." Albert pulled two apples out of his satchel. He fed one to Strawberry and offered the other to Eloise. "Now, will you please tell me why you ran away?"
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVM0uH2h5f
Eloise said nothing as she studied her reflection in the apple's shiny surface.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoi2un7bmO
"Please talk to me, my lady. We were all worried sick about you."
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWRqyBe8Eu
Eloise scoffed. "I'm sure my dearest stepmother was so concerned."
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvtaLZIn4Dw
Albert gave an understanding nod. "Oh, I see. I suppose the countess isn't the warmest person, is she?"
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5iDVGucoAJ
"That's an understatement. She said I was a waste of space and Papa would be better off without me."
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOYVkri1SD
Albert handed her a handkerchief. "Is that why you ran away?"
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WuY2UtEdE
She wiped her eyes and nodded. "I started to wonder if she was right. Maybe everyone's lives would be better off if I were gone, so I left. I know it was a foolish decision, but I couldn't bear to stay a second longer."
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8NhYcZGwj
"Have you spoken with anyone about this?"
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H1vseRwP1
She shook her head.
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc2AdB1137
"You know, I, for one, would miss you greatly if you disappeared, and I believe your father and your nana feel the same way."
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDM3vplF7pg
She smiled up at him. "Thank you for finding me."
174Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlSIMqYtWp
"Anytime, my lady."
ns18.118.1.153da2
