Ora spent most of the day locked away in her room. Thankfully, her parents hadn't found out about her encounter with the mysterious stranger who had saved her earlier. Who was he? Why was he there?

"What does he look like?" she asked herself

"What does he look like?" she asked herself.

"Who?"

Ora gasped at the unexpected visitor.

"Forgive me, My Lady. I did not mean to startle you."

Her nerves began to settle the second she knew who was speaking. Thomas. One of the stable boys who had been living on the estate since she was born. He was young, hard working and from what she's been told, somewhat handsome.

"Hello, Thomas," she said cordially. "What are you doing here?"

Thomas slowly stepped forward and placed a single flower in her hand.

"I found it growing beside the front gates."

Ora bent down to smell the flowers and paused.

"You brought me lavender," she clarified. In between her studies she had taken up learning of different plants and their various uses and meanings. Lavender, was meant to be given to someone whom you held great devotion for. It was not to be taken lightly.

"Madame had mentioned that you weren't feeling well before," he said.

The tension in her shoulders released. This ultimately was not a love confession, but merely a friend showing concern for her well-being.

"Thank you, Thomas. I appreciate it. I am feeling a lot better now."

"Well that's certainly a relief

"Well that's certainly a relief. In that case I'll be on my way." Thomas rested his hand lightly on top of hers. "Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help."

The air stilled in her lungs.

"Um. . . I - will do." Ora nodded.

She heard Thomas leave. As soon as she made sure she was alone, Ora climbed to the window and opened it. She whistled.

"Cordelia," she called.

Soon the little bird fluttered through the open window and rested on her vanity.

"You called, My Lady?" the bird chirped.

"The man from early this morning. Did you happen to catch a look at him?" Ora asked out of desperation.

"Oh you mean the tall man that caught you on the stairs?"

"Yes!"

Cordelia stopped to think.

"I'm afraid I didn't get much too close to him to see his face," she admitted. "However I did notice the odd color of his hair."

"His hair? Why? What color was it?"

"White," she answered.

"White?" Ora pulled her brows together. "Was he old then?"

"He certainly didn't move like he was old. After you went inside, I saw him move away from the house in great big strides."

Ora sat back in the chair.

"Well that settles it," she huffed. "I'm going to try to meet him again tonight."

"Tonight? My Lady, are you sure that is wise? I'm not sure why, but something about that man makes my feathers ruffle

She smiled at her friend's concern. But it was no use. Ora planned on meeting her mysterious savior again.

(If you like the story so far please feel free to comment or ask questions!)