She moves the blanket and steps out of the bed, walks over stiffly to Ann who is still staring at her in astonishment, “Listen, I’m sorry I went off on you, but…” Ann suddenly snaps out of it and goes to slap Elouise only for her hand to be caught in midair by Ellie who finishes what she was saying, “Look, I’ve gone through a whole hell’va lot and you’re a whole mood that I can only tolerate in a certain disposition, which I currently am so not in.”
“Why you little…” Ann pulls her arm out of Ellie’s grip, “Let go of me, how dare you!”
“So…” Father Adam speaks, “…with how you speak and act, you’re not from around here, and your wounds say so to.” He clears his throat, “I’m just going to ask…are you or are you not, Miss Elouise Rose Priestley, an angel who fell from Heaven?”
Ann crosses her arms and rolls her eyes, the whole room waits for Ellie’s response only for it to be her chortling out loud, quickly covering her mouth, she apologizes, “I am…so sorry. I did not mean to do that. That was rude of me…but no. I am not an angel, regrettably I cannot…” she’s cut off speaking from the gentlemen’s retorts.
“But your back, it’s scarred with the image of what looks to be a set of wings.” Doctor Stevenson exclaims.
To which Father Adam includes stuttering, “And, and, y-you fell from the sky after there was some sort of bright light seen by our Lord Maynard along with the entire crew, even our Grace King John saw this!? They saw you were flying!”
Holding her hands up to slow their questions, “I know what it seems like, but as I was saying, I unfortunately cannot speak about it. It’s classified.”
“Well, I have no clue what that means, but I am tired of sheltering you.” Ann holds her hands up as she continues saying, “As of this afternoon, you’ll be escorted off the estate grounds.” Ann declares with no thought to it.
“But my Lady Ann,” Doctor Stevenson exclaims, “Her back is not healed.”
Sternly speaking down at him, she bellows up at the towering man, “That is no longer your concern, if you want to keep your position, I suggest you hold your tongue and pack up your tool bag. As I said, she is gone! Off the premises!” She flicks her hair back and walks out the door in a huff, “Someone fetch the guards!”
Nicholas quickly hurries out the door still trying to help Elouise in a hasty tone, “My Lady, the Lord did say to house her until he returns, we mustn’t go against his wishes.”
As she is further down the corridor, her voice is faint, but Ellie still hears her reply “I don’t care, I’m the Lady of the Estate, THE Countess…what I say goes right now. GUARDS!”
Within minutes, four armed guards are pulling Elouise out of the room and escorting her out the front gate. After the guards throw Ellie out, she starts to walk painfully down the muddy frigid road, shivering from the cold. Frost set in overnight, and a light coat of snow is covering the ground. Ellie is at a loss for words, and is on the verge of tears when she hears a horse snort from behind her.
She turns and sees who it is, declaring, “Doctor Stevenson. You shouldn’t be out here Sir, it’s quite against the rules according to the ever so lovely Lady Ann.” Elouise chuckles out, still shivering.
“I’m terribly sorry for this horrendous display of my Lady…but I cannot in good conscience see you leave in such a manner. You have no coat, no shoes, nothing. Come…” He halts the horse and dismounts. He pulls off his cloak and wraps Elouise in it. “This ought to keep you warm, I don’t mind buying another.” Picking up Elouise like it was nothing, he places her on his horse and starts to clean her feet, then places shoes on, “These are my wife’s, I’m sure she won’t miss these as she isn’t walking much these days.” He points behind her, “There are some rations in the pack here, a ledger if you want to write down something as it seems you have much to say, and…” he pauses and pulls from his pocket, “…some coin to help you get by” He places a sizeable pouch in her hand.
“Good Sir, you do not need to do this, and what of your horse?” Elouise blubbers out, tears streaming down her face.
He gently smiles and kisses her wounded hand, looks her in the eyes, “He’s yours now. Keep Peter fed well, if you can. He loves apples.” He pats her hand gently that he held with care, “I’m sorry I cannot do more. I’ve spoken quickly with The Father, but he seems to be full at the Abbey taking care of the sick, he cannot take you in. You…” he holds back tears, “…you are on your own.” He stands silent as a slight breeze blows by tousling his hair. Ellie sniffles and nods her head. He clears his throat and says, “If you continue on this current road, you’ll come to a fork. I would take the road less traveled. Take care my dear Elouise.” He kisses Peter goodbye then pats his rump to get him to start walking. Peter brays, and starts forward. Elouise almost falls off, but catches herself with the reins.
She turns, her back throbbing in pain, but continues, “Thank you…” she chokes up and tries again to speak through her gasping breaths, “…thank you so very much, I will pay this kindness forward!”
He just waves and smiles trying to hide the tears rolling down his cheek, slowly turning to walk back towards the estate.
Ellie breaks down and pets Peter’s mane, “Well Peter, I must say, it’s nice to at least have company.” They continue down the current path as birds continue to chirp on a cold March afternoon. Her life apparently is starting over, wiping away tears, she smiles now determined to keep her word to the doctor, “Yes Peter, we will surely pay it forward.”
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