The Forest Cottage

14

As night came.  Percy was trying to sleep. Somewhere in the middle of  night she heard a thud.  So got up and went out to check what that noise was. It was,very dark  in the hallways so with a candle she made her way towards the room from which the noise came. 

Behind her a hand came on her shoulder she was jolted.  When se turned around she saw that it was Tom. " What are you doing here at his time of night " he asked. " I heard some noise coming from this room.  Its, deserted so how could it be possible.   Isnt it that haunted room " she asked.  " Yes i guessd so thas y i followed you here.  I couldnt sleep thats, y thought of taking a, walk and saw you with a candle here. You shouldn't be going inside there at night " Tom told her. 

" Lets both go inside " Percy said. " You are, a, persistent girl arent you. Ok let's check inside whats going on. You first go in. I will guard the door "  he said.  But as soon as percy entered the darkened room. She saw that at the window there was shadow and a giggle followed from behind her. It was very cold there. She thought of turning back.  " Not a good thing to have come up here " she said.  But as soon as she turned to return from there the door closed with a bang. And she started screaming from inside.  " Wait i will break in the door dont panic " Tom said as because of the commotion their uncle and father came rushing. 

At the earls mansion. Jack told Darcy in the morning "  today in evening theres, a event at Mr Wilsons place.  We can both go together your feet is fine now i think so two day after tomorrow i can leave you at ur uncles place too.  " Oh no i dont want to meet those characters again " Darcy said. 

" But some people are coming there who i have to meet and you will get bored sitting at home. So just come along " Jack said. 

" Okay " Darcy said. In the afternoon she sat in the backyard garden which was full of wild, magnolias and a huge tree which shaded the place. A strong wind blew and er hat flew off her head as, she tried to catch it. In evening she wore a, cream coloured gown which Jack said was of his mother. " It fits well on you " he said as they both were entering the carriage and they both left for the house event.

At Mr Wilsons house the whole chamber was full of cigar smoke and lots of wine was going around.  " Why i agreed to come here " Darcy was thinking.

Luke came along and said " You looking pretty in Jacks mothets gown.  And the limp seems to have gone only."  " Yes "Darcy said as his sister came with two glass of wine in her hands followed by the host Mr Wilson. " Jack my boy you came along and whose this with you " he said gesturing towards Darcy. 

After the introductions Darcy was drinking the wine and started feeling drowsy." Was something there in this wine " she said and fell down. 

Percys father and uncle asked whats happening here.  Tom said somehow the door got locked. So they broke in the door. 

" I had told you not to come in here and that too in middle of the night " her uncle said.  " Its maybe really haunted or someone is playing some trick here. So i came to check here " Percy said. " Its okay now go back to sleep " their father said. As Percy went to lay in her room. The moonlight was casting a, cool white glow on all the trees, around. Still in her ears that giggle played and a cold shiver went through her. 

At Mr Winstons party as Darcy fell down. Jack said " what was mixed in her drink..  " Luke said " it was just wine that i gave her.  " " Don't lie i know how conniving you are.  M sure you have had mixed something in her drink " As Darcy slowly regained consciousness. A scuffle ensued beween Jack and Luke. 

The host and others separated them and Jack and Darcy returned to their house. 

" It was nice you were not alone with him or he may have had played out another act over there " Jack told Darcy. " Why you even talk with such people.  M really tired and sleepy " said Darcy and went to her bed. 

The next day was sunny.  So Darcy got ready to go back to her uncles house. Jack left her at athe horses carriage. Before leaving he gave her his two books which she had asked for. And a tiny pearl bracelet. " What's this, for " she asked. " Its my mothers so now no one wears it so you can take it " he said. 

It was light blue in colour. " Its nice i will take it " Darcy said. " After few days i have some work in that town so i will give ypu you all a visit " Jack said. " Okay then you can meet my siser and father too " Darcy said. And the carriage started. 

Percy was sure something fishy was there behind that rooms, shadow mystery.  So she told Tom that tonight they will go together n check it. " Better leave it as its " why you are taking so much interest in it " he said. "

The doorbell rang. Percy was glad to see that Darcy had returned. " After many days im seeing you " Percy said. Their father and uncle also joined them.  " Hope you feets better now because we are going to the town fair.  So rest for sometime ' their uncle said. 

The next morning.  Jack came to their uncles mansion in the afternoon.  " Very soon you came " said Tom. " Yes i was going for some work to the town so thought will halt in here and meet you all " Jack said.  

Darcy came from upstairs into the hall.  " I am reading ur books they are good " she said.  After sometime Jack left after inviting them all to his house. " Nice guy he is " their father said.  " Yes and  a generous one too " their uncle said.

In the night Percy and Tom decided to go down stairs n check what exactly was going on in that store room at midnight. " I really dont know why i agreed to come with you here. Its so chilly out here.  And i hear some wild animal too " he said.  " You are trying to scare me " Percy said. 

" Wait i see some person there.  He is climbing towards the window " Percy said. Both of them rushed towards him. And were surprised to see who it was.  And caught red handed Luke and his sister. Luke and Tom had a scuffle and Lucy tried to flee but Percy caught her. Hearing all the commotion the butler and her father and uncle came along. " So this are the culprits " their uncle said. " They were the ones who were doing all that. Both are scammers who tried to make people sell their house by saying its haunted and such stuff " Tom said. " Wait im a lawyer you cant accuse me " Luke said. " Well we can see what you two were upto by the way " their uncle said.  

Later during the night. Darcy and Percy were reminiscing over the days happenings. " Quite an eventful, everything was wasnt it " Percy said.  " Yes but one good thing happened we caught the scammers and made some new friend" Darcy said. 

" Fathers saying we would be returning day after tomorrow " Percy was saying as she was applying some lotion on her hands and face.  " Wait lets not travel at nighttime now. Had enough of adventures " Darcy said.  

" Luke has called us all to an event in the city next month. Tom will also be there.So shall i make a, new dress or wear the same turquoise beaded one " Darcy asked Percy. 

" That dress  you have already worn four times.  Do make a new gown " Percy said. 

There was a sudden tapping on the window.  " What was that noise. Its 11 30 in the night. What could it be " Darcy said as she slowly made her way towards the windows. But as she slowly opened them it was nothing but the, tree branches which because of the wind were colliding with the windows. " Now you do see mystery everywhere " Percy said and slept.  And Darcy laughed and slept too. Outside a cloud covered the full moon.  And slowly the moon came out of the clouds and its white cool light illuminated the thick forests around as crickets made noises from the darkness in the quietness of the night.  

Later the next day Darcy and Percy went to their hometown.  " It was, such a adventurous trip wasnt it " Darcy said.  " Yes it was Percy said " So you really are attending that ball Luke invited you for " she asked.  " Yes i will and you are coming too " Darcy said  as she was unloading her things and clothes from her bag.

" Okay girls come down their father said from below.  " The seamstress has come to take ur measurements. " Lets go " Darcy said as both of them went downstairs. 

" Arent you both looking more pink from your trip to ur uncles " their tailor miss Jones said.  " Yes, maybe because of all the things that happened with us there " Percy said.  " So Percy are you going for the pearly pink or cream colored gown with puffed sleeves or ruffled ones " miss Jones asked. 

" The pearly pink with ruffld feathers would be great.  "" And show me your catalogue i will choose some design Darcy said as, she lifted the heavy book lying on he table. 

" This maroon embroidered transluscent sleeves and gown with shimmer at the borders looks good " Darcy said aa she pointed towards a design. " Nice choice " Miss Jones said. 

From the windows sunlight was falling on them. As it was, a sunny day.  " Are you both not attending the prince Wills banquet coming next week  miss Jones asked.  " Really he has, not invited us but " both of them exclaimed. All girls can go as he is looking for some girl to marry and his farher said to choose from all of the towns girls.  " So he is going to pick one " their tailor miss Jones said. " That sounds nice.  We both will be going " Percy said. Darcy said " but i think Luke wont be liking this idea so much. "  So Darcy was trying her gown for fitting. " Its beautiful isnt it " she was, perusing it when their father knocked on the door.  " Look what that cook has done she has burnt all the food.  Can you go and make something to eat " he said. Percy said " I will go and make some porridge " and went downstairs towards the kitchens. As she was making the preparation a crow came in through the open window. And as Percy was trying to shoo it away the butler came inside and said that nowadays this birds are coming in through the open windows and things are falling.  Because of them.  Yesterday only the bowl in our cooks hand fell in trying to shoo it off.  "

" I know " Percy said as shr continued with her cooking.  " A letter has come for you miss " he said.  " From who " Percy asked as, she wiped her hands on her apron. " From Prince Will i think or something " he replied.  " Okay i will check it later " Percy said. 

After some time Darcy was done with her checking the dresses and came down and exclaimed " whose letter is this and opened it.  " So you are cordially invited for the event " she read.  " So he has invited us too ,  see " she said showing the invitation card to Percy.  Percy snatched the card from Darcy.  ' Show me whats it she said and started reading it. " Okay so its, a masquerade wont it be fun " she said.  " Its day after tomorrow but and on that day Lukes event is, also there" Darcy said.  " Ofcourse im not missing out in this party.  Lukes event will keep coming but not this its one of a type.  And i have heard that the prince is, very handsome too " Percy said. 

" I agree with you we will go to the princes masquerade ball only first or maybe see we can do this.  Can we attend both the events " Darcy asked.  " Thats not possible Darcy and now we have to do some preparations so hurry up " Percy said. 

" We have to get ready to look our best on that day " Percy said. The butler entered the chambers and said Mr Tom has come he is in the hall. Hes asking whether you  are going with him to the market. " " Tell him i will go " said Percy as she went upstairs to get ready. 

" So the invitation has come to you too " Tom exclaimed. " Yes and we both are going "  Darcy said. " So i will come along too then see what happens there " Tom said.  " But you have not got any card " Darcy said surprised. " My father knows the king so i can come " Tom said. " This is going somewhere now .. " thought Darcy. Tom said " so how it would be..  " " Me coming along with you to the masquerade party. " I dont know you can come though " Percy was, saying as she went inside the kitchen to see how the porridge had faired. Their father came inside the room and asked " you came Tom so how was the work for which you had gone to town for?  " " I made the deal and all went well " replied Tom. " And by the way i was just telling your daughter Percy that i would be attending the Prince Wills masquerade too with them as, i know them. " But what if he likes one of them " theiir father laughed. " Its not in our hands that " Tom laughed too. 

Percy came downstairs ready to go to the market place with Tom. " Lets  go but but what are we going for " Percy asked.  " A new, horse has come up for selling and i want to see it " Tom said.  " But im finding this horse business too boring.Lets go and just eat some ice-cream or cake " Percy said.  " But that we will do too " Tom said. 

" You know the kings brother wants Will to marry his daughter but he doesnt wants to because shes greedy and very unpleasant. And his uncle can go to any extent to usurpe the kings throne by hook or crook and must already be planning to do something at the masquerade too. " " I think we, better not go there then " Percy said.  The next day. As Darcy and  Percy were getting ready to go to the masquerade the butler knocked on the door. " Miss he has arrived Mr Tom to accompany you " he said. " All Right so we have got company here now " Percy said as she was combing her hair in front of the mirror. " I wanted to tell you something Darcy about night ." " What  is it "  Darcy asked. " In night in was not feeling sleepy so I got up to drink water and when I went towards the window to open it more as it was getting a bit by.I saw this woman's  figure or shadow something move in the bushes.She was looking similar to that inn keeper woman. "

" Oh my God really you mean to say that its her and she's prowling around our mansion. I won't be able to stay alone knowing she's out there " Darcy exclaimed. " What time was it " Darcy asked. " It was 2 am in the night " Percy said. " Okay tonight I will send the butler and horseman to keep a watch outside . Come lets go now we getting late and Tom also waiting downstairs " Darcy said.

As they both went  downstairs. Tom looked up and gave a smile saying " arent you two ladies looking lovely. The princes going to flip " and all of them laughed. " We are just going for the experience of it " Percy said as they sat inside the carriage. There was a lightening in the sky followed by thunder. " It looks like its going to rain " Tom said and told the horseman to drive a little faster.  Their carriage was moving at a fast pace. After sometime they reached the palace grounds. It was all lavishly decorated with flowers of all variety roses, magnolias and lillies.  " How you think he looks the Prince " asked cy. " I don't know I have not seen him " Darcy replied.

A door men recieved them. The huge gate opened and they entered the ballroom. A huge golden chandelior was hanging. " This ndeliir is too big and beautiful " Tom remarked. Many young rls in beautiful dresses were all there sipping wine with masks on their faces. The trio went to the wine corner and each glasses in their hands sat on the couch. Then Percy got up suddenly to see a painting in the corner wall. 

It was huge and was of a scenery of a lake countryside. " It's so full of rich colours " Percy remarked and turned and she collided with a young lavishly dressed man. He was very handsome with dark eyes. All her wine spilled on him. " I'm really sorry I didn't saw you coming " Percy remarked.

" It's okay I have to be on congenial terms with all my guests " he said. " So you are the Prince what a way of meeting you then " Percy said. " Let me introduce you to my sister and friend " Percy said. As Darcy and Tom were introduced to Prince Will. A young woman with green blue eyes came and k his hand and said " Let's go and dance Prince you are wasting your time here hobnobbing with all. " " Ofcourse not they are pleasant people " Will sretaliated as he went off with her reluctantly. " That sure must be the ministers daughter " Tom said " the one I was telling you about. Darcy said " we me here to dance and make an acquaintance of the Prince and that we will. That girl and her father seem wicked to me " Percy also said as orchestra music started playing.  As the music played. " Let's dance " Tom said to Percym " Sure why not " said Percy and both of them went away.  Darcy just sat with her wine glass watching the dance when after sometime he Prince Will came and asked her for the dance. " Shall we .." he asked . " As Darcy was dancing with him she saw that his eyes were very nice. " So you found someone appealing tonight" she asked. " May be " he replied. 

After the dance Darcy went to the balcony for some fresh air and was looking at the gardens below. Above the moon  had risen. " We have to go now or it will become late. No late night travelling " she said. As she turned Will was standing at the doorway. " So are you going " he asked. " Yes " she replied.

" Can you give me your address so I can sent you mail " he asked " Ofcourse why not " Darcy said. Percy and Tom came along at the balcony too. " So see you soon maybe " Darcy said to Will and went off.

" That was interesting. He will mail you now he told didn't he " Tom s said. " He seems a nice person. Okay now hurry up and lets go inside the carriage " Darcy said. And they rode away. Percy said " looking forward to his letter. "  As their carriage drove off. Darcy looked outside the window and saw the forestscin the night. " There is so h greenary here " she remarked.  Yes " replied Tom. After they reached their Tom left them for his house. " He is a very nice guyaccompanying us " Percy said. " True. Let's go upstairs and change our gowns " Darcy told.

Their father came inside the hall from the library "I was waiting for you. So I thought I would  read a book. " " Which one " asked Percy.  " A old classical. By the way how was the masquerade dance. You met him " he asked.  " Yes we met him too and danced with him also. He has taken our mail address too " Darcy said.

" Okay so you two go and sleep. I was worried about you taking the return journey late at night " their father said. " Darcy was very careful to leave early so we did not had dinner too " Percy told. " Wait i will tell the butlercto serve you " their father said and left the room.

Later after having just soup for dinner as they were not hungry both of them slept.  The next day. Percy was having coffe with bacon made by the cook. Darcy joined her. " A letter has come for you miss Darcy by Will " the butler said and handed her an envelope with a small lily flower on it. She opened it and read it. " There is a new painting exhibition in the gardens and  he has told us that we can come " Darcy said. " Yes I would like to see the paintings. And bybtgecway he's garden is too lovely there are so many flowers there especiallyrose. I was thinking maybe we could he a light pink exotic rose and plant in our backyard. It will always remind us of the Prince " Percy said.

Soon after they had finished drinking. Darcy said " which dress should I wear ? " " Anything as its an informal event. What you say should we get Mongolia or rose for our backyard " Percy asked. " Please will you stop about flowers now pick up anything which you like more . And I'm wearing the light blue dress and you wear the silver " Darcy said.

The butler agai came and said " Luke has come. " " Ok now will have to take him along too I guess because I'm sure he has come to take us somewhere " Percy said..

In the hall Luke was hanging his coat on the rack behind the door. " Darcy after some long time I'm seeing you. How you have been " he asked. " Sure and now you are coming aalong with us for an art exhibit at Prince wills garden " Darcy said. " As you say I will come along. I was just going to ask to ask you to come for a horse ride as its a sunny day. Never mind lets keep it for another day " Luke said.  Darcy was havimg tea.  Percy came inside the room and said " so are you not going to the princes art exhibition?  "  " Actually im not in the mood. But im little interested too

 Yes i will  go to see his paintings in the garden tomorrow . You too get ready.  "" First let me have coffee " Percy said and went to the kitchen.  It was late in te evening. 

Later in the night they had dinner of some sandwiches made by the butler.  And while sleeping Darcy removed her gothic horror novel.  It was, her favourite. And started tp read it.  Percy entered her bedroom And asked.  " Do you have a comb i cant find mine.  " " Its in the drawer see " Darcy said.  As Percy was taking the comb a huge wind blew the windows.  So Percy went to close it a little.  " Its such a chilly night.  I will sit by the fireside for sometime then sleep.  " " Wheres the butler? " asked Darcy.  " Hes gone to the stables to feed the horses and check up on them " Darcy told and went to her room. 

In Darcys room the smell of fresh wet green grass and the fragrance of some flowers was coming. And she closed her book and slept.