Aromantic Desires

III

All she could hear within the walls was silence. That same silence was then interrupted by Eliza, informing them that Mr. Premstone wanted everyone in the west parlor. Hurryily getting dressed Audrey, scooped up her hair and tied it with a bow, threw on a dress and hurried down.

They all were standing and waiting with the tenants and maids present. Unexpectedly, Mr. Knight and Frisella came hand in hand.

"We called you this early morning, on a very surprising note. I'm not going to take up the whole dreaded day but it is certain that…..my wife is with child!"

The Premstones and lady maidens cheerfully discussed preparations for the arrival of the baby, as Audrey's eyes were glued onto her cousins. Frisella looked pale and rubbed her palms together so much, that it had turned blush red. This was a time to celebrate but the one carrying the revelation of good news seemed troubled and upset. Just as Audrey rose to speak with her cousin, Frisella headed indoors in a hurry, halting all the cheering and excitement. Audrey knew when not to over step, so she gave her some space. Though It felt like that, Audrey knew she had to assist her.

"What troubles you cousin?"

"Nothing to worry your pretty little head about. I remember that you must be getting ready for your picnic with Kenneth."

"News travels fast on this estate don't you say?........Christ! Why must you remind me that I have to face him?"

Although this was her coping mechanism for what she really felt, it was getting a bit tiring to keep this act up. So, to drown her feelings she intended to look pleasant as some time soaking up some sun will be good.

Hours had passed and it was time to get ready. Fixing her blue skirts, her lips curled into a frown as thoughts of a displeasing evening lingered near.

"Audrey." Kenneth called as he arrived a short while ago.

As he opened the door to her room, what he saw justified that his feelings had changed since their last encounter.

Kenneth's POV:

It was as she stole the sun's light as her rays of elegance shone brighter than anyone I ever saw. Well, one person before had the same ray, but she has grown now. He took a long stare at her, savoring every moment he got to trace her dainty curves. Maybe it was for a minute or less, that didn't matter as it was enough for him to have his unruly fantasies.

"Can you excuse me a bit, Mr. Bainleigh. I need to fetch the goodies for the-"

"I already have it all set up, Audrey. I even made a few sandwiches for you," he told her, bending down to pick up a medium picnic basket that looked rather heavy.

"Oh" she gasped, shocked by his actions.

It was the first time anyone had done such a thing for her by themselves. Her palms were sweaty as her brown skin glazed in the sunlight.

"May I request, sorry, demand that I have some strawberry jam sandwiches."

"Of course, your royal highness. I made them just how the princess likes it since you were a mere child, homemade jam with fresh bakery buns."

Oh Mister Bainleigh.

He reassured her by raising his elbow as Audrey accepted and held his arms, heading into the meadows. As they stopped at their spot, under an oak tree. Kenneth flung the picnic cloth to allow it to expand as it fell slowly on the grassy below. He then placed a large pillow and crossed his legs, flinging his shoes off. Honestly, Audrey finds his gestures very attractive as she stared at him from above while he took out the items from the basket.

Now was the moment of truth and Audrey had second thoughts of wanting to hear nothing but the truth. It may shatter her in a million pieces or it may give her a different perspective of Kenneth's attraction to her. Either way, it was terrifying for her to say the least.

"Time is of the essence, Kenneth. Hurry, hurry!" Audrey cried as she sat and took out a sandwich from the basket.

"Aren't you…….? Can we both have an interesting conversation that doesn't have to do with why I left years ago and why I'm behaving this way now?"

"I suppose that is what I came for, no?"

"I honestly thought you agreed to come on this little outing just to have your hands on free sandwiches," he teased, biting a piece of the food.

Audrey rolled her eyes, and he began noticing that her patience had worn thin. He began telling his story as Audrey rubbed her hands together.

"Audrey, What we did as children is by far a bittersweet experience and I will not change it for anything but it was very risky–"

"Of course it was! Do you not remember what had happened? Or am I to jog your memory? She barked.

"Calm down, darling!"

Audrey shifted away from Kenneth and her throat became dry. Her forehead began cold sweating as though it was indeed cold. It was spring. She had never thought that this day would come to settle on what had happened but she tried with all her emotionally exhausted feelings to get it over with.

"Ken..... Kenneth, we layed together! I'm not sure it is lady-like for an unmarried woman, well child at the time, to perform a martial act."

"Undoubtedly, it was the best time in my life." he said, reaching out for her hands.

"Are you mad? You left without saying anything to me. After what we did I suppose I need an explanation."

Kenneth ran his fingers through his hair twice and pressed his fingers on his lips gently as if he was holding back from bursting out.

"As you must know Audrey, my father died the next evening. Although the scoundrel was not present for most of my childhood as well as my sister's, we still needed to be there for him. He took ill some days before our eventful evening."

"Oh" she sighed, then her eyebrows lifted. "I'm terribly sorry–"

"Yes, well, minutes before you wanted to cut my head off!"

It was certain that Audrey had over reacted but she knew that her parents would at least tell her such details before. Why did they not? Was her parents keeping something from her or did the subject slip their minds? Nonetheless, Audrey wanted to enjoy her evening and so did Kenneth. They both forgot about the topic and enjoyed their evening as two individual adults. Audrey was a bit relieved that Kenneth had not lost interest in her.

Despite all of his efforts and actions, she could not help that her yearning for a more exciting goal was all she craved for. At least that what she told herself. No one but herself. Kenneth may be charming, and funny and caring but Audrey could not deal with him breaking her heat again. Not when he did that years ago.

It will mean that he would break her heart, right on the same scar, puncturing the same wound to bleed. The only difference with the last heartbreak and a recent one, is that a fresh heartbreak will ache less.

All of these thoughts roaming Audrey's mind, she did enjoy the evening with Kenneth although it felt like there was more than what he told her.

"Audrey Dorothy Premstone!" Victoria yelled, practically fighting the air as she stomped towards Audrey and Kenneth returning from their afternoon picnic.

"Mother, can you be any more aggressive! I had a lovely evening and you will just ruin it with all of your screaming."

Kenneth had the biggest smile Audrey had seen. His cheeks become red and his head slightly rises upwards as if he just accomplished something. For Audrey, that compliment was for her mother to leave her alone.

"Oh!"

She chased her eyes from the top of Kenneth all the way down. She then looked into his eyes.

"OH!"

She was a fool if she forgot those ocean blue eyes.

"Good afternoon, Kenneth. I see it that you took my daughter away from me this evening. I was going half mad."

"You worry too much, Ms. Premstone. I was taking very good care of her. Now and the as we were children", he added, devilishly smirking at Audrey.

Audrey then rolled her eyes and filled her arms as if she was upset.

Then smiled.

He gave her a quick wink which, honestly, awoke the butterflies in her stomach.

"Mother, I think it's time for dinner, isn't it? I'll go wash up."

Kenneth took Victoria's hand and kissed the outer palm of it.

"Have a wonderful evening, Premstones." he said softly.

Victoria giggled and Audrey became annoyed as to why her mother liked Kenneth. Maybe because of what they didn't know? Do they even know? Well Audrey certainly cared a tad bit much for someone who swore she isn't fond of the lad.

She layed on her bed wondering about him. What they did younger, would have made more sense if they did it now. Exhausted by her thinking, she ducked under the covers, praying her dreams don't show her true intentions to her. As they always do.