Escaping Her Curse—Completed

Chapter Five

Cursing under her breath, Jessie ran back towards the doors that lead into the ball. With the noise, she doubted anyone had heard her scream. She could hear the assailant catching up to her quickly, even as she made her way frantically forward. Jessie realized that she was literally running out of options and did the only thing she could think of doing at this moment to buy herself some time.

Carefully listening to the pounding footsteps behind her, she waited until he almost caught up to her before turning abruptly and slamming her fist into his stomach. He collided into her fist and stopped form, sending them both to the ground. Jessie fell backwards, but regained her bearings fast enough to jump back onto her feet. Delivering a swift kick to the maked man’s private area, Jessie then turned and fled once more. She heard the man groaning before reaching the doors and pulling both of them wide open.

“Help! Please! Someone! Anyone! The duke has been stabbed! Please!” she shouted into the crowd.

The people gasped, and Jessie knew she was committing a grave mistake in high society, but at this moment, she only cared about her employer’s well-being.

Fighting through the crowd, Jessie made eye-contact with Prince Oliver, who stopped in front of her.

“Where? When? And how?” he asked in succession.

Jessie pointed behind her, still in shock. “I s-saw someone stabbing the duke in the garden, right by the entrance near the fountain. The man chased me, but–”

Oliver took off running before Jessie had time to finish her sentence. She turned to watch him, hoping he’d get there in time to not only save the duke, but also catch the culprit. After a few silent and awkward seconds, a doctor rushed out after the prince.

Slumping her shoulders, Jessie felt exhausted suddenly. She had worked all day and into the night, and then she witnessed a horrible attempted murder. She was shocked, scared, and worried that false rumors would spread about her. Feeling drained, her knees suddenly buckled under her and she began falling to the floor. Two sturdy hands caught her, however, before she crashed to the ground.

“Jessie,” Simon said gently. “I’ve got you. Hold on.”

“I’m–I’m so s–sorry,” she mumbled, attempting to stand on her own.

With mild alarm, Simon continued, “Jessie! You’re hurt. Stop fighting me. Let me help you.”

Jessie’s eyes felt heavy, and she barely comprehended Simon’s words. She tried to apologize again but only succeeded in slumping into Simon’s arms. He bellowed for another doctor, hoping there’d be one, before scurrying up to where his guest room was. Several maids followed him.

After several hours, Jessie’s wounds were addressed, and she was sleeping soundly in Simon’s guest chamber. The maids had changed her clothes and washed the blood off her skin. The doctor had been in to see Jessie and assured everyone that she would make a full recovery. Katherine had also already apologized for the state of Simon’s suit and promised to get it cleaned for him.

Simon, however, didn’t care about the suit or the ruined party. He only cared that Jessie had been hurt. Her blood had soaked his clothes. He questioned himself harshly on why he cared as much as he did. He barely knew the maid, let alone had time to develop feelings for her. Nevertheless, he couldn’t deny that he did, in fact, feel something. Simon acknowledged that it made no sense, but he accepted the feelings for what they were and vowed to get to know the maid that had so quickly changed the tune of his heart. Though it was deemed improper, Simon fought everyone to stay in the room with Jessie and watch over her. The culprit had gotten away, and Simon feared he may return to kill the one person who had seen him.

Jessie opened her eyes in the late morning. She turned to see Simon’s head resting on his forehead. He was asleep. She bolted up in bed, stirring Simon as well as causing her head to pound furiously.

“Oh woah,” Simon chuckled. “Take it easy.”

“M’lord!” Jessie cried out. “What? I’m so–”

Simon’s grin widened as he gazed upon the maid. “Sorry?” he interrupted.

Jessie nodded slowly.

“Don’t be. How are you feeling?”

Looking around the room, Jessie’s eyes widened. “I’m, um, I’m okay. Isn’t this…?”

“Yes, it’s my room. Is that going to be a problem for you?”

“But sir, I can’t, I can’t be in here. In your, uh, bed,” Jessie whispered.

Rising from his chair, Simon stretched out his arms and sighed. “You can be wherever I say. It was my choice, and I won’t tolerate you lecturing me on how it’s improper. You were hurt, and you needed a place to rest comfortably without interruptions. This was an option, and so we all agreed that it would perfect.”

Jessie frowned and played with the edging of one of the many blankets on top of her. Never had she dreamed of being in such an unexplainable situation. If the high society ladies foud out about this, her reputation would be ruined and Simon would continue to look like the playboy he was. She couldn’t let her precarious built life fall apart.

“Stop it,” Simon scolded.

“Stop what, m’lord?” Jessie questioned, looking up at him.

Simon had to grip the back of the chair to steady himself. Jessie was breath-takingly beautiful and looked so small in the giant bed. She also had this air of innocence around her that played on his heart strings.

“Stop over-thinking so much. Duchess Katherine gave the permission for you to stay here, so no one will be gossiping about it. You’re a hero, Jessie. You saved the duke’s life. If you hadn’t brought everyone’s attention to the attempted murder, he wouldn’t have made it. The Laroche’s are in your debt,” Simon explained.

“Oh,” she replied quietly, thinking over his words.

Simon watched her for a few moments before sitting next to her on the bed. This immediately got her attention, and she shrank back a little.

“I’m not going to hurt you or touch you,” he said, hiding his hurt.

“I–I know,” Jessie countered, releasing the blankets from her death grip. “I’m sorry. It’s a reaction, and a poor one at that.”

SImon sucked in his breath. “It isn’t if it’s a defensive move. I’m sorry for startling you and causing you concern.”

He then reached over and placed a hand over hers. “It’s the last thing I’d want to do,” he added.

Jessie gave him a small smile just as the door opened. Prince Oliver strode in and took in the situation before him. He saw his long time friend preying over a defenseless maid. Oliver narrowed his eyes and glared at Simon.

“What are you doing to her, Simon?” Oliver asked sternly.

“No–” Jessie started, but Simon spoke over her.

“Nothing untoward is happening in this bedroom, Olli,” Simon retorted while standing from the bed.

He used the nickname on purpose, knowing that it would rifle the prince’s feathers. It worked. Oliver’s glare turned cold and menacing.

“Then, you should ensure that no situation could ever be perceived as inappropriate,” Oliver said icily.

“Why exactly did you barge in here?” Simon questioned.

Oliver glanced at Jessie and gave her a warm smile. “I came to check in on the patient. She did, after all, save the duke at her own expense.”

Jessie blushed and began playing with the blankets again. Though she was the topic at hand, she was clearly not a part of the conversation between the two men.

“Well, as you can see, she’s fine. So, you can be on your merry way and leave the patient alone,” Simon stated. “She needs her rest.”

“Then perhaps you can join me to let her rest,” Oliver grinned with annoyance.

“As this is my room, I wouldn’t want to leave her alone. I have a sense of duty here, Your Highness.”

“Um,” Jessie squeaked out. “Thank you both for your concern. I really am alright. I mean, my back aches, but that is normal. I wouldn’t want to keep either of you from your duties, and I should be doing my chores anyway…”

The looks she received from both Simon and Oliver made her stop talking.

“You will be doing no such work,” Oliver said firmly.

Simon was at Jessie’s side in an instance. “Agreed.”

“But my duties! I can’t just stop working!” Jessie exclaimed, aghast.

This brought a pure smile of joy to Oliver’s lips. “While I’m sure that the duke appreciates your commitment to his house, I am pleased to report to you that you will no longer be serving the Laroche Duchy any longer.”

Jessie frowned. “What?”

“Last night, I spoke with Duke Laroche before his terrible accident. He agreed to let me take you back to the palace when I leave. You’ll be serving me as my new personal assistant,” Oliver boasted.

“She’ll what?” Simon growled. “How? He told me that he wasn’t going to give Jessie up to anyone!”

“I have my ways,” Oliver winked.

Jessie laid back against her pillows totally taken aback. She hadn’t thought that Francis would actually let her go. But then again, it was the prince. Who could say no to the prince?

“We’ll leave as soon as you feel up to it,” Oliver smiled.