Running away

Chapter 13

t's been two months since working for Nick and I'm starting to relax a little. There was no reply to the letter that was sent out about me not being me. I am still constantly looking everywhere in case they come after me but nothing. 

"It seems you have become lax, Mr. Tilly."

The sound of his voice makes me jump. "Well, who wouldn't when you finally are able to breath after a long time of running." A hand grasped my shoulder and I felt his breath brush against my neck. "I do believe I still have yet to understand why you ran in the first place, Milliana." 

My cheeks inflamed at his voice and images from my romance novels, that painted a vivid picture, flared up in my mind. Since the occurrence of me being scandalous, we both kept to ourselves. It was relatively easy to avoid him when he went away for a week but there was an unnatural experience of joy when he returned. 

"Yes, well. I have been unable to speak of it since we are in the workplace and anything can be overheard through these walls. Best unsaid if we wish to keep our secret, Mr. Cranston." I stepped away and bent to retrieve some documents from the lower shelf. I heard a hiss of some sort and something brush against my rear end. I sprang up and away as I turned back to Nick. "Please refrain from such movements in close proximity to me, Mr. Tilly." 

He wasn't looking at me but his cheeks were tinged with a hue of pink, as if he was brushed with the blush many young woman who have come out wear to catch the attention of suitors. 

"If you say so, Mr. Cranston." The air of thick with silence and I felt like I was going to suffocate. "Tonight. You will be escorted by Jesus to my home for dinner and overtime work. I have several boxes of documents that need to be sorted before the voyage next week. You will be coming with me this time, so I suggest you bring both sets of clothes for your person." He cleared his throat and looked at me finally. "At the time of dinner, you will tell me the truth, Mr. Tilly." 

With that he turned away and left through the adjacent door. I raised an eyebrow. I was to have dinner with Nick? Alone with a man in his home. Without a ring to link us. A shiver was sent through my body at how outrageous it sounded yet I was up for the occasion. A smile made its way to my lips as I suppressed the urge to giggle. The enjoyment of when Derek and I would ruin the chef's food or scare the old boarding school teacher out of his wits filled me at the thought of breaking one of the highest rules in society, dining, alone, with an unmarried man. 

I shook my head, unable to get rid of the giddy excitement, and continued my work until the clock struck five. "Jesus will take you to your residence to change out of your work attire and then bring you to my house." I looked up to see Nick looking at everything but me. "I have no other male clothes besides this, sir." The look of astonishment was surprising upon his features. It was rather adorable to see it really. 

"How do you not have anything of sets of clothing? What do you sleep in?" The question hung heavy in the air as I covered my chest out of instinct and his cheeks went aflame. 

He coughed and straightened his tie. "I am sorry. That is not a question a gentleman should be asking." He looked away from me. "For your information, I sleep in a nightgown from the house owner's wife. I simply haven't been able to afford more clothing for myself as I am also supporting me and young girl, who is an orphan twice over." His face softened before a sigh escaped from his lips. The very same lips I have been imagining kissing for some time now.

"Very well. Come with me then." I fixed up my paperwork and blew out my candle before following him out the door. "I believe I have some work-clothes from back when I was a lad that should fit you. We shall see if they fit and if not I will take you to acquire more clothing in the morn." 

"I do not need you to provide different attire for me sir. I can support myself and Catherine just fine." He shot a look backwards that said "You will listen to me" and I felt very small but the look sent a jolt to my stomach, causing it to feel unsettling. 

I followed him in silence as we reached the bottom floor, it mostly empty except for a few cleaners. Jesus was nowhere to be seen as I did my very best to keep up with Nick. 

When we reached outside, Jesus was there sitting on top a carriage. It wasn't flashy or expensive but it wasn't cheap either. I smiled as he opened the door and I climbed in. "You know how to treat a lady, your lordship." He followed suit with a raised eyebrow. "As I said, I am a gentleman and regardless if you are dressed as a male or female, I will be one towards you at all times." I felt a ping in my heart and my cheeks warmed up to his words, once again. 

I felt him staring at me I refused to look up, afraid I'll be drawn into those deep forest green eyes once again. "Mr. Tilly." I shook my head. "Mr. Tilly." I peeked up at him through my eyelashes. "Look at me Milliana." I felt my breath disappear as I looked up[ fully to see those smoldering green depths drawing me in. I shivered slightly at the dark, luring look he was sending. "Nick." My voice was quiet, low and this shifted something in his features. The air felt thick and smothering but I didn't want it to end. 

He could kill me alone with those eyes of his. My chest felt tight and restrained as if I just ran for quite a while. My body ached for something, anything  from Nick's touch. My fingers ached to move that strand of wild brown hair out of his face. My eyes fell to the stubble appearing on his face and my gaze betrayed me as it outlined his pink lips. When they curved into a small smiled, my face warmed. 

I looked into his eyes to see amusement lacing them. "We have arrived Milliana." I looked out the window and gazed upon his residence.

My heart dropped.