THE DISAGREEABLE DUCHESS

CHAPTER SIX

Olivia felt pain when she tried to get up, her body was aching, most especially in her knees. Then she suddenly remembered what happened last night, so she lifted her night gown right above her knees and saw the damage of her action. Both her knees had the biggest and baddest wounds, and although it required no stitching, she was sure that it'd take a while before it heals. She worried that it'll leave a horrible scar afterwards.

Trying to sit up on the edge of her bed, very slowly, she hoisted herself up and lifted her aching lower body. It seemed impossible, but it was done. She felt the sting of her wounds, she didn't mind. She had more when she was younger and Magnolia has always scolded her for it.

Her stomach growled, the last time she ate was breakfast yesterday morning.

She sighed.

Today, she knew it, she'd be bedridden for her foolish actions. So instead of forcing herself any further, she had her body flop over the soft bed and laid down comfortably. And for the first time in her several days of stay in the mansion, she rang for the lady maid who was positioned outside her doorway in case of any calls.

Then, a split second later, she heard a knock on her door. "Come in."

"You called, Ms Whittaker?" Asked the maid.

"Yes," She agreed. "will it be alright if I ask you to bring me a tray of breakfast? My body's a bit sore today."

"Alright, and would you like for me to call for a doctor?"

"No, there's no need."

"Then, I'll be on my way."

After the lady maid left, she glanced at the window. The sun was high up in the sky, it seemed that it was already noon. I must've slept through the whole morning, she thought.

No sooner than later, the maid came in with a tray of warm food all served in silvers.

"Thank you." Olivia said.

The maid just looked at her and gave a warm smile in reply. She bowed down and quickly turned around and walked away.

"Wait!" Olivia stopped her.

"Do you need anything else, Ms Whittaker?" Asked the maid.

"Actually, would it be a bother if I asked you to help me change into a more decent dress?"

"No, not at all."

So after the lovely breakfast, the maid presented her with a beautiful beige dress which came from her trunk. She didn't even know that she had a dress like that but she agreed to wear it anyways.

"Will there be anything else?" The maid asked once more.

"No, you may go now." She replied. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

An hour later, Olivia was forcing herself to stand up. She wasn't the type of girl who sits around in the same position without getting bored. A minute more in bed and she was sure that she'd lose it. So despite her painful wounds, Olivia walked out of her room and into the quiet garden where she sat on the wooden bench by the large tree.

"Are you feeling better?" Asked a familiar voice from the back.

She turned around to see Colin in a crisp, plain white shirt and a pair of black trousers with suspenders. "Sore, but better." She replied.

Colin walked around her and sat on the free side of the bench. He handed her a cup of tea which she gladly accepted. "So, what happened last night?" He asked.

"Well.." She hesitantly started.

"You were in a bad condition when I found you lying on the streets."

"I found myself in Hyde park after walking for what seemed to be hours,"

"But Hyde park is ten miles from here." Colin said in disbelief. "You walked from here to there and back?"

"I don't know, I kept on walking until I was seated on a bench like this, by the lake. My mind must've slipped elsewhere because before I knew it, the sun was setting right before my eyes. So I started walking back, but I passed by a pub where a man saw me and dragged me in a corner..."

"Then what happened?"

"He... He tried to force himself in me, but I was able to reach a plank and bashed it on his head. Then I ran and ran until you found me."

"And the man, can you still remember what he looked like?"

"He was tall and obese, I wasn't really able to distinguish his facial characteristics, but he had a beard that kept on pricking me while he was kissing me. But that could be anybody, right?"

"Well, I'm glad you're safe."

Olivia felt the sincerity in his words, so she leaned her aching body against his muscular build. "Colin?"

"Hmm?"

"How old are you?"

"I am eight and twenty," He replied. "why ask?"

"Colin?"

"Hmm?"

"Are we courting?"

Colin was shocked, he's completely forgotten about it. "Do you want to?"

"I guess..."

"So, is that a yes?"

"Yes."

All of a sudden, his heart started pumping like crazy. Was he excited? But he barely knows Olivia... How was he if he was forced into a relationship that threatened everything good and happy in his life? He took a quick glance at the woman who was leaning against him. Was it possible? He's had lovers before, a few of them ended up in bed with him, but he's never felt the same about them from his feelings for Olivia.

Colin stood up and offered a hand, and with a thick accent, he comically said. "Then, milady, might we head out for a walk? I would like to get to know you better."

Olivia chuckled. "I'd be delighted good sir, if only my knees weren't aching then I'd gladly march to Hyde park with you, but sad to say... I'll decline your offer." She replied in a snotty lady's accent. "Is it alright if we stay here? I am enjoying myself sitting beside you."

He couldn't say anything, he saw how bad the wounds were. So he quietly sat back beside her and sighed. "And I was hoping that I'd be able to show you a decent tour of town."

"Maybe next time." She said.

For hours, they sat beneath the shade of a large tree in the bench, getting to know each other better. And even though it was an awkward situation for them to be courting without any knowledge about each other, they freely shared their thoughts and opinions on certain things like dancing and tea parties.

Colin now knew for a fact that Olivia has a tendency for sleeping throughout small gatherings sitting in an uncomfortable chair with a lot of people by, and he knew that Olivia hated dancing, even though she was taught as a child, there was something about it that displeases her. She wasn't your typical little girl as well, he learned that Olivia was quite a rowdy girl as a child, and that that attitude she possessed only changed when she hit puberty. She hated learning as well, she could never stand sitting in a corner of a room with the field wide and open for her to play with. And lastly, he learned that the most important person in her life was Magnolia, the woman that cared for her since she was a baby.

Olivia on the other hand, questioned Colin's quiet childhood. He was the only son of servants that worked for the Whittaker mansion for more than he could remember. And as a child he's shown knowledge and curiosity about how the world works, which interested David. He didn't like playing with other children either, he was the type of child who'd prefer books over toys and friends.

They were quite the opposites of each other growing up, and there were a few instances that they still are even as adults... But somehow, despite those differences, they couldn't help but deny the attraction between them.