The Prince that Saved Me

First to Know

{Piper’s POV}

“When my father died, he took all of the hope for my future.. no matter what I said, what I did, my mother refused to allow me to wiggle out from under her thumb. She has always been cruel, but her selling me off to Lord Ferrenhall.. it was a line that I thought she’d never cross. I suppose I was wrong.. there isn’t a low that my mother wouldn’t stoop to for her revenge.” I gripped my skirt, holding on so tight that my knuckles had begun to turn paper white.

“I never thought that a parent could be so cruel..” he said softly, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

“Some parents don’t see their children as anything more than pawns.. it’s one of the reasons I swore to never marry. Any children I had would be used by my mother, or their father.. and I couldn’t let that happen.” I said, turning and scratching behind Smoke’s ear. “It must be nice to be you Smoke, you’re free to be yourself, even with your trauma and temper..” I kissed Smoke’s face, smiling at him. “I wish I were more like you boy.”

I heard Mr. Wells behind me, a soft chuckle erupting from somewhere in his chest. “You are like him, temper and all.” He said.

I shot him a glare, mostly of embarrassment as a blush spread across my face. “Lord Wells..” I said.

He stared up at me, his bright blue eyes wide, and a soft pink spreading across his cheeks. “Sorry..” he chuckled, looking away. “I suppose that was out of line.”

I giggled, and his eyes shot back up at me, watching me as I laughed. “No, no.. it was quite a welcomed statement.” I said, turning my attention back to Smoke. “Being compared to this beautiful boy, it makes me happy.”

He smiled up at me, before catching himself and rubbing the back of his neck. “We should get inside and get cleaned up before Mrs. Wells comes out looking for her eggs.” He chuckled, reaching up to me. “I know you don’t need my help, but will you accept it?” He asked.

I looked down at him, and nodded softly. “I’ll see you later Smoke, be a good boy.” I smiled, scratching his ear once more before turning to Mr. Wells. His arms reached up, his hands grasping at my waist as he pulled me down, and sat me on the ground. I winced as his hands squeezed my waist, the bruising on my ribs aching.

“Are you okay my Lady?” He asked, as his hands left my waist.

I nodded, trying to fake a smile. “I’m okay..” I said softly, turning and making my way back to the barn. As I walked inside out of view I leaned against the wall, and gripped my ribs, breathing in and out in short easy breaths.

I felt his hand on my back and turned quickly to face him. “What’s wrong, there is obviously something, so don’t lie to me Lady Martins!” He said, his eyes burning into me.

“I-I’m fine my Lord.. truly, I’m fine..” I said, moving back and trying to turn to grab the basket of milk bottles.

He sighed, leaning across me his chest grazing across my back. My body went still as he grabbed the basket. “You get the eggs, I’ll get the milk.” He said, lifting up the basket and walking past me out of the barn.

My face felt hot, and the hairs on the back of my neck were standing straight up. My whole body felt like lighting was twinging through it as I tried to straighten myself out and head back towards the house. I grabbed the basket of eggs, and made my way back to the house, bringing in the eggs and setting them down on the table. I pulled off the coat, and the work boots, putting them back in their place, before going to the sink and washing my hands. “S-Sorry it took so long..” I said, smiling softly to Mrs. Wells.

“It’s no problem, Lord Wells let me know that you were helping him with Smoke. He’s had so much problem out of that horse, thank you for helping him.” She smiled at me.

To be truthful, it is strange to see a Lord working with his own horse.. and it seems there is only he and Mrs. Wells here. They’re obviously not married.. he isn’t her son.. but both of their last names are Wells. She is a maid.. and he is a Lord.. all of this is fishy to me.

I nodded, smiling softly, trying not to allow my demeanor to fall. “It’s no problem at all, I love horses.” I said, turning to face her.

I turned back, grabbing the egg basket and moving it to the center of the island. “I think this will be enough, I wasn’t sure how many to get.” I smiled, leaning down onto the counter, wincing at the pain in my ribs. I tried to relax, but no matter how I hard I tried, the pain kept flaring up. He might’ve really hurt my ribs, but we won’t know until the doctor comes.

She turned to me, a strange look coming over her face. “Is it your ribs dear? I saw them the first night you were here when I bandaged you up.. it looked quite painful.” She said, walking over to me.

I looked to her, and smiled softly. “I’m okay.. just a bit sore.. I don’t know what’s wrong with them, but they do hurt.” I said, standing back up straight and gripping them. “I’ll be fine though Mrs. Wells, so don’t worry about me.”

Her face was full of worry, but she nodded, and turned back to her word. “If the pain gets worse you tell me!” She demanded.

I nodded, smiling as I completely straightened back up, grabbing the pan and placing it on the stove. “You’ll be the first to know.”