The Prince that Saved Me

Allow Me

{Piper’s POV}

Waking up the next morning I could hear bird singing outside the window, as sunlight poured in through the curtains. I sat up, stretching my back out, before yawning, and turning to look at the full length mirror beside the bed. My dark brown hair lay in a messy braid down my back, and the nightgown that I was given hung loosely from my body. I took down my hair, brushing it out and fixing back the braid, walking to the closet where Mrs. Wells had hung up my dresses. I quickly picked one out, a pale green one with a sweetheart neckline. It hung to the floor, with a white underskirt. I got dressed, and washed up my face, making sure to look over myself before sliding on my shoes. I carefully stepped out into the hallway, looking down both sides before slowly making my way to the kitchen.

Mrs. Wells had her back turned to me as she slid a pan into the oven. I walked to the counter, taking a seat and looking over what else needed to be done. “I could help with that..” I said.

She turned to me with a jump, “Oh child, you startled me.” She shouted, placing her hand on her chest. “You’re a guest my Lady, there is no way I’m allowing you to work!” She said, turning back to her cooking.

“Mrs. Wells, please.. I would love nothing more than to be of use, especially since you two are allowing me to stay here, and even sending me far away from my mother and Lord Farrenhall’s clutches.. it’s the least I could do..” I said, standing and making my way to her side. “And please, call me Piper.. my lady is much too formal, and unfeeling, I’ve always hated when others call me that.. please, just call me Piper!” I smiled.

She smiled back, placing her hand softly over mine. “Alright, if you really want to help I need some eggs from the chicken coop outside, along with some milk from the barn out back. There is an apron, and a coat over there, along with some work boots and a basket.” She said, pointing to the door.

I walked over, pulling on the coat, before sliding on the boots and grabbing the basket. “I’ll be right back.” I said, turning and making my way outside.

The air was cool and crisp, the moist feeling of rain still lingering in a mist around me. I took in a deep breath, letting it out as I looked towards the barn and the chicken coop. I opened the door, walking inside and closing it behind me, carefully making my way around to all of the hens and getting as many eggs as I could find. I ended up finding 14 eggs, and felt content in that, deciding I’d head on over to the barn. As I made my way into the barn I could see a basket with bottles of milk in it, I walked over, preparing to pick it up when I heard the loud, terrified whinny of a horse. I sat down the basket of eggs, turning and sprinting towards the sound.

“Da**** Smoke! Why do you do this?” Lord Wells’ voice rang out, I turned the corner to see him gripping his hand and cursing at the horse.

The horse, whose name I suppose is Smoke looked quite happy with himself. I couldn’t help the slight giggle that escaped me, causing Lord Wells to glare my way. “What are you doing out here? Trying to run away again?” He asked, closing the gate in front of him.

I shook my head, stepping out from my place of hiding and making my way towards the horse and him. “Mrs. Wells sent me out to get some eggs and milk, I finished gathering the eggs, and came out to get the milk when I heard this beautiful guy.” I said, turning my attention to the horse, he was gorgeous, and so sweet. I reached up, carefully sliding my hand across his nose, as he leaned into me, nudging my hand. “What’s got you all torn up baby?” I asked lovingly, climbing the gate up so that way I was closer to him. “You weren’t so angry the other day.” I finished, rubbing my hand up his head, scratching behind his ear.

“How did you..” Lord Wells groaned. “I’ve had that horse for years and he still won’t even let me touch him, he bites me every time I’m near him.”

I turned looking down at Lord Wells from on top of the gate. “That’s strange, he’s perfectly content now..” I replied, looking back to Smoke. “Lord Wells.. May I see your hand please?” I asked, reaching back across the gate for his hand.

“I-I um.. is that appropriate?” He asked, his face turning a slight tinge of red.

“I’m not going to do anything untoward! I think that maybe I might know why he’s so fidgety with you.” I said, reaching and grasping his hand with mine. I pulled him closer, and used my hand to guide it to Smoke’s face.

As soon as his hand got closer, Smoke begun acting up. I reached up, stroking his neck softly. “Shh, shh, it’s okay boy, calm..” I said, pulling Lord Wells’ hand closer. His fingertips grazed across Smoke’s neck, and I could see the joy in his eyes, as Smoke didn’t back away.

“How did you.. what’s wrong with him?” He asked, looking over me, while petting Smoke lovingly.

“He’s afraid of you because of your size.. more than likely this poor baby was abused. Most horses that are abused by men, tend to fear men, especially if the men are exceptionally large.” I said, reaching up and scratching Smoke’s ear. “Horses are loving, trusting animals.. if you lose that trust, they will remember.. they don’t ever forget their pain, or their fears.”

“So you like animals?” He asked, turning his attention back to me.

I nodded. “I’ve always loved animals.. my father, he raised me in the barn with his race horses.. they were beautiful, but none more than my horse Winter.. my beautiful white Clydesdale..” I smiled bitterly. “My mother released her when I told her that I didn’t want to learn to play the piano.. my father knew that I wanted to travel, to learn everything I could, to be on my own..” I sighed. “When he 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.”