the lord and the alleycat [COMPLETED]

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Bennet asked if we needed to get anything from the Alleyway and I nodded, leaving Hailey with him as I snuck away. She was already enamored by him—he was holding her and making her giggle and I smiled because it was the happiest I had seen her in a while.

I ran back to our hut and moved our blankets to pull out a small bag containing a locket I had owned for as long as I could remember. I distributed our blankets to those who needed them most, and instructed another child on handing the bread out the following day. I looked around at what I had considered home for so long and promised the children that clutched on to me that I would visit and bring them food when I could. Tears were in my eyes as I exited the Alleyway and caught up with Bennet. He saw the sadness in my eyes and clutched my hand with his free one, leading Hailey and I from the marketplace and to a carriage.

“Wow,” Hailey’s eyes grew big at the horses and the fancy carriage. “Are we riding in that?”

Bennet chuckled and helped her into the carriage, “Yes, angel.” Hailey gently sat down on the velvet cushions, looking like she felt the same as I did waking up in Bennet’s house. Before he could get in, I pulled him away from the door.

“I know you are just being kind, but I don’t want Hailey to get used to this life,” I looked down at the ground. “When you are done with us, please don’t hurt her feelings too much.”

Bennet placed a light hand on my arm and met my eyes, a small smile on his face, “Don’t worry, I don’t plan on letting you go anytime soon.”

I blushed lightly, surprised at his tone, as he helped me into the carriage. He jumped in after me, and settled down next to Hailey. He pointed out landmarks to her and I smiled at how sweet he was being. We pulled into the neighborhood where he lived and Hailey was looking around in awe.

“My lordship,” she said shyly, “do you live in one of those?”

“Call me Bennet, angel,” he smiled down at her and then nodded. “Yes, I live in one. I think it’s the prettiest one on the street,” he whispered the last part to her and she giggled. We pulled in front of his house and Marie ran out to greet us.

“Ali! I’m so glad you’re back,” she gives me a light hug once I stepped from the carriage, and smiled at Bennet before seeing Hailey. “Who is this?”

Bennet answered for me, “She’s Amara’s friend. I invited her to come along.”

“Amara?” Marie looked confused until Bennet gestured to me and she nodded in understanding. “Well, let’s not stand out here in the cold, come on in!”

Marie held onto Hailey’s hand and lead her into the large house. Bennet placed a light hand on my back and we followed them into the home. Marie gave Hailey a tour and I followed Bennet into the kitchen, as he quickly put together sandwiches for Hailey and I. Bennet carried them from the kitchen into the room I had slept in during my previous stay. Hailey was there, bouncing on her own small bed next to mine when we entered.

She was grinning happily and rushed over to Bennet, clutching his legs in a hug, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I took the sandwiches from him so he could reach down to return her hug.

“Of course! I really needed Amara, but you’re just a bonus,” he tweaked her cheek and lifted her to the window seat. I brought over the sandwiches and I showed her how to eat them.

She gobbled it up and looked at me with a grin on her face, “Will we get to eat like this every day?”

“I believe so, yes,” I answered, giving her a big hug as she yawned. “I think maybe you could take a rest now.” She nodded with her eyes half shut, and I carried her to her bed. Bennet came to stand beside me, and pulled the blanket up to her shoulders.

“Oh wait, before you fall asleep,” Bennet said, rushing from the room. He returned moments later with something behind his back. Hailey watched him curiously as he approached, and once he got close, he presented her with tiny person stuffed with straw.

“This is a doll,” Bennet explained handing the doll to Hailey. “It used to be my sister’s before she grew up. She named her Noni, and now, she’s yours.” My eyes watered at his kindness and I watched Hailey clutch the doll to her chest before falling back on the pillow and closing her eyes, her breaths slowing as she fell asleep. Bennet pulled me from the room and closed the door behind us.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said and he shrugged.

“I wanted to. It wasn’t getting any use, and at least I know it will be in good hands,” he smiled and took my hand, leading me down the stairs. We met Marie at the bottom, where Bennet handed me off to her, saying he needed to complete some lordship work.

“You’ll like working here, Amara,” Marie led me outside to introduce me to the rest of the staff. Monroe was the carriage driver and he and Arnold took care of the stable and horses. Charlotte and Iris were the cooks and launders with Marie, who was in charge of them all. I was told I would work with Charlotte and Iris, and Charlotte would teach me.

“I do so hope we can become friends,” Charlotte wrapped her arm around mine and led me back to the kitchen.

“Do you live here?” I asked shyly as Charlotte bustled around the kitchen grabbing food and other equipment.

“Oh no, darling,” she said while placing everything on the counter. “The only one who lives here with his lordship is Marie. The rest of us have our own homes.”

“Oh,” was all I could say as she began to teach me how to use a knife to cut up vegetables. She explained how sharp the edge was and to keep my fingers away from it.

“You are quite slow,” Charlotte joked with a smile on her face. “But I’m sure you’ll get better with time.” I nodded as I passed her all the food I had cut up and she placed the food into a pot, saying we were making a soup for dinner. “When the King comes, it will be much more lavish.”

“King?” My eyes widened in shock. “Is that who Bennet said was the ‘special guest’?” She looked at me weirdly and I realized I had said Bennet instead of his lordship.

“Yes, King Dietrich will be here in a few days. You were hired in Emilee’s place, she just got married,” Charlotte sighed in content. “I hope to get married someday. Her husband is so kind and hardworking.” I hummed in return, adding spices and stirring the soup as instructed, not sure how to reply. “Do you want to get married?”

I looked up to see Charlotte looking at me expectedly and I shrugged, “It was never something I had time to dwell on in the past. It’s always been about Hailey and finding our next meal.”

“Who’s Hailey?” Charlotte placed her head in her hand after checking the soup’s progress.

“She’s my,” I paused trying to think of a reasonable answer. “She’s my adopted sister. I found her as a baby and decided to take care of her.” I applauded myself in my head for the answer as Charlotte nodded.

“You are very sweet to do that,” she rubbed my arm and tested the soup again. “Okay, it’s finished.” She directed me to ladle soup into four bowls, and helped me quickly clean up the kitchen so the soup didn’t get cold. “I have to leave to my home now, I will see you tomorrow, yes?” I nodded in return and she gave me a small hug, before leaving the kitchen. I took the soup to the dining room to see Marie, Bennet, and Hailey patiently waiting. Hailey was tightly holding on to her doll and she bounced up and down when she saw me. I placed the bowls in front of everyone and sat down between Hailey and Bennet. Bennet had papers scattered in front of him that he continued to pour over while shoveling the soup in his mouth.

He paused after a few bites and looked at me with a smile, “This is wonderful, Amara.” I smiled widely at his praise as Hailey and Marie complimented me as well.

When we finished the soup, Hailey leaned over and whispered, “Will we get to eat like this every day?” I nodded and she jumped from her seat to run to Bennet. “Thank you very much Bennet.”

He chuckled and picked her up into his lap, his paper’s forgotten, “Do you want to play a game before we head to bed?” She vigorously nodded her head and he chuckled again. “Okay, I will give you a count to ten and then you hide and I will look for you.” He covered his eyes and began to count out loud as Hailey wiggled her way off his lap, her feet padding across the floor, giggling the whole way. I began to gather up the dishes, but Marie waved me off, saying I should join the game.

Bennet was sneaking around the house when I snuck up behind him and poked him in the back. He jumped and then turned around when I started laughing, “Getting bold now aren’t we?”

I flushed at him comment and backed off and he shook his head, “Don’t worry, I’m just teasing. Let’s try to find Hailey together.” He took ahold of my hand and we crept around the house. We passed by a closet and we heard faint giggling behind the door. Bennet placed a finger on his lips and I nodded. He counted to three and then threw the door open when Hailey came tumbling out. She tripped Bennet who fell into me, until we were a human pile intertwined on the floor. We all started laughing and I stopped when I realized Bennet was quiet and staring at me with a weird look on his face.

“What?”

“Nothing, let’s get Hailey to bed,” he untangled himself and held a hand out to Hailey before helping me to stand. We walked down the hall to our bedroom and I entered with Hailey. Bennet returned with nightgowns for the two of us, and then wished us goodnight, squeezing my hand before leaving.

Hailey climbed into her bed, clutching her doll as her eyes blinked tiredly. Her blonde curls spread out over the pillow and I couldn’t think more that Bennet’s pet name angel was more fitting.

“Goodnight, Hailey,” I whispered as I saw her breathing even out. I kissed her forehead before turning to my bed and climbing it, staring at the moon out the window.