They just stared at each other for a full minute before he broke the eye contact and retrieved the parchment he had been previously reading.
“How do you still remember that?
I wasn’t even talking to you then – I was telling that to Candace and we were barely six at the time.” He shrugged nonchalantly.
“I happened to have overheard and… I possess a very impressive memory.” She narrowed her eyes.
“Oh.
So you still hold what I said as an infant against me?
All the princes are lecherous rakes with no inkling of shame.” He cocked a brow.
“Then why did you reject all your suitors… and accept my brother instead?” She blinked.
What did she say in response?
“I accepted your brother because…” “You wanted him all along.
I see.” He cut her off to say.
Before she could utter any word, there was a knock on the door.
“Do come in.” He said, his gaze riveting to the door.
An impeccably dressed aged man with a long tail coat and white gloves stepped into the room.
The light from the open window caught on his silver hair and gave it a pretty sheen.
It wasn’t until she saw the chain attached to his lapel that she realized he was the steward.
The old man kept his eyes cast to the ground as he entered.
“I was summoned, Sir Theodore.” “Yes, Bartwick.
This is Lady Whitmore – the woman who would be giving you instructions as of the time being.
Do exactly as she says….
and should you have any problems as to her orders, come directly to me.
You may leave.” The man nodded and spun on his heel to leave.
Eve remained exactly where she was.
“That includes you, Lady Whitmore.” She blinked again.
“Were you expecting me to escort you and guide you?” Thinning her lips, she snatched her own pile of the work off the table and spun around to leave in a swish of heavy skirts.
“What an insufferable man!” She muttered furiously as she hurried to catch up with… Bartwick.
“My lady.” He called out to her when she sped past him unknowingly.
“The wagons that his… Sir Theodore’s orders have arrived.
Do you want to inspect the wares before I have the servants bring them inside for arrangements?” Inspect the wares?
Could she even do that?
How would she tell which flowers were perfect?
How would she tell what wine was suitable?
She touched her forehead briefly.
“Yes, we should inspect them first, Bartwick.” She had to prove him wrong.
It was as obvious as night and day that he expected her to fail.
To return to him with her tail between her legs… but she would not give him the satisfaction.
Earning his respect was the only way to catch his attention and possibly his… “My lady?” The man’s silver brow was arched up in surprise.
“I must mention, my name is Cortius Bartwick.
Only Sir Theodore calls me Bartwick.
It was my father’s name and he served this family before me.” She met his gaze, forcing him to look away.
“If he calls you Bartwick, then I will call you Bartwick as well.” She smoothed an invisible speck of dust off the bodice of her gown and glanced at the entrance.
“Shall we?” He nodded and led the way.
The sun was beaming down at the grounds fiercely as she stepped outside the door.
Everetta grimaced immediately.
She brought neither a bonnet or a parasol… her face was bare to the attentions of the scorching sun.
And it was much too early for the sun to be so hot.
If Theo had access to the sun, she would have blamed him for trying to burn her to death.
“Shall I fetch you a parasol?” Bartwick hurriedly jumped to the rescue as he sensed her growing discomfort.
She shook her head quickly.
Some might say ‘too’ quickly.
The last thing she wanted was for the insufferable knave to think she was spoiled to the point that she was thoroughly incapable of enduring a little hardship.
And that way, she would never earn his respect in the days to come.
“The sun is mild, Bartwick, I would not melt.” The man arched a brow at her then shrugged his shoulders.
Shielding her eyes with his hands, she walked down to the first wagon and looked down at the woven blanket that had been thrown over the wares.
It looked like it had never been washed since it left its creator’s hands.
“Can this be lifted?” The stout man with an irritating amount of stubble that owned the wagon lazily pulled the covering off the wagon and dumped it on the ground.
The wagon was filled with golden cutlery… forks, spoons, knives and the rest.
Everetta stole a glance at Bartwick to see what he thought of the cutleries.
The man’s face was an unreadable mask much to her disappointment.
They did look nice… How did one tell when cutlery was suitable and not suitable?
She wondered.
Then she leaned forward and kicked one out of the array.
There was a scratch at the back which betrayed a hint of silver colouring beneath.
Silver?
Eve picked another one only to see the same thing.
The Royal family was gracing the event, which meant that only real gold was to be used.
She turned to Bartwick.
“Bartwick, inform the owner of this wagon that hsu services are no longer needed.” Bartwick nodded and glanced at the man who must have heard everything she had said.
Everetta coloured when she realized that the man was right beside the wagon all along.
“Thank you for your services, Mr… wagon man.” She coloured even more.
Turning to Bartwick, she said, “Please give him a coin for all his troubles.” Bartwick tossed a coin at the now-foulfaced man and they moved on to the next wagon.
Something made her glance towards the house.
He was standing in the shadows by the door, no doubt watching how she would disgrace his household.
A small smile threatened to crack through her lips.
But the sun was unrelenting – time was no longer a luxury.
The next wagon was uncovered.
But within it was none of the wares she had on her list to inspect.
They were strange items.
Everetta reached forward to touch it.
“What is this, Bartwick?” The man beside her shrugged.
Then she glanced back at the man in the shadows.
His eyes and most of his face were completely hidden from her view due to the blinding sun.
Eve lifted one of the strange items out of the wagon and held it up for Bartwick to have a closer look as well.
Then out of nowhere, Theo yelled, “Don’t touch that!
It contains gun powder!” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Maestrofunzi_07 What in the…!