"Who was it from?" The duke asked the boy
"Oii not sure Yer Grace, it was a small boy. but it was too dark. Oii cant see." Said the boy "He said is urgent Yer grace."
"Very well, thank you." The duke answered.
He looked at the envelop and saw the seal of the family of Von Voltaire. Von Voltaire a well honored Austrian family. he heard of them the last time he visited his grandmother in Austria. He wonder what do they want from him.
"What is the matter my friend?" Asked George
"Mrs Von Voltaire has sent me a letter." He said "and it is urgent"
"Von Voltaire?" He was surprise
"I am afraid, Yes." He answered and read the letter and he face changed. he did not say a word to George but kept the letter into his pocket and walked into the ballroom.
_______________________
"Oh my, I cant wait to ride with his grace." Brigitta said to the maid while she was changing into her smart riding suit.
"I am sure his grace is very excited as well." Said the maid
"I hope so." She said with a smile
She walked into the stable and saw the duke was talking to the young boy who works in the stable.
"Good morning." She said shyly
"Morning Brigitta. You are punctual today." The duke teased
"I am always your grace." She said and blushed as if she remembered something "except for sometimes."
"Well well." The duke laughed. "I heard you are planing to ride Thunder the other day."
"Thunder?"
"The best horse in this stable"
"Oh yes." She said with her sparkling eyes and she suddenly remember she needs the devil's permission "May i?"
"I am not sure how good is your riding skill, but i suppose it should be fine since thunder is in a good mood today." He replied while patting the horse
"Thank you." She answered
"Since you have chosen my best horse, i shall go for my favorite horse then."
"Isn't thunder is your favorite since it's the best horse?" She asked
"Surprisingly, no." He answered and climbed up to a beautiful black stallion "My favorite is Dragonfly."
They went for a walk in the square. thunder was a white female horse. it was wild but it not difficult to control. according to the duke it was much more difficult to control when it mood was bad. However dragonfly is always calm and soft. sometimes it might be a little playful. she can see why is dragonfly the duke's favorite.
After riding the duke invited her for breakfast at one of the cafe in the city. This was her first time having breakfast in such a beautiful cafe. The pastries were great. she cant explained how much she enjoyed.
"Brigitta, do you have any relative that is still alive?" He asked "Forgive me but.."
"Is fine your grace. Yes, i suppose my relatives in Austria is still.. alive." She cant find a better word to describe either
"Are they the Von Voltaire?" He asked
"Yes your grace."
"Last night your aunt send me an urgent letter. they demand you to stay with them." He said and looked deep into Brigitta's eyes "What do you think?"
"Oh no your grace. please i promise i will get married as soon as possible. I dont want to go back to Vienna, to the Von Voltaire mansion"
"Is fine Brigitta, you can stay with me as long as you want. I am your guardian after all, there is nothing much they can do about. You dont need to rush your self to get married."
"Thank you your grace." She said quietly
"May i ask why are you so afraid of going back to the Von Voltaire?"
"Please dont ask me your grace. Before your lawyer claimed me back to your castle after my father passed away. I was looked after by them and it was a disaster."
"Yet, you ran away from me"
"Someone told me, you forgotten about me." She said softly "I thought if i don't run away i shall turned in to a old unwanted granny in the castle."
"I am sorry Brigitta." He said
___________________________________
"Good day your grace" Said Mr Rubin "Mrs Von Voltaire is here. she is waiting for you in your study."
"What is she doing here?" He asked
"She demanded to see you right after you went riding with Ms Brigitta"
"Do not tell Brigitta about this. I will talk to her later."
"Very well, your grace"
He walked into his study and saw a well dressed middle aged women was waiting for him
"May i help you Mrs Von Voltaire?" He asked
"Did you or did you not receive my letter your grace." She asked sharply with German accent
"I did and i have talked to Brigitta." He said "She doesnt want to return to Vienna."
"She is just a child, what do she know about? After all, We are her family." She said "And you are just a stranger."
"I am her guardian Mrs Von Voltaire I dont mean to be rude but i am legally own Brigitta" He added "if you want me to put it in this way."
"her grandmother is asking for her granddaughter and you must have know how old is my mother." She lied
"From what i heard, her grandmother has passed away." He actually attended the ceremony.
"You..."
"Now, may you excuse me. I have lots of work to do." He said "Mr Rubin please prepared a carriage for Mrs Von Voltaire." He said and opened the door of his studies
Why are they demanding for Brigitta? Is it about the money or something else? Why is Brigitta running away from them? arent they her family? Why would she rather stay with him, a stranger. He asked himself. and Brigitta walked in.
"They came to claimed me." She asked "Didn't they? I saw my aunt just now"
"in a matter of fact, they did." He said and look at Brigitta
"I shall return to Vienna." She said "I don't want to cause you any trouble your grace. You have been very nice to me. and i am grateful." She rose from the chair she stood "I will leave tomorrow morning."
"Brigitta, sit." He ordered "i need to know what is happening"
"No you wouldn't want to." She said and ran up to her room.
_______________________________
She locked herself for hours.
"Brigitta, please unlock this damned door and let me in." Said the duke
There was no answer. he suddenly remember how good was her escaping skill. He kicked off the door and noticed she was gone.
"Oh, Brigitta" He sat on her bed and whispered and laughed dryly.
How idiotic was he not noticing she might run away again. He shall leave all his work behind and leave for Vienna tomorrow morning. how is he suppose to have a good night sleep when he doesn't even know is she safe.
"Your Grace?" Asked the maid that used to serve Brigitta
"She is gone." he said
"What?"
"Yes, she is gone and i shall find her tomorrow." He said and "Or perhaps i should go now." He rose and walked out the room
"Mr Rubin i am going to Vienna now. immediately." He said while walking down the stairs
"Very well, your grace." He said "Do you need me to go along?"
"No, i can go on my own." He said "I might be there for one or two weeks"
oh Brigitta when are you going to stop escaping from me? he asked himself.
_______________________________________
She has been here for a week. She know that the duke wouldn't bother to look for her. However, she can't explain how much does she miss him. He was one of the most dashing man she has ever meet. His smile and captivating dark eyes.
"brigitta, you are well aware that tomorrow is the ball for Maria's 16 birthday." She said "I expect the dress should be done by tomorrow."
"But aunt, i dont even know how to sew."
"Figure it out by your self." She said and walked out the tiny little dirty bedroom
She was back here and her aunt planned to married her to a half died old man. She thought it would be fine since he is dying so soon. she didnt care much except for praying the duke will be happy and hope that he will believe in love again.
She has a hobby. she used to draw out every dresses she hopes to own. she used to design tons of dress after look at the dress in the magazines while she was in the duke place. Since he is so rich, she is able to own almost every dress she drew. the other day she was drawing and her cousin Maria saw it. She demanded for the dress and the tailors in Vienna cant make it on time because it requires lot of time to put on the little details. Then her aunt ordered her to make it.
She was so worried. she cant even sew. what is she suppose to do? she cant be sitting down crying. she should start working. "Oh papa, i know you heard me, please help me" She pray in her heart.
It has been mid night. she still can sew a nice based for the dress. she didn't know what to do. she sat on the floor and her tears eventually rolled out. She heard someone knocked her window and she ignore it she thought it will be some wild animals and again she heard it. she open her curtain and she saw a familiar face. it was the duke!
She quickly open the window "What are you doing here your grace?"
he did not speak but hugged her tightly "How could you run away from me again? How dare you?"
"I didn't want to trouble you.." She said quietly
"It took me a week to figure out where is the Von Voltaire mansion." He whispered "Why is it so secretive my dear?"
"I cant tell you now. I am in an emergency." She said and stared at the drawing she did and the horrible dress based
"What is this?" he took the white based and look at it.
"Oh no please don't laugh. it suppose to be the based of this dress" She showed him her drawing
"And you drew this?" he asked and thought how talented was her
"Yes."
"Well, well." He said "Lets escape and we dont need to figure this silly thing out."
"Oh no.. I cant." She said "i have an engagement"
"With who!?"
"An half -dead old man."
"And who gave you the permission?" He asked
"My.. my.. family.." She said quietly
"I shall figure this out with you and i will leave before the sky turn bright." he said "And i will see you tomorrow as a guardian." He said
"Will you canceled the horrible engagement and .. and..."
"And whatever you asked for."
"Oh thank you so much." She said and hugged him "I pray everyday, hope that you will be happy."
"Did you pray to see me again?"
"Oh no.. I am afraid his lord will think that I am too greedy."
"Oh Brigitta, please dont run away again." He said "You horrified me. I am afraid you might be in danger or you might be snatched like the first time i met you." He kissed his forehead.
"Oh no.. i will not run away from you again." She said "I shall never."
to be continue.... feedback ar.. kinda dunno how to continue it adee...=)
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