Chapter 9 #2
As day three dawned, the rains had stopped, but the roads were treacherous, and the going was slow. Their moods were back to tetchy and after four hours of getting only a little further down the road due to bogging down, Oliver called it a day. Lilli was resistant to his decree.
“It isn’t only about your desires,” she said.
“I am well aware of that,” Oliver replied, his voice even but with a hint of steel beneath.
“Then why are we stopping when we could press on? We’re nearly home, I’m certain of it.” Lilli crossed her arms, fingernails digging into her sleeves. "We could make more progress today. The inns looked questionable at best in this area, and I would prefer to sleep in my own bed tonight."
“Because I refuse to risk our lives over mud-slicked roads.” Oliver’s jaw tightened, a muscle working rythymically as he leaned forward. “And I would prefer to arrive with you intact rather than with a broken carriage axle or worse. The roads are treacherous, Lilliana. This is not a negotiation.”
“Why not?” she felt snippy and her tone said so.
Oliver leaned forward, his gaze intense. “The horses are tired, the driver is exhausted, and frankly, so am I. Lilli, be a good girl and let Daddy take care of you.”
The way he said her name, and referred to himself as Daddy, made her wiggly inside. He was firm yet somehow tender, sending a not wholly unwelcome flutter through her middle. She turned to look out the window, refusing to let him see how his authoritative tone affected her.
“Lilli, let Daddy take care of you as he wants to. Your task is to simply allow me to keep you safe by obeying.”
Lilli bit her lip and sighed. A part of her knew he was right, but admitting it felt like conceding yet another battle. She glanced out the window at the earth, brown and slick with rainwater. She knew he was right.
“Yes, Daddy.” It felt unfamiliar as it had before they began the return journey, but it felt right. Oliver’s smile was the answer she needed.
By the early afternoon of day four, Lilli was beside herself in boredom and anxious anticipation of being home. Oliver had stayed quiet during the morning except to answer her few questions and to direct the driver to stop for a meal.
Once back in the carriage, Lilli could barely sit still, beginning to recognized landmarks showing they would arrive home soon.
“We are getting close, Your Grace,” the driver called down.
Lilli pressed her hands against the carriage window, her heart quickening.
Home. Despite everything that had happened, despite Oliver’s infuriating edicts and comforting protectiveness and losing Gran, she would soon be back where she belonged.
The familiar rolling hills of the estate came into view.
A glistening emerald green after the recent rains.
“Look, I can see Heatherfield in the distance. It won’t be long now.”
“Indeed.” Oliver observed, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. “One might think you’re anxious to be rid of my company.”
“Well, it has been an adventure, if unfruitful.”
“Agreed. I imagine the staff will be pleased to see their mistress returned safely.”
“I shall need to inspect the ledgers as soon as possible,” Lilli said, already mentally cataloging her duties. “I’m certain Mr. Finch has maintained everything properly, but I prefer to see the accounts myself.”
“The accounts can wait until tomorrow,” Oliver said. “I shall wish to join you so that I may familiarize myself with them, but I refuse to do that upon arriving.”
“They are my accounts for my estate. It is nothing you should concern yourself with, Your Grace.”
“Ah, we are back to formalities, is it, Lilliana? Let it be known that as your guardian, it is expected that I know and oversee the accounts. I am modifying our expectations to include you in all oversight. It would not be so if it were not such a unique estate with a special owner that I care about.”
Lilli chose to say nothing but sat on the edge of her seat in anticipation of the carriage stopping.
“When the carriage stops, you will not alight until you have assistance.”
“I can descend without assistance.”
“But you will not or you will invite my discipline. A lady waits and you, my dear, are a lady.”
She pouted for a few moments but once she heard the clopping of horse hooves on the drive, all sourness was replaced by joy.
Lilli felt her heart leap in her chest. Home at last. She instinctively reached for the door handle but caught Oliver’s warning glance and reluctantly withdrew her hand, folding it primly in her lap.
The memory of his firm hand against her backside was still fresh enough to ensure her compliance, however grudging.
He smiled, a flash of approval warming his eyes. “Good girl.”
The carriage door opened, and Oliver descended first, turning back to extend his hand to her.
Lilli placed her gloved fingers in his, feeling the strength in his grip as he helped her down.
The moment her feet touched the gravel, a wave of emotion swept through her.
The familiar scent of roses from Gran’s garden mingled with the earthy smell of recent rain.
Mrs. Holloway, the housekeeper, stood at the entrance with the rest of the staff lined up behind her. The older woman’s face broke into a relieved smile.
“My lady! Welcome home!”
“Mrs. Holloway, I am happy to be home.”
“Your Grace. We are happy to see you returned as well.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Holloway. It has been a long trip. I shall be staying for a few days, so I would bother you for a room that I could claim as mine when I am here, and some hot water for Lady Lilliana. What time should we expect dinner?”
“Promptly at seven, Your Grace. Harry here will take you up to His Lordship’s old room and we will take care of your people and livestock.”
“Thank you. I’m most grateful.”
Oliver offered his arm to Lilli who took it and they ascended the stairs together. Lilli went to a different wing than Oliver on the second floor. Lilli opened her bedroom door and flung herself on her bed. She was finally home.