Caught in the Storm of a Duke's - Abby Ayles Page 0,103
all.
While in the hole they became covered with dirt, but Benjamin insisted it was more fun that way. Annette agreed.
They remained in there for hours, simply talking, giggling, and playing, until eventually they heard their parents calling their names. At first, they both found it amusing that their parents couldn’t find them, but Annette began to express doubts after a few minutes.
“They sound worried, Benny.”
“It’s alright,” Benjamin assured her. “It’s just a game.”
However, as the sunlight filtering through the entrance to the hideout started to fade, Annette stated she was going back out. Benjamin tried to stop her, but Annette was beginning to get upset and claimed she missed her parents. She crawled out of the hole and shouted, “Mama! Papa!”
The adults were there in an instant, cooing and fretting over Annette, as they asked her where she’d been. Benjamin, still in the hole, felt his gut clench in concern that she would tell them about the hiding place.
However, she simply said that she and Benjamin had gone exploring through the grounds and thought Benjamin was somewhere a little further along the path.
Benjamin felt his eyes widen. She had covered for him, and it seemed like the adults believed her as they followed her away from the hole. Benjamin waited a minute or so before coming out, then followed them and announced himself.
His parents questioned him and asked why he was so dirty, but, before he could say anything, Annette explained that she had wanted to crawl in the dirt of the garden to get to some pretty flowers.
His parents turned to Annette, and no one blamed her for her curiosity. They simply told her that she needed to tell them when they were going to go exploring on their own.
Benjamin was astounded at how Annette made the adults forget about chiding them. Yet he would come to find it was only the first of many times she would get him out of such scrapes.
Years of fun went by. Benjamin taught Annette everything he knew; both in the arts of mischief and sneaking, as well as his knowledge learned from books and lessons.
Yet it became clear that he couldn’t teach her manners, because in that subject Annette was far superior than him. She often stood up for him before his manners could be reprimanded and everyone believed her and loved her, forgetting about the reproach on their lips for Benjamin.
As Benjamin grew older and began to study at home with private tutors, he was unable to see Annette quite as much. However, they still spent time together whenever they could.
But then there came a day when his parents gave him the news. They came into his room, applauding how he had progressed in his studies, and told him that now, as a young man of fourteen years old, it was time for him to study abroad and finish his schooling over several years.
Benjamin found the prospect immediately exciting, but in the next moment he realized it meant leaving Annette behind. His heart sank at the thought.
That day Annette came to her house with her parents, but Benjamin wasn’t able to greet her with as much enthusiasm as usual. Annette immediately picked up on his distress and sat down with him.
“What’s wrong, Ben?” She took his hand and frowned, looking concerned. She always cared so much for him.
“My parents told me that I’ve done well in my studies.” He paused, unsure of how to phrase what he had to say. “They’re sending me abroad to finish my education.”
Annette’s eyes widened. The color drained from her face in an instant. “For how long?”
Benjamin fidgeted. “A long time,” he said softly. “Several years.”
There was a long silence broken by the sound of sniffling. Annette’s tears began to flow freely and she threw her arms around him. Though Benjamin wasn’t used to such familiar gestures, he hugged Annette back anyway. Tears stung his eyes too, but he was a man. He couldn’t cry.
“I promise I’ll write to you,” he said, gently pushing her away, so he could look into her puffy eyes.
“Every day?” Annette asked, hopeful.
Benjamin smiled at her devotion. “As often as I am able.” He took one of her hands in both of his and pressed it gently. “No matter what, you are my best friend, always and forever.”
Annette simply grabbed him in another embrace, her body shaking as she sobbed. Benjamin felt as if he had been physically wounded at the sound of her distress.