Crimson and Emerald Chapter 3

Morning came soon enough but there was no rest for Alexandria who had been sleepless the whole night. There was another knock at the door, yet again it was her maid carrying a small tray of food

"You're father is out this morning, miss. I thought you'd enjoy to eat breakfast in your room."

Alexandria got up slowly to sit up and eat. "Thank you Lizzy."

"Would you like company?" The older lady asked, concerned for the young lady.

"No, but thank you." Alexandra gave her another fake smile and began to eat.

"Then I will take my leave." Elizabeth bowed as she said it, leaving the room.

Once Alexandria had finished her meal she got dressed and headed downstairs to go to the market. Alexandria was lucky her makeup hid her bruise which had become quite nasty. As she walked around the stalls looking at what was being sold, something caught her eyes. The flower woman was offering some of the most beautiful red roses; even their scent was wonderful. Looking through her purse to find some money to buy a few but she couldn't find enough, forgetting that her father took most of what was hers. Giving a sigh as she turned to leave. Fenris then appeared next to her, giving her a slight smile before buying an entire bouquet's worth of roses. Once paid for Fenris turned to Alexandria handing her the flowers. Taking them into her arms, blushing some.

"Thank you." Alexandria inhaling their scent, blushing more.

"You're welcome." Fenris said smiling then standing by Alexandria's side wrapping an arm around her waist. Alexandria pulled away slightly when he tried to put his arm around her. Fenris looked down at Alexandria with concern.

"What did he do to you?" He asked in a hushed tone so only she could hear.

Trying her best not to look scared, whispering back "Nothing...it was nothing.." Looking back to her roses.


Fenris sighed slightly but didn't say anything further in the fear of driving his meal away. Getting an idea he took Alexandria's hand and kissed it gently.

"Would you like to accompany me? Perhaps for a walk in the park or maybe for a cup of tea?" He asked with a smile looking up into Alexandria's emerald eyes. Blushing when he kissed her hand, thankful for his change of subject

"I would like to go see the park."

Fenris nodded, taking Alexandria's hand and leading her to his carriage, which was drawn by two jet black horses. He helped Alexandria into the carriage first then told the driver their destination, then climbed into the carriage himself and closed the door.

Then they were off to the park, during the ride Fenris looked up at Alexandria who was staring out the window. "Do you have any other family Ms. Richards?" He asked. He saw the slight change in her eyes.

"No, I don’t..."

"No mother? Or siblings perhaps?" He asked trying not to sound intrusive.

"I have no brothers or sisters. And my mother died several years ago..." Alexandria said. Looking at him with the same fake smile she would give everyone else "What about you kind, sir?"

Fenris raised a brow seeing this smile was not genuine but answered her question regardless. "No, I have no family, my parents died a long time ago." He said looking at the floor slightly.

Figuring he didn't want to talk about it let if go "Your accent seems a little different, are you from London or did you live somewhere else?"

"I used to live in Italy before I moved to London, I can imagine I must sound strange to you." He said with a slight chuckle looking at Alexandria again. Fenris saw a small sparkle in her eyes when he mentioned that he lived in Italy.

"I have always wanted to travel. What was it like there?"

Fenris smiled slightly. "Well in Venice where I'm from its sunny nearly every day of the year, and I was always surrounded by water. It flows through the streets you see so instead of a horse drawn carriage, we rode in small boats called gondolas." He said leaning back in his seat a little bit. A small real smile appeared on her face as she heard him describe it.

"I wish I could go there. It sounds so wonderful. To be surrounded by all that water." Seeing her smile was real now made Fenris smile and begin to feel something inside, could it be he was actually caring for his meal? He tried to block out the feeling but it stayed with him tearing him in two, does he kill this woman or not?

Alexandria sat there staring at him with awe as he described Venice. For the first time since her mother died she actually felt happy. Maybe she had gained a real friend. Time seemed to fly by them but then the driver announced their destination had been reached. The driver got down from his seat and opened the door for Fenris and Alexandria. Fenris stepped out first then held out a hand to help Alexandria out of the carriage. When she took his hand she felt something like a spark go through her body. What could it have meant? She was too busy wondering about the feeling when her dress tripped her and made her fall into Fenris' arms. Fenris' eyes went wide when she fell but once she was in his arms he couldn't help but stare into her glorious emerald eyes, the feeling becoming more powerful than ever now. He blinked and cleared his throat.

"Are you alright?" He asked standing her on her own two feet once more but kept an arm around her shoulders just in case.

Blushing bright red, Alexandria couldn’t stop staring back into his eyes "I-i am fine." Her dresses always were a pain to her but for once they did something right. The driver really confused by his master's actions cleared his throat killing the moment.

Fenris snapped back to reality and took his arm off of Alexandria but offered it once again with smile ready to walk through the park. Still caught in the moment she managed to take his arm as they walked through the park. She looked at the trees seeming like she wanted to say something but kept stopping herself. Fenris looked at Alexandria while they walked.

"You keep acting like you want to talk to me but you keep stopping yourself. What's troubling you Ms. Richards?" He asked.

Looking away from him but managed to start. "You are the first man that has ever been nice to me. All others were influenced by my father or their parents told them to stay away."

Fenris frowned slightly but then smiled once more. "Well I don't care what other people say, you are a beautiful woman and should be treated as such." He said leaning down and gently kissing Alexandria on the cheek. Alexandria blushed greatly again, so shocked by his comment and his kiss that she felt a little dizzy. No one had ever treated her like this. Fenris saw Alexandria start to waver, he reached holding her steady so she wouldn't fall.

"I'm sorry did I cross a line?" He asked worried that he may have moved to fast. She could barely open her mouth and make words, so she just nodded. Fenris frowned slightly, he walked her over to a nearby bench and made her sit down then sat next to her.

After a few moments Alexandria calmed down "N-n-no...you did not cross a line. Just it was.." Her cheeks almost the same color as the roses she held. Fenris chuckled slightly brushing some hair out of her face.

"Maybe I should get you home now." He said helping her stand once again and walking her back to the carriage.

Once at her house, Fenris escorted her to the door. Alexandria’s face was still pink by then. Before going into her house, she smiled at him "Thank you, sir for such a wonderful day." Standing on her toes to give him a kiss on the cheek, then headed inside shutting the door behind her. Fenris stood outside the closed door a moment then reached up and touched where Alexandria kissed him. If he was alive his heart would be racing, he swallowed hard and walked back to his carriage then headed home. When she had closed the door Alexandria leaned against and closed her eyes. Her entire body felt warm and she couldn't help but smile.

That's when Elizabeth walked in "Mistress you alright? Your face is quite red."

Alexandria opened her eyes and looked at her with the most genuine smile Elizabeth had ever seen. "Lizzy, I think I am in love."  

Lucky for Alexandria her father wasn't expected to come home for another week.