The ball lasted long into the night, and by the time Audra and her uncle left she was about to pass out right where she was. she climbed wearily into bed, and did not emerge until almost noon the next day. When at last she did awaken, she slipped on a pale blue gown, and headed down stairs.
The house was quiet, her uncle was out visiting a neighbor, and several maids were at the market, so Audra had almost the whole house to herself. She wandered into the dining room, and finding the breakfast had been left out for her, quietly helped herself to some, and sad quietly down to eat it.
She was just finishing up, and clearing the stuff away into the kitchen, when a knock sounded on the door.
"Zora, can you get that?" she called through the house.
"Yes, mam!" came the reply from upstairs.
Audra pushed the swinging kitchen door open with her foot, and carried two in a large platter and several plates. She stood at the sink, her back to the kitchen door, as she washed the plates, when she heard Zora say, "Someone to see you, mam."
Reaching over to her left, Audra grabbed the towel and began to dry the plate she had just washed as she turned around and took a couple steps forward. She looked up at the guest, and stumbled blindly backwards before bumping into the sink and sinking to the ground. Her face was ashy white, and she looked like she had just seen a ghost.
"Emeric," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She covered her face in her hands and let out burst into tears. In half a moment the young man was kneeling at her side.
"Aurdra, Audra dear, what is wrong?" he asked worriedly, looking intently at her.
She couldn't answer for her sobs, and only threw her arms around Emeric's neck, sobbing still louder. Emeric was surprised by this show of emotion, and, though Audra couldn't see it, looked somewhat taken back, confused and even a little uncomfortable. But only for a moment, he smiled a little, and hugging Audra close whispered, "Audra dear, what is wrong? Please tell me."
She wiped away the tears on her face, and leaning back to look at him whispered, "Oh, Emeric, I'm so sorry! I'm so wretchedly, wretchedly sorry! I was such an utter fool!" she had began to cry again, and had to stop to catch her breath, "I should never have doubted you, Emeric. There was no cuase except my own predjudice, and I am begging you to forgive me, though I shall understand if you can't, I just want you to know that I love you, and that I have been miserable ever since I though you had been killed in battle." Her body heaved as she breathed heavilly, trying to keep back the tears.
Emeric sat in shock, she could not be saying what he thought she was. It couldn't be true. It would be entirely too good. He didn't deserve it.
He pulled her away from him, and, taking her hands and looking her in the eyes asked, "Audra, do you truly mean what you say?"
"Yes, yes, Emeric! I don't know what I would do without you! I couldn't go on as I have these past weeks! It was simply horrible! Emeric, I am begging you, please don't leave me! Please don't ever leave me!"
"I won't, Audra-"he paused, "Do you think I really could? The only thing that would get me to leave would be if you told me again that you did not love me."
"Oh but Emeric, I do!" she interrupted, but he put up his hand for her to wait, and then, taking out something from his pocket, and slipping it over her finger he asked, "Audra, if you truly do not wish to be separated from me, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? Will you marry me, dearest Audra?"
She looked on him a moment, and then fresh tears burst forth and she clung to him. It was all she could do to choke out, "Yes, yes, yes, Emeric!" she gave a little laugh, and he hugged her.
When Uncle Ruman returned home, he found the worlds happiest people sitting in lawn chairs out front.
They were sitting and talking quietly, and Ruman couldn't catch the words, but he watched them in astonishment for a moment, for Emeric was not facing him, and he did not yet realize who it was. Audra was smiling, smiling again for the first time since Gordana's wedding.
"But what prompted you to come here, even if I was here?" Audra asked.
"Well when I escaped from the Aeronans, I found Gordana again, and she told me that you had moved here, and that she thought it might be worth a chance to try again. I didn't believe her, and thought the trip would be a waste, but she convinced me to try, she said 'thinking you are dead may have changed her mind,' so I traveled here, and saught you out," he explained, looking sideways at her, "And I'm so glad I did."
Uncle Ruman climbed out of the carriage there, and getting out, began to walk towards them. The young man said something, and Audra laughed, before noticing Uncle Ruman standing there.
She took Emeric's hand, and pulling him up, ran off a head of him. He ran quickly too, and soon had caught her in his arms asking, "Do you think I would let you slip through my fingers again."
She shrieked for help, as she struggled to get away, all the while smiling and laughing, until Uncle Ruman came up and said,
"Harrold," for that was who he thought it was, "I am amazed that you could get her to laugh, I've not seen her so happy since her friend-" at that moment he cut himself off exclaiming, "Emeric!"
"Yes, Uncle, who did you think it was?" Audra asked, beaming with happiness.
"Why I thought Emeric was dead!" her poor confused uncle replied, "I assumed it was Harrold! What has happened to you, my boy?"
"Harrold?" Emeric asked, looking down at Audra, who was still his captive.
"A friend of mine," she replied, looking up at him.
"Ah! Was he the young man you danced with last night?"
"You saw that?!"
"Yes, I came looking for you, and I saw you dancing with him. I must admit I was jealous, I thought you loved him."
"Never!" she declared adamantly, "It was only yesterday that he proposed, but I turned him flat down, I knew I couldn't marry anyone but you," and she smiled for such pure joy.
"Thank you for reminding me, Audra," he whispered to her, before letting her go, and standing tall before Ruman. "I know we don't know each other very well yet," he began, "but I would like to ask you for Audra's hand in marriage. I love her as I have never loved anyone before, and I feel that I must have her as my wife."
Uncle Ruman looked at Audra and, taking a step toward Emeric said, "You're right, we don't know each other well, but while I was at the fort I told Audra that she was foolish not to trust you, I said that anyone with eyes could see that you loved her, and I know you'll take good care of her, and I know that she loves you," he gave a little laugh before adding, "If you had only seen her these past weeks! She was so sad," he reached out to shake Emeric's hand and said, "You have my congratulations, both of you."
"Thank you sir!" Emeric declared, shaking his hand firmly.
Audra quietly stepping behind Emeric, and whispering, "You can't catch me!" in his ear, took off running again, into the pasture. Emeric chased after her. Both smiling more than they ever had before, both having more of a reason than ever to smile.
THE END |
