Heritage Ch. 02
Keywords: Ch., 02, Heritage,
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"Miss? Can you understand me? Do you speak English?" she heard the words echo from afar and needed a moment before she could associate them with the impatient frown of the piece of art brought to life in front of her.
She blinked a few times, waking from her reverie and reflected his confused expression with her cheeks turning bright red and the blush creeping down the pale skin of her neck, accented even more by the white shirt she was wearing. She cleared her throat a few times and ended up coughing, most likely from nerves as she stepped back mortified and tried to look anywhere but at him.
"I ... uh ... you ... " She swallowed and took a deep breath with desperation showing on her face since where ever she looked in the room, he seemed to be all around, either entwined with the woman in the picture or standing before her on his own. He was a full sized image as real as the warmth that she still felt radiating from her fingertips that had brushed his skin.
The pleading look she gave him earned her finally a relaxed smile and an understanding nod. He moved silently across the room with a grace that seemed completely unaffected by his nudity, retrieved a black silky robe from the closet that once had been hers and put it on. She wasn't sure whether to be relieved or disappointed. Growing more aware of the situation though, she used the moment to grab a large candle from the drawer and hide it behind her back.
She cleared her throat again and was positively surprised by her demanding tone.
"Who are you and what are you doing in this house?!"
The man turned with a bemused expression on his face, making his way towards her with smooth and slow steps as he answered.
"I'm Andrew Richmond and I live here." he stated matter of factly, offering his hand.
Bella's stern look turned into confusion as she glanced down at his hand and clutching the candle tightly in her own, she grew more and more positive that he must have gained a few inches since he had held her, because he for sure didn't look so tall and intimidating just a moment ago. Trying to act brave she raised her chin with stubborn determination.
"I'm Isabella Daniels and I know you don't! You ... you .. intruder!" she frowned and bit her bottom lip as his friendly smile turned into hearty laughter.
What a wonderfully rich voice he had. Soothing enough to rock a baby to sleep with a lullaby yet with a depth and strength to it that would have made her feel instantly safe, if only it wouldn't have come from a complete stranger standing in her bedroom in nothing but a bathrobe!
He pulled his hand back and shrugged nonchalantly at her lack of manners, still regarding her with a relaxed smile.
"Well, it's an unusual pleasure to meet you Miss Daniels. And please rest assured, I do live here," he added with a boyish wink that made her stomach do a flip-flop in response.
She was still staring at him bewildered as his face turned thoughtful for a moment with a darkness appearing in his features that made her feel uneasy all over again.
"Please accept my condolences Miss Daniels. Catherine was an exceptional woman." he said, his voice growing hard enough to make her frown.
She nodded mouthing a thank you, but the words just wouldn't come and the silence between them seemed to stretch to an unbearable point before Andrew motioned for the door, holding it wide open.
"Now, if you'd excuse me?" She nodded again without a word, yet didn't move. The man sighed with an impatient air that she didn't like at all. "Miss Daniels, I'd like to get dressed and would appreciate a bit more privacy than you were willing to grant me so far."
Bella blinked and inched out of the room slowly, her eyes never leaving his moody face. Stepping outside she felt instantly a rush of relief which lasted but a moment.
"Miss Daniels?" She cringed and tensed immediately again at the barking tone of his voice, wondering if her mind had just played another trick on her when imagining that wonderful laughter she'd been practically drooling over.
"Yes?" She looked back over her shoulder with such tired and frightened eyes, they immediately sent him cursing under his breath and wishing to light them again with the dreamy adoring gaze they had when looking up at him that first moment.
Instead he tightened his jaw and held out his right hand.
"My candle, please." He ordered calmly but couldn't conceal the green flecks of amusement dancing in his own eyes at the embarrassed expression on her face as she handed back his property.
"Oh, yeah. Uh ... sorry, about that." she forced a tight smile.
He shook his head and sighed in defeat. He wanted to blame her, to accuse her, to make her suffer and feel every aspect of the pain she had caused Catherine. He was supposed to feel angry, even enraged, yet the bitterness and loneliness that had accumulated within his heart since he was forced to say farewell to his companion of the past 4 years seemed to cease as he looked into the soft brown eyes of the shy young woman in front of him. She looked sad, tired, confused and more than a little lost, her gaze reflecting so well how he had felt inside.
"I'll get dressed and will have breakfast started in a few minutes. Come and join me and we can talk," he offered with a small friendly smile.
"It's well passt noon," Bella remarked with unconcealed suspicion in her voice.
He raised a challenging eyebrow. "You mean, you have already had breakfast?"
She shifted from one foot to the other looking up at him with an embarrassed look.
"Uh, no. I was too nervous to eat on the plane." she confessed, her tummy joining in with a rumble that was loud enough to draw another hearty laugh from him and make her face turn a variety of red.
"Well, then better figure out what you'd like to have by the time I get downstairs!" he said closing the door with a dazzling smile that made her forget to breathe for a moment.
"Wow!" She whispered for the second time that day but soon remembered her situation and made a run for the phone in the kitchen. This stranger was getting to her senses in a rather uncomfortable way; she'd have to make sure to get rid of him as soon as possible. Considering her stomach's protest though, she might as well wait until after breakfast.
Andrew, on the other hand, was busy with his own worries. The person he was supposed to become devoted to had been the object of his hatred all this time and now, he was growing weak and caring, even protective, just because of some lost little girl look!
He fumed with disgust at his own lack of loyalty to the woman who had given him so much, made him the man he had become, while browsing in his drawer for a white polo shirt to wear. His gaze fell upon a thin strap of soft leather and along came the familiar feeling of longing and a tender rush of bittersweet memories as his fingertips caressed the silver buckle.
He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. It was her final wish. He had promised to cast all doubts aside and respect it. He would trust her judgement and do his utmost to make her proud. He knew he owed Catherine so much more than that, but after having met her niece he had to face the reality of having committed to an almost impossible task.
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Keywords: Ch., 02, Heritage,