Chapter 13: Picnic
They rode in silence for 30 minutes, Elizabeth playing with the book in her lap while looking down at the floor of the carriage. She absentmindedly started to dog-ear the pages. Glancing up, she saw William sitting poised on the drivers seat, his back straight while his eyes never ventured off the road ahead. Looking round at her surroundings as they travelled, Elizabeth realised she didn’t know were they where, and that she had no recollection of being here before. There were trees on every side and she was sure she could hear running water nearby, though she couldn’t see it and she was unsure of where the sound was coming from.
As they turned down a smaller county lane the trees started to part, leading to a small clearing where the grass was lush and a river flowed. The sun managed to break through the over hanging trees just enough to light the patch of grass, giving the place a magical feel.
Elizabeth gazed around the enchanting area in awe. It was only as they pulled up to a stop and William climbed down from the front of the carriage that she realised they were the only two there. As he took her hand and helped her down, she suddenly felt very nervous.
“Master William, if I may be so bold, may I ask when you friends will be joining us?”
“Ahhh, pet, that’s the thing, they aren’t actually coming.” William ducked his head in shame. It wasn’t that he was trying to hide it from her; he was just unsure how she would take it. He was worried that she would see it as he had led her here on false pretences.
“But, Master William, what do you mean? Why are we here then? Will you tell me that?” Elizabeth knew she shouldn’t be asking so many questions, she was a servant and it wasn’t her place to question his motives. However, she was just so confused as to why he had done this that she wanted answers to alleviate some of the confusion. The main question that was buzzing round her head was did he expect something from her? Is that why he wanted her alone? She was sure he must know what had happened between Angel and herself, and then he had seen what had nearly happened with Parker. Did he think she was like other girls in the village?
William sensed her tensing as though she was fighting an inner conflict. He reached his hand out to touch her arm, but on seeing her tense even further he stepped back quickly, withdrawing it and letting it hang loosely at his side.
“Look, love, I know this may seem odd, and I’m sorry if you feel like I lied to you. Believe me that was not my intention.”
Seeing the innocent pleading look in his eyes, Elizabeth stepped forward to where she had originally stood.
“May I ask then sir, what was your intention?”
“Well, pet, isn’t it obvious?” he asked and Elizabeth simply shook her head. “I wanted to give you what you deserve.”
Elizabeth eyes grew wide. Could he really mean what she thought he meant? Was he going to finish what Parker started?
“No, pet, nothing like that. You deserve a day off, a day away from the manor, a day where you don’t have to be the perfect servant.”
“But, sir…”
“Shhhh, you don’t need to stay anything, you don’t have to act like a perfect servant round me, love.”
“But, Master William, why did you tell Maggie… I mean, Miss Walsh, that you where having a picnic with friends?”
“Well, love, it was the only way I could guarantee that you would be allowed the day off without your wages being docked. If they think you are working then they can’t say anything about it, and they can’t and won’t say no to me. So, like I said, it was the only way I could think of to definitely get you away from the manor. I’m sorry if you feel betrayed by me for not telling you the truth straight away. Plus we get nice food this way.”
Elizabeth was gob smacked. He had done all this for her. She really didn’t know what to say. She gazed around the place before finally letting her eyes come to rest on William again.
“This place is wonderful, sir.”
“I found it a few years back, it became my own private sanctuary, and no one ever comes here. It’s brilliant if you want some time alone. This is the first time I’ve ever brought someone here.”
“Oh.”
“Now, if you want me to go, I will do. You can have the time alone. I’ll come and pick you up when its time to go.”
As he turned to climb back into the carriage, he felt Elizabeth lightly put her hand on his arm. The touch was feather light but William felt it anyway. It felt as though his whole arm had heated right through.
“No, Master William, stay… please?”
Seeing the longing in her eyes for company, he silently nodded before going to the back of the carriage and removing the baskets. He then chose the perfect spot and went and laid the blanket on the grass, before sprawling himself upon it.
Elizabeth timidly followed and set herself down carefully, perching at the corner of the blanket near his feet.
As she sat there watching the river flow and the butterflies flutter around, she realised she was still clutching the book that he had told her to take from his library.
She turned round to face William, who was laid on his back with his arms behind his head, his eyes where shut serenely.
“Umm, Master William?” she started and he opened one eye to look at her. “Here is the book you asked me to bring, sir.” She placed it on the blanket and pushed it toward him.
In response, he pushed it back to her. “Keep it for yourself, pet, call it a gift. I’m guessing you don’t have much in the way of reading material.” Elizabeth shook her head sadly. “Well now you do. I have to say you did choose well, it is one of my favourites. I must know every word of that book off by heart; I’ve read it that many times. I just hope you enjoy it as much as I did.”
Elizabeth suddenly felt awkward again. He had shown her such kindness towards her, how was she supposed to react in return? Was she supposed to do something for him? She looked down at the book, which was mere inches from her thigh, as though it was a foreign object. She wanted nothing more than to pick it up and read it, absorbing its words, but she was unsure whether that would be considered prudent or not. Instead, she settled for staring glassy eyed at it as though it may bite her. Without looking up, she uttered so quietly it could barely be heard above the faint breeze.
“Thank you, Master William.”
Sensing her subtle change in mood, William quickly made a big show of changing the subject. “Well then, I suppose we should see what treats Maggie has packed for us.”
Elizabeth was shocked out of her thoughts when he spoke; she was slightly more surprised than when she heard him call Miss Walsh by her christened name. It was unusual, to say the least, to hear a master of the house call her anything but Miss Walsh or Cook.
Reaching over, William gently placed it on the blanket between them, before delving in. Pulling out one of the bottles and two wine glasses, he handed one of the glasses to Elizabeth.
“Would you like some wine, pet?”
Elizabeth, who had developed a very dry throat when he had given her the book, readily accepted. William filled her glass to the top before pouring himself one.
“Thank you Master, William.”
Despite thanking him, she still wouldn’t look him in the eye. He realised that that was because she still saw herself as the servant and himself the master. William knew exactly how he was going to change that.
“Ok, love, here’s the thing – no more of this ‘sir’ or ‘Master William’ bollocks. Why can’t we just be William and Elizabeth, two people who know each other enjoying lunch?”
Elizabeth looked at him as though he was crazy. “No, sir, we couldn’t, it wouldn’t be right.” As she looked at him though wide eyes, William couldn’t work out what could be so wrong about it.
“It’s not like anyone’s going to see or hear, love, so what’s the big problem?”
“We just can’t, sir.” Elizabeth then turned away from his prying eyes.
“Ok love, fair enough.” Thinking she had won, Elizabeth started to relax again. However, this state of relaxation was not to last as it was broken as soon as William spoke again.
“Well then, love, if you won’t let us have our own names then we will just have to make up new names. Names that are for us alone for when we are together… so we are no longer of different social standing, we are equal.” He smiled when all Elizabeth could do was stare at him as though he had grown an extra head. “Well then love what do you wish to be called?”
Elizabeth tried to answer him, and tell him how very wrong this idea was, however no sound would come out She just looked like a fish out of water with her mouth opening and closing.
“Ok, I’ll go first then… you can call me… Spike.”
“Spike?!” Elizabeth couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice.
“What’s wrong with the name Spike?”
“Spike? You actually want to be called Spike? You want to be named after your horse?”
“Hey, it’s a bloody brilliant horse is that!”
“Fair enough 'Spike' whatever you say.” A large grin was firmly in place of Elizabeth face.
Realising his plan to make her more comfortable was working he decided to push on and get a name from her. “Well then, love, what do you wish to be called?”
“Well there is one name… but you’ll just laugh at me.” Ducking her head shyly, she suddenly found the hem of her skirt very interesting.
“Cross my heart love, I won’t laugh. It can’t be worse than being called Spike.”
Very quietly, Elizabeth uttered a single word, “Buffy.”
“Buffy?!” Spike couldn’t contain the laugh that bubbled forth.
“Hey! You said you wouldn’t laugh! It’s what I get called at home, my little sister Dawn could couldn’t say Elizabeth when she was younger, it always came out as ‘elizabuffffy’, so that’s how I got the name Buffy, it was easier for her to say, and now it has just kind of stuck.”
Spike was in awe watching her; her whole face seemed to light up when she talked of her family. “Fair enough then, pet, Buffy it is!” he then delved in the basket and handed her a bread roll. “So tell me more about your family, pet.”
“There isn’t much to tell really. I have a mother, a sister, and a brother and my brother’s wife.”
“No father?” As she suddenly went quiet, he realised that it was maybe a sore subject and decided not to push. He had only just gained her trust; he wasn’t ready to lose it already. She would tell him in her own time he was sure. Deciding to quickly change the subject, he latched on to what she had said earlier. “You said you had a sister, younger I assume?”
Buffy’s whole face suddenly lit up again as though her sister was stood in front of her right then. “Yeah, Dawnie, she’s five years younger than me. She can be a real pain at times, but then what family can’t?”
“Does she look like you?”
“No! She’s taller for a start, really points out what a short person I am, and she has dark hair. She is totally different. Sometimes I wonder if she really is my sister. You won’t find any similarities between us.”
It didn’t go unnoticed by Spike that she had assumed they would someday meet.
“That’s enough about my family, what about you? What don’t I know about the elusive Spike?”
“That’s a tricky question, love. Well, you have already met the folks, so that’s one embarrassment over with. There really isn’t much to tell you about me. Sorry to disappoint you, pet.”
Buffy felt completely at ease with this man. She was enjoying the freedom he was giving her and was not willing for him to get out of his question that easily. Remembering something that Willow has said, she decided to be brave and ask.
“Who’s Drusilla?”
TBC…..
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Author's Chapter Notes:
Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, a special big thanks to Suzee! Your such a sweetie! Sorry this chapter is a day late, I was busy helping with the Tales Of The Slayer Awards! If I don't get chance to post on wednesday I'll appologise in advance now! Lifes a big hectic here at the moment!!!! Anyhoo I'll let you all get on reading now.. hope you enjoy this chapter and please leave me a pwetty review that makes me smile when I read them in the morning!!!