Ablaze in Passion 6

Later that night Bianca finally found the time to go visit the small courtyard. She knew there was definitely a lot she had to think about. She made her way through the Manor before slipping out into the night. She managed to keep clear of Lucy and Thomas as they met up and began a night time stroll of their own. Reaching her courtyard she decided that lying down would better suit her this night, as it would most definitely be more relaxing. So stretching out on the soft grass and placing one hand behind her head, she started sorting through her many thoughts. But no matter how hard she tried not to think of him, she just couldn’t help herself,

"Why don’t you go and annoy someone else’s mind," she grumbled to herself. Lying down no longer comfortable she sat up and let the hair which had escaped her braid fall around her face. Trying to replace the face in her mind with thoughts of the stars in the sky worked for mere moments until the stars in her mind became the brilliantly blue eyes of yet again that very face. Quickly changing her train of thought to that of Thomas and Lucy walking through the night hand in hand, she almost slapped herself when the images of the two people became his and her very own,

"Bianca, how dare you have such thoughts, you remember what she said don’t you. You’re a slave girl and nothing more. Chase Cassidy probably thinks you’d make an excellent floor mat!" she scolded herself before hastily rising to her feet. She had had enough of trying to think for one night. If all she was going to do was ponder over things that didn’t need pondering over then there was absolutely no reason for her being here. Turning swiftly she made her way from the courtyard and walked straight into something hard and solid. She thought she must have had her head so far up in the clouds that she’d walked straight into the courtyard tree, until an arm snaked out and wrapped around her waist to stop her from tumbling backwards. Realizing that the ‘tree’ was indeed a ‘person’ who had for some reason been standing directly in the entrance to her courtyard; without letting her know they were there; she started to scream in fright. A hand came up however and her scream was cut short before anyone would have had the chance to hear it.

"There is no need to be afraid; I should have declared my presence," came his familiar voice, that she only just realized she had memorized.
Her heart stopped beating in fear but resumed its pace as the butterflies came fluttering back.
"Lord Cassidy, I’m so sorry for walking into you, I should have been watching where I was going, I didn’t mean to, did I hurt you or anything?" she spoke without pause,
He stared at her in amusement before answering,
"Bianca, it is I who should be apologizing. As for my being hurt; I’m certain it’d take a lot more then you walking into me to cause any sort of pain,"
Bianca didn’t know how to respond, instead she continued her way out of the courtyard, she heard his footsteps a few paces behind her own and glanced back to see him slowly following,
"My Lord, may I enquire to why you are following me?" she asked without being rude,
"You may, but may I enquire firstly to why you have been avoiding me?" he replied,
Bianca couldn’t hide her embarrassment; he had noticed she had been evading him.

"I had not intended to avoid you my Lord, I just had many duties to attend to," she replied without facing him,
"Like cleaning out a horse stable? I was under the impression that that was what stable hands were employed to do?" he replied,
Bianca stopped and turned to him, curiosity taking the place of embarrassment,
"Have you been checking up on my whereabouts my Lord? And if so, why would the duties and commitments of a mere servant like myself interest a Lord such as you?" she asked crossing her arms across her chest,
He smiled at her,
"Merely to find you so I could fulfill my promise of getting you to taste a much better wine," he replied matter of factly,

Bianca was surprised that he had really meant what he had promised her; but before she could reply Thomas came running towards them both,
"Bianca come quickly, it’s Lucy,"
"Thomas what’s wrong?" Bianca replied, looking from Lord Cassidy to Thomas.
Thomas however had already turned and was running back to the main entrance of the Manor, Bianca turned back to Lord Cassidy,
"If you’ll excuse me my Lord," and she too hastened to the main entrance.

As soon as Bianca entered the Main Hall she knew something was wrong. She pushed through the crowd of servants and men as she made her way to where the cause of distraction was coming from. When she could finally make out the scene in front of her she let out a yell of distress,
"Lucy! What’s happening,"
Lucy was being held between two of Lord Luxembourge’s Guards, before Lord and Lady Luxembourge and Georgia. Lord Davenport was nowhere to be seen.
Bianca made to run towards Lucy but was stopped short by Guards stepping in her way,
"I ask you again Lucy Hannigan; the dress you so conveniently seem to be wearing this very evening was stolen from my Daughter’s wardrobe. You have been caught red handed with the loot. Do you take full responsibility,"

Lucy was crying and struggling to get her arms free,
"I already told you, the dress was never stolen, it was given away!" Lucy whimpered to Lord Luxembourge,
The man turned his back on her,
"You are all witness to this crime, the thief has been caught red handed and will be punished; make this a lesson to all. Stealing is a crime, and those of you who are caught will suffer at the hands of God,"
He waved his hands to dismiss the Guards, and they began to pull Lucy away, Bianca knew the very meaning of Lord Luxembourge’s words and could not let it happen.
"No she didn’t do it!" she yelled before anyone had a chance to leave,
Lord Luxembourge turned to face her, his face dropping slightly,
"How can you prove this Bianca?" he asked her simply,

Not taking notice that he knew her name without question, Bianca replied,
"Because it’s mine, I lent her the dress,"
The room went quiet. Everyone stared from Lord Luxembourge to Bianca. Georgia sat back with her Mother, not bothering to conceal the evil smile that now spread across her face.
"Is this true Lucy? Was the dress given to you by Bianca?" he asked,
Lucy shook her head no but then Georgia stood up,
"Father it would have to be true, the day the dress was stolen Lucy left the room first and I called Bianca back. I left before she did; so that would be when she stole the dress, i’m sorry to have accused you Lucy,"
Lord Luxembourge gave the Guards orders to let Lucy go and moments later Bianca was hauled into the centre of the room,

"Bianca, you are accused of thieving from my very Daughter, how do you plead?" he asked her,
"Not guilty,"
Lord Luxembourge looked towards her,
"I admit I gave Lucy the dress, but I however, was also given the dress. I was forced to take it. I did not want the dress. I detest that dress. If I can recall correctly it was described to me as a ‘peachy’ dress fit for a ‘peachy’ servant. I would never steal from anybody my Lord,"
Lord Luxembourge turned to Georgia, and Georgia didn’t say a word,
"I have no other choice but to send you away; you shall leave first thing in the morning," he concluded before walking from the room.

"What? That is no punishment. Why doesn’t she get the same punishment Lucy was going to get?" Georgia spat as she marched after her Father,
Bianca turned and walked over to Lucy,
"Bianca I can’t let you go! It’s a lie! Georgia made you have the dress, it’s not fair,"
"Lucy, I had to. You were going to die for something you didn’t do," Bianca replied hugging her close, before they had the chance to say anymore, Georgia returned angrier than ever before.
"I have been asked to pass on orders that Bianca be shown to lockup, she is to see no one until dawn, where she shall leave this Manor and never return,"
Bianca was pulled away from Lucy; and tears fell down her cheeks,
"Be strong Lucy; and tell Thomas how much you love him,"
"I will," Lucy replied as Thomas came up to hug her.