Earl and Fairy: the Next Chapter
Kelpie's Trap
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In which one of Cane's cousins visits him and starts liking the Earl. Will Kelpie warn the Earl or watch quietly as his cousin plays her cards to win him over? In which all of the cast realize what she is except the Earl until much later.
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~Part 1~
Kelpie emerged from the fountain in the early pink light of dawn. The lights in the Earl's house were still dark. He yawned, shaking long sleep away. It was mid afternoon in the faerie world, and his senses had caught something irritating. Lydia had slept in the Earl's house! In fact, she was sleeping quite freely now in one of the guest bedrooms. He'd quiz her about how she ended up there at breakfast.
Kelpie blinked. "Oi, there's no need to sneak up on me, boy. Didn't I prove myself a friend while fighting the Prince's fairy doctor?" He scoffed, turning from the green gleam of the sprite in Raven's eyes.
Raven's quiet voice slid through the crickets' chorus. "That was one time. Even if I like you," his voice rose in pitch in a query directed towards himself, "I am not sure you mean complete loyalty and friendship to my Lord."
Kelpie chuckled. "Pretty clever. That is damn right! I don't like the Earl that much. I merely saved Lydia's life," he said aloud. He turned his head to the sunrise turning faintly golden. "After all," he murmured, "I could not help myself."
"Why couldn't you help yourself?"
"Saa ne*. I doubt you'd understand at your age." Kelpie rubbed at his hair. "It's damn confusing though."
"I see." By the time Raven's attention returned to the kelpie, he had vanished. Raven blinked before turning back to the house to awaken and help dress the earl.
........
Lydia awoke with the sunlight. With a small smile, she turned in her bed to watch the beams pool on her pillow... or across the carpet and the doorway of the guest room the Earl had insisted she rest in after last night. She sat up, eyes falling on white nightgown she had been provided with. She fiddled with the blue ties at her throat.
"What's wrong, Lydia?" Her fairy cat Nico peeked out from underneath the bed where he had retired. "Are you not well? Were you unable to sleep?"
"No. no, Nico, I am fine." She flashed a warm grin towards him and scratched him behind the ears. "I was just recalling yesterday. That was the first time my knowledge of the Fae world had been put to that kind of a test."
"Well, no doubt about that."
"I just can't seem to believe that.. that this will be only the first time either."
"Ah, now I understand." Nico leapt onto the bed. "You are worried, but Lydia," he stood up on his back paws and leaned over, whispering in her ear, "nothing good will come of worrying about something you can't control." Lydia blinked and he grinned. "Enjoy the late morning air and the peaceful break." He leapt down again. "Not to mention the brownies waiting for their treats."
"Oh, yes, the brownies!" Lydia stood. "They must be getting impatient. I hope I didn't leave them waiting long."
Nico pushed the door open. "It will be fine." He sauntered out.
Lydia plopped back onto her bed. Her hand went up to touch a spot on her forehead. The place where Edgar had kissed her. It had seemed so warm. She dropped her hand. She thought he would kiss her on the lips, but he hadn't. As soon as she closed her eyes, his arms pulled her close and the feather-light caress passed over her forehead.
A light blush overcame her cheeks in the early morning. She hadn't wanted to run away or think it was a game.
Lydia's eyes slid shut. Butterflies twirled in her stomach. She reached up to touch the back of his shoulder and Edgar pulled back. His face remained solemn, almost frowning. She reached out to him...
"Did you like it?"
Her hand paused. "What?"
"Did you like the kiss?" For a moment his mauve grey eyes fell into her hazel green. She couldn't break away. Then a chuckle broke from those lips. "Were you hoping for a kiss on the lips perhaps?"
"What-I- NO! " she squawked, "Don't.. think-think it was like that, idiot Earl." She turned to window of the carriage, warmth flooding her cheeks as Edgar laughed behind her with Raven and Paul admonishing him. She peeked over.
Edgar's smile was slight but there seemed be something different. What was it? In the chaos of exchanges, he caught her eye. Her heart pounded as his lips formed some words.
What did he say then before she had spun around again? Why did it matter to her?
Lydia sprang to her feet. "I just have to ask him. Right? That shouldn't be so hard." She clasped her hands into fists. "So it is time to get dressed.
Nico looked on as Lydia sprang at her suitcase and shook his head. "She's struck." He swiped up a sneaking brownie with his paw. He winked at the little boy, "Let's give her some time alone, ne?"
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