Growing Up, Growing Closer

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William had woke up, sleeping quite soundly as he knew that the corridor was lined with guards. It would be, it held the family. He worried for Maudie, since she slept in the servant's quarters. She was suspected after sticking up for another, but William knew Maudie wouldn't do such a thing. She'd raised him from an infant.

His father had woke him up bright and early and gave him a talk on how to treat a woman. He hadn't really listened as he had cleaned himself and dressed himself. A Lady needed assistance in her many layers of clothing, but a Lord only needed that of his wife or mother to fix his clothes when broken. He didn't understand that, but still kept quiet.

He was sent to the study at around seven, and was sent tea from the parlour. He might need it to quench his boredom. He sipped it, sat on the singular chair behind the desk as his father stood with his hand on the top of the chair, by his ear. Every time his father began to speak, he worried they had been worked out.

As she entered, Lord Hulme was the first to speak, "Lady Rutherham, please, take a seat." He offered her the seat on the other side of the desk. It reminded William of the times he had been sent to his father's study for disobeying his tutor. "Did you sleep well?" Lord Hulme asked, aware that she didn't and wondering how she would react.
 
Livia nervously accepted the seat offered by Lord Hulme. "I was a bit perturbed, but I was able to sleep comfortably. After all, I know I am quite safe under the protection of your highly capable guards. I commend you for having the finest men on staff, milord." She said bowing. Her smile and facade were elegant and graceful, but inside she was a ball of nerves.

She remembered having to come to this study when she was a child. Her and William had broken a vase once, and Livia took the responsibility. She was scolded and beaten by this very same man before. When William found out what had happened, he stormed into the room and told his father that it was his fault and not Liv's. His father agreed to stay her punishment, but told Will that if Livia was going to accept the blame, she needed to be prepared for the consequences. Those words echoed in her head as she fretted over their deception being discovered.
 
Lord Hulme nodded though seemed saddened his guest was upset. "We apologise, Lady Rutherham." He frowned. William frowned also, but his was comical, as if mimicking his father. Soon after, he smiled, taking pride in his guards, "You have heard Angela was talked to? That was Titania's idea, she found something out of line about her. You are okay with her, correct?"
 
"Oh of course! I know it was the proper thing to do. After all, if she were the guilty party, I would want her to pay for her crimes. However, it appears she's innocent and I am quite glad for that." Livia smiled at the Lords. "Well then, shall we get to meeting with the others? Or do we have more to discuss, milord?"
 
"No, I believe that Lord Samson is interested in meeting you as he was not available at the ball and courts yesterday," Lord Hulme introduced his friend. "I hope you don't mind meeting some of our close friends."
 
"It would be my genuine pleasure, Lord Hulme." Livia watched with disdain as Lord Samson entered. She hated this man. He always looked so fishy and jilted. He had stayed at William's house before and Livia was sent to wait on him. It was the worst experience she had ever had. He was so much more snobby and stuck up than the rest of the court. Luckily, his pride kept him from ever making eye contact with his servants, so there was no way he would remember Livia. "Lord Samson, I'm honored to make your acquaintance." She said giving a small bow to him and the others standing nearby.

Livia cast a glance at William. She was sure this was quite entertaining for him to watch. He seemed to not care for Lord Samson either, and watching a nobleman such as himself bow to a commoner, would surely elicit a smile from William.
 
It most certainly did, "And to you, Lady Rutherham. I have heard much about you." William had to put his hand over his mouth to stop himself laughing. This man couldn't look at another being, he even thought of William as a vermin, and to see him curtsy to a girl who had once had to wait on him was something he couldn't stop smirking about.

Lord Samson heard William's attempt removal of the laughter. "Is something wrong, Lord Hulme?" he asked, raising his eyebrows in a stern way. This may have been Lord Hulme's area, but it was Lord Samson who everybody listened to around here when he was around. "No, Lord Samson," William replied, "But your laces are undone."
 
Livia turned to see that his laces were, in fact, undone. She stifled a snicker and barely concealed her smirk with her hand fan. William was surely trying to get her into trouble. She was convinced they would laugh about this all evening. The door to the room swung open as Angela entered.

"Pardon the intrusion, Lord Hulme, but your other guests have arrived and are awaiting your presence in the ballroom," she said with a deep bow. "Would you like me to show you and our esteemed Lord Samson the way?" she asked without raising her head.
 
Lord Samson turned a tomato red, "Thank you, Lord Hulme," saying his name in a slight bitterness, bending down and tying his shoelaces. "How embarrassing. Please forgive, Lady Rutherham. This isn't normal," he emphasised the word 'normal' as he glared at William. Yet Lord Hulme had turned his attention to Angela coming inside.

"That won't be necessary for me and Lord Samson, but I would appreciate the escorting of Lady Rutherham due to the...incident... of last night," Lord Hulme replied. "Incident?" Lord Samson asked. "Did you not hear? I sent a messenger to warn you of the attempted assassination." Lord Samson smirked in a suspicious manner, "Oh. How terrible."
 
"I certainly wouldn't mind an escort, Lord Hulme, but since I am in the company of many exquisite gentlemen, such as yourself, I should hardly need Angela's company." Livia knew she was being a bit harsh towards Angela, but with Lord Samson present, you could never tell if she would be his next target. Angela excused herself from the room and went back to her chores.

Something about the way Lord Samson replied to the assassination attempt made Livia nervous. Could he have been behind it? It wouldn't have been him in her room. He was far past the ability to sneak away from Lord Hulme's entire guard. He seemed to know something though. Maybe he sent one of his underlings to do it for him?

That's when it clicked in Livia's mind. She had known the assailant. Those eyes belonged to Frederick. He was a boy two years Livia's senior growing up. He often joined Livia and William when they played in the meadow. After his father was killed in battle, he was taken into Lord Samson's house as a stable boy. She had heard rumors of him climbing the ranks in Samson's private forces. It had to be him. No one else had eyes as luminescent blue as him. And those were most definitely the eyes she saw staring down at her last night. "Might I have a word with Lord William in private, milord? I assure you it won't take, but a moment."

Lord Hulme granted her request and she turned to William as soon as they were alone. "I know who it was now. The attacker was Frederick! The same one from our childhood. It has to be him. I know it! That must mean Samson was behind this! We have no proof, but I know it to be true!" Livia was looking at William almost desperately. "Why else would he have not attended last night? It was practically a mandatory affair! He shouldn't have refused the invitation! He stayed away on purpose to not become suspect! What'll we do? Why is he here now? He must have a purpose. You know he doesn't like you one bit."
 
"You mean Fredrick as in Fredrick who was sent to live with Lord Samson, who's marrying Titania? The one who's mother died and his father, Lord Peters, sent him away in disgrace, stripped of his title after his stepfather was killed in battle?" William asked, not really catching up yet. "Why would he try to assassinate us? He's marrying my stepsister." He thought Livia was being quite paranoid, "I thought it'd been that other Lord who had decided to take a liking to you, or that Damion."

Lord Samson and Lord Hulme began to walk down the corridor. "I'd look out, she looks like trouble, that one," Lord Samson broke the silence. "She's a gem. Lady Rutherham has changed my son. She's beautiful, and they care about each other," Lord Hulme insisted. "She's changed him."
 
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"I know it sounds crazy, but if Samson is behind all of this then it's not too far fetched. Think about it William. Even if Frederick married her, he still wouldn't have a title! He was taken into the house of Samson! And Samson's not likely to relinquish his title to him. So what would his next move be? To marry him off and let him take the title somewhere else. If he marries your step-sister, he's one move closer. Then, the only thing standing in the way of him and the title Lord is you." Livia grabbed William's arms. "If you're gone, everything your father has become's the property of Titania's husband. And knowing Samson, he's still expecting to be repaid for taking Frederick in! Your father is the only Lord that can rival him in power. He wants to have all your father has! How could you not see that?"

A crashing sound came from the hallway as a servant seemed to drop something. Livia jumped into William's arms. The servant was reprimanded by the head maid and it grew quiet again. "If it is Samson, then we're dealing with serious power. He can come after you in a million ways. I fear you'll always be in danger until we are wed. Even then, they could still go after you, me or any children we may have."
 
"I'm afraid you're wrong. Titania would have to be declared my successor by myself. Otherwise, she can't ever be a Lady, and I certainly wouldn't do that anyway. My successor would be Maudie before it would be Titania. In fact, Maudie would be better," William smiled at her, putting her down as she jumped into him. "Besides, Lord Samson wouldn't assassinate me. Did you not see him. He can hardly get through the door, forget your window." For his education, William wasn't quick-willed. "Calm down. Would you feel safer if I brought a sword? My father collects old weapons."
 
Livia looked at William like he was a fish with legs. How could he not understand how serious she was? "They could easily forge a document stating her as your successor! It is easily in Lord Samson's power." Livia put her hand to her head. "You know, let's forget it. We'll just wait and see if he throws his steak knife at you over dinner, Lord William" She turned to walk out with a cold demeanor.

William had taken this all so lightly, like it was a joke. Sure, it was his life they were after, but didn't he realize that if they killed him, they might as well kill her too? Did he not understand how important he was to her? She needed to learn to defend him, and if this was before, she could have taken swordsman ship or combat training. However, now she was a Lady. How would she accomplish anything like this?
 
William sighed. He believed she was being paranoid to say the least. Nonetheless, he went to the armoury and attached his belt and a dagger. He'd studied hand combat for many years and knew how to do it, before catching up. "Don't worry. Frederick is a joker, you know that. A joke went too far, it won't be a problem." His heart panged at the sneer in her voice at his name, but he didn't say anything. He couldn't admit she was right because he was too proud, but he could at least make her feel better.
 
Livia knew that William would never simply admit to being wrong. He would have to be proven wrong. To be honest, Livia was hoping that she was the one wrong. She didn't want to have to face Lord Samson's power. She didn't want their treachery to be discovered. And most importantly, she didn't want William to get hurt.

William donned a dagger, making Livia feel better, and they walked together to where the other members of court awaited their arrival. When the doors swung wide, the room was filled to the brim with people. Lords and Ladies in every directions. Livia remembered seeing most of them at the dance last night, but many of them she never spoke with. She had a feeling that today, she would have to make up for that.
 
Lord Hulme beckoned to one end of the table, where two seats had been saved. William began walking and hoped Livia would follow. Opposite them was Titania and Frederick, and next to Frederick was Lord Samson, but next to Livia was the kind general of the King's army, Lord Fitzrik. "Daggers at the table," Lord Samson tutted. "Are you not the man who carries a sword to the table?" William raised his eyebrows. "He's showing authority," Lord Fitzrik, smiling. "Also, nice to meet you, Lady Rutherham." The table was not full of chatter. Everybody wanted to talk to Livia. Everyone except the one person William needed answers from.

At the sound of Lord Fitzrik's voice, the table echoed, "Nice to meet you, Lady Rutherham," including those who had met her before. It was daunting for William, so he didn't know how Livia felt. One wrong answer to their death.
 
Livia followed William and sat at the table. She knew who the General Lord was. Everyone in the King's land did. He was known as a benevolent man who, although highly rewarded for his accomplishments, remained humble and courteous. She always had a fondness for him and his overall attitude. "The pleasure is undoubtedly mine, Lord Fitzrik. It's an honor to meet you and of course," she said, turning to address the table, "the other members of court as well. I do hope to get the chance to speak with each and every one of you." Livia gave a slight bow.

Livia turned to look at Frederick. Those eyes were unmistakable. It was most certainly him in her room last night. She stared at him giving him a slight look of recognition. "Lord Frederick, I believe we have not been properly introduced yet. Granted I have heard of your many achievements through my fiance and his family. It is quite the experience to finally meet you for myself." She dipped her head in his direction, but continued to make eye contact. She hoped he would understand that it meant she would be keeping an eye on him.

Livia would normally be on edge and nervous with all of these members of court waiting to cross-examine her, but she was more angry and engulfed by the man sitting across from her. How dare he attack her William? "And Lord Samson, we certainly wouldn't hope to have a use for swords at dinner. Correct?" Livia said this with a pleasant smile on her face, but a commanding tone in her voice.
 
The members of the court all seemed obviously pleased with themselves as she spoke. A Lady marrying the son of the man who hosted the court events of the country was most certainly the most honourable Lady of all, and they were shocked William was so quickly able to 'move on'.

Lord Fitzrik blushed at her kindness towards him. He was often treated as if permanently tough, but that was not the case. He often was scared of things, just war wasn't not of them. He smiled, "Why, thank you."

The piercing blue eyes of Frederick watched her all the time. William and Titania shared a frightened glance. "I suppose Lady Rutherham will be continuing to stay here as Lord Samson and Frederick are here, yes Father?" she intervened to turn Frederick's attention. "Why, of course. I sent some girls up to fix them two rooms yesterday. It is a great honour for Lord Samson to attend for the rest of the week."

"Of course not, my dear, but there is always time to play fencing," Lord Samson replied with a grimace. "Would you join me in fencing tonight, young William?" William glanced at Livia and then his father. He knew Livia was thinking, and he knew his father would want him to say yes. "I would obviously lose, Lord Samson, so I am afraid to lose the affection of my Lady, so I'm afraid I shall have to turn down that offer," putting on a fake voice to mimic Samson.
 
"Oh, I couldn't stand you being injured by Lord Samson's blade. He's so skilled. What would I do without my fiance?" She loved playing into Lord Samson's ego. She only hoped it wouldn't cause William's ego to flare up. She knew he was trained in the art of the sword, but she didn't think he could match Lord Samson.

Livia hated that Samson and Frederick would be staying with them. It chilled her to the bone to think of all of the opportunities they would have at William's neck. "Lord Hulme, I have a request. You know that I've come quite far and that in our land, we have a slightly different upbringing. You see, in our lands, it is customary for the daughter's of Lords to learn swordsmanship for their own protection. Would it be possible to learn it here? I do understand that the Ladies of Court here do not have such knowledge, but I would love the chance to learn from one of your fine young men, Father." Livia said it on purpose, hoping it would sway the Lord's disposition. "I mean, Lord Hulme. Forgive me. I appear to be anticipating my upcoming wedding." She gave a sheepish smile.
 
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