Chapter 74: The pilfering of property
It was day three of residing with her brother in their small room. Merrigold did not want to reside with strangers at the women's burdened commune. They all seemingly had a little anger and envy for her. If Thomas had said Princess Merri getting flung out of the palace in the midst of the night had not made him a tiny tad bit happy then he would be untruthful. News went through the commune quickly too quickly. Master Cunningham senior was back and all the foolery that had been happening in his household were put to an end. Thomas could not have been any happier. Knowing this was not Merrigold's first time being thrown out he hoped this time it was permanent. Pretending to be her friend and having her best interests at heart, Thomas asked Merri as they sat watching the sunrise in the early morning. "He left and never returned huh? He must not care about you..."
"He said he will be back." Merri told Thomas who chuckled.
"I'm very doubtful Merrigold by the looks of things. You're on your own."
Merri felt her heart falter with disappointment. She somewhat trusted Austin as horrible as that sounded. The way he had informed her, he would be back, his grey eyes glimmered with hopefulness. He meant it, she hoped he meant it. What was she supposed to do with the baby now that she was nearing the sixth month. Even worse, she felt as if this had to be her worst pregnancy. It was painful, her back hurt so did her swollen feet. Her headaches did not seem to excuse her from pain either. Sleeping on the floor proved to be a problem. Even though she was only five and a half months in, Miriam her sister in-law had said... she looked as if she was nine months. It was so big but then again she joked about it being a white people thing. Merri laughed along, there was not much she could say, she couldn't deny that Austin was the father of her child either. It was as clear as the blue sky, everyone knew. It was as if that was all she was known for... getting kicked in and out of the main house. Being rather an adulteress...
"What do you love about him anyways?" Thomas questioned out of the blue. Merrigold felt herself reacting wildly different. She felt butterflies in her stomach. Merri did not like this.
"...nothing..." she mumbled, not in the mood to speak.
"Do not lie Merri, I saw you two being cozy... and you love him. It's clear as daylight."
"I do not." She hissed back at him.
"Denying it won't—" Thomas was cut off.
"I'm really hurt that you would say that Merrigold."
That voice?
Austin?
Raspy, silvery and shrilling.
Austin?!??? Her mind registered.
Standing up, she turned around and saw him standing behind their wooden bench. Without thinking, she rushed into his arms. Thomas felt a begrudging feeling. Austin held her tight and breathed in her scent. Merrigold quivered, as he kissed her neck and whispered, assuring her that everything would be alright. She felt... this was right. Her being in his arms felt right. With so much feeling and emotional now longing. As soon as they pulled away they kissed. It was desperate and needy, her hands were shaking as she caressed his unshaven jaw. His tasted sweet, as always... she closed her eyes telling herself that she was not dreaming. He came back, at this point Austin was her only hope, she was afraid very afraid. They seemed as if they were in their own little bubble, Merri had forgotten that Thomas was right behind them so were many other slaves walking about the commune's dusty gravel compound. He kissed her, with assurance...that he was here in the flesh. His hand caressed the bump between them and she shyly pulled away and smiled. Embarrassed by her actions. Had she missed him that much? It had only been three days. Austin was also surprised by her neediness for him.
"I thought you wouldn't come back." She whispered staring up at his somber grey eyes. Eyebags below, hair shriveled, he looked rather disturbed as if he had not slept in days. Giving her another kiss on the lips. He whispered... "You know, I'd never leave you. Never..! You know that."
"I wasn't sure anymore..." she whispered, their lips were a mere inch as they spoke, they were practically breathing the same air. Face to face... no hinderance this seemed as if the most honest conversation they had ever shared. Perhaps time apart was good. Merrigold wasn't holding back and being angry, Austin was simply Austin but sweeter Lionel tryingbhis best to please her no matter what.
"Well here I am telling you now, if I ever leave... I died." He muttered. His eyes teary, Merri looked at his chest intimidated.
Thomas then cleared his throat, the other slaves had started to round up watching them with curiously this was something they had never seen before. It proved the rumors to be true, this is what they did behind closed doors? Now that they had no walls to cover for them, they were doing it in public without a care. It was scary, it scared the slaves. These two were being this risky? It was something admirable.
"...do not say that..." Merri whispered.
"I love you." Austin told her.
Merrigold only looked down and turned away. Suddenly brought back to reality. Her excitement to seeing him had broke her shell. The shell she hid in, the shell of anger. She never wanted to feel anything for him. She was well aware that he was a horrible man absolutely horrible.
"Might as well marry the girl..." Faith's mother muttered in the crowd of people who loved a good scene of anything interesting.
"... trust me, I will." Austin chuckled laying one last kiss on Merrigold's lips. She felt embarrassed and shy. Merrigold did not like the way he made her feel.
"I will be stealing her for a bit..." Austin told Thomas who rolled his eyes.
"No!" Merri pulled her hand back away from his. "I can't..."
"We need to talk Merri."
"We could talk here."
"No, we can not quit being stubborn. Let me spoil you for a bit. We will come back. Obviously, I have to return you otherwise my father is capable of reporting me for pilfering of property..!"
Hesitant, Merrigold looked around. The many eyes that stared at her. One of the slaves then muttered... "We won't tell..."
"See..!" Austin smirked.
"I—"
"Do not mind my father's deliriousness, he can not do anything."
"Fine..."
"Good, say farewell to your bestfriend Thomas."
With a shy smile, she muttered. "Inform my brother not to worry. I will be back."
Thomas only scrawled at the both of them. He had suddenly turned into a bitter person. He was annoyed by Austin's presence. It had been three days, with him being a compulsive liar. No one took his word. That he would return.
Proved them wrong, he did.