Oops, not her's but the blue-eyed man she had met today.
Her heart skipped a beat looking at him.
The blue-eyed man's blue eyes landed on her, similarly surprised. His whistling stopped, his lips pausing in an endearing pout and he frowned.
So, he worked here. He must be a guard or a soldier here. That must be the reason he was so skilled in fighting.
He smirked. "So you found me".
Mariana blushed. She didn't come here finding him. "I was here for a meeting. Not for you".
"A meeting?" His brows wrinkled together in confusion.
It isn't proper to give him her every detail. But didn't he save her? She owe him that much. "I was here to meet Her Highness".
His eyes were still confused.
She gestured to her stuff. "These are my trunks".
Still with confusion, his eyes looked at her trunks and then back at her.
Mariana continued. "Please carry them and come with me".
The man did not move, rather his brows wrinkled further in confusion.
And then, after a moment, his frown cleared and his lips pulled up in one direction. What made him smirk this often?
"Okay, miss" he bowed his head and then walked further into the room, near her. Mariana was about to move but he kept walking and didn't stop until he was in front of her, a faint smirk grazing his face.
She took a step back and craned up her neck to meet his eyes.
He looked into her eyes and bent slowly a little, without breaking the eye-contact.
Mariana's breathing increased as his face came on her eye-level, his smirk had faded a bit but his eyes held a bit of wickedness. He was really bold. Was he checking her face? Did she have something on her face? Perhaps teasing her? Or perhaps-
Before she could think further he straightened and Mariana saw he had picked up a trunk.
Oh! She moved aside and let him pick the other one, too. He stood there carrying both trunks, one in each hand, and kept looking at her. A faint smirk was back on his face.
Mariana clutched her satchel tightly and averted her eyes. Why wasn't he moving?
"After you, miss".
Oh! He was a gentleman.
She nodded and walked around him to leave the room. She felt his footsteps behind her and felt his gaze all over her back. It was ridiculous but she felt a prickling sensation behind her. Perhaps because she was very aware of him.
She must talk with him to feel less awkward. But what should she talk about?
As she kept walking straight, there came two corridors and she didn't know which way to go. When she had entered here, she was so busy admiring the palace that she didn't pay any heed to the directions.
She haulted and chewed her lip.
"Right way, miss", she heard him say.
"Yes". She said over her shoulder, without turning her head. "Thank you".
They bagan walking again.
"I'm glad I saw you. I wanted to thank you".
Before he could reply anything, a servant came in front of them. He stopped and widened his eyes and then immediately looked down and walked ahead. What was wrong with him?
"No need to thank me", she heard the blue-eyed man.
Before she could say, again a servant came in front of them. Haulted, widened his eyes, looked down and moved ahead.
Now she felt wierd.
They walked and she saw the entrance door. Being a bit concious of the blue-eyed man behind her, she walked briskly towards it.
A pair of maids she met on the way had the similar reaction as the earlier servants.
Mariana frowned and stopped her strides. She looked back at the man carrying her trunks. He gave her a bright smile.
"Why did they look at us like that?"
He shrugged. "They never saw you before".
Mariana blinked. That wasn't a satisfying answer, but she didn't know what to say further so she looked forward and began walking again.
She reached the doors and picked up her skirts to descend the stairs.
The guards present there bowed their heads. Perhaps they were very respectful. This palace and it's people really impressed her.
As she descended the last stair, she saw Mr. Lawrence had brought their carriage in the front. He jumped down and took the trunks from the blue-eyed man.
Mr. Roberts opened the door from inside. "Pardon me, Miss Mariana. We had to fix the wheel. It loosened again".
She shook her head with a smile. "No problem".
Then, Mariana turned her head and looked at the blue-eyed man. He stood silently there, hands in his trouser pockets, looking at her.
Aren't servants supposed to be in strict postures? Aren't they supposed to wear their impeccable uniforms? She thought. Perhaps the rules here were different.
"Thank you for now and earlier". A tiny smile with genuine gratitude formed on her lips.
He returned a handsome smile. "My pleasure, miss".
She nodded and turned to climb the carriage. Taking Mr. Roberts hand, she mounted and sat in her seat.
Mr. Roberts shut the door and the carriage began to move.
"You are so flushed, Miss Mariana. I hope everything went well", Mr. Roberts looked at her worriedly.
She touched her palms to her cheek and they really felt hot.
"Oh, it's nothing. Everything went great. We have to come back tomorrow".
He nodded and settled back more comfortably.
Mariana saw the palace leaving behind from the window and the only image that was formed in her mind when she recalled today's events was that of the blue-eyed man's.
How strong and clever he was when he fought those men and saved her. How handsome and charming he was when he talked with her.
During supper, Aaron entered the dining room amd everyone were seated in their usual seats.
But this time, his maternal uncle and aunt Granville joined them too. They han arrived at the evening for his mother had invited them early to help in the management of the ball.
His mother had many brothers but uncle Granville, who was the fourth brother, was Aaron's favourite. Sharp minded and practical, his uncle was. Aunt Granville too, was loving and kind, and more or less the only friend his mother had.
Their only daughter Hazel, a lively girl had joined them too.
Beside her, sat Jasper. He was hesitated at first to join them at the same table, but Aaron had once insisted him after he was sure of his loyalty and capability. Since then, he usually joined them for dinner, though he prefered not to have other informal meals. 'It's beyond your status', Jasper had said.
Charles never joined them at the table. The surly old man never thought himself anything more than their servant, though his family begged to differ.
"I am so grateful you arrived early, Daisy. I am at ease now that I have a helping hand", Aaron's mother said to his aunt who gave her a charming smile.
"I was so happy when the invitation arrived. I even gave the order of dear Amy's present. It will arrive before her birthday", his aunt said giving Amy a cheeky smile.
Amy chuckled. "Oh, I love you, aunt Daisy".
"I love you too, darling".
Aaron began carving the meat with knife and fork. "I did not see any strange creature yet, Aunt Daisy. Am I to think you stopped being fond of pets?"
His aunt clapped her hands. "Oh, I knew little Aaron liked my pets".
He blinked hearing the word 'little'.
"I have a very special one now. And I knew you would ask, so I have already placed it near you feet".
Aaron blinked and looked down
near his feet where laid a dozzed brown ferret.
"Good God".
Everyone laughed.
"Oh, mother, you really must stop saving these creatures. It doesn't suit our status". Hazel, his seventeen year old cousin, who was very concerned about her status ever since the time she couldn't even spell the word 'status' said.
"I love aunt Daisy's animals", Amy said giving their aunt a lovely smile.
"Well, a ferret is better than the owl she brought last year", granny joined the conversation. "The strange bird always kept staring at me with it's wide eyes". She shared the memory with a shiver in her body.
Aaron and Amy laughed enjoying the scene in front of them.