Earl of Billington and Miss Lyndon

Chapter 10

He started running. Then, after his lungs felt like they were going to explode, he slowed his run. A minute or two after that, he leaned against the cold, wet wall. After all, he couldn't be wetter than he was now.

Then the thunder claps again, causing Ellie to jump, stumble over the tree roots, and land on the mud. "Damn!" ellie grumbled, probably the only first mockery she had ever uttered in her entire life. If there is indeed a time to start the habit of cursing, then now is the right time.

Ellie stepped staggered while looking up, rain water slapping her face. Her bonnet hat drooped to cover her view. Ellie pulled out her hat, looked back at the sky and shouted, "I'm not at all amused!"

Lightning snatched again

"They're all against me" Ellie murmured, beginning to feel like none of this made sense. "Everything." Her father, Sally Foxglove, Mr. Tibbett, whoever controls the weather-

Thunder rumbled again

Ellie gritted her teeth and started walking again. Finally, until a large building was seen looming over the horizon. Ellie had never seen Wycombe Abbey in person, but she had seen her paintings drawn in ink sold at Bellfield. His heart was relieved, then he continued to step up to the front door and knock.

A uniformed maid opened the door and gave Ellie a look of disdain.

"A.. I want to meet the earl," said Ellie stammeringly holding back the cold with her teeth cracking.

"The interview for the servant is carried out by the housekeeper," replied the butler. "Please use the back door."

The butler began to close the door but Ellie managed to hold back with her feet. "Don't!" ellie cried, feeling that if she let the door close in front of her face, then her life would be condemned forever to be a chimney cleaner.

"Madam, please get rid of your feet."

"No way," Ellie replied as she tried to squeeze her elbows and shoulders in. "I'll meet the earl, and..."

"Like me?!" exclaim Ellie. This is really a delay. He was cold, wet, and unable to get the money he was entitled to, and now an arrogant butler called him a whore? "You're gonna let me in right now! It's raining out here."

"Yes, I know that."

"The devil's base" said Ellie. "If I had met the earl, he would..."

"Rosejack, what's going on?"

Ellie was overwhelmed by the relief of hearing Billington's voice. He would really melt in relief if he was not sure of the slight weakness he showed, perhaps the butler managed to push him out of the door.

"There's something on the doorstep" Rosejack replied. "He won't go."

"Hey I'm a woman, you brash bastard!" Ellie managed to slip a hand and hit the servant's head with her fist.

"Oh, my goodness," said Charles. "Open that door and let him in."

Rosejack opened the door so wide that Ellie almost fell forward. He felt like a wet rat drenched in the middle of the luxurious furniture around him. A beautiful carpet that stretched across the floor, a painting that Ellie was sure painted by Rembrandt himself, and a vase that she rolled up to shatter-which she felt was imported directly from China.

Ellie puffed up, trying to get rid of the wet hair stuck to her face. Charles looked handsome, amused, and dry. "My Lord?" ellie's voice choked, barely audible. He did not like his own voice, hoarse and raucous because of the cries he had shown to God and also at the butler.

Charles blinked his eyes while observing Ellie. "Sorry, madam," he said "Have we ever met?"