Page 63 of The Ambiguous Enigma of the Hunted Lady
“What then was the intention?” Kenneth exclaimed, throwing his hands high.
“I...” Leah had no good answer for one of the first times in her life. It had been largely impulsive, as was her nature, but founded in something real.
“Now of all times you have nothing to say.” Kenneth let his hands fall. Leah felt a wave of despair wash over her like a flash flood.
“Must one's tongue always be moving?” she shot back, growing hot.
“I apologize.” Kenneth lowered his voice considerably. “I should not have become cross as I did. That was most impolite, and I feel a fool for it.”
“Be still a moment.” she said, drawing her hands together.
“I shall.” Kenneth replied, his gaze falling to the grass.
“Your offer is a fair one.” Leah pondered her choices. She had indeed caused a bit of a stir within herself; she cared for Kenneth. But she cared far more for her own life, for that was the world she had become accustomed to. “I confess that I have feelings for you Kenneth, but I am not to be kept in a fine house like an expensive bird. I cannot, I...” Leah choked up a bit as her emotions took hold.
So often she held everything back, and now it was all flowing forth like a busted dam. Yet she scrambled to patch over the breaches as quick as she could, remembering her survival before everything else.
“Those thugs that attacked you.” Kenneth said softly. “They'll come after you again, won't they?”
“No.” Leah lied, wiping the tear from her eye and composing herself. “If I promise to see you regularly, will you forgive me my secrets?”
“I cannot ask for more.” Kenneth replied, taking her hand in his.
“So, we have an accord.” Leah sniffled and smiled brightly. “Now let us continue our walk.”
“When will you leave?” Kenneth could not yet let the matter rest.
“Oh, not for several days I suspect.” Leah smiled up at him. “I'm not sure my ribs are ready for a coach ride.”
This seemed to cheer Kenneth up immensely, who no doubt assumed she would be departing that very night. With his mind temporarily at ease, Kenneth appeared happy as ever to get on with the stroll. Leah could tell that he greatly enjoyed the outdoors.
“There is another matter I wished to discuss with you. Kenneth mentioned. “Though in my haze I have nearly forgotten.”
“A matter of substance?” Leah teased.
“Oh, it's very substantial.” Kenneth grinned at her wit.
“Go on then.”
“It concerns my bill in Parliament.” he went on, “I had thought that you might have some insight.”
“What sort of insight?” she looked at him from the corner of her eye.He is going to ask me to do something I don't want to do.
“Well.” He cleared his throat. “I thought that perhaps some members of the House of Lords could benefit from hearing what you have to say, testimony, if you will.”
“Testimony? In front of Parliament?”
“Unfortunately, not.” Kenneth confessed. “But in smaller, more private parties, a gathering of say, perhaps twenty. A few of those and we will have reached more than enough to secure it's passing.”
“You ask a great deal.” Leah turned her gaze to him.
“Perhaps, but think of the good you could do.” he pitched rather poorly.
“Who gets their name on the monument?” she poked fun at him.
“I take your point.” Kenneth sighed. “But would you think on it?”
“That I will.” Leah gave him something to hold him by. She had no intention of doing anything in public, at least until she figured out what she was going to do.
