Louisa's Cottage and Mill

Since Im still travelling round in England, Ive decided just to post a Journal of my travels til I reach my home here.


Looking thru a drawer in her little home, she finally found the book she was looking for. Sitting down she wrote on the inside front cover:-

Travelling Journal of Louisa Hamilton

Since she was now able to travel outside the village she found herself washed up at, a diary was going to be kept and things that happened along the way would be jotted down before they were forgotten.

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26th August..

After getting herself up to a level of being accepted in her adopted town of Egremont, Louisa was ready to quit the town and see what was out there. Arrangements were made thru a friend in Ireland for her to be escorted on her travels to another more populated town far away from the threat of reavers from Scotland. While partaking her last whiskey in the town tavern she greeted her travelling companion Aly. Not knowing how he would react to her funny ways, a decision to be more ladylike was taken...that was til her younger sister Maegan entered the tavern and and per normal she drank too much and ended up sitting on her favourite spot...the floor on her comfy cushion. To her amazement Aly was not as straight laced as was first thought...so with little persuasion he also joined her there. Much laugher and fun was had that night and towards the end a few tears at the thought of leaving her much loved sister behind. Louisa soon perked up with the thought of a few bottles of whiskey to aid their way was purchased, so with the last hugs and good luck in her sister new weaving shop they parted ways to sleep.....

The journey has just begun. Travelling most of the day, only stopping to stretch legs and water the horses, they finally stopped to set up camp before the sun dipped behind the hills. Not used to riding a horse Louisa gingerly dismounted and somewhat relucant to sit busied herself in heating water for their tea. Finding a tree stump close by and taking the chance to jot in her journal while waiting for the water to boil, she slowly got down to her knees and began to write.

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27th August....

Not much to speak off...dusty road and more dusty road, and Oh her aching backside...why did no one say how sore it would become. The further they rode the worse it became. Going to see if there was a way to place on of those tavern cushions on the sadle to ease her discomfort, but til then a hot tea and a few bottles of whiskey should make her feel better if only temporary. At least this time tomorrow they would be in a town...mind you not the one we thought...since Aly got a bit confused and turned left instead of right... oh well..she didnt care at the moment..as long as a town was at the end of the road .....

Closing her journal and rising to her feet once again she schooled the look on her face as to not give away the ache in her nether region and slowly walked over to the campfire to join Aly.

Louisa could have cried tears of joy at the sight of the town looming ahead. Slowly she dismounted and for a few seconds leant against her steed, waiting for the pain to subside and her legs to start moving again. Handing the reins to the youngster waiting she turned and grabbed her bag from the back of the sadle and followed Aly into the tavern. Promising to meet him in the tavern after freshening up she ordered a bath in post haste. While waiting she took her journal out and began to write...

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28th August...


Will l never be able to sit again. The sheer punishment that horse was dealing out was unbelieveable....I'm sure it hates me...never has her rear-end been so sore she couldn't at certain times feel it. Every rough section only made the pain worse when her backside connected with the sadle. Still a soak in a hot bath would do wonders before joining Abs in the tavern for a meal. Well she had survived her first night out in the open....no roof, no walls..no comfy bed or blankets....no protection from creepy crawlies arghhhhh...she didnt do sleeping outside...Louisa is a inside person a house or tavern dweller not a outside in the elements open to Jah knows what that could attack her poor body more than than horse had. After a hearty meal and copious amounts of whiskey I thought I would be able to fall alseep quickly, but noooo...I had to remain wide awake listening to every rustle, every owl hoot, and worse...a male snoring....but the stars were interesting to look at and at some stage I fell asleep. Before I knew it morning had arrived and I was woken with Aly making enough noise to wake the dead.... After a quick wash and meal once again I had to haul myself on the horse and follow Aly towards Penrith.....

Ahhh must stop for now...my bath has arrived and that is speaking volumes to me.....


Louisa entered her room after a night of fun and many drinks, and began to write more in her journal...

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Well after a well earned bath ..dinner...while eating, a lady entered the tavern, l looked my fork stopped in mid air as I took in her appearance, of all the people to walk in there as large as life was her cousin Meira. Many hugs and laughter we settled to catch up on gossip.. alas my cousin was on her way to work and only dropped by on a whim....promising to catch up at our family home I farewelled Meira. Settling back on my cushion by this time...so much whiskey consumed made sitting on the floor a safe place to be. By the time another stranger walked into her view of the world from the floor she was wondering if perchance she had wandered into a Hamilton reunion party. Hugging her cousin Adamus and dragging him to sit on the floor with Aly we spent quite a few hours of solid drinking and laughing only breaking up this festive session due to the fact we all had to work in the morning...For once I'm glad...no riding at all today...YAY......there is a Jah .....saying goodnite to Adamus and Aly I headed to bed . OOHHHH Im in heaven... I get to sleep in a bed....well will write more tomorrow .....

Louisa closed her journal and blew the candle out...snuggling under the blankets surrendering herself to the heavenly feeling of bliss.........

After another hard days riding, we finally made it to Appleby

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30/31st August...

We didnt take it too hard this time and therefore one's rear end was only marginally sore. Once again we parted to meet later in the taverns dining room. We spent a quiet night eating and drinking..few patrons came in but for once I was glad...feeling slightly lonely and the taverns weren't the same back in Ireland. Never mind, I find there will be two others coming with us in the morning..so I bade Aly goodnight and headed for an early night.

After an early rise we find that one of our party hadnt shown up as planned and we had to cool our heels for another day. Ambled around this quite town, I suppose at certain times it could be a raging hive of activity... but at the moment it looked more like a town.

Met up with Abs in the tavern...hoping the pace would be picked up...well was it just !!!. Of all the taverns who should walk in but my friend Timari Phoenix's family... finally meet her Aunty Franka who I later found out was Robert Frankel's mum, and the head of the de Phoenix house DJ who is married to the lovely Franka... also in the party was Solcan another uncle of Timi's. A wild night was had by all and many invites to their family home were given, but such bantering and being picked on (all in good fun) I had many misgivens about attending. One of these days I will turn up and cause my own Hamilton havoc on their home...After saying our goodbyes, we or I left to get a goodnight sleep before the journey to Kendal ...

Louisa once again snuggled into her bed enjoying the comfort and warmth. With a smile on her face, she slowly drifted off to sleep............

Once again Louisa sits and takes up her quill:-

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1st September....


Well we made it to Kendal...I'm surprised at how well we are travelling...only have met friendly travellers going both ways...so I hope those thiefs and vagabonds are not further down the road just wating. This travelling is taking its toll...I didn't even venture into the tavern here at all...and that's not me in the least bit. As the days are merging into weeks the thought of a new colony opening seems a very long time away...if at all... Those I have left behind are being missed more than I ever imagined..

Louisa stands up and pours herself a glass of whiskey, turning towards the window she crosses the floor and leans against the glass with her forehead, wondering who was looking at the same stars as she.............

Stopping to sent up camp for the night, Louisa pitches in and does her share, there are now five of us in the group travelling. A pleasant group abet quiet..but at the moment that suits her. Once the meal had been prepared, eaten and cleared up, she once again took out her journal and with mug of whiskey by her side she put quill to paper.

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2nd Setember...

Another night spent under the stars...though this time not so worried about what is out there...by my reckonening there is enough of us here that any trouble will find them first before it found me. We are only a node out of Preston, but we have travelled so far that we could go no longer. So when we break camp in the morning, we will skirt past Preston on our way to Liverpool... and apparently I overheard not far to go before we reach our destination of Shrewsbury. Her life feels at the moment feels like one big journey with no end in sight...a restlessness is beginning to build up and a sense of belonging is yearned. Looking round the other travellers quitetly talking amongst themselves she feels like a fish out of water...maybe the next town will draw her out of her blue funk and bring forth the Louisa of old that is hiding.....

Sighing she closed her journal and placed it in her bag ready for the trip in the morning, turning back to the fire she sipped her whiskey deep in thought....

There seemed to be no urgency as they rode into Liverpool... an quiet troop headed for the nearest tavern.

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3rd September...


Seem to be in a routine now...only every staying in a town for one night then on our way again. I decided to soak in a hot bath and drink on my own this evening. Though her backside still hurt...the amount seemed to lessen each day. Another town tomorrow? who knows or for that matter cares...they seem to be looking all the same. The end of the road is fast approaching and sense of tiredness is permeting throught the group... New from Egremont...apparently some kind person has bought my field and in a few weeks I need to go back and retrieve my money and well as some goods I left. I suppose once that is completed all Im waiting for is a new colony to open to jump....

A knock on the door heralds the arrival of a bath and Louisa stands up and puts her Journal away once again......

Louisa sighed as she slipped from the back of the horse she had been riding since they left Egremont and slowly made her way into the tavern they were going to stay for the night at.

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4th September.....


One more day of riding and we will be in Shrewsbury, but until then here I sit in my room writing...seems alot of unrest here in Chester...home of the WoS. Not understanding these people that casuse havoc and mayhem where ever they go. So it seems prudent to fly under the radar and behave myself... well stay aleast half way sober...just incase me and my mouth say the wrong thing...but then again...Once again I forget my good intentions and get plastered....had to make my own fun...others in the tavern except for my travelling companion was in any kind of mood to even talk...sitting in stunned silence most to the time...I'm hoping my new town is alot more lively...otherwise Im going to die of boredom....

Closing her book...she gets up and staggers into bed

Finally the five riders made their way down the main street of Shrewsbury. Pulling up in front of the Tavern Louisa slid of her ride and ventured towards the front. Gently she rubbed the nose of the large steed in front of her . Leaning in she softly whispered "Many thanks, but Im glad this is our last ride for the moment...I don't think my poor backside could take anymore!". Grinning Louisa followed her companions into the tavern.

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5th September.......


Well at long last Shrewsbury...Once settle in I made my way to the town hall for a job and then headed back to the tavern for a well deserved glass or two of whiskey. Seems we need to head back out again to pick up money from the sale of fields that were sold when we were on the road. Hopefully that will be done with little fuss as there are rumours floating around about a new colony opening up in Wales and when it does she want to be one of the first to be there. As much as she enjoys travelling she just wants to settle back in to townlife and get back to normal with her friends that she hopes will make the same jump as she.

Closing the book for now she headed in the direction of the bar for that well deserved glass..........

Walking away from Dana's home after taking Deuce there to be reunited with his wife , Lys wonders to himself what in the world will turn up next ! Just a few days ago his life was so carefree.. enjoying the company of Louisa as she escorted him around homes to buy. Thinking of the event brought an inward chuckle and a smile as he relived those moments in his minds eye. Then there is the current time, buying furniture and arranging his newly purchased home to be decorated, another fun-filled experience. All in all, a carefree period.

While he was helping Deuce last night... Louisa had left the tavern so he was unable to arrange the meeting place. After a good sleep and getting ready for today's eventualites, Lys decides that the only way was to call on Louisa at her cottage. then they could both head from there.

While he walks, Lys wonders what the day will bring forth..their first trip is going to his home to check the progress of the decor and to find out exactly how many rooms are in the house. When he decided to buy it, they had only seen a quarter of the place so to go back would reveal what it consisted of.....and of course, knowing Louisa more leg pulling.

Arriving fairly early at her home, Lys is pleasantly surprised how quaint her little cottage is. The well kept front garden, and pretty drapes hanging at the windows, Gave that renowned look of the woman's touch. Walking up the flower-bordered path, Lys knocks the front door then awaits her reply.

Arriving home from an very interesting day...Louisa could't wipe the smile from her face at the antic that Lys had gotten up to. Her whole plan of showing him the candy striped decor seemed to backfire when he informed all and sundry in the market place of their marriage...things seemed to head downhill from that point on. The game of trying to get one over the other made thing worse...well not really worse as the laughter only increased....Jah only knows what the poor townfolk thought of them. Heating the kettle for a well deserved cuppa, she reached for the teapot above the hearth when her eye caught the ring that he had bought for her. Putting the teapot down on the table, her attention was now on the ring..."whatever made him buy it" she thought bemused at the lengths he goes to in the pursuit of laughter..the look on her face must have been priceless and that kiss...actually did render her speechless...so caught unawares.

Making a cuppa she sat quietly ...enjoying the peace that night brought about, while her mind darted in all directions trying to figure out colours and furniture styles for Lys's new home. Sighing she got up rinsed her cup and headed off to bed.

Rising early Louisa headed off to wash and dress for the day. Putting the kettle on Louisa rummaged around to see what there was to eat, finding some apples and oranges she grabbed a plate and was about to peel them when she heard a knock at the door. " Curious" she thought to herself..."Who would be calling at this early hour?"
Heading to the front door, she paused not sure who was on the other side, but if she didnt open the door that fact would never be revealed.! Shaking her head a grin beginning to form, she grabbed the handle and pulled it open....standing on the other side was the one and only Lys the man who had literally shaken her life upside down with his crazy antics and contagious smile....

"Morning stranger...how are we today?...fighting fit and ready for another fun filled day?" her grin widenly as she opened the door wider to allow him to enter her home....

A snap of the latch from the inside and the door was pulled open. Standing there, Louisa with a grin on her face as she recognised him, Pulled it wider , her grin broadening , greeted him with .........

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"Morning stranger...how are we today?...fighting fit and ready for another fun filled day?"

His smile broadened to match hers as he took up her invitation to enter. Gliding pass her, he walked through into her living area. " Good morning Louisa, I am as you said ..fighting fit ..As for the fun filled day......" Turning to look at her, a seriousness replacing his smile ......he grabs her by the waist, lifts in the air, the seriousness vanishing as it is replaced back to a big smile ... Yay-hey !! you can bet Brucie's pink furniture we are !! " Placing her back on her feet laughing at the sudden way he lifted her , and the surprised look on her face, Lys quickly takes a position on the sofa. Just incase she decides to whack him with another cushion.

So my crazy designer, have you come up with any more ideas in the decor and furniture line ...............other than pink ? " The mention of pink set him off in fits of laughter, as he thought of making her sit in a room..... solely decorated and funished in her favourite color.

Patting the vacant seat beside him his mood turned to that of seriousness....... " Louisa.... please .take a seat..... there is some thing I wish to speak to you about ... For the last few days I have been surveying the Manor house grounds..." No....now is not the time to reveal it ..not yet anyway...not in that order ........Changing what he was going to say, but just as important to him....... " Louisa...I have been teasing you for the last week about us being married......and .....well .....we enjoy each others company so much......it's ...well..." Dear Jah he was making a pigs ear of this ......like a kid asking another bag of sweets...Suddenly Lys felt his face redden as Louisa held his eyes.....Only way Lys ...come straight out with it .....she can only whack you with another cushion.....hopefully. " Would you find me too forward if I ask you to be my friend.....as us courting ? " The last part came out more as a whisper than a confident question. Waiting for her to reply ...Lys's mouth had become as dry as a arid desert. This was not a question he has ever put forward to any one. So he was way out of his depth in this department.

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" Good morning Louisa, I am as you said ..fighting fit ..As for the fun filled day......"

she grinned at his reply in which she then found herself being lifted of the ground....laughing and wondering why he was in such a good mood she heard the continuation

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Yay-hey !! you can bet Brucie's pink furniture we are !! "

Now he really had her confused as she watched him sit and pat the seat next to him. Seeing the serious look upon his face Louisa couldn't help but think something was wrong. Doing as she was bidded she heard what he said next.

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" Louisa.... please .take a seat..... there is some thing I wish to speak to you about ... For the last few days I have been surveying the Manor house grounds..."

"Oh no!" she thought..."somethings very wrong with house..oh dear Jah, and I showed that too him" her mind was racing along trying to think of what was so bad about the house...then.." oh...we have to start all over again, and this time it will be much harder as those other homes have sold and there wasnt alot that met his standards left to see."
His next statement....

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" Louisa...I have been teasing you for the last week about us being married......and .....well .....we enjoy each others company so much......it's ...well..."

made her eyes snap back to his....."What ?, what has teasing me and his home got to do with anything, the man has just changed tact and expected her to keep up" her mind throwing all sorts of what ifs around trying to figure out this new side of him. Trying to think back over the time they had been seeing each other...this was the first she had ever seen him this serious...and for once she knew he wasn't joking....him turning bright red was the first indication and the way he seemed reluctant to speak what was bothering him as if he wasn't sure as to how she was going to take the news.

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" Would you find me too forward if I ask you to be my friend.....as us courting ?

"


Well the floor could have opened and swallowed the whole house and she wouldnt have been more surprised as she was now...she sat looking at him.... "Oh" was all that she managed to get out...which was a whole lot more than when he had kissed her in the market place.
"I.....umm...well..." Taking a deep breath she started again... "I've never been asked that question before.... and ....courting you say ?" watching she could see he also was not his confident self.... to say aleast he had surprised her that would never be refuted.....leaning forward she placed her hand over one of his and with a smile "Sir, I would be honoured to have you come courting me !".....

His tongue was working overtime in his mouth, trying to replenish the lost moisture of the moment. The shocked look on her face did nothing for his confidence as to her answer being affirmative.

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"I.....umm...well........... I've never been asked that question before.... and ....courting you say ?"

Coming closer to him expecting the worse , Lys would take what ever it was she would hand him. The look in her eyes changed from disbelief to a soft smile. Placing her hand gently on his... she answer the question he had put before her a lifetime ago... well that is how poor Lys saw it......even though it had been less than a minute......

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"Sir, I would be honoured to have you come courting me !".....

Music....pure heavenly music....she had said yes ! Stunned and ecstatic at the same time, Lys just looked into her eyes. what he saw was a warm soft smile. It started with a makeshift grin, then a smile, then his face split in half with the biggest smile he had ever given. Taking her in his arms he kissed her like he had not done before. Making the market kiss like a peck on the cheeks. Holding her by her shoulders, the only reply he could bring forth was........ " thankyou...."

Louisa watched Lys face in amusement....the whole gamut of emotions played across his face as he took in the fact that she had agreed. What had he expected her to say.....for him to take a hike, fall about laughing at the thought of them courting....dear Jah the man really needed to learn a bit more about her.

With all these weeks of teasing, laughter and coming up with the most absurd stories, ending with a make believe story of being married to each other, would never have happened... Louisa wasn't one to allow others to dictate the kind of trouble she got into.....unless she wanted to be. He had her attention from the moment she had hit him in the face with the cushion and he had joined her at the table.

Finally....the penny dropped as he realised and the grin that came forth was like that of a kid at christmass who had hit the jackpot in the amount of toys he had. Drawing her closer the kiss he then gave.....well!... if her parents were still alive....her and Lys would be married before the hour was up.... , and when he drew back she heard his response of "thankyou" . Her eyes looked into his..... as she placed her hand gently on his cheek, stunned to realise she could now do that without being thought too forward... grinned.....and with a voice full of mischief.... "Hah!....so I was right....married my foot !" chuckling at the fact his little charade was now busted big time.....

Lyskard feeling elated by her exceptance, and her response by the gentle touch on his cheek, suddenly he burst forth with laughter at her by her next comment... ....."Hah!....so I was right....married my foot !"From day one they had clicked as friends.He found her to be the easiest person to know. Not even the male species had become as close a friend to him as she had. Their made up charades, and the fun and laughter each had encountered during the escapades over the past few months seemed to have brought them closer than they had realised. That was until Lys had put it to the test of asking her to extend their friendship.

" You must admit Lou, it was a good story, besides, I had to match you in the leg-pulling stakes . You through down the challenge....and well.....you have learnt...I never give up on a challenge....and...I did have you half believing, that somehow, we had been wed ! " And so the banter carried on as they both related how they had fared in the their different charades.

" Today then Lou, we are going to meet our friendly decorator/furnisher, the one and only..Brucie. I wonder if he will be pleased to see me ? " Chuckling at the thought of their last encounter, Lys added..." I need the house ready as soon as possible, I will be holding a meeting there for all the villagers within a week. How soon do you think Brucie and his team could have it ready by ? They will be paid well... very well ..."

Lys was a good judge of people, he prided himself of this ability, he was seldom wrong. So unable to keep it from her he decided now was the time to reveal all.....Taking her hand in hers, Lys holding her eyes ....Louisa hunni, don't asked why I chose the last house you showed me ...but..believe me it was certainly the right choice !............ you know I have been preoccupied surveying the land up there.....well I have to admit, that is not entirely true. Oh I started to survey it , but found more than I bargained for on day one. I found an old mine buried in undergrowth...well the long and short of it is .........it's a gold mine..literally ! " Watching her expression, he let the words sink in...a look of disbelief and surprise covered her face as she digested the revellation Lys had placed in her lap....then he dropped the big one........

" Lou....There is more gold in there than I could ever need....!!!!Lys then went on to describe his intention for the mine. Who would benefit.. and why.Also.. he revealed what will happen to the mine at the conclusion of his plan.

The laughter shared as they spoke about their previous escapades felt good to Louisa....to feel comfortable right from the start was something one doesn't find too often and she hoped it wouldnt disappear either.

Hearing his reminder of where they were going this morning, she started to laugh "Ahh the poor man...Lys you had him more than worried, as you know he had alot of the furniture and drapery already in his store or where ever he keeps his extra stock...cant see a problem...a few...huh...? next week...really?" Louisa looked at him stunned trying to work out why a meeting...and the whole village....good grief ...how could Bruce have it done in such a short time...then and idea came to her..."well....what about half the house ready in a week...and the upstairs finished later...Im sure you arent going to have the whole village roaming round your home so if you can be seeing your way to half the house ...Bruce should have no problems at all."

Seeing his face turn serious again as he reached out and took her hand, had her worried..her heart started to beat just that little bit quicker, she hated it when people became serious all of a sudden it usually brought bad news....

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Louisa hunni, don't asked why I chose the last house you showed me ...but..believe me it was certainly the right choice !............ you know I have been preoccupied surveying the land up there.....well I have to admit, that is not entirely true. Oh I started to survey it , but found more than I bargained for on day one. I found an old mine buried in undergrowth...well the long and short of it is .........it's a gold mine..literally ! "

His news hit her first in stunned disbelief....then surprise....was he pulling her leg again...she peered at him closely trying to work it out. With his next words ...

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" Lou....There is more gold in there than I could ever need....!!!!

It was then she saw the excitment in his face...they way he described his intentions for the mine.....thats when she realised he was telling the truth....stunned for words all she could do was nod and smile. Then it hit her.....the man sitting holding her hand ..the one that asked to come courting was now going to be so rich...was that going to change him...would he change his mind about her...all these questions whirled round...did she dare ask.....?

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..."well....what about half the house ready in a week...and the upstairs finished later...Im sure you aren't going to have the whole village roaming round your home. So, if you can be seeing your way to half the house ...Bruce should have no problems at all."

Carefully listening to her explain, Lys answer... " Hun, that's sounds perfect !I'm in no hurry to have the upper section of the house ready at this time. Just as long the gound floor is ready and can accommodate every one in the village." This is the first time since he had known her they had sat and talked seriously. To Lys , on reflection, it seem strange, alienated from how they had forever brought in the banter and leg pulling. But this was a serious topic and needed to be seriously discussed.


The next topic concerning the mine, took her completely by surprise. The way Lys had revealed the whole lot to her brought a very concerned look on her face. Holding her hand he watched her eyes , her expressions, trying to read the thoughts behind them. ' For the love of Jah Lys, you have just told her you are suddenly a very rich man, how much is that going to affect her sense of security with you ? ' As if she had spoken them same fears to him, Lys takes a chance that his assumption is correct....


" Louisa ....I could be wrong.. or I could right. Which ever way it is , please let me reassure you, All the gold I possess does not mean any thing to me .....unless you are here to share it with me . Also I have seen too much greed over what I have found to let it affect me...I have laid bare my intentions .....have trust in me I will carry them through."

Hoping she would except him at his word, Lys ended the conversation with........" Right then hunni, now that is sorted.... are you ready to go tackle Brucie and his band of merry men ? I promise this time he will be more than happy to see me.... and I will be ever so gentle with him. " With that comment... Lys burst out laughing..

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" Louisa ....I could be wrong.. or I could right. Which ever way it is , please let me reassure you, All the gold I possess does not mean any thing to me .....unless you are here to share it with me . Also I have seen too much greed over what I have found to let it affect me...I have laid bare my intentions .....have trust in me I will carry them through."

It was if she had spoken her fears out loud....uncanny how he read her just then...too often she had seen men come into money and have their heads turned by the attentions of every female for miles around....and the poor lass that had loved him even when he didnt have two pennies to rub together have her heart broken.....this was something Louisa didn't want for herself. Yes she came from a family that had money, a grand home in Workington, a bevy of servants, of family memebers with titles, but when it came to matters of the heart she cared more for the man...not the wealth or finery he brought with him. His words lifted the dark cloud that had decended when he mentioned riches, alleviated her worries and restored her faith in trusting him.

The smile she bestowed on him was one of complete happiness.... hearing his words about the fate of Bruce started her laughing.."Oh dear....you be gentle.....you are going to be more like a raging bull in a china shop, just remember not to kill him before he has the chance to finish the rest of the house...otherwise you have to put up with my tastes....and you do know how much I adore the colour pink!" giggling at his face she stood up, heading for the kitchen, tipped her tea out, and grabbed the fruit from the table and since the days were still warm left her shawl upstairs.

"Ok...ready to cause havoc...apple or orange?" she asked holding the mentioned fruit..."I have yet to have breakfast but can eat these on our way" she stood near the front door watching the man who in less than an hour turned her world upside down, the grin that adorned her face spoke volumes of the future she could see that would never be dull or boring.....

The evening's entertainment had been a barrel of laughs last night.... Lys had retired still smiling as he had climbed into bed. Today is a new day, and he had a big surprise in store for Louisa..a point that louisa, try as much as she did, could not prise out of a giggling Lys the reason for the visit to the market in the tavern last night.

Awaking early, he arose, bathed, dressed and partook in a hearty breakfast. Now the one topic that occupied his devious mind was the way they would travel to the market ...for some unknown reason, Louisa expressed a different type of transportation to her previous mode. Well... he would try to accommate her wishes...A lady should be pleased at all times...right ? This brought a smile to Lys' features has his thoughts wandered....." YES ! I have it..it was a good enough transportation for a very important man... surely it will be good enough for Louisa ..."Thinks Lys, as he starts to chuckle quietly to himself.

Before Lys calls for Louisa, as was arranged the previous evening, He decides to first arrange the transportation. Walking to his intended destination, Lys can not help himself, he chuckles then laughs to himself the whole distance.. On arriving he tells the man... " So my good man, you can easily fulfil my request ?..." Paying him hansomely for the unusual request , he replies.." Sir.. you have my solemm oath... they will be ready at both places at your requested times .." Satisfied, Lys heads over to Louisa's home.

Not wanting to give his intentions away, Lys tries to remove his merriment before reaching Louisa's Cottage. By the time he is outside her front door, he is at a point of just smiling. Giving a knock, he awaits her to open the door... " Good morning my love...and how are you this bright sunny day ? ...ready to travel. " WOW...that last remark nearly set him laughing..but somehow...he don't know how...he kept it in check... " Your transport await you around the corner my dear.." Lys tells her as he gives a slight bow, a impish grin looking up at her...

Louisa woke to the sun streaming through her bedroom window, stretching she smiled as the memory of the previous night crept into her thoughts. No matter what she said or did make a difference...that man was not going to let on what he was up too. She fell asleep with the same question unanswered as she woke up with ...still not answered.

With a sigh she flung the bedcovers back and begain her day. Tucking into a bowl of fruit for breakfast she still mulled over what he may have up his sleeve.....giggling to herself she decided to keep a close watch on him just in case. Louisa began to work through her chores for the morning...trying to get things done before Lys arrived for their journey to the market.

A knock at the door had her hurrying from the kitchen....swinging the door open she smiled as Lys stood on the door step...

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" Good morning my love...and how are you this bright sunny day ? ...ready to travel. "

"Someone sounds in a good mood today!......sleep well did we?" and began to giggle knowing that there was something going on... she could see it in his eyes. Her feelings on that subject were more than justified with the cheeky grin that appeared after he informed her that her "transport" was waiting.

Grabbing her shawl, she pull the door behind her..."Lead on my love..." and begins to follow him down the garden path into Jah only knows mischief that he has cooked up.....

His smile had Louisa looking at him warily, she knew he was up to something.. but what... she had no idea. Taking her by the hand, Lys all smiles, leads her down the garden path.....literally..

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..."Lead on my love..."

Now does she REALLY mean that ? grinning, he walks her to the corner..." Hunni you wished for me not to carry you over my shoulder again, and being a gentleman to obey your wishes...I have another means for you to reach the market...." Turning the corner, there large as life is Louisa's transport... looking first at the conveyance then to Lys's smiling face..Louisa takes a few steps forward...walking up behind her Lys quickly lifts her into the saddle..takes the reins leading the animal to the market..



" there we are my love, I did say transport fit for a king and the son of man rode one.." With that comment Lys bursts out laughing...

Louisa shook her head...once again she felt that something was about to be uncovered much to her amusement....he seemed to enjoy the banter that had developed from the first day they met. Even so she quite willingly followed, trusting that he wouldn't let her come to any harm...but a bit wary at what was coming up next.

His next words had Louisa in a near panic at the mention ....

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" Hunni you wished for me not to carry you over my shoulder again, and being a gentleman to obey your wishes...I have another means for you to reach the market...."

a flash back to when he flung her over his shoulder and walked all the way to the market had Louisa a bit queazy, but upon hearing that wasn't his intention she relaxed and sent up a small pray of thanks to Jah. Turning the corner Louisa kept walking a few more paces then stopped dead in her tracks......letting out a squeal as she felt herself being picked up and placed firmly on the back of her ride.

Louisa couldn't believe what he had done...a donkey of all things....she didn't know what was more embarressing...over his shoulder or the donkey she was now sitting astride......

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" there we are my love, I did say transport fit for a king and the son of man rode one.."

Seeing Lys take up the reins and begin to walk...Louisa grabbed onto the sadle as the beast took it's first steps, lurching her forward. Looking between the laughing man leading the way and the beast she was riding,with a stunned look on her face......her first reaction was of disbelief...but then the penny dropped and Louisa broke out into delighted peals of laughter as she saw the funny side of it.

"Trust you, my love to come up with a hairbrained scheme like this....Lys a donkey of all things....where in Jah's good earth did you find it ?" she asked inbetween the laughter coming from them both...

His laughter rang out as he led the donkey ladened with Louisa along the cobbled track to the market. A look back at her only increased his merriment. The look of utter disbelief fixed on Louisa's face, was a sight that made this trip all worth while. They had pulled some fast one's on each other, but this had to take the prize...and he was finished yet with his suprises..oh no...there was more to come.

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... "Trust you, my love to come up with a hairbrained scheme like this....Lys a donkey of all things....where in Jah's good earth did you find it ?"

That took her at least four attempts in betweens peals of laughter to ask him..." Well today my beloved ....is no ordinary stroll to the market...today you travel in style....like royalty......." It was no good trying to explain...he gave up the attempt in his own fits of laughter...in fact it was not until they got to the market that he brought himself under some sort of decorum. For he never stopped at the market enterance, he carried right on to the middle... at a time when it was at it's busiest !!

" One moment my love.." Disappearing amongst the crowd of people, Louisa just sat there in total confusion...then Lys reappeared a few moments later, but from the other side of Louisa with to large wooden boxes ,one in each hand..... placing one on top of the other, Lys climbs on top and calls.... "Please may I have you attention , good people of Claddagh....I once claimed that the good lady Louisa And I were married....that was not so ..........it was a bit of fun on my part...please except my apology for that illusion.....Today I wish to rectify matters...." Stepping down off the boxes, Lys turns to Louisa and asks.... " Louisa , my beloved....will you please put one crazy guy out of his misery, and except my proposal of marriage ? ....." While speaking, Lys placed the ring he was holding and slipped it on her finger..



Placing his hands on her waist, he lifts her from the royal transport to stand in front of him..