Chapter 35 Say my name

The following day, Hazel didn't see the Duke and she realized how her heart grew heavy with his absence. She noticed that getting used to his presence was a very dangerous thing which she had to get rid of.

The next day, she had just entered her room from the bathrooms and was still drying her hair when her door was opened, startling her.

"Your grace," she said on seeing him.

"Care to join me on a little adventure?" he asked.

On stepping outside with him, she realized that it was already dark and she wondered where they were going this late. He walked and she followed him, as they made way inside the woods. "You're cold?" he asked as they continued into the trees and she shook her head. Thanks to the thick dress she had worn, she wasn't feeling that cold.

"Where are we heading to your grace?" she asked after passing by the forest.

"I want to show you something," he said and on that, she became curious.

Reaching the hill top, it was so quiet and all they could hear were the chirping crickets. She was yet to ask whether they were still going when he said," Here is the place."

She looked around the place to see if she could find anything special when he said," Look over there." Looking towards where he had pointed, a smile settled on her lips. "Fireflies?" she asked to which he nodded. "They are... beautiful," she just said not able to come up with a perfect word that could describe the incredible sight.

"You like it?" he asked and she nodded. "Can I go ahead?" she asked. "It's alright," he replied and she walked forward. Reaching to where they were, they came to her and she stretched her hand then one settled in her palm. Many fireflies came flying to her and soon, her whole body was shimmering with them. She turned to look at him with a smile and he returned it.

"I hope you had fun," said Raven as they were on their way back, slowly walking into the woods. "Yes, I did your grace," she replied. "We can always come back whenever you want," he said. "Thank you so much your grace but I wouldn't want to bother you."

"Don't you think it is high time you stop addressing me with titles?" He stopped walking.

"W-why your grace?" she asked. "I want to hear you say my name," he said and her heart skipped a beat. She gulped and said," That is inappropriate your grace."

The next moment, he pushed her to lean her back against the tree and he placed his hand on her waist. "Is this appropriate then?" he asked, and she gasped at his touch. "N-no your grace- " "I usually don't like to repeat myself. Say my name," he said and she gulped. She realized it was hard saying it with them so close to each other and his hand that was settling on her waist. She wondered how the simple tour had turned to this.

"We can stay here all night long," he informed and she looked at the trees that were surrounding them.

"Mr Atticus," he heard her say. "I want my given name," he replied.

"But that is inappropriate your grace," she said looking at him. The hand settling on her waist massaged her skin and she gasped.

"Is that appropriate then?" he asked and she immediately shook her head. "Great. Say my name," he repeated. "Raven," she mumbled under her breath. "I didn't hear you," he said. "Raven," she repeated not daring to meet his gaze.

"Look at me and say it," he said. She looked at him and said," But your grace- "

He didn't let her continue with her protest when he captured her lips with his.

Caught by surprise, Hazel stood still not giving off any reaction, but it didn't stop him from kissing her. He took her bottom lip between his teeth and he lightly nipped on it as if to bring her senses back and she squeaked. The kiss was demanding, coaxing, gentle at times, rough at times. He swept the inside of her mouth with his tongue, ensuring that he had tasted every corner.

When he finally let go of her, her chest was heaving up and down as she tried so hard to catch her breath. She looked at him with questions in her eyes and he brushed his thumb on her swollen bottom lip.

...

The following day, Hazel decided to go back to work because she was feeling better and also because, she didn't want to stay idle in the room. She wanted to distract her mind from remembering what happened between her and the Duke in the woods.

Subconsciously, her hand reached for her lips and her fingers touched them.

"Hazel," she was startled when Charlotte called her. "Yes?" she turned to look at her.

"Are you still sick?" she asked and she shook her head. "No, I'm fine."

"You're unusually quiet," she pointed out. "It's not that. I am just thinking about something," she said and she nodded. "Listen, I may not be your close friend but I want you to know that I am here in case you need someone to talk to," said Charlotte. "Thankyou," she replied.

At night when Hazel had just changed into her night gown preparing to sleep, she heard a knock on her door. Opening it, she was surprised to see the Duke standing there. There were servants who were still in the bathrooms and anyone could see him.

When he came in, she quickly peeked outside before closing the door.

"What are you doing here your grace?" she asked him panicking. His eyes narrowed at her and he said," I thought we already agreed on how you are supposed to call me." "Someone might see you and they will start gossiping," she said. "Let them gossip. I don't care."

"But I care," she said. She didn't want to be that maid rumoured to have an affair with her master and then get dumped when he gets the one of his social class. "Why did you go back go work?" he asked. "I was bored." "Do you mean to say that I am boring? Didn't I give you enough things to think about?" he asked and she kept quiet. A while later, she said," I need to ask you something your- " she couldn't complete the title when she saw the way he glared at her for addressing him with honours.