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making sure that Marissa was find Angelo smiled. "The step ladder can be brought down for you. at the moment it is in storage." he handed Marissa a curry comb as he took one for him self off the wall. "if you don't mind I think she would love a combing now." he returned to his horse and gave him a good brushing. "it is always wise to tell some one when on grounds you do not know."
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Marissa nodded and started to brush the horse carefully, he had never done this part before. That had always been the stable boy's job.
He smiled at the horse quietly, "Well I wouldn't go out on my own for a while..." |
" the stable boy can ride so you could ask him." Angelo smiled a odd smile. he did not speak again till his horse was done being brushed. "Snowrunner will only be ridden by you so I would suggest that you at least come out every day and brush her. that way she grows to love you and trust you."
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Marissa nodded as he set the brush down and patted her nose a little, "Oh...okay." He said softly as he looked over at Angelo.
"I'm not used to caring for horses...I can't say I've had one that I was to ride personally." He stepped back a bit when he was completely finished and fidgeted looking unsure. |
looking over snowrunner Angelo smiled. "you did quite well for never taking care of one." taking the brush he finished up where Marissa had missed. "and I believe that you will remember better next time to check there." holding out his arm he offered it to Marissa. "shall we go now my dear?"
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Marissa's face went red as he took Angelo's arm lightly.
He just smiled up at him, "O-of course..." He said softly. He looked back at the horse and smiled. He was happy he had done a good job at least. |
leading him back to the stairs up to Marissa parlor Angelo smiled. "you go right up and change then we can be on our way." letting his hand go Angelo walked to the doors to his room.
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Marissa smiled and nodded as he hurried into his room and stripped off his dress and went looking for a new one in his wardrobe. He quickly pulled down a cute little evening dress and pulled it on. He wanted to be dressed quickly.
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calling in Alanna to his room Angelo gave her a heavy grilling. finding that she was acting as she would always act when around Marissa he dismissed her to move her stuff. he was glad that they had found a maid before he put the ad in the papers. changing his pants he walked out of his room to wait for Marissa.
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Marissa hurried out into the hall, his hair was a little messy, but he wore it well. He smiled up at Angelo like a little puppy.
He was dressed in a nice little evening dress, not quite a gown, but still nice enough. He was wearing a pair of tall button up boots and seemed absolutely thrilled. "I'm ready!" He said happily. |
"ah good your ready." leading them out of the castle he helped Marissa into the carriage. "I thought you would like to get some hats and such." he said as he climbed into the carriage.
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Marissa smiled up at him happily and nodded, "Hats would be lovely sir!" He said cheerfully as he followed him outside to the carriage.
The strangeness that the master only went out at night was beginning to register in Marissa's head though. He wasn't sure what he thought about it. |
"well then I know this nice little hat shop that has a nice hatter there that will still be open. he sells to a larger crowed then most and some of his ladies are not off the.... persuasion to go out during the day." Angelo was speaking about street walkers, and theater girls who would till the wee hours of the morning and only then would be paid. what he did not say was that this hatter had once been one of Angelo's lovers.
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Marissa did not quite catch on to what the man had meant when he spoke about the women.
He did understand that it was not a topic to delve further into though. He smiled up at Angelo, "Then I cannot wait...I will trust your taste in hatters" He said cheerfully. |
the ride into the town was a lot faster then their ride to the manor. it was not as big a town as London had been but there was still a lot of people walking around. pulling up to a hat shop, the owner was just opening his shop. seeing the carriage he smiled and turned the sign back to closed. he was an older gentlemen who looked like he had seen many a years. as Angelo got out of the carriage he opened the door. "master it is good to see you after so long." Angelo held out his hand to Marissa as he smiled at the man holding the door to the shop.
"Lewis how goes business?" |
Marissa took Angelo's hand lightly and climbed out.
His gray eyes darted to the shop owner and he smiled. That his master was friendly with so many people would probably never cease to amaze him. He straightened out his dress a little. Quietly making sure all the pleats and ruffles were in order as Angelo spoke with the man. His dainty hand did not release Angelo's for a moment though. |
"very well master." seeing Marissa the older man smiled. "I see you have found a new one. is this one the reason for coming here to my humble shop?" he looked carefully at Marissa trying to figure out if he was really a boy or a girl.
"I see you still will not call me by my proper name or rank. I have not nor will ever be any ones master." stepping forward angelo held out Marissa hand. "and yes this is Marissa my newest house guest." the older man raised his eyebrow. "yes my house guest." "as you say master," he bowed to Marissa." miss." then turning back to Angelo he lead them inside. "so you have come to get the little lady a set of hats I am guessing." |
Marissa kept ever so quiet as he followed Angelo. He was surprised that was all he was, he was certain there must be some other reason that Angelo took him in.
He trotted after him looking around quite happily, he loved hats, but he'd never owned any. |
“ah I see the young miss likes my work. Go ahead look around try some on.” Shutting the door behind them he gently touched Angelo’s hand. “I have missed our time together master.”
“and you have always know where to find me.” Letting go of Marissa’s hand Angelo brushed the man’s face. |
Marissa watched the two and blushed a little as he hurried over to some of the hats.
He could feel a small amount of jealousy building in the pit of his stomach, and yet he barely understood why. He pulled down one large purple hat with a long red feather and placed it on his head as he looked in the mirror. |
Looking over at Marissa Angelo smiled. “I do not think that one suites you dear. It is a bit too large for you. How about the one next to it?”
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Marissa smiled and nodded, "Oh I was just seeing if I liked the color". He said as he moved over to the hat Angelo had pointed out and put it on his head. He smiled and nodded a little as he put it on the table and then went to look for more.
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“So is he?” the shop keeper said quietly.
“He is if he wants to, I never will force any one and you know that.” He kissed the man on the cheek. Sighing the man picked up one of the hats in the window. “It is sad that I have gotten too old. My time with you was one I will never forget, and my wife could never understand.” Angelo laughed quietly. “She never did understand that I was the only man for you and so you had to go find a woman?” |
Marissa listened quietly, the whole time still trying on hats.
That pang of jealousy became stronger as the two men talked of times long passed. Though he could never know how long ago it had been. Marissa stumbled, heel slipping out form under him, he fell forwards knocking over a rack of hats. He stood there looking dumbfounded as he readjusted his footing, "I-I....I-I..." tears started to form in his eyes, "I'm so sorry! P-please... I'm sorry..." He cowered a little ready to be hit or yelled at. |
Rushing over Angelo knelt in front of Marissa and hugged him. “it is ok the hats are fine.” His voice was calm and gently. The shop keeper walked up behind Angelo and slowly picked up the hats.
“do not worry young miss. You’re not the first one to knock these over, and will not be the last I would imagine.” His eyes were kind and there was a touch of longing in them. Rubbing Marissa’s back Angelo sighed. “It will be ok, no one is going to yell at you or get mad.” |
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