Chapter Three, The missing Lady Potter-Black

Ailla and Demelza had been with Ross for almost two months now and throughout that time they'd gotten the fields trimmed and new seeds sowed, the barley and the oat harvested and ready to be sold at market in a few hours, it helped that Ailla used her magic to make the fields fertile again though she had to admit she'd over exerted herself as she was sneaking out to finish the barn and fields while everyone slept; all that had been left to do was fix the wall which Ross had seen to yesterday and to take a furrow look at the mine. Now, though everyone was sleep except for Ailla though she was not outside she was tossing and turning throughout the night, nightmares of the war of the people she loved and cared about dying but this time it was different they were blaming her for their deaths. "No please I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Ailla whimpered her red locks strewn across the pillows her brow wrinkled and covered in sweat her mouth parted slightly letting out her screams and whimpers.

Ross came charging into her room that resided next to his drowsy from sleep and only in his sleep pants as he held a rifle in his hands ready to shoot the bastard that dared to sneak into his house in the dead of night and terrorise the woman he was falling for, the woman he'd just started courting however, seeing no one in the room other than Ailla and himself he placed the rifle by the door and rushed over to the bed noticing she was trapped in a nightmare. "Ailla it's okay it's just a dream wake up my love." Ross tried to soothe but as soon as his hand touched her arm she let out a scream and her magic reacted blasting him away from her to the other side of the room where he impacted with the wall before slumping to the floor rather dazed.

Ailla bolted upright in bed looking around the room rapidly around the room her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath as tears fell down her cheeks like a waterfall. As her eyes darted rapidly around the room they fell on Ross slumped against the wall blinking rapidly to clear the spots from his eyes. "ROSS!" Ailla exclaimed as she darted out of bed almost tripping over her nightgown. "I'm so sorry I didn't mean to. Please forgive me I'm so sorry." She sobbed as she kneeled down next to him healing the small wound on his head. "Hey. Hey Ailla it's alright. It's alright I know you didn't mean to your magic was just protecting you." Ross said as he pulled her on to his lap holding close as she cried into his chest.

Once Ailla's sobs soon subsided to sniffles as she snuggled into his chest. Ross smiled endearingly at her wiping away her tears as he picked her up bridal style and carried her back to her bed. "I'm really sorry Ross." Ailla murmured as he gently placed her on the bed sitting down next to her pulling her against him he kissed her forehead. "Ailla my love please stop worrying it was an accident and it was only a small wound which you healed, I'm perfectly alright please stop worrying." Ross soothed as he kissed her forehead again. "What was the nightmare about?" He asked tentatively not wanting to upset her further but wanting to help her.

"It was about the war. But it was different everyone who I loved who had died they were blaming me for their death, blaming me for everything even my parents."
"Oh, Ailla." Ross sighed holding her tighter. "It was just a nightmare it wasn't real they'd never blame you for their deaths trust me and I know especially your parents would never blame you my love they love the amazing kind young women you are just like I do. Now get some rest we're going to the market later and I'm taking you dress shopping before we go to the ball." Ross said as he settled her down on the bed pulling back the covers so she could get under.

"Can you stay with me? Please." Ailla asked. Smiling softly at her Ross blew out the candle that her magic had relit and climbed in behind her. "Of course love." Ross said softly as he snuggled in behind her wrapping her arms around her. "Sweet dreams love." Ross whispered as they both fell asleep.

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"Ross are you sure about this?" Ailla asked nervously as she smoothed down her light turquoise ball gown her hair fell down her back in its natural curls with the sides and the top half pinned up in a simple but elaborate style, while Ross was wearing a black suit that suited him very well. Ross held out his hand to help her out of the coach, "Of course my love. I want you here as does Verity but not only that you have a right to be here." Ross informed her. "How's your leg my love? And don't says its fine when it's not you know I can see that." He said sternly.
"It twinges a bit but the potion has taken the edge of." Ailla admitted honestly.

"If it gets too much I want you to tell me straight away and we'll go home no matter what anyone says I'll not have you hurt yourself unnecessarily." Ross said concerned.
"I promise." Ailla promised him.
"Good." He pulled her to him and kissed her chastely but passionately as he wrapped his arms around her waist and hers around his neck but before the kiss could get too heated they were interrupted my a familiar voice. "Ross. Ailla. You both came." Verity called happily spotting them as she exited the coach that had just pulled up.

"I'm sorry for interrupting but I thought it was best it was I who did instead of Francis." Verity apologised as she Ailla buried her bright red face in Ross's chest. "Aye thank you Verity." Ross said gratefully as he rubbed Ailla's back.

"Ah, Ross you made it so glad you decided to come and who this young woman beside you?" His cousin Francis asked intrigued. Before Ailla or Ross got the chance to answer Francis's wife Elizabeth spoke up as she joined them a hint of distain and jealously in her voice. "Isn't it one of the girls you rescued two months past?" Elizabeth inquired looking down her nose at Ailla. "Yes Ross rescued my cousin and I and I'm quite grateful he did and so is Demelza though she will not admit it." Ailla replied smirking up at Ross a smirk spreading across his own face at the twinkle in her emerald green eyes. "No she won't I dare say you and your cousin are far too much alike your more like sisters. The pair of you can be quite troublesome when you want to be, Demelza is a bad influence on you." Ross laughed kissing her cheek. "Your just sore she gave you a hard time when you started courting me." Ailla retorted smugly.

"Oh, what's this cousin?" Verity asked a smirk on her own lips. "Ailla, I believe you and Demelza have neglected to tell me this. I must wonder what else you have neglected to tell me about my dear cousin." The two women laughed at Ross' extent as Francis and Elizabeth watched on both having different feelings about Ross being so happy and carefree around this Ailla. "Oh shush my love." Ross snapped but there was no heat behind it in fact he was smiling wider than anyone had seen him do in such a long time. "Francis, Elizabeth may I introduce you to Lady Ailla Cordelia Potter also Lady to the house of Black and the woman I'm courting." Ross introduced but what everyone knew what went unsaid was that he was falling in love with her and she him if the looks they sent to each other was anything to go by.

"Pleasure to meet you." Ailla said politely as she curtseyed to them bringing them out of their shocked state. "Pleasure to meet you too Lady Ailla." Francis said cordially bowing to her as he kissed the back of her hand. "Elizabeth." Francis hissed when his wife continued to glare at her and Ross who had his arm wrapped around her waist lovingly. "Pleasure." said Elizabeth though it didn't look like it. "Francis I'm sure George is looking for you and we have detained him too long." She said snobbishly before stalking off. Francis threw an apologetic look at his cousin for his wife's behaviour. "I hope you enjoy your first ball Lady Ailla. Ross, Verity." Francis bids his cousin and sister goodbye before going to catch up with his wife.

"Shall we my love?" Ross asked holding his arm out to Ailla. Smiling happily at him though her nerves were still there under the surface they all seemed to disappear once she looked at Ross. Looping her arm through his leading her into the house, they stopped at the stairs that led to the Ballroom giving the announcer their names as they waited for their turn to enter. Verity followed along behind them smiling happily at her cousin she was so glad he'd found Ailla and she him.

They were both troubled souls who'd seen a lot of death and torment in their lives especially Ailla as she was only eighteen- Ross had confided in her in what had happened to dear sweet Ailla since her parents were murdered and she was livid and felt sorry for the young women who was fast becoming her friend along with her cousin-they were each other's salvation, each other's kindred spirit, soulmates and they understood each other like no body else would and it was obvious to her and those around them that they were both deeply in love with each other surprising some of the Lords and Ladies at this early stage in their courting, especially as no one knew she was still alive and they all thought Ross was a bachelor.

"How is your leg my dear? I doubt wearing these heels would be helping any." Verity asked quietly, knowing Ailla didn't want anyone to know what had happened to her or that she had magic though her voice and eyes betrayed her showing her concern for the younger woman. "Do you need to see Dr. Choke ma'am?" Mr Benedict Smith, the announcer asked in slight concern. "No thank you Sir. I'm alright I've taken some medicine that my Dr had prescribed for me." Ailla said smiling at the man.

He looked at her curiously before nodding his head and going to talk to the couple at the front as he let them in. "I'm fine thank you Verity I took a potion before we left it should last me all evening."
"Nevertheless, my love you'll have a hot bath when we return and a hot press on your leg before I massage the salve into the scar." Ross refuted in a tone that dared her to argue as they were announced to the Ballroom.

"Introducing Captain Ross Poldark and his lovely lady, Lady Ailla Cordelia Potter-Black. And Miss Verity Poldark." Mr Smith announced starting a round of gossip throughout the Ballroom particularly around the ladies as Ross walked in arm in arm with the missing Lady Potter now Potter-Black. "Did you know she'd returned uncle?" George asked his uncle.
"No I did not. Keep an eye out George and see if you can get anything out of Francis." Mr Warleggan ordered his nephew taking a drink from a nearby waiter he nodded his head to his nephew before disappearing into the crowd.

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"How was it?" Demelza asked as soon as they returned home ushering her cousin to the kitchen to take another potion when she noticed her cousin's pinched face. "Prudie please go run Ailla a bath make sure the lavender salts are in the water and that there is a hot press and her salve ready near by for me to help her afterwards." Ross ordered as he sat down next to Ailla pulling her leg onto his lap to massage it as Demelza hang up her cloak and his jacket before setting a pot of tea in front of them for all three to share. "It was alright I don't like the gossip mongers but I had a good time with Ross and Verity and I'm sure Verity had a very good time too." Ailla said with a smirk relaxing slightly as the pain potion started to kick in.

"She found someone?" Demelza asked excited for their friend. Ailla nodded her head a smile playing across her lips. "Hmm. She introduced...Ross and I...to him." Ailla said through her yawns her head now resting on her shoulder the really strong pain potions that she had to take always made her feel sleepy. "What's his name?" Demelza asked excitedly.
"Captain Andrew Blamey he's a sea Captain." Ailla said happily though her eyes were still closed. "Oh no wonder Verity is attracted to him." Demelza giggled. "Go and have yer  bath Ailla, Prudie came in so I assume it's ready." Prudie glared at Demelza briefly before turning to Ross and Ailla her and Demelza didn't always get along mainly because she and Jud always skipped their duties.

"Cap'in Ross, Miss Ailla's bath be ready Sir everything is as you asked." Prudie told him before scuttling off before he could thank her to find Jud and drink his rum no doubt. "Goodnight Demelza. Don't stay up too late whatever's left Jud and Prudie can do in the morning that'll teach them for skiving and drinking all the rum in this house. Come on Ailla your baths ready, no I'm carrying you." Ross said firmly when she went to open her mouth to argue. Sighing Ailla relented and rested her head on his chest letting him carry her out of the kitchen.

"Goodnight Demelza give Garrick a kiss from me." Ailla called over her shoulder too tired to lift her head. "I will. Goodnight Ailla hope you sleep well. Goodnight Mr Ross." Demelza called as they left the kitchen. Clearing up the their cups and the tea pot and doing a quick wipe down of the table Demelza smiled happily to herself she was glad her cousin had Ross to look out for her now he really seemed to care for her maybe in love her, she was just glad they were away from her father. Blowing out the candles Demelza made her way to her bedroom kissing Garrick goodnight from the both of them and falling into a peaceful sleep as soon as her head touched her pillow.