Two days Later

(Yeah basically, Mr. Ambrose moved off the bed on the first two mornings before Lilly woke up, so she doesn't know he sleeps with her at night. Plus, they're still a little skunky, which is why Pesrl has them sleep in her mom's room together, and her eviiilll plan of course! Lilly's told her almost everything that happened. Besides the almost losing control in Egypt. Basically- they "only shared a few kisses, but they mean nothing. I hate him actually." Pearl, as you can probably tell, is not convinced. Mr. Ambrose's business has been suspended, seeing as he stinks, and one can't make a good deal when smelling like rotten flesh. So he's forced to rely on Karim and stay at home. 

Sorry guys but I was too lazy to write all of that and actually give you an update! This story takes place on the second morning the skunking occurs.

When Lilly woke up the next morning, it was in the strong, warm arms of a man. What!? Twisting around, she was met with the relaxed face of her employer, still in the clutches of sleep. With the dawn light slanting in from the window in the corner, his usually sharp featured had softened in the golden glow, taking away it's stoniness. Lilly sucked in a breath, he was, quite honestly, handsome. Stop Lilly! You have never, and will never like a Man! So STOP thinking he's beautiful!

Wrenching her gaze away from his closed lids and long lashes, they dropped to the full, pink lips. Woah. BLAST IT! Ignoring her inner voice, Lilly reached forward, freeing her arm from the cage that his strong arms made around her. Her thumb lightly stroked the curve of his soft lips, reveling in the feeling of his cool skin against hers. She smiled. He wasn't so statuesque after all!

During her forage on his lips, his sea colored eyed had flicked open, meeting hers instantaneously. Color bloomed across her tanned skin, and she shied away, lifting her fingers. "Good morning Sir." Her whispered breath puffed across his lips, leaving them tingling with pleasure.

"Lilly." Mr. Ambrose's arms tightened around her, and he rolled, situating himself on top of her. Her breath hitched and her fingers rose to clutch at the collar of the thin white shirt he'd worn to bed.

"Y-yes?" She stuttered out.

"I..." He reached forward a hand, stroking down her cheek gently. Her eyes flickered shut, and she gasped at feather light sensation.

With a crash, the door burst open, and a tall shadow loomed over them. Within milliseconds of the door opening, the heavy weight had disappeared off her shoulders, and Lilly opened an eye. Mr. Ambrose was nonchalantly straightening  his clothes, as though he had merely rolled out of bed, instead of having rolled off of Lilly. Jabari, judging from his amused expression, believed nothing of the sort. Her cheeks bloomed red again as she turned away from the man and started to fix the bed.

"Jabari, what is the meaning of this?"

"What do you mean, Ambrose?"

He glowered at the taller man. "It's. Mister Ambrose to you. And there must be a reason as to why you have woken us at dawn," Mr. Ambrose gestured at the bluish purple skies and the lengthening rays of light from the sun, just coming over the horizon.

"You did not seem to be sleeping," Jabari jested lightly with a wide smile. He continued hurriedly, seeing the glares of both people thrown his way. "We are going hunting! That awful smell has faded, and the animals may no longer detect you. Plus, food is needed."

Lilly's spirits brightened immediately. "Hunting!!"

"Yes, Ms. Linton. Would you like to accompany us?"

"Of course, I'll just get ready! Mr. Ambrose, unless you'd like to see my undergarments- I suggest you leave." Jabari's parting chuckle echoed, soon dissipating in the suddenly freezing temperatures emanating from the iceberg in the room.

With one last glare, he grabbed his clothes, and swept out, closing the  door behind him.

Lilly met them eagerly on the front lawn, where a horse was already saddled. Jabari was behind it, fastening the saddle straps, while Mr. Ambrose stood in front, holding two guns. Upon seeing Lilly in her male attire, he held one of the muskets to her. "Sir, Why are you not using your pistol?"

Stiffly, he said, "I don't want to waste my own gunpowder." Lilly nodded knowingly. That was him alright.

"Karim not accompanying us?" Jabari asked, and Lilly turned toward him. And stared. And stared.

Mr. Ambrose too, who had turned to answer, glared distastefully at his attire. "No, he is already off to Atlanta to proceed with a business dealing of mine. Mr. Linton..." Upon seeing the look of shocked rapture on her face, Mr. Ambrose's brow twitched and his finger started to tap impatiently. "Mr. Linton!"

"Huh?" She ripped her eyes away from Jabari's chest, and almost equally bare legs. He was wearing short jerkin shorts, barely covering his thighs. Paint was smeared in neat patterns across his dark skin, and to Lilly, he looked as though like every Savage described in the adventure books she'd read. In Mr. Ambrose's smoldering gaze, she found a warning. 'DON'T STARE!'

She smiled at him. Jabari looked quite nice, yes, his muscles lean and muscular, but well, she still preferred the chiseled hunk of Stone that was her employer. What did you just say?? Nothing. Good.

Lilly looked down at the heavy gun. This was much larger, and older, than any other gun she'd seen so far. "How do you work it?" Mr. Ambrose resolutely ignored her, walking after Jabari and the horse, who had started already to make their way into the thick forest. Taking pity on her, Jabari handed Mr. Ambrose the reins. On the way to the Hunting grounds, Jabari demonstrated how to properly hold the gun and insert the gun powder into the barrel. Lilly listened carefully, and as it turned out, it wasn't as hard as she'd thought before. Memories of how the men in Egypt had handled their guns helped, and by the time they reached the clearing, she could hold it quite comfortably. "Thank you." 

Nodding, Jabari took the reigns back from Mr. A and tied the horse to an overhanging branch. "Pearl says that we need at least two deer, five partridges, and 3 rabbits. I can get the deer, can you both snag the rest?" Lilly nodded eagerly, while Mr. Ambrose sighed. 

"Of course. Now go! You're wasting time!" Jabari turned and soon, he had disappeared into the foliage, the leaves swishing softly behind him. 

"Let's go this way. Remember to be quiet, and shoot only when I say." Mr. Ambrose walked in the opposite direction of Jabari, and Lilly followed, trying in vain to avoid the twigs beneath her feet. After several times of trying to shoot a bird, Mr. Ambrose whirled back around, glaring at her. "I said, Quiet! How do you expect to be home by mid-morning if you cannot even keep your feet from stomping around and sounding like a fat elephant tromping through the wilderness!" 

Wounded, Lilly snapped back, "I'm trying! If women were just allowed to go hunting once in a while, I'd already be good at this! Stupid Parliament and outlawing women from having guns!" 

"Apparently, the fools in British Parliament are smarter than I." Again, Mr. Ambrose ignored her from then on. Lilly tried to avoid the inconveniently placed sticks and stones on the ground. Stupid Nature! Couldn't it see she was walking here!! A shot from ahead of her startled her, making her jump in surprised. Mr. Ambrose had stood, straight and erect from his hiding place behind a bush. The musket in his arms lowered as the barrel smoked slightly and the acrid stench of gun powder permeated the air. 

Lilly's eyes fell on the splayed wings of a bird on the ground. A neat circular hole perforated it's chest. "Bloody hell, that was a good shot!" Though he remained as impassive as ever, Mr. Ambrose's eyes glinted with satisfaction at the compliment. 

The morning went quickly, and soon they had collected five partridges, one dove, and the rabbits. Lilly was glowing with pride. she'd managed to kill two of the birds, and one mangy rabbit. Granted, her first kill was because the dove had dived out of nowhere and startled her, managing to set off the gun in her hand. Nevertheless, she was pleased. Mr. Ambrose too seemed more relaxed than he'd been all week. Maybe it was because of the serenity of the woods around them, or the rush of adrenaline they received from the thrill of the hunt, but he wasn't quite so snappish anymore and even pointed out a few things to Lilly that improved her aim. 

Jabari met them at the clearing just as he'd finished tying on the deer carcasses to the horse. "Ahh, I see your first hunting trip went well." 

"It did, thank you Jabari!" Mr. Ambrose's mood darkened at her happy tone as she gazed at the tall African. 

They reached the cabin at a little after 2. Aisha, hearing the clopping of hooves, ran from the house and into the arms of her Papa. The little two year old clung to Jabari's legs as he laughed and scooped her up. Pearl emerged a minute later and pecked her husband on the cheek. Then she shot Lilly a wink, confusing her entirely. Her brown eyes flicked to Mr. Ambrose, then back, a question in her eyes. Lilly rolled her own, exasperated with her new friend and her absurd notions. Poor, deluded woman! Nobody would ever love her, and most definitely not Mr. Ambrose! 

Lilly left to grab her clothes, heading to the stream. As she passed under the kitchen window, she heard Pearl's voice and stopped to listen. 

"Mr. Ambrose." 

"Yes, Pearl?" 

"I see you've found her." 

His voice showed small hints of being perplexed as he answered, "Found her?" 

"Yes! Your Sunshine of course!" Pearl squealed. "I knew you would!" 

"Excuse me, but I was not aware that I happened to be in the acquaintance of the sun," was his frigid retort. 

"No, you miser! I meant Lilly! She is your sunshine!" Lilly gasped, then slapped a hand over her mouth. Pearl was insane! Still, she waited anxiously under the open window, wondering at his response. 

Mr. Ambrose's voice was colder than ever she'd heard it when he answered. "I have never and will never love a woman. Mr. Linton is just that, a man, who happens to be my incompetent secretary. He has a particularly infuriating sister named Lillian, whom I regard with the utmost distaste. Get that through your apparently thick head, Mrs. Hayes." The sharp clicks of the heels on his shoes faded away, leaving both women frozen. 

Infuriating.... Utmost distaste... Incompetent... 

Tears swelled in her eyes, but Lilly refused to let them fall. Who was he to make her cry, cast her aside, and belittle the sacrifices she had made for him? No, she refused to cry. He was not worth it. Maybe you should just accept the Propo... No!! Never! She would continue to work as his secretary, and maintain the professional relationship between them, yes. 

Lilly stomped away, drying her eyes. It was time to wash the blood and the stench off her body. And maybe, even wash away the hurt threatening to swamp her in its depths.  Who needs him, anyway?