Nearly two days had passed since Riella had seen Jacob. She wondered where he’d been and why he hadn’t spoken with her. The whole time that she wasn’t with him, she was doing as she did before they’d ever spoken. Work, hanging out with Anna, and more work occupied her time once again. Riella thought that Jacob may grown tired of her presence, then again she knew that he may also of had other things to take care of. After all, he was often a busy man. Until she’d be able to speak with him again, she wouldn’t know for sure. She had to admit that she’d grown accustomed to being around him for a small part of each day, even in the short time that they’d actually known each other. As Riella wandered off to her room to read a book she’d borrowed earlier that day from Anna, one that Daniel had given Anna, she noticed a note attached to the door.

Riella, once again I am apologizing. I’ve been quite busy with business, but that does not excuse my sudden and unexplained absence. I needed the time away from you to clear out my thoughts. Please, take nothing personally. It’s my fault that I allowed it to get like this. From now on, I want to start anew. If this is okay with you, I’d us to start over and try this again. Properly.

Meet me after your morning chores, in the main hall.

~Jacob.

She sighed. She wasn’t expecting an explanation, but Riella was somehow relieved that he’d let her know something. She entered her room, read the book for a while, and went to sleep.

-

It was morning. Jacob wasn’t entirely sure how he was going to go about this. Every girl he’d courted was somebody that he’d already known fairly well. They’d always met at a business party or while he was meeting with their fathers. Even then, family of the girl or a friend had set them up. This was a servant girl, that he’d only recently begun speaking to. It was much different, and he’d already started off horribly. Because of the social class difference, there were other things to consider. He hadn’t bothered to think of anything before, but he was trying to do better now.

Riella walked into the hall. She was still dressed in servant’s rags, but he’d look past that. Jacob walked forward and nodded his head in greeting.

“So…” she looked unsure of herself, “What now?”

“I’m not sure, honestly.” He laughed. “I suppose we simply talk, get to know each other better.”

Riella smiled. “Yes, that would be good.”

Jacob led Riella to a chair in the hall, and they both sat. He started by asking her about work, since he didn’t directly give servants their jobs. Since Bridget was the oldest, she’d been assigned by his father many years ago to assign servants to various tasks. Riella told him every detail he asked her, even as boring as she found it. She knew that it was impolite for her to ask him of work since he was higher than she, so she allowed him to continue the conversation as he wished. Surprisingly, Jacob told her a bit of the things he did for his business. They spoke about anything they could find that would relate, until Riella mentioned that she was to help in mid-day chores that day and he allowed her off to them.

-

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This continued on for the next few weeks. Riella and Jacob would meet every morning and talk until one or the other had to tend to their responsibilities. Topics of work would turn to friends, topics of friends would turn to hobbies or families, and they each found more to enjoy about the other. Jacob was still afraid to go any further, however, and so they continued in trying to know each other better. He was still very much attracted to the girl. That he was sure of. What he wasn’t so sure of, yet, was if or when he’d feel right in pursuing Riella any further. It wasn’t an easy matter, nor was it something that wouldn’t be looked down upon if he chose to. Many of his associates and friends would find it sad if he was to allow this relationship to turn romantic. He wanted to be with her. He simply didn’t know yet if it would work out, or if it was even worth it. Jacob thought that the best thing for him to do right now, was to keep it the way it was. It would allow for him to figure everything out, to figure out what was best for the both of them. Still, he felt that he liked her more with each time they’d meet. That wasn’t enough, not at the time. He was determined to keep himself from messing up again.

Riella looked forward to their little chats more with each time. Much of the time lately, she’d catch herself marveling at him and then look away embarrassed. She was afraid he’d notice her staring. She wondered if he would ever kiss her again, if it would ever be something more. It would be improper for her to try for more, especially as she was both the girl and a servant. In any case, she was at least glad to be able to speak with him. It was something she looked forward to everyday. She was also glad that he hadn’t continued as they started. Riella felt that it would have somehow been less meaningful if he’d continued to rush into things and if she’d gone with it. They’d had time to learn more about the other, to really develop feelings for the other. She wasn’t even sure if he still thought he had such feelings for her, or if he simply talked with her for some other reason. It was difficult for her to tell since he showed no signs of anything. If anything, she knew that she was definitely in like with him. No, it wasn't love. She knew better than that. Itwas something, however.