The Stolen Kiss

Chapter One

As the rain began to fall once again from the dark grey clouds overhead, the townsfolk quickly stepped under the covered doorways along the cobblestone street. It had been raining sporadically all day and by now they were quite used to finding shelter as they bustled about their business.

A carriage rounded the corner at the end of the street and slowly stopped in front of a two-story brick house. The walls of the house were covered in ivy, which weaved in and out as it encompassed the house in a forest of vines. The windows of the house were all dark save one on the main floor. Grey puffs of smoke drifted from the chimney. The house looked quiet and peaceful.

Skillfully the driver of the old black carriage swung down from the seat he was perched on. Opening the door, he assisted a beautiful young lady out of the cab of the carriage. She gave him a friendly smile as she picked up the hem of her rose-colored dress and quickly glided to the stoop of the ivy covered house. The driver was close on her heals. Setting a large trunk down on the stoop beside her, he then handed her a small cloth bag. Tipping his hat, he turned to leave. The girl’s long brown hair blew across her slightly reddened face as she turned and watched the carriage driver swing back up onto his perch and casually drive away. With her cloth bag in hand, the young lady stood watching the rain for a few moments. Her bright blue eyes sparkled with joy for she loved the rain. But one thing that she loved more than the rain was visiting her dear grandmother, and today she had the pleasure of both.

Turning her back to the sweet smelling rain, she placed her tiny glove-covered hand on the doorknob of her grandmother’s home. As she turned the knob to enter the warm house, she stopped short. She had heard something. Listening intently, she waited to see if the sound would repeat itself. Suddenly it did! A shrill whistle sounded in the utter silence of the deserted street. Twirling around to see where the harsh noise had emitted from, the girl’s eyes fell upon a young man skidding around the large redbrick house at the far end of the street. His worn shoes slid across the street like ice skates. His arms instinctively shot out to help him keep his balance. His breeches had seen better days for now they were worn and had two large holes where his knees were. His shirt was once white but was now stained light brown by its constant use. The boy’s face was streaked with dirt that the rain had washed from his light brown hair which was a tangled mess. His eyes darted from side to side looking intently for a place, any place, to hide, but to his utter dismay there was none. The houses along the street were built side by side, leaving no gaps in between. Disappointment filled his face. Still running the young man’s eyes darted across the street once again, searching for some place they may have missed upon his first inspection. Then as if struck by lightning the boy’s eyes shot open and his mouth slightly dropped upon seeing a beautiful girl in a rose-colored dress watching him. Her face seemed to shine as the sun peeking out of the dark grey clouds of a storm. He would have stopped and admired her beauty if it were not for the piercing whistle that shattered the silence. Snapping his mouth shut, he glanced back trying to gauge the distance between him and his pursuers. It sounded as though they were just beyond the far corner that he himself had just emerged from. The boy whipped his head back around and trained his soft yet intense eyes on the on-looking girl. She was his only escape. Taking a deep breath he dashed toward her with all his strength.

Realizing that he was headed straight for her, the startled girl tried to move. But she couldn’t. She was rooted to the spot as though her feet had actually grown roots that were holding her firmly in place. She could do nothing to avoid the stampeding boy. Her heart began to race. Glancing back up from the sight of her immobile feet, she perceived that he was now only a few inches away. Like a flash of lightning, the boy reached out his hand. Taking hold of her delicate arm, he swiftly swung her around so that her back was facing the street. She immediately released her bag. It fell to the ground with a small thud. Very carefully he pulled her so close to him that she could feel his sweet warm breath on her rosy cheeks. The young girl stood dumbfounded as she stared into his eyes. It felt as though she could see everything, yet nothing. Through the deep pools of his soft grey eyes shown a lifetime of immense hardship and pain. Staring deeper into them, she noticed something else—a spark. Although this spark seemed very small in comparison to the rest of the eye, it seemed to hold such happiness, such fire, that it appeared to dim the great sadness surrounding it. This mysterious spark utterly captivated the innocent girl. A shiver ran down her back as she stood motionless, staring into his wonderful eyes. Then slowly he leaned forward and placed his lips on hers. Instantly she closed her own eyes as her heart began to race.

The whistle went off again. This time it sounded directly behind the young couple. The boy carefully snuck a peek at the two officers running down the cobblestone street after him. The taller officer was out in front by several feet. He was breathing heavily through his thick brown beard. His face wore a confused expression. The little heavy-set man was struggling to keep up with his partner. As they neared the handsome couple in the doorway, the stocky man slipped on the wet cobblestone and fell with a loud thud. He glanced down at the newly made hole in his trousers. His wife would not be happy with him.

Pentel, hurry up! yelled the lanky officer who had stopped to see why his partner was taking so long.

As quickly as he could the wounded officer got to his feet and carefully followed his partner down the street. They rounded the corner and went out of sight.

Seeing their departure, the young man gradually removed his lips from hers. Then placing his mouth by her ear, whispered, I am in your debt, Fair Lady. Swiftly stepping out from behind her, he smiled and went tearing back up the street.

The young girl turned and watched him vanish around the corner almost as quickly as he had come. She stood there dazed for several minutes as the rain continued to fall. Then blinking several times as if waking herself from a dream, she slowly turned back around and disappeared inside.

Chapter Two

A pair of blue eyes fluttered open as the first rays of sun peered through the long blue drapes. The pretty young girl stretched her arms high above her head. Sitting up, her curly brown hair fell over her slender shoulders. She peered around the room. A large oak wardrobe sat in front of the wall across from her bed. Next to it was her trunk. On the adjacent wall was the door, sitting rather too closely to the first wall. On the far side of the wall with the door sat a ceramic washbasin with a single white towel. On the wall adjacent to the washbasin was a nightstand and bed with an overly stuffed mattress. On the wall facing the door was a plain window with a rocking chair sitting just to its left. She quietly took in the painting by the door. It was a glorious sunset with the figure of a man standing as if he were waiting for someone. She had spent many summers here with her grandparents and had come to love this room dearly. Standing, she slipped on her white silk housecoat and red slippers. Glancing into a small mirror placed just above the washbasin, the pretty girl realized that she was smiling. Quickly washing her face, she stepped out the door and went down to breakfast.

Entering the dining room, she lovingly noted her dear grandmother sitting in her usual spot just to the right of the head chair. Memories of her childhood came rushing back. She remembered how her grandfather used to let her sit on his lap during meals. How he used to tell her all these wonderful stories about knights in shining armor and their damsels in distress. How his mustache seemed to dance under his nose when he laughed. Quickly, she wiped a tear from her eye. She missed him so much since his passing two years before.

Glancing up, the elderly woman noticed her granddaughter standing awkwardly in the large double panel doorway. The pail blue wall brought out her granddaughter’s eyes, she thought. While the deep mahogany furnishing complimented her brown hair. Yes, her granddaughter truly fit into this room.

Smiling, she said, Good morning, My Dear.

Snapping out of her sad but fond memories, she replied, Good morning to you, Grandmamma. Then stepping forward, she briskly walked passed the large shelf filled with exquisite china. Taking the seat across from her grandmother, she quietly looked out the terrace window which overlooked the garden while Nelly brought in the breakfast trays.

Setting them down she quietly asked, Will you be needing anythin’ else, Ma’am?

No, Nelly. I am just fine, thank you, Marta answered.

How about you, Miss Rella. Will you be needing anythin’ else? Nelly said, addressing the dreaming girl.

Huh? she said upon hearing her name. Me? Oh, no, I am quite fine, thank you.

Nelly curtsied and then left the room. Marta watched her go and then turning to her granddaughter said, You seem very happy today.

Rella smiled, No more than usual I suspect.

No, no, no. There is something different about you. But I just can’t put my finger on it. Marta said, her eyebrow raised thoughtfully.

I really do not know what you mean.

Don’t worry. I’ll figure it out. Now, how is your dear sister? she asked as she picked up her fork and began eating her eggs.

Ava is doing very well. And as much in love with the country as ever. I declare if that girl had a choice, I do not think she would ever set foot in town.

No, no, no. She has always been prone to the outdoors and those silly animals. Marta sighed, But I do wish she’d come and see her dear old grandmother once in a while.

Do not worry, Grandmamma. I promise to bring her with me next year. Whether she likes it or not. Rella gave her grandmother a big smile.

That’s my girl. Now, what are your plans for this summer? she asked then took a bite of her toast.

Well, I came to see you, the pretty girl replied. Then picking up her cup, she sipped her tea.

Don’t be silly, My Dear. You can’t possibly spend all your time with an old crippled woman, she teased.

Oh, you’re the silly one, thinking you are crippled. Rella shot her a fetching smile, "But