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The Life and Times Of Ralf Wylde! Part 2
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The Life and Times Of Ralf Wylde! Chapter 2


At the end of Part I, Ralf had misbehaved badly with his neighbor Anne Fenton.


After thinking over what he had just done, Ralf was determined to fight his feelings of lust for Anne.


"Anne, that should never have happened", said Ralf, "I love Sarah and I'm going to be faithful to her from now on."
"I understand, Ralf. It's not Sarah's fault she's sick and can't give you what a healthy man needs", said Anne.


"If you change your mind, you know where to find me", she said, "Goodbye, Ralf."


When he got home he gave Sarah extra attention, trying to make up for cheating on her.
"How are you feeling my love?", he asked.
"Actually I feel better since I took that nap", she answered.
"If you feel as good as you look, then you must be feeling better", he said.


"I've been practicing my painting a little every day. I think I'm rather good now", she said, "Will you pose tomorrow for a portrait?"


"You will do yourself a favor by finding yourself a better looking subject", joked Ralf.
"Well since you're the only one handy, I guess you'll have to do", she said, going along with the joke.


Before much longer, Sarah fell asleep and Ralf was left alone with his thoughts.


Over at the Fenton's house, Jonathan had returned home.
"I was reading and didn't hear you come in", said Anne, "Did you enjoy yourself at the alehouse?"
"Yes, just the usual", he answered.
"It was lonely here without you", she said.
"Where was Olivia? She should have been home to keep her mother company", he said.
"She's staying the night with Bridget Edgar", said Anne.


"Come lay on the bed", she said..
"It's been a long time since we've done that", said Jonathan.
"Yes, that's just what I was telling . . . myself this afternoon", said Anne.
"So you're talking to yourself now are you?", he joked.


"Jonathan do you want to . . .well, you know", asked Anne.


And Johnathan said, "YES!"


A satisfied Jonathan slept soundly and Anne slept peacefully, knowing she had been able to "cover her tracks".


The next morning at breakfast, Matthew Edgars asked, "Ralf, do you need me to go with you to deliver the benevolences* to the landlord?"

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"No, I best be going alone as usual. Lord Vincent don't take too kindly to strangers", said Ralf.


"There's always talk at the alehouse about that one. His odd behavior that is", said Jonathan.


"Lord Vincent stays in that big castle all to himself. I wonder if he ever comes out", said Raulin.


"Has anyone besides Father ever seen him", said Garath.


"I've heard that he's an exceptionally handsome man", said Isabel Edgar.


What DOES Lord Vincent look like, Ralf?", asked Anne.


"Lord Vincent is just a man, like any other with expensive clothes of velvet and silk", said Ralf, "There's nothing odd about that. If I was as wealthy as him, I'd wear velvet and silk, too."


After breakfast Raulin helped Ralf load the wagon, which contained the landlord's part of their weekly produce, milk and fish.


No matter how many times he had seen Castle Dargan, Ralf was always in awe of its beauty and size.


Lord Vincent was sitting in the courtyard practicing chess.
When Ralf approached, he asked him to join him in a game.


"Ralf, how long have you been coming here?", he asked.


"Since my father passed away, going on five years now", answered Ralf.
"Your father was a wonderful man. Did he tell you, we had become good friends?", asked Lord Vincent.
"No, he never mentioned it", said Ralf.
"Won't you join me for dinner", said Lord Vincent.
"Yes, don't mind if I do", said Ralf.


"I need to hire a housekeeper. Do you know a trustworthy lady in the village who might want the position?", asked Lord Dargan.


"There's a widow lady who might be what you need", said Ralf, "Her name is Rachael Smith."


Bring her around tomorrow, if you will", he said.


"Thank you for the meal", said Ralf, "I must be getting on home."



"Don't forget to ask Rachael about the position", he said.
"No, I won't forget, Lord Vincent", said Ralf.


As soon as Ralf returned to Willow Creek, he ran into Rachael Smith.
"Rachael, may I speak with you?", he asked.
"Of course", said Rachael, "What is it you want?"


"The landlord is looking for a housekeeper and I recommended you for the position", said Ralf, "I hope that was alright."


"Yes, thank you, Ralf", she said, "I need a way to earn some money."

To be continued . . .

Notes:
Payments to the landlord were called benevolences or aids - expressions of friendship rather than the law. But were payments one could not refuse.

The title Lord Of the Manor is a titular feudal dignity. The holder is entitled to call himself Lord along with his personal name. The landlord's wife may use the title Lady along with her personal name.

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