Love Knots

 Chapter 9

          

Wiping his hands on an oil rag, his glasses slid up for the moment on his forehead by his hair, Ambrose studied the parts in front of him with a thoughtful frown before glancing up at the clock over one of the tables in his lab. Getting to his feet, he dropped the rag on the workbench with a sigh and headed for one of the large sinks and washed his hands.

Exhaling a soft breath, he dried them on a pink soft cotton towel and hung it back on the rack before taking off his glasses and heading to his desk, putting them away in a drawer. Rolling down his sleeves, he grabbed his coat, shrugging it on before leaving the room heading for lunch.

He whistled softly and nodded to some of the passing servants, a slight bounce in his step as he made his way to the dining room. Opening the door, his good mood vanished in an instant and he wrinkled his brow as he took in those seated at the table.

“Where’s Wyatt?” he asked, making his way over and sitting down next to DG.

DG looked up, arching a brow at the question and shrugged. “You mean Mister Cain?” she asked, and Ambrose nodded. “Don’t know,” she answered over a piece of roll she was picking apart in a very unprincess-like fashion. “Haven’t seen him today,” she continued after swallowing and had the decency to blush when Ambrose glared at her pointedly. “Come on, eat,” she said, nodding toward the food laden table with a grin. “I’m sure we can save him something.”

Ambrose sighed heavily but nodded his disappointment clear on his face.

DG grinned and shared a knowing look with Raw who nodded at her slightly in return.

*          *          *

Shortly after he’d finished eating, Ambrose sighed and looked at the food morosely, his chin in his hand and an empty plate in front of him.

“What’s wrong, Ambrose?” DG asked, looking at him curiously.

“I don’t know what to take him!” Ambrose replied, waving a hand at the food. “I don’t know what he’ll eat. I don’t even know what he likesonce. How am I supposed to know?”
yet… We’ve only really talked

DG smiled and laughed softly, reaching over and taking the plate from him. “Here,” she said gently as she started adding food to the plate. “I’ll fix it and you can deliver it, all right?”

Ambrose smiled slightly and nodded his thanks, feeling a little embarrassed.

Before long, DG handed him the plate and the utensils including a napkin and he headed off down the hall toward Wyatt’s office.

Entering the outer office, he nodded to an older woman at the desk as she waved at him, but saw that she was busy on the phone before heading back to Wyatt’s office and knocking on the door.

“Yes?” a terse reply came through the door. “What is it?”

Ambrose blinked. That didn’t sound like Wyatt. “Um, hello?” he asked, opening the door and peering in, blinking at a man with dark hair that was beginning to salt and pepper.

“Yes, what is it?” the man asked gruffly as he slapped and shuffled papers into files on the desk before jamming them in the cabinet.

“I, um,” Ambrose said flushing slightly. “I was looking for Wyatt Cain; I didn’t see him at lunch and thought he might be hungry…”

The man looked up at him scrutinizingly for a moment before motioning to the desk. “He’s not here right now, but you can leave it there,” he said gruffly.

Ambrose bit his lip and looked down at the plate. “Um…”

The man looked up at him, arching a brow.

“I’d really rather not,” Ambrose replied.

“Oh, honey!” the woman said, hurrying over after she’d finished her phone call, getting his attention with a hand on his arm and drew him away from the door. “Don’t mind Jacobs, he’s just grouchy because he’s stuck here filing while Mister Cain’s out doing inspections.”

The man in question grumbled and rolled his eyes as the woman closed the door, drawing the Advisor away.

“My name’s Harriet Matthews. I’m Mister Cain’s secretary. It was very sweet of you to bring him something to eat. You can leave it here with me if you like; I’ll make sure he gets it. I wouldn’t leave it in there with Jacob’s either though…”

“Why not?” Ambrose asked curiously, but relieved to be away from the rude man’s presence.

“Jacobs’ hasn’t had lunch either… I’d think it’d be gone before Mister Cain got back,” Harriet replied. “I tried to flag you down to let you know he wasn’t here.”

“Oh,” Ambrose replied, blushing slightly in embarrassment. “I thought you were just waving hello. Where is Wyatt, anyway?”

“Oh, he’s out inspecting the new Tin Men right now,” Harriet replied. “I expect him back any time now though,” she said, pausing briefly to look at her watch. “Want me to tell him you were here? You’re the Advisor, right?”

“Yes,” Ambrose replied with a smile. “And thank you, but no, that won’t be necessary. I’m sure I’ll see him later. If he asks, the food’s from her highness, Princess DG… I just delivered it. I really should get back to work.”

“Oh,” Harriet replied a little uncertainly as he began to back away and headed for the door. “All right...”

Ambrose nodded and left. He exhaled a breath after closing the door wondering why Wyatt seemed so curious about him when he had people like that working for him. Sighing, he shook his head and headed back to the lab.

*          *         

“What’s this?” Wyatt asked when he returned to his office to tell his staff he was leaving for the day.

“Lunch,” Harriet said as Jacobs grumbled in the background, handing him the plate.

Wyatt arched a brow, ignoring Jacobs’ tantrum.

“Apparently it’s from Princess DG…” Harriet said.

Wyatt looked at her in slight confusion. “Why would she…?”

“I don’t know,” Harriet replied. “But the Advisor was here to drop it off; he said they hadn’t seen you at lunch.”

“Oh,” Wyatt said, and then blinked. “Oh! Thanks, Harriet.” He smiled and left, calling over his shoulder, “Thanks, Jacobs…. You can take Monday off!”

Figuring he’d be too exhausted to eat when he got to his room, he ate on the way. It was cold, he thought, arching a brow. But good never the less, and if Ambrose had really said it was from DG, she must have been the one to put it together. He’d have to thank her for it later. Still, it was nice to think Ambrose had taken time from his day to bring it to him.
 

*          *          *

He’d been right… reaching his room, Wyatt barely had the energy and will to keep his eyes open long enough to set the empty plate on his coffee table, and then set his alarm after stumbling to his room to fall into bed.

He sighed at the coolness of the sheets and closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around a pillow and burying his face in it with a smile, still able to smell Ambrose’s scent and was soon fast asleep.

A few hours later, not as tired as before, but still not wanting to get up when his alarm went off, Wyatt was propelled from bed with thoughts of the coming evening after dinner as well as a grumbling stomach. Pulling out a fresh change of clothes, he laid them on the bed and then retrieving an apple from the bottom of the dresser and setting it on the bed with his clothes before heading off for a shower.

He’d just gotten out and dried enough to be in some pants and an open button down shirt, drying his hair with a towel when there was a knock at his door. Towel still in hand and idly rubbing his hair he padded barefoot through his rooms and opened the door.

“Hello, Wy…att,” Ambrose said, pausing slightly on his name and blinking before he blushed a bit, taking in the man’s state of dress.

Wyatt couldn’t help chuckling softly. “Hello, Ambrose,” he said with a smile. “Come in… I was just getting ready for dinner.” He held the door open as Ambrose passed before closing it and heading back to his bedroom, tossing the towel in the small pile of dirty clothes for the maid as he passed by. Reaching the bed, he scooped up the apple and tossed it back to Ambrose.

“Yes, I can see that,” Ambrose said, catching the apple and then looking at him curiously.

“Thanks for lunch,” Wyatt replied and headed to the bathroom combing his still damp hair.

Ambrose’s blush deepened and he was thankful Wyatt was in the other room where he couldn’t see it. “You’re welcome,” he answered.

“So,” Wyatt said a little louder so Ambrose could hear him. “Was it really from DG?”

“Well, she made up the plate, but it was from both of us, I suppose,” Ambrose replied, sitting down on a nearby overstuffed chair with red upholstery the shade of wine.

“Well, thank you,” Wyatt said coming out of the bathroom once more.

Ambrose blushed again and lowered his gaze, seeing Wyatt’s shirt was still undone. “You’re welcome,” he murmured, smiling a little when he felt Wyatt drop a kiss on his head.

“So,” Wyatt said, sitting back on the bed. “Not that I don’t like you being here or anything, but, well…”

“Why am I here?” Ambrose asked, arching a brow.

“Yeah,” Wyatt replied with a slight smile as he pulled on his socks. “I mean, I thought you’d come by after dinner.”

Ambrose blushed slightly. “Well, I…” he began as he twisted his fingers nervously in his lap. “Kinda told DG that I was meeting you tonight to actually learn more about you and that we’d talked last night about me… what I remember anyway, and she suggested just skipping dinner and coming here…”

“I see,” Wyatt said with a smile, his eyes lowered. “Well, I was actually going to ask you if maybe you’d want to talk in your rooms tonight instead of here.”

Ambrose blinked. “Why?” he asked in confusion.

“Well, in case you fall asleep again,” Wyatt said looking up to meet his gaze.

“Yes, I… suppose we could do that,” Ambrose replied.

“Unless you want to stay here,” Wyatt said.

“No, it’s fine,” Ambrose answered. “It’s just…”

“It’s just?” Wyatt asked, arching a brow.

Ambrose flushed slightly. “Well, you know what you like, I don’t….” he answered, lowering his eyes.

“As far as…?” Wyatt asked.

“What to eat or drink or anything like that,” Ambrose replied, looking up.

“Ambrose,” Wyatt said standing up and going to him, leaning down supporting his weight on the back of the Ambrose’s chair.

Ambrose’s breath hitched and he swallowed before releasing it shakily as he watched Wyatt.

“It’ll be fine,” Wyatt murmured, reaching up and carding his fingers gently through Ambrose’s soft curls by his ear. “Just relax…”

Ambrose swallowed and nodded. “I…” he began, his voice hitching slightly and he paused swallowing once more before trying again. “I’m not used to this…”

Wyatt smiled at him gently. “I know,” he said, his voice soft. “It’s okay. We can stop down at the kitchens if you like and have it sent to your rooms if that’s where you want to go. I just thought it would be easier on you in case you fell asleep. That way I can leave if you want me to.”

No,” Ambrose said, sounding slightly alarmed and shook his head.

Wyatt blinked and knelt down in front of him. “Okay,” he murmured uncertainly. “We don’t have to do that if you don’t want to. It was only a suggestion.”

Ambrose swallowed and licked his lips. “No, I… I mean…” he paused and closed his eyes briefly and exhaled a slow, shaky breath before meeting Wyatt’s gaze again. “I mean, I don’t want you to leave…”

Wyatt blinked but held Ambrose’s gaze.

“Please,” Ambrose murmured. “Don’t go…”

Wyatt swallowed, hearing the vulnerability in Ambrose’s voice with a hint of desperation and nodded slowly, reaching out and taking Ambrose’s hand. “I won’t,” he said softly, giving it a gentle squeeze. Swallowing, he continued softly, “I won’t go anywhere, Ambrose… not if you don’t want me to…”

Ambrose hiccupped slightly and moved forward, sliding off the chair to his knees, his arms looping around Wyatt’s neck and hugged him.

Wyatt blinked in surprise and closed his eyes, one hand coming to rest on the back of Ambrose’s head, the other sliding around to his back as he returned the embrace though he was a little confused about it.

“Thank you…” Ambrose whispered softly, a slight waver in his voice.

“I won’t go anywhere,” Wyatt murmured again and turned his head enough to place a kiss gently at his temple.

Ambrose swallowed and held onto him, fisting his hands in the back of Wyatt’s shirt, releasing a shaky breath.

“Ambrose?” Wyatt asked, pulling back to look him in the face and blinked in surprise to see tears slowly rolling down his cheeks. Moving a hand, he reached up carefully and brushed his tears away, swallowing dryly. “Ambrose, what’s wrong?”

Ambrose exhaled a shuddering breath, slowly releasing Wyatt’s shirt and sitting back on his heels, and sniffed, lowering his head.

“Don’t hide,” Wyatt said softly, gently lifting Ambrose’s chin. “It’s okay… whatever’s wrong, we’ll fix it…”

Ambrose swallowed and licked his lips. Exhaling in a rush, he rolled his eyes in slight frustration. “I’m irritated with myself,” he said softly.

“Why?” Wyatt asked gently in confusion.

“I…” Ambrose began and exhaled heavily, lowering his gaze a moment. “I know that I know you…” he said softly. “I – I feel it…. But I don’t remember…” He paused, shaking his head as tears welled up in his eyes once more. “I don’t remember…”

“Shh,” Wyatt murmured and made a soft clicking sound moving closer and wrapped Ambrose in his arms once more. “Its okay, Ambrose….” he said softly and pulled back. “We talked about this last night, remember?” he asked, reaching out to gently lift Ambrose’s chin once more. “I don’t want you to hurt yourself by trying…”

Ambrose inhaled a shuddering breath and exhaled in a sob. “I don’t want you to leave,” he murmured and swallowed, licking his lips. “I – It hurt,” he murmured. “When you left… e-even if it was for me… Please… don’t go…”

Wyatt exhaled a heavy breath as he held Ambrose to him, cradling his head gently and looked around the room wondering how he could get through to him. Swallowing, an idea came to him. “Ambrose?” he asked gently and pulled back to look at him. “Have you decided what you want from me?”

Ambrose’s breath hitched as he looked up at him but he nodded. He opened his mouth to reply and stopped, blushing and lowering his head when his stomach grumbled.

Wyatt chuckled softly, his hands sliding up to rest gently on Ambrose’s shoulder. “Why don’t we talk about it over dinner, hmm?”

Ambrose nodded his face still slightly pink with embarrassment and it was a moment before he looked up at Wyatt. “Okay,” he murmured.

“All right then,” Wyatt replied. “Would you like to go to your rooms or would you like to stay here?”

Ambrose swallowed. “E-either is fine,” he murmured.

“Okay then,” Wyatt said. “Why don’t we go down to the kitchens and see if it’s not too much trouble to order a dinner for two, and then we can decide.”

Ambrose nodded with a shy smile.

“Good, then,” Wyatt said, squeezing his shoulders gently. “Let me finish getting dressed and then we can go.”

Ambrose nodded once more and relaxed, exhaling a breath as he slid back up into the chair and waited for Wyatt.

                                                                                                                                         
Chapter 8 ~~~~~~~~ Back to Tin Man ~~~~~~~~ Chapter 10
                                                                                                                                         
 

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