Chapter 43. A small bird........

Early next morning, at 5 'O' clock, Daniel was trying to wake Isla up. But Isla was in her dreamland. She didn't want to wake up so early. She struggled out of Danial's hands and rolled far away from him to the other end of the bed and covered herself up with the blanket till her head.

"Isla, wake up baby. Don't you want to go the meadow?" Daniel said as he made his way to freshen up.

Hearing the word 'meadow', Isla quickly got up. She was really excited to go there. She got out of the bed and went into changing room to select clothes for herself.

After half an hour, Daniel and Isla got ready and left the mansion.

The Twilight weather was slightly cold. Isla was wearing leather jacked with trousers and boots. She was not really cold. It was pleasent. The sun had not risen up yet, but it was not really dark anymore.

Daniel took her to the stable and gave her a helmet to wear as he helped himself to wear one.

He then brought sabastian out of his stable and helped Isla climb on it. Sabastian was young, musculine stallion. It was not very friendly to everybody. But he behaved around Daniel anyway. It became very calm and well behaved as Isla climbed on it.

After helping Isla, Danial also climbed on it, behind Isla. "Let's go". He said as he lightly pulled the reins of the horse.

Sabastian started to walk lightly and gradually increased its speed as Daniel commanded. Isla was enjoying the ride very much. She was not scared a bit. Daniel was sitting behind her and it felt as if everything was under his control. Isla was feeling secured in his embrace.

Daniel was enjoying the ride like never before. Isla sitting so close to him made him feel elated. Her hair were flying back on his face as they moved ahead. Her sweet smell was making him crazy, accompanied by her soft back which was touching his hard chest.

The scene was beautiful. It was autumn, the nature looked so beautiful. The light rays of sun started to show up. The morning dew on the grass in the meadow was shining like magical pearls. The birds were chirrping loudly, as if announcing the arrival of the morning.

Isla never knew that mornings can be so beautiful. "Are you alright?" Daniel asked.

"Yes. It's beautiful. I am mesmerized." She said while giggling. Riding the horse was really fun.

"Now I am going to increase the speed. Hold on tight." he said.

.....

"Have some more. Why are you not eating properly?" Grace said to Isla.

"Mother, I am already full." Isla said .

"How are you full so early in the morning? You ate so less." Grace

"Mom, today i took her on horse ride in the meadow. There we had some wild berries and fruits. I think she full with that. After all she is just a small bird." Daniel said teasingly with a smirk on his lips. Isla was so embarrassed that her cheeks had turned as red as tomatos. She was glaring at Daniel with a pout. And obviously every body else was laughing.

'Ahh...she looks so cute. I just wanna eat those lips up. How would they taste? Ahh...I will die some day. ' Daniel thought.

Every body was sitting in the dining hall, having breakfast. Only Jasper was missing.

"Grace, where is Jasper?" asked the Elder lee.

"Ahhmm..." Andrew cleared his throat and hid a smirk with his fist.

This action didn't escape from elder Lee's notice. He gave him an eye.

"Ummm..... Father...He didn't come home last night. He went out with Julie." replied Grace.

"Ohh ...that Edwards girl?" Elder Lee asked.

"Yes father." replied Grace respectfully.

"Ohh... So she returned home. No wonder the old man was so happy recently." Elder lee mumbled to himself with slightly tilted lips.

"But why is that boy fooling around. If he likes her he should propose her, get married and bring her home. Why is he wasting time. He is not getting any younger." Grandfather Lee grumbled annoyingly.

"Young people these days lack guts. I don't understand what they are afraid of. If you like some one, you should pursue that person head on and marry them quickly." Grandmother Lee helplessly smiled.

"I need to talk to him" Grandfather Lee said softly.

Meanwhile, Daniel was happy in his world. He kept on gently caressing Isla palm kept on her thigh, under the table, making her tickle.

Isla was having really hard time controlling her emotions. It was a habit of Daniel to do all these kind of mischievous activities secretly when they were in dinning table.

Even when he knew that his touches had really a great effect on the girl, he couldn't avoid doing it.

Looking at the misty eyes of Isla, Daniel amusingly smiled at her and lowered his head to kiss the back of her palm.

William noticed this small interaction and smiled. Finally, his son who was so detached with women, was now in love. He was so happy and relived to see that. If earlier someone would have said to him that his elder son would be in love some day, he would have never believed it.

After kissing Isla's hand , Daniel stood up. "Grandfather, yesterday I finalised the deal of the port in the western sea. Some documentation is left which will be finalized today itself."

"Congratulations. I am proud of you. For this great achievement, I will grant you a week vacation somewhere with your wife. What do you say?" Grandfather Lee said with a throaty laughter.

"Thank you grandfather. It means a lot." Daniel said bowing.

Isla was flustered. She didn't know what to say. Daniel was holding her hand and they have already become the centre of attention to every body.

"This is all because of the good luck my daughter in law has brought into your life." Said Grace while caressing Isla's head.

"I know." Daniel said holding her hand tightly and looking into her( Isla's) eyes.

"Today let Isla be with me. I will take her for shopping and spa." Said Grace.

Daniel looked towards Isla's asking her if she wants to go.

"I will go with mother." said Isla while smiling. Grace is her most favourite person and she liked to spend time with her.

"Okay. Then I will leave her to you. " Said Daniel looking at his mother.

"Will you come out to send me? " he asked again.

"Yeah." Daniel and Isla left the table to go out.

OUTSIDE.....

"Enjoy the day with mom. And use the card that I gave you. Okay?" Daniel held her cheeks in his palms and kissed her forehead.

"Hmm...." she said with crimson cheeks looking here and there. It was really very embarrassing for her to be kissed in front of all the guards and the driver. Even though no one was looking in their direction.

"Sir we should leave now or we will be late for the meeting." Jack said.

Daniel was reluctant to go. Leaving Isla was the hardest thing for him. He wanted to keep her in his pocket and take her everywhere.

"Baby, I will now go. Take care." he kissed her left cheek.

"Hmm. Come back soon. Take care." She said smiling shyly and waving her hand.