When the tea pot started to whistle, the cook prepared the tray, "Mrs. Harrisson do you want me to take it to the room?"
"No, no I can handle it." Elizabet grabbed the tray and she took a deep breath and then exited the kitchen. She could feel the shaking of the cups and saucers on the stray as she walked. She could feel the slight jitter in her body. 'Elizabet, get a hold of yourself' she yelled to herself angry that she was behaving like a frightened little child. As she made her way towards the parlor she ran into her husband in the hall. He was coming from the back of the house. What was he doing she asked herself.
Gideon frowned when he saw Elizabet holding the tray. He noticed the slight shake thinking it was too heavy for her. "Darling, please let me take this."
She nodded and handed the tray to her husband. Gideon took the tray and headed in the parlor.
Elizabet wanted to turn around and do anything else, but to leave her husband with such a potentially dangerous man she willed herself to follow Gideon instead. "Stop behaving like a little girl" she mumbled to herself to will her feet to move to the parlor. Elizabet took a deep breath and entered the parlor. She walked in with authority and her head held high. She surveyed the room and noticed the man was sitting in her husbands seat while Gideon sat in the loveseat across from the dark eyed man.
Elizabet crossed the room and sat beside him on the loveseat with the man sitting across from them and the tea service between. Elizabet grabbed her husbands hands and in her mind she spoke, 'mind, body, and soul.' After she brought her eyes up and met the man with the dark eyes. He was staring at her funnily. Like he knew she had said a spell, but he couldn't could he? No, she thought to herself, it just has to be a coincidence.
"Darling, this is Mr. Johnathon Williams." Gideon turned and looked at Elizabet motioning to the man across from them, "He is a prominent businessman and would like to develop the area. He asked our offices to assist in the measure. And specifically me to lead the project."
Elizabet looked over at the man, his face like stone. She found herself unable to read him. No doubt he was a wealthy man she could tell by his suit and the chain on his pocket watch. She found it odd that he specifically asked for her husband's offices and for him to be the proprietor. He was good at his job, but he was still young. Worry was flashing on her face and she was quick to hide her emotions and let a smile show instead. "Why Gideon, that is absolutely wonderful." She then turned to the dark eyed man "Mr. Williams, it is wonderful of you. And having decided to use my husbands offices and specifically him as the proprietor is blessing."
The man let a smile spread on his face and she had the urge to kick him out the house and never come back. Her baby girl moved and her hand reflexively went to her stomach, it seemed as if her baby knew the hate that the man harbored as well.
"Dear, why don't you go back to your gardening? I will discuss business with Mr. Willaims in the office." Gideon spoke and his language unnerved her. He was dismissing her!
"Dear husband, I thought I could join you in your discussion." She grabbed her husbands hand and squeezed it gently. "I want to be with you."
"I'm sorry dear, this is just talk between us, why don't you relax, you'll stress yourself out. Think of the stress that you may cause the baby." Gideon said not listening to her words.
Elizabet was ready to scream. Even after her spell he dismissed her. She looked towards the man and he was staring at her and for a moment a smile crossed his face before fading to nothing. But, when Gideon mentioned the child, she stood up. "Good day Mr. Williams." she managed to say. She felt like vomiting instead. That man, he was bad, very bad.
'Who was he?' Elizabet didn't trust her husband alone with that man, but she also didn't want to to be there either. She thought of her unborn babe and fear overtook her. She didn't press the issue. She went to her garden and when she saw the carriage and that Jonathon Williams leave she was glad, she felt the air clear and her heart soar. But something in the pit of her stomach was nagging her.
***
In the middle of the night, Elizabet woke up panting. Her heart was racing and she removed the covers and noticed she was bleeding. She called out to her husband who thereby went and retrieved the midwife. Elizabet began to cry and she held her belly. It is too early, too early she noted to herself. She was writhing in pain and nothing she did was easing her suffering. More than her pain she was concerned for the life of her baby girl, the baby couldn't die.
When the midwife did finally come Elizabet was covered in a cold sweat and she had lost more blood than the midwife expected. She looked at the woman and was concerned she was going to lose Elizabet and the child. The midwife kicked the husband out and quickly went to work.
In the early morning hours Emmeline was born. A healthy albeit small child. Elizabet was pale and exhausted, but she was alive. The midwife assessed the scene and it was truly chaotic, the fact that both of them were living now would be considered a miracle.
"I would like to hold my girl." Elizabet called out her voice weak and feeble.
The midwife looked at the woman and reluctantly handed the child over. As she did he quickly exited to bring in Gideon.
In the seconds while the room was empty, Elizabet held the girl firmly in her arms. "You will be stronger than us all, but you will have many trials and tribulations and for that I am sorry."
As Gideon entered the door Elizabet passed out. Two days later Elizabet vanished without a trace leaving her daughter Emmeline and husband Gideon behind.