"To the master she obliged, listening intently as he spoke with fervid eloquence. Though as mesmerising as his voice was, she had yet to shake the feeling of dread and disappointment that he reminded her of— "
"Doesn't Harriet enjoy the presence of Master Higgins?" Enquired Edward, looking at me in utter confusion.
"That is a question that shall be answered, later on, Edward." I replied, laughing at his eagerness to find out what may happen within the next chapter.
Here we both were seated, on the shore of a tranquil lake Edward had found within the forest. It was the perfect place for us to enjoy ourselves and read: no interruptions, no repercussions, and most definitely not a soul here to judge us. I had chosen the perfect day to have a small picnic as the sun was shining, reflecting upon the water below that glistened, and the trees that surrounded provided more than enough shade to make certain that Edward would not shrivel into a sundried tomato due to his heightened possibility of sunburn. Other than that, there was nothing else I could possibly critique as Edward and I had seemed to find our little piece of heaven on earth, and we wouldn't exchange anything for it. Folding the corner of the page, I decided a viewing of nature was in order before we would have to take our leave.
"Oh, Edward, look at the ducklings!" Exclaimed I, pointing at a mother duck who was leading her offspring along the bank. "Aren't they adorable?"
"Very much so, Elaine." Replied Edward, patting the empty patch of grass beside him, gesturing for me to come closer. I happily obliged, cuddling into the embrace of my dear friend. As I watched the mother duck sort her children into formation like a commander preparing their soldiers for battle, an unwonted thought slithered into my mind, and with it came an urge for any answer.
"Edward, what are your thoughts on children?" Asked I, quite intently must I add. Edward was silent for a few seconds, obviously baffled by my question. "My apologies, that question was most likely arduous for you to respond to."
"Don't apologise, Elaine. I do not mind children if they have been properly taught in the ways of kindness." Replied Edward, tracing circles upon my shoulder.
"Exactly my thoughts!" His answer pleased me so, it was not unusual for a child to be brought up as a brute as the evidence was held within my family, within my elder brother Norton. Thankfully, Edward still remained a benignant and genial man even through the troubles that were brought upon him. "I suppose we must go. By the time we reach the manor, the sun shall be set." Proposed I, placing my straw hat upon my head and standing, offering a hand to Edward who was still seated on the plush green grass. Grabbing my hand, I was to surmise that he would lift himself up with my strength combined instead, he thought it would be amusing to pull me down, rendering me to stumble and clash as an audacious smirk etched onto his face.
"Good heavens, Edward! Do try to be more careful!" I scolded, releasing a few laughs here and there. Edward was struck with fits of laughter, showing me a smile and wiping his eyes that prickled with the smallest of tears. As he let go of all his giggles, Edward wrapped his arms around my back, hugging my petite frame. "My apologies, but your expressions were too funny not to witness!"
"Tread lightly Edward, for I shall seek vengeance soon enough." Said I, smirking in retaliation.
Cupping my face, Edward's calloused fingers tracing the skin upon my lightly-blushed cheeks. Gazing into his deep blue eyes, I felt as if they enveloped me into a body of water alas, not rough neither tempestuous as the sea within a storm but tranquil and still like the lake we were presently attending. With every beat of the heart that laid within my chest, the world surrounded Edward and I became ever so slow and our faces mere inches apart. I could feel the vigorous drumming of my heart as I fluttered my eyes closed and leant in further. Though the thought of kissing had never entered my mind and dare I say frightened me to think, Edward had condemned me no longer foreign to this act of love.
"Mistress! Mistress Elaine!"
The sudden holler jolted Edward and I alert at the thought of being caught. Finding the source of the call, 'twas Millie, exhorting great strength to reach us. "Mistress Elaine! I have been searching for you within the last hour!" Said she, harshly yanking me by the arm. "For if it were not I, surely you would be upon your toes quicker!"
"My apologies, Millie, I thought I didn't have any duties to respond to."
"Do not fret, mistress, it is only your father requesting your presence."
"Father? And what in God's good name would he want with me?"
"Not a clue, mistress. That you must find out yourself." Replied Millie, letting go of my arm as I went to help Edward stand. As he held onto my hand, a furious blush decorated the cheeks of poor Edward; he must've felt the extent of pure embarrassment. With Millie escorting us out of the forest, Edward and I stole glances hitherto and, in all honesty, I felt as if still trapped within a fabricated dream.
"Mistress, you're fortunate it was I to find you; your virtue would be contemplated if not."
"My virtue is of no matter to others, only I need to know for it is my business and mine it shall always be."
"Understood, mistress."
Arriving at the Greyfield mansion once again, I was separated from Edward as Millie was to return him to my room in secrecy. Entering the great hall, I was met with the sight of all the servants and maids bustling about like busy bees within their hive. Sliding through the traffic, I found my mother consulting one of the maids. "Mama, what is the meaning of this?" Asked I, growing quite nervous by the minute. "My dear!" Mother yelled in glee, bending over to embrace me. "You shall find out very soon, Elaine!" Clasping my hand, she dragged me over to the drawing-room, not before asking more of the maid. "Ruffles will not do, I request it be as elegant as she herself."
"I shall notify the seamstress right away, lady Marie." Curtsying, the maid scampered off and out the door, leaving me with my mama. It had been months since I had been in the presence of my mother, so I was quick to tightly hold onto her waist, to which she did the same, kissing my forehead and petting my hair.
"I indevoured to come and see you alas, your father made sure that I was to eschew you. I would if only he did not upbraid the thought!"
"I understand, mama. That is now in the past, this is the present." Said I, making mother's eyes glimmer in fondness. "Oh, how I love you, my precious diamond." Mama complemented, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Come, my dear, we have great news to share with you!"
Entering the grandeur drawing room of the manor, my eyes trailed over to the flickering fire, where father stood attentively watching the flames dance upon the ashes of the burnt wood. Hearing the footsteps of mother and me, father had turned around and revealed to me his face that had certainly withered over time. His face carried more wrinkles then I could count, and his eyes as hollow as an empty well. "Elaine, come and sit." Said father, pointing to the elegantly crafted couch.
Seating myself, mother by my side, father poured himself a glass of wine. "As you may have known, Melinda has found a husband that was sure to bring her prosperity." I was growing agitated by the tick of the grandfather clock within the room, all I desired was for my father to be candour so that I could be released and reunite with Edward.
"We shall be moving for a few weeks to attend your debutante ball, my dear."
"I thought I was not to leave this house?"
"My mind has been changed, and it is final; you must attend!" Father concluded, taking the last sip of his wine.
The announcement of this trip made my heart sink and my mouth became dryer than the sands of a desert. Why now of all possible times? Paroxysms of thoughts flashed through my mind, bringing upon a pounding headache that enervated me. Gazing over to mama, she gave me the eyes that of a proud mother, sending her children from the nest; yet to I, it was conscription to enter a war, a war that I was not to propitiate. Exiting the room with as much haste as possible, fast enough that my hair was caught within the air. The news had lacerated my heart and feelings for dear Edward as there was no way I could take him with me; there was no way that I could protect him and make sure that he wasn't to be hurt. Vigorously opening the door and slamming it closed, I saw Edward by the window. As I gazed at his pale face that had become so full of life, I had collapsed upon the floor, the broken dam overflowing with tears flushing my eyes and trailing down my cheeks. Edward had taken notice, to which he ran over immediately and held me tight, hushing my loud sobs to small sniffles.
How could I inform him now?