As the morning sun had taken the moon's place, it awakened me with its blinding light that could shine through the harshest of weather. I did not wake alone, for Edward was resting peacefully by my side, most definitely exhausted from yesterdays events. I couldn't help but admire his astonishing features: the pale skin that deemed him a ghost, a poltergeist some would say; the hair upon his head was white as well, reminding me of the coat of a noble lady's Pomeranian, and I dare say, fluffier than the canine. Bringing my hand down to his head, I ran my fingers through his soft white locks, teasing and combing them in a gentle motion filled with tenderness. Edward shuffled due to the new sensation, making my heart swell at his awfully adorable reaction.
"Edward dear, it is time to wake." Said I, in a moderate tone to not frighten him yet loud enough for him to awaken. I wished not to interrupt such a halcyon moment alas, all had to move along and proceed or else all would be lost within time. Languidly rubbing his tired eyes, Edward yawned and caught my view. "Good morning Edward! I presume you slept well?"
"No, not really. I had another nightmare." Said he, leaning into the palm of my hand that cupped his cheek. Moving my hand from Edward's cheek, I wrapped my arms around him and brought him into my embrace.
"For as long as I may live, I shall let nothing hurt you in any possible way, my dear Edward." I comforted, trailing my thumb over his scarred porcelain-like cheeks.
Afterwards, I and Edward had relished in each other's comfort, Millie soon made her procession into my room, a tray of tea and scones on a cart and a pile of neatly stacked garments assumably for Edward to adorn. "Good morning my lady; Mr Barton." Millie greeted us, pouring the steaming tea into elegantly designed tea-cups. "Lady Elaine, I shall dress you first. Mr Barton, please escort yourself to the washroom." Commanded Millie, pointing the way to the washroom for Edward to enter. When he had entered and shut the door, Millie stripped me of my nightgown, soon to redress me with my chemise and stockings. Whilst lacing my corset, she asked me a query that must have been bothering her for quite some time.
"Lady Elaine, how long do you suppose Mr Barton will be staying for? I am concerned your father shall discover this and banish us both."
"His mother is laying upon her deathbed and is close to passing, I doubt Edward shall be returning home soon."
"My lady, you do know that I have my limits? I do not know how long I can conceal Edward!" Said Millie, shouting in a hushed voice not to let Edward hear what she had uttered. "I understand, Millie. That is why I will be here to help as well!" I expostulated at the idea of Edward being caught, so I thought not of it real or a prominent problem. Millie sighed as she made me step through my crinoline and fastened it at the back, soon sliding the petticoats over my head. "I will try my best, lady Elaine."
As Millie had concluded to dress me, she moved onto Edward whose clothing was way less complicated than mine and was not such a lengthy process. As he dressed, I seated myself on the stool facing my wooden vanity and brushed through my chocolate-coloured locks of hair. The soft bristles of the silver brush weaved themselves throughout my hair, de-tangling all knots within its path. Inspecting the mirror more than focusing on my hair, I gazed deeply into my reflection, noting all the features that I despised. My gaunt face was not plump neither radiating brightness, it was rather depressing and as if I had not seen the light of day for a millennium.
Unfortunately, the conditions not only applied to my face but my whole body as well. Before I could scrutinise my body further, Edward placed his hand upon my shoulder, looking at the mirror with a concerned expression upon his features. And as one surprise shall come after the other, Edward leant down and wrapped his arms over my shoulders like a winter shawl.
"Y-You are very p-pretty." Complemented Edward, his cheeks turning as red as the ripest apple.
"Thank you, Edward darling! I must say, you look more handsome than my brother in those clothes, to a great extent." Replied I, laughing lightly at his bashful attitude. "Say, Edward, would you mind helping me repair the garden?" I asked, believing that this was another opportunity for us to spend time together and make use of the neglected garden.
"I would be most pleased to, Elaine!" Cheered Edward, removing his hands from my shoulders and rushing to the door.
"Now, we must stay out of sight, make sure to follow me."
Opening the door and swiftly exiting the room, Edward and I surreptitiously made our way down the empty halls of Greyfield manor, aiming to be as quiet as the mice within the walls. Thankfully, we had successfully made it to the doors leading out to the garden.
Walking out into the open hall, I had spoken too soon about them being deserted as I heard footsteps turning the corner and halt; facing me was Melinda, who was elegantly dressed in an outfit suited for a picnic of some kind. Walking closer to me until we were face to face, I noted that Melinda no longer had that playful spark within her eyes, for some reason it had dissipated, as if the light that once shone was overcome with darkness and despair.
"Sister, I was about to come for you alas, it seems you have found me." Said Melinda, oddly making no smart remarks. "I leave for France with my husband today. I wished to bid you farewell before I left." 'Bid me farewell? Well, that certainly is a first!' I thought, feeling odd about my sister's departure from the nest.
"So soon? Well then, I wish you the best with your new husband." Replied I, smiling with glee to show my happiness for her. Oddly enough, she did not smile instead, the corners of Melinda's mouth tugged into a frown as she began to burst into a fit of sadness, hugging me tightly as she wept and wailed.
"I-I don't want t-to go, Elaine! Help me, please!" Cried Melinda, holding onto me for dear life. Her hysterics seemed to pull my heartstrings in an odd way; even if she had not been the most caring sister to me, I had the sudden urge to be the one to possibly save her life and yet, I let her slip through my fingers. "I wish to help you, Melinda, but what could I possibly do?" Queried I, holding onto her quivering hands. "Hide me, hide me away from that horrible ma—"
"Melly! Our carriage awaits us!" A voice bellowed from down the hallway; Melinda's husband stood firmly, inspecting the pocket watch that he held within his hand. His features were firm, and his overbearing mien was felt from where we stood. Melinda looked at me with glossy eyes, trying her best to smile before she faced her back to me and obeyed her husband. Halfway there, she turned back. "Farewell, Elaine. Do take care of Edward." Melinda advised, leaving me in a state of shock and bewilderment. 'How could she know about Edward?' Thought I, staring wide-eyed at Melinda as she staggered away with her husband. As she turned the corner and left me to ponder over her words, I remembered that Edward had hidden somewhere. "Edward! Where are you?"
"Here, Elaine." Said Edward, crawling out from underneath a small table located near the curtains of a window.
"Will your sister be alright?"
"That I am unsure of, Edward. Come, let us replant the garden." I replied, taking his hand and leading him to the humdrum garden.
Collecting the seeds I found during my outings with Edward, I sat down next to him as he dug small holes within the dirt. "I believe these are rose seeds; oh, and these must be iris'." Commented I, pointing at the tiny droplet-shaped seeds within my palm. "The iris, it is my favourite flower."
"Well then, I shall dedicate them to you."
"And I the roses, Elaine. I remembered the white ones were your favourite, are they still?"
"Why, of course! Even more so now that they remind me of you." Complemented I, hiding my face so Edward could not witness my cheeks coloured rosy-pink. Edward chuckled, patting the hair upon my head as he finished with the holes. "Elaine, are you ready to put the seed in?" Asked He, grabbing my undivided attention that was set on the ground. "Yes!" Plopping the seed within the hole, Edward suddenly took my hands and scooped the dirt back over the hole.
"Like this." With the hole full of dirt like it was before dug up, Edward commanded my hands to pat the soil flat. "And that is how you plant a seed." Said he, puffing his chest out in pride.
"My utmost thanks, Sir Soil!" I giggled at his confident attitude, finding it more adorable than a newborn child.
"My absolute pleasure, Madame Flower!" Edward replied, placing a hand over his heart and bowing, exaggerating a courteous man. Once our silly façade had cracked, I tumbled into Edward's lap in a fit of laughter, holding my stomach as it had begun to hurt due to the exhorted hysterical laughing.
"Plant another, shall we?" Edward requested earnestly, to which I stood and curtsied with flair.
"We shall!"