With her inhumane powers of hiding an individual out of plain sight, Millie brought Edward to my room without disturbing not even the mice within the walls. When I had heard the knock at my door, I sprung immediately not from excitement, but from fright it was loud. Opening the door, I was face-to-face with Edward, Millie by his side.
"Edward!" Yelled I, full of glee as I draped my arms around him. "Come hither!"
Proceeding inside the room, Edward's face was stricken with bedazzlement, gaping at the sight of a warm bed and the security that this room assured. Oddly enough, this happened to be the first time he had been within the Greyfield manor. "Edward," Called I, grabbing his attention as I hobbled over to him. "Thank you for writing back. Why did you come here? You could've been spotted!"
"T-They were hurting me and mama again. Before it could get worse, she made me run away." Said he, beginning to sob hopelessly into my shoulder. I could not do anymore but comfort him at this moment; give him the love and privileges that he had been stripped of. "Shh, Edward, you are safe now." I made sure he had imbibed those words, for he needed to learn that this, I, was a place of safety and closure. "What if you were to live here? Oh, wouldn't that be wonderful!" Proposed I. It was a preposterous idea but was certainly worth the effort. If I would warn father, I should most likely be met with strong animadversion towards even the utterance of someone who has been under privation all their life.
His deep ocean eyes sparkled within the gloaming light seeping through the window: with skin and hair painted the purest colour, I could not strip my eyes from him as they kept roaming back catch another glance as if one was not enough.
"I mustn't leave my mama behind as she has given up her own life for mine." Protested Edward, the Persian carpet of the floor suddenly becoming more of interest. "I understand, Edward. I do." Said I, holding his hands and making him meet my eyes. "Please come to me when in times of trouble, will you?" He nodded, squeezing my hands back and letting loose a few tears.
When Edward had calmed down, Millie offered to give him a wash and clean up, to not only make him presentable but to make him feel brand new. Within the time of his absence, I was fully prepared to start tutoring him on how to read and write. When Edward had returned, his excitement and joyful mien did so as well. "Edward, I wanted to teach you how to read and write. So, we may send letters if a situation was to arise." Proposed I, to which he smiled and hugged me ever so tightly. "An education was all I have ever wanted, alas I never was able to receive such. Thank you, Elaine." He said, squeezing me as if I would fade away.
Humming softly, I weaved my fingers through his soft white-locks. It had filled me with shock and achievement that Edward held me so, for he never knew how to properly express emotions. Moulding myself into the embrace, I wished to stay within this moment forever, feeling as he and I were the only people left within this cruel world. Remembering I had a lesson to commence with, I softly spoke to the tired Edward who laid his head upon my shoulder. "Edward, we must commence with the lesson if we wish to finish by nightfall," I told him, leading him to the makeshift desk I had constructed.
"Here is your slate and chalk." Handing Edward the stationary he required, he inspected them closely, reminding me of our family doctor, doctor Mansfield: who always took precaution and interest with the gadgets or medicine in hand. "Now Edward, draw the letter 'A' as I have done so above. Upper and lowercase if you may." Clutching onto the chalk, I noticed his knuckles turning, even more, whiter than that of his skin. Edward hesitated, struggling to find a place to start. Eventually, he swivelled the chalk to create his best attempt at the simple calligraphy. Although, his efforts were in vain. "I-I'm sorry, Elaine." Edward muttered, fiddling with chalk that entangled through his fingers. Situating myself behind him, I held onto his hand and guided him through the process.
"We must learn from our mistakes or we shall cease to improve, dear Edward." Encouraged I, directing his hand to make the 'A' character. As I helped him draw a few other letters, I looked at the slate in approval and felt accomplished when his hand had finally relaxed into mine.
"Well, would you look at that!" Exclaimed I, brushing his hair as I felt like a mother whose proudness is expediential.
"It isn't the best…"
"By Jove! You needn't have such low faith in yourself. I must say, it is as if a master at calligraphy has graced me with their finest work."
Saying those words must've enlightened him to the point that he was practising at a furious pace, and when he had completed, improvement had already embedded itself upon the slate. While I was bubbling to the brim with excitement, Edward was growing tired by the minute.
"Edward, you have fulfilled my expectations in just the afternoon. I say a meed is deserved for such efforts." I smiled, gathering the stationary to clean later. "How about some dinner and then we shall make time for reading?"
"Oh, that would be lovely!"
"Well then, we must not waste our time now!"
Grabbing his hand, I discreetly brought Edward down to the drawing-room, where we would wait for Millie to bring us something to eat. After the rest of my family had eaten, it was now time for me and Edward's meal. Sitting at the table, Edward would talk about his mother, a kind and generous soul she had, it truly brought me to tears when he so wished for a life where he was accepted. His village called him a monster, a punishment placed upon the town's shoulders from God. Edward expressed his desire for involvement within the church's choir yet was not allowed because of the way he appeared so.
"Young miss, Edward, here is your supper." Announced Millie, bringing our conversation to a screeching halt when she had arrived with a tray that supported our dinner. Food placed in front of us, I clasped my hands together to begin grace. Edward copied my gesture, bringing his hands to each other, the closure of his eyes soon following. After thanks, feelings of solicitude became me as I observed Edward: His expression was downcast, and his eyes seemed to have lost their luridness. "Whatever is the matter, Edward?" Asked I, gazing at his untouched ham, bread and butter.
"Mama, she won't be able to have food as nice as this." He said. I sighed sadly and placed my hand upon his.
"Tomorrow, I shall pack your mother food to last her a week, so you have no need to fret. Anything for you, dear Edward. Now, your meal must be getting cold, eat it before it does so!" Smiling, he had accepted my offer and began to devour his food, bringing his feelings of ravenousness to subside.
After supper, fatigue had hit us both like a large carriage moving at full speed. Dressing into my nightgown, Edward was also kindly given old nightwear that my brother, Norton, had no need of use for them longer. As Edward was removing the covers to make room for him, I came over and ushered him into bed. "Here Edward, let me tuck you in." Asked I, to which he bashfully smiled and complied. Settled in bed, I covered him with the heavy, albeit warm quilt. tucking in the edges, I met his enchanting blue eyes once again; Oh, how I so was enchanted by those ocean-blue eyes! How they held so much depth within only the iris itself. Grabbing the book I had chosen to read tonight, I hopped into bed myself, covering the sheets over my form. Unexpectedly, Edward had helped tuck me in as well.
"Shall we begin?" Asked I. Edward hummed delight and excitement as he wanted to commence with the storytelling already.
Snuggling close, Edward rested his head on my chest as my fingers neatly combed his snow-white locks as he listened to the story with assiduity, soon drifting off into a deep slumber that consumed me soon after Edward's departure into the world of the dreams.