*Ms Tamara*
It was some time before Gertrude made her way out, a smile patched on her lips. The smile itself told the sisters the answer they were looking for.
Behind her, followed a gentleman, a person who the sisters never saw before. He approached each of the sisters before introducing himself. "Henry Bishop.".
Bishops were one of the wealthiest families in the independent country of Douleur. Well known in the whole kingdom.
"Bishops?... I didn't know they were in Veursau..." Tamara whispered to Eileen once Henry moved far enough as to no hear them both.
"I don't know..." responded Eileen. "Maybe... family matters brought him to Veursau.".
"Either way, proposing to Gertrude... it sure would be an indication that he might stay here for a while then," Tamara spoke out after Eileen.
After a cup of tea and a long conversation, the family sent their greetings before seeing Henry off. With Henry, Abigail left as well, she was the one who brought Henry to her sisters' house.
Only after his departure, only then did Gertrude approach her sisters informally.
"I can't believe this is really happening..." she spoke out, her sisters nodding to her words. "I am getting married... I am actually getting married!!". Tears filled Gertrude's eyes through her excited giggles. And so did her sisters.
"Do you have to go, dear Gertrude?" Tamara inquired.
Then, the smile that was once on her sister's lips slowly began to dissipate. Growing smaller and smaller with each passing second. That action itself gave Tamara the answer she - expected but nonetheless - hoped for the least. "We, both Henry and I, talked about it... I want you to know that... that I didn't bring the decision with a light heart, my dear Tamara. I really didn't.". She stopped for a moment. "We will stay in Veursau though...".
And then, Gertrude's facial features crumbled ever so slightly as she began to cry once more. "I don't want you to think that I am abandoning my sisters...". With those words, she looked around at all of her sisters. "I am really not...".
Tamara shook her head. "You mustn't stress yourself with trying to make explanations.". Then she paused. "Do you love him?".
"Yes..." replied Gertrude.
"I really do mean it, Gertrude. Do you really love him?" Tamara insisted on the same question.
"For grace's sake, Tamara. Yes! Most ardently, I do! I love him... I-I can feel it in my chest. Every time I think of him... every time he looks my way. I can feel it, Tamara..." she responded, her eyes widened and saying nothing but the truth.
"Well then..." Tamara began, a smile forming on her lips all the while her eyes filled with tears. "Don't let us stop you from your pursuit of happiness with your dear Henry.". And with those words, she embraced her sister, tightly. As she knew that this hug might be the last one they'd share in some time to come.
Moments later, the rest of the sisters joined the hug, all of them weeping with joy and with sadness. The joy that her sister found love, but the sadness that their house will have one sister less.
---
Upstairs, Tamara and Eileen helped Gertrude pack her things into a suitcase their mother gave her.
"I've never seen a suitcase so big..." Tamara commented, handing Gertrude over her neatly folded, clean clothes.
"Neither have I..." Gertrude replied, melancholy all too present in her voice.
From there, silence took over their conversation for a mere minute before Eileen went on to ask, "How did you meet Mr Henry, Gertrude?".
She took a deep breath before looking up at Eileen and then switching her gaze between her and Tamara. "Well..." began Gertrude. "Would you happen to remember the ball that was organised by Abigail herself, and her husband, Jack?".
Tamara nodded. And then, it hit her. "Was... was it him? Was Henry the man who asked you for a dance?!".
A smile evolved across Gertrude's face before she nodded. "Yes, that was him...".
But then, the smile that was on Tamara's lips began to recede ever so slightly. "But... having known him for such a short time... how can you have such confidence of stepping into marriage with him?".
"Tamara..." Eileen's voice trailed off.
"I am happy, I really am, Gertrude... but... I want to look out for you too. Marriage is a serious agreement between two people..." replied Tamara.
"Yes... yes, that I know," Gertrude started. "But... I just know it... I really do. In all of our talks... we both sound so alike...". Gertrude couldn't help but let out a chuckle at such a fact. "We really are like two peas in one pod.". She paused once more before continuing after taking in a deep breath, "Some people might need a few months, some years... and some might need as short of a time as Henry and I had to see that... that they really do love one another.".
"I am happy for you, Gertrude," Eileen spoke out. Then, looking towards Tamara, Eileen went on to add, "We are really happy for you...".
Tamara further cemented Eileen's words with a smile and a reply, "Yes, we really are."
And with that, the sisters continued helping Gertrude pack up.
---
*3 days later*
Gertrude left the morning after accepting Henry's hand in marriage, leaving a gap in the household. A wound that, with time and hope, might, just might allow itself to heal.
With the dinner that Diana scheduled coming up, only Eileen and Tamara were left to be able to attend, as both Agath and Ruth went with Gertrude.
And so, with it being the day of, Tamara and Eileen arrived.
Walking up the steps, Tamara couldn't help but remember the flashbacks from Diana's party all those weeks ago. Her interaction with Theodore.
Knocking on the door, it didn't take long for them to open. There awaited them the old man and just like on the night of Diana's party, he escorted them into the house.
Going up a flight of stairs, they turned left before reaching a door. The old man knocked on the door before announcing the arrival of the sisters to Diana.
Allowing them to go inside, that's where Diana jumped out of her seat. "Tamara! Eileen!!".
Rushing toward the two sisters, Diana pulled them both in for a hug. "What about the rest of the Clarke sisters? They couldn't make it?".
"Well..." Tamara began, feeling a lump swell in her throat. Was it a good time to say that Gertrude was offered a hand in marriage? And what would Diana say, furthermore think, when she was to say that both Agath and Ruth followed their dear sister and her fiance home?
Seeing that slight concern began to spread across Diana's face from the length of Tamara's pause, Eileen decided to take the reign. "Gertrude was asked for her hand in marriage the other day... both Ruth and Agath didn't suspect the full length of their absence, the thought they'd make it back in time for the dinner...".
Relief spread across Diana's face. "When I saw the look on Tamara's face, I must say, I thought something bad has occurred.". And then, a smile spread across her lips. "And that is great news. You must tell her when you see her next, that I wish her all the best in her marriage. That's the least she deserves.".
"Thank you, Diana..." Eileen responded, her gaze lowering towards the ground as slight tears began to swell in her eyes. "We were all with her since the first day... it's hard to see her go so fast.".
Diana nodded her head, her face showing nothing but sympathy. "I understand. Though I can't relate as I am the only child in the family, I can most defiantly understand.". And then a brief pause followed Diana's words. "Please, do feel free to sit down anywhere you want.".
With the sisters doing just that, Diana continued, "So... who is the lucky man?".
Tamara smiled at Diana's words. "Henry Bishop...". And then, in a mere whisper, Tamara muttered through her smile, "He is quite lucky...".
"I am not too sure if you've heard of him, Diana," Eileen went on to say.
But then, the sisters were caught off guard by the widening of Diana's eyes. "Bishop? Henry Bishop??".
"Do you know him, Diana?" Tamara inquired.
"Yes! Of course! I do..." She paused, her brows scrunched as if she was trying to think back to the roots of the memory of Henry Bishop. "His father, Charles Bishop, was good friends with my father but they've had a fallout. All while my mother and Maria Bishop, Henry's mother, are still in somewhat of a contact.".
"Would you happen to know why he is here, in Verusau, Diana? Since I know they are from Douleur," asked Eileen.
"Family fallout from what I have heard. But, mind you, not that I have heard much, so I don't know how true that may be," responded Diana. "Although, I do know that Henry has some relatives here, in Verusau, close to Veruause actually.".
"So does that mean that Gertrude won't have to move out of the country then?" Tamara couldn't help but blurt out the question.
Diana, once more, allowed a slight, saddened smile to appear on her lips. With Tamara being close to her, she took her hand and wrapped it around with both of hers. "I am not too sure. For all I know, Henry might decide to start a new life. And where that will take them both... only Gertrude and Henry will know.".
She nodded her head to Diana's words. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have blurted out such a question... It was out of place on my behalf...". She paused. "I-I just want what's best for her, Gertrude...".
"There is nothing you should worry about, Tamara. Especially if it's in correlation with Henry," Diana reassured Tamara. "He was great as a child. Though I haven't seen him in quite some time, I don't think he'd be the one to change from good to bad.".
And then, a knock.
With the small opening of the door, the old butler poked his head into the room. "Ms Oxford has requested your presence as the dinner is ready.".
With that, the three women stood up on their feet before they followed the butler down to the dining hall. There, they were met by a broad table, with food all throughout the middle of it.
"Please do be seated," spoke out a woman.
Both Eileen and Tamara thought that she must be Ms Oxford.
"How do you do, girls? I hope all is well!" she greeted all the women. The kindness and sincerity in her voice caught both Tamara and Eileen off guard.
"Quite well, Ma'am," responded Eileen, looking over to Tamara who gave her a nod. "I hope you are well too.".
"I am, I am. Thank you very much for asking," the woman responded. "And by the way, pardon me for not introducing myself. I am Diana's mother, Marissa Oxford.".
"I am Eileen Clarke and this is my younger sister, Tamara Clarke.".
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Marissa responded, a sincere smile of joy evolving on her lips.
"The pleasure is all ours, Ma'am," responded Tamara.
"I'd love to talk more, but I am worried you girls might be hungry. Please, do serve yourselves with whatever it is you'd like," Marissa replied. And seconds later, she watched as the three women stretched their arms out and took anything into their plates that were of appeal.
It wasn't long before the chatter had returned to the table.
"There are 6 Clarke sisters, am I right in saying that?" Marissa inquired.
"Yes, yes that is correct," Tamara responded. "I apologise...".
Marissa furrowed her brows ever so slightly, confused. "Why so?".
Tamara let a small smile of guilt grow on her lips. "More sisters were meant to come. I know it was said to Diana already, but I wanted to sincerely apologise to you too, Ma'am. I wouldn't want it to be thought of as a bad gesture on the behalf of my sisters.".
"Oh, my lord, never, never. I'd have never suspected such a thing. I know how busy it can be being a young woman. So no offense is taken whatsoever.".
"Thank you, Ma'am, sincerely. Thank you.".
A smile beamed from Marissa. "You are most welcome, my child. Now eat you, you better all eat up before the food goes completely cold!". Then she paused for a second as she looked toward her daughter. "Diana, sweetheart, after if you'd like, you can show around the house to your friends.".
"Sure, Mama," responded Diana.
And with that, only minutes later, the women left their plates behind, stood up, and followed Diana who escorted them outside.
From there, they began their way on a narrow path that seemed to have gone on for ages.
"My mother loves you both already. The other sisters too, but you two the most," Diana spoke out.
"I am glad, she seems very nice. Different from what I have expected," said Tamara.
"In what sense do you mean as such?" Diana asked curiosity expressed in her words as to what her reply would be.
"You and your mother seem so alike. She's just as pleasant as you, Diana.".
Diana smiled at Tamara's words. "Thank you.".
And then, for the mere few minutes that followed, silence reoccupied the air between the three women as they walked down the dirt road.
It was at some time that Diana said to turn left. From there, they passed through a gate that lead them into some sort of a park. There was a big fountain in the middle with trees scattered all throughout the broad area that was enclosed but walls of hedges.
Paved walkways stretched throughout the park too, allowing them from one side of the park to the other.
The girls decided to stop and sit down by the fountain.
"This looks magnificent..." Tamara said, her eyes not moving from the structure.
"Thank you, I think it's rather magnificent too..." Diana responded. "I think Theo did a really good job with this part of the yard.".
It took a moment for her words to sink within Tamara. "Theo? As in Theodore?".
Diana looked at Tamara before nodding. "The one and only...".
She looked around the park once again before asking, "This is all his?".
Diana let out a gentle chuckle. "You seem surprised!".
"I will admit that... that I am, but just a bit..." Tamara replied.
The smile on Diana's face slowly began to recede. "I must ask you something, Tamara...".
"Yes? What is it, Diana?".
"Must I give you both some space? I don't mind taking a step back," Eileen said.
To that, Diana replied with, "No need for such. Unless Tamara wants otherwise.".
"No need for such.".
Then, Diana cleared her throat. "I have noticed something in Theodore's behaviour recently... and I just wanted to know if something is happening between you and him?". She paused. "Don't get me wrong, Tamara, if something is happening, I don't want to involve myself in such, but I want to know if there is something going on. It would go on to explain why he is the way he is in recent times.".
Eileen furrowed her brows at such words, all while Tamara stared off into the distance.
"Truthfully..." Tamara began, she tried to swallow the lump that grew in her throat. "There is nothing going on between him and me.".