Once I stepped foot into the house I went straight to mother's chamber. I had a lot to talk to her about. Mrs Williams had walked faster than she had ever done in her life. Why do I feel, that despite our various encounters she is still not comfortable with me? She avoided me as if I were a plague. Was it because I was younger?
Earlier this morning, before Dennis walked into my painting room, I saw her talking to him about something. She was so respectful calm, and polite while talking to him.
But here I was, even after offering a little of my help all I get is a cold glance and resentment. Something still whispers to me that she held a grudge against me. Maybe because of our first encounter or…., it could be something else.
"Mother…"
She was with the children who were seated on her bed scattered with….. portraits.
"You seem very busy."
She laughed. "As you can see. They ask so many questions at a time. Come and sit."
They were seated on the bed asking who was who and pointing at the portraits.
"You curious birds," I took a seat at the one settee in the room near the bed. "You've destroyed the poor woman's bed with these…."
"Paintings!" Bo answered.
"And we can't wait to visit your painting room!" They chorused as if the idea had just struck them.
"No, no, no!" I waved at them. "I don't want to see you both there until I invite you."
"And when would you invite us?!"
As they ranted Mother only laughed so loudly. She was having pleasure with them.
"This weekend," I answered unprepared. "But for God's sake keep quiet now."
"Yes, uncle." They shrank back with smiles on their faces.
"We are going to visit his painting room." They murmured.
I let out a breath. "Who even brought down these paintings from the walls?"
"It was….oh, there she is."
The door opened and she came in with a tray of hot tea. She settled them on the table.
"Are they satisfied now, madame? Have you managed to answer all their questions?"
"As you can see, I have tried." She laughed again. "They're learning their names."
She smiled softly with her hands clasped together in front. "That's sweet."
She stood in the middle of the chamber and watching her from my angle. I still couldn't help it…. Admiring her! The woman was beauty manifested. From her stance…. Everything was pleasing to the eyes.
I wanted to know more. I wanted to find out more. The fact that she was here and no one knows not even a little about her was making me all mystified with her secretive self.
"Ahem!" I cleared my throat. "Mother I would like to speak to you."
"Sure, son. Mrs Williams…."
"Come, come on Bo and Bell." She beckoned on them who climbed down the bed immediately, respectfully.
"Kisses?"
"Of course grandma!" They pecked her cheeks and she glowed with a smile. Her heart was full of joy as she watched them.
The housekeeper took their hands as they left the room.
"You want to see the garden….."
Their voice faltered away.
She retrieved her legs back into the duvet that had been rumpled by the children.
"Let me help you with that."
I stood to remove the paintings from the bed keeping them on top of a chair in the corner to give her more space.
"Thank you, my dear. So, tell me, what is it you want to discuss with me?"
I sat back on the sofa which I pulled closer to her.
"It's about Lily."
"Lily, what happened to Lily? Is she alright?…."
"She is fine mother. That's not what I'm here to talk about."
"Did your meeting go well?"
"It went well. But that is also where the problem lies." I leaned forward. "I won't marry Lily, not now nor in the future."
"But why son? Why the sudden change of mind?"
"It's not a change of mind, my mind had been set a long time ago. Even as children, I took her as my sister, a friend, I never for once even as I am now, imagine myself being with Lily as man and wife."
"Good friends make good marriage mates. I and your father…."
"Please don't bring father into this."
She drew back, dropping it.
"She's a good girl, and from a good family as ours…"
"I do not care if they are a good or bad family, all I want is to clear the fact, that I would never wed her. She is not it for me. I won't."
"Son!"
"I have already made it clear with her and Mrs white."
"You didn't have to go that far! What did you say to them?"
"That it would never be possible."
"If you reject Lily, then who else would you find? Do you have someone else? Do you think good and pure young girls are easy to find these days? And not just that, what kind of girl from that typical kind of family would you find? They are wealthy, she is Young, beautiful, untainted…"
"You don't have to worry about that, women and girls are everywhere. I sure will find one if I ever decide to! Lily is not that innocent and pure… and clean as you think. What makes you think she deserves all your Praise?"
"Because I want to give her my praise. I don't care how others see her. I give my praise to whom I think it is due."
"Fine then. But I am glad I have made it clear."
I stood up to leave.
"And in that your search for the befitting wife, it better not be one like Mandelyn Madoc."
I froze.