AllFreeNovel
Share Us
William should be returning tomorrow evening. Elizabeth was beginning to feel a bit restless, that apprehensive feeling not disappearing at all. She would feel better if he was here. At least, she wouldn’t have to crawl into bed on her own, but could fall asleep in his arms.
Just be patient. He will return soon. We’ll decide how to approach Father soon. And we will think of how we can best break the news to Lord Horenwall soon. There’s no need to be so on edge.
“I’m finished, My Lady,” Minnie said, cutting into her thoughts. She put the brush back on the vanity table and stepped away. Elizabeth looked at her through the mirror, giving her a smile.
“Thank you, Minnie. You’ve made my stay here quite welcoming.”
Despite the growing darkness, Elizabeth caught sight of the pink that brightened Minnie’s cheeks. She bowed her head a bit. “I did nothing, My Lady.”
“How modest of you to say. You’ve been a wonderful friend to me and for that, I am grateful.”
“W-well, you’re welcome, My Lady.” Minnie paused for a moment then spoke again. “Are you going somewhere, Lady Elizabeth?”
“Why do you ask?”
“It sounds as if you’re making your farewells,” Minnie admitted in a soft voice.
Elizabeth smiled. Rising, she turned to face the lady’s maid. “There’s no need to look so downcast,” she told her gently. “Even if I might be leaving this manor, I have every intention of coming back. I wouldn’t leave you behind.”
Minnie lifted her gaze, tentative, hopeful. Elizabeth smiled brightly at her, and felt a bit of that trepidation from earlier dissipate. “I understand, My Lady,” Minnie said with a small smile of her own.
“There is one more thing I would like to ask of you,” Elizabeth said.
Minnie’s brows raised slightly in question. “Yes, My Lady?”
“I would like a few sheets of paper and a quill,” Elizabeth said. “Could you bring this to me?”
“Certainly, My Lady!” Minnie was already rushing to the door, eager.
Elizabeth couldn’t help laughing at Minnie’s willingness to do whatever she could for her. She hadn’t been lying before. She did plan on returning to the manor, as the Duchess of Brandon this time. But before then…
Elizabeth returned to the vanity table, her nightgown shifting around her body. The tension was creeping back into her limbs, the urge to do something. She didn’t want to leave everything up to William. It was her father; Lord Horenwall was her betrothed. She had to do something, rather than hide behind William, which she was sure he was expecting her to do.
Soon enough, Minnie returned bearing the sheets of paper, a quill, and a pot of ink, resting it on the desk by Elizabeth’s armoire. Then, as Elizabeth went over to claim the seat behind the desk, Minnie went through the room lighting more candles, putting a few more than usual at the desk. Elizabeth hadn’t even realized that she’d been sitting in semi-darkness the entire time without only two candles on the vanity table to light the room.
Minnie bid her goodnight before leaving the room for good this time, leaving Elizabeth to her thoughts once more. Once she was gone, Elizabeth turned her attention to the blank pieces of paper.
She didn’t know how to begin.
She should at least tell her father that she was fine, that she was planning on returning home soon. That, at least, would help to lessen his shock when she came back to him with William by her side—she hoped. But she didn’t know how to begin it.
She began the salutations, addressing it casually it at first. Before she could begin the first sentence, she crossed it out and shoved the paper to the side. She didn’t have much paper on hand to waste, so she knew she didn’t have much room for error.
So, this time, she sat and deliberated how best to begin and still came up with nothing. It was unusual not knowing what to say to her own father. He’d always been quite easy to talk to, a jovial man who had the power to make her feel relaxed in nearly any situation. But this time, knowing just how upset and disappointed he was likely to be with her, Elizabeth couldn’t bring herself to write anything. Her mind had gone utterly blank.
“Oh, heavens, Elizabeth, stop being a coward,” she chided, annoyed with herself. She left the pen in the pot of ink and stood. “A walk should clear my head somewhat.”
Picking up one of the candles on the table, she made her way to the door and slipped out. She didn’t know where exactly where she should go, so she headed down the hallway towards the front of the manor.
The memory of the last time she’d decided to go for a walk so late whispered through her mind, bringing a smile to her lips. She’d been so frustrated by her thoughts that night, only to find herself within William’s bed shortly after. Looking back, it was almost impossible to believe how quickly things had shifted.
