Winston dropped his hands to his sides. “Does a wife make you happy?”
“She does make me happy, but that is not why I am happy,” Brown replied. “Unless one is truly happy within one’s own heart, one cannot be happy no matter the circumstances.”
With a sigh, Winston said, “I was afraid you were going to say that.” He walked over to the door, pausing for a moment. “Good day, Brown.”
Once Winston was alone in the corridor, he felt a deep sense of emptiness. He was never going to be happy. Not even taking a wife would change that. Which was a relief since he didn’t want one. Especially now. Perhaps he should just retire to the cottage on his sheep farm and live out the remainder of his days. Alone.
Winston started down the stairs and he saw Elodie was speaking to White. She turned towards him. “Good morning, Brother.”
“Good morning,” he greeted.
Elodie observed him for a moment before saying, “You don’t look as awful as I thought you would.”
“You must have been talking to Melody,” Winston remarked.
“I was, and I saw the metal basin being brought up thestairs for you,” Elodie said. “How bad was your night last night?”
Winston winced. “It wasn’t the best.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” Elodie asked.
“No.”
Elodie smiled. “Well, don’t say that I didn’t try,” she said. “Besides, Melody told me that you weren’t in a chatty mood.”
Winston ran a hand through his hair. “It would appear that Melody is the chatty one this morning.”
“Well, the coach is out front, waiting to take you to Mattie’s cottage,” Elodie said, her smile growing.
“I thought I would wait until Brown ordered flowers to be delivered to their cottage,” Winston shared.
Elodie bobbed her head in approval. “That is a fine idea. What shall we do while we wait?” She glanced towards the drawing room, her eyes twinkling. “We could always practice our embroidery.”
“I don’t embroider.”
Placing a hand to the side of her mouth, Elodie whispered, “I am not very good at it. But Mother is insistent I work on it. Like a performing monkey.”
Winston chuckled. “You are not a performing monkey.”
“I am not complaining,” Elodie responded with a slight shrug. “I saw monkeys perform tricks at the traveling circus and I thought they were adorable.”
“Well, as informative as this conversation is, I think I shall go eat something,” Winston said. “Melody requested a tray be sent to my room, but I finished dressing before it arrived.”
Elodie took a step towards him. “I’ll join you.”
Winston sighed inwardly. He wanted to be alone, knowing he was in rather a foul mood. “That wasn’t an invitation.”
“I know, but I think you could use the company,” Elodie insisted. “Follow me. If we hurry, there might be some plum cake left over from breakfast.”
Winston knew he had no choice but to follow after his sister. At least he would get some plum cake out of it.
Mattie sat in the drawing room of her cottage, diligently working on her needlework. Her cousin, Franny, was sitting next to her, quietly reading a book. Across the room, Emma lounged in their father’s armchair, a look of utter boredom plastered on her face.
“Can we go into the village?” Emma asked, her voice dripping with whiny impatience.
Mattie lowered her needlework to her lap and looked up. “Whatever for?” she asked. “We do not need anything.”
“It might save me from dying from boredom,” Emma responded dramatically.
