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Fenella nodded curtly, her lips curling to a smile. They both remained there for a moment longer, appreciating the short yet comforting silence that found them—Eloise didn’t have many friends in her life, so the thought of finally finding one made her grin in excitement.
“Is it all right if we prepare to get going? It’s almost time…” said Fenella.
“Have you decided to keep your hair down then?”
“I suppose I could do so just this once.” Fenella placed the daisy in her hair once more, adjusting it a little behind her ears. “If you truly believe it looks beautiful.”
“Oh, I do!” Eloise wrapped a hand around Fenella’s arm, guiding them to the door. It had already grown dark and the moonlight illuminated through the window inside the room, its shimmer disappearing the moment they stepped outside into the hallway. They continued walking arm in arm, all the way to a private undercroft.
They both stood in front of the door, with Fenella adding some final adjustments to her hair and dress, noticeably trying to look her best. And truly, she looked more beautiful than many of those wealthy Ladies present at balls. Her curly, red halo contrasted with the cream dress, and she almost looked like a fairy tale nymph.
“I should get going now,” Eloise whispered.
Fenella clasped Eloise’s arm tighter, stopping her from walking away. “Not yet. I want you to meet him…more closely…and well, I’m too scared to go inside by myself.”
Eloise’s muscles softened and relaxed, and she simply nodded. She felt like a big sister, trying to take care of and encourage her younger one, all the while playing matchmaker. And although she wasn’t much older than Fenella, their age difference was still noticeable.
The door opened quietly, revealing the sight of a well-dressed Gregory, with his hair slicked back, allowing his blue eyes to pop further. He wore a formal suit that looked quite big on his slender frame, and it seemed as if he had it pinned by the side, so it appeared more tight-fitting than it really was. He stood next to a round table that was enough to seat two people, and in his hands, he tightly grasped a bouquet of flowers.
“Fenella,” he proclaimed with a satisfied sigh. “And My Lady.”
Both women stepped inside, and Eloise couldn’t miss the way the room had been decorated. The round table he was standing next to had a simplistic, beige tablecloth on it, two plates by each side, and a red candle in the middle, enough to create a romantic ambience for the couple. A few flowers had also been placed atop some furniture by the wall, enough to change the grimdark atmosphere of the room.
“You look…beautiful,” Gregory said as he took a better look at Fenella.
Fenella blushed while Eloise stood to the side, not wanting to interrupt the moment.
“Here, My Lady,” Gregory stepped closer to Eloise, handing her a glass of wine, “this is for you.”
“Oh, there’s no need. I should get going now. I’ll leave you two to enjoy your date,” she replied.
“Stay for a moment longer, please,” Fenella encouraged, “we have all night for our date—I mean—hours—we’re not going to spend all night together.”
Eloise giggled at the maid’s jumpiness. “It’s all right. I understood what you meant.”
“I know it wasn’t part of your plans to remain in the Castle, but it appears you’re enjoying your time,” Gregory said.
“I have to admit I am.” Eloise’s mind traveled to her kiss and her…experience with Simon, and she instantly found her heart beating faster. But she pushed the thoughts away, afraid they would soon be painted over her face for everyone to see. “It’s unusual, calm, and exciting all the same. I can’t say I wouldn’t trade it for the Lyndon Estate in a heartbeat,” she muttered.
“The great Richmond Castle can do that to you. I’ve been working here for three years, yet this is my first winter here. Fenella here,” he pointed accusingly as to tease her, “disagrees.”
“I do—I prefer its gardens. The inside is boring once you’ve navigated it twenty times a day,” Fenella said, “But he hasn’t, so of course, it’s exciting for him.”
Eloise found herself laughing at the bickering of the young couple, and for a moment, she wondered if she could ever be like this with Simon. After what they did together, she felt that they had somehow grown closer, in a shamelessly hopeless way. They were not really a couple, not by name, at least.
She also wondered if, after this snowstorm ordeal concluded, they would somehow keep in touch. Maybe even more. He didn’t seem the type, though the staff made sure to mention how good of a man he was at every opportunity, so maybe…just maybe.
Her eyes trailed a high-up window frame, the moon already out and shining right their way. It was getting late.
“I’ll get going now. Please, enjoy your time together.”
“Goodnight, Milady,” Fenella said.
“Goodnight.”
Eloise pulled open the wooden door and exited the room. She wanted to push all thoughts of Simon away somehow, and the only way to do that was to rest. She proceeded up the spiral staircase and out of the undercroft, making her way toward the east wing of the Richmond Castle, to her makeshift bedchamber. The walk felt as though it lasted for hours.
Until right then, from what sounded like the far reaches of the Castle, Simon’s anguished grunts reached her ears.
