“This is the most fun I have had in a long time,” said Ellen.
“I am glad to hear that,” Gerard replied.
They sat there in silence for a while until Gerard motioned for them to go outside to watch the stars. As they walked, they ended up faced with Andrew who had appeared with Marjorie at his side.
“Where are you headed, Sister?”
But before Ellen could answer, Marjorie was already pulling the half-tipsy Andrew away from them. Ellen caught Marjorie giving her a wink. Ellen laughed and called for her lady’s maid to act as a chaperone, and the trio stepped outside.
“The stars in London are pretty, but these are truly beautiful,” Ellen gushed.
“I know. It’s one of my favorite things about this place.”
“You are so lucky that you get to stare at this all night.”
“Yes, I suppose I must be.”
“When I was a child, I used to pretend I could ride the stars, I would imagine myself being on top of them and just floating along.” Gerard chuckled at her story. “Don’t laugh at me. Surely, there must have been something equally ridiculous you did and believed as a child.”
Gerard shook his head.
“I do not believe you, Gerard. Spill it.”
“All right. If you so insist.”
“Yes, tell me!”
Gerard sighed. “When I was little, I used to think that the moon had healing powers, so when no one was watching, I would stand outside under the moon, shut my eyes tight, and pray for healing.”
“Did it work?” Ellen asked, curious.
“Of course not. I caught a cold instead, and that made everything worse.”
Ellen laughed. “Oh, Gerard, I never heard that one before, but it would not surprise me, you know. It’s like you said, you like to live and enjoy life. Your soul wasn’t made to be still in a place.”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
“I think we should be heading back now. The festival would soon be over, and I don’t want Andrew and Marjorie searching for me,” Ellen said.
“All right.” Gerard stood up and held her hands to help her up. He kissed her until she forgot where she was; he kissed her until she forgot about the moon and Andrew and Marjorie. He kissed her until she forgot how to breathe.
“I thought you were helping me up on my feet,” Ellen asked, smiling at him. She realized that she could get used to this for the rest of her life, and the thought of that sobered her.
“I was. Do you want me to carry you or are you stable enough to walk?”
Ellen informed him that she could walk, and they went back inside to join the others. She found Andrew and Marjorie singing along with the villagers, Ellen grinned, glad that they were able to put aside their differences in stations with the villagers and enjoy the event. Ellen also thought about how such a good pair they would make if they weren’t always bickering.
ChapterTen
“Ellen! Stop slouching!” the Dowager cried. “I did not give you the best of education and training to watch you disregard them.”
The Dowager Duchess of Grant walked with every inch of her title. It seeped in her tone as she talked to the servants; when she was in a room, she walked with the grace of one who knew that she had married into the highest nobility. Her fair hair was always coiled in a chignon, and her cold blue eyes were penetrating. Selina Bamber was raised to become a Duchess from a very young age. She was taught that her own dreams and thoughts did not matter. Her role was to satisfy and serve her husband, and she had lived out that role and was now determined to pass that on to her daughter as well, her daughter who was now seated before her.
Ellen adjusted accordingly. “I am sorry, Mama.” It had been three weeks since they had visited Ridlington, and Gerard had not called on her again since then. Her mother had also returned from her trip to visit her ailing father, and she refused to tell Ellen how the man fared. Andrew was silent on the matter too.
“Your manners of late have been poor; you have been recalcitrant and exhibited selfishness I never taught you. I have also seen you dilly-dally with the servants, and just the other day, I caught you sneaking from the servant quarters late in the night! I will only ask you this one time, Ellen. What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing, Mama,” Ellen replied.
