OOC: Tags to
@visualspice !
Their mother had gone insane. They'd seen it in her eyes once the draft had been announced. They'd known things would be bad after that, but they never imagined it would come to this!
It had started two months prior. Raejh announced a nation-wide draft. Ever man, "man!" their mother had scoffed in disbelief, over the age of fifteen who had not yet served in the military was obliged to enlist. Effective immediately. They had all known what that meant. The pronouncement of the draft had come only weeks after Milo Gray's fifteenth birthday. Milo was the eldest child of Dahlia Gray and - now that he was legally "a man" according to the new laws - Lord Gray. Dahlia had used all the influence she could muster, pulled every possible string, and arranged for Milo to be a clerk to a colonel. Not
immediate cannon fodder. It was all she could do, and it wasn't enough.
Dahlia had started looking differently at her younger two children, Lily and Riley, immediately after that. They could tell she was planning something, had tried every way they could think of to get her to tell them what it was, but Dahlia shook them off every time. And when she finally did tell them, they were horrorstruck. What did she mean? Serendipity? Boarding school? Trading contacts who would help the once they arrived? Arrived? In Serendipity? Leave Connlaoth? And what was worse, in two days! She told them only two days before she was going to send them away! To Serendipity!
She was mad.
It was Riley who had come up with their plan. Lily hadn't liked it at first, but even she had to admit it was better than the alternative. They left a note, saying they wouldn't go, they wouldn't be sent away, and they would come home once their mother agreed to their demands. Then they packed what little things they could carry, paid fare on a public coach, and made their way to Highheart.
That was how the two children, now 10 and 13, ended up at the front door of Lord Edward Draven's Highheart Estate. They looked ragtag in assorted traveling clothes they'd picked themselves. And unkempt from the journey. And, oddest of all, was their 'traveling companions.' On his own, Riley might have looked like a noble, if ruffled, boy. A sleek deerhound trotted alongside of him, and perched on his shoulder was a hooded hunting kestrel. His sister, however, was another story. Perched on one shoulder, peeking out from behind her cloud of red curls, was a large, white-and-brown rat. On the other shoulder was a little screech owl. Peeking out of a deep pocket of her traveling cloak were the bright eyes of a ferret, and the croak of a frog came from the cloak's breast pocket. In a bag that looked like I ought to be used of clothes, the ears of two large rabbits could be seen, one white and one red. And tied to her other bag (which, in addition to clothing, held an unseen tortoise) was a small wire cage that held behind its narrow bars a goldfinch with a broken wing, perched precariously on a twig pushed through the cage.
"Are you sure about this?" Lily asked her brother with a sideways look. While she'd grown to tolerate the strange place the master of this estate had found in their family, she'd never warmed to him.
No, coming here was Riley's idea. And it was he who nodded assuredly and said, "Yes, I'm sure. Lord Edward is my friend. He'll help us."
With that decided, the boy stepped forward and with a hearty tug, pulled the bell rope.
When the door had been rung, Lord Draven had been expecting it. After all, Lady Rosalie Parks was to be expected. Tonight's dinner was most important. He and the young lady had been courting for some time, and despite his initial resistance to the idea to wed already, the woman he found was quite lovely and sweet- the perfect woman any could be. But even as they enjoyed private strolls around his gardens, or even through the streets of his home town, he could not help himself but think to Lady Gray- to whom he had not heard from for ages. And it took a considerable amount of effort to focus on that lady at hand. But with pressure from the Duke of Highheart, who proposed and arranged the courtship, Edward had done his best to focus on her, and only her. After all, Dahlia Gray hadn't shown interest, or what he believed to be, in himself in any romantic sort of way.
Sure, he adored her and her company, adored her kids that he had grown so fond of- even young Lily, whom he knew hated him, but couldn't completely hate him so, despite her outward rudeness towards him. Part of him knew and understood why, so when he had climbed up a tree after her in hopes to make her realize he was friend not foe and broke his arm over it...
Well..
He'd never in a million years hold that against her. In fact, it was her free spirit he admired, and how quick her tongue was and how she was always truthful. Much so was her mother....
But it surprised even him to think Dahlia was not on his mind that day. He was actually becoming excited over the prospect to propose. Yes, he had been unwed for years, and without companionship of that nature that he so craved. And Lady Parks adored Britta, and Britta her. Surely she'd be a good mother, and she was young enough to give him plenty more children.
Perhaps, he thought as he looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting his cravate, they could have a lot of children, just like Dahlia Gray. And at such a thought, he paused to stare at himself in the mirror.
There he was again, thinking of poor Miss Gray.
SO the ring at the door was a welcomed distraction, and hastily he rushed down the stairs, waving off his servants. No, he wante dto be the one to greet Lady Parks upon her arrival. But when he threw the door open, all smiles and only a tiny bit disheveled and out of breath from his run, he was surprised that he had to look down, and his eyes caught sight of two familiar children of Miss Gray's.
Taken back, his face twisted into confusion.
"Riley?.... Lily?" And he looked around quickly to see...
"Where is your mother?"
"Off her rocker, that's where she is, " Lilly answered loudly without so much as a hello. It was followed shortly by, "Can we come in? We need to stay with you for a few days."
Riley, who was already looking apologetic for his sister said hastily, "What she means, Lord Draven, is could we please come in and talk? We need somewhere to stay and we were hoping you would help us."
Lily rolled her eyes at this, and was already looking past Edward for a way in. After all, he was so soft they knew he'd let them. And it seemed Lilly still didn't want to interact with him any more than she had to.
Seeming not to fully register Lilly's first comment about her mother having gone crazy, what he did catch was the children needed a place to stay- and wanted to stay here with him! Immediately he thought the worst, a hand to his chest.
"Is your mother okay? She is not ill.. hurt?"
And he felt his heart ba-dum at the idea...
...dead?
No, a strong woman like Dahlia Gray could surely not be!
And he wasted no time, gesturing for the kids to follow.
"Please, yes, do come in. Please!" And he was, for the moment, ignorant of their animal entourage.
"'Hurt?'" Lily repeated, wasting no time following Edward into the house. After all, all these animals didn't like staying in bags and cages and pockets! She'd need to let them out. Plus she just wasn't patient when it came to Edward Draven. "She's not hurt, she's just gone mad."
Riley followed behind his sister, and looked up worriedly at Edward. He, at least, could see the man's concern. "No, no, she's fine," he started to explain - though Lily interrupted with a "Fine?!" - "we can explain it all, really. We just need to stay for a few days, if you can help us and let us stay here..."
He drew up short, though, because just then the butler arrived to bring a drink for his lord and Lady Parks. What he found was something else entirely. And while Edward might not have noticed the strange company, the butler stared open-mouthed at the grubby, disheveled children. And the dog. And the kestrel. And the owl. And the rabbits. And the rat. And the goldfinch. Good thing he couldn't see the rest of the creatures Lily had stowed away in her pockets.
"Um... my lord?" he asked hesitantly, entirely unsure what to do!
"Oh thank heavens she's okay!" Edward breathed out a relieved sigh. He needed a moment to collect himself, his heart had nearly stopped, after all! But at the sound of his butler, it tore him from the moment as he turned to the man and exclaimed, "Oh! Milk!" he went on, clapping his hands. "Bring these children some cookies and milk!" And to the kids, and assured them, "And we can discuss all of this over the table. But let's get you washed up and umm..."
Well, what was he to do about the animals? They seemed to already be making themselves at home in his house!
Milk and cookies? What, did he think they were babies? Though both of the kids had that thought, neither of them voiced it. Because, well... they were hungry and cookies sounded great!
But Lilly caught the look Edward and the butler were giving the animals. "What? They're part of the family. We'll need some food for them, too, though."
Edward looked at the exasperated butler and only nodded.
"Yes, all of them.." he said, gesturing to the entire lot, animals and all. "Will need something to eat." And he smiled down at Lilly and Riley. "I'm sure your journey has been long."
The children followed the butler to the side-by-side guest rooms they would stay in. The rooms, Lily noted, were a bit out of the way, but that suited her just fine. Riley, however, wondered vaguely why they were being kept so far away from the rest of the manor. Because the animals, maybe?
They unpacked and begrudgingly took the baths prepared for them. After they were cleaned and dressed, the butler sent up a few servants with food for the animals, insisting that there was no need for the small zoo to leave the wing of the manor they'd been relegated to. All that was left was to feed the children.
So they were escorted to a little sitting room, given cookies and milk and tea and sandwiches, and left to their own devices awaiting the lord of the manor.
And while they enjoyed their tea, Edward discussed the reasons for their visit with his butler. ANd.. to his discretion, told him to be discrete and send a letter out that he wrote while the children bathed and to make haste in its delivering to Dahlia. Naturally their mother would be panic stricken. But he hoped it would be delivered in a timely manner and that Dahlia would be with some relief to know the children were okay. And at her convenience, he could bring them back home, or she could come to them.
Once that was taken care of, Edward freshened up and found the kids enjoying their milk and cookies and he took a seat that was empty beside the two of them and smiled.
"So I take it you've all had quite the long journey?" he began, figuring to strike up a leisurely conversation rather than pressing the children on why they were being so disobedient to their mother. He didn't want to scare them away, after all, and took a bite of a cookie after dipping it into some milk ladened tea.
"Yes, it's a longer journey when you go by public coach," Lily replied brusquely. She might have finished with something like, 'We can't all traipse around the countryside in our private coach and horse, but perhaps because Edward was putting them up, she stayed her tongue. Lily had always been quick to give Edward a hard time about having more money and a higher rank than the Grays had, and took some sort of reverse pride in being from a more 'down to earth' family.. Perhaps ever since she'd learned that Edward had been able to leave the military when his daughter was born, while her father had not. Whatever it was, she always made it clear that Edward was spoiled and soft.
Perhaps sensing what his sister was holding back, Riley shot her a warning glance, but she shrugged it off.
Turning to Edward, he said, "It wasn't so bad, really. I think it was harder on the animals than on us. Thank you so much for letting us stay, Lord Draven," of course, Edward hadn't exactly said they could stay yet... he'd just let them in! "We shouldn't need to stay for more than a few days, I hope."
There was something slightly off about the way Riley looked at Edward, though, despite his politeness and generally more pleasant manner than his sister. A hint of hurt behind his eyes, and a higher degree of formality than he'd normally use with Edward. Riley, of course, had been the closest to Edward of the Gray children. Not just by comparison; he'd come to think of Edward as a friend and... well... a bit of a father figure. So when Edward had stopped visiting them, the boy couldn't help but be hurt by it. Even if it had been Dahlia who had stopped replying to Edward, surely Edward still could have written him?
Edward smiled at the children, finding words lost at the tip of his tongue. Though once he found them again, he nodded.
"A few days would be wonderful. Britta and I could use the company. I'm sure you all remember her? She's a little older now, and says the most charming of things! She'll be elated she has other children to play with-" And he paused to consider the other guests. "And your... animals, as well," he made sure to add.
Lily stared at Edward. She hated the rose -tinted glasses he saw the whole world through. The way he sugar-coated everything he said. Acting as though he hadn't heard the oblique insult in Lily's words, or hadn't seen the hurt in her brother's face that was so obvious to her. No, there were no problems in Edward Draven's world. They were all just going to have a happy fun little visit together. Cookies and tea and so many spoons of sugar she could gag on it. He hadn't even asked...
"Don't you want to know why we're here?" she asked in a flat, almost annoyed tone. She didn't really want to talk with him about it, but she wanted very much to wipe that stupid smile off his face.
At the blunt question, Edward's expression sobered.
"Of course," he went on, looking between the children with a frown. "But I did not feel it was my place to press. I'm sure you all have your reasons and when you wish to speak of it, I'm all ears."
"You don't think you should ask," Lily responded incredulously, "two children why they left their home alone in a time of war and had to ask a stranger," that, of course, was an intentional dig on Edward, "to stay with him? Isn't that... irresponsible?"
Riley shot her a look, but Lily ignored him. She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back in her chair. "That's fine, then. We hardly need to talk to you about it."
Riley looked between his sister and Edward. He knew she didn't mean to be so rude. Well, sort of didn't. But Edward had always upset her, and he understood why. Still, he turned his head back to Edward and mouthed and 'I'm sorry.'
"It's kind of you not to press, Lord Draven," still using a more formal language than he once would have with the Highheart lord. "You see, after Milo had to leave for the army, our mother... ," he paused, making a face that showed he was looking for words. "She wants to send us away. To Serendipity."
Edward, who should have begun to get used to the way the children treated him, was still out of his comfort zone. To have Lily be so forward with her tongue, and even to have Riley act different.... Well, it was just too much for him to take in at once. He, most of all, wanted to keep a level head about the situation, but even he knew what Lily said was right.
Though as Riley explained their plight, he simply nodded, eyes alight as he realized how this must affect them all.
"The conscription.." he murmured. For he too, wasn't without effect, however, none had yet to come to his door to post any such notice towards him. Though he knew two other lords nearby had gotten the official letter, he had a feeling only time would tell before he was called off to serve yet again.
But as their mother's plans were revealed, his eyes widened further.
"So far away?"
Though he couldn't say he thought it was foolish. Dahlia must be desperate... and he was soon worrying over their mother it was nearly making him sick.
"Your mother.." he began softly. "This must be so hard on her." And he looked between the two children. "And quite obviously for the pair of you, too. But please, feel free to stay here as long as you'd like. But I do worry for your mother.. Do you not think she would be tremendously ill with worry?"
Both children looked away guiltily. Because, of course, Edward was right, and they knew it. Dahlia would be panicked, there was no question about it. She'd been held together by a thread in the last few months as it was. But what choice did they have? She wanted to send them away, to Serendipity. But the accusation hit home, and an awkward silence ensued.
It was Lily who finally broke it. She'd been tenser in the silence than Riley, and she did not want to sit around with Edward and talk to him about it. And she certainly didn't want him to see her upset. "I'm going to go visit Britta," she said abruptly, jumping to her feet and walking straight out of the room before Edward or Riley would get any chance to answer.
The door bounced shut behind her, and Riley slumped in his seat. "Sorry about her," he muttered, still looking down. "It's not that she doesn't like you, it's just..." But he came up short. Because, of course, that's exactly what it was. "She's pretty upset about everything," he said instead.
Riley heaved a big sigh, looking up at Edward through his sandy blonde hair, which had flopped a little over his eyes. He seemed to have far too much weight on his shoulders for his ten years. "Thanks again for letting us stay here. I didn't know where else to go. Any of our aunts or uncles would've sent us straight home - and they're all crazy, anyway - and our godfather, he was part of the plan, to send us away, I mean," he said, the sound of betrayal clear in his voice. "I know our mom'll be worried, but I didn't know what else to do. We can't go, I mean, to Serendipity?"
He looked plaintively at Edward, his face beseeching the nobleman to agree with him ,to confirm that the idea of being sent so far away was ludicrous.
Lord Draven was silent for a good long time. He understood the child's plight, but knew the severity of both situations.
"Things are getting worse.... the war is affecting everyone and everything."
Even those who tried not to get involved. With hiring taxes and more men needed to do the fighting... Connlaothian's were wearing thin, and continued to look towards the palace, and towards the great Angsar Chapel, in hopes to find a means to an end.
"I don't know if your mother was crazy in her idea," he told Riley, honestly. "If things became as challenging for me as they are for your mother... I'd probably waste no time in sending Britta somewhere safer."
He knew it wasnt' something Riley wanted to hear, especially after being accepted into his home without much questioning after their long journey, but Edward wasn't a man to know to lie.
"But to be taken away from your home and sent abroad to someplace strange.... is that really any safer than the chaos we suffer here? Either way, I don't think your mother will ever find remedy for her suffering, but some ease knowing you're someplace away from this war. Many are exhausted, tired of it. It's tearing apart the country side, all our homes.... ANd one has to wonder how it all ever came to be."
Riley's eyes went a little wide. Was Edward agreeing? Did everyone atn to see the children sent away? Wasn't there anyone who wanted them to stay? Both in Connlaoth and, well, in their lives? Because even though he was a child, Riley knew what going to Serendipity would mean. Just the journey there would be expensive, and dangerous. They wouldn't be able to just come home to visit for the holidays. They would be refugees. In a strange land, with strange people. And who knew if they'd ever see their family again? Or the people they cared about?
Of course, they didn't see Edward anymore, anyway.
This thought made Riley frown, and he looked determinedly at the grain in the table, trying to find patterns or shapes or images. He didn't really know what to say to the lord. Because he was both agreeing with Dahlia, on some level, and questioning her actions in front of her own son. Riley didn't know how to answer that.
"I think Lily blames me," he said instead, though he hastened to add, "but she's never said that. But I'm the one who'd be drafted once I'm old enough. Maybe Mom wouldn't send us both away if it weren't for that," he said glumly, frowning at his hands. "Now I think Mom's mad that she didn't send us earlier. It came -" his voice tightened for a moment before he continued, "the letter for Milo came just a week after his fifteenth birthday. And it's only for boys fifteen and older."
The reality that Milo was to go was like a cold knife sinking in deep. And someone was there to happily turn it. Edward grimaced. Fifteen...
That was young, far too young. Though like many others in his position, he hadn't spoken up against the matter, and suffered with the guilt the same as those condemning the young blood to war.
What irony, it would seem, that Milo would be conscripted, even after becoming somewhat of a hero for 'rescuing' the Grand Duke when the Hellvion castle was attacked. It seemed no one was immune to the 'cause'. It made him feel sick.
Turning to Riley, he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"The last thing you ought to do is blame yourself. War is something that's a power even beyond us. It is our unfortunate obligation for living in the times that we do. And I wish.. no, I pray I could have something to say to ease your thoughts over the matter... but I don't wish to lead you astray with diverting the truth."
Riley kept looking determinedly at the wood grain in the table. He didn't know what to make of Edward's words. And he felt somehow sad that it seemed none of the adults in his life wanted him to stay in Connlaoth. Wouldn't they miss him? Wasn't that more important?
He was silent for a long time and when he spoke again, it was to change the subject.
"We haven't seen you in a long time, Lord Draven," he said without looking up at Edward, and though he tried to keep his tone determinedly casual, the hurt in it was clear as a bell.
The tone was not missed as Edward frowned.
"I know," he told him softly. "And I suppose my excuse would be lame to state I was busy?" THough he wasn't sure if he meant it to be a question, or simply a statement. For yes, yes it was lame, and he- he truly felt far worse than that as he sighed.
"Yeah," Riley remarked glumly, still not looking at Edward and still trying courageously to keep his tone neutral, "adults are always busy."
At that moment, he was thinking of something Lily had said to him once. That grown men don't just befriend other people's sons for no reason. And that as soon as Edward either lost interest in their mother, or accepted she was unlikely to marry them, his interest in Riley would evaporate immediately. They'd been fighting a normal, sibling fight, and she'd apologized for saying it later having seen how much it hurt Riley, but it had stuck with him nonetheless.
And now he wondered if Edward's 'lame excuse' was confirmation of it. After all, someone who was really busy should at least be able to say, 'I've been really busy with...' or something else less nebulous.
Riley pushed away from the table, muttering, "I think I'm going to go see Britta, too."
But before he could make it as far as the door, the butler appeared. "M'lord," he said curtly to Edward, "Lady Rosalie has just arrived."
At the announcement, Edward shot out of his chair.
"So soon?"
But when the time was revealed, he could have cursed! He had lost track of the time, let alone the day, and barely had the thought and momentum to call after Riley, "Tell Britta and the others I will be there to see you all shortly!"
And to his butler, he frowned and asked, "Is she...?"
"She's already here... and inside, waiting for you in the study."
Edward felt his heart drop and tighten within his chest. His mind raced a mile a minute, becoming of no use to him. H ehad to shake it off, shake it all off before turning to the butler as he sighed and smoothed down his attire.
"You look fine, my lord."
"Y-yes.." he went on, smoothing back his hair. "I shouldn't keep a lady waiting."
And hastily, he made his way to the study, where the door was ajar and he could only make out a glimpse of the lady pacing inside.
Riley stared at the butler, then at Edward, mouth slightly open. Who was Lady Parks?! And the look he gave Edward obviously asked just that question! Even though he hadn't seen or heard from Edward in so long, even though he knew his mother would never want to be a duchess and Edward would be a duke, even though Lily had told him time and again to 'forget it'... Riley hadn't really given up on the idea that Edward should marry their mother. He might have told himself it wasn't going to happen, but in that moment he realized that deep down he'd held onto that hope. Maybe that was why he'd wanted to come here...
But Riley wasn't able to ask anything before a footman appeared to whisk the child away. The staff at Lord Draven's manor were well aware how important this evening was for their master, and the last thing Lady Parks needed to see was some other woman's children moping about! Riley was pushed away, wide-eyed. But he didn't go to Lily and Britta. Somehow he didn't think he could face Lily then. Instead he returned to the room they'd been provided and fetched his kestrel. Then he climbed to a turret had showed him on a previous visit - with the grandest view of the estate! - and slumped against the stone wall, gazing out over the rolling hills of Highheart. Taking the hood off the small bird of prey, he let it soar into the sky. Someone may as well enjoy themselves, he told himself.
Meanwhile, in Lord Draven's study, Rosalie Parks could not! imagine what was keeping her suitor! He'd known she'd be arriving! They'd sent word ahead of them! This was an important evening! Oh, of course, she didn't know know what was going to happen. But she knew. Tonight was the night. It had better be the night! Rosalie Parks had put a lot of time and effort into the bumbling duke-to-be of Highheart. She was ready for it to pay off!
But all these practical thoughts melted away when the belated lord finally appeared in his study and Rosalie beamed sweetly at the sight of him.
"Lord Draven!" she exclaimed, standing up as he entered and moving over to greet him, waiting for him to take and kiss her hand. She smiled and said in a tittering joke, "I was starting to fear you weren't looking forward to seeing me!"
The Duke to be probably looked more flustered than he'd like to. And he blushed in her presence. Despite her sweetness, he felt awful to have kept her waiting. He took her hand, drawing it to his lips in a soft kiss.
"I apologize, Lady Parks. I had some unexpected guests stop by that had stolen my attention so soon to your arrival. But do not worry, I am happy you are here and well."
At that, he offered her a warm smile, and looked into her pretty face. But he couldn't shake the thoughts now...
Of how Dahlia was fairing. Gods..s he was probably beside herself over the absence of her children..
And here he was, smiling and pretending things were okay just to adhere to social etiquette. An dinwardly, he was feeling terribler by the minute, so his smile might have looked strange, maybe even forced.
"How was your journey? You must be tired. Come, sit, we can share some tea together in the gardens if you'd like."
"Tea in the garden sounds perfect!" Lady Rosalie answered with a bright, pretty smile that did not reflect how she was feeling inside. She could tell he was distracted, and on a night where she needed his attention directed at her! But whereas some ladies might take great offense and cause a scene and ruin the entire evening, Lady Rosalie Parks was not one of them. She knew what she wanted, and she was going to get it.
So she smiled sweetly and looped her arm into Edward's to let him escort her to the gardens. And while they walked she looked up at him with a sweet, playful look asked, "But who are these unexpected guests you speak of? I hope you don't mean I'll have competition for your attention, Lord Draven!"
Edward sighed with relief she wasn't up in airs about the whole ordeal. But he decided it might be wise to release the details about his guest for a later time.
"They're the children of a close friend of mine. But don't worry," he knew propriety dictated no children at such social callings, even if it pained him to adhere to it. "They are well entertained and so we shall have the evening to ourselves."
He waved to his butler to go fetch some tea and continued to guide Lady Parks outside.
"Please, do have a seat, Lady Parks."
"Children? Unexpectedly here, on their own?" she repeated, looking up at Edward unable to hide her surprise? Children? What were children doing here? His brat was child enough! And once Britta was old enough to ship off to boarding school, the only children she would tolerate would be hers.
What were someone else's children doing here?
"That is... very unusual," she finally said, recovering herself a little. "Do you often have children dropping in on you unannounced? They must not have a very watchful mother. I would like keep my children close under my wings like a hen and chicks, when that day comes," she added, giving Edward a hopeful smile.
And from the turret above, one of those children watched in disbelief as Edward escorted out the Lady Rosalie and sat down with her for tea. And Riley did not like what he saw.
"Oh, I assure you, the children are darlings. But please, do not concern yourself. The evening's calling is for us to enjoy ourselves," And part of him knew it might mean a lot more. However, with all of these new complications, he could hardly consider being in the right state of mind to make that move. ANd he had an inkling that Lady Parks might have been expecting something, especially when she was invited to his manor,... alone.
The tea was brought in and Edward was thankful for the distraction.
"Ah, that smells divine." ANd as he poured each of them a cup, he asked her, "Do you still take it with honey and a dollop of cream?"
Rosalie Parks just kept a look of sweet attention as Edward explained the circumstances, masking the thoughts going on in her head. If those children ruined her evening, if she did not get was she was coming for, she'd strangle them herself! But when Edward turned his attention back to her and asked about the tea, her smile lit up for him and she beamed happily at him.
"Oh, how do you remember so perfectly? That's exactly how I like my tea," she lied. She actually preferred it black, but she wasn't about to ruin the moment. She sipped pleasantly at the tea, looking out over the gardens for awhile, and looking back to smile at Edward.
Then she turned to Edward with a look of concern, as if 'suddenly' thinking of it, she threw out the bait she knew he would bite. "But I hope you don't mean, Lord Draven, that this visit will be entirely devoid of children? I would hate to not be able to visit with sweet little Britta!"
Edward was actually surprised at such a request.
"Oh, but I uh..err.. I hadn't considered to have her for this evening."
And stating that out loud made his throat constrict. Oh boy, this wasn't going as planned.
"But if you'd like... I could have one of the maid's fetch her and we could perhaps go for a stroll in the yard together?"
And at that idea, he loosened up and even felt himself grow happier. Britta was his life, after all.
"Oh, well not for this evening," Rosalie was quick to reassure him. She had that perfect way of always being reassuring. That, after all, was a woman's job in relation to a man, wasn't it? "I would just hate to not see her at all while I was here! That's all I meant. But a stroll with her would be lovely. There's time before dinner, surely?"
Se smiled at him, reflecting his smile. Before dinner would be perfect. Then she could get seeing the little brat out of the way, convince Edward what a perfect mother she'd be, then have him to herself for the evening!
It was for this reason he found himself becoming smitten with Rosalie. She was so sweet and thoughtful, and Britta did seem to like her...
Perhaps they could be a good fit together?
Drawing in a breath, he smiled.
"Then I shall send someone for her."
And as soon as Britta was brought out, she toddled on over to her father who scooped her up into his arms and gave her a smattering of kisses across her face. Britta giggled with glee and soon she was set down on the grasses, where she smiled up at both Edward, and Rosalie.
Her fat little legs helped move her over to where she gripped onto Lady Parks shirt, and peered up at her with a big, toothy grin. And Edward simply beamed.
"I think she'd like to be on your side during our walk," Edward went on, proudly.
"And I would like nothing more," Rosalie lied enthusiastically, reaching down to hold Britta's chubby little hand. Glib little brat, she thought as she smiled down at the toddler, think you can steal all your father's attention. Just wait!
What she said out loud instead was, "Lord Draven, how do you keep her looking so adorable? It's amazing how beautiful she is without her poor mother grooming her. You must have many hidden talents." And to Britta she added, "And you, Miss Britta, must be a natural beauty!"
The girl blushed and covered her face in Rosalie's skirts out of embarrassment. But to her dad she looked up at said, "Da, where Lily go?"
Lily, of course, had been with the little girl when a maid came to fetch her. Brushed rudely aside, the maid swept Britta away without as much of an explanation to the girl. So Lily went searching for Riley. When she found the kestrel gone from their room, she knew where to find him and climbed the stairs to the turret. But to her surprise, Riley wasn't paying much attention to the bird.
"What're you -" But as Lily drew beside him, she saw what he saw: a happy little 'family' of Edward, Rosalie, and Britta. "Oh."
Edward beamed.
"Hardly, I've got maids to help me, after all. Though when I do try I suppose her hair doesn't look all that bad. Thankfully, her mother head curls."
He wouldn't know where to begin with curlers!
Britta continued to hide her face and Edward grinned. But at her question, he raised his brows.
"Oh? I'm sure Lily is just playing with her brother." And then his grin broadened.
"Why? Do you miss her?"
Britta gave a nod.
"We were pwaying."
"Oh, I see. Did we interrupt your play time?"
Britta rubbed at her eyes and nodded, one hand still grabbing Rosalie's dress in a pudgy fist.
"So are you saying you don't want to play with us?" Edward countered. Britta blinked as she looked up into her father's face. "Just because we're older doesn't mean we're any less fun! And besides, we've got the entire yard to ourselves. We could play out here all day!"
Lily watched her brother, frowning, then up to the sky. The kestrel was flying lazy circles with nothing to dive for. Raw strips of meat lay untouched in a bowl beside Riley. But he was sagged against the stone rail of the turret, watching Edward, and the woman, and Britta unhappily. Lily, for her part, couldn't care less who Lord Edward Draven married, but she knew it meant a lot to Riley. As much as the thought made her sick with sadness and anger, she knew her brother had hoped to find a father-figure in the bumbling lord from Highheart. For Lily, there'd be nothing better than Edward marrying Lady Whoever down there and leaving their family alone. But she loved her brother more than she hated Edward.
"You're not giving Gregory much to do," she noted, referring to the kestrel, of course, by his first name.
Riley just shrugged. Dejected. But Lily was undeterred.
"Here," she said, taking one of the strips of meat and tossing it into the open air. The little kestrel sighted the piece of meat immediately and fell into a plummeting dive, caught it, and soared back up into the air. After he ate it, he went back to circling, looking for the next piece.
Riley, she saw from the corner of her eyes, was still watching the happy trio below. Well, that gave her an idea! Taking the next piece of meat, Lily threw it casually towards the trio.
Riley saw what she was doing too late. "Lily!" he gasped, covering his mouth with his hands. "But Lord Edward is letting us-"
She smirked. At least she had his attention. Holding the bowl of meat so he couldn't snatch it away from her, Liy threw another piece, this time closer to Edward and Rosalie. She grinned wider when she heard a muffled sound of surprise from below. Like a lady trying to keep her composure. She cast Riley, who still looked mortified, a knowing look, then threw the third further and, when the kestrel dove for it, this time it came so close to Lady Parks that it almost snatched one of her strawberry blonde curls!
A very unladylike shriek followed, and even Riley had to join his sister in a fit of giggles. The siblings ducked behind the stone wall of the turret so they wouldn't be seen from below, holding their sides in laughter. Even if Riley looked quite guilty about it! From their hiding place, Lily threw another piece of meat over the side of the turret.
Below, Lady Rosalie had been thinking what a smug little inconvenience Britta was. The last thing she wanted to do was play with the girl all day! And she was also increasingly curious who these 'children of a friend' were. But before she had a chance to come up with something nice to say about it all, a small hawk dove out of the sky very close to them!
"What was that?" she asked, suppressing a yelp, and looking around wide-eyed.
"Greg'ry!" was Britta's happy response, laughing and clapping her hands. Riley had shown her the kestrel before and she loved it!
When it came back though, the damned bird nearly took her head off, and Lady Parks couldn't help but shrief in surprise and terror. She patted her hair, trying to compose herself after the outburst while Britta squealed gleefully. And here came the bird, diving after another piece of meat that was heading, unseen by Rosalie, straight for Rosalie's head!
Mortified, Edward did the only thing he could, and pulled Lady Parks towards him, and while wrapping his arms around her, he turned to pull her out of the fray. She was so close, that as she was.pressed up against him, he swear he could hear her heart beat. Or maybe that was his.
"I'm so sorry for that, are you alright, Rosalie? Riley... It's his pet and -" he paused the second he spotted a piece of meat in one of her curls and slowly pulled it out, then flattened his lips into a frown as he peered up towards where he could only believe the kids were hiding.
What was the meaning of such a thing? Were they angered at him for being honest? Or did they think because they were away from their mother they had to abide by no rules? And as he found himself internally battling over their reasoning, kestrel poop landed on his head.
"Lily, that was really bad!" Riley reprimanded his sister, but even though he tried to sound angry, the words came out between fits of giggles.
Both children were in stitches and Lily had to wipe tears from her eyes before responding with mock innocence. "What? I didn't see them! I was just feeding poor Greg-" But her excuse dissolved into laughter. "Did you hear her? You'd think it was an eagle or a dragon coming from the sky. Not just a little kestrel!"
"But what are we going to say to Edward?" Riley demanded, trying to regain his composure. "He'll be so angry with us!"
"Please. Mister Sunshine? I bet he's never been angry in his life," Lily answered dismissively. When Riley didn't look convinced she sighed and said, "Okay, I'll say I did it because I know how much Britta loves the kestrel. Okay? Then he really won't be angry."
That might even seem believable, because on the lawn below Britta was laughing and clapping her hands. "Greg'ry! Greg'ry" she cheered. And when the kestrel returned in an elegant dive to pluck the piece of meat from Edwards hand, she fell over in a delighted fit of giggles. "Greg'ry!"
Rosalie, however, screamed at seeing the bird suddenly reappear. She jumped backwards, leaping from Edwards arms and nearly tripping over Britta, who was still rolling around laughing. Rosalie might be able to grin and bear it while playing with the toddler, but this was too much!
"What- what are you going to do about this, Edward?" she demanded, shaking slightly. It never occurred to her that Edward might do anything other than punish the demon children. She'd see that they got a good beating, if she had get say! Then she saw the gross runny glob in Edwards hair. She pointed, open mouthed. "Oh, you have- oh, Edward..." But she couldn't get out the words.
Britta could. "Poopy head! Daddy has a poopy head!"
Edward blinked. Though Rosalie was screaming and Britta cooing, his body and mind felt as gooey as the poop that stuck to his head. Most of it had landed in his hair, but a few splatters dotted his face. And slowly, he drew in a breath and removed a kerchief from his breast pocket and began to wipe off the bird poop as he sighed.
There was no way he could get all of the poop out, not without a mirror and other proper ways to cleanse his hair and skin, and Britta was so delighted in the spectacle, she began to clap her hands and moved to grab Rosalie's hand as she gave a tug, wanting the lady to join in on the fun and laughing, too!
Rosalie just stared, trying not to make a disgusted face (and likely failing) as Edward tried to clean the bird poop from his head. In the end, he'd mostly just smeared it around. When Britta grabbed her hand, Rosalie simply scooped the girl up, holding her on her hip. But her mortified face hadn't left Edward.
"Something needs to be done about those children!"
She was regaining her calm a little - a little - but it hadn't changed her mind on that front. Such badly behaved children surely needed to be punished!
Edward sighed again.
"I agree." And he gave Rosalie and Britta apologetic looks.
"Would you mind watching after Britta? First thing is first, I think the bird poop needs more thoroughly er.. removed."
"Yes, of course!" Rosalie responded, still looking just absolutely mortified. Bird poop! And it had nearly taken her head off! (Forget the fact that it was the size of a pigeon).
She bounced Britta a bit, trying to look composed, and said to the girl, "Us good children will find something nice to do indoors in the nursery, where it's safe and clean."
But Britta was still clapping at the sky, "Come back, Greg'ry!"
Edward's eyes brightened.
"Ah, yes, that you two are!" Edward encouraged. "And indoors... right. It should be a lot safer."
But he found himself loosing his cravat because well...
Indoors there were actually more animals!
((The rest of the animals should still be contained to their rooms. :D))
Rosalie couldn't help but frown. Why wasn't Edward going to beat the living daylights out of those children?! Or at least having a servant do it. No, he was too soft, she decided. Of course that was one of the things she liked about him. It'd make him much easier to manage once he was her husband! But now she'd have to urge him along.
"Come along, Britta. Let's go find some of your dolls," she said to the little girl and began to head inside. She only paused to look back at Edward and say, "I hope you can deal firmly with those children. What a way to behave! Someone could have been really hurt!"
And with that, Rosalie and Britta made their exit.
Edward disappeared to his room, where he used a simple wash basin to clean out his hair. Naturally, it couldn't be an easy task, and he ended up needing to change into another shirt. And though he knew he was leaving Lady Parks waiting, he also knew he had to deal with the children.
However, he was a host, and made a quick return to Rosalie and Britta to announce his intentions to deal with the children, while his hair was still damp and slicked back into a tail.
At the sight of her father, Britta put her hands out and made grabby motions towards him as her face brightened.
Riley was dying of anticipation. Edward was going to be so mad at them. If the Highheart lord was ever going to be friends with the young Gray again, he certainly wasn't now. What was taking so long?
"See?" Lily said, reading her brother's thoughts. "I bet he's not even going to come 'yell' at us. You're worrying for nothing." What she didn't say was that the reason he probably wasn't going to come yell at them - in addition to him never being negative no matter what! - was that they probably weren't that important to him now. Not when he had a lady he was courting here! She frowned though, looking at Riley. Waiting, it seemed, was worse for him than actually being told off. "Come on," she finally said, "let's go back to the room. Gregory's stretched his wings. Let's go keep everyone else company."
Riley nodded, still looking thoroughly miserable, and called the bird back to him. Lily felt her stomach clench looking at him. She didn't quite feel the same way - she'd never really felt like Edward really wanted to befriend them - but she understood what Riley was feeling. Ignored by even his 'friend' Lord Draven. Their mother wanted to send them away. Their godfather agreed. No one, it seemed, actually wanted the Gray children around.
Despite the fact that they were at an age when it would normally be embarrassing, Lily put her arm around Riley as they trooped back to their allotted room.
Below, in the nursery, Rosalie looked surprised to see Edward so soon. She made sure she looked pleasantly surprised, though. "That was fast!" she said, smiling warmly at him. "You look much better, I have to say. I assume it was straight to bed with no dinner? Though I have to say, I wouldn't mind hearing an apology."
It never occurred to Rosalie that Edward hadn't actually talked to the children yet!
Edward was caught off guard by her statement, and was quick to correct her.
"Er... No, actually," he went on, clearing his throat. "I wanted to make sure you were alright before I paid the children a visit."
Now it was Rosalie's turn to be caught off guard. He hadn't spoken to them yet? Was he ever going to? Was he just going to let these children get away with nearly killing her?!
She frowned. Tonight, of course, was supposed to be the night! But as important as that was, Rosalie knew it was just as important that any future husband not take her for granted! Oh, she needed Lord Draven more than he needed her. She knew that. But did he? It was important that he think he needed her even more - and that he couldn't just assume she was here for the taking no matter what the circumstances were. And really, who would expect a lady to just turn a blind eye to some devil children - some other woman's children - trying to take her head off?
It was ridiculous!
"Lord Draven," she finally asked, speaking carefully, "perhaps it's better if I arrange another visit. It seems that you very much have your hands full at the moment." And her tone made it clear: she was offering to leave; she was not necessarily offering to come back. And once the story got around - no one would blame her!
"Oh, but I would never consider it! Lady Parks, please, you have taken the time to travel and I saw how happy you were to come for this visit. I do apologize for my distractions, but I'll speak with the children to let them know I am already engaged for the evening and that they need to stay in the East Wing with Britta." He nodded down to his daughter before scooping her up and kissing her cheek.
"They adore her anyway, and it'll give us some quiet time to chat."
[[Spice, if Edward does not leave and finally go talk to those kids after this, I will personally transport myself into the imaginary world of SotE and punch him in the face! DX]]
Rosalie pursed her lips as if in consideration. Sending the clear signal that she was thinking about whether or not she should leave, even if she knew she would stay. But she couldn’t let him be too sure of that!
“Well,” she finally said tersely, “I would hate to not spend more time with you, Lord Draven. But I hope you will treat those children with the discipline they clearly need!” Rosalie still didn’t understand what they were even doing there in the first place.
And the children were beginning to wonder the same thing. For by the time Edward made it to the East Wing, he’d find them with their bags packed (not that they’d ever really been so unpacked) and animals more-or-less wrangled. Coming here, it seemed, was a mistake.
Edward gave a nod.
"But of course. The children... are having a difficult time, though I do fear their mother might be having it worse. So please, do excuse me, and excuse them. I will speak with them and thoroughly explain to them the wrongness of what they have done this afternoon. I shan't be long, I promise."
And he gave Lady Parks a stiff bow before taking his leave.
And he was glad to be away from her. Though one weight on his shoulders was replaced with another. He wasn't very fond of or even well practiced on the ways of disciplining children. Even with Britta, she always won in a temper tantrum (whcih did not bode well for him in the future!)
Either way, he knew it was his responsibility, and it would be a disgrace to their mother were he not to intervene on her behalf. Though if they thought this little fiasco could so easily be waved off, they had another thing coming. But by the time he got to their room and saw their bags packed- he halted before stepping inside.
"What is going on here?"
Never mind the lecture he had been so vehemently reciting and rewording over and over again inside his head.
"Do you honestly expect to simply run away again? Riley.. Lily.. I expected more from you. Though after what you both did earlier with your bird.... Do you really think this course of action is any more acceptable?"
Riley blanched at Edward's sudden appearance in the room they'd been granted, the room they were just about to vacate! But Lily looked only defiant. And while her brother's eyes dropped quickly to his feet in a look of miserable guilt, Lily looked Edward right in the eye.
"We're not 'running away,'" she answered curtly. She held back a snide comment of 'we don't live here, so we can't run away.' For Riley's benefit, not for Edward's, she resolved to at least be polite. Ish. "We didn't realize we were intruding on you and your visitor, Lord Draven, so we're going to the town to take a room at the inn."
She said this all with a matter-of-fact confidence that was meant to communicate that Lily and Riley were in charge of their own affairs. And that Edward, who was in no way related to them and who could hardly even still be called a 'family friend' as far as she was concerned, had no say in the matter. Though she wasn't entirely sure if she was pulling it off. But Lily seemed, at least, committed to the act. And in fact it spared Edward from much harsher words that she would have had for him if she weren't trying to be Grown Up and Responsible.
"But I'm sorry if the bird upset you. Or your visitor." There was a bit of vinegar in that last word that Lily hadn't been able to keep out. She was, beneath the calm exterior she was trying to project, furious with Edward. Not for courting another lady, of course, but for upsetting her brother. "We just thought Britta would enjoy it. She always liked Gregory." And how could Edward argue with that? The little girl had, by all accounts, been delighted by the kestrel. "But if you excuse us and let us get on our way, we won't cause you any more incident."
And Lily could only hope that he would. She wasn't sure how long she could keep this up!
Edward sighed and closed the door behind him, effectively blocking their attempted exit. And he took a moment to draw in a long breath.
"Forgive me if I find it hard to believe your intentions, but if that were true you'd have no reason to want to take your leave now. Also, forgive my presumptions but if you were upset over the idea of not sharing dinner at the table I can assure you my guest is a lovely, sweet woman who adores children." And here he paused to give a smile. "Why, if you don't believe me, just ask Britta."
"That's not why we're leaving," Lily responded quickly, forgetting her 'polite and mature' tone for a moment. Is that really what he thought? That they were leaving because of the bird? As though Edward would have been actually mad at them? Realizing that her scowl was not the image she was trying to project, Lily recomposed herself, forcing her tone of voice to be more neutral. "Lord Draven, I'm sure your guest is perfectly lovely," Lily lied; she didn't believe that for a moment. "And we hardly want to intrude on your... visit."
Lily glanced over to Riley, who was still looking at his feet, miserable. He was the one who'd wanted to leave. Not really because of the bird. He knew it was silly, but he did not want to stay here knowing that Edward was entertaining a young woman who'd come on her own. It felt like too much confirmation of why the Highheart lord must have lost interest in him. Because he'd never been interested in Riley. And in the middle of their whole ordeal, when everyone else wanted to send them to Serendipity, it felt like the last person he thought he could count on also didn't really need him around.
It'd be better if it was just him and Lily. Then they could figure out what to do together. It seemed like they were the only ones who wanted each other around, anyway.
Lily looked from Riley back out the window. The sun was starting to dip behind the tree tops. "Really, we should be on our way before it gets too late to travel. And I'm sure you have a special dinner planned for your guest."
"Please, Lord Draven," Riley finally spoke up, though his eyes stayed firmly on the floor, and his voice was a little thick, "we just want to get out of the way. We're really sorry."
[[I know it seems like they're being dramatic, but remember they're 10 and 13. THOSE ARE DRAMATIC YEARS!!! DDD:]]
Edward took in all that they said, and slowly drew in a breath before exhaling and looked at each one of them.
"Riley..." He touched his shoulder, then looked to Lily. "Lily.... You must know you are always welcome here. If anything, I'd like to believe our families are very close." The sincerity in his voice, his features were genuine, but then again, Edward was never a man to like. In fact, he was down right bad at it.
"The last thing I would want is for the pair of you to simply leave, feeling unwanted from my home. My feelings are quite the opposite, and if you were to just come, stay for dinner, we can discuss all of this and see what's really bothering you. My visitor will understand."
Especially since it seemed she received children so well.
"But you have to realize you'll need to apologize to her," his tone remained soft, however, despite him bringing up their duty. "Accident or not, you have caused my guest distress, and if there is anything I can not tolerate, it is someone unhappy. But please, I see you both more like my children than simple guests. Why would you think you're int he way or not welcome? Surely you can not think I'd abandon you over formalities with my guest?"
Rules were rules, but Edward was still Edward.
Lily started at Edward in angry disbelief at his words. She had to bite back a, 'We are not your children!' And maybe a comment about how that hadn't stopped him from basically abandoning her brother for all those months they hadn't heard from him. But she managed to choke back all those words. Instead she looked to Riley. She would still rather leave, but if he wanted to stay, she would.
Riley, for his part, was trying hard not to shrug off Edwards hand. That, he knew, would be very rude. And Lily was rude enough for both of them. Though in truth he shared some of his sisters thoughts. He still didn't look at Edward, instead looking outside. It was a mistake to come here, but out there it was getting dark...
"We'll stay tonight, since you're being so kind to us, Lord Draven," he finally declared, not sounding one bit happy about it. "But we should probably leave in the morning."
Inwardly, Lily sighed. Rats. "Alright," she said, dropping her bags, "I'll go apologize." She at least wanted to save Riley from that. So with one look to her brother, she pushed past Edward to go find his lady, leaving the man and boy alone.
...
Lily made her way through the halls first to the sitting room, as she hadn't actually asked where the lady was, then the tea room, before finally trying Britta's room. But she stopped just outside, caught off guard by the sweet sounding crooning from within. But while the voice were sweet, the words were not.
"You just wait, you ugly little duck, once I marry your daddy, you're going straight to the boarding school for bad little girls," Rosalie cooed. Lily stayed silent just long enough to peak in unseen. Rosalie was brushing Britta's hair, but clearly too hard. And when the toddler started to cry to say so, the woman whacked her on the backside with the brush. "Good girls don't cry!"
"Hey!" Lily shouted angrily, storming into the room and glaring fiercely at the woman. Rosalie's eyes instantly snapped up, widening at the sight of the devil-haired girl. They both understood what Rosalie was: caught.
At the sight of Lily, Britta tottered over to the girl, and Lily immediately picked her up. "I was bad," Britta told Lily mournfully.
Britta, she thought, inherited too much of her father's sweet trustingness, because though she was happy to see Lily, she didn't seem to understand that she should not like this woman. Instead, she just wanted all the more to get the woman to like her.
Lily didn't take her eyes off Rosalie. And Rosalie did the same. Both understood Lily caught her in the middle of something bad. And the girl and woman stared at each other in a silent standoff.
Edward had not expected Lily to be so prompt in her response,a nd he was left gaping in her wake as he looked to the now empty hall and back to Riley.
"Er.. we can discuss more of this after dinner. Come, let us be after your sister."
He didn't think it was wise to leave her alone, especially with his guest! He wasn't sure either would appreciate that after the fiasco. Though he hated to admit it, he indeed needed to be a mediator, perhaps even for his own sake. He didn't want any more ruffles, and he felt terrible that his guest had to suffer so. Women were so fair.
But then he thought back to Lady Gray, who was fair in her own way, but was someone he saw with the strength and regality of a tiger. Perhaps it was the way she dealt with her children, who were uniquely hers. And though they might offend some in the ways they acted, Edward was merely charmed, adn even doubly so that Britta was so taken by them as well.
He had, in fact, missed them all terribly in their time apart but-
His thoughts were cut off abruptly as he nearly stumbled intot he room. The door was open and he took a step back, cleared his throat and gave a light knock on the door's frame.
"It is I, Edward. I came to see how you were both fairing."
And hopefully there were no more fires to put out!
Riley set down his own bags, quickly let out the animals from Lily's suitcase, then followed glumly after Edward. He just really wanted this day to be over so they could leave. Riley peeked into the room from behind Edward, chewing on his lip in worry that Lily was about to cause another scene.
But instead, when the 'men' appeared, Rosalie turned instantaneously charming. She smiled warmly at Edward, beaming. "We're fairing just fine! Edward, I can't believe you didn't tell me how charming these children are!"
Lily's mouth opened, and she just stared.
"This beautiful young girl just gave me a very heart-felt apology, and I think we understand each other perfectly now, don't we?"
Oh, Lily understood. This was an exchange. Rosalie wasn't going to say that she hadn't apologized in exchange for Lily saying nothing about what she'd seen. But Lily hadn't even gotten the chance to apologize! Still, if she said something right now, Edward would never believe her and she knew it. Closing her mouth, she gave Rosalie a look that Edward thankfully wouldn't see, standing behind her in the doorway. "Yes," she answered, "perfectly."
She knew girls like Rosalie. She could see it right away. At thirteen, the girls who would be like Rosalie were already starting out. And Lily hated all of them.
Rosalie stood up, smiling prettily and clearing her throat. "You are going to introduce us, aren't you, Edward?"
Edward's surprised look turned into relief, which quickly blossomed into a smile.
"That's a relief. And I'm glad you both seem to be so friendly. It will make things easier at dinner, since we will all be dining together!" Edward informed, all smiles as usual.
"And where are my manners, allow me to introduce these two children to you. Rosalie, the young gentleman at my side is Lord Riley Gray, youngest son to the Late Lord Gray and his wife, Lady Dahlia Gray, who is a great, personal friend of mine and Britta's. And this.." he went on, drawing in a breath and gesturing towards Lily. "Is her daughter, Lily Gray. The two have come out for a.. er.. visit."
He decided it would be best not to go into details. There was enough chaos as is and well, things were finally smoothing over, and he simply beamed at Rosalie-
that was, until Britta started crying.
All be dining together?
That news sent a shock through the little assembled crowd. Lily and Riley exchanged looks. Neither of them had any interest in dining with Edward and this woman. Lily was about to open her mouth to say something about how they could never be such a bother, when Britta started crying.
But Rosalie wasn't going to let that stupid brat ruin things now! She swooped forward and lifted Britta from Lily. "She misses me already!" Rosalie beamed sweetly, kissing the little girl's tears away in a show of affection that made her sick. It did seem to be what she wanted, though - which made Lily sick - because Britta's tears turned into giggles.
Rosalie turned to Edward, beaming. "That's lovely to hear! Shall we? It must be nearly ready by now; it's always a shame to spoil a cook's efforts by being late!"
Before Edward could get to Britta, Rosalie stepped in and he watched pridefully at the pair. Once things seemed under control, he gave a nod.
"Come. I know there's more than enough for us all."
He gestured for Lady Rosalie to move at his side, and as was proper, to have the children follow at the rear while he escorted the Lady to dinner. They were arm and arm, and it seemed Edward was just oozing with happiness. Mixed with more happy giggles from Britta, it was probably like rubbing salt into the childrens' wounds.
Riley and Lily exchanged a look as they fell in line behind Edward and Rosalie. They were not looking forward to this dinner! But the sooner it was over, the sooner the day would be over, the sooner they could leave.
Dinner itself - though delicious and obviously prepared for a special occasion - was a painfully silent affair for the children. Though Rosalie kept a valiant stream of pleasant conversation, highlighting her own charms, the night was hardly what she expected, either! She couldn't believe Edward had invited these pesky children! What were another woman's children doing at his place, anyway?
But worst of all, the footmen were about to serve dessert, and Edward still hadn't asked.
The big question. The entire reason she was here.
The key to her future: Duchess Rosalie Draven. Rosalie Draven, Duchess of Highheart. Didn't that sound lovely?
No sooner was it thought dessert was there. Before all were set small silver, dome lidded platters. And once everyone had one, Edward gestured. "Go ahead and remove the lids and enjoy."
And his smile was unable to be contained as they strayed to Rosalie-
For he had carefully prepared this moment for months and decided to have her see the engagement ring ontop of her creme cake. And once he'd see her expression, he'd drop to his knees and ask her to marry him!
But for now, he had to hold back, to bide his time for just the right moment-
though his chest felt so full it seemed it might burst!
The last thing the Gray children wanted was dessert. They just wanted out of this awkward dinner and, once morning came, out of the Lord Draven's house. But they knew to be polite, so when the platters were set in front of them, they mustered small smiles.
But theirs were nothing compared to the smile on Rosalie's face when the lid was removed and revealed...
"Oh, Edward!" She clasped her hands over her mouth. Success. Duchess Rosalie Draven. "Oh Edward, oh my lord!"
And all Lily and Riley could do was crane their heads and wonder. And worry.
He cleared his throat bashfully and gave her a lopsided smile.
"I.. think the ring was a long time coming. Do you like it? I had it newly crafted with both the gems from your home town, and my own. Go ahead and try it on," he urged, before adding hastily. "That is.. if you wish to accept this as our engagement."
Riley's spoon dropped. The clatter of the silver spoon against the silver platter filled the momentary silence of the room.
But Rosalie wouldn't let that deter her.
"Oh, Edward!" she gasped, still gazing at the ring. "It's beautiful!" Then she looked up happily at him, her face beaming. A broad smile spread on her face, almost a grin, and she said amicably, half-teasing, "But I'm afraid I can't accept unless you're down on one knee, my lord!"
To that, Lily's thought was, Gross. And her face showed it. Not that anyone was looking at her.
Taken back slightly by the request, he was soon all smiles as he moved to stand before taking her hand and getting on his knees.
"You mean... something like this?" he asked, beaming.
"Oh Edward, just like that!" Rosalie beamed back at him, his happiness mirrored on her own face. Finally, all her hard work was paying off! She cupped his face with both hands, pulling him to her to kiss him sweetly on the cheek. "Of course I accept. Oh Edward, I'm so happy!"
On the other end of the table, Lily mimed silent gagging to Riley, who kicked her from under the table.
The happy adoration of the newly engaged couple went on for some time. The children finished their dessert as quickly as possible. As soon as they were done, Lily and Riley offered Edward and Rosalie dull and insincere congratulations, Riley looking more than a little pale. Then they quickly excused themselves.
Neither wanted to watch Edward and his new woman fawn over each other.
Back in the room alloted to them, a silence fell between the two. Both were too absorbed in their own uneasy thoughts. Riley grappled with the fact that now Edward would really never marry his mother, and worse yet, would probably never think of Riley again once they left his home. Why should he? A new wife could give him a son of his own. He tried to block out these thoughts by burying his nose in a book he'd borrowed from the lord's library. Lily, meanwhile, was going over what she had seen when she walked in on Rosalie and Britta. How loving and trusting Britta was of the horrible woman. And, glancing over periodically at her brother, how much Edward had hurt Riley. Whether he meant to or not.
The evening turned into night. Once she saw that Riley was asleep with the book in his lap, finally Lily couldn't stand it anymore. Without a word, she got up and head for the door. She crept through the house to the room she knew to be Edward's. Lily bet that he was far too proper to have that terrible lady there now. They weren't married yet. So, bracing herself, she knocked quietly on the door.
"Lord Draven?"
Though the house was quiet, not everyone was asleep. So whens he knocked on the door, at first came no reply. BUt after a moment, the sound of someone sitting up from a rocking chair and the floor boards creaking announced his approach. Soon the door open, Edward in his night clothes as he looked down at Lily.
He gave her a small smile.
"Yes, Lily? Is something the matter?"
"Yes, something's the matter," Lily answered agitated as she pushed her way past Edward to enter his room. Even she knew this conversation couldn't be had in the hallway! She turned to look at Edward, arms crossed tightly and disapprovingly across her chest.
"Look, I definitely don't care who you marry," she started, implying that others in her family might care very much indeed, but she didn't dwell on this, "but you can't marry that woman. She's terrible! You can't see it because you think everyone is wonderful no matter what. But she's the worst! You might not care about Riley," she said, putting her hands on her hips now, "but you have to care about Britta! When I found them earlier, that woman was pinching her and telling her how bad she was and... and telling her she'd be going straight to boarding school! You can't let a woman like that take care of her!"
The words came out in something of an angry jumble. Lily had spent so long in her room agonizing over whether or not to say anything, that once she'd decided to, everything came tumbling out of her brain at once.
As soon as Lily was in the room, he closed the door. And once he found out what was troubling her, he frowned. Then he sighed.
"Are you that upset with me you would project it onto Lady Rosalie?" he asked, concernedly.
What?!
Lily's jaw dropped and she stared at Edward, open-mouthed. He didn't believe her. Of course he didn't believe her. She should have known. Edward always saw the best in everyone, except in Lily. Of course he thought she was lying.
"I'm telling the truth," she shot back fiercely. "I heard her say it!"
Her response gave him even more reason to frown.
"And why would she? And when?" if Lily was telling the truth, what did this mean? Was Lady Parks serious? Or was she trying to scare Lily after what she had done? No matter the answer, it seemed he'd have to speak with his new fiancee.
Lily didn’t get any hint that Edward might even a little bit believe her. To her, his questions - ’And why should she? And when?’ - sounded like a rebuff. She set her jaw, glaring defiantly at him. But behind that defiance, there was a glimmer of hurt in her eyes.
Even though she didn’t particularly like Edward, Lily was still usually well-brought-up enough to know that there were certain ways to talk to adults and certain ways you shouldn’t. But she’d also developed a hair-trigger and, really, quite explosive temper since her father died. Edward had seen it once before; right before breaking his leg.
“I don’t know when!” she finally let out, frustrated, after a prolonged silence. “Probably after you’ve had some new baby of hers and you forget all about Britta and you don’t even notice! The way you forgot about Riley and don’t even notice the way you’ve hurt him! You’re so busy seeing everything sunny and bright that you never see the bad parts - even when you need to! Even when you’re responsible for them! You think a woman, a woman like…. that?” she asked, pointing in some vague direction that meant to indicate Rosalie, “won’t take advantage of that? You think I’m just a child,” she spit at him, “but I already know girls like her. She’ll pack Britta off and you won’t even notice, you won’t even care about her anymore. The way you don’t care about Riley, and you never cared about-”
Her voice caught. She had fierce, angry tears in her eyes. Not because of Edward! She didn’t care about him! Well, not exactly. She was going to say, ‘and you never cared about Milo or me.’ But it made her remember Milo. Off in the army somewhere. Gone. With nothing more they could do to protect him. Just like their father had been. In some ways, Lily already half saw Milo as dead. And then something occurred to her. Edward was a lord. He was an important one; he was going to be a duke! And in that moment, she knew that he had done nothing to stop the expansion of the draft. Of course she didn’t stop to ask, or wonder how much Edward could have really done in the face of the Grand Duke, but in that moment she knew he hadn’t even tried. And as irrational as it was, a new wave of anger hit her, certain that it was Edward’s fault that Milo had been taken from them and forced into the army, where surely he would die.
“You know what?” Lily finally began again. “Maybe you should marry her. You’re both… you’re both terrible, just in different ways. She’ll do whatever she likes and convince you that you’re happy, and you won’t ever even wonder if it’s true. Fine, congratulations! But Britta deserves better than either of you!”
As Lily spoke those words, a plan was already starting to form in the back of her head. Britta did deserve better. A family who would love her through good times and in bad times. Who wouldn’t forget about her when there were five new babies, and send her away to boarding school. Maybe it was because, like her brother, the entire ordeal of being sent to Serendipity left Lily feeling decidedly unwanted, left her very convinced that Britta needed a family where she was, above all, wanted unconditionally.