by Fiona Miers
Carson’s angry voice echoed through the drawing room. His ragged breathing was the only sound that was heard. Adrienne stood motionless and wordlessly in front of Carson, her eyes wide and her skin pale.
She had obviously not expected him to raise his voice in such a manner, and Carson had not expected it either. Perhaps it was the only manner in which Adrienne would fully understand why he required to take control of his life, as she was much too stubborn to listen otherwise.
“I will not marry Miss Violet, and that is final. Is that understood?” Carson hissed.
His sister nodded quietly, remaining wordless. She still shook like a leaf, but Carson didn’t care. He needed her to stop interfering with his life and questioning his choices.
“Good,” Carson muttered as he turned around and marched out of the drawing room, accidentally tipping over a large stack of books on his way out. The books clattered to the floor with a loud thud, but Carson had no intention of turning back.
He would not permit anyone to tell him how to live his life, not even his dear sister. Hopefully, he had made it abundantly clear that she should step down from her high horse and allow him the freedom to make his own decisions.
A feeling of liberation crashed over him as he stepped outside into the sun and marched directly to the wall covered in vines and ivy. He spotted Edward working in the garden and approached him.
“Good morning, Mr. Wallace,” Edward greeted him, adjusting his cap on his head. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“Indeed, Edward,” Carson answered as he motioned to the wall. “Please assist me in clearing those vines from the wall.”
“All of them, Mr. Wallace?” Edward asked, his tone perplexed.
“Indeed, Edward. Every last one of them. I would like the hole in the wall to be free from any foliage, left completely and entirely open,” Carson stated.
Edward shifted in discomfort and glanced briefly at the manor house.
“Do not fret over Miss Adrienne,” Carson added. “Now, will you assist me?”
“Of course, Mr. Wallace. Let me fetch my shears.”
Carson nodded, and approached the wall covered in vines and ivy, a smile forming on his lips. His gaze rose to Woodlock Manor, towards Lizzie’s bedchamber window, and he wondered whether she was watching—or rather, he hoped.
Chapter Nine.
A thunderously dark cloud hung over Lizzie’s head as she stepped out into the sunlight of a beautifully clear Fall morning. The sounds of the carpenters hammering from Ferngrove Manor darkened her already gloomy mood. The events of last evening were still fresh in her mind and her heart, but instead of being filled to the brim with sadness, she was now filled with hatred and pettiness.
Still, she stood beside James and Kitty as they patiently awaited the arrival of Lord William and Lady Emma, who had returned from their travels earlier than anticipated. Her brother and his new wife didn’t wish to miss the birth of Kitty’s child.
It was barely a few moments that passed until Lizzie began to shift her weight, and a scowl formed on her lips. The hammering from the estate next door as well as a strange sound that resembled a tree being chopped down with an axe, pulsated in her head.
“What is the matter, sister?” the duke asked.
“That infernal racket is cutting up my peace. What are they doing at Ferngrove?” Lizzie complained.
“Perhaps they are preparing bedchambers for Miss Violet,” the duke answered nonchalantly.
Lizzie glared at him angrily, her left eye twitching slightly. “That is not amusing, James.”
“Please do lighten up, sister. It was only a joke.” Her brother chuckled.
“It was not a very good one,” Lizzie muttered.
“What is going on with the two of you?” the duchess asked with a furrowed brow.
James was about to answer, but Will’s coach appeared at the gates of the estate, and a relieved smile formed on his lips. “Oh, how delightful. They are here.”
James stepped away from his wife, and she raised an apprehensive brow at Lizzie. “I do hope you and your brother can be civil with one another. He informed me last evening that he had been wrong concerning your behaviour and that you are welcome to stay with us as long as you need to. But I will not tolerate any friction between the two of you. I wish for our home to be calm—”
“For the child. Yes, I understand,” Lizzie interjected and turned away. “You do not need to worry. Whenever I feel the need to argue with anyone, I will lock myself in my chambers until the feeling passes.”
“I didn’t mean it in any way other than to encourage you, Lizzie,” Kitty stated.
“I know you didn’t, and I am utterly grateful that you and my brother are allowing me to stay here as long as I need to,” Lizzie said, attempting her best to not sound ungrateful.
The coach came to a standstill and the next moments happened in a blur. William and Emma climbed out of the coach, and James and Kitty embraced the newlywed couple.
All Lizzie was able to do was stand there wordlessly. The world slowed down around her as Emma gushed over the duchess’ swollen belly, and James and Will spoke of adventure and travels. Despite having felt left out when she was a child, those feelings paled in comparison to now.
“Sister!” Will exclaimed, approaching her with open arms.
She fell into his embrace, filled with gratitude for his return.
“Are you well, Lizzie?” Will inquired.
“Indeed, I am. It simply feels surreal to have you back home,” Lizzie smiled at him. “The estate was so peaceful without you.”
Will’s eyes sparkled with amusement and he embraced her once more. “It is not a sin for you to simply admit that you missed me.”
“That is rather overreaching,” Lizzie chuckled. “And I believe congratulations are in order regarding your nuptials.”
“Thank you, sister,” Will smiled happily as Emma joined his side.
“Congratulations, Emma,” Lizzie smiled at the new bride. “Or may I be so bold as to address you as my sister?”
“You may address me as you wish, Lizzie.” Emma smiled happily and embraced Lizzie.
“I wish you both all the happiness in the world,” Lizzie said sincerely, tears forming in her eyes. Instead of allowing them to consume her, she fought against them and stepped away.
“Frances and the kitchen staff have prepared a delightful breakfast for us on the terrace. Shall we go?” Kitty said.
“Indeed,” Will nodded. “I am ravenous.”
“But in all fairness, you are always ravenous,” James chuckled.
“I cannot argue with that,” Will agreed with an amused laugh as they made their way to the terrace.
As they seated themselves at the table overlooking the gardens, Will glanced at Ferngrove Manor. “Perhaps we can send for Carson to join us? I would love to see him again after all this while.”
The table fell silent, and the duke and duchess exchanged awkward glances.
Lizzie, on the other hand, pretended that she had not heard what her brother had uttered, and stirred her already poured tea silently.
“Did I say something wrong?” Will asked.
After a short silence, Lizzie sighed and glanced at Will. “Carson will be much too busy entertaining Miss Violet to visit Woodlock any longer.”
Her calm response surprised even herself, and Lizzie sipped her tea.
“When did this happen?” Will inquired and glanced at the duke with a furrowed brow. “I was under the impression that Carson was—”
“Carson only met with Miss Violet yesterday. I think Lizzie is being a tad presumptuous,” the duke answered.
“Not presumptuous, only realistic,” Lizzie muttered.
“He only met with her once?” Lady William inquired and the duke nodded. “That does not sound too serious.”
“It does not matter, as Carson made it abundantly clear that he is happy now,” Lizzie said. She was not quite certain whether her word
s were to convince everyone at the table, or herself. Perhaps the more she spoke the words out loud, the more she would believe them.
“It appears to me that you are jealous, sister,” Will stated and the duke’s eyes widened slightly.
“William...”
“What?” Will asked.
“Shall we discuss something else?” the duchess urged.
“Why?” Will inquired and glanced at Lizzie. “You have been in love with Carson for years and now that he has finally decided to move on with his life, you cannot stand that he didn’t choose you.”
“That is not the case,” Lizzie answered defensively. “Carson can do whatever he pleases, with whomever he pleases. His actions neither concern nor affect me in any manner.”
“You have never been a good liar, Lizzie.” Will chuckled and shook his head.
Hot tears stung her eyes and she stood from the table. “Please excuse me. My apologies for spoiling your lovely breakfast, but I did try,” Lizzie whispered and glanced apologetically at the duke and duchess before turning away and retreating to her bedchamber.
Lizzie inwardly scolded herself for not being able to compose herself, but she should have expected no less from Will. He was much more intrusive with his words than James, and it didn’t surprise her that he wished to point out the obvious, even if it would result in upsetting her.
She rushed up the staircase, her breathing ragged. As soon as she reached the top, she hurried into her bedchamber, slamming the door behind her. Her chest ached as she paced around the space, attempting to free her heart from the pain that had started to consume it. She ran her fingers through her hair and a sob escaped her throat.
A knock on her door caused her to whirl around and she clasped her hands together, pursing her lips.
“Lizzie?”
She recognised Will’s voice through the door and drew in a deep breath. She was not certain why he still wished to torture her. “Please go away, William.”
“I only wish to speak with you, if you would allow me,” Will said, his voice soft and gentle.
Lizzie bit her lower lip and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Very well.”
The door opened slowly, and Will stepped into the bedchamber. “I must apologize for my insensitivity, sister. I was not aware that Carson courting Miss Violet was such an unsettling and difficult thing for you.”
“It is not, Will,” Lizzie answered and shook her head. “I am not upset, or unsettled. I am completely fine.”
“You do not seem fine, sister. You seem broken.”
“It does not matter how I feel.”
“Of course, it does. You are losing Carson, who was a very large part of your life for such a long time. It is only natural to feel a sense of loss, and be envious towards Miss Violet,” Will said as he slowly approached her. “It is a natural emotion to feel.”
Lizzie scoffed. “I am most certainly not envious of Violet Saunders. She is a vile young woman. But I am utterly certain that Carson is making the worst mistake of his life if he marries her.”
“And you say this not simply because you are in love with him?” Will inquired.
“No, but that does not matter either, William. My feelings for him do not matter if he does not reciprocate them. He has had so many chances to do so, but he has not. Clearly, he does not have feelings for me, and unfortunately, I do not know what to do with mine,” Lizzie admitted.
“I am truly sorry, sister. I had always imagined you and Carson together, or that you would find one another eventually.”
Will’s words almost broke her, and she had to focus hard to swallow the sob that rose.
“Clearly it is not in the cards for us. The only thing that I am certain of is that Violet Saunders is not right for him, but it is not my place to say a word. I only wish for him to be happy,” Lizzie muttered, a tear running down her cheek.
“Your intent is pure, my dear sister, but sometimes you need to follow your own heart. Your own happiness is important as well.”
Lizzie sighed and nodded. “I am aware. I simply need to find something that makes me happy, truly happy and not the mere idea of happiness.”
“You will find it when you least expect it,” Will said with a smile. “I never imagined that I could ever be as happy as I am now, and I wish the same for you.”
“You make that terrible cliché worth waiting for,” Lizzie whispered and wiped another tear from her cheek.
“Will you re-join us for breakfast?” Will inquired.
“Perhaps it would be better if I didn’t. I will catch up with all of you later today. I wish to have a few moments to myself. I may even disappear into the library for a while. I require a bit of distraction, and I know you wish to see Carson. I do not want to be here when you do.”
“I understand, sister. And I am truly sorry for upsetting you.”
“I should be used to it by now.” Lizzie jokingly shrugged.
“It is never my intention to hurt you. You should never forget that,” Will stated sadly, his eyes fixed on her.
“I love you very much, Will.”
“And I you, Lizzie.”
Lizzie smiled as she watched Will quietly leave her bedchamber, closing the door behind him. She drew in a few breaths and slowly approached the window. She drew back the curtains and glanced down at Ferngrove Manor, despite every cell in her body advising her not to.
As her gaze lowered, she caught sight of Carson and Edward the gardener, removing the vines and ivy from the wall, revealing the hole in the wall that had been their secret escape for many years. It was now no longer a secret, and for a single moment, a glimmer of hope flickered inside Lizzie’s heart.
Chapter Ten
Nothing could prevent Carson from embracing his good friend, Will. It had been far too long since they had spent time together in each other’s company. He’d missed his friend, since Will had climbed aboard the train to Edinburgh to follow Lady Emma in the pursuit of her heart.
He had found it admirable that Will had placed so much on the line, and sacrificed as much as he had while leaving everything behind. Just so that he could be beside Lady Emma as she had journeyed to Scotland.
Despite not being able to attend their wedding ceremony, as it was on a ship in the middle of the North Sea on its way to a port in Denmark, Carson was truly happy for his best friend.
“Tell me all about your travels. It must have been fascinating,” Carson beamed, as the two men sat comfortably on the terrace, the cool breeze skimming the grass behind them. “Or did you spend all the while staring at Lady Emma and missed the magnificent sights around you?”
“She is the most magnificent sight in the world.” Will chuckled and shook his head. “Traveling with her was a wonderful experience. The places we visited were breathtaking. Denmark enchanted us both. We didn’t stay there long – a fortnight at most. Emma was worried about Kitty. She didn’t wish to miss the birth, and she had promised the duchess she would not.”
“How is Her Grace?”
“Discomfort is evident on her face, and the manner in which she walks. She is rather breathless at times. But despite all these things, she says she is well. The doctor is happy with her progress and soon there will be another addition to the Seymour family,” Will answered.
“And you and your new wife?” Carson asked.
“We have not spoken of children yet, but I have no objection to the matter. I love her and I will wait for whenever she is ready. I certainly do not wish to force her into something for which she is not ready. She is young. We both are, and we have the rest of our lives together. There is no rush.”
“Says the man who married on a ship without even inviting his best friend,” Carson pointed out mockingly.
“My sincerest apologies,” Will chuckled as well. “And you, Carson? How is your courtship with Miss Violet?”
“You heard of that already?” Carson asked, surprised and shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“Indeed. I was infor
med of it yesterday at the breakfast table,” Will answered.
“You should not believe everything your sister tells you.” Carson said, annoyed that a single dinner with a stranger had escalated so quickly.
“It is not true, then?” Will inquired.
“Adrienne arranged the meeting with Miss Violet, and she was under the impression that we would be a good match,” Carson said vaguely.
“Was she wrong?”
Carson glanced out at the garden and sighed. “I do not wish to marry her. She infuriated me the entire dinner. I cannot even begin to imagine what my entire life with her would be like.”
“When is the wedding?” Will grinned with amusement.
“Do not speak such absurdities,” Carson scoffed. “I understand that Adrienne means well. She wishes for me to be happy. But she also wants to ensure that the Wallace family name doesn’t get thrown to the dogs and dragged through the mud.”
“Any more than it already has?” Will chuckled.
“I am serious, William,” Carson choked. “She means well, but I cannot allow her to make these decisions for me. I am the man of the house and she does not respect that.”
“Have you informed her of your feelings?”
“Indeed.” Carson nodded.
“And?”
“She accused me of being in love with Lizzie, and if I spent any more time with your sister then I would tarnish the family name and everything my father and grandfather had sacrificed to ensure we remain respected among our peers,” Carson answered.
“I had always suspected that your sister was rather daft, especially since she began volunteering at the hospital, but this now confirms it,” Will uttered, his jaw clenched. “She is right, though.”
“About what?” Carson asked.
“About you being in love with my sister.”
Carson lifted his chin, but could not deny the truth. “Indeed.”
“Why do you not tell her?” Will asked.
“If you were me, would you tell her?” Carson asked.
“Of course.”
“Now you are the one who is daft,” Carson muttered and leaned back against the backrest of the chair. “Where is she? Usually, she prances around the garden, soaking in the last bit of sunshine before the winter sets in.”