The Quiet One

by Anni Gossmann

stables. With Fred in tow, she went to her Perfect Spot. It did not take her long to realize a change. The animals all seemed to move about more hurriedly and not seem to realize that she was there. A few birds were only a few inches from her as they flew around. Anne looked about but did not see a hawk nor a fox nor any other type of predator. What was going on that they all acted so peculiarly? As she glanced around, the sun was starting to be enveloped with clouds but she did not think anything about it. With the sun gone, it had gotten a little cooler so that Anne soon was shivering and beckoned Fred to her to return home. Just as he was about to help her mount Anne gasped. Fred quickly scanned the area but did not see anyone or anything out of the ordinary.

  “Miss Anne?”

  “Look!” She pointed towards the west edge of the meadow where an almost indiscernible bench stood. She quickly walked over and stood in amazement. It was absolutely perfect. The legs were tree trunks but cut so extremely low to the ground that it really looked like they had grown there. The seat was again a part of a tree but so that the four sides were bark. The seat was painstakingly smoothed so that when she ran her hand across it, she did not have to worry about getting any splinters. She could not believe it! It was only a few days ago that they discussed the bench. How could he get it done so quickly? Fred motioned that they hurry home: the skies had turned vicious looking.

  This time, Erwin was not there, so Anne was able to go to the garden and think about the happenings of the day. She was quite positive that she would be able to get the puppy and now was trying to determine what to call it. Trusty, that seemed to be a good name. She was about to start wondering why the bird with the particular song seemed to only be at her Spot when she felt a few drops. She quickly ran in, to miss the sudden torrent that came from the heavens. Soon later, thunder was heard in the distance and Anne went to find her father, who with some consideration stated that a pound is all he would pay for a puppy. Anne was not sure if Lady Willer would accept that price, but decided to try tomorrow. All that could happen is that she would come back empty handed.

  The next day the rain just continued, so Anne could not go for the puppy. She hoped that under the circumstances Lady Willer would not sell Trusty. With the weather the way it was, Anne spent the day reading and doing needlepoint. Lady Vinrey was busy writing letters to acquaintances in order to determine what everyone was wearing for the ball and passing on gossip. Lord Vinrey kept himself to the study, as usual.

  The following day, the rain finally left mid-morning and the mist stopped around noon, so that Anne was able to go for her puppy after dinner. Lady Willer did not have any requests for any of the puppies in the meantime, so Trusty was still available. But, hearing only a pound was approved was not taken kindly by Lady Willer. After some discussion and realizing that Viscount Hufton was not coming nor knew that Anne was here, the pound was accepted as a price. Anne was exceedingly overjoyed so that the somewhat stiff Lady Vinrey even grinned and was happy to place the squirming puppy into Anne’s hands. In despair, Anne realized that she had no way of taking the puppy home with her. Lady Willer found a towel in which they could wrap the little thing and it was then transported in Fred’s lap. Since the Vinrey household was busy pampering the puppy upon its homecoming and relishing its youthful actions, the next few days passed quickly. Even a little basket was created which was affixed to Anne’s saddle allowing Trusty to join her at her Perfect Spot.

  The day of the ball had arrived, much more quickly than Anne expected. She was even taken aback when Lady Vinrey reminded her that today was the day of the ball. The days were so filled with Trusty and seeing Teddy accepting his new playful friend, who often drove the elder dog crazy. Anne had no time to build up her fear of the ball. The afternoon was mostly spent dealing with her mother’s last minute ball hysterics, but before the time came for Anne to get dressed she quickly took Fred to go to her Perfect Spot. She needed to have some calm and space before joining the throngs at the ball. Understanding Anne so well after the many years of being her escort, Fred waited until the very last minute before urging her to return to change for the ball.

  Because of her simple dress, Anne was ready much earlier than her mother. She wore a royal blue dress with silver drops along the hem, shoulders covered luring the eyes up along her lovely neck, the neckline much higher than was the usual custom, a dainty silver drop on a thin short silver chain, and no other frivolous additions. Lady Vinrey, on the other hand, had lace, a low neckline, shoulders free, and multiple layers for the skirt that looked absolutely gaudy with Anne standing next to her. Lord Vinrey looked much more like his daughter’s father with his simple choice in clothes and only a small gem in the cravat. When he joined his family, as usual, he gleamed when he saw Anne. She always looked so becoming and her choices in simplicity so matched her demeanor. She did not even have any earrings, which so often detracted, nor the long necklace with the bauble hanging between the breasts. There was nothing in Anne’s demeanor nor dress to lure men. Her father used to be thankful for her simplicity but now that she was getting older and no requests for her hand, the aging man was getting quite worried.

  The lane to the Earl’s estate was crowded making Anne quake inside. If it was so crowded out here with all of this space, how congested was the building? Eventually the Vinrey family found their way to the front and joined the masses up the stairs into the enormous home. If her father did not have such a strong hold of her hand, Anne would have bolted and headed back home. Instead he pulled her up the stairs to the host who graciously greeted them and kept pulling her along until they came to one of the ballrooms. It did not seem any better in the room, but there were glass doors out to a garden! There might be something for her after all. Before she could even finish the thought, a young man asked for her hand for a dance. This continued for 4 dances, when finally she found her way out of the room looking for refreshments. She needed something to drink but with the throngs could not find anything.

  “Are you looking for something?”

  “No, Erwin, I’m mostly being pushed around by the people.” Well, she should not have said that! With that remark, he grabbed her arm and pulled her to an empty room. Realizing the situation, Anne frantically tried to pull her arm away but with no luck.

  “No, you aren’t going to try that again! My dear, why do you not like me?” He seemed crestfallen.

  “Erwin, if you would have listened to me, everything would be much different.” He shook his head. He pulled her a little closer. “Erwin! I’m telling you that it is exactly such actions that showed me that you are not my acquaintance, besides dear friend!”

  “But we are to be wed!”

  “Not anymore!” Finally she was able to push herself away and quickly went to the door. “Erwin, you must find someone else. She will have to desire your advances or you won’t have any wife whatsoever!” She quickly went through the door and merged with the throng. How was she going to avoid Erwin? She ended up in the ballroom again and quickly was asked for a dance but stated only after she received some refreshment. A few men brought her various drinks and she was grateful since one was not enough. It was so warm with the amount of people there. She did not understand why anyone would want to dance with her or why the men were so kind to her, except Erwin, because she really had not spoken much. She did not know what to say.

  Unbeknownst to Anne, it was her quiet that enticed the men. There was no gossip, no empty chatter, and no embarrassing questions or statements exchanged. Having heard that she was so thirsty, after each dance she now was presented with various drinks. She danced three more dances and then finally was able to push her way to the garden. She had to be careful, though, she did not want to be followed or found by Erwin again. Sadly, the garden was neither empty nor beautiful as she expected. Instead, it was overrun by people who were trying to “discreetly” kiss each other or hide for other nasty doings. Now what was she going to do?

  Suddenly she heard the whistle. Now? Why would the bird be here a
nd sing now, she wondered. Anne whistled back and worked her way closer to the song. It repeated and she mimicked and moved even closer. It stopped. Now what? She looked at the bushes, at the trees, and any other possible place a bird could be but, with the dim moonlight at this end of the building, she could not see much.

  “Are you looking for something?” She quickly spun around. Avery was right behind her. He looked so handsome and regal with the stark evening clothes. “Miss Anne?”

  “Oh. Why are you out here? I’m sure you have many women to dance with.”

  “Yes, but I needed some fresh air which seems hard to do here.” She only nodded in chagrin. “Are you enjoying yourself?” He noticed underlying unhappiness in her face.

  “I just want to go home.” It sounded so childish and after stating this, Anne wished she had not.

  “I’m surprised you even came.” She glanced up into his face. It was such a nice face: nice arching eyebrows, hazel, caring eyes, a mouth that seemed to tend towards a grin, and a young looking short cropped haircut. She was about to study his nose when he interrupted: “Anne?”

  “I think