“Eveline,” he moaned into her mouth, her hands gripping at his waist. Theodore withdrew his head and looked down at the beautiful Eveline, her skin pink and warm as she smiled up into his eyes. Theodore placed his right hand on her heart and she placed her left hand on his.
“I’ve never done this before,” she gushed shyly.
“Nor I,” replied Theodore, watching her chest rise and fall.
“Are you ashamed?” Eveline asked quietly, lowering her eyelashes.
“I should be, but no, I am not ashamed,” he answered seriously.
“Either am I,” replied Eveline. “What about Isabelle?”
“What about William?” quizzed Theodore intently.
“He is my best friend, but beyond that I don’t know, he was the only man in Keswick I saw myself marrying, I had never met another with whom I respected and cared for as much,” replied Eveline. “And Isabelle?”
“I made her up, well not up exactly, she was my nurse but she was married, I just wanted to see how you would react,” smiled a guilty Theodore. Eveline gently slapped his arm.
“Theodore that’s terrible, making me feel jealous!” she pushed him onto his back and sat up, hovering over him.
“Well you made me jealous!” he laughed, his eyes dark and intimate.
“I was telling the truth.” Eveline argued softly before bending down to kiss Theodore’s jaw.
“Well I suppose so,” answered Theodore, pulling Eveline down to his side, letting her head nestle atop his shoulder, her long hair trailing down her back, over her curves. For a while they both lay, gazing at one another, Eveline’s left hand covering Theodore’s heart, Theodore’s right hand upon her waist.
“It has been a strange day Theodore, I feel as though I am on my axis, as though I am in some strange dream, and when I wake it will vanish into thin air,” whispered Eveline.
“I know, if your grandmamma knew what was going on, she would kill me,” smiled Theodore.
“I’m sure she got up to mischief when she was young,” replied Eveline, closing her eyes as she felt sleep cover her. “I’m sorry about George, he was a lovely man, I only met him once, when I stayed here a few years ago, he was on holiday from Cambridge.”
“I only knew him for a short time, but he was a gentleman, and a brave soldier,” answered Theodore, staring up at the ceiling of the four poster bed.
“What will you do? Will you return home?” asked Eveline nervously.
“I’m not sure what I will do,” pondered Theodore, off course he was here to protect Eveline, but he had crossed a line and sooner or later his master would find out, maybe not for a while, but in time he would.
“You could stay here with me,” Eveline whispered into his ear.
“If I stay under the same roof as you Eveline, we will be in trouble,” laughed Theodore. “No I must look for accommodation elsewhere.”
“But you will stay in Bath?” Eveline enquired shivering slightly in the cold.
“If you want me too,” replied Theodore. “But we cannot do this again Eveline, you are engaged, I cannot disrespect your fiancé when he of fighting for his country.” Eveline sighed, knowing Theodore was right.
“I know, but we can be friends, yes?” she asked cheerfully.
“Yes, we can be friends,” moaned Theodore, getting up to retrieve the covers and placing them over Eveline and himself.
“You’re staying?” she asked gently, letting her left leg cover his own, turning her body into his, and kissing his mouth tenderly.
“Yes, if this is the one night we will ever have to be together, then yes I intend on staying until I hear the morning lark,” murmured Theodore into Eveline’s hair, his hands rubbing her back gently as her hips edged into his own. “I won’t be able to sleep if you keep fidgeting like that,” he sighed happily.
“Sorry, I just, I feel like I want or need to mould myself into you,” she replied awkwardly, her body still.
“How odd we would look, if we moulded into one another,” teased Theodore, his hand upon her thigh, covered in silk.
“Hmm,” she mumbled, kissing his chest.
“Eveline, go to sleep,” he commanded.
“I can’t,” she sighed.
“Why?” he teased.
“Because you’re beside me,” she smiled. “And I feel slightly delirious.”
“I can honestly say I have never made anyone feel delirious before,” he laughed out loud.
“Well you know what I mean?” she enquired flirtatiously.
“I think I do, but you can keep your thoughts to yourself, I am not about to strip you off your virginity on the first day of our meeting,” growled Theodore, feeling frustrated.
“I know that silly, I was just being honest,” she moaned.
“Sleep Eveline,” Theodore commanded once again, closing his eyes.
“Alright,” she groaned, following suite.
*
Theodore must have left her bed early in the morning when Eveline awoke, sitting up and stretching a smile upon her face. She felt, different, more grown up, she felt, beautiful. Eveline tip toed over to the window to look down at the garden, the trees bare and the grass covered in a light frost, gazing upwards she smiled at the beautiful blue skies, clear and fair. Today was going to be a good today, her spirits were lifted and the woes of yesterday and the nightmare were behind her. Theodore must have left her suitcase up in her room, it lay to the side of the door. At the far end of the room stood a wash basin and a jug of warm water, Theodore obviously prepared well ahead which made Eveline feel light hearted. Outside she could hear the morning birds singing softly. Eveline spent the next hour washing and dressing, singing out loud and dancing around her room, in a world of her own. Today she would begin anew, no more strange dramas or feelings, today she would settle into life in Bath with her grandmother and Theodore. Such were her spirits, Eveline decided that instead of first having breakfast she would go immediately to the music room, and run her fingers over the keys.
Voices arose from the breakfast room as Eveline walked by, her hair unpinned and flowing down her waist. Although only ever staying at Mary’s several times, Eveline had spent most of those delightful holidays playing the piano. Opening the door, Eveline glided into the beautiful music room, salmon pink. A stunning chandelier dropped from the ceiling in the middle of the room, just above the Steinway & Sons piano, a beautiful rich mahogany. Seating herself down to the piano, Eveline, straightened her back and gently glided her fingers across the keys before playfully playing Piano Sonata No.11 in A Major K.331: Rondo: Alla Turca, her fingers flying up and down the keys, her auburn hair dancing, strands of sun bouncing off her beautifully curled hair, resting at her waist. When finishing Mozart, Eveline took a deep breathe in, closed her eyes and begun to recite her favourite song by Chopin, Nocturne No. 2 in E-Flat Major, Op.9. The beautiful piece of music reverberated around the beautifully kept music room. Eveline was so caught up in the beauty of the song she didn’t hear the door open behind her.
Theodore was drinking his coffee, reading the morning paper and talking to Estelle all at once, when he noticed a figure slip past the room, when he turned he saw a strand of Auburn hair fly by and smiled. It had seemed like an eternity, waiting upon Eveline. Theodore had made sure that the maid, Hannah had brought Eveline’s suitcase up and some warm water in which to wash. After spending an hour in the morning room with Mary, Theodore had left her to go and eat with Estelle. Their morning conversation had been pleasant, Estelle talking forever about Eveline and her proposed marriage to William. She then went on to ask about his service in war and how he met George. Estelle seemed to like Theodore and offered, just like Mary to let him stay for a while to rest up before he made efforts to re-join the army again. Theodore refused politely and suggested he stay nearby and visit during the week asking Estelle if it would be alright to take Eveline out for walks. Estelle agreed, stating that Mary’s dark mood would only depress Eveline and that really she had instru
cted Eveline to come to Bath merely for sanity and company.
“That and some of the strangest things have been happening,” squeaked Estelle, sipping on her tea.
“What do you mean?” asked Theodore, dropping his paper and looking across at the middle aged, plump woman.
“Well you will think me insane when I tell you that I am pretty sure a group of men have been spying on me this past month,” she replied nervously. Theodore set his cup down and looked over at Estelle with concern, this seemed very suspicious.
“How so?” he enquired.
“Well, I was coming home from the baker, you know with a loaf of bread, and two men followed me the whole way home, on the other side of the road that is,” she frowned. “When I entered the house, I quickly ran to a window to see if they were still there, and by God they were, resting against the railings across the road, smoking and looking quite frankly as though they were intent on abducting me.”
“That’s very odd,” lied Theodore, someone knew Estelle was Eveline’s guardian. Lagmar knew she would end up in Bath and that made Theodore very worried. “And have they been here recently?”
“Well actually as you bring the point up, no they haven’t, maybe my evil eyes scared them off, could have been robbers for all I know,” she flung a hand into the air dramatically before biting into a piece of bacon. Theodore nodded.
“Maybe you are right, well if they haven’t been spying on you in the last few days then maybe it’s nothing to worry about, but,” he looked over at Estelle intently, “ if you do see them again you must tell me.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to bother you whilst you are taking rest,” smiled Estelle, knowing she was on to a good thing.
“Off course I am sure, can’t have Mary worried, as well as yourself and your niece,” offered Theodore giving Estelle his best lop sided smile.
“Well that’s that sorted, now if you don’t mind I am going to go for a nice morning walk, do you wish to join me?” Estelle asked eagerly.
“I will have to refuse if you don’t mind, there are matters I must attend too,” apologised Theodore watching a disappointed Estelle making for the door.
“Oh well I am sure we can go on a nice walk about Sydney Gardens sometime,” she replied hopefully, he was exactly like one of her gothic heroes, tall dark and mysterious, she could observe him and use him as a muse for her latest book. On that thought a cheerful Estelle left the breakfast room, leaving Theodore alone at last to go and find Eveline. The house was quiet but for the beautiful music cascading through the air, Theodore noticed it was Chopin and as he entered the music room quietly, he let his body sag against the doorframe as he watched Eveline, lost in the music, play. A smile adorned his face as he happily watched with great contentment, Eveline’s beautiful fingers cascade up and down the piano, her beautiful hair dancing about her waist. As the song stopped, he made to move forward but was halted as she began to recite Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor”. Theodore praised her skills, she was quite the pianist, and though at home he had watched her from a young age being tutored and taught by Estelle, he had never been able to stand quite so close to listen and observe her. Theodore knew that if either his friends or foes found out about his ever growing interest in Eveline, they would be in real danger, but for a moment he forgot about his woes, nobody could see them in this house, and in this moment he wanted to love her, all of her. Maybe with some careful thinking on his part, he could keep their love a secret, but that would mean some careful planning on his part, and what about William? He was her intended, Estelle made that perfectly clear at breakfast. No, Theodore would have to try to keep his friendship with Eveline platonic, there were sound and logical reasons as to why he was absolutely prohibited from touching Eveline, she was after all a goddess, Heiden’s grandchild, heir to the Caunuthe throne and in essence heir to the throne of Heaven, if Heiden should die. If Heiden had anything to do with Eveline marrying, he would only consider an angle of considerable birth, mainly an original like Galean, whose father was from the bloodline of Gabriel.
Just as Theodore re acquainted himself with the music room, Eveline’s fingers dropped away from the piano, her head falling backwards as she breathed in a smile.
“You play magnanimously, if I do say myself,” smiled Theodore walking towards Eveline and planting a gentle kiss on her head.
“Theodore,” she smiled, looking up at him, her golden eyes alive and bright. Theodore bent his head and kissed her softly on the lips. “I thought we were not going to go beyond the limits of friendship?” she asked innocently.
“Well, I say if we keep our..,” he brought his index finger to his chin and looked as though he were pondering, “admiration for one another a secret then why not? That is, do you intend on marrying your betrothed if he comes home?”
“Theodore, what you’re asking of me is a lot, I cannot just refuse the man I have been engaged too these last few years, and…, do you” her eyes grew large. “Intend on marrying me?” Theodore had not thought of this, off course he couldn’t marry Eveline, he would be executed on the spot. However she was right, he had no right to make her refuse William when he himself could offer nothing of marriage. Dropping his hands from her shoulders he stood back.
“No,” he sighed painfully. “I am not in the position to marry, I cannot marry.”
“Why ever not?” she replied her voice quivering, her face etched with confusion.
“I wish I could tell you, I wish I could explain to you why, but believe me when I say, it is not that I do not wish to marry you, I simply cannot, that option is not mine in which to make,” he uttered shamelessly. He had made her all but fall in love with him only to be left heartbroken. He was a coward, a selfish coward, who deserved to be exiled.
“Okay,” replied a blank Eveline, returning to the piano and playing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.23 in A Major, K.488:2 Adagio.
“Eveline,” pleaded Theodore.
“You may leave me,” she whispered above the music, now filling the room. “I wish to be alone, good day Theodore.”
Eveline heard the door close behind Theodore, and bent over the piano as she played on, tears straining against her closed eyes. When Eveline finished the song, she sat back and openly cried, weeping softly at her own stupidity. Honestly what had come over her in the last two days? This time yesterday morning, she was Eveline, the fiancé of William from Keswick, who had a slightly dramatic grandmother and suffered from the strangest of dreams, which all alluded to her being some creature that needed to be crowned. Eveline cried as she realised she could use a mother at this point in time. She had let herself down and most of all she had let William down, kind and caring William, who was away fighting. She had no one else to blame but herself, she couldn’t help how she had instantly connected to Theodore, not just physically but in a very deep manner. Even worse, she had spent the night with Theodore, Eveline a self-confessed, responsible and sensible woman. She couldn’t completely hold Theodore too account, he had made it perfectly clear last night what his intentions were, he obviously had felt the very connection that had ended in their being in bed with one another. Eveline just couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t consent or even adhere to the idea of possible marriage, not immediately but in the near future, if all went smoothly. Theodore was in fact right where William was concerned, but if they truly wanted and needed each other then surely they could have worked it out, yet it was very rushed, yes many would counsel against such rash actions, but Eveline, deep down, somewhere very hidden within herself, knew herself to be bound to this man. Why then did a voice deep within her council her against her own feelings? Maybe space and good logic would help in adverting her eyes from Theodore. The mere thought of never seeing him again pained her to her very soul.
“Eveline, your playing is as beautiful as I remember,” came the voice of Mary from the hallway, looking in; her face dishevelled and drawn. Eveline sniffed and turned round to meet Mary’s tear stained face
with her own and smiled.
“Child whatever is the matter?” asked a concerned Mary coming into the music room and sitting beside a visibly upset Eveline.
“Oh nothing really, honestly I never cry, I don’t know what’s happening to me,” she muttered feeling shamed and guilty, for here she was sitting next to a woman who had lost her only child, a year after the death of her beloved husband.
“Is it William? Do you miss him pet?” asked Mary, setting her handkerchief down on her lap, watching Eveline’s eyes drop to her clasped hands. Eveline couldn’t say no, how could she explain her current situation? She couldn’t.
“Yes, it’s been so long since I have received a letter, I wonder if he is okay,” sighed Eveline, truthfully she did, she actually in this moment could have used some of Williams’s logical and caring words of wisdom, and he knew her inside out. This thought only made her feel even worse as not even these qualities so high for a man like William could raise her level of affection any higher than that of friendship.
“I used to wait for months on end to hear any news of my George, he was such a lazy writer, but for a while he did write me often,” smiled Mary, laying a tender hand on Eveline’s. “I suppose he was busy, his heart was so downcast I think it was hard for him to write a letter that portrayed strength and courage, young men they are idle to the ways of war, all they think about is honour and glory, I wonder if there is any honour and glory in war,” she sobbed quietly.
“Mrs. Ashworth, George was not an idle man, he knew the realities of war,” replied Eveline, “he would not have put himself in harm’s way without a personal cause of his own, he was very single minded and driven by the injustices of the world, maybe by joining the army he thought he could make a difference.”
“I wonder if he has,” answered Mary thoughtfully.
“Mary, off course he has,” blurted out Eveline defiantly, “he has helped to keep women and children safe from evil men whose only ambition is to conquer and control.”
One Crown & Two Thrones: The Guardians Page 9