by Lucy Langton
Her friend, Isabel’s mother, noticed that she had not left her room for two days and sent the maid to find out if she travelled without anyone’s knowledge or she was just inside. The maid acquiesced, found out the door was locked from inside and gave her mistress the feedback.
Unaware of what was happening outside, Aunt Mariam decided to come out of her shell and face the world. First of all, she had to alert Silas; then, they would know the next plan of action. She would have to either terminate the pregnancy or face the world in shame. She was a faithful Catholic, who painstakingly obeyed all the doctrines. She was a member of the Marian movement and taught the younger ones to keep themselves. Now, she had mistakenly or purposely broken her own rules because of love. Would anyone take her seriously again?
All this was going on in her mind as she took her bath and applied pomade on her body. She brushed her hair and pinned it together towards the right side. She had to go and see Silas, and from their discussion, she would know what to do. She had doubts concerning the fetus, whether to terminate it or not. She would rather bear the shame and give birth to a bastard than to killing a fetus, a baby who would be glad to smile to the earth. She had heard of people dying from abortions and would not want to experience such horrible pain.
She could feel hunger, but the challenge before her was way tougher than hunger. She could eat later, probably, whenever she would be back home. As she unbolted the door and opened it, she collided with Isabel’s mother whose right hand was almost knocking on the door.
Isabel’s mother heaved a sigh of relief and asked her few questions, of which she answered hurriedly and scurried off.
She met Silas at the entrance of the farmhouse, resting his back at the wooden gate. It was in the evening. As soon as she saw him, she burst into tears. He held and consoled her, encouraging her to open up to him what the matter was. That was the second time he would see her after her twenty-fourth birthday.
“I am pregnant,” she spoke amidst tears.
He looked both ways, ensuring that no one was nearby. Satisfied it was both of them alone, he took her to the bench close to the gate, and they reached a consensus.
Chapter 19
In Sheffield, South Yorkshire...
Aunt Mariam had settled down properly with her lover. The first two weeks were not easy for them. Adjustment and first pregnancy with no job at hand made it difficult for her to cope. She almost had a miscarriage, except for the grace of God that kept her. She did not forget to travel with her rosary. It was a part of her. She would wake up first thing in the morning and before she went to bed to pray to Mother Mary to help her to plead with Jesus Christ, her chaste son, on her behalf. She knew she did a shameful thing in the sight of God and needed His mercy the most, especially, now that the baby in her womb was growing and her tummy getting rounder each day that unfolded.
She remembered Isabel and George, her beloved. She felt bad for leaving them at a time they needed her the most. She knew her absence was going to affect them seriously, but also knew she had chosen a better option because a problem required urgent attention. She was going to think about them later and cry herself out.
They got to Sheffield in the evening and found themselves in the house of one of Silas’ childhood friends, Roger Sander. He was stout looking with a tan skin colour, always jovial and ready to help anyone.
Previously, when Silas told his parents of his intentions to travel to Sheffield, he hid the part where he was going with Mariam from them. He knew that they would never be in support of running away with another man’s daughter because they were men of high moral standard. Again, he never told them that she was carrying his child. They would have insisted that he properly married her, even though they would have scolded him for messing up another person’s daughter, an abhorrent act. He packed a few items that he felt were important and together they left, never to return in the nearest future.
Over the next few weeks...
The Baron had a grip of himself. He knew he had gone overboard with his reckless lifestyle. Now, the precious jewel in his hand had fallen off, and it would take him a special effort to recover it. He made another resolution that he was not going to be found among the rascals again. Even though it was going to be a tough battle between good and evil, he was not going to allow evil to win the game. This time around, he was going to be on the side of the good, and together, they would conquer evil and soar to the next stage.
He became sober and tried his best not to step out of the estate again. He had everything he needed within. He had enough people he could interact with, and he could take a little liquor from the liquor shelf in his building. The next day, he managed to come out in the evening, ashamed to face Isabel.
He went to check on his sister in her bedchamber, and there he met Isabel having a hearty conversation with his sister. He nodded at them and sat on a chair facing them. His focus was more on Isabel than his sister. She noticed but said nothing. Isabel tried to conceal her feelings for him but was not smart enough.
“How are you doing today, sister?” Lord William asked his sister.
“I’m fine, My Lord,” she replied and asked him, “You have not been up since morning?”
“Not all! I decided to give myself solitary confinement and have a fine time with my thoughts alone.” He cast a glance at Isabel, and she reciprocated. He patted her upper hand and then excused himself.
“I guess it will be better to let the ladies be. I will take my leave now.”
“If you say so, My Lord,” his sister obliged.
“Where in God’s earth are you going to now?” Isabel asked, the first time she had opened her mouth since his entrance to the chambers.
“If you care to know, I just want to be at the patio door, just to receive fresh air.”
“Fine. Go in peace, My Lord,” she replied.
He was somewhat disappointed, for he thought she would love to keep him company there. Notwithstanding, he left the room to his destination.
A few minutes later, Isabel announced her exit to the astonishment of Lady Beatrice.
“What are you up to?” she asked her, suspecting she wanted to join her brother.
“Nowhere in particular, My Lady. I just need to walk around.”
“Fair enough. Take care of yourself and don’t forget to say goodnight before resting for the day.”
Isabel left, and Lady Beatrice chuckled at the tricky way she excused herself.
She took the stairs two at a time, and as soon as she landed on the last case, she met the butler carrying two glasses and a bottle of red wine down the hall. She suspected he was heading to wherever his master was. However, she was confused about the two glasses on the tray. Mayhaps, he had a visitor. She needed to find out herself. The butler greeted her, and she responded with a nod, tagging behind, but careful enough not to let him know her motives.
She finally got to the patio and found the Baron sitting all alone, looking out. She greeted him and pretended to be heading out, her buttocks brushing his right shoulder. He called her back to join him. She obliged; after all, that was her reason for coming down.
They talked in hushed tones, careful not to let anyone hear them out. But their sitting position betrayed them. No one who saw them would not believe that they were just casual people having a conversation. She rested her head on his body, sipping her wine gradually. He felt her body against his and wondered what it would feel like to be inside her. He brushed the thought aside and held her hand, squeezing it, and feeling relieved that she was no longer angry with him. He was determined to make her happy because her happiness was paramount to him, aside from his sister’s welfare. Since giving up on gambling and rough life would make her feel happy, so would it be. He kissed her softly on the forehead, but not quick enough for Rachel not to get a glimpse of it. She had been lurking around, patiently waiting for Isabel to take a walk to wherever she initially had in mind to go. But it seemed luck wasn’t ready to shine on her. Frustrated and
angry, she stomped away, hatching her revenge in her mind.
Later on, Isabel felt tipsy, the effect of the wine. She needed to go to bed, though the only thing her body wanted was to lie beside Lord William, his body against hers and sleeping like a baby. On the other hand, he felt like exploring her body and eventually, having her under him, probably, spilling his fluid inside her and both of them travelling out of space and colliding in heaven at the same time. But, he wanted to take her at her own will. He didn’t want to lead her on, though he knew how to make her long for him and have her scream his name in a special way.
“My Lord, I think it’s time I went to bed,” she said, breaking the silence.
“You made my evening a fine one. Have a great night’s rest, My Lady,” he said, patting her shoulders.
Isabel felt somewhat disappointed, for she had thought he might escort her to her room. Nevertheless, she took her exit, feeling grateful. She didn’t forget to check on Lady Beatrice and to wish her a great night’s rest.
“My Lady, I’m off to bed,” she told her.
“Would you not care to have a chit-chat with me before going to bed?” Lady Beatrice asked her, adjusting herself on the bed. The room was dark and one could barely see another.
“Not in this dark and cold room!” Isabel protested.
“I like it this way. But I will always cherish your point of view.” She got up and placed the candle on the candle holder and lit it with a strike of the matchstick.
Isabel was resting on the door, and when the light grew, she walked in. She sat on the bed with her. Both remained silent for a while before Lady Beatrice spoke up.
“If you would not mind, I have a surprise for you.”
“For me?” Isabel asked, wondering what the prank was all about.
“Yes for you!” Beatrice replied, smiling sheepishly. She reached for the pillow and raised it. A piece of parchment paper fell off, and she picked it up. Isabel watched as the paper landed on her right palm.
“Here, open it,” Beatrice said, beaming with smiles.
She gradually rolled it out, and the first thing she saw was, Dear angel without wings.
She read through and could not imagine what her eyes beheld.
“... you awaken the little voice inside me and keep the fire burning in me.
I was dead to the world and no more did I see reasons to live. I only existed, waking up, sleeping, with nothing much to fill the gaps in between.
The abhorrence of nature and all its attachments, with their beauties and glories hidden from my beautiful eyes.
What else could have broken the little wall around me and help me to snap out of myself?
I sought refuge in my little world, contented with my life, waiting for the day I would go to the great beyond, to join my parents who have gone before me.
Each night I slept, I heard them speaking to me through the whispering oaks that I could do better than I was doing. They refused to let me cross the thin line between there and here.
I prayed to them to allow me in until one morning, Mother said to me,
“Daughter, your prayers have been answered!”
I leapt forth in joy and happiness, thinking I was about to join them.
Then, my brother came in and announced to me that he had brought a special friend for me. That I would like her.
I frowned and asked him if he felt I needed a friend.
He assured me that you were different from everyone around here.
I urged him to let you in.
You came in, and the first thing you did was to separate the drapes, and the room got illuminated.
I saw light pass through my eyes and darkness disappeared forever. It was then I remembered Mother telling me that my prayers had been answered.
My beautiful angel, you are the answer I longed for.
You are not just a friend; you are my sister. Nay, you are my angel without wings. I have come to embrace you with open arms.
You are welcome in my life.
Yours truly,
Me.
Isabel managed to read all, and the last sentence sent tears flowing from her eyes. She loved her. She was glad to be the angel without wings, even though she saw it as an exaggeration, for she was an ordinary mortal who had no form of wings.
She placed her hand over Beatrice’s shoulders and felt the warmth of her body. She drew her closer and rested her head on her shoulder. She patted her head, and both of them remained in that condition, satisfied with the silence they shared.
She later took her exit and entered her room. As soon as she laid on the bed, she allowed the tears to flow freely through her eyes, causing a pool to gather on her pillow. She remained in that position, allowing her mind to wander around and later, she was overwhelmed by the thought of love.
The Baron likewise wished his sister goodnight before eventually withdrawing to his bedchamber, feeling satisfied at the way things were flowing between him and Isabel. He was going to keep tormenting her with his presence, a promise he made to himself. Therefore, subsequent days saw him touching and squinting at her at any slightest opportunity. His cheerful disposition was evident to everyone in the estate. Though he was trying his best to please her as well as convince her that he had turned a new leaf, however, he was consciously fitting into the life expected of a gentleman.
***
A few days later…
Beatrice woke up in the morning so weak and tired. She didn’t understand why. She felt her body against fever, but her body temperature was normal. She relaxed back in her bed, expecting Isabel to come and give her some body massage before helping her out of bed. She was used to her now and depended much on her for emotional support. Not that she was lazy or could not achieve any reasonable thing without her, but her presence meant enough to her. She had accepted her to be an elder sister, the one she could look up to, specifically, for the fact that she was more experienced than her.
She knew something was going on between her brother and Isabel, but overlooked it since it was not her business; after all, both of them were adults and knew what was best for them. Their actions the previous day were an evidentiary proof that both of them had a great passion and feeling towards each other. She was not going to come between them; neither was she going to stop them from achieving their goals and dreams. It was their own time to explore the possibility of becoming a pair. If they were fortunate enough for the odds to be in their favour, that would be so good. She was going to be happy for them and give them her full support. Deep within her, she knew that Isabel was the best lady for her brother, and she could see drastic changes in her brother since the emergence of Isabel in their home. She never liked his lifestyle and wished he could change for good. Now, someone had come to help in bringing her wishes to pass. Her body ached as she turned to face the wall. She wondered why Isabel had not appeared in her room, at least to say good morning to her.
Isabel, on the other hand, had overslept and didn’t see when the darkness of the night gave way to a bright and beautiful morning. She had slept very late, doing one thing common among the newly found lovers. She was awake all night thinking about the Baron. It was beyond the casual thoughts; she had sensual thoughts going on in her mind, and like most thoughts follow us to the gate of our dreams and eventually enter with us, she had the most erotic dreams that night.
The rays of the sun flashed through her eyes, and she snapped up from the bed, confused about her whereabouts. In her dream, she was right on the bed of Lord William, doing that thing common among lovers. It was not surprising as she woke up that she found herself in a different reality. It took her few seconds to snap fully back to the present. At least, she did snap back.