It was a fine morning at Norland. Elinor woke up while the house was still quiet, as she always did. This was her private moment of the day, when she could talk to herself and get away of the agitations of her family. And since John and Fanny had moved in, the noise was absurd, from both sides of her family. Everyone depended on her to maintain peace and order. So she cheered the morning silence. However, since the arrival of Mr. Edward Ferrars, this morning moment was filled with his light conversation and an occasional walk before the duties of the day, which she also gladly waited for. Everyday she would go downstairs for breakfast, and meet him waiting for her. This morning was not different. There he was, with a bright and sincere smile, ready to begin the day.
"And what a lovely morning it is" he said. "Norland is indeed blooming with light and life today". He was always praising the land, wishing to be there forever. "Yes, indeed, Mr Ferrars, I am sure that a walk will be almost obligatory today, don't you think?". Elinor knew that he was longing for a walk, since the last days were full with drizzle and rain. "You read my mind, Miss Elinor". He looked at her with bright eyes and heartily smile, which made Elinor slightly blush. However, he never noticed her blushing, or at least never made her feel uncomfortable. By now this affection was openly demonstrated by both sides.
After a calm breakfast, there they went, through the north path of the house, where a small cliff led to a gazebo. Elinor loved this part of the house, since her father used to play with them there. It had been a place of sorrow, but now Elinor could not think of such sad feelings. "I wish your sister learn to love this house as well as we all did", Elinor sincered with a sigh. Edward felt her distress immediately and, without thinking, seeked for her hand. "I am sure, Elinor, that I will always protect Norland as it is now! For your sake", said him with a pain in his voice. "For all your sakes, I mean" corrected him, with a shy smile and retreating his hand from Elinor's. "I know how much Meg, Marianne and you love this place, as well as I am learning to love". "Thank you", replied Elinor with a smile, since she would never want take him feel uncomfortable for being hasty. She knew him well by now to know how he would always speak from his heart before from his brain. His sincerity seemed natural, but only when speaking to her. "I am sure, Elinor, that my sister will not destroy the beauties of Norland. She may be wanting to change things, but I am sure that she will learn how to love this place as well as we do".
We - it was not the first time Edward used "we" in a conversation. Since his arrival he blended in the family life with an ease that made the horrors of the previous months seem like a long passed nightmare. He brought peace to turbulence; he was a balm to all the sorrows. And Elinor simply felt relieved. While they were seated in the gazebo, time seemed to stop and all the worries disappeared. Nothing could break this moment. However, life was not painted in pastel colours. Suddenly, a rushed servant appeared, with a message from Mrs. John Dashwood, saying that Edward was urgently required in the drawing-room. Edward smiled at Elinor, knowing that actually it was a plot from his sister to keep him under her guard. Elinor whispered: "We were found", to which Edward answered with a playful smile: "Not necessarily". However, duties must be followed and the daily activities should be resumed. So both left their privacy of that morning to face reality, with the assurance that tomorrow would bring another moment in paradise.