Chapter 4
A telegram, a package and a Love letter
In the middle of the night, Aunt Connie woke up. She sighed, and listened to what seemed to be a certain solid silence, but was really extremely fragile. And indeed, it could not go on, unbroken.
A screaming sound filled the hallways, a sound that she could hardly mistake. She rose quickly from bed, and tore the door open, to find Galahad, resplendent in slippers and dressing gown, running in circles in the hall. "Galahad! What is the meaning of this?" She hissed.
At the sound of her voice, Galahad stopped running. His face was white. "Where in the name of sense is that screaming sound coming from?"
Aunt Connie sighed at her brother's imbecility and made her way towards Freddie's bedroom. "I have no doubt that he is the cause of all this." She murmured, turning the brass knob and peering into the badly lit space.
As she had surmised, the awful noise had been coming from her nephew's lips. He lay on the carpet, a letter crushed to his chest, staring at the ceiling in ecstasy. Indeed, he was so occupied, that he didn't noticed when his aunt and uncle entered the room. He barely turned his head as he muttered, "It's all finished! And now, I shall no longer darken these hallowed doors. Or is it halls?" The question seemed to perplex him, but he was too happy to be ashamed.
"Frederick, what are you doing on the floor at this time of night?" Aunt Connie asked loudly in order to gain his attention. It seemed to her rather silly that her nephew be in such a sunny disposition at one o'clock in the morning.
Freddie shrugged. "Beach brought in a stray letter he had omitted to give me. And I must say, it has lifted the old spirits! I will tell you about its contents in the morning. Consider it another Christmas present, Aunt C." He winked at her, but frowned as he tried to raise himself from the floor. "I'm afraid, leaping about wasn't the best choice, but other than that, everything is oojah-come-spiff."
Aunt shook her head, and raised both eyebrows disapprovingly. "Frederick, if this letter is about your engagement, I wish to know all. You see, my presents to you can be affected by your engagement, and I wish to know you're settlements before you receive these precious gifts." Aunt Connie counseled, turning a little pink.
Freddie nodded. "Well, I'll tell you. It is my intention to marry Miss Niagara Donaldson, biff down to some exotic honeymoon resort (Martinique for instance) and begin a small family. I will then begin my responsibilities of being on the board for her father's business, and who knows, I might become the owner, when the old boy expires." He glanced at his aunt hopefully and continued. "I have already informed McAllister of my intentions, and he has not put up any objection, yet. But dash it all, she's a good woman, with a good background. At least she is a woman for whom I have affection."
Aunt Connie seemed to consider, then reached out to help him up. "I will consider you're proposition, Frederick. She is a woman I approve of, and for once you have not put up a struggle over these marital issues. But first, I will give you your presents. I hope, your betrothed will approve of them." She finished, watching as her nephew, clad in a scarlet, satin dressing gown settled himself beneath the covers, not without a little help from Galahad.
"Oh, she should approve, as long as your present isn't a counter engagement to another woman." Freddie joked, his eyes lighting up in anticipation. He was positively glowing.
Galahad interrupted with his congratulations. "I have never met this Miss Donaldson, but I hope that you will be sincerely happy, and that she will be the best mother to your children. I cannot wait to meet the woman!" He assured, his eyes lighting up as Freddie turned to give him a benevolent smile.
"When you meet her, uncle Gally, you will think her an absolute goddess, and I do mean it! There are not enough words to describe this lovely lady who has entered my life. I have only wondered at her uncle's perpetually calling me "the bairn faced loon" but all in all, I love the woman and her family! Even the thought of matrimony to her, makes my heart soft and affectionate towards McAllister himself!" He leaned back, placed his hands behind his head and placed his legs atop the pillows at his feet.
Aunt Constance sighed impatiently. "Well, that's all fine and dandy, but I think Galahad, we should leave the young bride-groom to dreaming of his bride-to-be (as I am sure he was doing previously). They do say that the best road to healing, especially in sickness, is through sleep. Besides, we need to break the news to Clarence." She reminded hopefully. Her nephew looked tired, and she didn't wish to stay awake herself any longer.
Outside the bedroom door, Beach lurked with a small piece of paper and a parcel wrapped in gunny-sack. "These are for you, your ladyship. A Mr. Galloway dropped them off." He handed them to Aunt Connie, and shimmered off.
Galahad reached for the parcel, and glanced at the address. "This isn't for you, my dear. This is for Freddie!" He glanced at his sister curiously. "You aren't snooping on your own nephew, are you?"
His sister colored. "Of course not! I would never dream of doing such a thing! But you do know how irresponsible Frederick is, and I don't want him keeping secrets. It's dangerous you see." She finished, tearing the parcel from his hands and ripping it open, gasping at its contents. "A wedding band? A veil? Freddie must be serious about this woman, if she has sent these things to him for his approval!" She carefully folded the contents back into the bag, and then began examining the telegram. "I suppose this explains the parcel." She murmured, tearing it open. Its contents were as follow:
Dear Freddie,
I wanted to send you these things for your approval. I cannot wait until we meet again, although I fear I may be some time in planning the wedding. Which month would you approve of?
Love,
You're Angel,
Niagara
Aunt Connie placed the letter resolutely in its envelope, and winced. There had been a time when she had been used to such soppiness, but she could never quite understand it now. In fact, she rather disapproved of it. "Well, Galahad let us just thank heaven that everything is going according to plan. I'm glad that Freddie has finally taken some steps in the way of matrimony. Let's just hope that we can get him to the altar before he changes his mind."
