Here's the next chapter. Thanks for waiting!
Disclaimer: I do not own Victorian Romance Emma, nor anything that may relate, resemble, or seem similar to any work written by Josie Litton.
When Eleanor had woke that morning expecting to have a delightful conversation with Mr. Reeve before going back to the Inn. It had been years since she had slept so well, and she had woke up feeling much better than when she went to bed the night before. Part of it she attributed to the fact that she felt so at home in his house that it scared her, and the other part was that the dress that she found laid out for her that morning.
It was silk, a pale yellow, and absolutely beautiful. The maid had told her that 'Young Master Reeve' had picked it out himself. Eleanor had happily put it on and was barely able to contain a smile as she headed down the stairs to greet Reeve at the breakfast table.
Ernest had promptly declared at the table that she would be staying there until further notice. Her belongings would be transported to the Reeve Estate, and Annie was already on her way there. He did this without consulting her, and without prior notice.
"You can't just tell me what to do." Eleanor frowned.
She was too used to being the controller of her own actions. After traveling on her own for the better part of the last few years, Eleanor had never realized how much she hated being dictated to until someone spoke to her in such a way. There was no way she would remain in a place where it would be a repeat of her family's home. If Ernest Reeve did not give her a significant enough reason for locking her away like a bird in a cage, she was not going to waste her time with him.
"If you don't tell me why you wish me to stay here than I will leave this instant-"
"Fine!" Ernest was standing before another word left Eleanor's mouth, "I am investigating the possibility that someone is trying to overthrow the British throne," he watched as she froze and turned towards him, "The same people that I have been trying to negotiate with have been trying to kill me for the information I know. Now they're after you."
Eleanor stood still, and Ernest watched the emotions play across her face. First confusion, shock, and than disbelief, "You are lying."
Normally, he punched a person that called him a liar. Ernest figured that was not the best way to go with her, "I do not. I work for Minister Thomas Hale. We are trying to uncover the plot before Queen Victoria is put in danger. Over the years we have managed to keep it out of the press, but it is becoming more difficult. Until now, the underground has not involved outside parties."
"Until now." Eleanor murmured.
"They will come after you now that you've seen them." Ernest came towards her, "And that you have been seen with me."
Panic was beginning to set it. Why would he lie about something like this? It terrified her that he was telling the truth. Ernest did not have a reason to lie to her about something like this.
Eleanor shook her head, "I am just a normal person. I have never done anything wrong. Why are they-"
He stepped forward, ignoring propriety for once, and he laid his hands on her face. Gently guiding her gaze up towards his, he tried to give her a reassuring smiled, "I am sorry, Miss Campbell. It is my fault that you are now brought into this. You are in danger because of me. If there is anything I could do, I would do it, but this is the only option I have so I know that you will be okay."
He was touching her face. Eleanor felt her cheeks warm under his hands and she hoped that her entire face was not red.
"I...I am-"
"I will protect you here." Ernest told her, "Please, don't worry."
Words stopped coming from her mind, and Eleanor just stared silently at him. She had been dragged into his world of shadows, and now she found that she was no longer the same person that she was yesterday.
"I..."
There was a rumble of a carriage outside. Ernest did not hear it as he stared into her green eyes. Even if Eleanor had consented at the moment, he would not have understood her. His fingers were itching, and thumb followed the edge of her face to clear the hair from her eyes. Touching her was a mistake, but now it was too late to realize it.
The knock on the door startled them, and they jerked apart as if they were spooked by a ghost. Ernest was still watching her, and Eleanor found that she felt too exposed under his gaze.
"Enter." Ernest finally remembered to say as there was another knock at the door.
"Sir," Howl walked in, not commenting on Eleanor's red face, "Lady Campbell's maid is here."
"Annie?" Eleanor looked up, and a smile lite up her face as Annie stepped into the doorway, bowing slightly to Mr. Reeve, she smiled and hugged Eleanor.
"Are you alright, m'Lady?" Annie asked, "Mr. Turn told me what happened. You're carriage overturned and you fell in the river? That's horrible!"
"I-I'm alright. They have been very kind to me." Eleanor smiled, "I don't have anything here. We should head back to the Inn as soon as possible."
"But, I don't understand." Annie replied, "The coachman told me you would be staying here."
Eleanor glared back at Ernest, who returned the stare back at her. Was the girl too stubborn to realize what was for her own good?
"There is one more thing, sir." Howl replied.
There was a clang as the front door opened in the hall, "Ernest!" a voice called, "Ernest, my dear boy, I'm home!"
Howl turned to face all of them, "Lady Wisteria has returned."
Wisteria Reeve was an older woman, in her late sixties, who had outlived both her son, daughter-in-law, and husband. Despite this, she tried to live life to the fullest and made it her duty in life to make Ernest's life as interesting as possible. She never understood why the boy was always so serious, or why he always was hiding away from the rest of the world.
"Grandmother." Ernest said as he emerged from the dining room, he smiled as she kissed his cheeks and he returned the gesture, "How was your trip?"
"Oh, delightful!" Wisteria smiled, "You really should have come along, Ernest. All of this work will only make you age faster."
"As you say," he replied, "Have your bags been retrieved?"
"Howl is taking care of it. I shall unpack them myself later." she waved off the offer of having the maids do it for her. As she opened her mouth to chide Ernest about his pale, thin appearance, her eyes fell on the petite woman in the pale dress, "Ernest, dear, who is this young lady?"
"This is Lady Eleanor Campbell, daughter of the Viscount Campbell. Miss Campbell, this is my grandmother, Lady Wisteria Reeve." Ernest introduced.
Eleanor curtsied to the woman, already expecting the same reaction she always got at the sound of her name, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Reeve."
It would always been the same. The person she would meet would give her a sympathetic look, pat her hand, tell her that it was nice to meet her, and then once she left they would gossip-
"Don't bow so low, girl, you'll wreck you back." Wisteria told her, pointing a finger in Eleanor's direction, "Hold your head up and don't stare at the floor when you speak. Someone may think you are being untruthful."
Eleanor's mouth dropped open. Ernest frowned, "Grandmother-"
"Stand up straight, and don't gape at people." Wisteria poked the girl in the arm, and Eleanor promptly stood straight with her head high, "Have some self respect. How old are you?"
"Twenty two." Eleanor replied.
"You are the youngest child in your family?"
"I am."
Wisteria walked around the girl, nodding as if she was inspecting the girl, "What are your hobbies?"
"Drawing, riding, and piano."
"Miss Campbell will be staying with us while she is in London." Ernest spoke, completely disregarding Eleanor's livid look.
"Will she?" Wisteria glanced at Eleanor, "And what does Miss Campbell think about this decision of yours, Ernest?"
Ernest made a face, "She-"
"-I am waiting for an explanation as well, my Lady." Eleanor replied tartly, and then felt embarrassed at her outburst. She had never voiced her opinion so loudly in front of other nobles before. However, as she was just about to apologize, Wisteria burst out laughing.
"This girl of yours has a backbone after all, Ernest." she laughed, "Come into the study and have a cup of tea with me, Eleanor. Is that alright if I call you Eleanor? Please call me Wisteria. Howl, get us some tea!"
Eleanor felt like she was being swept away as Wisteria pulled the girl into the study by the arm. Ernest's stared at the whole scene, his eyes wide as Howl turned towards the kitchen for the tea. Annie followed after the butler, sure that the safest place at the moment was out of the way of the elder Reeve woman.
What had just happened?
Ernest sighed, dragging a hand over his face. This was going to be a long day.
Lady Wisteria Reeve was one of the most delightful people Eleanor had ever met in her life.
At the beginning, she had been nervous at meeting the woman, and now she felt foolish. Wisteria had sat her down in the study with a cup of tea, and began to tell Eleanor about her trip to the coast. She talked almost non-stop, and Eleanor tried to keep up with the onslaught of information.
"So, Eleanor, how did you come to reside in my home? It was very courageous if you to stand up to Ernest. Do not think ill of him, he is just very driven."
"I...I attended the social at the palace for Queen Victoria. I had the pleasure of a previous acquaintance with Mr. Reeve in the past, and he was escorting me home last night. Our coach overturned as we were leaving, and so I stayed here the night because the distance to the Inn was too far."
"You poor dear." Wisteria tutted, "What a horrible thing, no wonder you look exhausted. You are welcome to stay here as long as you please. Speaking of which, I am attending a lunch-in tomorrow with some family friends. Normally I must go alone, but I would be forever grateful if you accompanied me."
Eleanor smiled, and before she could stop herself, she said, "I would love too."
"That's wonderful, dear! In the meantime, please think about staying in the estate while you are here. Having another person to talk to would be so encouraging. Ernest is always so busy, and Howl is extremely dull."
She finally discovered the intent that Lady Wisteria had. The elder woman was trying to salvage the attempt to keep her in the house, while also trying to set her up with Ernest. Eleanor knew that Reeve was a good person, but she wished he had at least thought of her feelings and asked her opinion before deciding for her.
"Alright, I'll stay." Eleanor smiled, taking a sip of tea. Maybe it would not be such a bad idea after all, and having another person to travel with may be beneficial.
"Good." Wisteria gave a smile that hinted at knowledge only known to herself.
Ernest stood on the balcony as the door opened from the library. It had been a few hours since his grandmother and Miss Campbell disappeared into the study.
"Honestly, Ernest, if you like the girl you should just tell her so." Wisteria strode into the room and came to stand next to her grandson, "Must you really be so dramatic?"
He made a face, his grandmother could always read him like a book. "Miss Campbell only sees me as a friend. It would be impolite to try and impose anything more on her without her consent."
"You are the one that is being overly cautious." Wisteria told him, "She's a sweet girl. I have heard the rumors about her, those bloody gossiping vultures. The poor girl has had to deal with more than most people twice her age. With that wretched man as her father...give the girl a little respect, Ernest."
He was being scolded, and Ernest figured he deserved it. After all the events of last night, it had shocked her since he had dumped all the information on her at once, "I apologize."
"Don't apologize to me, boy." Wisteria said, "Go on."
Ernest looked at her.
"Go!" Wisteria shooed him away. With a grumble, Ernest disappeared out of the door, and she turned back to the window. It was about time that her grandson returned to the outside world inside of hiding in that shell of his.
Ernest sat at the desk in his office. It had been a few hours since the servants had been moving in Miss Campbell's belongings from the Inn, and he could still hear his grandmother chatting delightfully with the girl. He figured that it would be good for Lady Wisteria to have another person in the house to occupy her, he had the feeling that his grandmother was often lonely.
There was a knock at the door, and Ernest replied back. Howl entered, holding a tray of tea and biscuits, along with the mail for the day. Ernest set down the document he had been looking and took a generous sip of tea, "Howl, I thank you from the bottom of my soul."
There was a touch of vodka in the tea, for the way the day was going he really needed it. Howl simply nodded, "Of course, sir."
Ernest took the first letter, "Junk." he took three social invites off the top.
"Invitations are not junk mail, sir."
"They are to me, Howl." he tossed them one the filing box on his desk. Later, as later as he could make it, he would go through and decide which one would be the less painful to go to. There was another letter from the trading company from India, another regarding an investment from Switzerland, and then two rather interesting letters that spiked his interest.
The first was from William Jones, the return address was listed from his mother's villa. Slicing the side of the envelope open, he read the letter that Jones had sent him.
Rosaline Kelly Jones.
"A daughter." Ernest replied absently, speaking out loud to himself. It had been two years since he had attended the Jones' wedding. Emma Jones was a strong woman, petite, and Ernest found that he could not help but admire her. The woman was willing to stand up against society. To that day, Emma's permanent residence continued to be at Aurellia Jones' villa. Since her kidnapping, Will had been afraid to leave her alone anywhere near the main city.
He would have to send a congratulations and a nice bottle of whiskey to William later.
The second letter was from Minister Hale, reading that Ernest was to report to London as soon as he was able. It also read that if he tried to work for the next few days with injures that Hale would promptly come to Reeve mansion and chew out Ernest himself.
"Please excuse me, sir. I must see to the dinner arrangements."
"Of course, thank you." Ernest waved absently. He continued to read Hale's letter when he heard a creek at the door. Looking forward, Ernest immediately stood up, "Miss Campbell."
"I...I didn't mean to come in. Howl was leaving, and I just followed-" she answered.
"It's alright."
She stood a seat in one of the chairs next to the window, "Is that a letter from your superiors?"
"Yes." Ernest nodded, stacking the letter on top of William's letter and sticking both in the file in his desk. He really did not want to have to deal with any possible repercussions if Eleanor were to see Will's letter, "Hale wants us to lay low for a few days until things smooth over. It's safe for you here, and he says that there is already an investigation going on in London."
Eleanor nodded, "That is good." she looked at his bookshelf and pulled off a book on international trade.
"I hope my grandmother is not too tiring."
"Not at all." she smiled to herself. On the contrary, it was nice to have a mother-figure who did not cower and scold her for speaking out loud. "Lady Wisteria is a wonderful person. We've been having quite a nice day."
"That's good."
What to say...
He could not exactly explain it, but it felt better to have someone that knew what he was doing. Ernest had to admit that it was difficult to have to work all alone, and now that Miss Campbell knew, he felt a little more at ease.
"Miss Campbell, when I return to London to brief my superiors, could you come with me? They will probably want to have a word with you now that you know everything."
"I will."
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Arigato
Lilith
