I shook my head meagerly, disagreeing with his sharp, accusing words. "No, I am not perfect, as everyone in this room knows, including yourself. I chide you only because if I were in your place, I would have chosen a different course of manner and action."
"That is the thing, my dear sister." Elijah muttered, his voice ridged and splintering. "You are not in my place, and you are not me."
"No," I felt my lips curl around the word, my voice emitting it softly and wistfully. "No, I am not." And if I were? I surely would choose many courses differently than my brother. But I was not, so I could not. I could only hope, for his sake and our family's, that he chose the better, less-beaten path of righteousness and goodness. And if he did not? It was his choice to retrace his steps and start anew. Not my own.
Swallowing my rising disappointment, I turned my attention to Fredrick and Clarence's conversation.
"In your preference of conversation to dancing, pray tell, brother, what the subject of your speaking might be?" Clarence asked, mocking seriousness.
"Perhaps her appearance, her knowledge or lack thereof, the health of herself and her family, her standings, the weather…" Fredrick said knowingly. "There are plenty of topics to speak of, Clarence."
"All of these topics you have spoken of, not including the weather, are about her. May I inquire why?" I felt myself ask curiously.
"I suppose because of my interest in the lady herself," Fredrick contemplated slowly. "Or to show her my earnest in learning about her. Although, I daresay I should talk about myself as well, so she knows a bit about me."
"That would suit her quite nicely," I tried to say agreeably; trying my best not to notice my brother's scrutinizing looks. What was the matter with him, anyway? Usually he was much more fair tempered and generous…not the crude, selfish man who appeared before me. Faith glanced at Elijah for a moment, her eyes filled with a seldom seen anger and bitterness.
"Elijah," Faith practically spat. "Has Mother told you of the expected arrival of our Aunt Georgiana and our fair cousins tomorrow evening?"
"No," Elijah said coolly, although with the utmost civility. "She has not been able to lament me with such news. On what occasion do we owe them the honor?"
"Reginald has become engaged to a Miss Phoebe Wright."
"How wonderful!" I exclaimed, truly happy for my cousin, although sympathizing with his bride-to-be. Reginald was known to be snarky and rude at times, especially if the occasion was not happening the way he deemed it ought to. It would take a strong, sharp woman to keep him in his place, which was certain. "Where is her family from?"
"I believe the Wrights are from Holloway, in Derbyshire." Faith continued knowingly. "Mother has told me she has two elder sisters, Constance and Julia, who are both unmarried. She also has a younger brother, Julian, who is yet but sixteen."
"What of her mother and father?" Clarence asked politely, since Faith had not mentioned them.
"Her mother is dead, and her father is in Parliament, so she and her siblings live with their aunt and uncle, the Hemmings, who moved to Holloway from Newcastle."
"Perhaps they know of Aunt Lydia," I murmured, thinking of our mother's youngest sister and her husband, George. Mother wasn't very fond of Aunt Lydia, for she was a bit silly and tittered about every little thing, just as their mother did.
"Yes, perhaps…" Faith agreed quietly, her eyes wandering to meet Louis's.
"Well, I believe we must say adieu, fair Ladies and Sir Darcy." Clarence smiled sadly, raising my hand to his soft, warm lips. "Until we meet again."
"Goodbye, Charles." I murmured, and wished his brothers farewell also. "Perhaps this time we shall hold a ball at Pemberley for you?"
"Sounds delightful, Talia," Fredrick grinned, taking my hand in his own. "I am so happy you are well again, my friend."
"As am I. Good day, Fredrick." I called, letting go of his hand. Faith pecked Louis on the cheek quickly as he left, making him blush fervently. Faith managed to stay calm despite her beloved's embarrassment, and wished the Stevens well.
The three men exited cordially, their carriage awaiting them at the front door. Faith and I remained in the parlor while Elijah saw them off.
"Talia," Faith said quietly. "The ball was horrible, I must confess."
"But why?" I asked, horribly confused. "Did you not have an enjoyable time with Louis?"
"Oh I did, I truly did. It was not him who was the problem…it was Elijah."
"Elijah?" I gaped. Our brother had his faults, as each of us did, but he had good intentions, in most prospects. "What did he do?"
"He drank. And drank." Faith groaned inwardly. "Soon enough, he got drunk, and I had to ride home with him…ruining any hopes of happiness I had with Louis for the evening."
"Oh, Faith." I murmured. "Did Elijah say anything on the route to Pemberley?"
"Just that I was stuck up, mainly because I chided him on making us return home so quickly."
"Well, his drunkenness would explain his cranky manner this afternoon." I supposed, frowning a bit. "Did someone make him drink last evening? Usually Elijah is the most sober man in the room."
"He was probably trying to drink his troubles away." My sister said knowingly, her voice implying she'd elaborate, but she did not.
I wanted to pester her about what she had meant, but was not given an opportunity, because at that moment Elijah entered the room once again, a scowl set on his shaven face. He'd heard us, I was sure of it.
"Faith," I began cautiously, avoiding Elijah's heavy, unwavering gaze. " Perhaps tomorrow, would you like to call on Sarah Ann, Mary, and Frances Elliott?"
"That sounds divine, although you do remember we shall be having our cousins and aunt and uncle as our guests." Faith replied shortly, and excused herself from the room. I stared at the floor awkwardly, unsure what to do.
"Talia…" Elijah mumbled, interrupting the silence. "I must speak with you."
"What is the matter, Elijah?" I asked, feigning naivety. "Has something upset you?"
"Well…yes, something has." His voice dripped of sadness and was full of remorse. "I…I am in love, sister."
I smiled gently at this, but was still unsure what was causing his distress. "With whom, if I may inquire?"
"Denise." Elijah murmured gently, his eyes pleading with me not to become upset as well. I let her name settle for a moment, sucking in a deep breath of air to calm myself. Denise. I would have no objection to the lady, if she were not a scullery maid. Her elder sister, Mary, was one of my bosom companions, being my own chamber maid herself. How had this 'love' come to be, anyhow? When had my brother had time to engage in follies with Denise? She had to work practically all hours of the day…unless he visited her while the rest of the household was asleep…but it was certainly not my place to make assumptions and accusations. Elijah needed me to be understanding, not judging.
"I see," I whispered softly, looking at my sweating palms.
"Talia? Are you upset with me?"
"No." I felt myself sigh. "No, I cannot be. Denise is a beautiful girl, with a charming manner and grace. I cannot blame you for being in love with her."
Elijah rose from his chair opposite of my own, and clasped my sweaty hand in his own firm one. "Thank you, sister."
"Do not thank me yet, Elijah. What are the two of you going to do about this? Run off and elope?"
"I should not hope it would come to that, Talia…I want to marry her properly, with Mother and Father and her parents' consent."
"Elijah," I said gently. "Has Denise not told you? She and her sisters are orphans. Their only guardian is their measly uncle, who is a famous drunkard and bar owner in London. You'll have to ask Mary, who'll certainly give her approval."
"Oh, dear…" Elijah groaned inwardly. "I am indeed a blockhead, Talia. I had forgotten all about her sister. She'll have to quit as your chamber maid, of course, and move in with Denise and I…wherever we choose to settle."
"Yes, that would be a reasonable idea." I agreed, resting my hand on the small of his back reassuringly. "Have you told anyone else of this, Elijah?"
"No…but Faith knows of it." He muttered. "She saw the two of us."
"She found out?"
"Yes…unfortunately. Denise and I were…kissing in the hall, and she saw us from her nook in the study." Elijah said with a meager shrug, as if it did not truly matter to him.
"Has she told Mother or Father?"
"Not that I know of…and I surely hope not, for I wish to be the one to convey the news to them, if at all possible."
"Of course, Elijah." I nodded, understanding his reasoning completely. "They will surely appreciate it."
"I suppose they will…but they surely will not appreciate a love between their son and their scullery maid." He sighed.
"With negative talk like that they surely won't agree to it." I replied simply, as if stating a well-known fact. My brother was surely upset with the situation, as anyone would be in such a disheartening event as this. He and Denise would survive this trial, and would move swiftly on to the next, as they would have to do for the rest of their lives together. But was my brother up to the challenge? That was the question, indeed. "If you cannot remain positive in such a situation as this, how will you be strong for Denise when she needs you the most?"
"I…" Elijah stammered, not used to my brisk, sharp words. I had not meant for them to hurt him, only to open his eyes wider to the world he and his beloved would now be entering. My brother was many things, but being strong in the time of distress and turmoil was not one of his main attributes. He was much better off with a person themselves a welcoming, caring, and strong spirit, who would lift him up and support him. Now was not the time to be cowering in his bedroom, afraid of the world and the speculation it contained. Now was the time to be uplifting Denise to prove to her and everyone else their love was the most important thing to each of them, and that others' opinions and contemplations did not matter to them at all.
"Perhaps you should think on your being supportive and strong before you confront our parents?" I suggested bluntly, and stood. "For if you cannot be brave and true before even confronting Mother and Father, how will you ever confront the rest of the community and the outside world?"
Elijah's head drooped solemnly, and I briskly departed from the parlor. Oh, Elijah. My dear brother had gotten himself and Denise into such a situation that a mere humble and remorseful apology could not undo. I strayed in the hallway for a moment, staring upwards at the fresco on the ceiling. The one in the main hall was decorated much more elaborately, with angels and depictions of heaven, fluffy clouds and winged deities fluttering about. But this one, a meager scene from the myth of Persephone, showing her and Demeter on one portion and her and her husband, Hades on the other, intrigued me the most. Persephone was happy with her Demeter, her painted grin attributing to it, as well as the earthy, blossoming surroundings. But with Hades, on her lips she wore a grim line, although Hades smiled adoringly at her.
Is that what Denise would endure being married to my brother? A sadness at the cruelty her new life would face her with? I forced myself to look away from the ceiling, and strode to the study, that I hoped to find empty.
