Standard Disclaimer Applies Here

Chapter Five

Was she so loved because her eyes were so beautiful, or were her eyes so beautiful because she was so loved?
-- Anzia Yezierska

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Tomoyo woke up the next morning to find out that Eriol was gone once again. This saddened her a little, but she was comforted with the memories of the hopeful conversation they had the day before.

However, her good mood was extinguished when she saw an envelope beside her breakfast when she went down.

"Mother." She murmured when she saw it. She took it and opened the envelope carefully to reveal a paper with her mother's handwriting.

My daughter Tomoyo,

How has your stay been so far? I trust you have been adjusting well to England. Your adjustment would be necessary for your successful debut in London during spring.

I've recently received a letter about the older Mr. Hiiragizawa's timely death. Please send my deepest regrets to his family. Fortunately, his son has agreed to take you in, so we did not have the misfortune of you being sent back while you were still India.

I am also grieved to say that my trip to Great Britain would be delayed for a month and half due to a recent accident in one of the railroads being constructed. However, I would be arriving before the Season ends.

Your Mother,

Sonomi Daidouji

Tomoyo smiled ruefully before sliding the letter back inside its envelope. She had not expected a handwritten and personal letter from her mother. It was short, but felt more real than the messages her mother had left her in the past. Had she felt guilty about her distance from her daughter? Was she actually making an effort to bridge the gap between the two of them?

The answer was still something she yet to find out, perhaps in a span of months.

"Who sent the letter, Tomoyo-chan?" Nakuru asked her eagerly after a few mouthfuls of bread. "Was it from Japan?"

"It is from my mother." Tomoyo replied.

"Oh! What did she say?"

"She sends her condolences for the death of the older Mr. Hiiragizawa. Aside from that, she is also saddened to announce that her trip here would be delayed due to an accident at one of her railroads, but will be here before the season ends."

Nakuru smiled as Suppi crawled from her lap to bite one of her slices of bread.

"That is a relief, I say! It would be very disappointing for you if your mother won't be able to come to your own debut!"

Tomoyo nodded, even though she wasn't entirely sure if her mother's absence at her debut would really bother her.

"Speaking of the debut, I just asked Eriol if it was possible for us to have our dresses made for the party we're planning to hold in your honor, and he said we could go have our measurements taken today!" she exclaimed ecstatically.

"Wouldn't that be too early?" Tomoyo asked. "Or can't we just go shopping and buy some of the ready made dresses they have in the store?"

Nakuru sniffed. "We can't just buy any dress for your party, Tomoyo-chan! We need to have a special dress for it!"

"I understand, but wouldn't it be too early?"

"Too early?" Nakuru repeated before sniffing again. "It's never too early! Besides, having a dress made in this small town might take a while. Before taking our measurements, we still have to choose a design that's fashionable. We sure don't want you to be wearing a dress that was meant for last season, Tomoyo-chan! After that, we still have to pick the perfect fabric for the dress, and then wait for it to be delivered before the dressmaking starts!"

"Yes, but, that wouldn't that only take a month?" Tomoyo reasoned. "I don't think we should rush all of this."

Nakuru giggled. "Oh Tomoyo-chan! If we receive the dresses earlier, then we could have more time to practice for your party! It has to be perfect so you need to practice wearing the dress and the shoes! Oh the shoes! We need to buy that as soon as we receive the dress!"

Tomoyo sighed. It looked like there was nothing else she could do to make Nakuru think otherwise. She was firmly rooted upon her decision.

"Oh fine, let us go to today." She told Nakuru. "What time shall we leave?"

"In about an hour." Her friend answered. "So pick out something to wear so we can leave on time for our appointment." She giggled.

"I'm so excited Tomoyo-chan! I love having dresses made!" she squealed, oblivious to the fact that Suppi was munching on her bread slices.

Tomoyo just smiled. "I do too." She replied before continuing her breakfast of bread, butter and marmalade.

In truth, Tomoyo did not really mind having her dress made early. She just did not prefer to have it made today, because of some plans she had in her mind over a few days. Today was the perfect time to do it, now that he was gone, and she couldn't wait to do it.

Yes, there was no harm in setting out her plan tomorrow, but like it was mentioned, it was something she could hardly wait to do.

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Tomoyo was rarely intrigued. Her sheltered life back in Japan had often bored her, especially after her cousin left the country to marry a Chinese merchant. Only a few things interested her after that. Like books (she was lucky enough to have a library full of them) and nature. She had never expressed any interest in art, especially paintings.

Yet, here she was, standing in the one part of the manor, where she was forbidden by her guardian to go to, just to look at pieces of artwork.

Tomoyo stood before the door to the entrance of the forbidden room. She shuddered at the thought of what Eriol Hiiragizawa might do once he discovered that she was here again, against his strict orders. Perhaps, he might lock inside her room or forbid her to go to London. Or even worse, throw her out and send her back to Japan. She could only shudder once again as she thought of her mother's possible reaction if that did happen.

Still, despite knowing the risks, she still stood outside of the forbidden room, ready to enter it any second. She wanted to see the beautiful paintings of one of the most dazzling women she had ever seen. Her guardian's reaction to her intrusion last week, made her want to see it more.

Yes, she knew she was disrespecting her guardian's wishes by doing this. But, she was only going to take one look around the room, then exit it quietly, with a vow never to enter it again. She wanted to add forgetting to the vow, but she doubted that forgetting would be possible.

Unfortunately, her cold hand wouldn't move from its place on the doorknob. It wouldn't turn it to let her inside.

"Come on Tomoyo, let yourself in." she told herself. "You don't have much time left before you leave. You have to forget this soon."

Silently, her hand obeyed and turned the knob, slowly. She pushed the door to let her in, the darkness of the room, shutting out any light.

Fortunately, Tomoyo still remembered where the curtains she had opened the last time were located, despite the room's darkness. She felt through the walls slowly until she finally felt the thick curtains. She pulled them back and placed them in its holder nearby.

Light from the outside, quickly shot in, making everything in the room visible to Tomoyo, who squealed in glee after seeing the familiar paintings once again!

"These are all so beautiful!" she exclaimed and examined the portrait nearest to her. It contained of course, the mysterious and beautiful brunette present in every painting. The woman was wearing a pink dress and a matching bonnet while seated at a carriage.

"He must be Mr. Hiiragizawa's mother." She thought aloud. "She does not resemble him, so he must take after his father then."

She examined every portrait in the room closely, knowing that this would be the last time she would be gazing at them.

"The older Mr. Hiiragizawa and his wife must have been to dozens of places to be able to have all of these paintings with different backgrounds!" she murmured to herself.

Tomoyo was correct. There were beaches, meadow, ballrooms and even more settings used for the paintings. Eriol's mother wore a different dress in every painting, yet her smile and beauty remained constant.

Tomoyo sighed. She supposed that the older Mr. Hiiragizawa must have been really in love with his wife to dress her up and take her to different places just to paint her. From what she heard from the servants, his wife was a young Japanese girl that he met while trading in Japan. He immediately fell in love with her and took her to Britain to marry her. In fact he loved her so much, that he changed his surname, even it was to the scandal of British society and to the despair of his family.

In fact, it was only today that Tomoyo noticed the woman's Japanese appearance. When she looked closer at the woman's facial features, it was only then she saw her almond-shaped eyes, and all the other distinguishing attributes of the yellow race.

"How dimwitted of me to notice, of course she's Japanese!" she exclaimed.

She silently envied the woman. How fortunate she was! To have a young man care and love her so much! If she was only in the woman's place.

"I only hope, that I would receive the same blessing she had this spring." Tomoyo thought aloud.

It was when she heard a voice speak from behind her.

"I don't think the Lord of this house would be pleased to see you here."

Tomoyo's heart skipped a beat while she inwardly cursed; something she would never had done before. Could have one of the servants discovered her? Would they report her to Mr. Hiiragizawa? No, she will not let them! She would plead, even beg on her knees.

This was all the outcome of her idiocy. She must have left the door slightly open again, if someone had discovered her!

"Oh please don't tell Mr. Hiiragizawa!" she pleaded as she turned around slowly to face her capturer. "I would do any…Suppi!"

To her surprise, no servant stood behind her, for the only one behind her was the cat Spinel Sun.

Tomoyo slapped her forehead. Of course, it was only her imagination. All was a result from her paranoia and guilt.

She picked the black cat up and embraced it tightly.

"You gave me quite a scare, Suppi! I thought you were one of the servants ready to report me to Mr. Hiiragizawa. But, you won't do that Suppi? Am I right? You won't betray me."

She received a rubbing and purr as her reply.

She sighed. "Yes, I do know that what I did was wrong, but do not worry, because I promised myself and to you too, that I shan't do this again. I only wanted to look at the beautiful portraits one last time, because Mr. Hiiragizawa has forbidden me too."

Tomoyo embraced Suppi more tightly. "Oh, how I envy his mother! It seemed like she had such a happy life." She smiled at the cat.

"I'm sure you're here to tell me that Nakuru is waiting for me. Tell her to wait; I'll be there in a few minutes. I'll just need to fix this room up."

She let Suppi down, who scampered out the room quickly.

Tomoyo heaved a breath of relief.

"That was close." She mumbled. "It also gave more of a reason why I shouldn't be back here again."

Tomoyo shut the curtains quickly and was out of the room in a matter of moments.

However, as she silently closed the room's door behind her, a puzzling matter appeared in her mind.

She could have sworn she had the door firmly shut, when she entered the room earlier.

Out of fear during their first encounter, she had also forgotten one of the things Eriol had told her when they first met.

The elder Mr. Hiiragizawa was not an artist, and neither was the woman in the paintings his wife.

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"Tomoyo-chan!" Nakuru called out from the carriage as her friend hurried from the house. "We're going to be late for our appointment!"

Tomoyo quickly climbed into the carriage with the driver's help. As she settled down on her seat, she smiled shyly at Nakuru.

"I apologize for being late Nakuru-chan, I'm afraid something was taking up my time."

Her friend shook her head. "Do not tell me that you have been in the library again, hunting for some book! I thought you weren't finished with The Descent of Man yet! Even though in my opinion, that book is impossible to finish!"

Tomoyo laughed. "Yes, it is quite long, but I'm enjoying it. Oh, Nakuru, are there any other portraits of the Eriol's mother in the house?"

"Other portraits?" Nakuru repeated. "You mean, you have seen some of them already?"

Her friend blushed. "No, I was just actually curious on how the whole family looked like. I also heard Eriol's mother was beautiful, so I wanted to see her."

"Some of her photographs are in the library." Nakuru replied. "There are some portraits of her in the portrait room, where the family keeps all the portraits of their ancestors; I daresay you haven't been there yet?"

Tomoyo shook her head. "No, but I would love to see it!"

"I'll take you there sometime." Nakuru answered, pleased to see her friend enthusiastic for the first time.

Tomoyo gave her a warm smile. "That would be wonderful Nakuru-chan! Thank you!"

So Tomoyo remained in a happy mood for the rest of the day.

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Eriol had been back in London for three days. Nothing had changed and so did his job. The new railroad was still being built and so far there had been no more railway accidents to delay his departure after the railway construction ends next month, not that he minded delays.

He slapped his head at that thought as he slumped against his chair. He really was a strange man. London was the place, where the most awful thing in his life had happened.

Well, it was the most awful thing before his father had died, his mother following him soon after that.

Maybe that was the reason he tried to keep away from home. Home was where he received the news of how she broke his heart. Home was the place, when his parents both had died, due to his selfishness.

Should he be even calling it home?

Yes, London was a better place to stay, despite all the memories it had for him here.

He took a look at his watch. It was already fifteen minutes to three o'clock. He had to get going if he wanted to meet his schedule.

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Fifteen minutes later, Eriol stood outside one of London's oldest and renowned libraries, waiting for his companion. Moments later, his friend arrived, a short brown man, barely over five feet with dark hair.

"Good afternoon Mr. Hiiragizawa." He greeted and bowed before Eriol returned him the same courtesy.

"I see that you're enjoying our discussions in the library together." His friend said as they entered the library together.

"Yes. Even though it has been quite a while since we sat down in the library together. How is the progress going on with that book you're writing?" he asked as they sat down by their favorite spot by the window.

"I've recently started the seventh chapter of the book." He replied as he placed out his pen and manuscript. "It is where I plan to reveal the real identity of the story's main character to one of the supporting characters."

"I see," Eriol spoke. "What about the book you were editing earlier? The one you discovered in the museum?"

His friend smiled. "I have already sent it to be republished in France. Soon, the world will know that my country also had an early civilization!"

Eriol smiled back and congratulated him. He was fortunate to have met his friend during his free time spent in the library. Their friendship was one of the few comforts he had.

The next several minutes was spent in silence. Eriol read his borrowed copy of The Skeptical Chemist by Robert Boyle while his friend continued to write.

"I heard from the Becketts that you have taken a ward." His friend spoke up after several minutes had passed.

"Yes, she is a seventeen year old Japanese daughter, of my father's former friend."

"I see, why not take her to London? She might enjoy the sights, and do not forget to introduce her to me!"

Eriol looked up from his book and narrowed his eyes. "Please don't think about making her one of her conquests. She is still young and yet to debut in society."

The man sitting across him laughed. "I won't do that, even though I had a lovely Japanese girl for a lover in the past. Perhaps, she could be your own experience of a Japanese lover."

Eriol's head quickly shot up at that comment.

"Let me inform you, my friend." He said hotly. "That I have no intentions in courting my ward or having a lover."

His friend shook his head. "If that is your choice, then let it be. But I do not see the harm in bringing her to London next month, if she is to debut in spring, wouldn't it be nice for her to be familiar with the city? Won't she find staying at your manor so long tedious, just like your cousin?"

Eriol set down his book once again and mused on the idea. He would be leaving for London again after he arrived home next month. Surely it won't do any harm to bring his cousin and ward along with them? Nakuru had been complaining about staying in Wessex for too long, and had expressed a desire to visit London for a while before spring. Perhaps, taking them for a trip would please her enough to stop bothering him for some time.

"Yes, perhaps I will take them to London next month."

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A/N: Hello everyone! I'm sorry this chapter took so long! I had been really busy with school and had been too exhausted to write. Fortunately, the school year in this country has just ended and I was blessed with time to write this chapter, which I typed all morning, from 8:30 to 11:30 AM. Hopefully, I might update in May, after my trip to the US in April and between my college entrance exam reviews. Thank you for all the reviews! They have really encouraged me. Oh yeah, I mentioned in the first chapter that the story's setting is in 1880 Victorian England, but I've decided to move it to 1889, to make it more historically accurate.

Till the next chapter!