Of course, this is not possible without, and dedicated to, LuvinEvian and Courtaney, for their help, support, and threats! LOL! Love you guys :) :) :)--EF
The village was overjoyed to learn their beloved Doctor Eve was not dead after all. Grace simply explained Eve's injury and subsequent rescue. Not wanting to compromise Eve's reputation, Grace told everyone Eve was found by a kindly widow. The explanation was readily accepted, and Eve stayed on with Grace and Samuel.
Eve could not bear going back to her cottage just yet. Memories of Julian journeying there with her to retrieve her belongings only brought on fresh tears. Even gathering herbs, a chore she once loved, caused her to break down, thoughts of caring for Julian during his illness invading her tortured mind.
Grace worried about her friend. Eve had been back in Harmony for several days now, and the melancholy surrounding her was almost a tangible thing. At a loss, she wondered how she could help make Eve happy once more. Something had to give, soon. Eve could not go on like this.
A knock sounded on the front door. Grace hurried to answer it, shaking her head at Eve, who was looking out of the window, her eyes red-rimmed. Grace wondered if Eve even heard the knock.
Opening the door, Grace stared at the man standing on the other side of it. "May I help you?"
"Good afternoon. I am here bearing an invitation to the Crane estate."
"The Crane estate? That cannot be right," Grace told the man. "We have never been there, nor do we know any of the Cranes."
"I assure you, this is no mistake. You are Grace, wife of Captain Samuel of the militia." He stepped just inside the door, his attention focused on Eve. "And your houseguest is Dr. Eve. Her presence is required also."
"Required? I thought you said this was an invitation."
"Lord Crane is requesting that everyone in Harmony attend. This is not an option, my lady." The man was firm.
"What is this 'invitation' for?" Grace was annoyed at the presumption of this Lord Crane. Who was he to practically order everyone to comply with his event?
"A masque, my lady. Lord Crane is having a masque tonight. Also--" he opened the invitation, remembering the special instructions--"your costumes have already been ordered, and sent to Buckman's mercantile. For all of you." He glanced at Eve again.
"Wait a moment. Whomever this Lord Crane is, why would he order costumes for us? What is the true reason that we are apparently being forced to attend?"
"I can only say this, my lady. Lord Crane has stated that he wishes to right some wrongs, and to do so would involve the whole village. He intends no malice, I assure you."
Grace was still confused, but accepted the page's explanation. "Then we shall attend--all of us." After thanking the young page, she closed the door and walked over to Eve.
"Looks like we are going to a masque tonight." Grace handed Eve the invitation.
"What is this for?" Eve asked. "A party? I don't feel like going to a party, Grace. You and Samuel go. I'll stay here. I am not in the mood for any kind of party, particularly a masque."
"But Eve, this will be good for you. And look, it's given by Lord Crane. We have never set foot in that castle. Wouldn't you love to see what it looks like inside?"
"I don't know," Eve said, turning to look out the window once more. "I just don't feel like a party. But you and Samuel go, please. I know you would love to attend an affair at this Lord Crane's estate. I want you to go. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine here."
"Now, Eve, if you think Samuel and I are going to let you sit around here and waste away into nothing, it's not happening. You shall attend with us. It isn't an option anyway. The messenger said the nobleman is requesting the presence of the entire town at this masque. We cannot go against his wishes. It wouldn't look good for Samuel if you did not attend...you being our houseguest and all. Oh, please, Eve. Go to the masque with us."
Eve turned to face her friend. "I cannot allow Lord Crane to look upon Samuel in poor favor, especially after all you two have done for me. I'll attend with you. But I do not want to stay long, if that is all right with you."
Eve did not share Grace's enthusiasm. The last thing she wanted was to be at this masque. If only Julian would be there...but that was impossible. She would never see Julian again, and no social gathering would change that fact. She did not want to see other couples dancing and in love, while she was alone.
"I'm sure the castle will be lovely, Eve. Perhaps Lord Crane will even give us a tour. I am sure there is a lovely garden that you could see."
Flowers, Eve thought. She could not help but think of the many times Julian gathered flowers for her. Oh, when would she stop thinking of him?
"How is everything going?"
The silver-haired woman smiled. "Everything is going well, Lord Crane."
Lisette had been in Julian's family's employ for many years. She was practically a mother to him after his own mother died when he was a young boy. He couldn't believe how much he'd missed the older woman these past seven years. Julian scanned his opulent surroundings. Or how much he had missed this place, for that matter.
"The room is ready, too?" he asked.
"Exactly to your specifications."
"Thank you, Lisette."
"If I might say so, I can't remember you ever looking so happy. You were merry and cheerful at your soiree last night, but I don't know. You seem different, almost reborn."
Reborn. Julian grinned to himself. That was more accurate than she knew. "I have changed, Lisette, and for the better, I assure you."
The woman nodded, and then went on her way.
Julian was eager for the masque to begin, but it was still several hours away. He feared the next few hours would creep by like a blind tortoise. He leaned against the wall, remembering the happy times he and his beloved had shared. So real the feelings, he felt he had stepped back in time.
Eve sat in his open palm, a smile on her face and awe in her eyes as she watched the fireflies dart about them.
"They're so beautiful," she marveled. "They haven't a care in the world."
You are the beautiful one, Julian mused. Aloud he said, "The fireflies and I are alike. We venture out only at night." He could not help the wistful tone that crept into his voice.
She patted his palm in an attempt to comfort him. "It's a lovely evening, Julian. Please don't be sad."
"How can I be sad when you are with me?" He caressed her hair. "You make me so happy, Eve."
She reached up to touch his finger. "Thank you, Julian. You are so good to me."
Julian closed his eyes at her innocent touch. How he loved her. He opened his eyes and looked toward the heavens.
"Look at the stars, Eve. Aren't they amazing?"
"I've never seen them so clearly."
"You can see them a lot easier on the mountain, I have noticed. And my height makes it even easier, it seems." He held Eve up closer, protecting her with his other hand. "Do you know the constellations, my dear?"
"I'm afraid I don't."
He smiled, eager to show her his favorites. "That's Orion," he pointed with his index finger, "and over there, is the Big Dipper."
"Beautiful."
"Here is my favorite. See those two way up there?" Julian pointed toward to heavens. "Those two really bright ones?"
"Yes, I see them."
"They are each part of the Twins, the Gemini. They are the figures' heads. Can you look down and see their two bodies there, standing hand in hand? There is something about that constellation that always gets to me."
Eve looked toward Gemini. "Oh, Julian, how sweet!" She stared up at the grouping of stars, her smile rivaling them in brightness. "To me, they look more like lovers than twins, the way they are clasping hands." She blushed.
Julian smiled. "I never thought of it that way. I always envied them for their eternal companionship. But you are right, they do really resemble lovers, don't they?" Julian lowered his head. Lovers. If only. But he knew that would never be an option.
"I think it's romantic. I wonder if anyone else ever saw them as such?" Eve sighed, a dreamy look on her face. She stretched out on Julian's hand, lying on her stomach. "Two souls, together for all eternity."
He felt a lump in his throat. "All eternity," he whispered. "Eve, I will think of you now, whenever I see the Twins."
"Oh, Julian, that is so...so..." Eve could not finish her thought.
"Romantic?" Julian asked. "It is, isn't it? But at the same time, it is so sad too. "
"Sad? How can it be sad?" she asked.
"For me, it represents what I can never have." His voice became softer. "Someone like me, who can be with me, forever." He rubbed her cheek with his finger. "Before you came to me, I thought I would never get a companion-- never know love. Now I do. I cherish you, so, so much. I just wish..."
"You just wish we could be together, in every way, don't you?" Eve finished his thoughts.
His soulful gaze held hers. "Yes, Eve. That is my dearest wish."
Eve looked at him, her heart in her eyes. "Oh, Julian, I don't know what to say."
"Just know that I love you, Eve. I love you with all of my heart."
Eve sat up, tucking her legs under her. She motioned Julian down, resting her tiny cheek against his.
"I love you too."
A happy grin turned Julian's lips at the memory of that wonderful night. He found himself outside, staring out into cloudless blue sky. Though too early to be seen, he looked in the direction of the twin stars he knew so well. "Tonight there will be no need to look upon the heavens for affairs of the heart. My love will be here shortly, for real. Forever."
Grace, Samuel, and Eve rode into town in Samuel's wagon. Eve hardly noticed the jostling effect of the wagon over the road, so lost in thought was she. Grace insisted on leaving before twilight, due to her fear of the "mountain creature" still being about and dangerous. Eve was silent regarding her friend's worry, for she knew they had nothing to fear of the 'mountain creature'. Her beloved Julian. She looked toward the sky as the sun began its descent.
"Do you still think about me, Julian?" Eve thought, trying to make out any stars in the sky. "Will the Twins still bring you thoughts of our love?"
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