A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth
Robin escorted Maria to the edge of the woods, where the forest met the manor grounds.
"You could come in and visit with Miss Heliotrope," Maria invited him. Robin raised an eyebrow.
"And talk about what? Digweed and darning socks? I think this is as far as I go." Maria pursed her lips.
"All right. Well, thank you for the most fun I've had in a while. I never knew snow and ice could be so exciting!" Robin smirked.
"Everything's exciting with Robin De Noir."
"I can't deny it," she acknowledged. "Will you come and see me tomorrow?" She didn't want to sound too eager to see him again, even though she was. He shrugged noncommittally.
"I guess." Maria's heart sank. He didn't seem too excited. "Will your tutor's cousin be there?" His words brought the lady in question back to Maria's memory.
"Oh. I don't know. Probably. Say, if you brought your father over for a visit, they might excuse us so that the grownups can talk. Then we could do whatever we wanted with no fear of being disrupted." Robin's eyes glinted.
"Clever girl. I just might do that." Maria couldn't suppress her smile.
"Good." She hesitated, not wanting to go. "I'll see you tomorrow, then." Robin bowed in mock gallantry.
"Until then, O Princess. I bid thee farewell." She laughed.
"Goodbye, Robin." He grinned and turned on his heel, bounding through the snow with the agility of a fox. Maria watched him until he was nothing more than a dark spot in the brilliant snow. She sighed a dreamy schoolgirl sigh. But this was the only indulgence she allowed herself, forcing herself to dwell on other things than Robin's roguish smile. She would have to clean, no doubt. But cleaning was not disagreeable, and so Maria would enjoy the rest of her day.
Miss Heliotrope, after putting Maria to work in the guest bedroom, went into the piano room to straighten up. She had just set to rearranging the flower vases when she heard footsteps behind her. Miss Heliotrope was not young anymore, but she recognized with a flutter the heavy, timid step.
"Digweed," she said, spinning around. Oh, she hoped her cheeks weren't flushed! How embarrassing!
"Miss Heliotrope," he bowed respectfully.
"I am…that is, I was just arranging these tulips." Digweed looked behind her at the table. A little smile alighted on his humble face.
"That'll be the crocuses, then." Miss Heliotrope blinked from behind her spectacles.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Crocuses. They look similar to tulips, but take a look at the leaves. They're narrow. The tulips' leaves are fuller and softer." Miss Heliotrope cocked her head a little.
"How came a servant to know so much of flowers?" she asked. Digweed shifted his weight. Miss Heliotrope immediately bit back the words; she should not have referred to him as a servant, even though he was. But she was trying to…well, what was she trying to do? She didn't know, herself.
"I garden. Often. Before you came, Master Benjamin would have nothing to do with flowers. Not after Loveday…well, I am glad they sorted things out. I kept the lawns, still do. I enjoy beautiful things," he dropped his gaze, only sneaking a glance up at Miss Heliotrope, who blushed crimson.
"Oh. Well, I…I see." She cleared her throat. "Would you like to help me? No doubt you have an eye for arranging flowers." She hoped he would say yes. She wasn't sure what to do, where to look, just standing there with him.
"But of course," he said affably. "Anything that will help you." And so he joined her in her work, handling the blooms with such care and gentleness that Miss Heliotrope couldn't help admiring him. Ah, but this was the trouble!
You see, Miss Heliotrope was a well-bred lady. Anyone with two eyes could see that. She was decorous and composed and accomplished. Neither was she a poor looking woman. And Digweed, though he was shy and bumbling, had a good heart. He treated everyone with respect and patience. It was rather his bashful clumsiness that endeared him to Miss Heliotrope.
But the trouble was this: well-bred ladies did not fall in love with servants. It simply wasn't done. And this was the thorn that pierced Miss Heliotrope's heart. When she was with Digweed, all sense and composure flew out the window. Everything seemed rosy and simple. She was an educated woman and lived by the rules of etiquette, prim and proper. But when she was with Digweed, his simple contentment placated her. It made all the rules, all the requirements fade away into the background, leaving a quiet peace.
But what would the townsfolk say if they heard? It was nigh unto scandalous, a respectable tutor in love with a lowly servant. Miss Heliotrope was torn, and she could not make up her mind. Nothing seemed to make sense anymore. She needed someone to advise her.
It was for this reason that she had invited her dear cousin. Cousin Lillian was sensible and sweet. Miss Heliotrope knew that Cousin Lillian would be able to advise her in the right path. She had wanted to see her cousin for some time now, and Christmas was the opportune time.
Digweed's fingers grazed Miss Heliotrope's as he slid a vase over. Tingles shot up the tutor's hands. Yes, the sooner Cousin Lillian could get here, the better.
A/N: My cherished reader,
Once more, I thank you for reading this next chapter of Peace on Earth. Now we have discovered for what reason dear Cousin Lillian was really called to Moonacre! I'm doing my best with Digweed's character, although I'm afraid his dialogue is not what it should be. I also apologize for the relative briefness of this chapter; I came to a good stopping point, and so I seized the opportune moment. Oh well. Thank you, BJ, for your continued support and reviews! I love to read your feedback, and I am glad you are enjoying this so far!
As always,
Ponygirl7