A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

Miss Heliotrope insisted Coeur De Noir stay at the manor overnight. If Robin and Maria did return during the night, they would need all hands on deck. Coeur De Noir would be given the guest room adjacent to Cousin Lillian's. After their search outside, they had returned to the house with heavy hearts. They spent most of the evening by the fire, hoping, waiting, and praying. The flickering flames danced, casting curling shadows on the company's sullen faces. They were all imagining the ghastly possibilities. Even Wrolf closed his eyes as he slumped by the fire, exhausted.

Presently, the tall grandfather clock chimed, heralding eleven o' clock. A collective sigh went up from Miss Heliotrope, Cousin Lillian, Coeur De Noir, and Digweed, who lingered in the shadows as a butler ought.

"That'll be eleven, then," Digweed said gently. "Perhaps it would be best to get a good night's sleep. Things will be better in the morning." Miss Heliotrope looked up at him, pain creased in her forehead.

"But supposing they aren't better," she said, a quaver in her voice. "Suppose—suppose—"

"Suppositions won't do any good now, cousin," Lillian said. "It's in Heaven's hands."

"She's right," Coeur De Noir told Miss Heliotrope. "Nothing we can do now."

"But how can you expect me to be able to sleep?" Miss Heliotrope fretted. "I shan't sleep a wink, not with all these thoughts muddled in my head."

"It can't hurt to try, miss," Digweed said, "And you do need your rest. If you haven't got your health, you haven't got anything." Miss Heliotrope smiled weakly up at him.

"Please don't call me 'miss'. We can do away with formalities in such a time as this." He bowed slightly.

"As you wish…"

"Jane," she supplied.

"Jane." He repeated, smiling a little at the word. Miss Heliotrope's heart lifted momentarily, forgetting the current frightful situation. Digweed offered his hand and helped her up from her seat.

"Heavens, I'm dizzy," Miss Heliotrope said, swaying on her feet.

"That'll be your wearisome state then…Jane," Digweed said, steadying her with a light hand on her shoulder.

"Perhaps you'd better help Miss Heliotrope to her room," Lillian suggested innocently. "Coeur De Noir and I can see ourselves to ours." Miss Heliotrope shot a narrow glance Lillian's way, who smiled and winked almost imperceptibly. But everyone was agreeable, so Digweed escorted Miss Heliotrope off down the darkened hallway.

"I'm sorry to be a burden," Miss Heliotrope said, picking her path carefully.

"You are many things, yes, but a burden you are not," Digweed said shyly. Miss Heliotrope blinked, a warm sensation overtaking her. She stumbled, stepping squarely on Digweed's foot. Then she quickly stepped off, tripping backward and almost falling, but Digweed's arm caught her and set her aright.

"Oh! Fiddlesticks, I'm sorry," she clucked unhappily. "How clumsy of me." Digweed's eyes shone faintly.

"And I thought I was clumsy." Miss Heliotrope frowned at his words. But when she looked up and saw his eyes, glistening with merriment, she burst into laughter. He broke out into guffaws, and they laughed for a solid minute. For, although it was not a particularly hilarious moment, it was funny, and when people are under stress they are inclined to crack up at anything the least bit humorous.

When at last they reverted to small chuckles and only brief lapses into hysterics, they finished their walk down to Miss Heliotrope's room. They paused at the doorway, still grinning like old fools.

"Thank you," Miss Heliotrope said sincerely, "For making me laugh. It has been a long time since I truly laughed. It makes me feel young again."

"You don't need me to make you feel young," he said, "I don't think you could ever be what they call elderly." Miss Heliotrope looked steadily at him.

"Digweed…" she was at a loss. What could she say? A civil war was waging inside her; the prudent, proper lady battled the impetuous love-conquers-all woman. Who would have thought that the eyes behind those prim spectacles could hold so much adoration for one person? Digweed held her gaze, and the corner of his mouth quirked up a little. Miss Heliotrope's propriety was finally shoved back into a corner.

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Digweed's cheek lightly. It was a fond peck, and it conveyed her meaning. Digweed took up her frail hand in his.

"Good night, Jane." He said. She smiled softly.

"Good night, Digweed."

They parted ways, Miss Heliotrope to her chamber and Digweed to the hall. And as Miss Heliotrope twirled and skipped around her room, she was no longer the grave tutor but the giddy schoolgirl once again, glowing with color and smiles. Digweed's step was not the solid, hesitant tread, but a bold bouncy step that rejoiced at every stride.

Meanwhile, Lillian and Coeur De Noir made their way to their respective rooms.

"I'm sorry your first day here had to be one of unrest," Coeur De Noir apologized.

"Oh, don't worry about me. Perhaps I was meant to come here for this express purpose; I can comfort Jane…and you. Although," she saw Digweed come stepping jauntily down the hall. "Although perhaps Jane doesn't need me as much." Coeur De Noir frowned.

"I beg your pardon?" Lillian chuckled at his blank expression.

"Jane and Digweed! Surely you've noticed…" she stared at him. "Good heavens! You don't mean to tell me you're that oblivious, do you?" Coeur De Noir shrugged sheepishly.

"I've concerned myself with my son and Maria, mostly. But if you think Miss Heliotrope will marry Digweed, I believe you."

"Oh, it's not as simple as that," she said with a sigh. "I'm afraid we have two problems yet. You see," she lowered her voice, "Digweed is shy. How can we be sure he will ask her at all? And Jane is worried about what people will say. A tutor and a butler? People will talk."

"Why should they be worried about what other people say?" Coeur De Noir inquired. "If they're happy, it shouldn't matter."

"Exactly!" Lillian's eyes brightened. "Coeur De Noir, you are wise beyond your years."

"Ah, I wouldn't say that. You don't know how old I am." He chuckled.

"You can't be more than five years my senior. Fifty-six?" His bushy eyebrows shot up.

"How did you know?"

"I guessed."

"Fine guesser you are."

"Why, thank you."

"That makes you fifty-one." He pointed out.

"Yes?" she said.

"You don't look a day over forty-five."

"You are a kind liar, Coeur De Noir."

"Why, thank you."

"We'd better get some sleep," she said. "Hopefully all will be well in the morning." He bowed slightly.

"I bid thee good night."

"Good night, and sweet dreams." She returned. And they retired to the bedrooms, each to ponder what they would. And so it was that, despite the tragedy of the day, they found a bit of peace in one another.

A/N: My dear reader,

Thank you so very much for reading this chapter! I know you have been very patient, and I thank you most sincerely for it. I won't go on the crazy schedule spiel, for I know you understand it. Thank you for your reviews. I cannot express to you what light you bring to the daily drudgery of life.

Yours sincerely,

Ponygirl7