A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

The entire morning and afternoon was spent cleaning the manor. I sha'n't bore you with every piece of furniture they dusted, nor shall I relate every floor tile waxed, every shrub trimmed, or every window scrubbed. Marmaduke served turkey and cheese paninis for lunch, speedily delivering them to each worker throughout the house. At last, by midafternoon, the house was in a much better state, thanks to a most effective combination of excitement and elbow grease.

The workers convened in the front of the house by the fireplace, slumping onto the chairs with groans of fatigue.

"Well, good work all," Lillian congratulated them. Her voice was bright despite the long hours of toil.

"What else is there to be done?" Maria asked.

"We'll have find suitable clothing," Miss Heliotrope said. "And of course notify the De Noir villagers so they may prepare."

"I can do that," Robin volunteered. "Some fresh air sounds good right about now."

"I can accompany you," Maria said with a grin. "I'll be your bodyguard." Robin chuckled.

"Perhaps I ought to run into town," Lillian said thoughtfully. "I'm afraid I didn't bring a ball gown with me."

"I can drive you," Coeur De Noir offered. "Can't say I know much about gowns or shops, but I can drive a buggy." Lillian thanked him with a smile.

"Good!" Maria beamed. "And Miss Heliotrope and Digweed can hold down the fort here."

"But Maria dear," Miss Heliotrope frowned, "Please don't stay too long. Robin, make sure you get her back by sundown. I don't want to worry tonight."

"Don't worry," Robin reassured the tutor. "We won't dilly dally."

"We'd better get a move on then," Coeur De Noir said. "The sun sets earlier in winter. Lillian, shall we?" And so they all went their separate ways. Coeur De Noir and Lillian took the buggy into town, while Maria and Robin headed off for the De Noir village.

Maria pulled on her fur coat as she stepped outside. The snow had settled into a thick white blanket, shimmering in the cold afternoon sunlight. There was no stinging wind now to chill Maria's bones, for which she was eternally grateful.

"My bodyguard, eh?" Robin said, casting a sideways glance at her.

"Would you rather I'd stayed?" Maria raised an eyebrow.

"I suppose not," he grunted, shuffling through the snow like a lumbering bear. "But what would I need a bodyguard for?"

"For all the young ladies just dying to ambush you," Maria grinned. "I've got to fend them off."

"I've been avoiding their advances just fine on my own, thanks."

"Like anyone could be attracted to you," Maria scoffed.

"I'm the most sought after bachelor in De Noir village!" He declared proudly.

"You're hardly a bachelor," Maria laughed, her breath turning to frost. "Bachelors are old and grumpy and ugly—oh wait."

"Hey," Robin protested. "Well by that logic, you're a spinster. An old maid."

"Nothing wrong with being an old maid if I'm respectable," Maria lifted her chin. "Besides, Miss Heliotrope hadn't married her whole life, and now Digweed proposed. Who knows? Maybe I'll marry at sixty."

"I'm not going to let that happen," Robin said.

"No?"

"Of course not. My father wants grandchildren."

Maria's cheeks flushed, but she couldn't hide her smile. Robin smirked.

"You know," Maria said, "your father seems to like Lillian. He doesn't strike me as a person who would offer to drive any lady to buy a dress. And when they were dancing earlier—"

"Are you changing the subject?" His eyes twinkled.

"No! Well, sort of, but now you're changing the subject. Don't you think Coeur De Noir and Lillian would make a darling couple?"

"I don't believe in matchmaking," Robin said carefully. "But I wouldn't be opposed to having a mother."

"Does that mean you approve of Lillian?"

"It means I think we should mind our own business," Robin admonished gently. Maria rolled her eyes.

"This would be our business. But if you don't want to talk about it, we can change the subject. What is your opinion on classical French needlepoint?" Robin glared at her amused smile.

"I think it's very…classical."

"How incredibly profound of you."

Meanwhile, Coeur De Noir and Lillian had reached the town and were driving down the main street.

"I don't suppose you'd know the best shop?" Lillian asked hopefully.

"Miss Lillian, I haven't shopped for dresses a day in my life." Coeur De Noir chuckled. "All my gowns are handmade by a friend." This coaxed a laugh from Lillian.

"That's all right. We can browse a bit. I'm sorry to take your time—"

"Nonsense!" Coeur De Noir waved it off. "This is a treat, to walk around town with such a lovely lady." Lillian didn't even try to hide her pleased smile.

"You are indeed a gentleman," she patted his arm gratefully as the buggy slowed to a halt. "I'm excited to meet the other De Noirs, especially if they're as kind as yourself."

"Kind? Hm." Coeur De Noir climbed off the buggy and offered his arm to assist Lillian. "I wasn't always very kind, you know." Lillian hopped down lightly with his aid.

"I've heard the story," she admitted. "But I find it hard to believe you could be bitter and unfeeling."

"Me too," he said, tying up the horses. "But when Maria came, she turned Moonacre Valley upside down. Clever girl, that one." They strolled down the sidewalk.

"I take it you approve of her and Robin?" Lillian said, hoping she wasn't being too bold.

"She's the best thing that happened to him," Coeur De Noir replied a bit gruffly. Men seem to find it easier to talk about relationships if they act a little coarser. Still, he managed the words. "I couldn't have chosen better for him."

"I agree," Lillian said, sighing at the romantic idea of young love. "Oh, this might be a good shop." So they ducked inside. It was a good shop; it even provided little sweets for those waiting, which the gentlemen took full advantage of. Lillian went behind a curtain with an assistant as they tried on one thing and another while Coeur De Noir munched on a chocolate chip scone.

At last, she emerged from the curtain in her old dress, holding a box.

"Success!" she announced with joy. Coeur De Noir wiped the cookie crumbs from his beard.

"Why couldn't I see it?" He sounded like a disappointed child. Lillian chuckled at the thought.

"You mustn't see it until tomorrow! It'll be a surprise. Here." She reached up with her handkerchief and wiped a smudge of chocolate off his chin.

"Thank you," he said warmly, looking down at her. She lowered her eyes quickly.

"You're welcome." They stood for a moment awkwardly. "Well, we'd better get back," Lillian said. "We'll need a good night's rest before tomorrow."

"Of course," Coeur De Noir agreed, trying not to sound reluctant. He offered his arm to her, and they left the shop. The ride home was also mildly awkward. Conversation ebbed and flowed like the tide, while their internal thoughts were buzzing so loud they were sure the other could hear. I shall leave it up to your imagination what they were thinking of; I'm sure you can form a deduction.

A/N: My dear reader,

Thank you so much for reading this installment of Peace on Earth! I hope you are enjoying it thus far. Thank you for your continued support both in reading this story and writing reviews; you truly make my day.

Love and blessings,

Ponygirl7