A Moonacre Fanfiction Peace on Earth

A fierce gust rattled the windowpanes. Miss Heliotrope sucked in a breath.

"That'll be the wind, then," Digweed muttered, "It's getting late. I suppose we'd better get a room." They had taken refuge in a small bed and breakfast in town and were now huddled around the fire in the living room. Miss Heliotrope glanced around. There were several other people sitting casually in the room. She pulled her hood closer around her.

"But—but what will people think?" She trembled.

"They'll think we're smart for not going out in a storm," he reassured her, taking her hand. She withdrew her hand from his grasp, hoping no one saw. Digweed swallowed and sat back.

"They'll talk," Miss Heliotrope hissed under her breath, "I know they will."

"It don't matter, anyway," he said, "we're engaged. And we're…we're respectable. Honorable."

"Yes, but that doesn't make a difference! If word gets around that we shared a room—even if we didn't share a bed—I'll never be able to set foot in this town again." Her lips quivered.

"People forget things."

"Jane, what would you rather do? Sleep out in the cold?"

"No, no. Oh, but there must be some other option. There always is." She stared into the fire for inspiration. "Perhaps we could get two rooms." Digweed flushed.

"That costs an awful lot." Servants' salaries were not exactly ideal. Not that Sir Benjamin was cheap, but Digweed was by no means a millionaire. And he'd been saving up to get Miss Heliotrope a nice wedding gift.

"I have a little money with me," she said, feeling for her purse.

"Enough for one room?"

"Perhaps."

"How about this," he leaned forward. "You take the room. I'll get a place in the barn. It'll be sort of warm in there, and I can keep an eye on the horses—"

"You will not sleep in the barn!" Miss Heliotrope said, perhaps a little louder than she would have liked. She quieted her voice. "I won't have it. No future husband of mine will sleep with the animals." She took a deep breath. "We'll get one room."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. It'll be fine. It'll be—it'll be fine. I'll be fine." Her breaths came in short pants. Digweed looked worriedly at her.

"We can—"

"No, let's get the room. Before I change my mind." They rose quickly and bustled over to the front desk. A fat middle-aged woman with altogether too much lace on looked up. First, however, her gaze strayed toward the left hands of her new guests. No ring. She smacked her lips and smiled at them.

"And how may I help you today?"

Miss Heliotrope's clammy hand found Digweed's sweaty palm and gave it a squeeze.

"We would like a room." Digweed squared his shoulders. Miss Heliotrope felt the heavy gaze of the woman pounding down. The woman raised an eyebrow. A corner of her lips quirked up. This would make a fine story, she was probably thinking.

"A room—for each of us," Miss Heliotrope added breathlessly. The woman's smirk dropped into a disappointed line. Digweed's attempt at a confident façade crumbled. He watched as Miss Heliotrope brought forth her purse to pay for her own room. Dazed but undaunted, Digweed quickly pulled out his own purse and took care of the cost of both rooms, ignoring Miss Heliotrope's protests.

They followed the woman as she waddled up the stairs and showed them to their respective rooms, which, oddly enough, were at opposite ends of the hall. Somehow, Digweed doubted that all the rooms were filled. The woman seemed to sense his thoughts.

"We try to put our guests as far away from each other as possible to maintain privacy and peace. You won't be able to hear a thing, I promise." She smiled widely, dropped a key into his hand, and began the journey back downstairs. Digweed scowled, taking a look at the frilly room she'd given him. It was fancy, yes. Overpriced, yes. For the only bed and breakfast in town, it could afford to be. He sighed. Pocketing his key, he took a stroll down the hall and knocked on Miss Heliotrope's door.

A disheveled young man popped his head out from behind the door.

"Uh, what?"

"Oh! So sorry sir, wrong door," Digweed apologized, bowing. Then he realized he needn't bow; he wasn't a servant here. The man eyed him, then shut the door. Digweed tried the next door. To his relief, Miss Heliotrope's face appeared when it opened.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, "I didn't—I just couldn't—that woman made me—"

"It's all right," Digweed hushed her, "It's all right." She bit her lip. He smiled. "You know, I'd been saving my money for a present for you. For our wedding."

"You were?"

"Well, I'd been saving it for my wife. Until recently, I didn't know it was going to be you." He looked down. "I hoped, of course, but I never thought that you…" he took her hand, studying it as though it were a precious artifact. "Anyway, I guess you won't mind, then? If I don't give you a wedding present? I'll give you one, someday. It'll be a little while, but if I work very hard I will—"

Miss Heliotrope silenced him with a kiss, throwing propriety to the wind (but inwardly praying the woman didn't come upstairs again). Thankfully, the woman didn't. When Miss Heliotrope stepped back, she whispered,

"You have given me my wedding present."

"I have?"

"You emptied your purse to save my honor." She studied him, a smile smoothing the worried wrinkles of her face. "You are my knight in shining armor." Digweed's brow lifted in surprise, but a twinkle began in his eyes.

"If that be the case, then," he took a comically elaborate yet endearing bow, "I bid my fair princess good night."

"Good night, Digweed."

"Good night, Jane."

He made his way back to his room. But now he didn't seem to mind the frills. He puffed out his chest. This room was his badge of honor. With these lacy doilies, he was knighted a guardian of Miss Heliotrope's integrity. He couldn't keep from smiling.

There was peace on earth, after all.

A/N: My lovely reader,

Hi! Thank you so much for continuing on this journey with me. I appreciate your reviews. Also, what are you curious about? Is there anything about the characters you would like to know? Or have you other ideas for new stories? Do let me know in your reviews :)

At any rate, I'll bid you good day. Happy reading!

Ponygirl7