I extremely dislike leaving things unfinished. And, since life has dealt me crippling blows recently, I was given the time to sit down, and come back to what I've left. The goal is to finish the three stories I've left behind.

The hardest part about Maids is that I definitely have plans; it's just hard for me to work them all together to have them make sense. So, I plan on releasing two Interlude chapters to put the plotlines in motion I want to explore. After these two Interludes, I'll return with longer posted chapters like before.

Ch. 7: In the Inn Room With the Revolver (Interlude)

"Charlotte—Charlotte!"

I startled awake, completely unaware of when I had slipped into sleep. Edward softly placed his hand upon my own. The carriage had ridden us to a remote building—miles from Thornfield; the nearest town to us: St. Ridge.

"Are you alright?" Edward looked to me in urgency; his eyes were patchy and red. While I was out, he must have been doing some grieving of his own.

"Where are we?"
"Mossburg Inn."
"He does business here?"

"Did," Edward sighed through his nose, "He owned a majority of the businesses in St. Ridge."

As the carriage halted, we waited until the coachman opened the door. Edward exited first, offering me his hand as I exited the carriage. "Why are we at the Mossburg Inn?" A state of confusion still rang in my voice.

"This is where the authorities found him, Charlotte." Edward hung his head low, only for a moment, "I have to survey the scene with Mother. The authorities asked us to come."

"Mama! Mama, wait!"

The Mistress, in her fetching Christmas gown, all but flew into pursuit to the Inn's entrance. Jane, who had ridden with her in her carriage, attempted to calm her before she barged in. Edward sighed softly, motioning for me to stay with his sister as he followed his mother.

I calmly strode over to her, "How was she on the ride over?"

"Hysteric," Jane all but choked out her response, "She almost threw herself into another fainting spell. Charlotte; I cannot—"

"I know." I held her in an embrace, "I'll stay with you until you're ready."

Jane kept her hysterics down to a minimum. As the night wore on, she gained enough courage to enter the Inn. Authorities directed us to a corner room on the second floor. Upon entering, Edward was leaning over the area where his father's body had lain. The Mistress was lying on a windowsill bench, beside herself.

Jane opted to go to her, "Mother, what have they said?"

"Your father was held up at gunpoint for a botched business meeting. He was shot, and left for dead." The Mistress stared ahead blankly, stating facts in an emotionless tone. Jane sat next to her, clasping her hands in urgency.

"Charlotte," Edward called to me, "Come here."

"What is it?" I ventured as he straightened himself to face me. He immediately pulled me into him, grasping me tightly, I had barely caught my breath to ask, "What's the meaning of—"

"Thank you. For choosing me."

I wrapped my arms around his back, holding him for comfort. But, truly, I was at a loss of words. I had turned in my mind, over and over, what it was I truly wanted. And yet, I took his hand to lead me here…

"Where is he!" The undisclosed second Austen child had finally made an appearance. Her nutmeg colored hair was fastened in a high bun; her clothing, festive as well, though lacking the distinctive tone of upper England. She must have been travelling this Christmas season.

"Megara?" Jane questioned her openly, "What are you doing here?"

Edward released me promptly, his ice-like demeanor returning, "Shouldn't you be out gallivanting across Europe?"

"Hold your tongue, brother. I am second eldest," Megara sighed harshly at her sister, "Father was brutally murdered, and you think I'd be absent! The only reason James isn't present is because of pressing matters he had to take care of in India."

"You never once showed remorse for father." Edward scorned her, "The only times you deemed yourself to visit, you ruin his property and treat his guests like dirt."

Megara diverted her attention to me, "What is the scullery maid doing here? In another dress of mine!"

I fought the urge to roll my eyes, "Morale support."

"You must be diligent at your job." She brushed me off, and continued to speak to her siblings, "What happened to Father?"

"Business ordeal gone wrong," Edward rubbed his temples, "He was shot when things were getting too heated. When Mother came in to identify him, they took him to the morgue."

Megara sighed shortly, leaning up a nearby chair for support, "He-He's really,"

"Truly." Edward shook his head, his hand reaching mine. Clasping it softly, he continued, "He's truly gone."

A silence filtered between the Austen family; The Mistress finally rose from her position at the bench. Slowly, she left the room; the rest of us following her outside to our respective carriages And, as we headed for Thornfield, I couldn't help but question myself. I had made my choice, but what has that choice led me into?