Feeling quite serene Elizabeth plucked out the last few notes of "Moonlight Sonata" and lifted her fingers from the keys smiling peacefully for the first time that day it seemed.
But knowing the depression of the day would soon linger back into her thoughts the woman went in search of a book, a fantasy to envelop herself in. In this search she found her she back in the western tea room looking at a dusk covered book on the small table.
Seeing the title to be "Peter Pan" her eyes scanned the leather bound book for any sign of fingerprints but found none.
Odd.
A magic of some sort seemed to be lingering about it and Elizabeth trembled in excitement as she grasped the book making the first mark. Now her fingers tingled as they wiped off the rest of the dust revealing the golden lettering of the title where it had looked dull before.
But the magic gave way to reality as the room grew dull once more and the tingling sensation failed to continue. Not that it quelled the woman's excitement. She sat herself on the couch comfortably before opening it and diving in to the adventures of Peter, Wendy, and the lost boys in Never-Never land.
---
Just as she was reaching the children's first encounter with the pirates a tense, nervous knock interrupted her, forcing her to close her book and invite the knocker in.
It was a shaky, teary-eyed Jessica who came in George following close behind.
"What's wrong? What happened?"asked Elizabeth her frustration quickly turning to worry as she made her way over to the girl.
"The guards, ma'am," started Jessica trying to hide her tears, wiping them away hastily.
"They cornered me in the entrance room when I was dusting, drunk."
"Very drunk," said George.
"One tried to lift my skirt while another stroked my hair whispering horrible things."
She started shaking more while George came closer, and put on arm on her shoulder.
"I heard them and rushed in and told them to leave immediately."
"And they left. I was afraid for my maidenhood ma'am," spoke the girl again shaking a bit more.
"I was so frightened."
Elizabeth pulled the young into her arms, rubbing her back.
She remembered back to a time which she wished she could forget shuddering herself Elizabeth spoke with a constrained passion.
"I will speak to Victor immediately. Until they begin work, have George accompany you and have all the female staff follow the same precaution."
The girl nodded, taking George's hand in hers, and exiting the room.
Elizabeth sat down anger trickling back into her being. Victor was being careless and endangering staff. He should have just told them to not come back until they were sober. In fact he shouldn't have let them go at all if he was so worried about the creature harming anyone.
Taking a calming breath the woman left the room and started making her way up to Victor's study on the second floor where she could hear him speaking to the guards. She crept up to the door and stayed out of sight as she listened.
"I expect you all to be sober enough to understand these instructions, correct?"
A mumbling of affirming voices were heard as her husband soon continued.
"As I have said before, the creature will be allowed two meals a day but if it acts up you may restrict its food. If so wanted I can get one of the servant girls to deliver it but one of you should accompany her."
"That would be nice sir," spoke one of men, clearly more sober then the others.
"Okay then, if it gets violent then use the chains to restrict it for that is their purpose or the small room I spoke of. And of course if physical force is needed then it is permitted. Do you all understand?"
"Yes sir," came the chorus of men sounded a bit more sober then before.
"Then that is all. You may go."
Elizabeth scrambled to hide, finding a stature to stand behind as the men walked past, down the staircase and out of sight, laughing and speaking in rather obnoxious loud tones.
She felt worried for the creature now, immediately wondering how kindly they would treat him with the amount of reign Victor was giving them. She was angry that he would allow them to restrict food or hurt him as well.
But she had to stay calm and speak with him in such a way, though he was surely still angry with her, that he could tell the guards to stay away from the women of the household and perhaps not allow the guards to have such freedom with the creature's safety.
All she had to do was be docile and invoke his kindness so he would listen to her.
As she walked to the door her steps echoed into the hall and looked into it where she saw Victor fiercely writing something in his new journal. His father had given it to him-his second journal-the night of his marriage telling him to record happy memories of his marriage and new life within it.
Elizabeth plodded in through the door, quieting her steps, looking only to the wooden floor in sign of submission, not wishing to disturb his writing.
She heard the abrupt stop of pen scratching on paper and his voice.
"Are you not able to look upon such a monster?" asked the man soberly, distantly.
Elizabeth looked up to see a saddened face, his mask of superiority melted away.
"Afraid to looks at it for it might harm me," replied the woman looking shyly to Victor.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have yelled, and I have been unfair."
"Perhaps I should not have raised my voice in the first place," said Elizabeth.
Victor nodded and after a moment he said,
"As a note though, it was sedated. Before we did so it struggled quite gallantly and spat out threats that would make you even cringe.
"Threats from anger, from his 'father' caging him and allowing him to be tortured-anger gives way words that aren't always meant."
Victor's face showed guilt as she replied,
"True. But I had to and will continue to take every precaution necessary to protect you and the household."
"Don't forget to protect the household from your precaution. The guards attacked a young maid today, and if it hadn't been intervened that she might of lost her maidenhood. I'm worried for the rest of the household," said the woman approaching the desk.
"Do not worry, it was one night, and it will not happen again. Those men needed and deserved a night of drink and merriment. It was a stressful journey here."
"I am simply asking that you inform them to keep away from the staff, or simply not come back until they are sober if they intend to drink."
"Agree. Is the girl okay?"
"Shaken but she'll be okay. But what worries me now is the freedom you gave to those guards to starve your creation if so desired. I do not think they are responsible enough to decide such things."
"It's quite alright. It can live weeks without food and not starve. Plus restriction of food is indeed better then letting them beat it, correct?"
"But you said it was quite alright to beat him."
Victor sighed. He knew she had been listening to the briefing, but decided not to make mention of it. Instead he would compromise.
"After observing its behavior for a few weeks I will give the guards new orders about their restrictions regarding punishment. Until then precaution is first and foremost."
"Fine, but for those weeks I wish to be the one to observe his behavior and deliver meals. I cannot agree to this otherwise."
"What if it attacks-"
"A guard will be with me if anything happens. I will be fine."
After a moment's pause victor nodded.
"Agreed. Now that we are done compromising how about we go and explore the country and have a picnic tomorrow. Like old times."
Elizabeth smiled.
"That would be lovely," said the woman relived that she had accomplished her mission, and tomorrow would be a more pleasant day.
"I think I'll go to sleep now. Would you care to join me?"
"No thank you, I am in the middle of a fascinating book that I would like to get back to. I will try to come to bed before morning, but don't wait for me."
Victor got up from behind his desk after placing his journal in one its drawers and lovingly kissed his wife before leaving the room to make his way to bed.
Elizabeth walked back to the tea room feeling quite elated from the conversation. She would now be able to spend more time with the creature and make sure he was safe. She couldn't wait to tell him.
But all she really wanted to do right now was get back to Peter Pan and see what happens next. She sat back on the couch and started to read, her eyes only able to scan a page or so before everything blurred. Sleepiness seeped into her and she felt herself lie onto the couch and fall into the darkness of sleep's arms, as she clutched the book close to her chest, close to her heart.
Not long after Jessica walked in, George waiting by the door. Seeing her mistress sleeping there she took a light blanket from a nearby cabinet and spread it over her knowing how cold late summer nights could be. She then gently removed the book from her hands and placed it delicately on the table.
As she left she felt glad she had come back to see if Elizabeth was here and that was able to do something for her for Elizabeth had risked her husband's temper in defending her.
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hey guys, I know you're waiting for more of the creature and I promise there will soon be more interaction between him and Elizabeth but I had to set down the foundation of the story here and the relationship between Victor and Elizabeth is important.
As a note I would like coleandpheobeforever,philomina,megumisakura, lady gabriel,keeper-of-the-cheese, and eitherangel for reviewing and following my story up to this point.