Chap 4 part 2
When she woke, Elizabeth first noticed that she lay on the couch still feeling drowsy she sat up in the darkened room, for it was before dawn. Something covering her was sliding off and she grabbed it just in time; a blanket.
She didn't remember getting a blanket before sitting to read the night before. And knowing it couldn't have been Victor, since he had gone straight to sleep, she wondered who had done the kind deed.
One of the servants perhaps?
If so she figured she would find out and be sure to thank them.
For now all she wished to do was change her clothes, thought the woman looking down at her wrinkled and dirty dress from the day before.
Slowly but surely Elizabeth made her way upstairs and then to her bedroom finding Victor asleep in bed.
His expression was one of worry and frustration. The woman went over to the edge of the bed and kissed her husband's forehead wishing him a more peaceful sleep before walking over to the closet and finding a nice forest green dress to wear.
After changing she went to go downstairs and passed the bed again. She noticed a more pleasant expression gracing Victor's features and smiled seeing it. She hoped such an expression would linger after he awoke long enough that she might see it, for he hadn't looked so at peace since their marriage day.
She grinned merrily as she walked down the stairs feeling that, today both she and, her husband would be content. She imagined them riding through the country speaking of the joys of life and enjoying a picnic together for the first time in years.
By the time she made her way to the informal dining room for breakfast she must have been smiling like a fool because she was greeted by the light giggle of a young girl and suppressed laugh of Jessica.
But she didn't mind at all and instead greeted the two with a hearty good morning.
"Good Morning Mistress Elizabeth," they replied curtsying.
Elizabeth now took a better look at the girl who had been giggling. She looked to be about 10 or 11 years old with curly black hair which was pulled back. She had beautiful blue eyes, actually reminding her slightly of the creature's. She was pale, extremely so, and the woman hoped she was okay.
The girl moved behind Jessica now noticing her mistress's stare. She was no longer even smiling but had a timid expression in place of it.
So, as to not intimidate her further the woman bent down and asked in a sweet voice,
"What's your name?"
The girl grabbed onto Jessica's skirts and very softly said,
"Marie."
"Nice to meet you, Marie."
"Nice to meet you," said Marie a bit more behind Jessica. But the elder girl gently pushed the girl from behind her and spoke,
"Marie here is the cook's daughter and is to help me for the day."
Elizabeth nodded and continued to speak to the girl,
"I see, so is your father teaching you to cook then?"
Marie nodded looking a little less timid now.
"Anything you like to make?"
"Pancakes."
Jessica spoke up again,
"She actually helped make them today."
Elizabeth looked to the table and indeed saw a stack of steaming pancakes among the dishes.
"Then I shall have those first. I'm sure they are wonderful, "said the woman sitting down at the table. She placed a few pancakes on her plate and after cutting off a piece she took a bite.
"Delicious."
After taking a few more bites, she turned around and thanked Marie for the pancakes, assuring of the good job she did in making them.
And Marie finally looking more confident said,
"You're Welcome."
Elizabeth continued eating in silence eating the rest of the pancakes, as well as some bacon and a few pieces of apple.
Now adequately full she turned and thanked Jessica and Marie and waiting on her and asked a small favor,
"Jessica could you prepare a plate; pancakes, toast, and an apple…and put it on a tray?"
"Of course. Who may I ask is it for?"
"The guest," said Elizabeth quietly.
The servant paused in her movements of gathering her mistress's plate and after a moment asked,
"I heard a funny thing about this guest. Your husband claims him to be family member who's mentally-ill .But then why would he need guards?"
She continued cleaning up the woman's dishes and handed them to Marie who moved sluggishly from the room wanting to hear what Elizabeth had to say.
The woman hesitated, almost panicking for a moment but calmed herself and came up with a quick story.
"He is mentally-ill, poor thing…he seems so normal most of the time too."
She paused polishing up the next part of the story,
"I cannot remember the exact name of the disease but dear…Peter has 'attacks', as Victor refers to them as, and goes a little…well crazy."
She paused again looking at Jessica's face, looking to see any sign of suspicion. She then continued,
"Not to mention he has this terrible skin disease, apparently since he was very little. Victor told me that people have even attacked him because of the way he looks and says the guards are there for his own protection.
"But also for the attacks?" asked Marie softly sounding worried.
"He's behind lock and key. No need to worry," replied Elizabeth using a soothing tone.
She was interrupted by Jessica shooing the girl from the room but soon came back.
"Poor dear, under lock and key in the basement of all places, and sane for the most part."
"I figured it was better than an Insane Asylum."
Or prison.
"I'll make a good plate for him. I'll add a jug of juice as well. Should I bring it down?"
"No, I am the reason he's here and he is my guest. It's only fair that it's my duty."
"Of course Madam," said the girl before turning to leave.
"I'll be back shortly, then."
Elizabeth was left her heart pounding in her chest. She had convinced Jessica and the girl but now she realized she had created a secret. She was never good at keeping secrets.
But for now she figured she could breathe a sigh of relief. She had created enough of a story that no one else would be asking questions for a while.
She had even come up with a name, Peter-a good, simple, common- name. Not to mention the name of the hero of her latest book.
She giggled at this a bit imaging the creature as Peter Pan, flying around, fighting pirates and running through the forest with the lost boys.
He would fit in that world, she figured. Yet another child, for it seemed in many ways he still was one, abandoned by his parents, his father. She wondered how well he knew the woods, or if he played a pan flute. Perhaps.
Soon Jessica came back with a tray laden with the food she asked for as well as a small jug of orange juice and a cup.
"Thank you."
The servant curtsied graciously before leaving thanking her mistress for the 'information' on the guest.
She waited for Jessica's footsteps to fade a bit before picking up the tray and starting to walk towards the door.
Right before she stepped out she remembered a forgotten question.
If the creature…Peter could read.
An idea popped into her head and smiling once again she made her way to her favorite tea room looking for a good book.
She scoured the shelves thinking and there it was, "Romeo and Juliet" sitting there sheepishly.
It seemed a good book, since she had enjoyed it, so maybe if he could read Peter would enjoy it.
And even better if he could read it and did so it was something they could talk about.
Perfect.
She took the book off the shelf, placed it on the tray, and made her way down to the basement glad she hadn't forgotten her keys when she changed.
In the dark light of the morning she could see that all the guards slept and thankfully was able to work through, unquestioned.
It seemed the creature…no Peter, she reminded herself, was asleep too.
Looking at him she wondered if he would like the name. All she knew was that it was better than 'the creature.'
But the question continued to run through her head and she moved forward trying to keep her focus on making sure she didn't drop the fully loaded tray.
Not wanting to tempt fate she carefully put it down before unlocking the first door and then walked inside picking up her load once again.
After she closed the door she heard a whispered "Good morning" and drew in a quick breath more than surprised by the greeting.
Trying to suppress her now rather rapid breathing she whispered back a lively, "Good Morning" in the direction of the voice, Peter's voice.
"I brought breakfast."
Note- I know, cliffhanger....sort of. I knew I had to update because its officially been a month(very busy, school and whatnot). I have elizabeth and Peter's conversation written down and I just have to type it up and I swear I won't be more then a few days before I get it up so please be patient.