At 4:00, Emma found herself surrounded by servants who were going to help her get dressed for dinner. The majority of her day thus far had been spent with Rebecca attempting to teach her proper etiquette and speech patterns. By the end Emma really wanted one of her father's pistols though having one at the moment would've been just as nice.
"But it's just going to be a simple meal," she thought to herself.
They went right past the dress she had picked out for herself and got another, more elaborate one. They then came over with something that Emma would always loathe to wear for her entire life, the corset.
Will, who knew how Elizabeth felt about wearing them, moved away before the rant started. He wasn't disappointed.
"Those bloody contraptions! Why in the world would a woman enjoy wearing those blasted things?"
This went on for several more minutes. Jack didn't even think that such a self-respected and proper woman would use some of those more colorful words so he just stared at her in awe. When she finished, Jack nodded.
"Just like your mother lass."
The minute that they began to tie it on, Emma could've sworn that she heard three ribs break. She could not breathe at all once they were finished. The women put the dress on her and then began to do her hair. An hour and half later, Emma slowly and with many pained steps made her way to the drawing room. Elizabeth was already there and ran to meet her mother.
"Mommy, I don't like those ladies. They made me put on one of those dresses and then they hurt my head making my hair look like this. You look pretty."
"Thank you love. Why don't we go sit down and you can tell me all about it."
They heard the front door open but neither one of them saw the man for at least another hour after that. He wasn't dressed in his other clothes; he was wearing a very regal looking outfit that made him look like a prince. They even gave him a wig that covered a bald spot which had been growing recently.
"Daddy," Elizabeth said running into his arms.
"Hey, how was your day?"
Before she could answer, Rebecca came in and announced that it was time for supper. At her continuing stare, Weatherby put Elizabeth down.
"Help me up dear," Emma said reaching out her arms. When she was finally on two legs she felt like she couldn't feel them underneath her. Weatherby took her hand and led her to the dining room for supper with Elizabeth following behind.
"You look silly daddy."
The table was all set and their food was brought inside. Everything looked wonderful but Emma just stared at the table. Beside her plate, there were many different forks.
"Which one do I eat with," she thought to herself. Elizabeth got up and went over to Rebecca.
"Ma'am, I think you've made a mistake. You put to many forks and other utensils on the table and there won't be enough for the other people," she said motioning to the servants.
"Don't worry Elizabeth, I'll teach you what to do," Weatherby said.
Elizabeth went back over and he explained that the one furthest from the plate was to be used first. Emma didn't know that so she just nodded and did likewise. The meal tasted fine. In Emma's opinion it was even a little bland. Once they were finished, Elizabeth disappeared upstairs while Weatherby and Emma made their way outside to the garden.
They sat down on a bench and looked up into the night's sky.
"Ah, old memories," Weatherby said putting his arm around Emma. She leaned onto his shoulder and pointed upwards.
"Look at it, just as beautiful as ever," she said.
She looked to him and smiled as he nodded.
"Just like you."
"Oh Weatherby."
"No, I'm serious. You're just as lovely as the first day we met. Remember that love."
"Of course, you threw a rock into my window and almost hit me on the head."
"Yes, but the truth of the matter is that I didn't. Otherwise, I don't think we'd be here today."
"No, I suppose not." Emma looked back up at the sky.
"Come, I believe its time we went back inside. I'm sure it is almost Elizabeth's bedtime."
The two of them went back into the house and right away Emma changed back into the dress she had worn earlier. She opened the door to her daughter's room to find Elizabeth, in her nightdress, looking out the window and up into the sky. Trying not to scare her, Emma went over and sat next to her.
"What're you doing honey?"
"Thinking."
"Thinking, about what love?"
Elizabeth turned to look at her mother and thought about it for a moment.
"Do we really have to stay here? Can't we just go home and back to our old house."
There was such a note of wanting in her voice that Emma didn't really want to tell her the truth.
"One day, I suppose we can try. But, don't you like it here. You can see all of the pretty stars."
"What're stars if you don't have anyone to talk to," Elizabeth said pouting.
Emma put an arm around the girl and sighed. "Don't worry; you'll probably make loads of friends."
Elizabeth still didn't say anything so Emma sighed again.
"You know, you can talk to the stars."
"No you can't because they won't say anything back to you."
"If you listen really carefully they will. I remember; back when your father and I lived in the Caribbean, we used to talk to the stars all the time and they always answered us back."
"Really," Elizabeth asked interested.
"Really. We would go out every night and sit underneath them. They'd talk to us; we'd talk to each other. Maybe I'll show it to you one day. Right now though, its time for bed."
Elizabeth moved away from the window and carefully got into the sheets of her bed. Emma shut the window and went through in her mind the perfect story to tell her that night.
Thank you all for reading. I want to thank the 3 reviewers I had last time. Please review more.
I hate school. Later.