Disclaimer: I do not own Treasure Planet
A/N: Hey I'm back! Just a few weeks till Christmas and just over a month till my exams (University exams...SCARY.) Anyway I thought since I haven't updated this much loved story in a while I might as well when I have some time. Also I would like to remind everyone of the poll I have up NOT for Cassandra but for Diana this time and since there is no majority yet it will still remain up until at least ten people vote this time and like I said there is a majority. Anyway I've had my rant so here is a new chapter for A Little Cluster of Stars. Enjoy.
Nothing To Forgive
For Arinlianette
Cassandra slipped on her dress with uncertainty rising up in her chest on the first afternoon she left her bed which happened to be on the same day she had awoken from her 'coma'. She had been this uncertain before but the difference this time it not uncertainty in what had happened but more how she would deal with it. She knew now that she had always loved him and now it had been confirmed that those feelings were returned. Now she had to figure out whether she would pursue or ignore them. She decided a little fresh air may clear her mind. The doctor advised her against it and said this while glancing at the Captain nervously (she was later told that James Hawkins was rather aggressive towards the doctor while she was injured, so he probably feared in making her ill again and being at risk of being thrown over board). Diana implored her to get some more rest. Her brother was also a little worried about her leaving her bed so soon, James on the other hand had no objections. She thought that he would be the first in attempting to tie her to the bed let alone trying to use gentle persuasion to remain in her room but when she told him her plans he simply nodded and had something brought over to the rooms for her to dress in.
She was brought her plain, grey dress with a pretty, lace collar. Once she was finished she straightened out the skirts and looked at herself in the mirror, not critically. Just looking. She remembered it was one of her mother's dresses which has recently been passed down to her. It was one of the reasons why she liked it. She also liked it because it was simple and nothing too fashionable or prone to being stopped in the street and complimented on its style which would inevitably lead to small talk (a tradition amongst women which she detested more than dancing lessons). She was a similar height to her mother, perhaps a little taller but it still fitted. She was glad of this. When she looked in the mirror she could almost imagine her father standing behind her with his mischievous grin whispering in her ear that she looked so much like her. She would spin round as if to wrap her arms around him but would find no one there and remember he was no longer with her. If she did she would only be hugging a ghost.
There was a knock on the door which made her jump. She smiled with relief when the visitor poked his head around the door.
"Ca- James."
"I was wondering if you were ready. You said you wanted to go for a walk?"
She nodded. "You were going to walk with me?"
"If you don't mind-"
"Not at all." She replied quickly. She walked out the room and took his offered arm and walked out onto the deck. The fresh air hit her like a refreshing, revitalising tidal wave. She was too free a spirit to be locked away in a room for so many days on end. Unconscious or not.
"How are you feeling?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "Well. As well as I can be. I think I needed a little fresh air."
He nodded. "I agree. One more minute in that cabin and I can imagine you would want to kill someone. You're never one to be locked away, Cassandra."
"I can't imagine anything worse." She murmured. "I suppose you of all people know that."
"Yes and that's what I love about you." The word 'love' made her blush a little and glanced up at him gingerly and looked away.
"Not a lot of people do. My teachers most of all. In fact they detested it. They called it one of my 'unwomanly flaws'." She chuckled.
Jim looked a little grim now and shook his head. "That isn't right."
"What isn't?"
"To continue convincing girls that there is a wrong or right way to behave. That there has to be a certain criteria a woman needs to apply herself to in order to be something society expects it to rather than what they expect of themselves."
"You sound a lot like me." She replied quietly. She had to admit to herself she was rather mesmerized by his little speech. She had never heard a man speak so passionately about the subject and from that perspective as well.
"I suppose I have learnt a lot from you." He said with a little smirk on his face. "I must apologise for what I-"
She shook her head. "Don't." He frowned and looked like he was about to ask why but she was already a step ahead of him. "There is no need to."
~ (***) ~
George watched Diana agonise over his sister, her hair was in a disarry from running her fingers through it too frequently (but then again he could run his fingers through it too frequently, even if he wasn't supposed to be thinking about such things). He appreciated the fact that his sister was able to obtain friends who cared for her so much. The first thought he had when she was sent to boarding school was the thought of her being tormented by people there but thankfully not every girl there were from a family of conformists. Not to mention that it would put a stop to her dreams and gear her more towards finding a rich husband. He was almost worried about her becoming like one of the those socialites and being too overly influenced by their ideals. Diana wasn't as radical as Selina and his sister but she had the same level of acceptance Cassandra had and with that you had to have a little bit of uniqueness.
"She'll be alright." He assured her. She looked up and blinked nodding solemnly. "Some fresh air might do her some good. You never know."
"Perhaps." She said quietly.
He sighed. "She's alright now, Lady Firestone. There is no more need to worry." Without realising it had had his hand on hers which he slipped away nervously when she glanced down at it.
"I wish our sister was here." He murmured.
"Victoria?"
He looked at her blankly then laughed. "Oh yes! Well yes I knew one of my sisters was called Victoria but I was more thinking about Helen."
"Oh. Cassandra mentioned her a few times. I might have actually seen her when you came to visit once she seemed very nice."
He nodded. "I could see you two getting along. You're very much alike actually. It must be why Cassandra likes you so much. After our mother died she was...it was almost like a part of herself died. She was able to reclaim that bright, energetic characters she had before when Helen came and the first night she was there...she no longer wore her mourning clothes after wearing black for so many years. She smiled for the first time in a while. She hugged Victoria."
"She sounds like a miracle maker."
"She is, which seems almost appropriate considering she's training to be a doctor."
"That's very admirable. She must be very intelligent."
"Extremely. She almost puts me to shame. Also her father was a doctor. It was how my father and she met. Her father was a ship doctor. They always travelled together as a family since they were so poor but they died as a result of an epidemic and her other options...He owed him a lot and he thought it would be the best way to repay him."
"Your father sounded like a good man. Cassandra always makes him out to be."
He chuckled. "He was. She adored him. We all did."
"Were they really that poor?"
He nodded. "He was a very good doctor that wasn't the problem it was the nature of their marriage. She was a rich man's daughter and she was expected to marry a duke or socialite instead she chose a doctor."
She nodded solemnly. She knew of her pains all too well. "The world's a cruel place. I can say she's a lot more braver than I am."
George looked up at her and thought the opposite. She was just scared and trapped. She had no idea what to do if she was to defy her parents. He felt only sympathy rather than seeing her as someone pathetic. She was being rather diligent in sacrificing herself for her family. He could see that was rather brave. Most girls in her situation would throw a hissy fit in hopes that it could get her out of the situation or would elope with any Tom, Dick or Harry. Nevertheless Diana didn't really feel very brave. She felt like she could defy her Grandmother and marry George because he was the man she knew she loved even if she hardly knew him but she knew him better than this Duke.
"What was her name?"
"Whose?"
"Helen's mother."
"I can't remember her name but Helen's surname is Arkwright."
Diana froze but she blinked and regained her posture. "Arkwright?"
He nodded. He didn't seem to notice her change in demeanour. That was good. She didn't want him to suspect anything. Not before she was completely sure if what he was saying was true to her own assumptions. She had heard that name before and she certainly knew under which context. She heard it from listening at keyholes when her Grandmother had 'private' discussions with her father and from other words that were mentioned she knew who and what she was talking about. It was too prominent in her mind to doubt it now. She wanted to hope that she was wrong but at the same time she wanted to hope that she was right as well. If she was wrong she would no longer have to feel so anxious and at such a time as well. If she was right then she would be able to change the fate which awaited her...
~ (***) ~
She found her leaning over the side alone watching the scenery as it passed them by. She looked better and Diana sighed with relief. Mr Richardson had been sent back to his duties and bid her farewell. Diana was too afraid to question him further on the matter because she knew she would pursue the matter relentlessly. She could trust in Cassandra's discretion she had done so up to this point. She was sure she had told no one about the nature of her betrothal to the Duke. Selina had shown no signs that she knew and if she would know she would make it known she knew of it and would set out on a crusade to put an end to to the wedding. She knew if she was going to find out the truth she would find it from Cassandra.
Cassandra looked up sensing someone approaching. She smiled warmly and walked towards her. "Diana." She embraced her and kissed her on the cheek. "How are you?"
"I think I should be the one asking you how you are feeling? Are you feeling any better?"
She nodded. "Much better." Cassandra could see something was troubling Diana who had her eyes cast to the ground. "Diana what is it?"
"I must ask you something but I hope you do not think that I am accusing you of anything."
"Of course."
"Your sister. Helen. Your brother mentioned her name was Arkwright but do you know anything about her mother's family."
Cassandra shook her head. "Nothing. Nothing other than the fact she came from quite a rich family. They opposed the match and disinherited her. No institution would take him either because of the scandal it was why they were so poor. Why?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "I..."
"Miss Cassandra!"
They both turned around and saw the doctor approaching them. "I beg you return inside. It is said that there may be cold winds and I don't want you taking any chances considering you condition."
She raised an eyebrow. "I am perfectly fine, doctor." She reasoned.
"Please, Miss-"
Diana rubbed her arm. "Go inside, Cassandra. Please. It may give the Captain some peace of mind as well."
Cassandra glanced in his direction and nodded. "Very well. Are you coming?"
She shook her head. "I may stay a little while longer."
Cassandra nodded and began to walk away then stopped. "Oh. I remember her name now. Her mother's. It was Georgiana."
She turned away and walked inside leaving Diana frozen on the spot. Georgiana...She knew that name all too well. She had been told that name by her Grandmother over and over again. That name had been branded in her mind as the cautionary tale her Grandmother threatened her with. However it was also a name which rested in her heart dearly. She could tell that her Grandmother still cared for her dearly. Even she could tell when her Grandmother was such a cold, manipulative woman she could see that she was capable of compassion and love. Perhaps it was her elopement which made her so. That just confirmed it. Just knowing her first name was enough to know without a doubt that what she suspected was true. It caused her to have too many questions filling her mind now. If they were dead who was her father's money going to? Was there something which she had not been told or perhaps not what her Grandmother had been told? However the biggest question of all was whether she had to go through with this marriage after all.