Chapter 2: Reminisce
"Replace this vulgar yellow with a more subtle navy blue. What are you trying to do, blind the guests?" The young woman bowed and scurried off carrying the yellow curtains. Servants stood outside the large lounge, listening and bickering among themselves as the older woman irritably crossed her arms.
"Someone call Thomas about those horrible curtains in the dining hall! Tell him I want the white in the sunroom and to replace the oak desk with the redwood. Where on earth is Elizabeth?" Clapping her hands together impatiently, she snatched up her purse and umbrella for the afternoon.
"I will be back within two or three hours. I want this room spotless."
Elizabeth, dressed in a princess line blue taffeta dress with a white lace shawl around her shoulders, tried to restrain herself from laughing as her mother walked around the room, berating the servants. The lounge had also been decorated since she was gone. The once white carpet was replaced with a beautiful forest green hue; the walls were now covered with wall paper depicting scenes of parks and people in all their finery. The old black grand piano was still there, polished and lovely in its entire splendor. Even the window panes now a beautiful forest matched the carpet.
"Oh, mother! I can't tell you how good it is to see that you have not changed one bit!" Elizabeth exclaimed. Almost skipping to her mother, she hugged her tightly. How she had missed her! Marchioness Middleford held her daughter in her arms, lightly playing with a blond curl.
"I still cannot believe you cut your beautiful hair! Why, it's just below your ears! You've grown…" She stepped back and held Elizabeth at arm's length. Surveying the young women before her, she smiled.
"Look at you! My only daughter…all grew up have you?" Elizabeth grinned.
"Yes, mum. Now, we must be off! I heard you yelling in the lounge and I believe that we best leave! You promised that we would go shopping today after all. You know, mother and daughter bonding and whatnot." Marchioness Middleford frowned, her stern face casting an irritated glance at her daughter.
"I was waiting for you, Elizabeth. It seems you have not changed much!" Elizabeth laughed and held her mother's hand.
"Oh, mother! You haven't changed! But it does seem that you have become softer than I remember. Could it be age?" Elizabeth teased. She laughed as her mum tried to wallop her with the umbrella. They stood on the top step of the porch, watching the driver pull up the landau. The elderly driver tipped his hat and smiled at Elizabeth.
"Marchioness Middleford! Well Ms.…hasn't you grown a bit? I remember seeing you, just a little wee thing you were! It is surely nice to have you home, Lady Elizabeth." Elizabeth grinned.
"Hello! Quinton! It is nice to be home indeed!"
It does feels so good to be home! To be with mother…to be here in London! I've missed her so much!
"By the expression you have I would think you have never been to London before, Elizabeth." Her mother jested. Elizabeth leaned against the plush seats of the landau, watching the trees and green fields go past. The small gust of wind occasionally tickling her face, the smell of the free country side; it was heaven for her.
"It is just…oh mum I have not been here for seven years! I feel so out of place. I feel out of touch with everyone. I suppose it's strange to feel this way?" Marchioness shook her head, gripped Elizabeth's hands in her own.
"My dear, you have spent most of your teen years in the Americas. A completely different place, of course you are going to feel a little…well bewildered at first. You will get used to it soon though."
Elizabeth smiled and leaned against the carriage wall, observing the goings on outside the window. A woman walked briskly, rushing three little children in front of her on the dirt road, whilst holding onto a basket full of clothes. Nearing the city the sound of more coaches and people reached her ears. Soon the click-clack of the wheels against the pavement made music to her ears. It had been so long since she had heard that noise and until now did not realize how much she truly missed it. The fog that had once settled over London was now gone and a more pure air replaced it. When she looked at the sky, there was no longer smog that turned into an ugly gray but now she saw the true blue the sky really was.
Passing town houses, closely packed together like pieces of bread and small stores and alleyways they came to a stop in front of an expensive fabric store. A young man was weighing material on a scale in the window, until he saw them pull up.
"Be back within two hours, Quinton! We still have much to do at the estate. After Elizabeth and I finish here, we will go down to the china store. Pick us up there." Quinton nodded and whipped the horses bringing them to an even pace down the street.
Everything has been rebuilt since the fire. I can't believe that the last time I saw this store, flames were engulfing it. Now it has been rebuilt and looks even better than before! Ah, when Paula told me about the Phantomhive estate I was nearly petrified. At least Ciel and the others were fine…I wonder…what does he look like now? Oh…and Sebastian. Haha, I wonder if he has changed at all?
"Elizabeth…?" She blinked, realizing she was still outside the fabric shop. Feeling quite foolish for letting her thoughts get away with her, she blushed a lobster red and entered.
Her mother shook her head impatiently and beckoned her to hurry into the store.
The young man smiled sweetly as she walked into the shop, politely asking her if she needed assistance. It was beautiful to say the least. Every fabric she could think of was in the shop, pink and white lace, along with furs and many colors of cloth lay eagerly on the shelves waiting for crowds of people to come buy them. A pretty apple green satin lay on the outside of the shop, with the cheaper cloth. Elizabeth gasped as she noted the attractive chiffon brown in the right corner of the store. She quickly passed an older couple, eager to see the material closer.
"Mother! Look at this-ah!" Suddenly, she was falling backwards, as if she hit a brick wall. An arm slipped around her waist keeping her from meeting the floor in a most ungraceful manner. She opened her eyes to see piercing red ones. A tall man with black hair held onto her, keeping her from falling. That black hair…those red eyes…she had seen them before!
"A lady should be more careful. Are you harmed?" His deep voice strangely reminded her of someone she knew long ago. The people in the shop and stopped and watched the scene, some of the women began whispering and giggling. Elizabeth flushed red and stood, brushing herself off.
"Y-yes I'm quite alright! Please excuse my clumsiness…I sincerely apologize for my rudeness." The man grinned and nodded. He cocked his head to the side and gazed at her as if she resembled someone he knew.
"Is your name by any chance, Elizabeth Middleford?"
"Yes, yes it is. And you are?"
The man smiled and placed a finger against his lips. Out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth saw her mother walking briskly towards her. Before Elizabeth could speak to him, he left the shop.
How strange…who was that man? He looked exactly like someone I knew…
"Elizabeth! Are you alright! Who was that man?" Her mother asked.
"I don't know mum. However I am very grateful for his help! I might have had an up skirt!" The Marchioness frowned at Elizabeth's suggestive joke.
"Anyway, mother this brown one here."
The calming sound of birds tweeting outside the window caused the violently storming thoughts and emotions inside the girl to settle down. Covered by her purple satin sheets, her heart raced like a horse set free in a meadow, she could barely believe what she was going to do…or what she was thinking about doing.
I haven't seen him…in seven years…has he changed? Does he look the same? I guess…the real question is will he look at me the same? Oh, what do I do? I did not even tell him I was leaving! How will he accept me? Should I really just out of the blue show up at his manor?
"I'll do it! I'll do it by George I will! I mean…the worst that can happen is him becoming angry with me! I think…" A knocked sounded gently on the door of her bedroom. Helen entered, wheeling a silver tray that carried an aroma that made her mouth water.
"Marchioness Middleford and Marquis Middleford have left for the day on a trip. They said you may do as please, my Lady."
"Ah…good. Helen may I ask you a question?"
"Yes, my Lady. You may ask me anything." Helen answered as she began arranging food on the table.
"Well…" Elizabeth nervously wrapped her arms around her legs and rocked back and forth.
"I have not seen him in seven years. I did not even tell him I was leaving. I wish to see him so much…but I'm afraid he won't accept me."
"The Earl Phantomhive, my Lady?"
"Yes."
"Hmm…" Helen beckoned Elizabeth to come. Sitting at the table, even with the marvelous food in front of her, she could not stop thinking about him.
To think after these seven long years I still have feelings for him! I tried so hard to forget during the time in America! Is everything I do in vain? I hate these feelings! Why can't I just…stop loving him already!
"Oh, Ciel…can I ever forget you?" Helen sighed and ran her fingers though Elizabeth's curls. Reaching for the ivory brush from the vanity, she began brushing the young woman's hair.
"You said his name."
"I did…after promising myself I would forget him…my heart won't allow me. What should I do, Helen? My mind will comply, but my heart refuses to obey me."
"Well…my Lady can always go to visit him."
"He hates it when I pop up unannounced."
"Send him an invite to tea?"
"He never replies."
"A footman perhaps?"
"They always scream in terror, running away when I tell them where I wish for them to go!"
"Well, my Lady you seem to be out of luck!"
"Oh, Helen please do not rub it in!" Elizabeth cried, running to the bed.
"I'm sorry my dear…but you've changed. I'm sure the Earl has changed as well."
Elizabeth grimaced…
"Yes…for better or for worse?" Helen shrugged.
"There's only way to find out, My Lady."
Hurray! This is chapter of of His Butler: Genesis to New Demons! I hope this chapter has made ya'll happy and I apologize for updating late. I was in school all day yesterday and I have a ART test coming up Monday that I seriously need to study for! Well some minor details about the story. It takes place in 1888 seven years after the Great Fire of London...if I am correct in doing my math. Well, it is supposed to take place after the Fire. In America Grover Cleveland is the President, it was around this time in history that American Indians suffered continually misjustice at the hand of the Europeans and American people. It is also during this time that young Natives were being taken to American schools to teach them "civil" ways. I haven't been able to really find too much information about the year 1888, only about the era. Anyway, I hope that you have enjoyed this chapter! Be looking out for chapter 3 and wish me luck on my math and art test! :)