Again, sorry I forgot to upload the last chapter on time, I don't know how I forgot to update it.
But here is the one I wrote this week :)
Two weeks later
Wendy felt empty as she stared out at the darkened courtyard.
It was her birthday in a few days and the baroness had invited her family. Wendy had also been writing to her mother.
Despite Wendy being gone everything seemed to be going fine.
She was missing them, though.
A sudden thought struck her, and she went to the closet where her violin was kept.
She smiled and looked out at the window where the sky was turning a lighter color.
Wendy stepped outside her room in her bare feet. She had gotten so used to never showing anyone her nightgown that it was almost odd for her to wander around barefoot, but now it excited her.
The floor felt slippery under her feet as she wandered down the staircases and found her way out to the gardens.
She felt relieved when she finally felt the grass under her feet. It felt just like home.
Wendy smiled herself and made sure she was quite a distance from the mansion before she put the violin on her shoulder.
The music teacher had taught her wonderful, calm melodies, that had to be played to perfection, but now she just let the bow glide over the strings however she wanted.
She smiled at the melody she made up as it went along, and felt her feet move on their own beneath her.
She didn't notice anything as she played. Not how the braid that Lillian had worked hard on became undone, or how the sun slowly rose.
But others noticed her.
As she continued to play and dance, the small crowd gathered on the terrace, and in the windows of the manor.
When she noticed the sunrise, she smiled and stopped playing.
The unexpected applause from everyone who gathered on the terrace and in the open windows startled her.
The servants had stopped working to watch her. The Baron and Baroness were there too, along with Eric.
"How wonderful, my dear." The Baroness smiled as she gracefully walked down the terrace steps. "If anyone were to see you in this moment, they would not expect you to be human."
Wendy gave an uneasy smile, not knowing if she had done something wrong or not.
As the Baroness came closer, she touched Wendy's hair. "Look at it, it shimmers like the golden sun."
Wendy looked down, confused. The Baroness was right. Her red hair glittered in the sunlight, like gold.
None of them seemed too angry, so Wendy wasn't worried.
The older woman put a gentle hand on her cheek. "That was a lovely way to get woke up. Perhaps we would have some musicians come every morning. Now, you should get properly dressed and we should have some breakfast."
"How about we take it on the terrace today?" Eric said with glittering eyes.
A few days later
"Should I not be wearing some of my old dresses?" Wendy asked as Sarah held up two of her gowns in different shades of green - perfect for afternoon tea. "It is my family I am seeing, after all."
"As the future Baroness, you must always look presentable, miss." Lillian reminded her.
Wendy sighed and pointed to the light green dress. "It is still not certain whether I will be the next Baroness or not."
Both of the maids looked at her with confusion.
"Are you and the young Lord having a fight, miss?" Sarah asked.
"Sarah!" Lillian scolded.
"It is fine, Lillian," Wendy said and touched her forehead. "At times, I much prefer the two of you as company, than the ladies at the tea party."
"My Lady!" Lillian gasped.
"And I have no title, Lillian, so you cannot call me a lady." Wendy sighed and then looked at Sarah, who still stood frozen with the light green gown in her hand.
"We did not have a fight per se, but he has grown rather distant in the last month." She explained but then smiled. "Though the picnic today was very nice if only we didn't have to hurry back."
"During spring and summer, the Baron is always busy," Sarah said, as she helped Wendy out of the dress she was wearing. "Perhaps the young Lord is helping him?"
"I suppose." Wendy breathed exhausted, as she was helped into the other dress. "I just don't understand how he was able to come visit me almost daily before, but now barely can spare me a moment." She looked at Lillian, who was buttoning up the buttons in the front of the dress, while Sarah fixed the back. "And I can't even go out riding on my horse if I want to. I had to literally make an appointment with myself in advance."
"But you do love the young Lord, do you not, miss?" Sarah smiled at her through the mirror, she was standing in front of.
"Of course, I do." Wendy smiled as Lillian started fixing her hair. "I just rather think he is changing."
"Just like you are trying to prove yourself to the Baron and Baroness as a good future bride for their son, He is trying to prove that he can be a good future Baron. Once both have been proven, I am sure it all would turn back to the way it should be." Lillian said, as she braided and pinned every loose lock of hair into the hairstyle, she had chosen for Wendy that day. "Besides, you had to hurry back from the picnic because you invited your family.
"I suppose you are right," Wendy said and took a moment to admire herself in the mirror. "I just miss spending time with him every day. Though for the moment, I am just going to enjoy my time with my family."
Then there was a knock at the door, and Abraham came in.
"Miss Wendy, your family has arrived and has been shown to the drawing room."
"Wendy!" William jumped up off the couch and ran to her. "Happy birthday."
He buried his head in his skirt like he always did. Wendy had a hard time bending over because of the corset she was wearing under her clothes but put a hand on his head. He had grown taller.
When she looked towards the sofa, both her parents and all her brothers were sitting there. They were all wearing their Sunday clothes.
"You look just like a princess," Ethan said from the couch.
She smiled. "Thank you."
She then patted Williams's head. "I think we should go sit down now, yes? Refreshments are on their way."
"You even talk like an elven now," David said.
"Do not be silly," Wendy giggled. "Elevens speak in riddles and rhyme…"
"Well, maybe we did not understand what you just said," Arthur said with conviction.
"Oh, dear boys." Their mother said and got off the sofa. "Let me take a look at you, my sweet."
Wendy closed the distance between them, and her mother looked at her face. "Look at you. You look so dignified and elegant now."
Wendy put a hand over the gentle hand of her mother's that rested on her cheek. "Oh, stop it, mother. How have you been?"
"Did you not get our letters?" Edward asked.
"I did," Wendy said and let her mother back to the sofa. "But I would rather hear it from you."
She put a hand on her father's shoulder. "And, how are you?"
Two wooden crutches were leaning against the sofa's armrest beside him.
He smiled up at her and suddenly looked very old. He took hold of her hand on his shoulder and kissed the top of it. "Much better now than I have seen you thrive."
She giggled at him. "I missed you, Father."
"I miss you too, my little dancer." He said.
"You know, people do not like that you are gone from the inn," Ethan said and broke the moment.
"Ethan!" David scolded lightly.
"I can imagine," Wendy said and said opposite her family. "Have there been fewer guests?"
"Here and there." Her mother waved off her concerns. "Most of the village is pleased that they can just go about their chores and not have to think about all the fancy people, who came the last few summers… but enough about the inn. Here is your birthday present?"
Her mother handed her package and Wendy opened it. Inside was a beautiful handwoven shawl. When Wendy looked closer, she could see the embroidered figure of a girl on a horse with a bow in one corner and the little animals embroidered along the edges.
She hugged it with a smile. "It is beautiful. Thank you."
"Your mother figured you needed something to remind you of your fantastical tales one day." Her father said with pride.
At Ethan's insistent Wendy then told them of how Eric and his parents had celebrated her birthday.
There had been a lavish early tea party with some of her new friends and the Baroness. Eric had taken her riding in the forest and they had a picnic before they returned so Wendy could meet her family. That was not to mention the gifts; various jewelry, shoes, and a few dresses.
There was a knock at the door.
Abraham came in with some refreshments.
"Cookies." The twins and Arthur sang.
Wendy laughed as David and Edward inspected the teacups.
"How are we even supposed to drink from this without them breaking?" Edward scoffed.
"By the way, we heard that Miss Elizabeth came to see you," David said as he put the cup back out on the table, not wanting to drink from it.
Wendy smiled slyly. "Yes, she did." She gracefully sipped from her teacup as if to demonstrate. "Though she did not seem to have much to say, she just made demands of me."
David mumbled something under his breath which their mother gave him a scolding for.
Wendy knew it had something to do with Miss Elizabeth.
"Well, she did return to the village in a furious mood." Their mother said. "I heard whispers that she has been giving her daughters etiquette training and is insisting that they send them to school in the town."
Wendy smiled. Both of the thought of Elizabeth being furious and at how her brothers seemed to hold on to the cups like they were scared of breaking them. They looked so out of place in their hands.
"Well, my etiquette tutor might have told her a thing or two about her station." She said innocently.
Her father laughed and her mother shook her head.
"It would be better if that woman just focused on being happy."
There was a knock at the door again.
"I'm sorry for being late, dearest." The Baroness said as she entered the room. "I had some trouble finding Eric."
Wendy would have liked to talk more with her family in private, but she smiled and got up. "Oh, and did you, my lady?" She asked and curtsied.
"I did, my dear. He was in his office." The older woman smiled as Eric came in behind her.
"I'm so sorry, my love. I have thought I had time to go over some business..." He said.
She turned back around when she heard all her brothers stand up.
Almost in unison, they bowed deeply to the Baroness and Eric and greeted them.
Their mother did a beautiful courtesy, and their father seemed to struggle to get up on his feet.
"Oh dear, there is no need for that." The Baroness waved a hand at him and stepped closer. "How could I ask an injured man to stand for me? What happened? Did you get into an accident recently?"
Wendy's father stopped trying to get off the couch and waved a hand back at the Baroness. "No, my lady, I got this injury many years ago."
"Really? But I have heard you've run an inn." The Baroness said, puzzled.
"That I do, my lady. This is not a problem in that regard." The innkeeper said and patted his leg.
"How truly inspirational. I can see where Wendy gets her tenacity from." The Baroness smiled, and Wendy's father held out his hand to her.
The woman took it, and he placed a gentle kiss on the top of her hand.
"And her charm, too." She remarked with a smile.
"I am sorry about my husband not being here. He had some business to attend to first." The Baroness said as she sat down on one side of Wendy, while Eric sat down on the other.
"We understand, my lady. We would not want to impose too much on you." Wendy's mother said with a smile, while the younger boys took cookies from the tray.
"Oh, dearest me, impose? I think it is us who impose on you by enjoying your daughter's company so much." The Baroness said, and Wendy's parents did not seem to know how to respond.
"We are very happy to see that you have taken great care of our daughter." Her father smiled.
As the Baroness and her parents chatted, the boys kept looking at the teacups like they were going to crack, and Eric touched her arms and smiled at her.
Wendy smiled back, though she felt a bit odd having him touch her like that in front of her family. She then blushed at the thought of their picnic.
After a while, the Baron joined them.
"I am so sorry to be late." The man apologized that he entered. "There is so much politics going on this summer."
Her brother stood up and bowed again, and it reminded Wendy of this automaton clock she had seen at the Knightley estate.
"Excuse me for not getting up, my lord." Her father apologized. "But I must thank you for taking such good care of my daughter."
"There is no need for neither you to get up or thanking me." The Baron sat formally and sat down next to his wife. "Your daughter is a delight, and she has already helped us a great deal in a few months."
Wendy furrowed her brows as she couldn't remember helping them all, but Eric knitted their hands together silently and kissed the top of her hand. She smiled at him.
"How has she done that?" David asked, despite having stayed mostly quiet since the Baroness and Eric entered.
"Your sister is quite the charming woman, and she has led us to form bonds we did not know we needed." The Baron said.
There was more talking. Both the Baron and Baroness seemed especially astounded at how her father could keep working despite not being able to stand - They were very impressed.
Wendy stayed mostly quiet as Eric continued to play with her hands and kiss her cheek occasionally.
"That's such a beautiful drawing…" Ethan said with longing as the twins had sneaked away from the sofa.
"Be careful, children." Their mother warned.
"We are sorry, Mommy," William said and pulled Ethan back from the painting they were looking at. "You have very nice drawings, madam." He then said to the Baroness. "Your whole castle is beautiful."
The Baroness seemed amused by the two young boys and smiled. "It is not quite a castle but thank you."
"We are very thankful that you're letting us come to visit." Their mother said.
"There's no need to be so formal." The Baron said. "If all goes well, we are going to be family."
Wendy tried to not act out of turn, but she was very surprised. She looked at Eric with just smiled lovingly at her. Had his parents agreed to let them marry?
"Yes, in fact, why don't you come to spend Christmas here at the estate with us?" The Baroness said delighted. "It is nothing big, just a private affair with my husband, me, and Eric. But it would mean the world if you came."
"Really?" Her father said, unsure, and looked over at Wendy.
She was still smiling at the thought of marrying Eric. How they would return to their picnic and…
"We would get to spend a Christmas in a castle?" Arthur said, clearly not understanding that they were not standing in a castle.
"Why not? It could be truly magical to have you all there." The Baroness said and almost clapped her hands.
Wendy's mother nodded and smiled. "Well, we would not want to impose…"
"Oh dearest, you would not be. It would be nice to have some extra company and children to be around." The Baroness gestured to Wendy's younger brothers. "Besides, we should get to know each other better. We can fix up some guest rooms for you to stay in during the holiday."
Wendy's parents shared glances but then smiled at the Baroness. "Well, when you insist…"
The Baroness seemed very happy at the thought of the Christmas plans besides it still being July.
As she waved goodbye to her parents and brothers at the steps outside, as they were leaving, she held onto Eric's arm.
"Is it possible for us to take a short walk before dinner?" She asked.
"Of course, it is, my fairy." He said and kissed her on the cheek. "Today is your birthday after all."
"Is there a problem with your parents?" Eric asked as the sun lowered in the sky.
Wendy looked at him confused, as they strolled down the path. "No, why do you ask?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Is that not why you wanted to talk to me?"
Wendy smiled and reached for his hand. "No, I think they are doing just fine the way they are. I just wanted to thank you for giving me such a wonderful birthday."
He stopped and looked at her with his sweet smile.
"Look at that." He said and put a hand under her chin. "The sun is making your eyes glitter like gemstones."
For a moment, she looked down at the engagement ring, sitting comfortably on her ring finger.
"Trust me when I say there is nothing, I wouldn't do to see you glittering in all your glory … my love."
His kiss was gentle and sweet.
"Sorry…" Wendy mumbled and looked away.
She felt ashamed that she really had thought that he did not care and was changing. Eric was still the same as always.
"For what?" He inquired and lifted her chin, so they looked at each other again.
"I just…" She fumbled with her words. "Apart from today, I have felt … lonely…"
He raised an eyebrow. "I thought you and my mother had attended many tea parties and luncheons.
"We have," Wendy agreed. "But I miss spending time with you."
Eric smiled at her, confidently. "I see my workload has been … more rigorous since we started a new arrangement." He gently caressed her hands. "But I promise you it is only for a time. Once everything has settled down, we can go back to spending the days together. Nothing would keep me from dancing with you until the stars."
Wendy blushed at the memory of their first dance together. "Do you really mean that?"
His hands found their way to her waist, and he pulled her closer to him. "I promise you my rose amongst roses. Nothing and no one will ever stop me from seeking a dance with you."
Thank you for reading.
I will double-check that I upload it, and not just save it in the doc manager.
See you next week.