"Gilbert, stop embracing those flowers and put them in the drawing room!"

"Oho, I'm not embracing them! I'm nourishing my bluebells before Ma'am Belle's birthday!"

Both Elizabeth and Gilbert bicker away about the arrangement and settings of flowers when I enter. Edenfield looks far more alive this afternoon than it usually is. All because of the youngest's upcoming birthday.

An extra neigh resounds, one that's familiar, but not from one of our horses.

"Dear Lord, why all the noise!
In my day, servants never muttered a word."

Oh no. No. No. No. No.

An old woman, much older than Mrs Penrose, strides outside with the strength of a gladiator and her cane proving as her chariot. A poodle follows her as her loyal steed.

Perhaps, I should enter by the back door...

Just as my feet pivot, the poodle barks louder than a church bell in the morn, making the woman turn around.

"Matthew! Back from the morgue, I see. So honourable of you to leave that gutted den earlier."

Before I can move another step, the handle of her cane hooks in my elbow and holds me back.

"Very, Grandmother Penelope." The cane doesn't bust. Instead Grandmother's eyes bore into mine.

"And hullo, Wilhelmina. My trousers must be excellent desert for you." I look down at the poodle chewing the back hem of my trousers, hiding from Grandmother.

Grandmother bends down to pet the poodle and it eventually releases me, scurrying off into the gardens.

But also taking a chunk of cloth with her.

The grip on my elbow loosens a bit to the point of almost slipping.

That is till it tightens and Grandmother now grabs my chin. Her faded blue eyes stare at with me one lid half shut.
"You know, this work of yours affects your sister's complexion.
Also, she is taller than Noah's ark!" With that, she releases my chin and elbow.

"Wonderful endeavour Grandmother, but I'd have been riled if I was a fifteen year old," at my saying so, Grandmother's furrowed brows straighten and a grin spreads on her face.
"And how on earth is my working and Belle's complexion co-related!"

She chuckles,
"Though, I do admit I miss the days when you would be easily riled."

My arm slides itself from the cane and crosses my chest. With a swift bow, I step to the side when Grandmother's voice trails behind me,
"Because of the sins of the father always follow! You are as good as her father, being the eldest."

That makes me turn around.
"Sins of the father?"

"The sins of the father shall follow your heirs to the grave."

My hand immediately goes to my pocket, only to remember that I put that parchment in my office desk's drawer.

Grandmother sighs, waving my late grandfather's cane.
"Exodus...."
20:5 and 34:6-7. I know, Grandmother. You were the one who took me to church very unwillingly during your visits.
Grandmother then shakes her head.
"Truth be told, you have your poor grandfather and uncle's memory when it comes to this. In my day--"

"I would appreciate if you don't bring up the Indian insurrection during the party, Grandmother."
Trying to wade away from the eventual topic, I frolic towards the door.

Both Grandfather and Uncle Matthias worked in the East India Company, before the rebellion.
Only Uncle Matthias's belongings came back, but not him.
Grandfather did return, but never the same.
At least, that is what we thought when he tripped from the balcony a year later.

Ten year old me overhearing Mother recalling that may or may not have scarred me.

"Madam Penelope, how are you?" Father also steps outside with an outstretched hand.
I move to the side as they both greet each other.

Without further acknowledgement by both parties, I slip inside without a glance back.
Though, I keep rubbing the cloth of my empty pocket.

The moment I enter the study room, a scene that doesn't surprise me any longer welcomes me with open arms.

Henry rubs his temples, as he listens to both Timothy Ingram and Isabelle speaking so rapidly as if their tongues have merged into one.

Miss Evanna stands behind the sofa they are on, holding back a grin.

Henry peaks an eye open while Miss Evanna looks up at my entering.

"What is the matter?" I ask, stepping into the study.

"We were only articulating the complexities of the morning glory plant." Isabelle folds her arms across her chest and Timothy nods vigorously.

"With all complexities aside, I do appreciate you two moving those plants here," Miss Evanna sighs, but shrugs at the two adolescents.

"Well, they do have quite the soothing effect--" Timothy stops talking after Belle shoots him a glare.

Miss Evanna glares at Timothy and he looks everywhere else but his sister's face.
She then shakes her head at him.

"What happened to your trousers?" Henry's wrinkled brows point to the bitten hem.

I sigh, looking down at the hem,
"Wilhelmina fancies them so much that she bit the cloth.
Then Father and Grandmother rallied with one another for an expected duet."

Henry grins and Miss Evanna tilts her head to the side playfully.
"I can almost imagine the encore."

Isabelle wrinkles her nose, cringing.
"It may be so. Grandmother reminds me too much of Father, especially with all the sudden teasing."

"Grandmother Penelope is his maternal aunt, Belle," I say, stepping near to Henry's table.

Miss Evanna then shakes her head and says,
"Oh and you look like a man with purpose, Mr Matthew."

I put my palms on the table, pulling my weight onto it.
"That I am.
Because I have a proposal for my siblings."

From my peripheral vision, Henry straightens and Isabelle tilts her head to the side.

The thought of a peacock blue cloak and a bouquet of white roses comes into my mind. I shake it off.

"I have been invited to my patient's engagement party, but the party is on the eve of Belle's birthday." I point to her.
"And Jacob Trevor, the patient, allowed for me to bring anyone with me. I also think it will be more appropriate for me to bring someone, and for someone to stay behind for consoling Father and Mother."

"So, you want us to be the Mercutio to your Romeo." Henry rolls his eyes, while my head shakes quickly.

"God forbid, no. Romeo outlived Mercutio, albeit slimly."

"Henry, didn't you say Matthew talked to a woman while you two were horse riding? Don't tell me the only woman Matthew stops to talk to is already engaged!"

Isabelle then turns to Miss Evanna.
"Evanna, do you remember the woman I told you about? The one I saw at the old chapel?"

"What old chapel?" Henry asks, as soon as my eyes pop at what Isabelle has said. My head quickly shakes at her.
Miss Evanna coughs, making Belle sigh.

I continue blinking.

"So are wedding bells coming to Edenfield or to someone else?" Timothy asks in between the two girls and then coughs,
"Not that it matters to me, of course."

"Let the man marry when he wants." Henry rolls his eyes.
"If he marries, then that means you and I are next, Belle."

Shaking my head, I turn to Henry and pat his shoulder.
"Why, you already are a better businessman than me."

But then Isabelle rolls her eyes and bites her thumb. Timothy muffles a laugh.

Henry's eyes pop, but Evanna answers,
"Do you two want me to call both of your school masters and tell them what you are learning by the classics?"

Isabelle and Timothy open their mouths but shut them when I glare at them. The glare then turns back to Henry, who slumps back in his seat without any further protests

Belle looks at me and I nod.
"I think I'll stay here with Timothy. My plants needs tending and even Gilbert can't do so.
Also, I fear to be overdressed for your patient's engagement. Henry can accompany you. Men's clothes are far more intermingling than women's."
She then elbows Timothy, who grunts. But then his expression turns solemn.

"I don't object to staying here, but won't it be a bit inappropriate? Unless..." He looks back at his sister.

"Do you think I'll leave you two alone after I found you two lurking around Mr Matthew's quarters?" Miss Evanna raises her brow.

"What?" I ask.

Ignoring what I said, Henry goes on,
"For all we know you two were looking for injections for some bizarre reason. And Matthew, don't argue. We all know your room looks like a hospital."

"But I don't bring injections home for the Lord's sake!" I flail my arms when Timothy palms his face.
He then notices Isabelle's eyes flicking in between the stack of papers on the tables and him.

What are you two...

"We already told you. We thought there were burning embers at the doorstep and then you dropped on us like the devil." Timothy looks me, apologising.

Burnt embers outside my room.
Burnt parchment inside my office.

I shake my head.

"Then we ought to arrange for you two, now." Miss Evanna puts her hands on her hips and the two turn to her.

Shaking my head, I turn to Henry.
"What do you say about the engagement, Henry?"

He only flicks the hand supporting his temple. He quotes,
"I'll pay the doctrine, or else die in debt."

"Henry, don't be dramatic. And no Belle, Jacob Trevor is not marrying Mathilda Penrose."

I think.

"We now have the name!" Timothy plungers into the stack of papers, scattering them around before grabbing Belle's wrist and flying off.

Isabelle salutes at our dropped jaws before disappearing through the door.

İ honestly can't believe İ wrote this in November & am posting it during May xD

Speaking of May, my finals are starting on Monday.
So what does that mean for updates?
Well, İ do have enough content to post for those two weeks, but again, chapters ALWAYS go through a heavy round of editing before posting.
Hence, İ can't guarantee, but hey, who knows.
İ just might update during my breaks 🤷

Oh and 'biting thumbs' is the Shakespearian equivalent of the middle finger xD

Also, this chapter is dedicated to the wonderful Oliver8. Do check out his profile if you want some seriously good thrillers ❤️

Don't forget to vote! ❤️

Have a great week!
Love,
MS Zame