Chpt 20: The Meaning Of Flowers
I have been at home for about a week now. Beth seems to have gotten weaker by the day but according to Lady Danbury, Beth would be better off staying at her house instead of at home on the farm. She said that she is better off staying at her manor because Beth would be in a "cleaner and safer" environment.
Beth and i strongly disagreed, if she's ill why move her from her home? But, Emma agreed with Lady Danbury so Beth and i are getting a carriage back to London. Lady Danbury said Emma can visit once in a while but not as often as we'd like due to the circumstances of our secrets.
Beth is very upset about this. I have come to realise when Beth is upset she won't speak until she gets her way. Therefore, she has not even looked at Emma since she found out she is being forced to go back to London.
I was awoken by Emma screaming my name to get up. Three months ago, i would have given anything to have Emma shut up but since i've stayed at Lady Danbury's, Emma's yelling is music to my ears. As i walked down the stairs, the kitchen table had hot tea, toast (not burnt which was unusual), fresh eggs, cake and other extravagant foods.
"Wow, this is... Surprising" i said. "A good surprising or a bad surprising?" Emma asked as she was frantically whisking something. "Good, good surprising but... What's with the fancy breakfast?" i asked. Emma put down the bowel she was whisking and leaned over the counter steadying her breath.
"Hey, what's wrong?" i asked putting my hand on her back. "It's nothing i just... I want this breakfast to be... Memorable" she said still leaning over the counter. "Why, you are going to be able to come see us while we are in Lady Danbury's" i said. Emma looked at me with watery eyes. "You don't know that" she said. I could tell Emma was worried about Beths health declining.
I embraced her immediately when i saw she was upset. "Hey, everything's going to be okay, i promise, you know i can read the future" i said with a smile. She lightly chuckled.
"Do you think she'll be okay? Did i make the wrong choice sending her to London? I just... I just want her to be safe and have good doctors instead of being in this dusty old house thats practically falling apart!" she said laughing but i could tell she was stressed.
"She'll be safe there, Lady Danbury has the best doctors for her. And, she can have all the mouth watering food she wants" i said. Emma gave me an annoyed look. "Not that your cooking is bad its just... Well... You know" i said stuttering. She gave me a fake smile. "Just go get her okay, hopefully she'll talk to me before she leaves" Emma said she as she went back to cooking.
I walked upstairs and knocked on Beths door. I walked in and Beth was already awake just staring at the wall. She couldn't get out of bed these days without help. I knew this upset her because she always loved to be outside and was a very independent girl.
"Hey" i said with a soft smile sitting on the bed next to her. "Is it time to go?" she asked. "Not yet but, Emma made us breakfast! She has all your favourites, she has cake and Delilah and Harriet just laid fresh eggs and-" i said but was cut off.
"I'm not hungry" Beth said as she kept staring at the wall. I looked at her worriedly for a moment. "Beth, please don't be mad at Emma, you know she's only sending you to London for your own good right?" i said. Beth scoffed.
"No, Emma's sending me to Lady Danbury's because she thinks i'm turning into mama and she doesn't want to deal with me" she said folding her arms. "Hey! Beth that's not true and you know it! Now, Emma has been up all morning trying to make this breakfast perfect for you because she feels so guilty about you leaving. Even though, the person who affects this the most is her because she will be left all alone, worrying while we're together!!" i shouted.
The room went silent. I didn't mean to raise my voice at Beth but i knew she'd needed to hear it. Beth looked down at her hands. "Beth, i'm sorry i didn't mean-" i started. "No, your right. I just... I'm going to miss you both so much" she said with watery eyes.
"Beth, i'm coming with you remember, what do you mean miss us?" i asked. Beth looked at me with a sorrowful expression. It took me a moment, but than i realised what she meant. "Oh, Beth" i said as i embraced her. She lightly sobbed into my arms.
It was in that moment, i decided i was going to be strong for both my sisters. I'll be strong for Beth until she gets better and i'll be strong for Emma by marrying soon and moving her out of this rubbish house.
I grabbed Beths shoulders lightly to make her look at me. "Beth, i promise you, you will get better. I don't care what i have to do, where i have to go, which doctor i have to bribe, i will get you better" i said lightly shaking her. She stared at me for a moment and nodded her head.
I helped Beth out of bed and helped her down the stairs. Once we got into the kitchen, Emma turned around and froze. "Hey" Beth said quietly. "Hey" Emma replied back. There was silence once again. "Okay, are you both going to keep saying hi or are we going to eat?" i said joining in.
They both laughed and Emma ran over to embrace Beth. We all sat down at the table laughing, eating and swapping memories from when we were young. With all the memorable moments i have with my sisters, this definitely had to be my favourite moment of all.
A couple of hours later, it was time to go. As i watched Beth and Emma say their goodbyes, i couldn't help but remember when i was leaving at the start of the summer to join the social season. It felt as if nothing is changed, yet that was simply not true. Everything has changed.
I couldn't hear what Emma and Beth were saying to each other, but it seemed meaningful and personal so i stepped back as to not intrude on their conversation. When they finished their goodbyes, i walked over to Emma and she embraced me tightly. "Take car of her alright?" she whispered. "Of course" i whispered back. "And take care of yourself too" she said as she pulled out of the hug and smiled.
I smiled back and nodded my head. I helped Beth into the carriage and Emma wiped her tears and blowed kisses as the carriage was leaving.
Once we got to Lady Danbury's manor, we were greeted by her at the door. I helped Beth out of the carriage while someone grabbed our bags and put them in our rooms. "Miss Bennet, Miss Bennet" Lady Danbury said giving us a small bow.
"Lady Danbury, thank you so much for this" i said with a bright smile. "Of course" she said. I helped Beth upstairs and we made our way into her room.
"You know i must say, as much as i am against me leaving the farm, i do love this room" Beth said with a smirk as she laid in bed. We both laughed as i unpacked her belongings and put them in the drawers.
As i just finished up packing, i heard Lady Danbury call my name from downstairs. "You have visitors" i heard her say. I was confused to who was visiting but as i walked downstairs, i saw Eloise and Benedict standing in the doorway.
My face slowly began to light up. Eloise was holding Jasmine flowers while Benedict was holding lavender roses. "Hello" Benedict said awkwardly. I ran down the stairs and jumped on him, pulling him into an embrace. He embraced me back tightly and buried his head in my neck.
"Em, sorry to... Interrupt but uh, where is Beth?" Eloise asked. "Oh yes, upstairs, third door on the right" i said smiling back at her. Eloise ran up the stairs into Beths room.
"What are you doing here?" i asked in delight. "Lady Danbury happened to mention that you and Beth were returning today so i thought i'd see you" he said. "By happen to mention, he means he's been asking for you every day since you left!" Lady Danbury said mockingly.
I giggled softly while Benedict gave Lady Danbury an annoyed stare. "We'll, Eloise has also been asking for you and your sister. She seems quite fond of her which is strange because Eloise never seems to like anyone" Benedict said. "Yes, i noticed that" i said with a chuckle.
I took the flowers out of Benedict's hands and we made our way up to Beths room. When i opened the door, i saw Eloise reading Beth something from her notebook while Beth had her head on Eloises shoulder. I overheard the name "Lady Whistledown" so i presumed they were swapping theories.
Benedict was leaning on the door behind me watching them as well. "They'd make quite an adorable couple huh?" Benedict said. This took me off guard that someone from the ton would even comprehend a relationship like this. "They would wouldn't they?" i said with a smile looking up at him.
I felt his fingers intertwine with mine as we watched the two girls giggle and gossip. In this moment, i felt everything slowly falling into place. I wish i could freeze this moment in time forever.
[Jasmine flowers- Love and purity]
[Lavender roses- Love at first sight]
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