Author’s Note: This turned out longer than I had planned, but I’m really starting to fall more and more in love with the characters and storyline. I hope you will too.
~~~~~~~~~~
They were to be married on the first Saturday in September, in the chapel nestled in the countryside nearby Edgewater and Ledford Park. The chapel had always held a dear place in Ella’s heart, with memories of playing outside in the long grass of the meadow alongside it after the services as a child. Yet all week she had been dreading it, the once-pleasant location now leaving a vile taste in her mouth … for she knew not what would become of her after her nuptials.
The one redeeming factor amongst all this wedding chatter was the look of relief upon her dear father’s face as she told him she would indeed marry Mr. Ernest Sinclaire. She could see the joy dancing in his eyes as she asked him to accompany her to the chapel on Saturday next to give away his only daughter. “Ella, my dear girl …” he mumbled softly from his pillow, carefully reaching a frail hand to stroke her cheek affectionately. “You make your old father so proud. I shall rest easier knowing that you shall be well-cared for.” Ella opened her mouth to argue, to state that she needed no man to care for her, but the fatigued expression on her father’s face as he dropped his hand back into the quilts silenced her before she could begin. “I have always been so fond of Ernest …”
Ella knew it to be true, although she could never comprehend why her father had always held that wretched man in such high regards and sung his praises. She suspected it was due to his close friendship with Ernest’s parents and the business dealings he had held with his father. In truth Ella had never known them, both of them having died in a fatal carriage accident when little Ernest was only four. After his parents were gone, Ernest had been shipped off to stay with his mother’s brother in London until he was old enough to attend boarding school. And there the young man had grown up, in the confines of the stone walls and with only the company of his books until he came of age to claim his rightful place at Edgewater at the age of sixteen.
After seeing how pleased the engagement had made her father, Ella tried her best to play the part of a doting bride in the days leading up to her wedding. But her grandmother knew her too well, seeing past the act. “You’ll make a lovely young wife.” Lady Grandmother interrupted from the doorway of Ella’s chambers, startling Ella and her lady’s maid Briar as they prepared her for the marriage festivities that dreary Saturday morning. The elderly woman approached gingerly, gesturing to Briar for the hairbrush she had been smoothing through Ella’s chestnut locks. “Might I have a few moments in private with my granddaughter, Briar?” The maid curtsied and nodded before promptly sashaying out to the hallway, closing the door behind her.
Ella watched her grandmother quietly as she stroked the boar bristles through her wavy hair, gathering the waves at the nape of her neck before setting the brush down. “I brushed your mother’s hair the day she married your father. She was quite a nervous little bird that morning.” Lady Grandmother chuckled as she recalled the young girl in a comparable situation on a similar morning, eighteen years prior.
“I wish she was here to bear witness today …” Ella began, suddenly yearning for the maternal guidance of the woman who raised her until the tender age of six. If only she had been old enough before her mother had passed to ask her all the womanly questions that she did not yet know she would seek answers to. “Will you tell me about that day?”
The dowager countess smiled softly, reminiscing on the past as she began swirling Ella’s dark waves into knots upon her head. “It was also an arrangement, a marriage that had been agreed upon between your grandfather and your mother’s father. Your mother and father had only met twice before their wedding day. Your poor mother …” she shook her head with a wistful smile. “She was so young, only fifteen … she was so fearful to become a man’s wife and run the household. Yet she knew it was her duty, her responsibility, to her family.”
Ella nodded, the familiar feeling of duty and responsibility running through her veins this morning. She felt a sudden kinship, tinged with sadness, as she reflected upon her mother’s familiar feelings that morning long ago. “I did not know that. They always seemed so happy together when I was a child. There was so much love in our halls.” She recalled fondly, remembering the affectionate glances her father would throw at her mother across the room. It was the picture of marriage that she had always hoped for herself.
“Passionate love in a marriage is a fairytale young girls tell themselves.” Her grandmother chided her roughly. “What truly makes a happy marriage is respect and consideration. From these qualities, love can grow.”
Ella considered this statement as she studied her reflection in the mirror before her. She could read the fear and worry behind her own eyes, praying silently that her husband would not be able to decipher her wicked thoughts through her stare. “I do not believe that I respect Mr. Sinclaire, Lady Grandmother. Nor do I believe he has any fondness or respect for me.” She confessed. “I worry that this marriage is doomed to be an unhappy one.”
The dowager countess laughed softly under her breath as she completed the finishing touches on Ella’s hair. “Sinclaire is a good man. Give it time, my dear girl.” She placed her hands gently on Ella’s shoulders, meeting her stare in the mirror before them. “Give it time.”
~~~
Ella arrived by carriage to the small chapel, dashing through the drizzling rain towards the open doorway with her shawl draped over her head in a vain attempt to keep her grandmother’s hairstyling intact. She kept her eyes to the ground as she scurried along the stone pathway and over the threshold, not noticing the large figure looming on just the other side until she bombarded headfirst into him. “Oof!”
“Harrumph!” Ernest Sinclaire exhaled sharply as Ella’s shoulder collided into his chest. “Why Miss Mills, you certainly know how to make a grand entrance.” One might think he was making a jest at her expense if it not for the disinterested tone of of his voice. Ella could feel his eyes scanning over her as she gathered her bearings in dimly lit entryway. She finally glanced up to meet his gaze, catching a hint of appreciation behind his grey-blue eyes.
“Mr. Sinclaire …” she greeted him coldly. “Ernest. Perhaps we should assume our given names, seeing as how we shall be tied to one another in just a matter of moments.”
Ernest’s eyes widened and a slight smirk flashed across his lips before he quickly subdued it. “Yes, I agree. I take you are ready then … Ella?” He enunciated her name and let it roll of his tongue as if he were adjusting to the sound of it.
Ella could not deny that the sound of her name from his mouth had a pleasant ring to it, despite her distaste for the speaker himself. She nodded her head astutely, setting her shoulders back. “Quite.”
The wedding ceremony was private and simple as intended, the only persons in attendance being the family of Edgewater and the clergy of the small country church. Ella’s father Vincent lay perched amongst a pile of blankets on the first pew nearest the front, his pale face beaming proudly as he watched his only daughter approach the altar. Ella gave him a soft smile as she walked timidly towards him and placed a chaste kiss to his cheek, then turned to give a knowing nod of greeting to her Lady Grandmother who sat beside him. Behind her two dearest relatives she could see the scowls of Countess Henrietta and her spoiled son out of the corner of her eye, but she dared not acknowledge their presence. When she finally turned to the altar, she found Ernest waiting patiently with his hand extended in invitation … and so she laid her hand across his to begin the oath that would bind them forever.
“… I take thee … to love, cherish and obey … “
~~~
After the vows were complete and they were presented as husband and wife, the small group gathered within the chapel for a brief round of congratulations and well-wishes. There was no grand dinner or splendid ball to commemorate their union as Ella had always dreamed her wedding to be. Alas there had not been time enough to plan for such festivities, nor would Ella’s father have been up to hosting such an event. After the short ceremony Ella could already see the fatigue setting upon his features, therefore she kissed him farewell and sent her family back to her former home without her.
The ride to Ledford Park had been nearly silent, Ernest apparently more interested in the soggy countryside outside of their carriage than making conversation with his young new wife. At one point Ella had inquired if the ride along this road was always so bumpy even in less damp conditions, to which Ernest had only replied a simple “Yes” before turning to look back out the window.
Upon their arrival at the manor, the couple was greeted warmly by the household staff as well as Briar, who had arrived from Edgewater earlier that afternoon. Ella was pleased to have a companion in her new home, someone familiar to remind her of her family and life before. She was quite impressed with the staff as well, who luckily did not possess any of the taciturn characteristics of their master and made her feel welcome immediately. Ernest promised his new wife a tour of the manor shortly, but excused himself to do some business while Briar assisted Ella in settling into her private dressing room.
Ella surveyed the bare room that was to be hers, catching Briar’s eye and giving a loud sigh as the two shared a giggle. “Well, Mrs. Sinclaire “ Briar taunted with a cheeky grin, “it appears we have our work cut out for us.”
Ella scoffed, fully aware that her maid was testing her patience on purpose. “Oh Briar, don’t you dare! I shan’t have anyone calling me by that name or I won’t know they are speaking to me!” She looked around as she placed her shawl and hat down on the wooden dressing table in the corner. “And yes, I do think we have some work to do around here to add a woman’s touch.”
“So …” Briar began as she started sorting through Ella’s trunk to unpack her belongings, “how is the master, anyway? And the wedding?”
Ella inhaled deeply, her eyes dropping slightly as she pondered her response as she exhaled the breath. “He is quiet, that is for certain. I cannot seem to comprehend what is going on in that mind of his.”
“Give it time, Lady Ella …” Briar started, not noticing as Ella rolled her eyes in response. “You are just starting to know one another. You have a lifetime to talk with him.”
“Oddly, my lady grandmother said something very similar this morning.” Ella picked at the thread hanging off the cushioned chair beside her, twirling it lazily around her finger. “I cannot believe that was only this morning … it feels like a different life already.”
Ella began unpacking her things alongside Briar, thankful for the trivial task to distract her from the events of the day. They had been working in pleasant companionship for some time when they heard a soft knock at the open door. Ella looked up to find her husband standing awkwardly at the doorway, as if he was unsure that he was truly welcome in the lady’s room of his own manor. “I trust that you find your dressing room adequate, Lady Ella.” His voice had a wistful quality to it.
“I think Briar and I shall be able to make it quite agreeable, thank you.” She met his gaze, trying to decipher his thoughts behind that brooding expression, to no avail.
“May I escort you around the manor now?” He took one quick look out the window towards the drizzly gardens and his brows furrowed in disappointment. “Unfortunately we shall have to postpone our tour of the gardens for another day.” Ernest pointed to a door on the far side of her dressing room. “Firstly, through that door is our shared chambers.”
Ella nodded and peeked through the door, only to find an ornately decorated bedchamber. Compared to the drab quarters she had been working in all afternoon, she was pleased to find the larger room decorated elegantly, complete with a massive canopy bed draped in ornate linens, several fine sitting chairs situated around the room and a luxurious chaise lounge by the far window. The room was warm and inviting and … surprisingly far from what she had imagined for the home of such a cold man.
“Of course though the door on the far side there is another entrance to my own private dressing room.” Ella felt her husband’s large frame looming behind her as his hand brushed past her shoulder to point out the other door. He cleared his throat softly. “That is where I usually sleep, as well.”
“Oh …” was all Ella could think to reply, feeling a blush tinge her cheeks at the thought of their sleeping arrangements for the future.
“Well, shall we?” Ernest cocked his elbow to the side, offering his arm to her.
“Yes Ernest, I would love to explore my new home.” Ella replied, meeting his stare as she looped her arm through his. She was determined to make the best of their situation, and hopefully get to know her new husband better in the process.
Ernest provided Ella with a succinct yet sufficient tour of the insides of the manor. Ella was especially excited to discover the well-stocked library, piled high with shelf after shelf of books of every topic and genre. Her mind buzzed with anticipation to investigate its treasures further on her own at her earliest opportunity. The guided tour ended in the kitchens with introductions to the cook, Mrs. Warren, and her kitchen staff before Ernest escorted her into the large dining room.
The table was long and wide, large enough to seat at least twenty at any given time. Ernest pulled out a chair nearest the kitchen entry, inviting Ella to sit at one head of the table before crossing the distance to the far side to seat himself at the other end. Ella watched him curiously across the expanse as he situated himself within the chair with his napkin until she noticed a bowl of soup being placed in front of her on the tabletop. She took a timid bite of the creamy concoction, and her tongue was pleasantly greeted by a flavorful mixture of warm savory bisque. “The soup is quite good.” She called across the length of the table towards Ernest. “I shall have to give my compliments to Mrs. Warren.”
Ernest glanced up with a confused expression upon his face. “Pardon?”
Ella sat up straight, opening her throat up to enunciate better. “I said, the soup is very good.” She spoke louder this time, only to receive a nod of understanding from her husband across the table.
The two sat in silence for some time, finishing their soup and avoiding eye contact. Finally, as the staff carried away their empty bowls, Ella took the opportunity to engage in conversation again. “I am impressed by the extent of your library, Sir. Do you visit it often when you are at home?” Ernest gave her another perplexed look, raising his eyebrows as he missed her inquiry yet again. “Oh for heaven’s sakes!” Ella muttered under her breath, standing abruptly and gathering her napkin, goblet and cutlery before marching down the length of the table and settling herself into the chair closest to her husband’s side.
“Wha- “ Ernest appeared positively disturbed by his wife’s dramatic display and location change. “What are you doing?”
Ella scoffed as she peered over to him, leaning back in her chair to give herself a better view of him. “You are obviously not used to dinner companions, Mr. Sinclaire, as it is impossible to hold a conversation from across this monstrosity of a table!”
“I … I … I suppose you have a valid point, Lady Ella.” He agreed, stifling a smirk behind his goblet of wine. “But tell me, has the distance caused you to forget your resolution that we must call each other by our given names …” he leaned forward, a sardonic gleam in his eye, “for I thought that you had promised to call me Ernest from this day forward?”
Ella could not suppress the snort of laughter, which she promptly muffled behind her hand as she averted her eyes to the table. When she finally met his gaze again, she was pleased to find him watching her with a soft smile. “Indeed … Ernest.” She responded dramatically before continuing her original dialogue with a cheeky grin. “What I had asked you before from across the table was do you enjoy your library?”
~~~
Ella had already dismissed Briar for the evening, yet she sat frozen at her dressing table in her desolate room staring at her reflection in the mirror. She eventually reached for the hairbrush before her and began brushing her already sleek waves in a vain attempt to steady her nerves. She had selected a simple white sleeping gown for the evening, lined with lace trim along the neckline that dove slightly lower than her usual attire. She prayed it was chaste enough for a new bride of her station, yet provocative enough to elicit the desire of her husband.
Once she was satisfied that her hair was sufficiently smoothed, she set the brush down again and stood up before she could talk herself out of it.
She slipped into the bedchambers, only to find it still empty but the door to Ernest’s dressing room slightly ajar. She scurried across the rug and jumped into the bed, nestling her back into the pillows and pulling the coverlet up to her belly. She had just settled in comfortably when she heard the approaching footsteps from the other room. Her heart thudded in her chest and her throat tightened with nervous anticipation.
Ernest waltzed in and picked up a book off the chaise, seemingly unaware that he was not alone in the room. He studied the title etched along the side of the cover, turning around slowly before his eyes flicked to Ella in the bed. He gave a startled jump back, his face agape with wonder as his gaze trailed down her face to her bodice. His jaw dropped slightly and his eyes widened at the sight, but he quickly stood upright and turned his stare to the window as he cleared his throat. Ella did not miss the flush of his cheek as he looked away.
“I am sorry, Ernest, I did not mean to startle you.” Ella began, unsure how to break the awkward silence.
Ernest shook his head in dissent but still would not meet her gaze. “No, no … Lady Ella I apologize for the intrusion. I had only come in to retrieve my book, you see.” He shook the book in the air as if to prove his story. “But I shall bid you good night. I hope that you will sleep comfortably in your new chambers.” He started rushing towards the door to his private room, only to stop short as Ella interrupted his escape.
“But … but I thought …” Ella could not allow herself to finish her statement, suddenly feeling quite naked and embarrassed as she pulled the covers up to her chin. “I just thought a man and wife would share the same bed … especially on the night of their wedding.” Her voice trailed off softly as she completed her sentence, pulling the covers tighter to her body.
Ernest finally looked back over to her, his eyes filled with remorse and longing. He inhaled deeply, holding his breath before speaking. “That is typical, yes, Lady Ella. But our situation is not typical, is it now?” There was a tinge of sadness in his tone, as if he were already regretting this arrangement they were now stuck in. He nodded slightly, his eyes sparkling in the dim light of the room. “Good night … Ella.” And then he was gone, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
Ella sat stunned on the bed, frozen in place as she mulled over the events that had just unfolded. Completely alone.
To be continued …