Chapter 19

It was the morning after the Churchill ball, I sat with my mother and my eldest sister in our drawing room. Mother and sister far too busy with their embroidery I was left to sort out my own thoughts with the piano. Sitting on the piano bench and running my finger over the keys lightly I was unsure of what I wanted to play but, I wanted to play something to him. I closed my eyes and inhaled, allowing my mind to go to him as I exhaled and began to play. Something about the thought of him felt safe and right but what made this all so confusing was that his person was infact not. Keeping my eyes shut channeing all my energy and emotions through my fingertips and to the porcelain keys. I began to wander what he smelled like, what his skin felt like, and what warmth would come to me if I were to lay in his arms...

" A caller for Ms. Helena "

I heard the words but my eyes remained shut and i began a small sway back and forth to the music. The more I continued the more passionate I felt the more I felt connected to him or like he could actually hear me play. I thought of the way he looked at me from across the room the way he followed my every move like he was tracking me but not only with his eyes but with his heart. The more I thought of him the more my heart soared, the more I felt-

" Helena "

My mother had exclaimed the loudest she could while still trying to remain as ladylike as she could, clearing her throat almost immediately after. I quickly look in her direction and remove my hands from the keys. Once I finally look to her I see Theo standing there holding a lovely arrangement of rather well colorful flowers. His looks softens under my gaze and he bows, bowing my head in response before I stand from the bench.

" Theo what a pleasant surprise "

He sends me a small smile before stepping a bit closer to me and extending the flowers to me.

" These are for you, I thought of you as I seen them and just knew you had to have them "

I raise my eyebrows and my eyes widen a bit while I put on the fakest smile I could muster up as I grabbed the flowers from his hands

" You are too kind, the blues and the pinks and the well orange ? yellow ? they look gorgeous theo thank you "

I pass them to braelia before turning my attention to theo. My mother look between the two of us and rubbed her hands down the front of her dress as if she was wiping the awkwardness off of her hands. Theo stood smiling as if he was waiting for something, I look back to my mother and pierce my lips together and she furrows her eyebrows before speaking up.

" So um theo ? was there any specific matter in which you are gracing us with today "

Theo just stood there with a, pardon me, dumb looking smile on his face while we all stand awkwardly and confused at him just anticipating what he was going to say. Instead of stating a single word he reached out and grabbed my hand before bending and planting a small kiss ntop of my hand. My eyes widened.

" No Mrs Humphrie, just wanted to visit this pretty lady and deliver those lovely flowers I am looking forward to seeing you all at dinner tonight "

With that he turned on his heels and waltzed out the door. I stood still trying to make any sense of the odd exchange that just happening. Looking down at my hand, then at my mother, and back at my hand.

" What...just happened ? "

After I finally speak up I hear my sister let out a low giggle clearly trying to contain herself. To which I just shrug and throw my head back in laughter because I truly have no idea what just happened. My mother completely lost as well looking between us girls like we have just lost our head it does not take a long time until she is defeated as well and we are all just staanding laughing like a group of crazy ladies which, im not exactly stating that we arent. We can barely even look at each other as our laughter takes complete control of us three, if you have not caught on already laughter seems to be a regular form of decompression in this family and possibly one of the only things keeping us all from going absolutely mad might I add. In the midst of us all losing it to our laughter, my father makes his way into the room. He stands a the entrance and looks at the three of us almost in fear? The three of us make an attempt to stop but one glance at the look on his face and we all begin to lose it once more. Father just shakes his head and chooses his own peace by walking away and carrying on with his business. I am wiping tears from my eyes when my sister finally speaks up.

" Im not sure if that was a more so charming or cocky interaction sister "

I just shrug my shoulders before taking a seat at the bench once more as I come down from the laughter fit. My sister makes her way over to me and sits beside me on the bench.

" Sister, are you seriously interested in courting Theo ? "

Our rather silly moment seemed to have turned a bit too serious for my liking. To her question its almost right away my mind had an answer, I looked to my sister and then at my mother who had moved closer awaiting my response. I opened my mouth to speak but stopped myself and looked down at my hands again. Do I really have a choice at this point ? If I dont marry this season, who truly knows what will become of me ? Fiddling with my finger I take a deep breath but before I could even speak my sister beats me to it.

" I just wanted to say it is a magnificent thing, at the ball you two complimented each other so well ! Oh and while you two are still a little awkward im sure that will all go away with time sister ! "

Her sudden chirpiness catching me off guard I look to her with slight confsion lingering on my face. There has been something odd going on with my sister but I have yet to figure it out. Once again I go to respond but my mother speaks up.

" While yes I do have to agree with your sister Helena I must remind you not to feel pressured for your happiness is of the up most importance, be open to other prospects- "

I stand from the bench rather frustrated and flustered as I dont have any desire to continue the conversation

" If you would excuse me I require a moment with myself before we begin to get ready for supper with the sinclairs "