THE Arlington's left this morning, after breakfast. Christopher barely looked at me when he bid me goodbye. Lord Arlington I should say. I believe I relinquished my privilege of calling him by his first name, when I burned our friendship to ashes.

He was stone cold about it, and there was nothing I could do or say to change that. Even though it stung, it was for the best. I must learn to be happy for him and Astrid. But his absence definitely soothed my mind.

I no longer had to avoid his handsome face, or worry about him laughing at something minuscule I did. However, when I thought about it - I missed it. I missed catching his amused grin, I missed seeing the change of color in his magnetizing orbs.

It was a mental battle that warred constantly.

I sat at my writing desk, peering at the pouring rain. I wished to feel the cooling droplets on my my skin like I used to at home. But I already knew what consequence that would bring.

A light knock came to my door, "Little cousin?"

I turned my head, "Come in Astrid."

"Staring at the rain again?" She giggled and plopped herself onto my bed.

"Absolutely," I nodded. She patted a seat next to her, so I got up and sat beside her.

"I just wanted to thank you," She leaned into hug me. I returned her tight embrace with furrowed brows.

"For what?"

"You talked to Christopher," She pulled away with a radiant smile.

"H-how do you know that?"

"I knew from the moment he began acting differently. You encouraged him, and I am forever grateful for your action," She clasped my hand with an endeared countenance.

"It is no matter," My voice shook involuntarily.

"Even though I am left wondering why he has not proposed to me yet, I know it will happen soon," She nodded. I had to admit I wondered the same thing.

Why did he leave without proposing to her?

"Because you helped me secure him over his stay," She smiled. Her words stung my heart. But I had to remind myself that this was supposed to happen all along. This was Astrid's plan.

"You are very welcome," I nodded.

She stood up, "Well you may return to staring at the rain. One day someone will love the way you strangely do that."

I gave a light laugh, and she left my chambers.

• ~ •

Later in the day, I ventured to the third story. I had realized my whole stay here, I hadn't gone to see it. I knew the fencing room resided there, as well as a few guest bedchambers - where the Arlingtons once stayed.

I stood in the middle of the corridor, with my eyes fixed on a certain painting. A large window that seeped sunlight, made the portrait glisten. It was my mother and Lady Stratford.

She was sat in a chair with a solemn stare, while my mother stood with a hand placed on her shoulder. A bright smile worn on her face. It screamed a thousand words. The two shared the same blood but were so incredibly different. I slowly ran a light finger over the ridged frame.

Oh how I wished she was still alive.

To guide me in my troubles of the heart, to tell me everything would turn out just fine. No doubt, Papa would lend his soothing words. But there was nothing like motherly advice, and I would never have that.

I pursed my lips at the sting in my tearful eyes.

"Della," I turned around at the sound of Uncle George's voice.

"Oh hello," I swiped both my cheeks with a smile.

He ambled closer and held out his arm, "Come talk to me in my study."

". . . O-okay," I answered hesitantly, looping my arm around his. We walked back down the stairs to the ground floor. What could he want to talk with me about?

He patted his warm hand atop of mine when we walked inside the darkened room. I had never been in here either. My eyes roamed wall to wall. There were wooden bookshelves filled with books.

Maybe he was the reason Alaina had an incurable book fever. He withdrew the heavy curtains, allowing for the daylight to pour in.

"Have a seat my dear," He sat at his heavy wooded desk, and I sat in one of the chairs angled in front of it.

Uncle George leaned in, "Now I would like for you to be truthful with me."

My heart pounded and I gave an obedient nod.

"Are you okay?"

"Well um . . ." I was unsure how to answer.

"Correct me if I am wrong but, since the Arlingtons left this morning you seem a bit off of your spin. I noticed the change of your genuine smile," He looked at me quizzically.

"How observant you are Uncle," I breathed a nervous laugh.

"Please tell me the truth," He said.

I trained my eyes on my hands with a frown. There was no way out of telling him what really plagued my emotions.

I swallowed hard and shook my head vigorously.

"If I am to be completely truthful in my words . . . I am not," I mustered up all the strength I had not to let my tears fall, "Uncle please tell me why I have been cursed in wanting a man that I simply cannot have in any lifetime? I fear that I have made a mistake in telling him that we cannot be friends. But my heart cannot take any more of his torture."

Once I spoke my mind, the butterflies left my stomach. I knew he would keep this information safe between us. I sniffled and swiped away my rolling tears.

"I will not tell me what to do. But I will say tell you how much I admired your mother for going after a man she was not supposed to. She knew it would cause an uproar in her family, but she went after the man she truly loved regardless. Lady Stratford tells the story with such bitterness. But I see it as a lesson in courage," He said with a stern confidence.

A wide smile bloomed on my face, and a different type of tears sprung from my eyes. He stood from his chair and walked around his desk. I stood and he enveloped me in his arms.

"I just want you to be happy," He whispered. I tightened our embrace at his words.

A knock came to the door and Alaina appeared, "Sorry am I intruding?"

"Oh hello Alaina,"Uncle George pulled from our hug with a smile.

"I wanted to show Della something, but I can return later."

"No I can go with you," I wiped away my stale tears, and gave Uncle George one last smile before leaving the room.

"What would you like to show me?"

"It is on the third story. Just follow me," She answered in a hushed tone. I furrowed my brows and my curiosity burned with a greater intensity. There was nothing but excess bedchambers and the fencing room. What could she possibly desire to show me that required her voice to be so low?

When we arrived, she took me to a specific chamber, located at the very end of one of the corridors. She checked her surroundings before opening the door.

I followed her into the darkened bedchamber.

"Why are we here?"

"Shh," She hushed, walking into a wardrobe. Due to the curtains being drawn, I could barely make any significant traits of the chamber. Alaina came out of the wardrobe with a dress draped over her arm.

I looked at her with skepticism. She with drew the curtains of one of the windows so I could see, and held up the dress. It was white, with gold embellishments at the bottom. Even the puffed sleeves and belt at the waist featured the beautiful glistening gold. I placed a hand over my mouth in awe of it's beauty.

"This was your mother's dress," She said, "Mamma had always kept it hidden. But of course due to her atrocious stealth we all stumbled across it. Astrid, Abigail and I have always wanted to wear it, but Mamma adamantly forbid it."

I was at a loss for words. There was something left of my mother, other than a broken song in my head!

"It is only fitting that you wear it to your ball."

"Oh Alaina I would absolutely be delighted, but Lady Stratford would go mad!" I shook my head, " And Ms. Aarons just finished our dresses. Lady Stratford specifically chose what material she wanted mine made out of."

"Yes well the queen will just have to put up with it," A devious smile slithered on her face.

_____________________________

A/N - Y'all think she's gonna wear the dress or nah?

How freakin sweet is Uncle George thoooo 😭

the ball will be the next chapter! FINALLY right? I just needed some things to happen first before hand 👀 - stay tuned!

Votes/Comments, are much appreciated!

- kya v.h