Henford, July 4th 1818
The Coach carrying the party of 3 to Henford from Granningham arrived in Henford within 20 minutes. The Duchess had been right, it would rain.
Sarah purposefully asked if she could have a seat to herself, as she 'didn't like being confined in a tight space.' In reality, she had just wanted Aurelia to sit beside Frederick so she would be at ease somewhat.
Frederick and Aurelia of course did not say anything to one another for the majority of the ride. Frederick was intimidated by Aurelia's beauty so up close. He found it hard to look her in the eyes without blushing so he chose to look out of the window. But God was she beautiful. Frederick's face bore the timeless elegance of a classical sculpture, chiseled by the hands of God himself. As he gazed out of the window, the play of shadows accentuated the noble lines of his profile, which Aurelia couldn't help admiring. She stole glances at him, completely marveling at the artistry of his face.
Some things remained the same. This had been the first coach ride they had shared since 1816. To assure her that he was of course not cross at her for not engaging in conversation he nudged her hip with his elbow softly and poised his arm in the hopes of her hand in extension. He quickly got his wish. It seemed that all his worries fell off his shoulders and nothing mattered anymore now that he got to feel the touch of the Lady he had once loved so affectionately in 1816. He still did love her, she had her suspicions of this, but no confirmation. Why else would he return?
Sarah had trouble hiding her grin from this gesture, but she quickly fixed her face and averted her gaze to the passing willows.
Frederick: Your-your other siblings. Are they in good health?
Aurelia: Most excellent health. Thank you.
It was at this moment he realized he regretted asking her that. He was too close to her and became quickly lost in her eyes, not even hearing her response to the question. All he wanted to do was kiss her, but he knew he couldn't, not just yet.
Frederick: Lily, I-
Aurelia: Freddie, please- we can't-don't look at me like that.
Frederick: So your affections have changed since-
Aurelia realized she had let herself get lost in this moment between them, completely forgetting about what happened in 1816. For a moment she let herself be that once 18-year-old girl Frederick had loved for a moment, but she wasn't the same anymore. Or so she thought. She didn't deserve him and his kind affections, she had always told herself he was too good for her. She quickly snapped back into reality.
Aurelia was naturally shy, and Frederick made her nervous. He knew he made her nervous, but he didn't try to. When she sat up and let go of his arm, he was a little hurt but to hear her call him Freddie like she once had was enough. He knew she still cared for him by using that name, that was all he needed. What happened that last night they spent together in 1816? Did she mean what she said? Perhaps he would ask her later.
Sarah: M'lady, m'lord, we've arrived!
And so they had arrived at Elmsworth House. The estate of the wealthy and genteel Mr. Peregrine Ramsbury and his wife Lady Helena, Aurelia’s paternal aunt.
Helena: Oh my sweet girl! How I've missed you so, I haven't seen you since May!
Aurelia: Oh Aunt Helena! How I've missed you too.
Helena: My God, I don't believe my eyes. Frederick Worthington is that you?
Frederick: Yes, Lady Helena, it is me. I've recently just returned from Orleans.
Helena: Ah, yes capital! Oh, and you're all soaked! I shall have my servants run the three of you hot baths!
Frederick: I can't stay for long Lady Helena, I plan to see my mama.
Helena: Oh not in this weather you won't! I won't allow it, you'll have to call on your mother in the morning, I shall write to her that I've forced you to stay with us. She'll understand.
Aurelia: Well surely he doesn't want to keep his mama waiting-
Helena: Good lord, girl! What has gotten into you?! It's a miracle you're not having bits of congestion from that perilous storm! You both will stay with us until this storm passes over. Ashley and Patience have just arrived last night so they can be of good company. Martha is here as well!
Frederick: I thank you, Lady Helena, you're very kind. But I do fear I've extended my welcome if everyone is not happy with me-
Helena: Aurelia is just talking nonsense! She needs a nice bath to calm her poor nerves. The same nerves which haven't been right since 1816! Oh and her poor maid is shivering! *shouts* AGATHA, TELL BETSY AND THOMAS TO HELP YOU RUN THREE BATHS!
*2 hours later*
Sarah: Oh m'lady you smell lovelier than before! I'm sure Lord Worthington will notice too-
Aurelia: Oh Sarah you tease me. We've all just gotten baths, I'm sure he won't notice. But you too smell lovely!
Sarah: M'lady I believe he notices everything of your being! The way he looks at you- and forgive me if I'm speaking out of terms, but his eyes are still yearning for you. I was in that carriage with the both of you too.
Aurelia: Yes, yes you were. I'd like it if you kept everything that happened on that ride between us.
Sarah: Oh of course m'lady! I shan't tell a soul. Alright, you're good to go downstairs, I'm going to take your traveling dress to my bedroom window and let it dry for tomorrow.
Frederick: Lily?...
Aurelia: ....
Frederick: Will you please look at me?
Aurelia: Nothing happened in that carriage, therefore there is no need for us to talk. Please refrain from calling me Lily-
Frederick: Well Lady Aurelia, I'll have you know I don't want to talk about the carriage. I want to talk about August 2nd.
Aurelia: Well I don't.
Frederick: Dearest, why are you like this. Please tell me what I've done to you in the span of two hours?
Aurelia: *loudly whispering* IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT YOU'VE DONE IN TWO HOURS! IT'S ABOUT WHAT YOU DID AFTER AUGUST 2ND!
Frederick: What I did after August 2nd? Last I recall it was your actions on August 2nd that prompted me to leave. YOU rejected my proposal. So forgive me if the pain was so unbearable that I had to retreat to a different country as I couldn't bear seeing your face again or worse, seeing you fall for another man. But know, even if you hurt me I still loved you. In fact I still lo-
Aurelia: Don't say it. Not today. Not now. You went away to forget me, how can you still say that? And for your information, I regretted the word no immediately after it left my throat. Seeing your face that night caused me a great deal of pain and I still think of how you looked constantly.
Frederick: So you felt sorry because I cried? Your words were firm, do not pity me if I shed tears.
Aurelia: I did not pity you for the shedding of your tears. I pitied myself because I did want to marry you. But you deserve a good woman-
Frederick: YOU are a good woman and the ONLY woman I can see myself called upon to marry. Believe me, there is no one else who I'd rather bear my children or grow old with other than you. And you must know I went away not to forget you but in an attempt to get over my love for you. Not a day went by where I didn't think of you. I realized how stupid I was and that I would not forget you or get over you. What we had was special so yes, I lo-
Aurelia: I beg you not to say that.
Frederick: Why not?
Aurelia: Your words are dangerous and have a great effect on my mind. I too thought I had gotten over you but-
Frederick: So you still love me?
Aurelia: ...
Frederick: You can say it.
Aurelia: No....I can't. You'll go and leave again and I'm left all melancholic once more.
Frederick: *laughing* My dearest girl, I assure you I'm not going anywhere without you by my side.
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Anwar Boneshot
Type: NPC
Aliases: N/A
Pronouns: He/Him
Relationship: Married - Rewolfyam, Husband
Race: Fey Eladrin, Winter
Home: Kingdom of Knashthra, Feywild
Age: 135
Job: Priest at the Temple in the Blessings Tree
Loyalty: The gods, friends and family, Knashthra
Alignment: TN
Height: 6′1
Personality: Quiet and reserved, history nerd who is usually found in the archives when he’s not tending to his duties in the Temple, active and speed walking everywhere he goes.
Status: Alive, Uninfluenced (known)
Strategy: Smiles pleasantly before he roasts their asses. Rewolfyam is into it.
I don’t currently have a reference image for him. Not yet, anyway.
I have added one.
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