The Spinster in the Rye

When the familiar silhouette of her mason appeared from her carriage, she found herself smiling brightly. How hard she'd fought for it and how long it took her to get used to its fancy interiors after living in Grovershire. The village of her childhood would have always held a special place in her heart: until she would exhale her last breath, the cottage where her mother and she used to live would be a sanctuary of memories of those bright days. But now, Edgewater was her home and no English stormy sky could prevent her from perceiving the warmth radiating from her family estate: there is where her heart would always lead her, like the north on a compass. There is where all the ones dearest to her heart lived now. Her safe harbour. Sure, when it became of public knowledge that Miss Parsons and Mr Konevi, the spinster nobody could pin down and a charming foreign bachelor, would have joined the newlyweds of Edgewater, the decision certainly looked "peculiar" to many and a few rumours started spreading. But the four of them looked absolutely untouched by them and even slightly amused. Elizabeth and Bartholomew attended every social event at each other arm looking nothing short of the portrait of the purest marital happiness. They also explained calmly and nonchalantly to anyone who dared asking them about it that it was way simpler than gossipy mouths implied: Miss Parsons was a dear and loyal friend of the Countess and it seemed just fair to offer her hospitality as Hazelvale was getting a bit crowded after Cordelia's wedding, not to mention that their estate had some breathtaking views that would surely benefit Miss Parsons' intention to dedicate herself to painting. As for Mr. Konevi, he was a dear friend of the couple too and after all the attempts to threaten and challenge the authority of Elizabeth, having a brilliant bannister at reach sounded like a reasonable resolution. There were room for anyone at Edgewater and such lovely guests wouldn't have bothered or disturbed their love. Most concluded that the Count and Countess of Edgewater were one of those young couples who ended up living a rather eccentric yet inoffensive lifestyle without fully realising that they might be object of legitimate concerns. Young love, they would shake their head after parting from the two of them. "There's no place like home" Elizabeth sighed happily as she finally set foot inside and a zealous maiden hurried to gather her drenched coat and asked her about her journey. Elizabeth gave a courtly response and dismissed the stableboy, begging the maiden to provide him a bowl of hot soup and a spot near the fireplace. The young girl nodded and added that everyone was waiting for her in the library. Then she guided the stableboy to the kitchen. A familiar comforting warmth spread inside Elizabeth as she opened the finely decorated doors of Edgewater library and saw her beloved companions lost in some deep conversation over a bunch of books that were scattered open between Annabelle and Yusuf sitting right on the carpet while Bartholomew pondered their words on a chaise long. He was the first to notice her arrival. His face brightened up as he called out her name and stood to give her a proper welcome back. He went straight for a hug as a happy cheer echoed behind his back. "Ah, dear Elizabeth, you're here at last!" he exclaimed, "We were so worried for you when we saw the storm approaching" he added. "Aw, don't be: it's just rain. But I certainly appreciate your concern" Elizabeth gave a gentle squeeze to Bartholomew's arms, eliciting a soft smile from him. Despite their marriage was one of convenience and their "romance" merely platonic for obvious reasons, the two of them had grown so very fond of each other since their first fortuitous meeting to the point that strangers, not knowing where the real affections of their hearts laid, would have undoubtedly mistaken it for the purest display of romantic love. "I'll go get you some fresh tea" he excused himself as someone tapped his shoulder. "I'm sure someone is very eager to say hi" "One way to put it" Annabelle noted, making a scene of pushing him away. She wrapped her arms around Elizabeth's neck and gave her a tender smile. "Welcome home, my love" she whispered before claiming her lips in a kiss because now at Edgewater they didn't have to hide and pretend anymore. Well, only when gossipy and malevolent guests visited but not now. Too soon though Miss Parsons parted. "But Lizzie, you're soaked!" she exclaimed, stroking a damp strand of golden hair. "Come, take a seat by the fireplace... Yusu?" As if reading her mind, the bannister had already moved an armchair near the fire and gallantly helped the countess, noticing how wonderful it was to have her back. For good measure, Annabelle wrapped a blanket she had personally knitted around Elizabeth's shoulders and planted another kiss on the tip of Lizzie's cold nose. When she was all settled in the cozy warm spot with a steaming cup of tea Bartholomew provided in her hands, they wanted to know everything about her London trip. So, Elizabeth shared how she bumped into Theresa Sutton in the street and how radiant she was as they walked arm in arm to the nearest cafe, and how gloomy and abandoned Mr Richards' palace looked now. Then she informed them that she had invited Mr Sinclaire to spend some time at Edgewater soon: it had been ages since he last visited. They all agreed: Bartholomew would have written him in the morning "so that dear Earnest won't forget", he explained winking. Elizabeth's eyes finally fell back over the scattered books laying a few steps away. Taking a sip of her tea, she inquired about them, betraying a curiosity she could no longer refrain. The three of them shared a conspiratorial look then Yusuf reached out and grabbed a tome at the top of the pile. "Well, dear Elizabeth...these are actually travel books" he explained, handing her a book whose pages were filled with geographical maps. "Planning a journey somewhere?" Lizzie asked. "Actually...yes! Brilliant deduction, my love, how could you guess?" Annabelle teased, shifting to sit more comfortably at her wife's side. Elizabeth made a scene to roll her eyes and in her best Henrietta voice commented: "I swear, I can't leave you alone a few days that you start planning a new enterprise!" The impression elicited a round of laughter; then, the countess turned serious again and nonchalantly asked: "May I ask where to?" The two young men exchanged a soft look before Bartholomew answered. "Constantinople" Elizabeth failed to hide a little surprise but it all made sense after all. Yusuf elaborated further, taking his love's hand into his and stroking it gently with his thumb as he spoke. "I've always wanted to show Bart the place I first called home, where I lived most of my life and is still dear to me. Constantinople is a beautiful gem and it will blossom ever more in a few months as the weather gets warmer." "I'm not homesick, I like England as this where my love and you all are, I even got used to its grey skies and dampness" he added, making the others giggle. Then he sighed deeply and looked into Bart's eyes: "I just...want to share all this with the man I love" Elizabeth's heart melted seeing the purest devotion and adoration  in the eyes of the two men so dear to her that the rest of the world would call abominations. She had to swallow back tears as she witnessed their well deserved yet more than once threatened happiness. "You should go" she smiled tenderly, hoping not to give in to the lump in her throat. "I think I speak on Annabelle's behalf too when I say that I insist that you go on this journey. It is such a thoughtful and loving idea, Yusuf" The two men shared another look then turned towards Lizzie and Annabelle. "As we were saying earlier to Annabelle...we would love if you could join us" The countess gaped and searched for Annabelle who was smiling brightly up to her. Miss Parsons took her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckles. "Before you say anything, let Bart explain" she said before turning back to him and gesturing him to continue. "It has nothing to do with saving the appearances or providing a cover for our romantic escape. It would make things a bit easier but that's not the point. None of us never had a real honeymoon after the wedding, if we exclude your trip to Grovershire and our little Cornwall vacation. Edgewater demanded our presence and undivided attention. But now...things are a bit different, right? Maybe we can take a break" "And we could spend some time all together too: I would be happy and honoured to be your guide there: I know my city as the palm of my hand" Yusuf added encouragely. As their words sank in, a new unexpected joy took hold of Elizabeth's heart. Yes, things were less hectic and dire than before, they could have taken some time off and set sail to the Middle East. And the thought of an ever secretive yet real honeymoon with the love of her life? Embarking on a passage to Constantinople with such an adventurous soul, well concealed under corsets and taffeta gowns. A gentle squeeze to her hand brought her back to the cozy parlour. Everyone was waiting for her response. Annabelle tenderly rested her chin on her lap and asked: "So...what do you say, Lizzie?" Her eyes gleamed with expectation. Elizabeth stroke her head and smiled down to her. Then she met Yusuf and Bart's gaze: the two men were still holding hands as if bracing for what came next. A pained refusal, uncertainty, doubt, a weak excuse maybe? Elizabeth took a dramatic pause before flashing her best conspiratorial smile. "I say...when are we leaving?"