Okay, so do you mind starting us Jasmine Heart, cause you created it so you sort of have dibs, and I have some seriously bad writer's block going on:P.
I will review for you! PM about it if you need one!
Sorry dudes, I sort of forgot about this!Thanks summer. Yes, that's fine chupa.
Mary
Bertha's quarters were freezing. I was shivering by the time I left her with her next book. I was tempted to put on a shawl, but as I wasn't intent on leaving the house, this would likely have aroused an unwelcome amount of suspicion. I glanced at the grandfather clock in the hall as I made my way to my room. John was due to arrive in half an hour. I hoped that he would be in a better humor;he had spent the past two weeks pining for Emily Someoneorother, a woman whom he'd met at a dance two weeks previous, and to whom he had yet to say something more than; "John Garret. I'm very glad to make your acquaintance Miss..."
I made my way to my room and sat down at my desk. It was somewhat warmer in there. I began my letter to Judith and Oliver. I missed them terribly since they'd moved to Cornwall in the summer, writing every week; Dearest Judith and Oliver, I hope this letter finds you well. Things are much the same here.John is still hopelessly in love and has yet to speak more than a sentence to the object of his affections. Ellen is become increasingly irritated with me since I turned down Robert Powell's proposal...but he is so odious! You met him, Judith, dear, don't you agree that he is completely and utterly wrong for me?
Mother is rather vexed, and, fortunately, I am not entirely responsible for this!Two candlesticks and the gold-framed mirror which used to hang in the hall have vanished, making the total of missing objects 13! She blamed Bertha for it last week,and docked her a week's pay, which I think was horribly unfair, because I've seen...well, I won't go into that, can't go into that now.
There's a dance tonight. I'm not much interested in attending, but I suspect that John will wish to attend in the hope of seeing his lady love. Cross your fingers for him, dear. I have a bad feeling. Though you should bear in mind that I have never so much as caught a glimpse of the woman in my life! Call me pessimistic, call me whatever names you like, as long as they are true.
Oh, dears, there was just a knock on the door-it's John, I suspect. Do send your regards to your mother for me.
Much love and affection,
your friend,
Mary
P.S: I regret to inform you that I may not be able to visit at Christmas-Father says if I haven't accepted a proposal by then, I shan't be leaving the house until the New Year!
"Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise." -Maya Angelou
John knocked smartly on Mary's door. He waited for her to answer, looking up and down the familiar hallway. He heard a faint rustle of paper, footsteps, and then Mary was opening the door.
"Good afternoon," said John cordially.
"Hello, John."
"Would you like to take a walk?" asked John quickly.
"But, John, it's freezing outside!"
"Then put on a shawl," replied John, letting an element of impatience creep into his voice. Mary looked affronted. John blinked, realizing his mistake. "Pardon my rudeness, Mary," he said apologetically. "But would you mind? It would do me good."
Mary looked at him for a moment. "Is it that girl again?"
John avoided her gaze. In truth, it was Emily West on his mind. For the past few weeks, there had been precious few moments where Emily had not been in his thoughts. John found himself picturing her reactions to every conversations. While she and John were close companions within the confines of John's mind, John knew his fantasy would not transfer into the real world easily. In reality, there had been very few tangible conversations with Emily that John could count.
"Not at all," said John, forcing a casual tone in his voice. "I just think today would be a fine day for a walk."
Mary, unsurprisingly, did not look convinced.
"The grasshopper!... Mind the grasshopper!... A grasshopper not only turns, it hops!... It hops!... And it hops jolly high!" ~Erik, The Phantom of the Opera
I heard Mary and John talking by the front door and walked over.
"Hello John," I said grinning.
John looked over Mary's shoulder at me and smiled. "Good afternoon Ellen. I was just going to go on a walk with your sister, but she says it's too cold for her," he said playfully.
"Oh, Mary, it isn't too cold," I said. "It is a bit nippy, but you shall be fine if you wear a shawl."
Mary sighed and John grinned. "That's exactly what I told her."
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"Oh fine! If I must! But the minute I get cold, I'm turning back. I'll meet you downstairs."
I returned to my room to get a shawl, and put on the first one I laid my hands on, a yellow one, even though I was quite sure that it didn't compliment my green dress. I draped it over my shoulders and descended the stairs.
"You'll come with us, won't you Ellen," I asked, squeezing her elbow "since you're so sure that the temperature is satisfactory?"
"Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise." -Maya Angelou
John smiled distantly. A sharp wind blew in his face. John noticed Mary pulling her shawl closer to her.
"I - " John began. He cleared his throat. "Well. I rather had hoped the two of you could accompany me to the gala at the opera tonight. They are throwing a wonderful after party, and I believe Miss West might attend."
"Oh, that sounds wonderful!" cried Ellen.
Mary shot John a sideways glance. "Are you sure you don't want to go alone?" she asked, a hint of a tease in her voice. "If only to show Emily that you are single?"
"Ah," said John uncertainly. "No, I don't. I think I would find it much less awkward if I went with company." John waited a moment. "So, what do you say? Will you two come?"
"The grasshopper!... Mind the grasshopper!... A grasshopper not only turns, it hops!... It hops!... And it hops jolly high!" ~Erik, The Phantom of the Opera
I sat in the drawing room with Jack and Julia who were learning their lessons for the day. It was nice outside. Chilly, but nice. Toby and Todd had gone hunting, and Father had gone off to work in his shop, leaving me here with nothing to do besides staring out the window.
"Emmy, when can we go outside?" whined Julia.
I looked at my only sister, and then to her tutor, Mr. Wyatt, who looked as if he might hit the girl for not paying attention.
I smiled at her. "When you're finished with you lesson, Julie." I replied.
"But, Emmy!" Jack chimed in, "This lesson is so boring! Who wants to learn about these ridiculous numbers?"
"That is enough!" shouted Mr. Wyatt.
I held up my hand. "There is no need for shouting, Mr. Wyatt. They will stay and learn their lessons as planned, and only then," I looked pointedly at the twins, "Will they be able to go outside."
The two of them groaned, but they turned back to their books and kept working. Mr. Wyatt however, was still shaking with rage.
"Ms. West, I need to speak with you." He said stiffly.
I smiled at him. "Of course, sir."
When we were out in the hall, he turned to me. "I cannot possibly work with those children unless they show more interest in what is being taught to them!" I put my hands up. "I understand Mr. Wyatt, believe me, I do. I will have a very serious chat with them after you leave."
"I need to leave now!" he shouted. "I need some peace and quiet!" He mumbled the rest of this as he walked down our hall and out the front door.
I grinned and went into the room where the twins were trying to look completely innocent. "You two are in some serious trouble."
They grinned back at me. "It isn't our fault that we "just simply cannot be taught'." Jack replied haughtily in an almost perfect imitation of Mr. Wyatt.
I laughed, and then stopped, remembering that I should be scolding them. "Children, this is the fourth tutor you've gone through in the last three months. You need to learn to behave."
"But Emmy, we behave for you." replied Jack. "If Father allowed you to teach us-"
A knock at the door silenced him. Julia got up to get it, but I held up a hand. "I'll get it."
I went to the door and opened it. I was rather surprised when I saw who was on the other side.
