roses are red

Was it her blonde hair? Or her brown eyes? Or was it just her personality? Oh well, it depends on the context. ‘Agatha, don’t chew on your hair!’ her mother shrieks in her ear. She mumbles an apology and lets go of her hair. The answer is… it’s a lack of female suppression. It chases away men, and maybe it is for the best. Agatha will not pretend to be different just so one of those male creatures can see her as a baby machine, absolutely not. Agatha doesn’t care if people think she is an old spinster - or will be one, it is better than being someone’s property. Anyhow, to be called old, she will have to wait for a while.

‘The Rosenwoods are already spreading rumours that there’s something wrong with you. Almost five-and-twenty and still no husband in sight,’ Mrs. Milford complains while she gives the chambermaid, Cassandra, instructions on how to do her daughter’s hair. The Rosenwoods are more likely to gossip about the bankruptcy of the family, the primary reason Agatha has to marry - wealthy. Mrs. Milford slaps away Agatha’s hand, as she was unconsciously biting her nails. ‘Stand up. I want to see the full picture!’ Mrs. Milford chirps as if it’s her daughter’s wedding day.

With the little elegance she possesses, Agatha tries to stand up as elegantly as possible. Cassandra and Agatha try to iron out the wrinkles on the dress with their hands. The sky blue colour makes her even more pale than she is. ‘Oh! So gorgeous! Mr. Ainsley will be very pleased,’ her mother repeats the line whenever a possible suitor ascends down to Milford house. Mrs. Mathilda Milford’s eyes start to twinkle with happiness as she fixes her own gray-brown hair. ‘He will not be able to resist you,’ her mother whispers to her, looking at her through the window. Agatha tries to force a smile on her face, like she does every time.

The butler knocks on the oak frame of the open door. ‘My apologies, ladies. But Mr. Ainsley is here and ready to receive Ms. Agatha.’ ‘Perfect!’ Mother hooks her arm into her daughter’s and smiles. Agatha, give Mr. Ainsley a chance. You’ll have to marry him anyways; your father will force you into this marriage if you decline Mr. Ainsley also.’ ‘We shall see.’ Mrs. Milford gives her daughter an annoyed look.

At the door of the drawing room, they stop. Cassandra makes sure Agatha’s wild hair is presentable and that there are no wrinkles in the dress at all. But with Agatha’s luck, her dress will look like it was crumbled like a piece of paper and her hair would spring out of their clips. ‘Good luck, Miss,’ Cassandra whispers quickly before being sent away by Mrs. Milford.

Arthur, the butler, opens the massive door and gives them a respectful nod. The first thing Agatha notices when the doors open are her brothers, standing in line from youngest to oldest, accompanied by their loyal Saint-Bernard, Penelope, at Louis’ - the youngest brother - side.

Louis is thirteen and the rascal of the house Mildord. Standing next to him is Wallace, rascal number two and two years his senior. In spite of the age difference, the brownhaired and blondehaired brothers are inseparable. It is often useful that they have a different hair colour. Otherwise we would not be able to tell them apart. Louis is tall for his age and almost towers above Wallace.

After Wallace, there’s Ruben, three-and-twenty. He is Agatha’s best friend and she would not know what to do without him. He also has the wild blonde hair that rarely stays in shape. Then, we have Ralph, almost five-and-twenty, and Agatha’s twin brother. They used to be rather close, until the age of twelve when they grew apart and found other siblings more interesting. And lastly, Charles, six-and-twenty. Both oldest brothers have inherited their mother’s brown hair. They would get along well, if Ralph had not become such a conceited brute.

Agatha’s thoughts get disturbed by Penelope’s, the dog of Milford house, barking. She clearly thinks her owner is taking too long to make her way to her possible future husband. Agatha’s eyes land on the man standing next to her father. He smiles kindly and looks very excited. He tries to contain his enthusiasm by making himself as tall as possible, making enough room in his body for his emotions. Agatha’s mood falters and barely is able to take a step forward. Her mother practically drags her to the front of the room, it must’ve been a weird sight.

‘Mr. Ainsley, I would like to introduce you to my daughter, Agatha Milford,’ Henry Milford says as if she is the most expensive gift in the world. ‘Pleased to meet you, Miss,’ Mr. Ainsley greets her politely, while taking her hand and softly kisses it. ‘Just Mr.? Aren’t you a Lord?’ Agatha blurts out, prompting the entire room to erupt in sighs and disappointed protests. Mr. Ainsley seems unbothered as his smile widens just a little. ‘No. I am in fact Lord Ainsley, my estate is in Saint-George, New Brunswick. I choose to be called just Mister.’

Agatha nods and takes back her hand Mr. Ainsley was still holding. ‘It was a pleasure to meet you. However I think you travelled all this way for nothing.’ Agatha walks out of the drawing room, her family’s voices calling after her. She finds her way to the garden where she calmly sits down on the marble bench. Penelope trots over to her owner and bumps her nose into Agatha’s legs. ‘Mama will be furious if she sees you ruining my dress, Pen,’ Agatha chuckles and then hugs her companion.

A cough makes her startle, releasing Penelope. ‘Miss Agatha,’ Mr. Ainsley states, standing next to the marble bench. His hands are on his back, partly out of curiosity or rather formality. ‘Mr. Ainsley,’ Agatha imitates him. He lets out a short chuckle. ‘May I?’ he points to the empty place next to Agatha. She nods and Mr. Ainsley sits down next to her. It must be something if her brothers trust this stranger to accompany their sister alone.

Penelope starts to sniff his hands, demanding pets on her head. ‘Do you want to tell me why you think I travelled here for nothing?’ He is softly spoken, but sure of the words he chose to speak. Agatha is shocked for a moment, but quickly brushes it off. ‘Most men decline me or I decline them.’ ‘Why?’ ‘Most can’t handle my personality. I am not the elegant, perfect lady who participates in high tea. I am also much more than someone’s property that’s there for baring children.’ Mr. Ainsley looks at Agatha… intrigued? ‘What kind of pigs that must have been.’ Agatha nods, agreeing with a man.

‘Look, Agatha, I-’ ‘Miss Agatha or Miss Milford. I do not know you… yet.’ Mr. Ainsley smiles. ‘Miss Agatha, I will not force you to marry me. I would like a wife that chooses and loves me. And not because it is forced. I, however, would like to learn more about you. That’s why I am here… for a month. If - after this month - you do not want to marry me or I do not wish to marry you, then so be it.’ Agatha’s brown eyes widen with surprise. ‘Do you mean it?’ Mr. Ainsley nods. ‘I mean what I say.’ ‘Pinky promise?’ Agatha asks and holds up her pinky. ‘Have you travelled to Japan?’ Mr. Ainsley asks intrigued, hooking his pinky around Agatha’s and repeating her words. ‘No. I read about it. You are the first to know what I mean. Have you been?’

Mr. Ainsley is on the verge of answering, when the oldest brother enters the garden. ‘Lord Ainsley, I was told to find you and escort you to your room. Our butler is occupied right now.’ ‘I’ll be there in a minute, thank you Mr. Milford.’ Charles nods politely and returns to the door, waiting. Mr. Ainsley turns to Agatha. ‘Yes, I have been to Japan. We shall resume this conversation some other time?’ Agatha nods and smiles politely. ‘That seems nice.’ Mr. Ainsley says goodbye and makes his way to Charles.

Agatha lets out a deep breath, as if she has been holding it all this time. He is different from his predecessors. Agatha touches her bright red cheeks, thinking about if she was really blushing that much? Or maybe it was the warmth of the midday sun on a warm day in May. It will be hard for her to ignore Mr. Ainsley. But… after a few minutes she will definitely not change her mind about marriage. He could be saying one thing now, but act differently afterwards. With Penelope by her side, she takes a stroll through the garden, looking at the plants and flowers in the first phase of their blooming.

During the afternoon Mr. Milford forces her daughter to go for a stroll with Mr. Ainsley on the Milford land. Mrs. Milford and Louis go with them. Agatha just looks around, trying to avoid looking at the man walking next to her. ‘So, Ms. Milford, how old were you again?’ Timothy asks politely. Agatha sighs. ‘Four-and-twenty.’ Mr. Ainsley nods. ‘What do you do in your spare time?’ Agatha looks at the man, not sure if she should answer with the truth. She then looks back, at her mother who nods.

‘I like to read and to study science. One day I hope to travel around the world and find new inventions. It may sound silly because I am a woman with a man’s dream.’ Agatha looks at the ground, afraid for the judgement. The judgement that made her dislike all the other men. ‘Do you have a favorite science?’ Mr. Ainsley looks at the young woman next to him, interested in what she had to say more. ‘I like all of them, but especially physics and the inventions. Oh and the stars! Geography is also really interesting. I have been looking for a world map.’

Mr. Ainsley starts smiling. ‘I have the world map painted on the wall in my study. There are moments I just look at it for hours.’ Agatha looks at Mr. Ainsley, intrigued. ‘There is this science fair in town every year, I think you would love it,’ Timothy says, his eyes twinkling with joy. ‘That sounds really wonderful,’ Agatha speaks, unable to hide her smile.

Mrs. Milford politely coughs to get Agatha’s and Timothy’s attention. ‘I don’t feel so well, Louis will guide me back to the house. I am sure the two of you can continue the stroll in decency.’ Agatha looks at her mother worried. ‘Are you certain, mama?’ Mrs. Milford smiles and nods. ‘Very,’ she says and gives the two of them a subtle wink before leaving with Louis.

Agatha turns to Timothy. ‘Shall we, Ms. Milford?’ Timothy asks as he holds out his arm for Agatha to take. Agatha nods and hooks her arm around Mr. Ainsley’s. ‘Can I ask you something?’ Agatha looks at him, nodding. ‘Your father told me you denied a lot of men. How come?’ Agatha looks down, at her hand on Mr. Ainsley’s arm. ‘All men think I am good for, is making babies. I am more than that.’ Mr. Ainsley nods understanding. ‘Don’t you want children?’ ‘Do you?’ Agatha asks as her answer. ‘I do, if my wife wants to.’ Agatha nods, feeling some sort of relief.

‘So... Do you want children?’ Agatha lets go of Timothy’s arm, before looking him in the eye. ‘No.’ ‘No?’ ‘No, I don’t want kids. Yet.’ Mr. Ainsley nods and holds out his arm again. ‘And how old are you, if you do not mind me asking?’ Agatha asks as she takes Mr. Ainsley’s arm. ‘Five-and-thirty.’ ‘An old man,’ Agatha chuckles. Timothy chuckles, blushing. ‘Yeah. I suppose I am.’

Before supper, Mr. Henry Milford gives his daughter a lecture about how to behave now that their guest is here. Like she is unmannered, tssss. ‘I will not tolerate it. You are not to engage in such strange and improper conversations - for a lady - with Lord Ainsley. Am I understood?’ Agatha silently nods and waits till the door is opened to join her family and their guest at the dinner table.

Everyone is seated, looking at her one by one. They must’ve heard what she was told, Mr. Milford does not have a soft voice. A little embarrassed, Agatha takes her seat between her mother and Ruben. Her dearest brother gently holds her lower arm and squeezes encouragement. She smiles at him, putting her hands on the table.

The atmosphere is quite uncomfortable. ‘Err... Ralph, did you plan to go to university?’ Mr. Ainsley asks one of the boys sitting across from him. ‘I am Ruben, Ralph is sitting next to you.’ ‘Oh, my apologies. Your sons look alike a lot,’ Mr. Ainsley says to Mrs. Milford. ‘Well, yes they do,’ she politely says and gives Ralph a look that he has to answer the question. ‘I graduated at university, in English literature and Arts. I am looking for a wife right now.’ Mr. Ainsley nods understandingly.

‘How come you were never married?’ Charles asks. ‘I err... I did marry. My wife died a few years ago.’ Mr. Ainsley looks at his plate, not really sure how to compose himself. ‘I am so sorry to hear that,’ Mrs. Milford expresses her compassion. ‘Did you love her?’ Agatha asks bluntly. Her parents start to shush and scold her, but she keeps looking at Mr. Ainsley, waiting for an answer. ‘I did, I knew her for a very long time.’ Agatha nods, continuing to eat.

Supper ends an hour later. Agatha follows her brothers Wallace and Louis to the drawing room, desperately trying to get out of an embroidery lesson from her mother. ‘He seems quite nice,’ Wallace says to his sister. Agatha shrugs her shoulders. ‘I suppose he is.’ Timothy smiles softly hearing that before entering the drawing room himself. Louis and Wallace greet him politely, while Agatha just ignores him cuddling with Penelope. ‘Do you have siblings?’ Louis asks Timothy to break the awkward silence. ‘I have a sister, Charlotte.’

‘And how old is she?’ Ralph asks, walking into the room. Agatha gives her brother an annoying look. ‘Charlotte is twenty-eight and married,’ Timothy says, looking a little bit disgusted at Ralph. ‘Well, let me know when her husband dies.’ Ralph simply smiles and takes a seat in a chair. ‘You are disgusting, brother,’ Agatha says to Ralph. Timothy softly smiles at how freely Agatha speaks.

Ruben and Charles enter the drawing room talking about horses. ‘Where are mama and papa?’ Louis asks. ‘Probably making a seventh child,’ Ralph laughs. Wallace and Louis try to laugh at the stupid joke, but the older people keep looking at him in disgust. ‘You know. Men exactly like you are the reason I do not wish to marry,’ Agatha speaks to her brother.

Ralph raises an eyebrow. ‘You have no manners. You would marry just any girl and use her as an object to give you an heir. You don’t even need an heir, we are not royal and you have four decent brothers who will treat their family right.’ Ralph stands up to face his sister. ‘Papa should’ve thrown you off a cliff while he could,’ Ralph spits in his sister’s face, leaving his family. ‘Ms. Milford, are you all right?’ Timothy asks as he hands her a handkerchief. Agatha laughs. ‘I am fine,’ she then smiles and takes the piece of cotton to wipe away her brother’s spit from her cheek.

‘Our brother is a maniac,’ Ruben silently says. Agatha smiles at him and hugs her brother. ‘At least the five of you aren’t.’ Mr. Ainsley smiles softly. Agatha needs someone who treats her like her brothers - except for Ralph - treat her, an equal. ‘Ms. Milford, would you like to go for a stroll down in the garden?’ Mr. Ainsley asks. Agatha looks at her brothers, each one of them nodding encouragingly. ‘I think the two of you can manage on your own,’ Charles says.

Mr. Ainsley waits for Agatha to take his arm before going outside. ‘I see where your vision comes from. With a brother like that, I would agree.’ Agatha smiles softly. ‘You are the first man that comes here and doesn’t agree with Ralph.’ ‘Shame on all of them.’ They continue their stroll in silence, Penelope joining them. ‘She is such a beautiful dog. Can I pet her, Ms. Milford?’ Agatha looks at Timothy, a little surprised by his kindness. She then nods. ‘She loves scratches behind her ears and under her chin.’ Timothy smiles and nods before petting the friendly dog.

Agatha watches as Penelope licks Mr. Ainsley’s face, laughing. Maybe this could work? Timothy looks back at Agatha with a smile. ‘How long are you staying? Before you know...?’ Timothy smiles softly and stands back up. ‘A month. Is that all right with you, Ms. Milford?’ Agatha nods and takes Mr. Ainsley’s arm again. ‘Then maybe you should call me Agatha? That’s quite a long time to be so polite and not become friends.’ Timothy smiles and repeats her name in a whisper: ‘Agatha.’