Amore

Lorraine watched the landscape pass by as the carriage tumbled away up the rough pathway. They had been travelling for almost six hours since dawn and Lorraine was ready to stretch her legs for more than five minutes. Perhaps it was unladylike of her to think so but she was sure she could feel nothing at her rear, and all she wanted was to know it still existed.

The carriage went over a few rocks, giving the two passengers a good bounce. Lorraine groaned. Her rear definitely still remained on her. She scowled to herself and pulled the curtains shut, the action gaining her brother’s attention.

“Well, well, well.” Lorraine grinned taking note of how his head was finally pulled out of the clouds. “Got her off your mind for a few seconds?” she teased.

Loyd shook his head, his grin twinning Lorraine’s as he looked out the window. She smiled and focused on her fingers folded delicately on her lap.

A week ago, their uncle had ridden to their estate with news of a proposal. Lorraine had listened in while the two men talked in her brother’s study.

So when they came out, Lorraine was already ready with a tray of tea and biscuits to celebrate. They were to go see the girl who was to marry her brother and ever since then, she noticed how Loyd could barely focus on anything else.

Now a week later, they were just hours away from meeting her. Lorraine wondered whether they would get along if her brother actually did marry her. She honestly couldn’t bear it if the girl was an airhead with only her wealth and beauty in mind. But somehow, Lorraine had a feeling she would not be like the many women around them. After all, she had dared to send a proposal herself to the most admired bachelor in the country.

There was also the fact that Loyd had agreed to meet her. Lord knew how many girls attempted to woo him and Lorraine’s brother had ignored each and every one of them. What was it about this one that caught his attention?

The carriage came to a stop. Lorraine arranged her skirts and dropped the veil of her hat. She was just adjusting her lacy gloves when their coachman opened the door. Loyd stepped down first and then offered his arm to Lorraine.

The first thing she noticed as she took a good look around was how green the grass was. After the passing of their parents, Loyd had to have a gardener come in to care for their mother’s plants overgrown around their home, but even he could not make the plants bloom the way their mother did.

Lorraine stole a glance at her brother who hadn’t seemed to even notice the grass. Her eyes followed his gaze and found that they were locked on a lady who had stepped out of the large doors to greet them. A line of people had formed behind her. It seemed that the whole household was out to welcome them.

As they arrived, the lady stepped forward. Lorraine took her in with surprise. She had not covered her face nor had she put on gloves before presenting herself. She did, however, wear a hat that tilted elegantly upon her blonde hair that fell over her shoulders in simple waves. She immediately envied her beauty, regretfully comparing her dull brown and plainly straight hair that she had worn in a braid today.

“Mr. Herriot,” she spoke in a rich voice with authority that gave Lorraine the feeling that she was the head of the house and not the lady of the house. “How marvellous it is to finally see you.” she smiled. “You are far more handsome than they say.” Lorraine watched with amusement as her brother blushed.

“It is a pleasure, my lady, to finally be able to see you,” Loyd answered. Lorraine held her hands together at the front of her skirts and tried her best not to chuckle. “The praises I’ve heard of you are no match for how beautiful you look, Miss Smith.”

“Oh don’t!” Lorraine smiled when she felt those almond brown eyes on her. “And you must be Miss Herriot.”

“Ah, please call me Lorraine. I suppose we will be family soon enough.”

She looked at Loyd for a second before smiling at Lorraine. “Indeed. If I am to call you Lorraine, then you must call me Edyth. We’re to be sisters, are we not?!” She then clicked her tongue, as if remembering something important. “I am a fool aren’t I?! Keeping the both of you out here after the long journey! Come, you must be tired. I will show you to your rooms.”

Lorraine and Loyd were shown rooms in the guest wing of the house which was located at the far right. This was also where their entertainment room was and the two had been informed it would be open at all times for them to use as per their liking. Loyd found this very generous of Edyth to trust two complete strangers in such a manner.

In her room, which was opposite to her brother’s, Lorraine changed out of her traveling gown and opted for a simple blouse and skirt. She filled the tub and slipped into the lukewarm water. Supper was not until two more hours so she might as well relax. But Lorraine found herself unable to do so. Her mind kept wandering to Edyth who had mastered the art of, well… Becoming the master of the house. She supposed it was expected of her when her father became ill. Once she finished bathing, she got dressed and draped a silk shawl around her shoulders. Braiding her hair once more, she stepped out of the room. She figured she might as well go see the entertainment room.

When Lorraine entered the room her ears immediately caught onto the two voices conversing from within. As she neared, she smiled at the sight of her brother grinning as he watched Edyth play the piano. Loyd took no notice of his sister even when she stood right beside him.

“Oh, how lovely to have you join us, Lorraine!” Edyth stopped playing.

Loyd’s attention was now on his sister. “I see you took no time at all freshening up unlike you do at home.” he joked. This made Edyth laugh.

“And you did?” Lorraine returned the light banter. Her brother had only taken off his coat and layers leaving him in a white shirt and trousers. Turning to Edyth, she said, “Please don’t let my arrival stop you.”

“Don’t pester your sister now.” Edyth started playing again. This time she also began to sing. Her voice was as soothing as a lullaby, Lorraine thought. Her brother was one lucky man.

Edyth was just about to hit the ending notes when they were interrupted. She looked up to the sound of footsteps. Worry overtook her pretty features as she stood from the stool and walked over to the maid. “What’s the matter? Is father alright.”

The maid smiled. “Yes m’ lady, Master Smith is doing very well.”

“Are you sure? How is his strength?”

“Better, but he will welcome the guests at breakfast tomorrow.”

“That is for the best.” Edyth nodded.

Lorraine’s heart ached for Edyth. The pain she must be going through to see her father in this state.

After the maid reassured her that her father was doing alright, she handed Edyth a letter. “This is the reason I came m’lady. There came a letter for Mister Herriot.”

Lorraine tsked. “You can’t keep away from work for even a day now can you?”

Loyd was already walking to Edyth who dismissed the maid and had turned to the Herriot siblings. “I didn’t ask for a letter to be sent to me,” he said over his shoulder making his sister roll her eyes. “I’ve told at the factory I’ll be away. It must be urgent.”

Edyth frowned. “You can open it in your room if you like.”

Loyd smiled at her. “Thank you. I would like to change for supper anyway.” he then walked out of the entertainment room.

Edyth smiled at Lorraine. “Well then. We should get to know each other then. If naught else I think we will get along really well.” Lorraine watched her move around the room for a while before answering.

“You should be prepared for a lot of that in the future.” Lorraine muttered as she crossed her arms. She then glanced at the fireplace as she sat down on a couch.

“I presume this happens often.” Edyth followed her gaze and sat beside her. “Are you cold?”

“The opposite actually.” Lorraine then shrugged off the shawl she had wrapped around her shoulders. Her shoulders exposed to the heat of the fireplace gave her goosebumps. “Much better.” When she looked up she found Edyth gazing at her.

“Glad to see you feel at home Lorraine,” she said. “Tell me about yourself. What do you like? What do you hate? You and Loyd seem very close.”

Lorraine grinned. “Indeed we are. How do my likes and dislikes have any relation to my brother though?”

“I have a lifetime to figure out what he likes and dislikes.” for some reason this made Lorraine feel uneasy. “Right now I have you and that’s what I want.”

The words seemed to echo in Lorraine’s mind.