The Edges of Grace

Chapter Three

Dark strands blow across the envelope Mileva Mansfield is given by Miss Rosetta, who received it from the mailman. The handwriting; and the address; makes her breath hitch. She looks around to see if anyone's watching and finds herself glowering at Miss Rosetta, who is intently looking at her with a knowing smile. "You're dismissed for now," she says harshly, and then weakly adds, "Thank you."

She finds her legs hastening to her study with double the speed, and she wonders if she must stop and diagnose exactly what she ails for. But knowledge of what she will find when she looks makes her yearn for oblivion, for forgetting, and so dismissing her heart, she enters the study.

It exhausts her, to be so uptight within her own walls. This house which is her everything. But she tells herself she has no choice; that her orphan is legally the owner, and few things will mitigate that possibility. She knows she will be thrown out the minute that happens. She's not sure what her strategy is composed of; and the surety of it; but she cannot be so vulnerable. In her own eyes, she's vulnerable enough. Besides, if she showed any softness at all, her fool of a brother would melt. And she couldn't have that.

She smiles against her will as she opens the letter. The world could stop for the next few minutes.

Ridgestorm Estate

New Castle

Dear Mileva,

I have not written for so long, you must hasten and forgive me at once. This is a direct order (you're in no position to refuse). I realise how neglectful this has been of me, yet I stand firm in my belief that this will do you and dearest Mason some good. Lady Luciana was a heaven-bound soul; and I wouldn't have you easily forgetting, and so disrespecting her memory.

I also presume you frown upon reading this, for being your closest friend, I am perhaps expected to give you soothing counsel. But counsel isn't meant to soothe, it's meant to instruct and inform. And it's my duty (besides, you make your fair share of bad decisions with or without my counsel, so I suppose there's no harm at all).

Mileva, if you're considering cancelling the Winter Dinner at the slightest, I have come up with a novel reason for you to not. You will be utterly delighted to know that I'm bringing along Lady Catherine Emmerson, my cousin's dearest companion, who shall be staying here with us at Ridgestorm Estate for two weeks, until she sets of with cousin Este for London. As you can already tell, they like the fine experiences of life!

Mileva, I wholeheartedly understand why you're in a mind to cancel the Winter Dinner, especially having your orphaned cousin there with you, considering the contents of Lady Luciana's will. I understand this is a trying time for you. But you're no monster to be shut up in your castle. You're no threat to the world, nor are you a blight upon it. People do not carry diseases only to spread them to you, Mileva. Dearest and oldest friend of mine (I write this without laughing), I wish for you to re-enter the society we live in. I know in my innermost being that your mother would have wanted so.

Besides, I'm done with courtesy. The above words will be the kindest you get from me, you old crow. I'm coming Christmas Eve and there's little you can do about it. Do not bother hiding this letter from Mason, who heavens only know how is bearing your company. I've sent him another, and I trust good Miss Rosetta to do the needful. You see? You're powerless. In front of me. So get off that high horse of yours and like a proper lady, be there to welcome me.

Yours,

Edmund Ridgestorm

P.S: I may or may not consider dropping in for a supervision of everything going on at Mansfield without prior notice. I expect you to oblige.