Purcell's Pairings | ✔

XVIII

     THE AMOUNT OF relief that had washed over Annalise upon reuniting with her family was a feeling she hadn't ever expected herself to experience. It wasn't something she'd ever wished to feel. She hadn't realized just how lonely she was until she set eyes on her wise mother, her gentle sister. They seemed like ghosts at first, for she'd visualized them so much back at the cottage that it had almost felt like they really weren't real people. But they were, and when her mother laid a hand on Annalise's forearm, she nearly crumbled and burst into tears. She had managed to hold the sobs in, though, letting little more than one hot tear slip down her cheek, but it was tough. Her legs were shaking, and she was very glad she was still holding onto Marius's arm upon first reuniting with the lady Purcells.

     Marius Bellegarde. He was too good to her, for her. Although her anger had taken control of the conversation they'd shared in the fields a few days ago, he had settled down by the time they took a seat in the carriage together. He even told her not to worry about an apology, when she first sputtered something up, claiming he knew her intentions and also knew how difficult it was to apologize with her stubbornness. Annie had taken offense to that until she caught his childish smile. He'd promised her kindness, and that he'd always be there if she needed. It was the nicest thing she'd heard anyone say to her in a long time, and she'd, embarrassingly enough, teared up. She blamed it on fatigue, and pretended to be asleep for almost the entire ride. An hour or so left, though, Annalise had gathered up the courage to have an actual conversation with him once again, and it felt nice. She hadn't once felt guilty, nor did he make her feel bad. He appreciated her for who she was, not because of her growing skills on house duties or her looks. Marius was a man who appreciated people for both their flaws and their perfections. His sincerity, kindness, and gentle energy made her long for love even more. She knew she'd never get it from John, and that frightened her. But being around Marius allowed her to avoid the topic of John; Annalise hadn't once thought about the man. She and Marius talked about family, dreams, and goals, and it felt wonderful. She arrived at the party with her hand around his arm, and not one eye was batted in their direction. It was only then that she wondered if the reactions would be similar if she came with John.

     "I feel as though it has been years," Esther was blubbering them, her warm hands cupping Annalise's face. Tears were streaming down her face, and James, her husband, was brushing them away, an evidently amused look on his face. Whenever Esther glanced in his direction, however, the smile vanished instantly. "Oh, I cannot wait for Maisie to come back to see you. You two hadn't spoken during the ceremony, had you?"

     Annalise gave a shake of her head, grasping Esther's trembling hand with her own. "I hadn't seen her," she told her sister honestly. "I suspect she was on the other side."

     "Oh, yes," Esther nodded. "She was with William Earlston, perhaps they were sitting near his family." Her smile wavered then, and her eyes flickered over to Marius, who'd now taken a step back to give the Purcell sisters their space. Taking the corner of her lip between her teeth, Esther averted her gaze, which implied she had something she was guilty over to reveal to Annie. "Annalise, I, um... Well, I did not know you and Marius were coming as a pair. I'd suspected... Well..." 

     Annie's eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly at the fumbling, and she grasped back of Esther's hands. "Sister, what is it?"

     "I'd invited John," she blurted out a moment later, her eyes wide, doe-like. "I had thought you two had worked things out! He seemed so happy when I asked him about you just hours earlier."

     Annalise paled, and her hands tightened around Esther's, as if that would keep her from toppling over from the news. "You... Mr. Arten is here?" Her words came out slowly, as if they'd been covered in molasses, and her tone was soft.