Purcell's Pairings | ✔

XX

     THE TELEGRAMS DID not stop. They came fluttering into Annalise's personal bubble the way fall leaves trickled through the air on a windy day. Not a single one held a chipper tone to it. In fact, almost all appeared threatening. Each one consisted of a main theme: regret. Regret on her end, on the Purcell's side. These telegrams seemed to have one purpose, and that was to rain guilt over their heads. 

     It hadn't taken long for Annalise and her family to get a good idea of who it was that was sending her these non-stop messages. The comments "I relied on you to grow my business" and, "My sister cared for you like one of our own" were enough to give it away. In fact, Annalise wasn't even sure John Arten was trying to hide his identity. She did know, however, that it wasn't he who was writing these letters. The harsh words seemed to come straight from his mouth, but the handwriting was not his, nor did it belong to Vinnie. The in-between messenger remained a complete mystery.

     The telegrams had mortified Annie, and for the first day or two, she was genuinely afraid to leave the comfort of the house her family was staying at. For all she knew, John could have hired someone to follow her, track her every move. It was evident he wasn't going to let the Purcells slip from his fingers as easily as they'd all hoped, even if in the end, he couldn't do anything harmful to damage the family and their reputation. Five days had passed since the rejection of the proposal, and Annalise still found herself timidly glancing over her shoulder each time she heard an abnormal sound.

      "Annalise, drink your tea."

     From across the rounded table, Beth Purcell was regarding the middle child of the three most famous Purcell children with an intense gaze. The looks she gave her children were never as intimidating as what was shot by their father, of course. The looks she gave were genuine, motherly, though respectfully, protective and concerned. All of those emotions mingled into the expression on her face at that current moment. She didn't ever have to say anything; they always caved under her gaze eventually.

     Annalise did as her mother instructed, sloppily sipping at the cup's surface, gathering up the slightest amount of warm fluids inside the teacup. Her mother crinkled her nose but did not scold her lack of lady-like manners. She seemed to have other things to attend to, given the way she was tapping her fingers against the tabletop. "I understand the circumstances have been frightening for you these past few days, but my dear, it is time you leave this house. You have cooped yourself up inside these walls for days now. Some fresh air will clear your head." 

     Annalise's eyes widened and she shook her head frantically. She couldn't even fathom what would happen if she stumbled across John's path. She knew he had left, she'd watched his carriage take off in a hurry, but that wasn't to say this location was forbidden. He could have returned if he so pleased. This unnerved her. He had been furious with her rejecting and she truly believed he was out for revenge. She did not wish to get caught up in his reckless behaviour yet again.

     Her mother seemed to sense her nerves, for she sent Annie a small, unwavering smile. "Not alone," the older woman assured her daughter. "Esther is out with James today, but Mr. Bellegarde is around, and when I asked—"

     "You've spoken to Marius today?"

     "—He seemed more than pleased to take you out for the day," her mother finished in more of a curt tone than what she'd started off with. She flashed Annie a warning look, a look that instructed Annalise to remain quiet until she had the floor. "I am sure Maisie can come along, too."

     "It is alright," Annalise finally said, giving another shake of her head, this one slower, more controlled. "Maisie had been talking about William Earlston the night before. I believe they are going for a ride this afternoon."