The Secret of Moonacre - SECRECY

Chapter 44

"You weren't meant to touch those! Why can't you keep things how they were child? Stop sticking your nose where it doesn't belong!" A deep voice cried behind us.

I span around to reveal Uncle with his hands over his face, a shocked expression upon it.

"Uncle what on earth is the matter? I'm not a child for gods sake!" I shrieked.

"Nobody touches those things!" He rested the back of his hand on his forehead and sighed.

By now, Loveday had joined us with a worried look. "Good heavens! It looks wonderful in here Maria!" She skipped into the room and gazed out our handy work. "Benjamin!" She exclaimed, rushing to the tree and twiddling one of the gold angels in her hand. "You kept them; all of them"

Uncle seemed to relax and joined Loveday by the tree. "Of course I did my sweet"

I was completely confused. "Loveday-"

"Oh of course! It's nothing to worry about my dear, your Uncle was afraid of upsetting me. We haven't had a Christmas here together for years you see so he was afraid that I didn't like him keeping the decorations" she explained.

"Oh I see! They're lovely decorations though" I smiled.

"Thank you my sweet. If all of this drama is over, I shall go to rest as we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow!" Loveday skipped out of the room, leaving Uncle, Charlotte and I in a silence.

I was first to break it. "Thank you for your help Charlotte. I'm glad it's gone down well" I smiled at her.

"You're very welcome my friend. Have a wonderful Christmas" she hugged me, then kissed my cheek and I showed her out of the manor, sending her in the coach with Digweed.

I shut the living room doors and caught up with Uncle half way up the staircase. "Uncle! Please stop a second" I panted.

"Yes?"

"You know that Robin and I - well I was wondering if the - " I was cut off.

"No Maria. Not this time"

"Please Uncle!" I begged.

"No Maria!" He shouted back.

"You're behaving so irrationally lately! What is going on?" I probed.

"Go to bed Maria" he replied.

I huffed and overtook him on the stairs, and climbed into my bed.

I hoped that he wouldn't ruin Christmas for us.

* * * * * * * * * *
[Photo inserted is how I imagine Maria's dress]
My jingle of bells woke me up bright and early on Christmas morning. I sat up too quickly and banged my head on the headboard and groaned in pain. I threw my bedsheets off of me and stood up, glancing around my room for any sight of some clothes. But there were none to be seen. I collapsed back onto my bed until there was a knocking at the door.

"Who is it?" I called.

"It's Loveday" the voice sang.

I ran to unlock the door and let Loveday enter. She had in her arms a dress. Quite simple but it was red and cream, with a tie at the front and long sleeves.

She held it up infront of me and my eyes scanned over it. It was very long and had a hood at the back that flowed down.

"Loveday it's beautiful!" I gasped.

"Come! Let's get you ready! You have many people to impress today" Loveday sat me down at my dressing table, styled my hair and powdered my face.

"What did you mean by many people?" I asked her.