The Edges of Grace

Chapter Five

Felicity gave herself a rare second of preparation, as both the siblings ran to towards the gates in wild abandon. She'd never allowed herself the imagination to suppose that someone as uptight as Mileva might behave so recklessly, but of course, she might've understood, her iciness was only for the usurper, Felicity.

She tried to recall all Mason had told her of the dashing Edmund, Edmund who could make Mileva laugh, Edmund who single-handedly could deliver them from the gloom of their mother's passing and usher them into the preparations for what sounded like a lovely time yet to be in her future; The Winter Ball.

No description might've prepared Felicity for his sudden presence in the room; how extra-ordinary, how different from any other man she'd ever met! But what was more extra-ordinary was the effect he'd had on the pair of siblings; his rich brown eyes, sharp jawline and ample laughter made him quite a personality of his own, but the way Mason's smile went flushed, the way his gait went surer-- and not just him, but his frosty sister! Mileva was quite a changed creature! Her eyes seemed to sparkle amber, her cheeks a dusty pink, her laugh lovely and loud. The master Edmund's arms were on Mason's, while with another hand, he carefully rubbed thumbs with Mileva, who looked like a different lady altogether.

Staring at the heartwarming, rapturous trio, Felicity decided in a moment; his initial appeal disregarded, he had all of Mileva's heart; it was on her face, in her eyes and in her smile. Felicity would use her most humble inner resources to present herself as a guest and nothing more; she was not to intrude.

Still, something had to be said for his decided handsomeness, his charm as he bowed and flattered her with the most generous greetings. "I'm afraid you do me a greater kindness than what I'm worth," she said in a curtsy, addressing him, trying not to smile but failing miserably because that grin on his regal features was infectious, "Fate and circumstances have brought me to your fore, and the generosity of dear Mason and dearest Mileva."

"She exaggerates," supplied Mason, his ocean eyes twinkling with happiness, "She is a poet like you, I may be bold enough to guess. And I shall accept no less than the both of you making better acquaintances of each other, so as to support a warmer companionship at the Ball."

"Oh, formal words!" said Edmund, rolling his eyes at Mason, "Who shall wait that long? I refuse to attend the ball if I can't begin it with a recitation of a poem co-written by dearest Felicity, if she doesn't mind my informality." Beaming with gratitude, she nodded, already aware of the murderous glare Mileva was shooting her, "The only problem remains that you overestimate my abilities."

"I cannot stand a lady who undermines her worth," he said quietly, "Dear Felicity, surely I'll have time to know for myself? Also, I daresay Mason's estimations are never far-off mark. If he sees a diamond, it's a diamond." She reddened and risked a glance towards Mason, who had similarly pinked and was looking at his shoes.

"Thank you, and I'm looking forward to the both of us writing that poem," she said, and promptly excused herself to the kitchen, where she found a flustered Miss Rosetta who dropped her tea towel in alarm. "Ah! Dear me, I--" She floundered, as Felicity calmly picked it up and replaced it on the counter-top. "I'm sorry to startle you," she said, upon which Miss Rosetta glowed pink.

"Oh, dear lass...you're so agreeable, so full of sweetness...I was merely caught-off-guard, not to worry...not a bit...ah, dear me, I'm all of a tither!" Felicity smiled warmly, hoping to soothe the old housekeeper who simply couldn't tolerate that someone might know of her eavesdropping.

"It is no problem," said Felicity, "Do gather yourself, dear lady, and pray tell me where the biscuit tins are kept...I would've suggested pastry, but there's no time...and surely we can't have guests sitting empty in the dead of winter." The suggestion seemed to delight the housekeeper, who for far too long had harbored rather traditional views about Mileva's apathy and Mason's love for the kitchen.