Masqued Intentions

Part 5: Three Years Later

Emmaline

"Come along, Robert!" Emmaline called out gaily as she balanced her sewing basket on her hip to carry to the palace.

A small, curly brown haired boy looked up from the patch of flowers he was playing in and toddled over, a fistful of crumpled blossoms in hand. "For you, mama," he said, offering the dilapidated bundle.

"Oh, how sweet!" she said, taking the bouquet and smelling it. "Mmm, lovely," she said. Her son beamed back at her, and they walked across the lawn together. She took slow so he could keep up with his little legs. Robert was her pride and joy, and he so looked like a miniature of his father it made her heart ache with happiness.

When they reached her room, Emmaline lifted Robert into his bed bed for a nap. For as long as it had been since she moved here, she still wasn't used to the grandeur of the palace, and preferred for Robert to sleep in the same room as her instead of in the nursery. Luckily she had an understanding husband.

Speaking of, she had to change if she were going to meet him on time. It was their  wedding anniversary today, and they were celebrating with an intimate dinner, just the two of them.

Slipping out of her simple cotton print, she donned her green muslin dress and green stone earrings. Her her most prized piece though, was always her wedding band. She held her hand out to admire the smooth gold band. Slipping it off, she again read the words she had long ago memorized and cherished. "To my love, I give my soul."

She sighed wit happiness. So much had happened since that infernal ball a few years ago. She could hardly believe she lived at the palace now. Leaving Pendleton house had been more difficult than she thought it would be, but after her father's death a mere week afterwards it wasn't the same. There were too many painful memories there.

Plus, she'd had a wedding to plan.

She felt a lot lighter after her father died, as though a burden had been lifted. Not that she'd ever felt her father was a burden. However, knowing he was in a better place lifted a weight she didn't realize she'd been carrying. 

Giving herself one last glimpse in the mirror, Emmaline stood and went to the door to check for Tabitha down the hall. The maid was a great comfort to her, and was going to watch over Robert while she enjoyed her anniversary dinner.

Luckily, Tabitha was already approaching. "Good evening! You look positively radiant," she said, clasping her hand warmly as she entered the room.

"Do you think? It's not really all that fancy," Emmaline said, swishing the skirts of her dress. The dress was rather plain, she just always liked the color, as did her husband.

"Fanciness doesn't matter. He won't be able to keep his eyes off you," Tabitha smiled. "Is little Robert napping?"

Emmaline nodded. "I just put him down. He should sleep for a couple more hours."

"Perfect. I'll check on him soon. Now run along! You don't want to keep him waiting," Tabitha laughed, shooing Emmaline out the door. "Oh, and Emmaline?"

She turned. "Yes?"

"Happy anniversary!" Tabitha said, then waved as she shut the door.

Emmaline grinned. It felt wonderful to be having an anniversary with the man she loved. She hoped there would be many more to come.

Slipping through the palace and back outdoors, she stepped up into the already waiting little carriage that would take her to the lake where she was meeting her love. She could hardly wait to see him. She hadn't talked to him all day, since he'd been shuttling too and from the palace most of the day, making secret preparations. No matter that she could care less how fancy the evening was. She simply wanted to spend it with him.