When a Young Heart Loves (The Secret of Moonacre Fanfiction)

A Head in the Clouds

'A few days.... A few days. Is that 3 days? Or more...?'

"Maria! Pay attention to your studies!" Snapped Ms. Heliotrope, bringing Maria back to earth.

It had been almost a week since she last saw Robin, and with each day that passed, she found herself mulling over his promise to see her again. To her, a few days was about three days, but this was Robin, and Robin didn't fit with convention. For all Maria knew, it could be weeks before he made his appearance again.

Maria sighed, "I'm sorry Ms. Heliotrope. I have been incredibly distracted lately."

"It's that De Noir boy isn't it?"

"No!" Maria quickly responded, embarrassed at having been found out so quickly, "and his name is Robin. I've just been thinking of Loveday's and Uncle's wedding. It's going to be wonderful!"

"Hmph," Ms. Heliotrope studied Maria. "Well, I do suppose you are right about that. It will be a beautiful wedding but please Maria, you must pay attention."

Maria nodded and returned to reading Beauty and the Beast, by Madame Vaudeville. She shook her head, trying to wake herself up and focus on the book. She was practicing her French, for as well as French Needlepoint, every well-bred lady must have some mastery over the romantic language. Maria carefully read the words out loud, doing her best to match the accents and repeating after Ms. Heliotrope when she was corrected.

Although Maria hadn't been thinking of the wedding, most of the conversations at Merryweather Manor revolved around that topic. Loveday and Sir Benjamin did not want to spend any more time apart and decided to finalize their union sometime during the last few days of August before Maria was set to leave. This last detail still caused Maria great pain, but she was excited about the wedding and was doing her best to remain unaffected. This would be her first wedding after all, and to Maria's excitement, Loveday had warned Maria she would be needed to help plan it.

"That is enough for the day Maria, thank you," Ms. Heliotrope gave her permission to do as she pleased, within the social constraints of a proper English lady of course.

It was a little past afternoon and Maria decided to visit the library. The Merryweather library was large and constantly growing. Despite not being an avid reader himself, Sir Benjamin made sure to stock the library with new books every time he came back from the city. The library was composed of four walls filled with shelves of books. At the other end of the room, there was a single wall occupied by a large window that allowed for plenty of sunlight to illuminate the library. The center of the room had armchairs, sofas, and a small table placed around a fireplace. There was a small spiral staircase to the left of the window that gave access to an indoor balcony, one that allowed Maria to take books from the highest shelves.

Maria sat on the sofa and continued to read her book, her mind taking in the words, and her imagination carrying her into far-off places. Though Maria loved to read, she found it cumbersome. Her reading was restricted by Ms. Heliotrope, who made Maria practice reading out loud and strictly ensured Maria's reading was proper for a lady of her age. Maria's only moments of peace to read came when she snuck away to the library. There she was free to choose any book and leisurely read in silence.
She hadn't been reading for long when she heard a faint knock from the door. She looked up and a large smile came upon her lips. "Robin! I was beginning to think you forgot about me."

"Forget about the moon princess? Impossible!" He said as he leaned on the door frame. He was dressed in his usual leather attire, though he wore a leather belt adorned with pouches and pockets of various sizes. Strolling into the room, he apologized to Maria for his absence. His father and tutor had kept him busy. Maria casually remarked she hadn't minded, which of course was not the truth.