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

A De Noir Discussion

Weeks had gone by since Maria's trip to the shore with Robin. With each day that passed, Maria fell in love with Moonacre more and more. When Robin wasn't busy at the castle or hunting, he was busy at the Merryweather manor being a nuisance to Maria's studies or showing her around the forest. He taught her how to watch the birds, how to follow a trail, and he even took her out to the river to collect her own stones. These would be used to mark a trail for the rest of the passageways in the Moon Princess' dwelling.
When Robin was busy, Maria went out on her own accompanied by Wrolf and Periwinkle to continue her exploration of the valley.

Maria was happy she no longer felt alone in Moonacre. Like her love for Moonacre, her friendship with Loveday and Robin grew each day. Ms. Heliotrope too no longer complained about the countryside and Maria was sure it also had to do with her new company. On a few occasions, she had spotted Digweed and Ms. Heliotrope walking through the gardens, hand in hand.

As the wedding day drew closer, the ladies found themselves busy helping Loveday prepare for her wedding. She would occasionally leave the De Noir castle to spend a few days at the Merryweather manor. Back home, neither Robin nor her father did much but offer advice on the type of wine and food that should be served. If she tried asking them for help on the décor or her dress, they'd simply stare dumbfoundedly and seemed to point at a random option-with no regard for whether it would fit with the rest of the ensemble, or clash miserably.

At the Manor, however, Loveday was able to divide her tasks between Maria and Miss Heliotrope and trusted they would have a more fashionable taste.

Currently, the ladies were in the piano room. At their request, Digweed and Sir Benjamin had moved in a small sofa and table set so that the ladies could continue working while listening to music. Maria was seated by the table, inscribing the invitations. Loveday and Miss Heliotrope were seated on the sofa across from Maria. They were inspecting various embroidery designs to decorate the table clothes and napkins with.

When Loveday was satisfied with her choice, she sighed in relief and said to the ladies, "Thank you both so much, without either of your help I would be in such a state!"

"Loveday dear, there is nothing else I would rather do. It's been so long since I've been to a wedding!" Miss Heliotrope sighed, "and I am sure Maria appreciates a break from her studies."

Maria only raised her eyes and smiled. It was true, the past few weeks, Miss Heliotrope ensured Maria was sufficiently busy with her studies. She wanted to make sure Maria was ready for finishing school.

"Well Miss Heliotrope, if I may be so bold, soon there may be a second wedding," responded Loveday to Miss Heliotrope.

"Oh, me? No good heavens. I'm much too old to be parading in such displays!" She said. "Maria, would you please play us a song on the pianoforte?" Miss Heliotrope asked, changing the subject.

Maria nodded, she felt her hands could use a break from writing. She sat down in front of the piano, and stretched her fingers, easing their tension. She let out a deep breath and began to play.
Maria first played single notes, softly letting them flow from her fingers. Then slowly, the notes joined together. It was Loveday's and Sir Benjamin's song.

"Maria you play beautifully," Loveday said with a smile.

The ladies' conversation was drowned by the soft music of the waltz as Maria focused solely on the notes. Her hands were small and moved quickly through the keys, trying her best to match the tune that played so beautifully in her mind. Soon the song grew in complexity. She missed a note and cringed. She struggled to move her hands along the piano. Then her hand began to cramp. She was beginning to feel frustrated when suddenly she felt another hand brush over hers and join her playing. Maria turned to find a familiar mane of curly hair and feathered scarf sitting by her.