Secrets of the Manor (The Boy)

[2]

You knew the pregnancy hormones were not what ultimately upset you. The previous intensity of pleasing the late Mrs. Heelshire was more than enough stress to last you a lifetime. You tend to handle stress without issues after finding the right coping mechanisms to stop yourself from overreacting.

To hear people who you grew up alongside with defame you over marrying Brahms- Anton, was nothing more than soul shattering.

The idea of being the recipient of rumors, reputation ruining rumors, was unthinkable to you. Many of these people knew you since you were in diapers and watched you grow up. Your mum's family lived in that town for generations.

You thought everyone would be thrilled you didn't turn into a spinster and found love. Many older women whispered about your lack of a husband at your young age. It was ridiculous considering the current century, but you were used to hearing these comments about other young ladies.

In small towns, it wasn't odd for young women to marry at a young age. Numerous girls ran off to get married or bore children out of wedlock. Spur of the moment love at first sight stories were seen as romantic. A year or so later, the couple would return, baby in the woman's arms, and the previous anger dissipated for happiness.

The overall judgment over your quick courtship and marriage made a lump develop in your stomach. A continual lump that festered the more you thought of their catty words. Even more so, once your belly began to swell, giving them more ammunition to use against you. The assumptions of baby trapping Brahms were nauseating. You got pregnant in your first month of marriage according to your doctor. You and the baby were healthy.

That was all that mattered.

No one other than Malcolm and people who used to work in Heelshire manor cared to hear your side of the story.

Malcolm continued on speaking to you without reservation. He dropped off the weekly grocery bundle, commented about the liveliness of the manor, Brahms let you redecorate to your pleasure, and congratulated you on your blessings. He understood your stance in the whole debacle and didn't pay heed to the rumor mill.

You almost cried in relief, and he awkwardly patted your hand to prevent misunderstandings. The last time Malcolm pulled you into a hug, Brahms walked into the room, interpreting the scene as Malcolm making a move on you. Your husband interrogated Malcolm; jealousy filtered through his tone at another man daring to usurp his place. You intervened before Brahms chased away one of the few people who continued on making deliveries without making a face in your presence.

You hoped Malcolm found a nice, sweet girl to date. Maybe, someone from another town or even a city girl who wanted to settle down in the countryside. There were new arrivals who arrived once or twice a year. Meaning, the dating pool opened up even more for Malcolm to not settle with someone in town.

At the end of the day, you swallowed your rebuttals. It was no use to argue your own case. No one would ever know that your relationship with Brahms-Anton lasted longer than the speculated time. You and Brahms were childhood sweethearts. Yet, to everyone in town, Brahms Heelshire died as a child, Anton Heelshire was a traumatized hermit who inherited everything from his late aunt and uncle. You were the late cook's daughter that stole the eligible bachelor from the remaining single women in town.

Hiding your place in the rumor mill was not a good idea, but so far, Brahms was out of the loop. He wasn't a socializing sort of man. The spun story of his car accident and self-inflicted isolation was a perfect excuse to keep him from going into town. He kept himself focused on his businesses and his wife.

If there was work to be done at Heelshire manor, you called the maintenance crew and guided them to the right places. In recent months, a cable company arrived to install tv for the first time, giving you ample entertainment to watch with Brahms. He enjoyed the movies far more than the radio set his parents kept in their home. The grocery list was already called in the day prior.