A Search for Balance

Chapter 27 - Reflections

With Lizzie and Skye barely speaking to each other, the second part of the season for the Wigtown Wanderers went by in a rollercoaster of wins and losses. Somehow, they were miraculously able to retain their spot in the upper half of the table, and had thus qualified for the final round, even though no one was entirely sure how.

The beginning of this last stretch of the season was traditionally marked by a big, cross-League event. The Vernal Ball was one of the year's landmarks, which Lizzie usually looked forward to the most, but with all the quarrelling brewing in their team, she found it hard to muster her excitement.

The strain between her and Skye wasn't the only thing occupying her thoughts. It was barely a month until the wedding now, and with every passing day, the dread Lizzie felt thinking about it grew. After the match in Wimbourne, she had finally given in to Matthew, grabbed Mouse and her most important things, and moved into the manor with him. Luckily, she didn't get to see much of him; with the wedding looming over them, he was busier than ever, which suited her just well.

On the day of the Vernal Ball, practice had ended early. Lizzie wasn't in a hurry to return home, however, so it was late regardless when she eventually made her way back to the manor. As she walked the cold corridors of Matthew's family home towards her rooms, she tried shaking the sense of unease creeping up her spine but didn't entirely succeed. Passing the door to the study of Matthew's father, a set of familiar voices drifting into the hallway made her stop.

"I don't care for your excuses," said the voice of Malcolm McRae, Matthew's father. "You're barely showing your face in public anymore."

Matthew's reply was strained. "We're going to the League's Vernal Ball tonight, aren't we?"

"An obligatory event won't do much for your credibility. The wedding is close, and many important people will be attending. Do you know how much money I invested in this?"

"It's not all about the money, Father."

"No, it's all about the family," Matthew's father responded sharply, "and it's your duty to make sure it survives. All I ever expected of you was to find a suitable wife to do so, but it seems like, again, you do nothing but disappoint me."

Lizzie leaned forward, trying to hear better. As she did so, her Quidditch bag slid from her shoulder and hit the side table next to the door with a dull noise. She had just enough time to pick it up and take a few hasty steps back before Matthew and his father appeared in the doorframe.

"How long have you been standing there, girl?" Malcolm McRae asked with a stony face.

"I just walked past," Lizzie said innocently, hoping that her face wouldn't betray her racing heart. "Is everything alright?"

Matthew's father gave her a long look, then turned to his son.

"I expect you to take care of this."

As soon as the door had closed behind his father, Matthew's submissive demeanour dropped. His face suddenly hard, he grabbed Lizzie by the hand and pulled her away.

"What were you thinking to eavesdrop?" he hissed as soon as they were out of earshot of the study.

Lizzie shook her head in protest. "I wasn't!"

"You're a terrible liar."

His hold on her intensified but loosened again when he saw the apprehension on her face. Letting go of her, Lizzie had to fight the urge to take a step away from him.

"You never told me your father is pressuring you so much."

Matthew barked a laugh. "There's loads of things I haven't told you."