Redemption: A Dickensian fanfiction story

Chapter Three: A Lot To Think About

(I'm trying really hard to introduce more characters, lol) 

Arthur stirred and stretched in his bed. Even though his eyes were still closed, he could tell the sun was shining bright through the curtains of his nearby window. He rolled over and snuggled against the back of his bed mate. The person next to him stretched his arms over him and pulled him close, resting his chin on Arthur's head. Arthur sighed deeply, satisfied.

"Good morning," the voice sounded sleepy.

"Good morning," Arthur sighed.

Arthur didn't want to get out of bed. If he could stay there forever, he would. Arthur caught himself smiling, hoping this would last forever.

A sudden crash of thunder woke him up.

Arthur shot up in bed and looked around. The clock in his room read just a little past nine, in the morning, he guessed, by how dark it was. Breathing heavy, he looked around in his bed and found himself alone. Lightning struck and thunder rolled once more. Arthur then heard laughter from a nearby room. Still tired and disoriented, he decided to get up and get dressed. Arthur looked back at his bed once more and sighed. After leaving his bedroom, he made his way to the parlor, where the laughing continued.

"Oh, Arthur, nice of you to join us." Amelia smiled after he let himself in. Amelia then frowned, watching her brother's face. "What's wrong, you look awful."

"Thank you." Arthur said flatly as he helped himself to a cup of tea on the table between the room's chairs. Arthur poured himself tea and settled into a chair by the fireplace. He then looked over and finally acknowledged his sister's house guest. He vaguely remembers seeing her around town and knew nothing about her and wondered why she was even here.

"Arthur, I think you remember Frances Barbary?" Amelia sat back down.

Arthur nodded and smiled at Frances and in return, her mouth barely flinched into a smile.

"Talking about someone actually sucking on a lemon." Arthur thought back to his last visit with Jaggers.

Before the conversation could continue, a maid quietly opened the door.

"Miss Havisham, the new cook is here."

"Right," Amelia stood up and turned to Frances. "Excuse me, I won't be gone long. Perhaps Arthur can keep you company until I come back."

After Amelia disappeared, Arthur and Frances sat in silence. Arthur put down his cup and looked over at the fire.

"It's nice to see Amelia feeling better after..." Frances paused. "Her wedding night."

Arthur nodded.

"Indeed it is. I thought she'd be in that wedding dress the rest of her life."

Frances pursed her lips, not finding Arthur amusing.

Arthur looked back at the fire, not knowing what else to say. They both sat in more silence. Finally, after what felt like the better part of an eternity, Amelia came back.

"What do you both say to us having the new cook make something for an early lunch for us?" Amelia turned to Frances. "Will you stay?"

"I can stay for a bit. Now that Honoria is married and gone, I feel I must look after Papa more. I hate leaving him home alone for too long."

Amelia called on one of the maids to make sure lunch was being prepared, but before they sat down and ate, Frances decided to leave.

"Well, I hope to see you soon," Amelia walked Frances to the door. "And I'll talk to Arthur about what we discussed."