A Pledge of Survival

VIII

"I find it preferable to maintain silence concerning matters as you know my dear Daisy. However, based on what I have gathered, it appears that she and her siblings were born out of wedlock and endured a life of destitution."

The whispers that circulated through the servants' passageways remained unheeded by Eleanor. She remained engrossed in her tasks, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings. Yet, an unsettling feeling tugged at her awareness, hinting at the prying gazes that seemed to fixate upon her.

"Jane, might you enlighten me? Have I, in any conceivable manner, conducted myself in a fashion that might have caused offense?" Eleanor inquired, seizing a moment alone with Jane, one of the few friends she had forged a connection with over the past month.

Her residence apart from the maids' quarters meant that her interactions with them were not as frequent or intimate. However, Jane's abrupt response to her query piqued her curiosity. "Jane," she asserted with a steady tone, "what is amiss?"

"Oh, truly, it's nothing of great consequence, Eleanor," Jane responded with an almost dismissive wave. "You know how people are, always inclined to indulge in gossip and the like."

"And pray, are they directing their gossip towards me? If that is indeed the case, I implore you to apprise me. I harbor no desire to remain in the shadows."

"Please trust me when I say that I have never regarded their opinions regarding you as anything but baseless," Jane assured her.

Eleanor's lips curled into a gentle smile as she tenderly clasped Jane's hand. "Do not allow worry to consume you. I am well aware."

"I happened to overhear Daisy mention that you and... oh, heavens, this is horrible," Jane paused, briefly pressing her fingers to her temples. "You and your siblings are rumored to have been born out of wedlock, having lived a life of destitution, and even accused of theft." Jane's utterance of the final revelation was so rapid that Eleanor almost missed it.

Certainly, the initial rumors had stung, yet it was the accusation of thievery that inflicted a deeper wound upon Eleanor. 

The sole individual privy to her past transgressions was Noah Hayward, and the sense of betrayal that now gripped her was nearly suffocating. A mixture of anger directed both at him and herself swirled within her, a painful reminder of her misplaced hopes.

"Why," she murmured faintly, her readiness to depart the room evident. Her thoughts were adrift, preventing her from catching Jane's account of the theft rumors.

Eleanor felt an overwhelming urge to confront Noah, to channel her anger toward him. Yet, upon reflection, she recognized the futility. 

After all, she was but a humble maid, driven by the need for financial stability. This necessity, in its own right, compelled her to maintain her composure. Leaning wearily against the wall, she drew in deep breaths, permitting only a solitary tear to escape her gaze.

Tears were unfamiliar to Eleanor, and though a single droplet may have seemed inconsequential, it bore the weight of her heart's descent.

******

Noah remained uninformed about his mother's endeavors, but he consciously diverted his thoughts from dwelling on the matter. His plate was already brimming with tasks demanding his attention.

"Dearest brother," Aveline's voice sounded from behind him, her inquiry seeking Eleanor's whereabouts. "Have you, by any chance, crossed paths with Eleanor? I've inquired everywhere, yet no one seems to possess any knowledge of where she might be."

Upon hearing this news, a sense of worry enveloped Noah, though he felt compelled to maintain a veneer of neutrality. "I regret to inform you, Aveline, that I haven't encountered Miss Osborne. It's possible she has returned home. Have you talked to Miss White?"

"I have, and she expressed concern over Eleanor's absence, stating it to be atypical. She seemed troubled about another matter" Aveline admitted with an air of resignation.

"Rest assured, Ave, I am convinced that Miss Osborne is well. Allow me to assist you in locating her to put your mind at ease," Noah offered, mindful that his desire to alleviate Aveline's worry was accompanied by a personal wish to assuage his own concerns. His feelings of protectiveness toward Eleanor ran deep, almost verging on self-preservation.

As the late afternoon sun began its gentle descent, the sounds of horses filled the air as Noah reached the stable. Still, Eleanor remained elusive. While only he and Aveline were actively seeking her out, Noah's sense of worry and growing frustration was hard to dismiss.

"Do you suppose she realizes the distress she's causing?" Noah muttered in frustration. "For heaven's sake, Miss Osborne, if you're here, I will—" Noah abruptly halted, realizing he didn't know what course of action he was contemplating, especially if he did find her.

Voices nearby drew his attention, leading him toward the horse stalls.

"You've got to be jesting," Noah's tone carried more weight than he anticipated, a sense of relief present beneath the surface. Yet, Eleanor's response indicated she wasn't attuned to that aspect.

"Miss Osborne, I must sincerely ask what has prompted this behavior. Aveline and Miss White were beside themselves with concern over your absence. You can't possibly compre—" Noah's words were cut off by Eleanor's interruption.

"Lord Hayward," her tone was icy, cutting through the air, "I don't believe you're the appropriate individual with whom I should engage in this discussion. If you hold grievances, I suggest addressing them with Miss White, although I doubt such action would be of any interest to you. It appears your grievances have already found ample audience."

Noah found himself baffled by Eleanor's reproach, struggling to decipher her accusations. "I must confess, Miss Osborne, that the foundation of your anger eludes me," he responded, his frustration evident.

"How dare you," she hissed, closing the distance between them. "Pretend innocence if you must. Was it too onerous for you to keep another person's secret concealed? Did your pride lead you to revel in a sense of power? Or was it driven purely by indulgence?"

Noah found himself unjustly accused, his temper rising. "I can assure you; I am unjustly targeted. I would appreciate it if you could at least provide the rationale behind these accusations."

They stood near, their proximity revealing the redness in Eleanor's eyes. The traces of her tears were undeniable, a testimony to her hurt, with him seemingly at its core. Noah felt a pang of defenselessness, an urge to reach out to her, to quell the flames of anger that consumed her. Yet, she resisted his attempt.

"I am weary, Lord Hayward. No more of my time will be squandered. I deserve better than your judgments. I've survived thus far."

___________

I know, I know communication is IMPORTANT but a miscommunication trope never hurt anyone right (hehe) 

In all honesty, I try to give the characters depth and real feelings. Eleanor is realistically a very careful person and she might jump to conclusions a bit too fast ( as you saw) 

Hope you enjoyed it!