Freeing Ebony

Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty - One     

      

London was a little more daunting now that she had returned for such a morbid reason. She put on a brave face though for Celeste. It was her first time to the mystic and magical city. She deserved to be excited.

She was excited as they rode through Hertfordshire. Ebony was looking forward to when Celeste saw the Tower of London and the Thames. Never had either sister seen such a river in their lives.

It was late afternoon when the carriage pulled up outside Ethridge. Celeste’s jaw was practically on the ground when she saw Ethridge Manor for the first time.

“This is your house?” Celeste gasped. “You actually live here?”

Henry chuckled. “Yes. This is home. Come, we’ll get you settled in a room. No doubt my mother has planned some sort of elaborate family dinner to welcome you.”

The footmen quickly swarmed the carriage and collected the luggage and helped them down the steps. Celeste wasn’t sure what to do when she was offered the arm of a footmen so she ignored him and jumped down herself. That made Ebony laugh. It felt good to smile when she knew she would be crying in little over a week.

Just a week. A week until the trial. And then everyone would know every intimate detail about her. It was enough to be ashamed inside her head but she knew it would be nothing compared to the stigma she would receive after the trial.

“I don’t want to cause your parents anymore hassle. Celeste will sleep in with me,” Ebony said quietly to Henry.

His brown eyes softened as he took her hand comfortingly. “It’s no trouble. If you only ever learn one thing about my mother it shall be that nothing is ever too much trouble.”

“I insist,” Ebony said firmly. “We shared a bed until Vernon separated us. Please.” Truth be told she wanted her sister to distract her at night so she could go to sleep hearing of what an eight year old child found wonderful. Her own thoughts were too depressing.

“Alright,” Henry agreed. “But if you ever need your privacy we can move her.”

 They crossed the threshold of Ethridge Manor and Celeste continued to be in awe. Celeste would never take something like this for granted. Both she and Ebony were used to living like something less than paupers. Having nice things to wear and a comfortable bed to sleep in was a privilege.

Almost immediately Emilia appeared at the top of the stairs with a wide smile on her face. “You’re back!” she exclaimed. She ran down the stairs at the speed of a woman half her age. She enveloped Henry into a tight hug and kissed his face at least twenty times. Henry looked quite embarrassed at his mother’s affection.

“Mama, please,” he muttered.

Emilia pulled back. “When your baby is grievously hurt and then he decides to traipse across the country, you see how you react when you see him again,” she challenged.

“Mama, I’m not a baby.” Henry rolled his eyes.

Ebony muffled a giggle as she took Celeste’s hand in hers.

Emilia scoffed. “All my children are my babies,” she countered. “How are you Ebony?” she asked, turning her attention to Ebony. “Are you alright?” She must’ve realised that their return meant the summons had reached them.

“Yes.” Ebony nodded, though her answer was a lie.

Emilia saw through her. “We’ll have a chat later, you and I. I think I need to tell you a little story.” She left the subject with an air of mystery about it. Ebony couldn’t help but be curious. Emilia then knelt down before Celeste and smiled warmly at her. “Now, you must be … oh, what is your name again? Celine?” She feigned ignorance.