A Secret Vow

21 A Strange Noise

I watch a cloud slowly drift away. Almost as if it were about to merge into the cloud ahead of it. Taking its time to catch up to the others.

I grip the balcony railing with one hand and stretch out the other. Allowing my hand to escape the shade, caused by the huge overdecorated purple umbrella, and touch the light of the sky. Separating my finger tips and defining its bony structure.

I carefully watch as each cloud passes through every finger.

Cloud by cloud.

I think they were yellow.

Arm still risen. I concentrate on my fingers, now making a fist.

The flowers.

The flowers were probably yellow.

I stare at my fist shined by the blue sky.

He probably picked out the prettiest ones from the garden. The flowers. He might have gotten scowled for it. Hopefully not. I wonder how long he waited for me. Did he wait till dawn? Or was he over exaggerating? Maybe he saw me go into the carriage and watched me go.

I hope he doesn't think I read and ignored his note.

I chew on my nail.

"Lilium!" my mother yells, hitting my shoulder with her spoon.

"Stop acting so childish will you. Please tell me you have been listening to me? You are not screwing this up for us you hear me?" She hisses.

I watch as my annoyed mother attempts to get rid of the strands of hair from her mouth.

I truly enjoy the winds sense of humour.

I apologize and lock both my hands on my lap. Only breaking it seconds later,  picking up another baked good.

Continuing she says "Lilium he's going to propose to you at that lake. O you know which lake! The lake that travels around that hill you use to go up as a child. We always had to bring you down because we thought you'd end up tumbling down!"

I hear Mrs. Chapman snort.

"But anyways my dear, when he does, you must stand up and walk-"

"Gracefully walk!" Mrs.Chapman interrupts.

"Yes! You must gracefully walk up to him and tell him yes! Once you tell him, you must give him a kiss! O and don't forget to have a straight back! " My mother insisted.

"O and make sure there are no strands of her near ur face " Mrs. Chapman snickered.

They both laugh.

As my mother and Mrs.Chapman discuss about my future proposal (sad I know), I take another bite out of the cookie and stare at it's remains.

Watching crumbles land on my orange dress.

I wish I read it sooner. The note. I wish Ida slipped it to me before breakfast. Then I would have had the chance to see Clive. Ida came too late. Too la-

Ida?

I drop the cookie on my dress.

Ida was given that note by Clive. Which means... Ida knows about us. She knows... that we wanted to see each other in secret.