The Secret of Moonacre - SECRECY

Chapter 12

A day had passed and I had woken up on my 16th birthday. Into the 'grown up numbers' as my father would have said. This was to be my third birthday without my father now. I still missed him dearly, but it had become normal to spend such a day with the company of my uncle, Ms Heliotrope, but not even they were here.

I sat up and was suddenly bombarded with the huge tawny dog leaping on to my bed. "Oh Wrolf" I silently chuckle, shaking my head away from his eager licks. I looked over to Robin's bed, where a lump of blankets was huddled up by the wall.  The wall was cool against his hot skin, I had no clue how he felt comfortable sleeping in such a way. 

I climbed out of my bed, and tiptoed like an excited little girl across to him. I head back my grin as I leaped onto the lump.

Robin's curly hair suddenly popped out from underneath a blanket "Happy Birthday!" He exclaimed throwing his arms around me and hugging me.

I tightly hug him back "Thank you". I couldn't hold back my grin much longer.

"Welcome to old age". He grinned back at me.

I jokingly nudged his shoulder away, before resting my head on his bicep.

"Hey, come on, let's go downstairs" Robin suggested, grabbing my hand and pulling me off his bed.

I rolled my eyes and followed him into the lounge, where he wrapped me in a red robe and sat me down on the large settee. 

"Stay here for one moment, no sneaking", he told me. 

I took that moment to glaze my eyes over the paintings of kings past, and the wilting flowers on the windowsill. 

Soon enough, Robin floated back into the room with a small piece of dark red cloth in his hand. 

He sat back down and huddled up close to me, handing me the gift.

The cloth was soft and delicate, and had a beautiful 'M' embroidered in golden string. "Robin, you shouldn't have". Out of the corner of my eye I could see him grinning, he was eager for me to reveal more. Inside the cloth it was heavy and cold. My guesses at presents were shocking, I had no idea what the gift could be. I pulled the cloth off and revealed a stunning silver dagger. The handle was engraved with ivory patterns, and each leaf was golden, perfectly matching the golden point. 

I couldn't help but smile at the beautiful object. It was a completely and utterly unnecessary  gift from Robin, but I fell instantly in love with it. "Robin, it's beautiful. I honestly don't know what to say" I choked holding back tears. It really was lovely.

"You do not have to say anything, my love. It it at your dispense, for whenever I may not be around to protect you..."

I placed my finger on his lips before he could say another word. "You'll always be around" I replied, kissing him lightly.

He smiled, obviously smitten. "I'm glad you like it. It was handmade, by the blacksmith in town, he knew you would adore it. I thought it would be fitting in such circumstances".

"I love it more than anything, I cannot thank you enough". I refused to take my eyes off the dagger, I was utterly stunned by its beauty. 

"We should go freshen up before breakfast, there's so much more coming your way". Robin's grin was etched onto his face as he held out a hand to help me up. 

"Oh! But it is so cosy Robin!" I protested.

"I shan't argue with you with such a possession in your hand, but I can persuade you to get yourself ready". 

"No persuasion needed" I smiled, standing up and skipping out the room.

* * *

I stood before my wardrobe, shocked at how I could not choose a single gown to wear out of so very many. I was relieved when Loveday knocked on my door, and peered her head into my room. 

"Many congratulations, my sweet" she said, before enveloping me in a hug.

"Thank you, dear Loveday" I grinned.

"I have a little gift for you, it might help to decide what you shall wear today" She said shuffling the way of the door. A maid entered carrying a green paper box, wrapped in white ribbon. She placed it on my bed, before standing out of the way.

Loveday hurried over to the box and pulled of the lid, uncovering the upper half of a dress. It was a deep ocean velvet blue, with a fur lined v neck collar. 

My jaw dropped and I couldn't help but gasp. "Loveday, it is beautiful!" I rushed to take a close look, and I delicately peeled it out of the box to hold up in front of me. It was very long, but not as long as my red velvet. In the same way as my red velvet cloth, the sleeves were embroidered with a gold M. It looked wonderful and I could barely put the thoughts together in my mind to tell Loveday how I felt.

I was desperate to put the gown on immediately, and the maid delightfully helped me. Loveday stood in the corner gushing, with her hands held to her cheeks.

Loveday swished before me. "Maria you look wonderful! It fits you perfectly". She carefully adjusted the sleeves to make sure my initial was showing, and then took a step back. "Absolutely beautiful. We must make sure to do your hair".

Loveday was enjoying this moment just as much as I. I was becoming the daughter she never had, and I would not have this moment any other way.

She led me to her room and sat me down in front of a dressing table full of perfumes and various combs, hairbrushes and powders. She started to blush my face with a light powder then started on my hair, puffing it up and clipping the front and back so that ringlets fell across my face. I was beginning to feel as if I looked older even. I was becoming a young lady, and I had to start acting like one too. 

She was finally finished and took a step back. "You look stunning Maria, come and look at yourself in the big mirror" She closed the door and a full length mirror was behind. I took a long look at myself. The dress did suit me very well, I had to admit. It fit like a glove.

I wished for nothing more than for Uncle Benjamin and Ms Heliotrope to accompany my happiness. I was missing them incredibly. 

I thanked Loveday, and she whisked me off to the dining hall, where Robin and the Couer De Noir, was stood facing the window.

We flew down the stairs into the dining hall where Robin was stood with the Couer, their backs to us.

Robin turned to face us and his eyes softened, letting out a low whistle as his eyes travelled all over my body.

I blushed and turned my head away, looking straight into the eyes of my favourite member of the family.