The Wind Whispers

Chapter Five

I layed in bed a bit longer then usual today as my stomache did cartwheels. It had been a week since the ball and I hadnt spoken to anyone. My mother checked on me quite often and I felt guilty each time knowing that she had no idea what was going on inside my head, but that she desperately wanted to help me.

I heard a loud knock come from downstairs and I decided it was time to leave my room of despair. A man in a large top hat was speaking in hushed tones with my father and something about the exchanging of words didnt set right with me. I took a few steps down the stairs only for my father to notice and in a few moments him and the man had descended down the hall into my fathers office. I found my mother reading quietly to herself in the living room and sat softly next to her. She hummed a few notes from La Vie En Rose as she read. I could smell the fresh garden aroma on her person and my heart shrunk. I had been so caught up in my sad love triangle that almost didnt exist that I had forgotten the one thing I loved so dearly. I went to get up and as i did my mother noticed and she nearly jumped out of her dress,

"Oh heavens Marie you nearly killed your mother!" I let out a small laugh and hugged my mother tightly,

"I'm so sorry I've kept myself locked up, I just wasnt feeling quite well, perhaps a small virus I picked up from the ball" it felt wrong lying to my mother but in a sorts it wasnt quite all a lie. She simply smiled and tilted her head,

"Oh deary dont you worry, I'm simply glad your up and looking as lovely as ever" I blushed at my mother's lovely words, she always knew how to make me feel better. I remembered what I had initially sought her out for and cleared my throat,

"Mother who is that man that father is speaking with in his study?" My mother's eyes darted down to her hands and I knew that whoever he was I wasn't ment to know. I knew I could possibly find out on my own so to make sure I didnt look like I was very interested I dropped the subject all together,

"Well that's alright, I believe a good graze amongst the flowers will freshen my lungs and lift my spirits" my mother looked pleased at the sudden change in topic and it made my suspicions grow.

Once in the garden I instantly felt like a new person. I hadnt thought about Charles or John all morning and it felt like a ton of bricks lifted off my shoulders. I couldn't help but be ashamed at how desperate I had let myself become around them and it made me uncomfortable at how different of a person it had made me. Romance is every girls dream but I didnt know if it was mine. I liked the idea of being with someone and maybe it all would have been so much easier if Charles had come into the picture alone and vice versa. I hated myself more for neglecting my time in the garden, the one thing that had been here for me throughout the years. I watched as the lillies swayed in the wind, almost like they were dancing. The way the petals shifted together was mesmerizing, enough that I didn't hear the voice speaking clear as day right behind me,

"Marie are you alright?" I jumped what felt like four feet off the ground and the voice chuckled evidently amused at my daydreaming. In a matter of seconds I knew exactly who that voice belonged to and I smiled. Without turning around I spoke,

"I've been hearing that quite alot lately, suddenly it's like my life isnt so normal anymore" Thomas was now standing right next to me and he smelled like mint and shaving cream. His hair blew gently in the breeze and for a moment he looked like a young boy. I smiled at his sudden innocence and he noticed,

"Your mother said you were feeling better, judging by your face I would agree" I looked down at the flowers and shrugged a bit,

"I would venture to say i was more distracted and disappointed rather then sick" Thomas didnt respond but rather he nodded and began to wonder through the garden on light feet. He stopped every so often to inspect a new row of intricately placed flowers and each time he would smile and nod. I watched him for a good long while and after some time he stuck his hands in his pockets and turned to look at me,