The Wind Whispers

Chapter Seven

It's been exactly two days since the incident with my father and I was feeling up to part on leaving my room. It seemed like I'd been spending alot of time up here in my room and it had given me alot of time to think. Thomas had visited me three times of the two days I spent on bed rest and Charles had even come to see me once, he had a hard time seeing me black and blue so his visit was very short. I had hoped just for a while that John would come to see me but we hadnt really been on speaking terms since the ball. Thomas had told me John thought what I'd done down in the brewery was completely selfish and it made me angry that he thought I was being the selfish one. I knew everyone was wondering why I had done what I did and since the day it happened I hadnt had the strength to give any answers but today I was feeling better and I knew I needed to speak up.

My mother helped me tighten my dress around my waist, being careful not to make it too tight around my still bruised torso. I hadnt realized how bad it was until my mother helped me to bathe. I had black and blue bruises intricately placed all around my upper and lower torso and even on my back side. What felt like only seconds of torture from my fathers relentless punishment was actually closer to minutes, only I hadnt noticed through all the pain.

My mother looked at me as she turned me about in my dress.

She gave me a playful twirl and then she held my shoulders,

"You look so much better sweety, there's a pinch of color on your cheeks this morning that I'm sure will brighten your fathers mood" I hadnt spoken to my father since the accident and it was eating away at my heart. I followed my mother to the edge of the stairs when I heard other voices. My mother turned and saw my bashful face and smiled sheepishly,

"Its quite alright it's only Thomas and Charles, they've come to check on you" I gave a small sigh of relief and continued down the staircase. At the bottom my mother paused and then turned to smile at me,

"Oh well that's a surprise" I stared at her like a baby,

"What is it?" She held a hand to her mouth as she pondered how I'd take her answer,

"Well it seems as though John has decided to grace us with his presence as well, darling I know this whole thing has changed you but please, dont take it out on your father, I'm sure he's beaten himself up pretty bad these past few days" I sighed and held onto my mother for support as we walked into the living room. My father stood up instantly followed by Charles and John, Thomas already stood by his usual spot at the window. My mother assisted me as I walked and when I was close enough to my father she slowly let go. He held onto my shoulders and as I took in his presence I shuddered, he looked dreadful. His hair was a greasy mess, his eyes were sunken in likely from a lack of sleep and he smelt of alcohol. His eyes brimmed with tears and I sighed,

"Father please stop crying, I'm the one who messed up, it was my fault that all of this has happened" he shook his head and clutched my hands in his,