Aideen's Answer

-Chapter Six-

The next morning, Aideen went about her day in a rather stiff manner. She caught Regan sending her strange glances in more than one occasion but simply had not the energy to hide the sorrow she felt.

The thing that filled her thoughts, that heinous letter, was stashed in her dressing table. Should she confront her parents? Or perhaps return it to her fathers office and pretend she knew nothing of its existence? Her heart was in a quandary, but the one answer that never occurred to her was prayer.

Her brothers exchanged worried glances at the way she pushed her food around at breakfast. However, none of them breathed a word, at least, not while she was in earshot. But that didn't stop them from congregating in the stables as soon as the meal was over.

"Do you think we should do something?" Mitchell asked. He positively hated seeing Aideen unhappy.

"We certainly would, Mitch, but I haven't the foggiest idea as to what we could do," Jeremy answered.

"Maybe it has finally sunken that she is going to be wed," Jayden suggested.

This made no sense to Mitchell, and he said as much.

"Would that not be something worth celebration?"

"Not if the choice for spouse is made by our parents!" Jayden quipped.

That neither of his brothers were amused by this was more than obvious.

"Now, now I beg of you to stop staring at me as though I just stabbed Fathers horse! What I said is not at all shocking. And I do not mean it to be offensive to Father and Mother in any way. All that I meant is that it must be rather difficult."

"What must be?"

"Well, Mitchell, imagine for a moment what it would be like. To have your entire life planned out for you by someone else. To know that your choices were no longer your own. And your only wife, the person to whom you are expected to pledge your life to in the eyes of God and man. Can you even comprehend what it must be like, to make such a commitment without even knowing the woman? Her likes, dislikes, faith, her opinion on family, or even what she looks like! She may be quite fetching, she may not. Whatever the case, the choice you not be yours anyway! Tell me, younger brother, is that how you would like to live your life?"

That Mitchell was greatly troubled by this showed clearly upon his face.

"Is she going to be unhappy? Is she always going to be like this morning?" Mitchell asked, "I would not want her to live her entire life sad."

"No, Mitchell," Jeremy answered gently. "Think only of Mother. Is she constantly unhappy? We need to pray that Aideen trusts in the will of God the same way Mother did. We do not yet know what His plan is for her, but you can be sure that it is far better than any human could ever dream of. Remember what Father read in the Bible no more than a fortnight ago? It was in the book of Jeremiah, 'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope, and a future.' God has Aideens future completely planned out. As long as she seeks Him, she'll be happy."

The three brothers talked a bit more after this, but all were comforted when they eventually parted ways. Each went in a different direction but each of then carried their only sister with them in prayer. And both twins could not stop their smile at Mitchells parting words-"Besides, cousin Samantha should be arriving today. If she can not make Aideen smile, then there is not one person that can!"

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The lady in question was not nearly as settled as her brothers. She rose wearily from where she sat on the edge of her bed when a knock sounded at the door. She wondered at the reason she seemed so exhausted as she reached for the door.

'Perhaps it is the weight of the information I now possess. It is pulling me down,' she thought.

"Yes, Regan?" She asked as she opened the door. "What do you need? Has Samantha arrived?"

"No, Highness," Regan answered as she entered the room and closed the door behind her. "She is, however expected to arrive soon. What I seek, is answers. You have been hiding something from me for several weeks. I demand to know what it is."

"Demand, Regan? Have you such power?"

Regan looked hurt at this and Aideen immediately wished she could snatch the words back.

"I have always been more than a servant to you, I was always a friend, and confidant. As such, I know when you attempt to hide things from me, and I know when something is weighing heavily on your mind. Heavy enough for you to speak so unkindly." Regan looked at her with eyebrows raised as she said this. "Now, I know you need to speak of it. So speak."

Aideen sighed and reached up to rub her suddenly aching head. Dare she do this? Dare she speak of her most trusted secret?

'But this is Regan!' A part of her mind argued, 'Your trusted friend since childhood!'

"I apologize for my harsh words, Regan. All right, I'll tell you...."

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The time has come!!! Aideen shall finally spill all! Or will she chicken out?;)
I just want to say a HUGE I'm sorry!!!! I went to Canada for a week and that severely threw off my writing! But I shall do my best to make it up to my dearest readers and I'll work hard to make the next chapter come soon and be much better than this!
Your Victorian author begs forgiveness ;) love ya'll bunches! Thanks for reading!!!!

                                          Hugs! Me:)