The Frozen Rose

CHAPTER SEVEN: Emily and Alexander

The rest of the day, William had been feeling annoyed. His conversation with Elizabeth had not turned out the way he had wanted it to, and he felt quite guilty over it. He had wanted to forget the past and become friends with her again, for he hated not knowing her. But she was not ready for it yet, it seemed.

While he had thought she was the one to blame, she had been quick to make him look like the bad guy. She said she was angry that he left, but never mentioned the reason why. It made him wonder if she knew, but he assumed she did. Elizabeth was smart enough to know that she was the reason.

"You look depressed," Alexander suddenly said. His younger brother had come to visit him at his home upon Emily's request. While they were waiting for their older sister, he and Alexander had been talking, but the conversation had ended, leaving William alone with his thoughts.

"No, I am fine," he answered, shrugging. He hoped he would be able to forget about Elizabeth soon, but he feared it would not be possible. Whenever he thought of the theatre, he thought of seeing her there. And whenever he would go out into the city, he knew she might be there as well. Yet he did not want to stay at home and lock himself up, showing how much he should avoid her. He ought to be stronger, like he had been that afternoon. Yet he did not feel strong now, as he was overthinking everything and regretting his words.

But she had been the one to say the most painful words. He wondered if she said them to hurt him, or to convince herself.

You will never matter to me, she had said, and her eyes had told him she was speaking the truth. He was hoping he was reading her wrong.

"You do not look fine," Alexander responded. "What is it? Do you miss traveling?"

William shook his head. "No, I am glad to be home again." He sighed and leaned back against his chair, watching his brother with a glass of brandy in his hand. "Tis only now that I am back, that I realize how much I have missed out on everything that has happened here."

"We have always told you what was happening here, like me getting married. Twas your decision not to come."

"I know, and you have every right to blame me for that. But I do not just mean changes in our family. I mean the whole of London has changed."

"You mean she has changed."

William looked at his brother, surprised. Why was he so smart?

Alexander raised his hands as if he meant to defend himself. "The wife talks."

William sighed again. "And where has she heard that from?"

"I do not know where she gets it from. She hears it as whispers, and did not doubt they were true."

"They are," William confirmed. "And I do not wish to speak of it."

"Are you certain you are capable of speaking of anything else?"

William doubted it, yet raised his eyebrows as if mocking his brother. "When did Emily said she would be here?"

"What is it? Do you want her to ask you about Elizabeth as well?"

"She knows too?" William sighed.

"The wife talks with Emily," was all Alexander said.

William wiped his hand over his face, hoping it would take off all the worry. But like expected, it did not. "I do not want to speak of Elizabeth. She is on my mind many hours a day already."

"You ought to get yourself a lover," his brother said before taking a gulp of his brandy.

William shot his brother an all knowing look. "I already have three."