The Frozen Rose

CHAPTER TWENTY: Judgements

Twas late in the morning when William finally decided to get out of bed. Last night had been a long night, so he was not surprised to find that it was almost midday when he opened his eyes.

It took him a few eyeblinks to realize he was in West Cirsley. He had been sleeping in the bed he had slept in when he was young, for he had been too tired to go home that night. Emily and Alexander had stayed too, along with their families.

Once he was dressed, he went downstairs for breakfast. He had to meet lord Byron that afternoon and ask for his judgement of the book about Pondside. He felt nervousness come up at just the thought of it. The lord had received a manuscript of the book a few days ago and promised to have finished it by today – the reason why they had set up a meeting this afternoon. Lord Byron needed to give the book his seal of approval before William could send it for copies to be sold in bookshops after the play's premier.

He entered the breakfast room and found his parents there. Neither Emily nor Alexander were there, just James, Emily's son. The baby was drinking a bottle in the arms of his grandmother, while his grandfather was enjoying the sight of it all.

"Good morning," he announced, then took a seat on the chair he always occupied when he was in West Cirsley. "What did you find of the ball last night?"

"I was impressed," lord Albert said. "I did not think so many people would travel to West Cirsley for us."

William shrugged. "People would go anywhere for a good ball."

"I was impressed by Elizabeth," lady Tina suddenly said. "She has grown up to be a gorgeous lady, has she not?"

"She certainly has," her husband agreed.

Lady Tina looked away from the baby and at her son. "Tell me again why you left her? I am certain she would have made an amazing daughter-in-law. And it would be great to see lady Anne again. O how I have missed that funny lady."

"Mother," William complained.

"Now tell me, son," lord Albert wanted to know as well. "Why have you not asked for her hand yet?"

He gave his parents a stern look. "I will not ask for her hand, so do not even hope for it."

"But she was so kind," lady Tina said dreamily. "And she has changed so much. She truly is no longer a young girl. She is a lady-worthy woman now."

"She is beautiful, indeed," William agreed, pleasing his parents. "But I will not ask for her hand, and you know why."

"O tis a silly reason," his mother said. "The woman has changed, I am certain. You ought to give her a chance."

"Was it also not you who called the end of your relationship by leaving her?" lord Albert asked. "I am certain that hurt her."

"It hurt me too when she lied," William argued.

"Yes, but she had a good reason to do so," lady Tina reasoned. "You told us she did not want you to leave."

"I had a good reason to leave as well," William told them. "I was hurt."

"And so you fulfilled her worst fear and left."

William stood up, suddenly not hungry anymore as it had made space for his anger and frustration. "I shall go home now," he announced. "Tell Emily and Alexander I said good morning."

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That afternoon, William had arrived at the theatre. He walked to lord Byron's office like he had done on his first day, only now he knew the building by heart and he did not have to ask for the way. Many people were working at the theatre, and he assumed Elizabeth would be here too.