Silent Stars | A Storm and Silence Fanfiction

06. The Most Arduous Task

06. The Most Arduous Task  

Mr. Ambrose 

"Lillian?"

"Yes?"

"Where are you going?" 

She made a dismissive gesture with her hand. "Oh, nowhere important. I'm just going to London for a bit," she said. 

"Why?"

"I told you already! Ella needs some help with something... something top-secret." she winked, yes, winked, as she deposited our daughter into my arms.

"You're going to London all by yourself?" I questioned her, coolly. 

"Not by myself! Karim's driving the coach! And besides, I could quite certainly go by myself if I wanted to!" she placed her hands on her hips, defiantly. "Remember when I went to France all by myself to look for you?"

"I am not quite likely to forget," I glanced at the child in my arms, "But why are you leaving her here? With me?" 

"Why not?" she asked, fluttering her eyelashes at me, impudently.

"Can't the nanny--"

"Mina is in Manchester, remember? Visiting her family. She won't be back till Monday."

"But..."

"Oh, I see!" Feigning sudden realization, she questioned, "Afraid you can't deal with her, can you?"

"What? Of course I can!" I quickly responded. I felt my left pinky twitch. How dare she question my capabilities! 

"Very well, then it can't be that hard, can it now?" Cocking her eyebrow, she slipped on her coat. "The clean nappies are in the second drawer in Ellie's nursery. Her toys are on the smaller shelf. If she gets hungry, just ask the cook for Ellie's food."

"Lillian," I almost pleaded, "Reconsider this."

"Why? You said you could do it."

A muscle in my jaw twitched.

"I... she..."

"I'm sure you two will get along just fine," she grinned, "And if you don't, Ellie will let me know. Isn't that right, my shweet 'ittle baby? Aren't you my shweet 'ittle baby? Yesh you are!" She playfully tapped the child's little nose with her finger. 

Ellie blinked as she smiled a toothless smile, causing me to feel a tug in my chest.

"Never speak in that ridiculous... dialect again, Lillian," I commanded, coldly. "I do not look forward to hearing my daughter speak like that."

"Very well." she smiled, "Don't worry. I'll be back in a couple of hours. Toodleloo!" Reaching up on her toes, she planted a kiss on my cheek, then on Ellie's.

As she walked out the door, she called, "I expect a full report on your father's behaviour, Ellie!" She waved her hand, then strode towards the coach waiting for her.

My left little finger twitched again. "She will pay for this!" I muttered.

Ellie turned her head towards me, gazing up at me with those big, brown eyes of hers. 

"What do you think, Eleanor?" I asked her, even though I was quite certain she had no knowledge of what I was saying, "Do you think your mother finds pleasure in causing me to suffer?"

She continued gazing at me. I felt another warm pull in my chest.

"Now, let us deduce what we should do with you, hm?" I mumbled, shutting the door with my free arm.