Wife of Shadows

Chapter 5 - Double-take

Eidel shivered as she squinted out into the snowy garden that practically shone due to the full bright sun above it. A loud bright laugh made her eyes glide slowly to the snow-dusted shrubs on the far side.

"No fair, you've never lost!" Elise fussed, her face rosy due to the cold. She was playing with a few children from the castle, children of the staff. A wolfish looking child was holding his stomach laughing at the little lady's outburst at being caught yet again.

From the sidelines, Eidel could tell they were playing some variation of a seeking game. With Elise lacking many of the superior animal traits she was at a clear disadvantage, but it didn't stop her from playing with them.

"Ugh, I can never get used to this cold, no matter how long I live here," Annalise said coming to Eidels' side, holding out a steaming cup to her on a saucer.

"Oh, stars, thank you" Eidel groaned wrapping her hands around the hot cup. While it was probably a little too hot to touch she relished in the heat returning to her digits.

"Any time," Annalise said waving off the appreciation and joined in watching the children run around the courtyard. "They must be loving having someone different to play with. I hope they weren't interrupting anything" she said sympathetically nodding toward the staff's children.

Taking a sip from the cup made the chill slip away and Elise sighed in content. Annalise made the best cup of tea she had had in a long time. She made the mental note to ask for some of the leaves when Elise and her left at the end of the season. "No, we were about to take a break anyway. Regardless," Eidel hummed stroking the cup with her thumb. "Its a nice change to see the little miss play with people her age. Being the last child of the household has its advantages and disadvantages" she hummed starting to take another sip.

"Here you are my sweet Elise, my star pupil!" Mr. Montgomery's loud cry startled both women.

Eidel had to force herself not to laugh aloud, Annalise had no such luck and had to turn and cover her mouth to suppress the noise.

The maestro had emerged into view wearing a coat that was about three times the necessary size, lined with furs and silk. The coat was one that could not be easily mistaken, mismatch patterned fur, died in shades of purple, and fluffy to the max. He looked as if he was heading to a most fashionable frozen wasteland expedition. Mr. Montgomery was practically drowning in it, only his head showed, dressed with the matching hat, of course.

Annalise wheezed for a moment trying to recover, "Oh my apologies. Bless the stars, that was so unladylike," she said, fanning herself.

"Please don't worry, I fully understand," Elise said with a laugh bubbling up like the edges of her smile. She downed the rest of the warm beverage before resting her cheek on her hand. "I dare say I do not know how I will ever find anyone as well, as much as Mr. Montgomery is Mr. Montgomery" she giggled.

This caused Annalise to groan slightly and roll her eyes, "One of him is all the world can handle thank you very much". "But I'll admit that the estate loses a little bit of life when he is gone for the performing season. Even Golan misses him even though he fusses over him when he is here".

Both women watched as Elise was swept up by the boisterous man, and thusly whisked away to her lessons. The young girl was propped up on his shoulders and Eidel frowned slightly in disapproval, the misses stockings possibly on display. However, as the young girl waved goodbye to her new friends Eidel's frown melted a little. "That's surprising, Golan had mentioned how Mr. Montgomery's music is loud at times at night," she said.

Elidel looked toward Annalise as she scoffed crossing her arms, "If he didn't want the music he shouldn't have bought him the instruments".

"He bought him the instruments?" Eidel asked incredulously.