#If You Have Entered The Body Of The Aurora I Shall Go To Ivy For A Book On Funeral Rites Now!

[the-finest-clockwork-soldier]

Hey uh after our hug was done and I wandered off…. I am now lost. This ship is incredibly large. And I am very small (to avoid detection). Help

Um. Can You By Chance Describe The Things Around You And Maybe I Can Find You? Any Distinctive Bullet Holes Or Noises?

[emospritelet]

Homecoming - chapter 14

A brief interlude before I send our babies North to face their pasts :)

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5] [Part 6] [Part 7] [Part 8] [Part 9] [Part 10] [Part 11] [Part 12] [Part 13] AO3 link

x

Belle clasped the twins’ hands tightly, following the others inside towards the wide staircase with its carved oak banisters. Lady Ella had greeted her warmly enough, but had turned back to Ogilvy almost immediately, and Belle recognised when she was dismissed. Her Ladyship had flicked an imperious hand at the waiting servants as she announced that their rooms were ready, and would have hot water for them to freshen up. One of the maids, Enid, who had joined the household just before Belle had left, murmured to her to follow, and she gently pulled on the twins’ hands. Ava and Nicholas were gazing at the enormous glittering Christmas tree that stood in the hallway, their eyes and mouths round with wonder.

It had been less than a month since Belle had been in Furton Grange, but returning felt different, and somewhat confusing. Instead of heading for her old room in the attic, she was led to a spacious, pleasant bedroom decorated in teal green, a connecting door leading to a smaller room with twin beds. She recognised it as one of the guest rooms that those with children would be assigned when visiting. Was that what she was? A guest? She suspected the rooms were more for the benefit of Ava and Nicholas than herself, but she was nonetheless grateful.

“I’ll bring some supper for the little ones, Miss,” said Enid, and Belle smiled, stroking Nicholas’s hair as he slumped against her side.

“Thank you, that would be welcome.”

By the time she had got the children washed and changed into their night things, their supper had arrived on trays: milk pudding, warm rolls with butter and honey and sweet tea. The twins were tired, yawning and rubbing their eyes even as they ate, and were asleep almost before Belle had tucked them into their beds. A gentle knock at the door made her start, and she pushed to her feet, heading to the door. Ogilvy had changed for dinner, and he smiled at her, eyes crinkling behind his glasses above the formal black suit, white shirt and tie.

“Forgive my intrusion,” he said. “I realised that I hadn’t had a chance to read the twins a bedtime story.”

“Oh.” Belle found that she was clutching at the door, and relaxed her grip a little. “Yes, they’re - they’re already asleep.”

“Tired from the journey,” he said. “I can’t say that I’m surprised, it was later than they’re used to.” He looked her over. “You should change. Lady Ella is anxious to see that you’ve settled in, and I suspect dinner is almost ready.”

“I’m expected at dinner?” she asked anxiously. “Are - are you certain? I almost always ate in the schoolroom when I worked here.”

Ogilvy smiled.

“Lady Ella is aware that you’re now part of my family,” he said. “We don’t banish family members from the dinner table. I assure you that your presence is both expected and welcomed, Miss Marchland. Shall I send Ivy to you when she’s finished with Alice?”

Belle returned the smile, thankful that she had thought to buy and alter a couple of evening dresses before they had come on their journey.

“Yes,” she said. “That would be most helpful.”

x

Ogilvy tugged at the collar of his shirt, the drawing room rather too warm for his liking, and Lady Ella put a hand on his arm and drew him away from the fire a little more as she told him of Lady Aurora’s most recent letter. She had introduced him to the only other guest: her companion, Ursula Waters, a lovely woman with smooth brown skin and dark eyes that glittered with mirth. He had discovered that she had a passion for singing, and the theatre, and he had a suspicion that she had been on the stage, although he wasn’t about to mention it before she did. She seemed a good match for Ella, and the two were clearly very fond of one another, sharing smiles and glances even as they talked with he and Doc.

Alice had shyly mentioned her love of drawing, and Miss Waters had encouraged her to speak further on the subject, professing that she had no talent herself but loved to see it in others. With some gentle persuasion, Alice began speaking of her plans to sketch the landscape around Willowbrook Grange, and Ogilvy smiled to himself as she grew more comfortable. It was rewarding to see her growing up into a bright and happy young woman, and he was grateful to Miss Waters for her encouragement. She was showing Doc and Alice a landscape painting that Lady Ella had recently acquired, and Ogilvy watched as he sipped at the wine he had been given and waited for Belle to arrive. He was tired from the journey, and was thankful that the dinner would be a small affair. Lady Ella was known for her lavish parties, but even she had to take time to revive herself, and as soon as she finished telling him of her daughter, she bemoaned the excess of the Christmas festivities.

“The following day I just stayed in bed,” she said. “I swear I don’t have the energy I used to. Or perhaps it’s this dreadful snow. If I didn’t despise travelling long distances, I’d winter in Italy. One lacks a certain something in the winter, I find.”

“Having seen you at parties, I very much doubt it was lack of anything,” he remarked, and she sent him a flat look.

“I had the most dreadful headache,” she insisted. “Ursula had to mop my brow and feed me violet creams and champagne.”

“And you’re sure champagne was the right choice to help with headaches, are you?”

“Champagne is always the right choice.”

“Well, perhaps you’ll decide to abstain for the New Year,” he suggested, and she looked shocked.

“How dare you besmirch my good name with suggestions of sobriety, sir!”

Ogilvy chuckled, and movement from the doorway caught his eye, making him glance around. Belle entered, looking a little nervous, her dark hair teased up on her head. She was wearing a dress he hadn’t seen before, a deep forest green silk that showed off her pale skin. Her lips were the pale pink of rose petals, matching the slight flush in her cheeks, and she caught his gaze, a smile briefly curving her lips. The candlelight gave a warm glow to her pale skin and made her eyes sparkle. He felt his heart thump in his chest, and swallowed hard.

“Ah, there she is!” Lady Ella stepped forward. “Miss Marchland, I must say how well you’re looking. Clearly being in London agrees with you. I wasn’t certain that would be the case.”

Belle smiled warmly.

“Thank you, my Lady,” she said. “It’s always a pleasure to be back at Furton Grange. I only wish it were nice enough to walk in the gardens, as I used to.”

“Oh, exercise is overrated,” said Ella, waving a hand. “Give me a warm fire and a cold glass any day.”

Belle smiled at that, her eyes shining, and Ogilvy felt his breath catch at her beauty.

“We’re fortunate enough that your Ladyship has provided both this evening,” she said. “I'm sure you remember how much I enjoy the fresh air, though. Mr Ogilvy and I have been taking turns in the park each day.”

“Have you now?” Ella looked over her shoulder at him, pursing her lips. “I must say, I can’t see the attraction in freezing to death, but I daresay when we get to Willowbrook Grange, there’ll be pretty views enough. Lady Tremaine informs me that she plans two days of shooting.”

“We’ve packed accordingly,” Belle assured her. “May I ask if you’ve heard from Lady Aurora?”

“Oh yes! Let me tell you all about it over dinner!” Ella glanced between the guests. “I’m afraid the women outnumber the men this evening. You won't mind, will you? I tried to coax old Colonel Lansdowne to come over to even things out a bit, but he has a cold."

"I'm sure we can survive the ordeal of uneven seating," said Ogilvy dryly, and she made a noise of agreement.

"More women and fewer men is always preferable, in my opinion," she said. "Present company excepted, of course. Shall we go through?”

x

Three hours later, Ogilvy was cradling a glass of brandy, feeling warm and content. The dinner had been pleasantly intimate, the lack of guests making it feel a little like being back at home, despite the grandeur of their surroundings. Lady Ella had been at the head of the long dining table, with Doc to her right, Alice next to him, and then Belle, leaving Ogilvy on the opposite side next to Miss Waters. The two of them had shared a pleasant discussion of the plays each had seen that year, with Alice asking eager questions about the costumes and music. Belle had remained fairly silent during the meal, and he had suspected that she felt a little awkward, being back in her old employer's house and sitting up to dinner as a guest. He had watched her as he talked, cherishing every glimpse of her blue eyes, every tiny smile from her perfect mouth. She had caught his gaze every now and then, and he had looked away, not wanting to make her more uncomfortable.

By the time an excellent lemon tart was served, he had felt the fatigue of a day's travel settling into his body, and had resolved only to have one drink after dinner. Fortunately, Ella kept excellent brandy at hand, and he and Doc each had a glass, taking them through to the drawing room where the ladies were drinking their tea. Now the tea was drunk and the brandy almost gone. Ella had requested a final glass of champagne, but he waved away her offer of another drink. They had an early start.

Miss Waters was playing the piano and singing a song which he didn’t recognise, but which had a sweeping, romantic feel to it. She had a sweet soprano voice, and Ella sent her adoring looks as she sipped her champagne. Doc was already dozing on the couch, his hands clasped over his belly, and Ogilvy resisted the urge to give him a shove with his foot. It had been a long day. Alice and Belle had excused themselves and gone to bed as soon as they had drunk their tea, and he planned to go up as soon as he finished his brandy. Hopefully before Doc started snoring.

“I’m afraid I shan’t be up to see you off in the morning,” said Ella. “The early train, isn’t it?”

“Too early for you, I expect,” he said.

“Anything before midday is too early for me, darling.”

“How are you going to cope with Lady Tremaine’s busy itinerary?” he asked, with a grin, and she groaned and rolled her eyes.

“Victoria knows what I’m like. I’m sure she’ll let me sleep late on New Year’s Day, she’s not that much of a termagant.”

“Well, don’t concern yourself with us tomorrow morning, Jefferson will make sure I’m out of the door on time.”

“I’ve instructed Jasper to bring the carriage around at seven,” she said. “I expect the next time I see you will be at Willowbrook Grange. I’ll be heading up there the day after tomorrow.”

“I look forward to it,” he said. “It’s nice to show the children a little of the countryside.”

“Well, there are woods and fields enough to tire them out, I’m sure,” she said. “No doubt Miss Marchland can keep them entertained.”

“No doubt.”

Ursula let her fingers dance over the piano keys in a light, pleasant tune, and Ogilvy took another sip of his drink. Ella gave him a shrewd look.

“And how are you finding my governess?” she asked. “I trust she’s everything you wanted?”

“She seems very competent,” he said neutrally, and she smacked him playfully on the arm.

“Don’t tease me! I’ve been waiting years for you to show me at least a sign that you’re actually interested in the fair sex. If I can claim some sort of responsibility for your eventual happiness, I’ll be delighted.”

“She’s been in my house a week at most!” he protested, and she pouted, her eyes sparkling.

“Oh, sometimes an evening’s enough, if it’s the right person,” she said slyly. “Or even perhaps - a night.”

“I don’t know what you’re suggesting,” he snapped.

“Oh yes you do, you know me too well to think it was anything innocent.” She rolled her eyes at his scowl. “And do calm down! I wouldn’t dream of implying you’ve done anything ungentlemanly.”

“Good.”

“But I’ve seen the way you look at her,” she added.

“And how do I look at her?” he asked, with some asperity. Ella gestured expansively.

“Like she’s a goddess, descended to Earth to make her way amongst mortals, and you her devoted servant, of course. Nauseating.”

“Oh, so much the same way I’ve seen you looking at Miss Waters, then,” he said dryly, and Lady Ella shrugged, smirking.

“Well, I certainly can’t deny that,” she said. “Although I’d like to think she looks at me in the same way. Do you want to hear all the lurid details of how we worship one another? Perhaps you need guidance in that area.”

Ogilvy sighed heavily.

“Really, Ella…”

“I’m just saying, lifelong bachelor and all that. There are tricks to a woman’s pleasure you probably don’t know.”

“Can we leave the deeply personal observations to one side for an evening?” he demanded. “Miss Marchland is in my employ. It’s not fitting for us to be having this discussion.”

She sniffed.

“Well, I was about to remark on the fact that she seems just as fascinated with you, but if you’re going to be a grump, I shan’t bother.”

“Thank you.”

“Spoilsport.”

He sighed, and took a sip of his drink.

“Thank you for letting us break our journey here,” he said, changing the subject. “I suspect we’ll be in the North for at least a week, depending on what secrets Willowbrook Grange holds.”

Lady Ella sniffed.

“Draughty place, last time I was there,” she said. “I’m sure the food will be divine. Victoria has an excellent cook, but being out of the way means the place is somewhat lacking in entertainment. I certainly hope this house party isn’t as dull as the last one I went to.”

“I’m surprised you agreed to go, in that case.”

She pressed a gloved hand to her chest, batting her eyelashes.

“What, stay here, and miss out on the possibility of watching an exorcism?”

“We don’t do exorcisms,” he said patiently. “Not as you’d understand them, anyway.”

“Good, because asking me to pray to the Lord will probably make things worse,” she said airily. “I think He’s had it in for me ever since I kissed Lady Mallory at Aurora’s christening. I’d hate to see you get hit by a lightning bolt or something just because I’m in the room.”

Ogilvy couldn’t help grinning.

“Rest assured, I’m not expecting your help with anything other than the choice of pre-dinner drinks,” he said, and she smiled.

“Now that I can do.”

x

The next morning was a flurry of activity, Belle hurrying to get the children up and dressed and out of the door in time to catch the train from Matlock. They made it with only minutes to spare, the Professor puffing for breath as he slumped into one of the compartments, and Belle hauled the twins up beside her as the train pulled out of the station, clouds of steam billowing out into the frosty morning air. Ava yawned, slouching against her, and Nicholas looked half asleep, but Belle and Alice coaxed them to sit up and look out at the snow-covered hills of the Peaks.

They changed trains at Manchester, Belle holding the children tight against her in the bustle of the busy station. It was a relief to get away from the noise and dirt into the relative calm and quiet of their compartment, and she decided to use some of the journey to start teaching the twins some simple sums. She discovered that Alice was right about their abilities: they easily knew the value of money and could add and subtract quickly when she used the coins in her purse as the basis for the sums. They were less sure when it came to writing numbers, but overall Belle was pleased. Their writing would improve with time, and they certainly had ability. She handed around some boiled sweets as a reward, and there was silence as the twins sat back, mouths working around rounded balls of fruit-flavoured sugar.

Ogilvy had disappeared behind his newspaper, and Alice was almost hanging on the window, gazing out as the scenery flashed by.

“This is so exciting,” she said. “I’ve never even been out of London. What’s it like in the North, Papa?”

“The men paint their faces with woad and beat drums made of human skin,” remarked Ogilvy, not looking up. She sent him a flat look.

“Really? And the women?”

“Oh, they’re even fiercer,” he said, turning a page. “How do you think they get the skin in the first place?”

Alice giggled.

“You were born in Glasgow, weren’t you?” she said eagerly. “Shall we go there, too? I should like to see it.”

“Perhaps in the Spring,” he said, and she pulled a face.

“That’s an age away.”

“Patience is a virtue, I’m told.”

“Easy for you to say,” she said.

“Time flows more slowly at your age,” said the Professor, looking over the top of his glasses as he closed his book. “Wait until you’re as ancient as me. Then the years will go like days.”

“Is that true?” Alice nudged Ogilvy with her foot. “Papa, does time go more quickly as you get older?”

Ogilvy glanced at Belle briefly.

“I find that very much depends on the context,” he said. “Sometimes time crawls.”

“I suppose it’s one of those things that’s affected by one’s perception of the reality around them, isn’t it?” said Belle thoughtfully. “Waiting for something that you want more than anything seems to take forever.”

Ogilvy smiled, folding his newspaper and handing it to the Professor.

“I couldn‘t agree more.”

x

They alighted at Carlisle, and Belle was relieved to find that Lady Tremaine had sent her carriage for them. The journey to Willowbrook Grange seemed to take forever, the carriage bouncing along on narrow roads, and she felt a little queasy by the time they turned into the long, sweeping driveway. She felt something go through her as the house came into view, a ripple of unease, as though fingers of ice were stroking against the back of her neck. There was a strange familiarity about the place, although she knew she hadn’t been there before.

It was dark, the surrounding fells making it seem as though the night was closing in on them, but Belle could still make out that the house was a large, handsome red-brick mansion, its windows spilling warm light out into the night to welcome them. That sense of familiarity was there again, scratching insistently at the back of her mind as the carriage slowed its pace. She chewed her lip anxiously, not liking the feeling, and not understanding its source. Perhaps Mr Ogilvy and the Professor, and their talk of evil spirits and unquiet ghosts. She told herself firmly that she was a rational woman, and that such things were fireside tales.

Servants in their livery were lined up, waiting to greet the visitors, and Belle recognised Lady Tremaine and her daughter, Anastasia, standing next to a tall, grey-haired man whom she assumed was Lord Tremaine. She shared a brief glance with Alice, who was looking excited, and held onto the twins as the carriage drew to a halt. They had arrived.