Elizabeth Craven's BedChamber

I raised by eyebrows,"He did? W-when?"

I rest my head on my hand and stare out the window,"Well I can rather imagine him writing poems-my mother says he has a wonderful gift for poetry. May I ask...what changed? Why did nothing more happen?"

I look up with a start,"Propose? Marriage-Edward? My God...I never knew he was that serious. I cannot believe it..."

I shake my head in disbelief,"If he did ask...what would you reply?"

I shake my head,"Oh no...it is just a shock. I trust you-you are a good and honest friend,"I pause and ask in a whisper,"Do you say you still have ...affections for him and dare I say-love?"

"I don't think it is intentional Nan-he is a kind man...I don't think he would be cold on purpose,"I smile weakly.

"Let us not talk of such serious things-I do not like to see you sad. Let's talk of something happy,"I say with a grin.

I shake my head,"I have not-are they to arrive soon?"

I then whisper,"I would so love to travel...Bavaria, Italy, France...Scotland."

I nod,"It is so sad-I hear she was still young. My mother used to tell me of how beautiful she was as a girl and as a young woman. I hear it was consumption which killed her...like my father."

I shake my head and laugh,"Yes! Why is it we always talk of sad things? Instead -you are right- we should talk of pleasant things. Will you tell me of where you come from...what is like?"

"What was Germany like?'I ask further.

"It sounds very pretty-don't you ever wish you could leave court sometimes and live in the country,"I say quietly.

"I am sorry of it-I cannot imagine what that must be like. When did you marry...I presume it was an arranged marriage?"I ask curiously and begin to pin my hair up.