viii.

"Eleanor? Are you awake?" Harvey's small voice echoed through my room.

"Yes, come in." I state as I slowly shut my trunk up.

I had just finished packing for the long trip that Anne and Diana had invited me on. I couldn't be more excited, especially since Diana explained how beautiful Josephine's parties were.

"A boy's here for you, with the name of...Gilber?" Harvey's statement sounded more of a question.

"Send him up." I chuckle and place a soft kiss on Harvey's head, to which he beams at before rushing down the stairs.

My eyes glance over to the mirror, as much as I knew that Gilbert thought I was the most beautiful girl in the world (he told me of course) I still couldn't help but stare at the way my arms or bust looks in the mirror.

"Admiring God's work I see." a familiar voice snaps me out of my daze at I turn to the door to see Gilbert smirking at me.

"Oh shut up." I grumble but have to hide my smile as I look down.

"Don't look so sad to see me my love, I've only come to send you off." he sighs as he slowly walks over to me.

The warmth of his body so close to mine makes me shiver, then the feeling of his large hand lifting my chin up, making my eyes meet his is just enough for me to let out a sigh.

"You look so beautiful." he breathes out as his eyes move down to my lips then back up to my eyes.

"Yeah, she sure does. Now get your hands off of her before I call for father." Alvin's voice startles me enough to let out a small shriek and Gilbert to jump almost a foot in the air.

"Alvin! Do you mind?" I yell as I stomp towards the door and go to shut up, but not before he places a hand on the other side.

"I was only joking with you sis, no need to get so worked up." Alvin chuckled.

"Ha ha very funny Alvin, one of your best jokes yet! Why don't you go tell Harvey some jokes and leave US alone?" I grumble and shut the door.

"Leave enough room for Jesus!" Alvin yells before I can hear his footsteps clambering off.

I roll my eyes and turn back around to see Gilbert staring out of my window, I make my way over and glance down to see Diana, Anne, and Cole all waiting outside.

"I guess that means it's time for me to go." I sigh as I glance up at Gilbert, who was already looking down at me.

"Guess so." He smiled as he brought me in for a hug.

The smell of wood, cologne, and apples filled my nose as my face pressed into his chest. He brought his head down and placed down kisses on my neck as I let out a squeal and gently pushed him away.

"I hate you." I giggle as he spun me around and pushed me towards the door.

I smiled before pulling the door open and reaching for my trunk, only for him to swat my hand away and pick it up himself.

"Come on, don't want to keep them waiting." Gilbert smiled and held his arm out for me.

I smiled and gently placed my hand atop of his as we walked down the stairs and onto my porch, I could hear Anne and Diana start to giggle and whisper as we drew nearer to the cart.

"Hey guys." Gilbert smiled as he walked over and gently placed my trunk in the back of the horse drawn carriage.

"Hey Gilbert." the girls giggled before turning away, Cole simply laughed at them and rolled his eyes.

"Just give me a second guys, I'll be right there." I state before dragging Gilbert to the back of the carriage.

"Wanted to get me alone for a moment?" he smirked.

"Not anymore." I smirk and start to walk off, but not until I felt Gilbert's hand grab onto mine and spin me around.

A small shriek left my mouth as Gilbert placed his hand on the small of my back, his other hand was wrapped firmly around mine as he dipped me.

"How romantic." I tease as Gilbert rolls his eyes with a smile.

"I can't believe you're leaving me!" he dramatically sighs as he places kisses all over my face besides my lips.

"Oh shut up you dramatic baby, it's only for two days!" I giggle as I reach my hand up and place it on his cheek, gently swiping my thumb across it as he sighs into my touch.

"I know...but I'll miss you." he whispers as he nuzzles his head in the crook of my neck.

"I'll be back in no time, you'll see." I smile and gently pat his head.

His eyes traveled up to my lips as his head lifted, in an instant; he had grabbed my face and pressed his lips to mine.

My eyes fluttered shut as I grab onto his shoulders, his hands nuzzled on either sides of my cheeks as our lips danced in rhythm together.

"Hey! You two stop kissing! And get in that carriage Eleanor!" my mothers voice startled me enough to jump back from Gilbert's touch.

"Y-Yes ma'am!" I yell back as I slowly move away from Gilbert.

Our hands stayed connect until I reached the carriage door and climbed in, our hands slowly fell apart as our eyes stayed locked onto each other.

The "driver" yelled something and snapped the reins, then with a start, the carriage was off.

I poked my head out of the window as we made our way down my bumpy driveway.

"I'll see you Sunday, don't forget me! I'll write to you!" I yelled before blowing him a kiss with a. wave.

"I could never forget you my dear." he yells back and pretends to catch the kiss.

With a smile, I flopped back into the carriage and straightened my dress before looking up.

Anne, Diana, and Cole were all staring at me, practically jumping from their seat with excitement.

"Tell us EVERYTHING!" Anne yelled.

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"How was your trip up here?" Josephine, Diana's aunt, asked as we clambered out of the carriage she had ordered for us.

"It was fine, except for the fact that Anne and Diana talked my ear off." I grumble as I grab my trunk up the many stairs to her house.

Josephine chuckled and went to spoke to her niece and Anne as I walked over to Alfred and waved.

"Hello Alfred, everything in check?" I ask as I shoot my hand out for him to take.

"Yes ma'am." he nodded with a hint of a smile before shaking my hand and carrying my bag up the stairs.

I had only met Alfred once before when me and Dian came up for the weekend to check on Josephine. He was a very kind man and he seemed to get along well with Josephine, though I could tell that she didn't find as much attraction in him as he did of her.

"Is Alfred upstairs?" Josephine asked as she and the others walked in.

"He just went, would you like me to go get him?" I asked as I gently took my gloves off and placed them at the door.

No matter how hot or humid it is outside, my mother always forces me to wear gloves. She always says that it's very "proper" and "ladylike" for a woman to wear gloves.

"No that's alright, you three go ahead and get comfortable upstairs while I check on dinner." Josephine smiled before patting Diana's head and shuffling to the kitchen.

"Why don't we go outside? It's a lovely day." I asked as I slipped my shoes off at the door.

Josephine didn't mind if we walked around her house without shoes, but if my mother was here she would have a fit.

"I think I'm going to go and speak with Josephine; Anne, Cole, would you like to come?" Diana asked.

"Yeah sure." they both nodded before the three walked off into the kitchen.

With a sigh, I started my descent to the back of the house and through the small screened in porch. A smile was etched on my lips as I flopped down into the bench swing that Josephine had put in last spring. It was my favorite part of her entire house, it was beautiful and perfectly etched with vines and flowers to fit into the garden scenery.

I gently pulled out a book from my side satchel that I had brought along with me onto the train. Alvin promised that I would be bored, so he packed me a book and a few snacks that Cole had so notable stolen as soon as we got into the cart.

The wind was slightly rocking the bench back and forth as I pulled my legs up and to the side of me. My hair was pulled back into a beautiful braided crown with a few strands framing my face, which was blowing in the wind as well.

The book I was reading titled "The Great Gatsby" it was the fifth time I was reading it and I always seemed to find something new in the book that I always forgot. Most people would think it's strange for someone to reread a book many times, but I quite enjoy it.

(Yes I know that "The Great Gatsby" was published in 1925, but there is like no Victorian books that I could find.)

"Reading out here alone?" Cole asked as he flopped down beside me.

"I guess so, since you all decided to abandon me." I shrug without looking up.

"Ha ha very funny." Cole smirked as he playfully nudged my shoulder.

I couldn't help but laugh as he seen right throughly sarcasm, he was always very insightful. Even though I didn't know him as well as Anne and Diana, I would still consider him a close friend if not a best one.

"Isn't that what your third time reading that book?" Cole chuckled.

"I quite like it thank you very much, plus it was the only book I brought." I huff and slowly shut it on the page I was on.

"You do know that Josephine has like the biggest library ever correct?"

"Yes I know but I've already read a lot of them, she mails me two of them every week. She always says "It's best to send them to you, at least you're getting some use out of these old things" which I think is very kind of her." I smile and gently push the swing back and forth with my bare foot.

"You do know that Josephine is gonna force you to take some home with you, right?" Cole chuckled.

"Well of course I do, that's why my carry on bag is half empty." I say with a smile, making Cole laugh and shake his head before standing up.

"We really outta be heading inside, dinner is about finished." Cole stated as he held his hand out for me.

"Race ya!" I yell before slinging my bag over my shoulder and running straight for the house. My bare feet felt cool and slimy against the hard and grass covered ground, the wind in my hair made me feel as though I was flying. But it all came to a stop once Alfred stepped infront of me, blocking me from entering the house and allowing Cole to slip behind the old man and into the house. Cole sent me one last cheeky grin before turning and strutting into the kitchen, I huffed and blew a strand of hair from my face before crossing my arms over my chest.

"May I come in Alfred?" I ask.

"Not until after you rinse off your feet, you know how Josephine feels about bare...dirty feet." Alfred stated before handing me a wet rag and a bucket.

"Oh fine." I grumble before walking over and flopping down on the bench.

After quickly cleaning my feet and slipping on a pair of frilly white socks, I ate dinner with everyone and had a blast. Night time soon came and I was stuck in one of the guest rooms with a wide window, a small window seat had a lovely yellow cushion in it. Perfect size for someone like me to sit in it.

I spent the rest of my night writing a letter to Gilbert and telling him about the train, the swing, the book, and dinner. It was mostly just a letter about how boring everything here was and how I couldn't wait for the party tomorrow, but I did allow myself to say that I miss him once or twice.

"With love, Eleanor."

"And done! Time to sleep." I sighed before shrugging down into the comfortable full size bed.

Tomorrow was going to be perfect.

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