As the months passed, Ella and James' marriage continued as it had following Paisley ball. The two existed simply as two acquaintances living under the same roof. Of course that was when James was actually at Hamsfield. He was often traveling on some business or such leaving Ella at the manor alone. Well relatively alone that is. Ella had become close to Jane, who had become a trusted friend in the months. Although she was Ella's lady's maid, the two women still spent many days taking walks together and even sharing meals at Hamsfield. In fact it had become a weekly arrangement during James' trips that she would share a meal with the house staff.
Writing home has become somewhat of a chore, not because she had ill feelings toward her parents, but she simply had trouble finding a topic to speak of. Her days had become mundane and the only real excitement had come from when Miss. Hawthorne visited.
The unspoken rivalry between the two remained, most on Miss. Hawthorne's side for some unknown reason, but they had discovered a report with one another that both seemed to find a odd joy in. Ella had even begun to believe that if they had met when she was unmarried to James they may have even been some type of friends.
Then there was Charles. He had become a regular at Hamsfield when he was not traveling with James. He and Ella had become so well acquainted that formalities had ceased and they refer to one another by their given names. Charles' relaxed and humorous demeanor had kept her spirits up even on the loneliest of days. In fact in the past week his visits had become a daily occurrence, mainly because Becca had come to visit Ella at Hamsfield.
"Mr. Hawthorne is it that you have no other friends that you must spend your days with ladies?" Becca teased.
"Well the company of ladies such as yourselves is far more pleasant than some of my friends."
"Perhaps you should find some new friends than." Ella joked.
"But you see I already have. I could find no finer friends than you and Miss. Chambers."
"For a man who is said to enjoy company of many well known individuals, you clearly have low standards if we are the finest you can find." Becca said through laughter.
"And you definitely do not want to let the upstanding members of society hear you say such awful things." Ella added with mock seriousness.
"Never! I may be many things but a fool is not one of them. The wrath of my sister alone is enough to terrify me."
"You are aware I am sitting in the very room with you brother?"
"Same sofa as well." Ella pointed out.
"I thought I felt a disapproving stare nearby."
The rest of the day passed full of laughter and good conversation. When the foursome sat down for dinner Ella could notice the subtle glances passing between Charles and Becca and she could not help but smile.
"How long do you plan on visiting Miss. Chambers?" Asked Charles almost shyly.
"As long a Ella can bare to keep me."
"Then it seems you will be here until we find you a husband." Ella said winking to her old friend.
"Speaking of husbands, when is yours due to return?" Becca asked.
"From his last letter he is scheduled to return tomorrow."
"Finally someone capable of decent conversation will be around." Helen chimed in.
"Miss. Hawthorne you know you have come to enjoy these visits we share."
"I merely see our acquaintance as a means to and end."
"My Helen could you sound anymore villainess?" Charles chuckled.
"It is still early in the evening Charles." Responded Helen.
The group bantered throughout the meal as Ella attempted to ignore the feeling that the evening will be the last for awhile she would feel this relaxed.
******
As she gave her farewells to the Hawthorne siblings Ella's thoughts turned to James' return. Neither of them had attempted to learn anymore about one another. Of course that was to be expected after the events of the ball. Her biggest concern had actually been Becca. The fear of her growing disapproval only enhanced any nerves Ella had. As her closest friend her approval and acceptance was important to Ella.
"I know that look. That far off stare as your mind runs through one hundred different things."
"You know me so well don't you."
"Ella you know I prefer not to pry and let you speak when you are ready...."
"But?"
"Your letters have been vague about your marriage. None of us expected the two of you to fall in love instantly. But it feels as if there is barely an acquaintance between the two of you."
"He is a distant individual to be sure. He always gives me my space and does not ask a thing of me. It could be far worse."
"I understand why you did this and it was not just for your family's reputation."
"I do not need another lecture about this Becca. I know that you care but this was my decision and my reasons for it are mine alone."
"I am sorry Ella I just believe you deserve more."
Becca than left to go to her room and Ella released a heavy sigh. She had always seen Becca as more of a sister and she could understand were she was coming from. Sometimes Ella did regret the decision to marry a stranger. But than she remembered one very important thing that added to her ease. That at least polite society had never pretended to speak ill behind ones back. They have always had the decency to do so to ones face.
******
In the months since she had been at Hamsfield manor Ella had discovered her favorite spot, the garden. She had strolled through it almost daily and was often swept away in the maze of hedge rows that led to a verity of different types of flowers and plants that acted as an oasis within the center. She had come to find a certain serenity in the solitude that existed in the garden. A solitude of which had been put on hold this day.
Sinces James' return several days prior, the two of the them along with Charles and Becca had spent their days together. Ella had even joked to Becca that this was the most she had heard James speak since the day they met.
"I have not asked yet but how was your trip?" She inquired.
"Same as all the others." Was his response.
"How many is that now? Four in as many months?" Charles questioned.
"Oh hush Mr. Hawthorne. I am sure it is not easy being one of noble standing." Becca mused.
Charles and Becca shared a laugh as they pulled away for Ella and James.
"They seem to be getting along quite well."
"Oh yes they have many things in common. Philosophy, humor, food...."
"Stubborn friends?" He injected while eying her from the corner of his eye.
"No, no, no I would not say stubborn. More like difficult to sway with reasonable logic."
His sudden warm laugh took Ella by surprise. She found herself in need of refocusing for she found the sound rather soothing to her ears.
"That seems a more more convoluted way of saying stubborn."
"Perhaps but also more delicate to those with a fragile disposition."
Ella heard Becca and Charles laughing up ahead. She turned to look at James who seemed as if he was contemplating what to say next.
"I apologize if you feel as if I have left you alone."
"The only part of our arrangement was the marriage. I do not expect or want anything more than what was agreed to." She said determined before adding, "Not to mention I have found ways to occupy my time and have even become acquainted with the staff."
"Yes I have heard of these weekly dinner with the lady of the house."
"I am sorry I should have mentioned it beforehand. I hope I did not overstep. If you wish I will end it."
"Actually I was hoping to join the next one." He said softly.
"Truly?"
"Are you surprised that I would show and interest in knowing my staff?"
"Well considering I hardly know you than I supposed I should not be surprised by anything you do."
"That seems fair."
"No I was wrong there is something I know about you."
He looked at her with curiosity almost urging her to speak.
"You are only capable of speaking one sentence at a time."
He smiled shaking his head before replying, "It appears as if I have been caught. I had hoped my master plan if being mysterious and aloof would go unnoticed."
"Was that two sentences my what terrible thing will happen now?" Ella said with feigned shock.
"Charles will likely burst into song."
The two laugh wholeheartedly and for the first time Ella began to feel relaxed around James. AS the laughter died down the two found themselves staring into each others eyes. Without realization Ella found herself slowly drifting closer to James.
"Ella! I just had an amazing idea!" Becca shouted breaking Ella from the surprising trance.
"Oh this should be good." She said while regaining footing of her senses.
"Well since I missed this supposed grand ball at Paisley Park I was thinking you could have one here."
"Becca when have I ever shown any indication I would enjoy such a task?"
"This has nothing to do with your enjoyment it is about mine. Plus someone has to put Mr. Hawthorne here to shame and who better than us!"
She looked to James almost pleading for an escape.
"I do not believe you are going to get out of this one." He said apologetically.
"Do you really want a bunch of strangers wandering around Hamsfield?" She asked
"No, but I must admit I am curious to see if someone can finally out do Charles."
"Than it is settled. Lady Winters shall host a ball at Hamsfield Manor."