Capítulo 7: SEVEN
"Louise what did I say---!"
"Nickolas." Elizabeth interrupted the sibling's bickering and steadied her posture. "I appreciate you offering to fix the clock. But it's alright, Ben already has plans to hire someone to fix it."
"Oh, I see." He stopped messing around with Louise, and turned his attention back to Elizabeth. "But I did want to say I really do appreciate your warm words, Elizabeth. My university days seemed long and endless that seems wild to think I've completed it."
"Yes. That is beautiful, Nickolas." She put on her best cordial smile, ignoring the things her body wanted to feel. "And I'm glad you went to Hartmond, it is a good school. The professors there are quite friendly and knowledgeable in their fields."
"Yes, they quite were."
"And I believe Professor Drey still works there. Did you ever get the chance to take a course with him? His lectures on the nature of the human condition are quite intriguing and enlightening to the mind. But if not him, I hope you got a chance to check out the work Professor Tyrin. Last, I recall, he was teaching courses at both Harmond and Galvins. But if you didn't take any of his courses, I hope you at least familiarized yourself with some of his published works. They are---."
"---You seem to know a lot about this, Elizabeth," Nickolas said through light laughter, interrupting her speech.
"Of course, she does!" Louise joined in. "You never knew Nicky, but Elizabeth wanted to be a teacher. Not just any teacher, she wanted to teach at one of those Universities English Studies. My, she was just the smartest girl in our boarding school, then!" Louise's eyes went bright as she happily reminisced on the memories.
"Really?" Nickolas turned an inquisitive questioning glance to Elizabeth.
"Yes, and all the teachers thought she was meant to do it!" Louise pressed, bouncing her head from Elizabeth to Nicolas. "One of our favorite teachers, Mister Kaine had even written a recommendation paper for her to apply for one of the universities. He was going to get her a position there at the school so that one day she might teach and lecture. And she would done it, if it weren't for Benjamin Raynes---."
"---Louise." Elizabeth suddenly raised her voice. "What are you trying to suggest?" She spoke firmly.
Louise was still for a moment, taking in Elizabeth's sudden cold tone and glare with a frown. "Nothing. I'm not trying to suggest anything." She weakly smiled. "Speaking of that, how have things been between you and Benjamin? He's been treating you well?"
"He has." Elizabeth spoke quietly.
"You know I hate that I was not there for you after the wedding. I feel awful missing out on all of your life and now that you're a married woman---I don't know what to feel. I just know it feels strange that we all have changed so much. It's almost like both of my children have grown up!" She sniffled and dabbed at dry eyes looking from Elizabeth to Nickolas.
"Louise." Elizabeth cracked a dry humorous scoff.
"She's always like this, Elizabeth. I swear." Nickolas rolled his eyes, chuckling.
"I am, guilty as charged." Louise laughed. "I don't even know how Tommy plans to spend the rest of his life with me."
"Yes, Tommy. How have you two been?" Elizabeth questioned. "Last I heard your family had cut you off from their finances. Have they finally come around to accept your marriage?"
"Well---." Louise cut Nickolas off.
"---We've been very well!" Louise beamed.
"Louise." Nickolas turned a worried glance at her.
Louise met his eyes, briefly making a tense look before she then settled back to Elizabeth. "Very, very well!" she said again, widening her large smile. "In fact, things have been going so well the man has me walking lopsided!"
"Walking lopsided?" Elizabeth laughed. "Whatever do you mean?"
"Don't play coy with me, Miss Raynes." Louise smirked. "They never do tell us girls that married men make a meal out of their wives. My Tommy has been so insistent about having children that every night he takes me to morning!"
Elizabeth's face dropped.
From night to morning?
She had to wonder what that was like.
Benjamin and her, were different in their private bedroom affairs.
Sorely different.
She felt a sharp pain start in her chest, but quickly masked the feeling with a forced smile. "You are so silly, Louise."
"Please, you know I'm not wrong." Louise wiggled her eyes. "You wrote to Mister Raynes for every day that you two were engaged. Your letters to each other were so sweet---if not tempting. I know Mister Raynes must've been eager to finally have his hands on a woman of love."
"Louise." Elizabeth was gripping her hands with weary smiles. "Come on. Enough. Nickolas is sitting right next to you know?" She glanced at him briefly.
"Oh relax, Nicky is not a boy of youth anymore." Louise gestured with a shake of her hand. "In fact, Nicky was quite popular while he was in University. He still has girls writing letters for his affections."
"Really?" Elizabeth quickly asked, eager to change the conversation. "Nicky was?" She looked to him, taking advantage of the excuse to stare.
"Louise is dramatic, you know that, Elizabeth," he said with a little smile.
Elizabeth titled her head as she peered at him.
His voice was the perfect pitch of velvet and deep, and his smile was more than charming.
For some reason she had little faith that Louise could exaggerate it. Nickolas had grown rather handsomely. She would have never known he would turn out such a way, especially not back when she was younger and...unmarried.
"Don't let him lie to you, Liz." Louise playfully chortled. "I've snuck a peak of some those letters, and now I fear Nicky has turned into quite the philandering rake in my absence."
"You never told me you were reading my things." Nicolas groaned.
"It was by accident, Nicky." Louise batted her eyes.
"Sure." Nickolas rolled his eyes again. "Elizabeth, I don't suppose I can get something to drink? I'm quite parched."
"Yes. Gretchen?" Elizabeth called to the maid who had resigned herself to the background.
"Ma'am?"
"Something to drink for my guests." She looked to Nicolas. "Will tea do for both of you?"
"Yes." Nickolas nodded.
"No." Louise said right after him.
"Louise?" Elizabeth blinked. "Is there something else you would like to drink?"
"Alcohol." Louise smirked.
"Louise...." Nickolas slowly scolded.
"Why not?" Louise pouted.
Nickolas folded his arms over his chest. "Why not? Well, every reason not! You know that one drop---one teaspoon of alcohol and you are completely---."
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