Chapter 14

Chapter 14

The morning air was crisp, and the sky was a brilliant blue as Cordelia stood on the steps of Whitestone Manor, awaiting the arrival of her sister, Felicity. She felt a flutter of happiness at what was to come. It had been weeks since she had seen Felicity, and Cordelia was eager to share her new life with her, especially the burgeoning relationship with Julian.

The sound of horses' hooves and the rattling of carriage wheels broke the serene silence. Cordelia's heart leapt as the Post carriage pulled up the long drive, coming to a stop before the grand entrance. The footman opened the door, and out stepped Felicity, radiant as ever, her smile as bright as the morning sun.

"Cordelia!" Felicity called out, her voice ringing with joy. She rushed forward, enveloping Cordelia in a warm embrace.

"Felicity, welcome to Whitestone!" Cordelia returned the embrace with equal fervor, her worries dissipating in the presence of her beloved sister. "I have missed you so much."

"And I, you," Felicity replied, pulling back to look at Cordelia with sparkling eyes. "You look wonderful, sister. Happier."

Cordelia blushed slightly, thinking of Julian and the transformations she had felt over the past weeks. "There is much to tell you. Come, let us get you settled."

As they turned towards the house, an older lady stepped down from the carriage. She was dressed in the livery of the Harrington household, a servant who had accompanied Felicity on her journey. She nodded respectfully to Cordelia.

"This is Tabitha," Felicity explained. "She has been a great help on the journey."

Tabitha inclined her head. "It is a pleasure to be at your service, Miss Cordelia."

"Thank you, Tabitha. Your assistance is much appreciated," Cordelia replied warmly. "Please, come inside."

The trio entered the manor, where the household staff quickly took Felicity's belongings to her room. Once the initial bustle had calmed, the sisters found a quiet moment in the drawing room, sitting by the large windows that overlooked the expansive gardens.

"Cordelia, I have news," Felicity said, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Oh?" Cordelia asked, her curiosity piqued.

Felicity took a deep breath, her hands clasping Cordelia's tightly. "I am engaged at long last, Cordelia. To the baron."

Cordelia's eyes widened in delight. This was why she had taken the step to marry Julian, and she was so grateful that everything seemed to be working out just as planned. "Felicity, that is wonderful! I am so happy for you!"

Felicity's cheeks flushed with happiness. "Thank you. I cannot wait for you to meet him officially as my fiancé. He is a good man, and I believe you will like him very much."

Cordelia squeezed her sister's hands. "I am sure I will. When will the wedding be?"

"We are planning for late summer," Felicity replied, her smile unwavering. "There is so much to prepare, but I wanted to spend these two weeks with you first. It has been too long."

"Yes, it has," Cordelia agreed, her heart swelling with love for her sister. "We will make the most of your time here. There is so much we need to discuss and do."

As they spoke, Julian appeared in the doorway, his presence commanding yet gentle. He approached with a warm smile, his eyes reflecting his genuine pleasure at meeting Cordelia's sister.

"Miss Felicity, welcome to Whitestone," he greeted, bowing slightly.

"Thank you, Your Grace," Felicity replied with a graceful curtsy. "It is an honour to be here."

Julian's smile widened. "The honour is ours. Please, make yourself at home. If there is anything you need, do not hesitate to ask."

Felicity's eyes flickered with admiration as she observed Julian. Her gaze had a discernible sparkle, a subtle indication that she found him intriguing and worthy of her sister's affection. She returned Julian's smile with genuine warmth, appreciating his courteous manner.

"Thank you, Your Grace," Felicity replied, her voice carrying a hint of admiration. "It is an honour to be here."

"Well, I must return to work." Cordelia could not help feeling a flicker of disappointment as Julian backed away already. "But I am sure you have a lot of catching up to do, and you would prefer to do that alone anyway."

Was that really why he left?

Was he trying to be kind, or was he still very closed off?

She could not tell, but for now, Cordelia wanted to focus on the time she had with her sister …

The rest of Felicity's arrival day passed in a joyful blur of conversation, laughter, and exploration. As they strolled through the sunlit gardens, Cordelia's heart felt light. Sharing her new life with Felicity made it all feel much more real. It seemed like it had been hours before she had a moment alone with Julian again.

"Julian," Cordelia began, unable to contain her excitement, "Felicity is so thrilled to be here, and she has happily announced that she is engaged!"

Julian's response was not what she expected. His expression, usually warm and attentive, turned sombre. He looked away, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the sun was setting.

"I see."

"What is wrong, Julian?" Cordelia panicked, assuming she had said something wrong without even meaning to.

"The wedding," Julian began. "I ... I will not be able to accompany you to it."

Cordelia's brow furrowed in confusion. "But why, Julian? I thought ... I thought we could share these moments together."

Julian turned to face her, his expression conflicted. "I have been clear about how I run my life, Cordelia. My responsibilities, the estate ... they demand my attention. I do not socialize; I told you this before we wed. You said that you understood as much."

A pang of disappointment shot through Cordelia's chest. She had hoped Julian would want to be there by her side, to meet Felicity's fiancé and share in the joy of her sister's wedding. She struggled to contain her emotions, not wanting to spoil the precious time she had with Felicity.

"I understand, Julian," Cordelia replied softly, trying to keep her voice steady. "I just ... I thought ... never mind."

Before she could say more, Julian turned abruptly and walked away, his steps heavy and purposeful. She watched him retreat, probably towards his study, where he preferred to hide away.

Cordelia stood there for a moment, grappling with her feelings of disappointment and confusion. She wanted to share every part of her life with Julian and include him in her family's milestones. Yet, she had agreed to his lifestyle; she could not deny that.

It was just a shame that he was so utterly determined to stick to his guns.

Giving him space to brood, Cordelia wandered through the house herself, her footsteps echoing in the quiet of the evening. As she passed the drawing room, she heard the familiar strains of beautiful, sombre music drifting from the nearby piano.

She paused, drawn to the melancholy melody that echoed through the halls. Julian's piano playing had always been a way for him to channel his emotions and express what he could not put into words. Without interrupting, she leaned against the doorway and listened, letting the music wash over her.

The notes were haunting yet lovely, filled with longing and introspection. As she listened to them, Cordelia could feel his conflicts between duty and desire, between the weight of his responsibilities and his yearning for something more.

Of course, she could not be certain what he was trying to say, but that was how it came across to her.

Cordelia closed her eyes, allowing the music to envelop her. It allowed her to feel close to him for just a moment. She had no idea what would happen next, but for now, she needed this connection. She hated the idea of him slipping through her fingers.

***

The following days passed in a mix of emotions for Cordelia. Felicity's presence brought a comforting familiarity amidst the uncertainty with Julian.

They spent their time together walking the estate grounds, attending church services, and joining local gatherings such as tea with a respected lady in the village. Felicity even eagerly pitched in to help Cordelia revive the neglected conservatory, where the once vibrant plants had withered from neglect.

Each morning, they would rise early, don their gloves, and set to work, nurturing the delicate blooms back to life. Felicity's enthusiasm was infectious, and Cordelia found solace in their shared efforts. Amidst the rhythmic clink of gardening tools and the soft murmur of their conversations, Cordelia finally decided to open up about the reality of her new life.

"Felicity," Cordelia began hesitantly, her hands gently cradling a fragile sprout, "there is something I need to talk to you about."

Felicity looked up, her expression instantly serious and attentive. "Of course, Cordelia. You can tell me anything."

Cordelia took a deep breath, her fingers tracing the leaves of the plant she held. "It is about Julian. Our marriage ... it is not what I expected. Life here is strange. Julian has not been the easiest to connect with."

Felicity set down her gardening shears and moved closer to her sister, her eyes full of empathy. "Oh, Cordelia, I am so sorry you feel this way. Have you spoken to him about it?"

"There are times when I feel much more connected to him, and we have been growing nearer to one another, but it does not feel … romantic."

It hurt to say that aloud, but she needed her sister to understand.

Felicity reached out, taking Cordelia's hands in hers. "Cordelia, marriage is a partnership, and it sounds like Julian needs to understand that your needs are just as important as his duties. Have you tried finding small ways to connect with him? Little gestures that might help him see how much you care?"

Cordelia nodded slowly. "I have, and we have made some progress. But it is hard. I worry that I shall never be able to satisfy his heart, that he will never see me as more than a duty."

Felicity squeezed her sister's hands reassuringly. "Cordelia, love and connection take time. Keep showing him your heart, and perhaps he will begin to open up more. But also remember to take care of yourself. Your happiness matters, too. I know you value romance hugely, and your life will not be complete without that, but I do not want you to give up either."

Cordelia smiled weakly, appreciating her sister's unwavering support. "Thank you, Felicity. Your words mean a lot to me. I just hope that, in time, things will change."

Felicity hugged her tightly. "They will, Cordelia. And no matter what happens, I will always be here for you."

The days continued to pass, filled with a comforting routine and the joy of sisterly companionship. Cordelia found solace in Felicity's presence, feeling more confident and hopeful about her own situation.

They visited the village market, attended local galleries, and even attended a small tea party at the neighbors' home, where Felicity charmed the guests with her wit and grace. Cordelia drew strength from her sister's unwavering support, but Julian's distant demeanour still lingered in the back of her mind.

The last evening before Felicity's departure arrived, and a special dinner was arranged to celebrate their time together. The dining room was adorned with fresh flowers and the table set with the finest china and silverware. The sisters entered, arm in arm, their laughter filling the room. Julian joined them, his presence imposing but subdued.

Throughout the meal, Cordelia and Felicity carried the conversation with ease, reminiscing about childhood memories and sharing amusing anecdotes. Their laughter was infectious, and Cordelia felt warm and contented. However, each time Felicity tried to include Julian in the conversation, his responses were curt and distant.

"Julian," Felicity began with a bright smile, "I have heard that you have quite the talent for playing the piano. How long have you been practicing?"

Julian looked up from his plate, his expression neutral. "Since childhood," he replied shortly, then returned his focus to his meal.

Felicity, undeterred, tried again. "And do you have a favourite composer?"

"Chopin," Julian answered, his tone clipped.

Cordelia shot him a sharp glare, silently pleading for him to engage more. The tension in the room rose, and Felicity's attempts at conversation grew more strained.

"Julian, have you always lived at Whitestone Manor?" Felicity asked, her voice softer now.

"Yes," Julian said, his eyes meeting Cordelia's briefly before looking away again.

Cordelia's patience wore thin. She set down her fork, her eyes narrowing at Julian. "Julian, perhaps you could share some of your experiences here. I am sure Felicity would love to hear more about your life at Whitestone."

Julian sighed in reluctant compliance. "Life here is primarily focused on managing the estate. It is demanding work."

Felicity nodded, her smile fading slightly. "I see. It sounds quite challenging."

The rest of the meal continued with a strained silence, punctuated only by the occasional forced remark. Cordelia's frustration grew, but she kept her composure for Felicity's sake. After dinner, Julian excused himself, leaving the sisters alone.

The doubt that Cordelia had been trying her hardest to ignore absolutely flooded her.

The warm Julian seemed gone, and the icy man she had first married was back again.

What on earth was she going to do?