15
Samh 9.28.1342 16:00
Right after the ball, Abaledina feared that in being independent she had created for herself bitter enemies. She had fallen asleep forming plans of reconciliation with those whom she feared she had offended.
Lord Elwynalam soon became a frequent and unceremonious visitor. Upon his first visit, she was able to speak privately and from her heart with him. At that time, she reminded him that until Eraith formally released her from their engagement, she would not allow herself to think of loving anyone. In her heart, she believed she would eventually be free, but she would never make a man wait for her on such uncertainty.
Once this fact was cleared between them, he displayed all the kindness of a brother to Abaledina. He never brought up tender subjects and never tried to pressure her into giving more of her heart than she felt was proper. This respect he afforded her made her feel at ease with him, and by degrees, she displayed as the occasion demanded her varied talents.
Abaledina noticed that from the night of the ball, Jeanilotta had become an altered being. Abaledina had attempted to reconcile with her cousin, but she was cold and haughty. Had this slight been her only personality change, Abaledina might have worked harder to resolve the difference with her. But she noticed that her cousin treated Theodomani with cold distance. She was nervous and irritable with him. On the other hand, Jeanilotta did all she could to show the Viscount that she was brilliant and beautiful.
Abaledina noted Theodomani continued to spend his evenings at their home, but when Lord Elwynalam was there, he was all but ignored. She stepped forward and tried to be attentive as she could without misleading Jeanilotta’s beau, but she could see his confidence in the Viscount began to falter. Whenever he glanced at Jeanilotta, Theodomani was affected by her attitudes and reactions. She knew Jeanilotta's indifference did nothing to ease his suspicions.
Lord Elwynalam had not changed, however. One evening a fortnight after the ball, he took Abaledina to an art museum. It was a brisk evening, but they had both agreed to walk.
The bottom floor of the La Soutain Museum of Art, contained ancient and modern works from all over Samh. They were first grouped by age and then by location. The middle level contained ancient and modern works from other planets in Upsilon Andromedae. The top floor contained replications of artwork from ancient Earth.
“Which is your favorite collection?” he asked as they stood in line in the great entrance hall for tickets.
“I like all art, as long as it’s good,” she said with a smile. “My favorite is Ancient Western Guillway, Medieval Dathuane, and Modern Anorraq and Swienzea. I also like some of the work from Earth. How about you?”
“Ancient Western Guillway and Modern Anorraq are good, but I like the Medieval art from some of the other planets in Upsilon Andromedae.”
“I haven’t really spent much time on the items from other planets. Why don’t we start there, and you can explain what you see in it.”
With that, they were off to the second floor, and Lord Elwynalam showed her a corner gallery she must never have explored before. Inside it were sculptures made of layers of what looked like a jellyfish bell in different shapes and orientations nestled slightly apart from each other and floating in the air. She had to agree, the designs were unique and quite beautiful.
Then, the viscount led her down a corridor where metallic shards were arranged in different formations. As the light hit them, they revealed the face of the founding colonizers of each planet.
“This is a series by Bricht. I am not overly fond of some of his work but these are fascinating.”
“I think I have been to this museum hundreds of times, but I never discovered these treasures on this floor,” she said.
“I’m glad you enjoy them,” he replied. She felt his gaze on her and turned. Both of their blue eyes locked and her breath hitched.
“You are more beautiful than any of the art in this museum,” he said, his voice raspy. She could not stop the blush from rising to her cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” he swallowed loudly. “I know you are still engaged. I should not have voiced that thought. I find it very difficult to sit on the outside and watch you struggle with your contract—doing all you can to behave honorably—while at the same time your cousin flirts shamelessly with me in front of her betrothed. The only way I can be in your presence and behave honorably toward you is by sitting across the room and trying to ignore her dishonorable behavior. Here with you alone, where I was not under such pressure, I allowed my guard to drop. Please, forgive me.”
“I—I don’t know what to say. A small part of me whispers I should kill my conscience. But then I would be like my cousin, and her behavior right now is detestable to me. I do enjoy spending time with you, but I keep you at arms-length as best that I can. I cannot give you any promise of what may happen once I am released. I like to think we would get along quite well, but if you are tortured over me, perhaps we should not be in each other’s presence until my fate is better decided.”
“Staying away from you would torture me even more. I will do better at controlling my words and keep reminding myself it cannot be too much longer until you hear a response from Eriath.”
* * * * * *
As they walked home in silence, Geodor tried to sort through all his thoughts. He had already used his resources and spare time to discover that Abaledina was almost as rich as he was—and that she had no access to her fortune for another year. He knew that she had been betrothed at a young age to her purported cousin, but he had found no record of birth for Eriath Gillfillian—yet. He had also learned that the Gillfillians were in deep financial trouble. On the surface, it looked as if they were trying to claim her income through their son, but there were many loose ends that made the situation extremely messy.
As they approached the Gillfillian’s home, Theodomani stormed out of the front door, flashing a jealous look his way.
When they entered the main sitting room, Jeanilotta was alone, dabbing a bit of rose water behind her ears.
“My dear Abaledina," she said, "there is a person awaiting your return in your apartment; she desired to see you immediately.”
“I had a lovely evening, Lord Elwynalam. Thank you for opening my eyes to a whole new world of artwork.” Abaledina said, curtsying slightly.
“It was my pleasure,” he replied. With that she rushed out of the room to meet her visitor.
Turning back to Jeanilotta, he noticed she wore an almost malicious smile of triumph upon her face.
“Where is Theodomani tonight?” Geodor demanded, knowing he had just left.
“Mr. Montrevor does not visit us now," replied Jeanilotta with a slight expression of disdain. “Indeed, our engagement was one formed in comparative childhood three years ago, and it has never been deemed a very suitable alliance by my parents.”
“What could they possibly find wrong with his proposal? He is doting, and I believe his wealth is greater than that of your family."
“I’m sure my parents have bestowed few thoughts upon his wealth. Their wealth is more than sufficient.”
Geodor kept his face a mask.
“If they have always been against it, then why has it been permitted to exist until the present time?” he asked, with an air of indifference.
“Circumstances have favored it. Indeed, they had regarded its consummation as a thing in the very distant future. They have long believed we would eventually separate."
"But as it approaches—"
"As it approaches," interrupted Jeanilotta, "I find I have an absolute repugnance to marrying him. As soon as I realized my feelings, I felt I needed to immediately destroy in him any expectations he might have to save him from prolonged heartache.”
“I must agree that one should not marry where one does not love,” he replied, secretly amazed at how such a fickle woman could be related to Abaledina. Their conversation languished for a few moments, during which Geodor remained in deep thought absentmindedly nodding his head as she continued prattling.
Then suddenly the light touch of a finger upon his arm jerked him back to the present. He turned his eyes upon Jeanilotta.
"You are dreaming, my lord,” she merrily exclaimed. “You forget my presence."
"True. I beg your pardon," he replied. With that he did his best to focus on her conversation and pretended to forget all else. He could see Jeanilotta was proud of her brilliance and seemed to believe that she was making a magnificent impression.
Geodor neither encouraged nor denied her clear aims. He did not care how she felt about him. He could play her game as long as she wanted without falling victim to it. So, he maintained an engaged indifference until he felt he had stayed long enough to be polite.
“Oh, must you go so soon?” she cooed as he stood to depart.
“Yes,” he replied firmly and then quickly exited the house to keep her from pressing him further.
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