Hi everyone, I hope you all Mother's are having a wonderful day! I was going to wait to post this story till I finished the ones I've posted, I know I've said that so many times already, but this is a story that I am dedicating to my Mom, who I wish I could have shared my writing with, but I know that she has helped me when I've need it. I always wonder where I get some of my ideas. I would like to think that she is behind it all. Well here goes.
That Way Madness Lies
No, I will weep no more. In such a night
To shut me out? Pour on; I will endure.
In such a night as this? O Regan, Goneril!
Your old kind father, whose frank heart gave all-
O, that way madness lies; let me shun that;
No more of that
Dedicated to my mother Diane Stocker--
Chapter One
Edmund Collins looked out the window of the carriage as it drew closer to
Collinwood.
He was finally coming home, it seemed like ages since he had been there last, but it had only been several months. He had been in a hospital recovering from an injury he received during the battle of Jonesborough. There had been 3,149 casualties, the Confederates with 2,000 dead soldiers. Edmund had been the Captain of his regiment, and when he was injured he had been sent home to Collinsport, Maine. His father decided to send him to a hospital in England, where a friend of his would be able to treat him, and he would be able to recover in peace.
Now the war was over, and he was fully recovered and coming home, with a surprise for the family.
He took the hand of the woman who sat beside him, "That is Collinwood," he said pointing to the grand house upon the hill.
"It's lovely," the woman said gazing out the window at the house.
She was the surprise. They had been married just before he was going to leave for home.
He had met her one afternoon during one of his walks in Hyde Park. The doctor had suggested that he go on these walks to help him get stronger.
"My goodness Edmund Collins. You probably don't remember me at all, but I'd recognize you anywhere, you are the image of your father."
"You are correct I don't recognize you," Edmund said smiling at the older woman, he turned and looked at the most beautiful girl he had ever seen before.
"I'm not at all surprised," the lady said, "I'm a friend of your mother's, I'm Lady Estella Montgomery."
"I'm sorry Lady Montgomery, I do remember you. My mother talks of you often."
"You were such a little boy the last time I saw you. When I saw you walking towards us I almost thought it was Bramwell Collins. How long have you been in London?"
"Several months. I've been recovering from an injury," he explained.
"Oh dear."
"I'm fully recovered, my father wanted me to come here because he thought his friend was the best doctor to treat me."
"Well I am glad to see that you are better Edmund. Where are my manners? Let me introduce you to Miss Diana Westenra. She is staying with me for the summer."
"It's a pleasure," Edmund said taking Diana's hand bringing it to his lips.
"Mr. Collins," Diana said smiling at Edmund.
It was her smile that he couldn't get out of his mind, he had fallen in love with the moment that he laid eyes on her. They met in the park everyday after that, Lady Montgomery always following close behind them, staying a distance away from them.
As the summer drew to an end Edmund received a letter from his father, asking him to come back as soon as possible. His father had been in contact with the doctor and had heard that Edmund was back to normal.
He put off telling Diana that he had to leave, he didn't want to leave her. He finally decided that he would tell her one afternoon during one of their walks.
"Diana there's something I have to tell you," he said taking her hand as they sat on the bench.
"What is it Edmund?" Diana asked fearing the worst.
"I received a letter from my father, he wants me to come home at once, he has been talking to the doctors, and they told him that I am well enough to travel."
"I've been dreading this," she whispered.
"I don't want to leave, but my father says that I am needed at home," he said taking her hands into his. "Diana marry me, I can't leave you. Be my wife," he said eagerly.
"Oh Edmund," she said softly, "Yes, I will marry you."
He smiled and pulled her to her feet, picked her up and spun her around, kissing her. "I swear I will make you the happiest woman in the world."
They were married a week later at the home of Lady Montgomery, and they were on the next ship to Maine, the following week.
Now they were almost at the doors of Collinwood. He could see the family gathering at the front door to welcome him home.
"Do you think they will like me?" she asked suddenly.
"How could they not?" he said giving her a reassuring kiss.
The carriage drew to a stop and he leaned over and opened the door and stepped out, "Wait here, I want to surprise them," he whispered.
"Edmund," he mother cried running toward him, "welcome home."
He hugged her, "Mother Father. I'd like to met my wife Diana," he said he went to the carriage and helped Diana out of the carriage.
"Your wife?" his father said with surprise.
"Yes Father we were married before we sailed."
"Welcome to Collinwood Diana," Catherine said hugging Diana.
"Thank you. You have a lovely home, it reminds me of my grandparents home in England."
"Thank you dear," Catherine said.
"Diana this is my grandfather Barnabas and my grandmother Josette."
"Welcome to the family Diana," Barnabas said kissing her cheek, "Edmund you're a lucky man, don't you agree Bramwell?"
Bramwell seemed to wake from a dream, "Of course welcome Diana," Bramwell said kissing her.
Diana smiled and Edmund lead her towards his brothers and sisters.
"Diana these are my brothers Alexander and Nathaniel, and my sisters Daisy, Lucy, and Olivia," he paused and pointed to the baby in Lucy's arms, "Who is this?"
"This is Lucius," Lucy said proudly.
"Where's Benoît?" he asked looking around.
Lucy glancing at their father with a look of confusion, "You did not write to him with the news?" she asked.
"No, Edmund was too weak to hear such news, he would have wanted to come home, and that would have been harmful for his recovery."
"Still Father I should have been told," Edmund began.
"I am sorry, it perhaps was not the wisest choice, but you need to recover Edmund."
"Why don't we all go inside," Catherine suggested.
* * * * * * * * * *
"This was quite a surprise Edmund," Bramwell said later that evening in the study.
"I know Father," Edmund said drinking the brandy his father had just given to him.
"How did you met her," Catherine asked her son.
"I met her in Hyde Park. I would walk there in the evenings. She was staying with Lady Montgomery."
"Alice? I must write her it's been ages since we corresponded."
"It's important for me that you like her," Edmund said.
"We do Edmund," his mother said, placing her hand on his arm.
"I should go to her," Edmund said.
"Stay for a while longer your Grandmother is with her. I have something I need to discuss with you and your brothers."
* * * * * * * * * *
"What is it Father?" Edmund asked.
"I've been elected Senator of Maine."
"That's wonderful Father," Edmund said.
"It is something that I've wanted for a long time, but the matter is that the family business still needs to be looked after."
Alexander sat up, "I've decided to let you Edmund, take control of the business in my place."
"But Father," Alexander interrupted.
"Quiet I've been thinking about this for sometime and I've made my decision."
* * * * * * * * * *
In the bedroom suite that was given to the newly weds, Josette and Diana were setting the bed with new linens.
"I would have had one of the servants do this but I wanted the chance to talk to you alone," Josette said. "Are you happy here?"
"Yes, but I would be happy anywhere just as long as I am with Edmund," she said smiling her cheeks turning pink as she said this.
Josette took Diana's hands and said, "I am so happy that Edmund has found you."
* * * * * * * * * *
Alexander paced back and forth in front of the fireplace in his bedroom.
He had to do something, he just couldn't let his little brother come in and take everything that was rightfully his.
He grabbed his coat and left the house. He went to the stables and got his horse and rode into town.
* * * * * * * * * *
"I wasn't expecting you tonight," Rose Bouchard said. She stood in the doorway in a red kimono her long blonde hair falling around her shoulders.
"Do you have company?" Alexander asked.
"No," she said opening the door so he could come in side. The room was decorated with and oriental design. "What's wrong Alexander?" she asked once the door was locked behind her.
"Edmund's come back."
"Ah the prodigal son returns," she said.
"He brought home a wife, and now Father has given him the run of the family business. It should have been mine."
"Perhaps your father would change his mind if you were to have an heir before your brother, which could happen sooner than you expect. Your father will be pleased that the family line has been continued, and Edmund will gain everything. That is unless you take control of the situation. If he sees you maturing to your responsibilities then perhaps he would change his mind about Edmund."
"What can I do?" Alexander asked.
"There's only one thing that you can do," Rose said, "you must have an heir before your brother."
