Subj: That Way Madness Lies chapter 2
Date: 5/13/01 7:33:56 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Melissa
"Your Grandmother showed me the photograph of you as a boy," Diana said when they were alone in their rooms.
"She made me take that picture, all I wanted to do was play with my soldiers."
She turned away from the mirror, "I feel like this is home already," she said.
"I'm glad," he said getting up from the bed and coming to her side, he kissed the top of her head. "I love you."
Diana rose from the chair and wrapped her arms around his neck, "And I love you," she murmured as she kissed him.
He picked her up and carried her to their bed.
* * * * * * * * * *
Edmund woke the next morning and rose quietly, not wanting to disturb Diana,
who looked so beautiful sleeping, her mouth was parted slightly. He almost couldn't
leave her in that bed alone.
He dressed and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. He went downstairs to the breakfast room, where he found Lucy and his twin sisters Olivia and Daisy.
"I hope you had a pleasant night," he said sitting down.
"You as well," Daisy said smiling mischievously.
"Why thank you Daisy, I did have a very pleasant night." He looked at the little infant in Lucy's arms, "I wish Father had told me about Benoît," he said becoming serious.
"So do I, but your health is very important to us all."
Edmund took the baby from her arms, "He looks like Benoît."
"Yes he does, he's a comfort to me," she said sadly.
"Did he get to see him?"
"Yes, he was on leave when Lucius was born," Lucy said. Edmund kissed the baby's forehead and returned him to his mother.
"Olivia and Daisy do you two have any young men I should know about?" he asked.
"No," said Daisy, but Olivia's blush told him otherwise.
* * * * * * * * * *
Alexander stretched lazily in the bed. Rose looked over at him.
"Things would be so much more simple if we could be married," Alexander said.
"You know that can never be. My reputation and I could never bear you child," Rose said matter-of-factly.
"I must go," Alexander said getting up from the bed. He kissed Rose before he left.
Rose got up and slipped on the robe, she watched him ride off to Collinwood.
* * * * * * * * * *
"And this is the playroom," Edmund said opening the door revealing a large open room filled with toys.
"This is where you played?" she asked walking in.
"Yes, I spent many happy years in this room."
"It's a wonderful room for a child," Diana said running her hands along a rocking horse.
"Come let me show you the outside, we will never finish all of the rooms in one day," he said taking her hand.
He showed her the gardens that his grandmother had grown from the cuttings she brought with her from her home.
"She was very happy that they all survived," Edmund said, "she said it was a sign that her marriage would endure."
"It's must be lovely in spring," Diana said.
"The gazebo is over this way," Edmund said leading the way.
He stopped when they got to the gazebo, it was beside a pond. He watched Diana, as she looked over it all, she was speechless. "My father built it for my mother as a wedding gift. Come over here," Edmund said taking her hand once again.
They went a little farther till they came to a large tree, a swing was hung from one of the branches.
"We would come here to play when the weather was nice, we'd stay out here for hours," Edmund said, he picked her up and placed her on the swing.
"I haven't been on a swing since I was a little girl," she said as he began to push her. After a while she turned her head and looked at him.
He stopped the swing, "What is it?" he asked.
"Nothing, I'm just so happy," she said.
"I'm happy too," Edmund said kissing her, she got up from the swing and moved closer to him.
"Never let me go," she whispered, "I want to be like this forever."
* * * * * * * * * *
"Tell me again why we're going Collinsport Maine?" Zachary Dillingham asked his older brother Julian.
"Because we have a duty to the family to take back what the Collins stole from our family," Julian explained.
Arthur, the middle child of the Dillingham family, came into the apartment, "There you are Arthur, we have some things we need to discuss. Everything must go according to plan," Julian said.
"I got some news," said Arthur.
"What is it?"
"Edmund Collins has returned, and he brought a long a pretty young wife. Bramwell Collins' has given control of the business to Edmund."
"Well well," said Julian. "It may be easier to bring down the Collins' after all. I assume Alexander is not pleased with this?"
"No he is not, he went to Rose last night, she told me everything."
"I knew that little tramp would be of some help to us," Julian said. "What else did she say?"
"She said that she suggested that he get himself an heir before Edmund, so that Bramwell will see that his oldest son is taking his responsibility as the oldest child seriously."
"Clever girl. He will have to work fast," Julian said. "Perhaps we may be able to help him."
* * * * * * * * * *
Alexander walked into his father's study, "Father I need to talk to you."
"What is it Alexander?" Bramwell asked hardly looking up from his work.
"I'm going to New York."
"And why is that?" Bramwell asked looking up.
"Because I have some important matters that I need to attend to."
"What's more important than staying here, your brother has just returned?" Bramwell questioned.
"I don't plan on staying long," Alexander said.
"Good Edmund may need your help."
Alexander walked out, Edmund need his help, Edmund never need anyone's help, he could do everything.
Edmund was everyone's favorite child, he was the perfect son, which their father had told Alexander everyday while Edmund was gone during the war.
Alexander couldn't help that he was jealous of his youngest brother. Nathaniel
didn't do anything, but no one complained about him. But when he didn't finish
something, he was blamed and asked, "Why can't you be like your
brother Edmund?"
It hadn't been his fault, but ever since it happened his father had never looked at him in the same way again.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Nothing has changed since you've been gone," Bramwell told Edmund as they walked through the shipping yard. "I know you'll make me proud."
"Thank you Father," Edmund said shaking his father's hand.
"How does Diana like Collinwood so far?" he asked his son.
"She said it feels like home already. Thank you for making her feel so welcome. It's been hard for her since her mother's death."
"She's a Collins now. I'm glad to see you happy Edmund."
"I am very happy Father."
"Good let's go back to the house, it's almost time for supper."
* * * * * * * * * *
"Papa could we please have a party?" Daisy asked as the family ate dinner.
"I don't. . . "
"Oh please Father," Olivia cried out, "It's been ages since we've had any fun. It could be a welcoming party for Diana. I'm sure everyone will be dying to met Edmund's wife."
"What do you think Catherine?" Bramwell asked trying hard not to smile at his daughter's earnestness.
"I don't see any harm. It would be nice to have the house full of laughter and music once again," she said smiling, knowing that he had already made up his mind.
"Very well," Bramwell said smiling at his daughter, "But," he said as both girls began to talk at once. "I don't want any silliness. Remember who we are. We must act with decorum."
"Yes Father," both girls said trying very hard to sound dignified, but the grins on their faces caused the whole table to laugh.
"Diana this is agreeable to you?" asked Bramwell.
"Yes of course, I think it will be fun to met everyone," she said smiling at Bramwell. She wouldn't have dreamed in spoiling Daisy and Olivia's fun.
Edmund watched her proudly, when she looked at him he smiled.
"We'll have to get new dresses," Daisy said excitedly, "I saw a new pattern in town."
Catherine placed her hand on Bramwell's knee silencing him with a knowing smile. "Girls let's talk about his later. Before your father changes his mind."
"Edmund showed me your gardens this afternoon," Diana said to Josette, "They must be very beautiful in the spring."
"Thank you. I had to bring a part of Martinique with me. I feel very lucky that they survived. The weather was a surprise to me," Josette said. "It is nothing like Martinique."
"I can't wait until spring, it will be so lovely."
"It is beautiful," Catherine said.
"Did Edmund take you to the swing?"
"Yes, it's such a peaceful spot."
"Diana would you tell us about your family?" Catherine asked.
"Of course."