Isabelle
Isabelle watched as Jack, now age seven, walked away with his nanny to meet his tutors. He would have a full day of lessons, and an afternoon with riding instruction, followed by fencing lessons.
The rooster crowed in the distance as the sun began to come up over the well manicured lawn.
Isabelle walked out of the front doors and stood past the entrance to the Aswold Estate. She had moved in with her dearest friend a few months before. Her uncle’s house now stood empty, except for the servants maintaining it.
Isabelle watched the sun rise over the lawn.
Chastity walked out and took Isabelle’s hand. She watched the glowing half orb in distance slowly come up from the ground. “What will we do today, Aunty.” she finally asked after some time.
Isabelle looked down at the girl, her red curls held in place with black ribbons. “I think we should Picnic at the Park.”
Chastity smiled brightly and turned, rushing inside to tell cook the day’s plans.
Isabelle turned sullenly from the lawn and walked inside.
Margaret laid bed still, in her dressing gown.
“You look like you swallowed a melon, Mommy.” Chastity said as she climbed on the bed where her mother laid resting.
Margaret chuckled and pulled her daughter close.
“We’re going to the park for a picnic.” Isabelle said as she walked in the room.
“Wonderful!” Margaret’s face lit up. “It will do some good for you two to get out of the house.”
Isabelle chuckled, “It will certainly give a break to the staff.”
The two girls shared a laugh together.
Chastity was more curious than anyone would have expected. One day she would be in the beehives near the garden, another day she would be in the flour bag in the larder. She would run with fresh linens off the lines, and hide inside the dumbwaiter. Any time an “Oh!” of surprise was to be heard, Chastity’s giggle would soon follow. In fact the only time she ever behaved like a young lady was when she was with her Aunty.
They packed the picnic into the chariot and went off to the local public park. It was a lovely summer morning, and they settled down near the lake and watched the ducks on the water.
Isabelle noticed a strange gentleman across the pond watching them.
He was well dressed, with a medium tan complexion. His hair was limp and blonde underneath his hat. He sat upright, like he was from good stock.
She could not see him well enough to tell his age, or whether or not he was handsome. All she could tell for sure was that he was looking in their direction, and he did not look elsewhere.
An hour after they had eaten lunch, Chastity was begging for strawberry jam and bread. So the two began to have their dessert.
Isabelle sat back lazily and glanced across the pond at the mysterious man.
Two young females dressed in the latest fashion stood near him. You could see from their gestures they were flirting with the stranger. One girl hiding behind a folding fan, the other twirling her shading umbrella flirtatiously. The man appeared to be enjoying the attention of his new companions.
Chastity jumped in front of Isabelle’s face. “I want to go home, Aunty.” she pleaded sarcastically, as if one more second of boredom would be unbearable.
Isabelle smiled at her niece, the perfect intrusion for what would have been just another sad moment in life. They packed up and got into the carriage. Isabelle glanced once more across the pond, but the gentleman was still enthralled with his company.