Amelia smiled in answer, raising her own crystalline glass and knowing that she would be drinking none of the intoxicating liquid within. “To our health, and to a hope for the future.” The words fell heavily from her lips, but she forced herself to say them. She couldn’t let her parents down again.
Amelia smiled in answer, raising her own crystalline glass and knowing that she would be drinking none of the intoxicating liquid within. “To our health, and to a hope for the future.” The words fell heavily from her lips, but she forced herself to say them. She couldn’t let her parents down again.
Amelia smiled in answer, raising her own crystalline glass and knowing that she would be drinking none of the intoxicating liquid within. “To our health, and to a hope for the future.” The words fell heavily from her lips, but she forced herself to say them. She couldn’t let her parents down again.
Amelia smiled in answer, raising her own crystalline glass and knowing that she would be drinking none of the intoxicating liquid within. “To our health, and to a hope for the future.” The words fell heavily from her lips, but she forced herself to say them. She couldn’t let her parents down again.
Amelia smiled in answer, raising her own crystalline glass and knowing that she would be drinking none of the intoxicating liquid within. “To our health, and to a hope for the future.” The words fell heavily from her lips, but she forced herself to say them. She couldn’t let her parents down again.
(wow that posted a lot of times)
"To family," Valentina smiled at Jonathan. "Cheers." She took a sip of the wine, trying not to make a face at how unusually bitter it was.
Amelia raised the glass to her lips, only pretending to take a sip before setting it back down on the table. She picked up her silverware with careful fingers, lifting a bite of tender chicken into her mouth. “I was thinking, there’s a pathway down by the lake with a beautiful view, perhaps we could all go tomorrow?”
"Why not just you and Jonathan?" Valentina asked. "I wouldn't want to interrupt the happy couple. I'd be happy to stay back here at the manor."
Amelia’s eyes slid sideways towards Jonathan, pulse speeding up ever so slightly. If she was being honest, the whole courting idea made her uncomfortable, she would have preferred Valentina to come with in case he decided to take things quickly… but there was no escaping it now. “You wouldn’t be interrupting, I just didn’t want to exclude you. But yes, if Jonathan would like, we can go alone.”
Jonathan smiled, relieved. "Thank you, sister. I would love to spend time with Lady Swan alone, without any interruption. And Lord Swan- I swear on my life that I would never try anything with your daughter without her permission and before the wedding."
Amelia held back a relieved smile, taking another bite of her meal. Her father nodded cordially, and her mother looked on approvingly at her daughter’s suitor. “We’re very happy to have you with us, Jonathan. And of course, Lord and Lady Rembrandt and your sister.”
Valentina mentally rolled her eyes as just being addressed as 'Jonathan's sister.' There was a period of awkward silence before she spoke up, trying to fill up the room with her words. "Yes, my brother is very trustworthy, sir."
The tension was so thick that Amelia could have cut it with her delicate silver knife, but she attempted a relaxed smile. “I don’t think that there was any doubt. Enjoying the meal?”
"It's quite lovely. Since we live near the beach, game like this is a rare delicacy and is only eaten at feasts. And the fruits, too, they're quite uncommon." Jonathan picked one up. "What is this one called?"
Amelia’s eyebrows raised slightly, but a harsh glance from her mother reminded her to keep hold of her manners. “That’s a blueberry, the larger ones can be delicious. The smaller, the more sour, though.”
"Ah, yes, now I think I recall seeing it before," Jonathan said, popping it into his mouth. He made a slight face at the bitter taste. "Although exotic fruits such as oranges were brought in from all around the world and sold at the marketplace near our home, they were only for the richest of kings."
Amelia finished her portion of chicken, smiling at Jonathan. Maybe this won't be so bad…. maybe I'll grow to love him…. she thought to herself, but the little voice in the back of her head whispered that she would never be happy, not with him, nor with anyone else. "What was France like?" she directed the question to both Rembrandt siblings, afraid to leave Valentina out.
"Lovely," Valentina said, smiling. "The Notre-Dame de Paris is always a sight, with its looming towers and giant stained glass windows. Maybe I- I mean, Jonathan- can take you there sometime."
(since this plot revolves around both ghosts and romance, maybe at one point soon, an unrested spirit comes to the house and amelia has to go all exorcist on it while valentina finds out? idk just a thought
also, how is valentina going to find out, if she ever does?
also, is it possible for ghosts to become temporarily visible under certain circumstances?)
(that was what I had been planning, so yeah, maybe at night after the excursion, or a little later into the plot. I was planning on having minor ghost-related mishaps to build up to it.
Yeah, sure!)
Amelia smiled widely at the thought, brushing off Valentina's mistake. She probably just misspoke…
"That sounds amazing, I'm excited at the prospect." She cast a quick glance at her father, who seemed pleased enough, just as a ghost, fully formed, floated through the wall and over the table.
(okay!)
The leaves of the fruit seemed to curl in on itself and wither, while a sudden draft blew over the entire table. Jonathan's cup was somehow knocked off of the table, his wine pouring into the skirts of Amelia's dress. He stood up, flustered. "I beg your pardon, I meant no harm. It was simply a mistake on my part. Are you alright, Lady Swan?"
Amelia shot a quick glare at the ghost, turning back to Jonathan with a reassuring– if not a bit surprised– smile. "It's no problem, Jonathan," she hastened to say, using her hankerchief in an attempt to wipe down her soggy skirts. Her mother frowned down at her lap, staying silent.
"Go with one of your maidservants to get changed," Lady Swan (the mom) said quietly, her monotone voice not betraying any sign of emotion.
"Or why not go up with Lady Rembrandt?" Lord Swan suggested, his expression perfectly cordial. "Spend some time with your possible sister-in-law, Amelia."
All of the Rembrandt family looked strangely uncomfortable at this. "Oh, sir, um…" Valentina started to say, but was cut off by her father.
"It's all right, daughter, go with Amelia," he said with a slightly strained smile. "And don't try anything while you're up there, understood?" he whispered in her ear.
Valentina nodded in agreement and stood up. I said that I would give Jonathan a shot, and besides, she's most likely into men. "Where are your chambers, Lady Swan?"
Amelia frowned slightly, glancing between the members of the Rembrandt family in confusion before turning back to Valentine. By now, the ghost had disappeared. "Just this way, down the hall from yours," she said kindly, taking her by the arm and leading her out the door. "Excuse us."
Valentina tensed up slightly, opening the door. Amelia's room was more furnished than the guest rooms, and Valentina stopped to admire a quilt that she was half sure came from Sweden. "Very expensive," she said dryly. "Can you ask the servants to boil some water for the stain? If you don't get it out right now, that dress will be permanently ruined. Trust me, I know a lot about stains on clothes- chemical ingredients or otherwise. Salt would also work, but to have enough to cover the entire stain would take the riches of a king."