• Adela watched the soft wisp of the brush embraced by paint, which was a smooth, silvery blue. It reminded her of dusk, and it had the faintest bit of starlight in it. She gazed intently as the brush was raised just the tiniest bit, the thick petals of colour waning to a small streak along the pearly page.

    Oh, how she loved watching Edmund paint. How his graceful fingers softly held the brush like a delicate child's hand, how life sprung from the opalescent paper. She loved watching Edmund do everything, but she especially took pleasure in watching him breathe life into his paintings.

    He submerged the brush into the water bowl. The blue swirled and found its place among the other colours in the water bowl. Its contents were now a murky blue, tainted with a soft haze of brown. He daintily dipped the brush into a vibrant green. The brush's tip was now coated with a brilliant verdant shade which was applied to the paper in the most quiet of manners. The brush was like a ballerina's foot, gracefully flitting from one place to another on the papery stage. A flower was being born on the parchment.

    He didn't seem to take notice of her, hiding behind the elaborate drapes that separated the rest of the ornately furnished room from the heavily cushioned window seat. In fact, he didn't notice anything when he was absorbed into his daily creations. He was far off into an artist's land, not anywhere in England. His back was hunched as he bent over his work, narrowing his eyes, trying to pinpoint where exactly should he draw his flower's partner.

    Adela felt the sun's gentle warmth on her back as it peered through the clouds at last, reaching the soft earth. She watched the sun form golden pools on the floral carpet. Its light illuminated the elegantly carved furniture while casting a shadow onto the corners of the ceiling. Edmund's dark brown hair turned into a deep hazel color as the sun cast its enchanting glow upon his hunched form. He glanced up from his work then diverted his attention to his spectator.

    "Adela! What're you doing here?" blinking in the fierce sunlight.
    Adela blushed. He had caught her.
    "Nothing. Just looking out the window," she said hastily, motioning with her hand at the world outside the cool glass.
    "How long were you here? I could've sworn that no one was in here!" He gazed at her quizzically, the sun illuminating his deeply tanned skin to a more golden hue.
    "A while ago," she mumbled evasively, fixing her eyes on her dainty satin slippers.
    "Well," he said with mock astonishment. "You're very quiet."
    Adela remained silent, proving his point. What was there to say? That she didn't want to get caught, fearing that he would send her away?
    He chuckled. "Thus proving my point. Would you like to go for a walk in the grounds?"
    "What? Me?" She asked nervously. This was the most he had spoken to her every since she arrived here two weeks ago at Absolon Park.
    "No, not you. The invisible creature next to you," he muttered sardonically, rolling his jade-coloured eyes.
    "Oh I'm sorry," Adela said hastily.
    "What for, not being able to go on a walk or not understanding common English?"
    "Not understanding common English. I'll be glad to go on a walk," she said grinning, feeling at ease in his presence for the first time.
    "Okay then. Let me close up my paints and wear some more presentable clothing and I will join you shortly. Wait here all right?" He said, rising from his chair, his nimble fingers quickly cleaning up the clatter on the desk near him. He pushed his easel slowly with his boot-tipped toe and gave a casual wave as he left the sunny room.

    Adela let out a breath of relief. He was so...enchanting. She hung upon his every word, his every motion. She had dreaded coming to Absolon, hearing stories about the master's infamous son, Edmund and his twin sister Meredith. If only they could see her now.

    The door to the study slowly opened, Edmund's dramatic announcement of 'I'm here' did much to distract her from her thoughts.

    Adela grinned and rose from the window seat's purple cushions. She crossed the large study in quite a few quick strides. Once she reached Edmund, he offered his arm to her and she happily took it. He patted her hand gently as they exited the study and embarked upon the gallery. Its walls were grey, and it gave the gallery a dingy feeling, much to the contrary of the bright and airy study.

    Edmund nodded coolly at the footmen standing by the exit, acknowledging their presence. They reached for the handles on the heavy, wrought-iron door. A gust of warm, sunny air drifted into the prim foyer. They descended the wide stone steps, Adela feeling insignificant compared to the grand columns that bordered the entrance. There was still a long stone walkway around the house till they would get to the grounds.

    It was a warm day, despite the way the sun kept darting behind the clouds. The air was humid with the fragrance of late-spring grass. Bees droned lazily from withering blossoms in the garden. The colossal, cream-colored stone house loomed over them. It was a few minutes before they finally caught a glimpse of the pointed roof of the back veranda. When they had reached it, Edmund attempted to spark some conversation.

    "So, have you liked your stay here at Absolon park?"
    "Yes," Adela replied briskly.
    They were now strolling along a beaten down path, its borders dotted with daises.
    "I see. I apologize for not making your acquaintance earlier, I couldn't get a hold of you; you slip away like smoke through my fingers," he said, glancing at a rabbit sitting idly among the tall grass.
    "Oh, no, don't worry," she reassured him.
    "Most people would say apology accepted," he remarked.
    "Oh. I'm sorry then. Apology accepted," she promptly replied.
    "Apology accepted," he told her with a wink.
    Adela grinned. She didn't want to pester him, so she remained quiet, though she could tell he didn't mind talking to her.

    She spent the silence marveling how Herculean Edmund seemed as she was standing next to him. He was like a willow, tall and sinewy, and somewhat imposing. In reality, he was very imposing. She felt threatened, walking down this lonely garden path, her slight arm held tightly in his heavily muscled one. Oh, how she had wished she did not agree to accompany him on a walk through the grounds. Thoughts of people's gossip still echoed in her mind.

    However, his fingers were warm and steady, grasping her own very gently, as if he was afraid her fingers would shatter in his hands. Adela relished the feel of his graceful fingers, gently laced through hers. Am I starting to admire him already? She felt her palm tingle, as it started to perspire. That only resulted in him glancing at her worriedly, and patting her hand again, as if to reassure her.

    A strong breeze ruffled the hem of her gauzy, blue summer dress. Adela's long, raven locks escaped the braid that bound them and they floated about her head in a wispy dance. Edmund's straight locks blew about his head wildly in the breeze, now a soft brown fringe enveloped his jade eyes. Adela thought the softness around his face undermined the severity of his eyes. Nevertheless, the dangerous air that he emitted was not gone.

    Admiring a tranquil pond did much to distract Adela from her gloomy woes; she was immersed in how peacefully it reflected the steely sky. It had an ancient belonging feel to it, as did the grand oaks that dotted the path. Wishing they would stop, she anxiously glanced up at Edmund. He was poring coolly over the landscape, its emerald beauty reflected in his eyes. She noticed a hint of beard growth upon his cheeks, which were framed by tousled locks; casting upon him an arcane air. Her eyes suddenly met his as he glanced down at her. Adela was confident that a look of terror and a fierce blush were swept across her face as he grinned, and averted his gaze to admire the landscape.

    She felt a pang, her heart about to burst in her chest. Adela's ears felt as if they were still ignited. How horrible! My face must've been a deep crimson! How ghastly! I should've never agreed! How degrading to be embarrassed completely, and still be in you perpetrator's presence! She fervently wished he would announce that he was tired and wished to go back inside. This was more than her soul could bear.

    Much to her disdain however, he stopped to admire a doe far across a vast field. It was a spot of brown along a wide canvas of grey sky and lush, green grass. Adela wished to continue the walk, as she wanted to see more of the grounds. Luckily, the doe had quickly sprinted further away once she had gotten sight of them. Edmund promptly continued, almost pulling Adela along.

    "Have you met my sister yet?" Edmund inquired suddenly.
    "No, I haven't had the privilege."
    "It seems as if you've deliberately been avoiding us all! Well you must have dine with us tonight. When my father is away, Meredith and I usually just manage for ourselves, but he is supposed to arrive from London this evening," he informed her.
    "I accept," she agreed.
    "The matter is not for your acceptance or not. You had better," he said, a dangerous glint rose to his emerald eyes.
    Adela said nothing in reply, unsure whether he was earnestly speaking or not.
    He laughed out loud.
    "Do I really intimidate you that much?"
    "Yes," she admitted with a slow grin.
    "I won't hurt you, I promise," he said, with an impish grin.
    Adela returned his smile and they quietly strolled down the earthy path.