The sun had barely reached the sky, and we stood, holding hands, watching the old Victorian house with Edward inside. Back into the Astral once more.

“That tree isn’t blooming…” I noted.

“Hm, the temperature seems colder too. Look at the servants.” Leo gestured to the maids wrapped in thicker clothing.

“That means it must be winter… but before or after Anna’s death?”

A carriage was prepped and awaiting outside the large Victorian house we had become painfully familiar with.

Edward emerged, dressed and well-groomed in a black suit and top hat.

He said nothing other than getting into the back of the carriage. It lurched forward, and we followed. The nauseous feeling returned to me; we were walking but keeping up with the faster carriage—travel sickness.

We followed it to an extravagant house.

“This... I know this place,” I murmured.

The large windows gave a clear view into the well-lit house. It bustled inside, people conversing, dancing, and drinking. It was a party...?

Edward stepped out, straightening his jacket before walking in.

“You know this place?” Leo asked, nudging my arm.

“I think it’s Chatsworth House. Mum used to bring us here as kids. Amazing!”

A smile lit my face, and I looked up at the beautiful structure.

Carriages pull up one after another; guests filtered into the large rectangular home. Grand windows lined the first and second floors, all coated in gold; the stone steps looked barely worn, and the garden was immaculate. I could hear water splashing from far away—the large river and lake at the rear.

A newer building to the north made the main house much older and weathered.

----------------------------------------

“Come on… We shouldn’t lose Edward.” Leo tugged my hand, pulling me out of my inspection.

He had just entered the large doors and greeted another male, “Will!”

“Eddie, good to see you, friend.” They shook hands fiercely, holding the crook of the elbow.

“How’s the lords?” Edward smiled.

“Same old… How’s Mary-Ann?”

“Same old,” Edward grimaced while Will laughed.

“Don’t be like that! Your future wife is lovely to look at. Will she be here?”

“My future wife? It is my mother who set up that arrangement! And I believe she will be yes.”

----------------------------------------

“This must be before Anna and Edward met…” I said to Leo, watching the two men enter the crowd.

We followed them, walking through people like ghosts.

“Hm, Mary-Ann must have been the original girl he was to marry, just as his mother mentioned.”

“I wonder if they ever did get married after Anna.”

“We may never know.”

----------------------------------------

As the night moved on, Mary-Ann did indeed attend the party with her family, and it seems Edwards's mother also came with them.

“Mary-Ann... She looks familiar...” Leo trailed off.

“Hm? Familiar how...?” I trailed off.

“I’m not sure.”

----------------------------------------

It was clear Edward stayed with his kin out of politeness. He practically skipped away when Will asked to borrow him.

“I want to introduce you to someone,” Will whispered something to him.

They moved out of the dance hall into a quieter side room. The place was filled with the smell of cigarettes and whisky.

“Edward, meet James. I think you will do great business together.”

James was older, seemingly more father-like, “Edward,” he greeted, putting out his hand, “Will tells me you’re the man to ask for overseas shipment?”

Edward took it, “Hello. Indeed, I am…”

Their conversation was cut short by a woman, “Sorry dear…”

“Evaline? What is wrong?” James asked, slightly worried.

“I cannot find Anna… William, may I check the library?”

He laughed, “Of course! Come. I know the beautiful Anna loves books.”

----------------------------------------

James kept quiet, watching his wife walk away before turning to the nearest window and peeking around the curtain. Satisfied, he continued talking to Edward about business.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Curiosity overcame me, and Leo followed.

Outside the window sat Anna, reading. I laughed.

----------------------------------------

A deal was struck, and Edward went outside to catch some air… and avoid his mother again.

“Edward?” his mother shouted slightly.

He stayed out of view. Moving to the other side of the house, he hid around the corner, right beside Anna.

“Are you hiding from someone, too?” Anna’s voice tinged with humour.

Edward jumped, not seeing her sitting behind him. Facing her, he became flustered.

“Here we go,” Leo whispered while we spied on the two. It was clear to see Edward was fumbling a little, and Anna was shy.

“Ah. Hello…” Edward greeted.

“Anna.” She held out a hand, gazing at him, and he took it.

“Edward… Are you James’ daughter?”

“… Don’t tell me my mother spoke to you…” Her voice went quiet.

“Ah. No, I have spoken with your father about business. But your mother is looking for you.”

“You are the overseas merchant?” Her eyes lit up.

It was unusual for women to be interested in business. Edwards cleared his throat, “Yes. I am.”

“Anna?” Her mother’s voice was close.

“Oh no!”

Anna picked up her skirt slightly and hopped as quietly as she could down the stairs. Edward seemed to be considering something.

He followed her shortly after with her abandoned shoes in hand.

----------------------------------------

It did not take him long to find her again. After a short walk through the vast garden, she was sitting under the shade of a tree and holding her foot.

“Ouch,” she whispered.

Edward cleared his throat again, “Hurt your foot?”

Anna jumped before replying, “I think I stepped on a stone…”

“Let me see.”

He kneeled before her, taking the foot out of her hand. There was no blood, only a tiny pink mark.

He moved it slightly and, hearing her hiss in pain, concluded, “You’ve sprained it.”

Anna sighed.

“Come. You must get that ankle looked at.”

He held out a hand, but Anna did not take it; instead, she looked down and fiddled with her fingers.

“Thank you for your kindness. I will stay out here for a little while longer…”

----------------------------------------

“Go on... sit with her,” Leo urged; I elbowed him and smiled.

He did just that, “Then I will keep you company. If you’ll allow me?”

A slight blush rose to her face, “Yes…”

“My mother…”

“Pardon?” she looked back at him, doe eyes wide.

“You asked if I was hiding from someone… I am hiding from my mother and you…?”

“…My mother also.”

Edward smiled and looked around the garden. I watched Anna stare, taking his face in.

“Why do you hide?” She asked suddenly.

He answered truthfully, “My mother, bless her, is trying to pair me with a woman I do not care for… You?”

“Mine is asking every eligible bachelor to dance with me… Trying to marry me off…”

“I bet you have a list a mile long.”

She giggled, “My feet hurt just thinking about it.”

As her tinkering laughter died, she added, “It’s always the same. I dance. They approach my father; I say no and refuse.”

Edward's eyebrow raised slightly, “Your father asks you? Normally…”

“Normally ‘women do what they are told’? Our family isn’t typical…”

“That I know… Your father’s business, while niche, is excellent.”

“Soon it won’t be niche… It wasn’t wholly his idea either.”

“You gave him the idea, didn’t you?” Edward smiled.

She proudly nodded. Her father’s business was wigs and hats—a fast-growing market for the higher aristocrats.

“If it booms in France, we can hopefully go to America.” She looked out beyond the garden. Edward gazed lightly upon her.

“A beautiful idea from a beautiful lady.”

Anna blushed and fumbled with her dress.

“Why do you say no to marriage?” he asked.

“Because… A woman’s place isn’t in business. A husband would stop me from doing what I love to do. Would expect me to be a breeding mare.”

She gasped and put a hand to her mouth, “Excuse me.”

Edward laughed and reassured her.

“A wife would complain I wasn’t home enough.” Edward brushed down his dress pants.

Their eyes met, and Leo nudged me, “Marriage of convenience turned to one of love?”

“Definitely.”

----------------------------------------

They continued to look at each other, “Well if you want to be a woman in business. I have a proposal.”

“What is it?”

“It would be a shame for your smart brain to be wasted as a breeding mare, and your entrepreneurial mindset should be encouraged, not cast aside. Your father and I already made a deal for a trade with money, but perhaps if she says yes, I ask for his daughter’s hand.”

Her eyes widened, and she thought about it.

After a few moments of silence, both of us tense, he spoke again, “You don’t have to give me an answer-” “Yes.”

“My father will want us to court first.”

Edward smiled brightly, “Even better.”

Edward checked his pocket watch, “We better get back. It is late. The party will be winding down soon.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

She put them on, grasping her shoes, only to wince when she stood. Edward held his arm out for her to steady herself on. But with each step she took, she sucked in a breath.

“Let me carry you.” Edward insisted, “You really need to get that looked at.”

“I think you are right…” She allowed him to carry her back.

----------------------------------------

“Anna!” her mother shouted as Edward climbed the stairs.

“Sorry, I went for a stroll and fell…” She admitted while Edward had placed her down on a stone seat outside.

Anna thanked Edward. “You’re welcome.”

Her mother looked between the two until Edward turned to her, “I think you may need to call a doctor for her ankle. She has twisted it badly.”

Her mother nodded. Edward gave one last look and smiled at Anna before heading back inside.

Leo and I looked at one another before following Edward.

----------------------------------------

“James!” Edward almost rushed to him. He was still sitting in the back room, nursing a drink.

“Edward? What can I do for you?” James smiled politely.

“I wish to change our deal slightly.”

“Oh…I already told you, Edward, I cannot pay more-” “Forget about paying me money.”

James, taken aback, laughed nervously, “Then what?”

“Your daughter’s hand in marriage,” Edward replied seriously.

James’ eyes widened, and they nearly bulged out; he nervously gulped his drink, “I will think about it.”

With a nod, Edward turned on his heel and entered the main hall. He swiftly found his mother fanning herself, face contorted in concern.

“Edward!” she half shouted; grabbing his arm, she pulled him along towards Mary-Ann and Charlotte, “Where have you been? Mary has been waiting-” “I have found her mother,” he murmured.

His mother halted, “Her who? The cat's mother?”

He shook his head with a smile, “My future wife.”

His mother looked shocked to the point that she was horrified.

“W-who?” she whispered.

“Anna Anderson.”