Earl of Billington and Miss Lyndon

Chapter 16

Charles realized that he had forgotten to ask Ellie's address, but it wasn't hard to find Bellfield's house. He knocked on the door at exactly one o'clock in the afternoon and was shocked when the door was not opened by Ellie, neither was her father, but a fat, black-haired woman who immediately screeched.

"You must be the earrrrrrrrrrrrl."

"I think so."

"I can't express how honored and happy we are because you're willing to join our humble family."

Charles glanced inside the house, wondering if he had the wrong address. This thing can't possibly be related to Ellie. The woman grabbed Charles by the hand, but he was saved by a voice across the room that sounded like an annoyed moan.

Ellie's. Mercifully.

"Mrs. Foxglove," said Ellie, her voice full of annoyance. Quickly Ellie approached them.

Aw, Mrs. Foxglove. So this is apparently the fiancee of the creepy reverend.

"Ah, this is my daughter whom I love" said Mrs. Foxglove, turned towards Ellie while stretching out her arms.

Ellie eluded the older woman subtly. "Mrs, Foxglove is my future stepmother" Ellie said sharply. "He spent a lot of time here."

Charles held back a smile, thinking that Ellie could grit her teeth to the point that she kept looking at Mrs. Foxglove in that way.

Mrs. Foxglove turned to Charles and said, "Dear Deliana's mother died many years ago. I'm so glad I could be a mother to her."

Charles glanced at Ellie who was ready to spit at his future stepmother.

"My train is ready up front" said Charles quietly. "I think we can have a picnic in the meadow. Maybe we should..."

"I have a painting of my mother" said Ellie, looking at Mrs. Foxglove though his speech was shown to Charles. "Maybe you want to see what she looks like."

"Yes, I want to see it" replied Charles. "And maybe after that we can go immediately."

Charles was actually a little surprised to find Mr. Lyndon was not home. Only God knows that if her daughter plans to get married in a very short time, she will want to see her future husband.

Charles smiled to himself imagining it. Being a parent seems like a completely foreign thing.

"My father will arrive as soon as we return" Ellie said. He turned to Charles and said, "He is visiting his congregation. And it usually takes a long time."

Mrs. Foxglove looked like he wanted to say something, but was stopped by Ellie, who passed by him roughly, and directly pointed the small painting towards Charles. "This is my mother." said to Charles.

Charles took the small painting from Ellie's hand and saw a red-haired woman. "It's so pretty" said Charles quietly.

"Indeed."

"The skin is a little dark."

"Yes, my sister Victoria looks more like her. It's..." Ellie touched her golden-red hair loose from her neat bun, "was a surprise, I guess."

Charles leaned over to kiss Ellie's hand.

"A pleasant surprise."

"Yes" said Mrs. Foxglove loudly, obviously disliked because it felt ignored. "We were also confused what we should do with Deliana's hair."

"I know exactly what I want to do" Charles murmured, so quietly that only Ellie could hear him. Ellie's face was red.

Charles grinned and said, "We better get going now. Mrs. Foxglove, nice to meet you."

"But I'm new..."

"Come, Deliana." Charles grabbed Ellie's hand and pulled her towards the door. As soon as they're out long enough from Mrs' hearing range. Foxglove, Charles laughed lightly and said, "Successfully.I don't think he'll let us go."