“You’ve apologized in the past. All has been forgiven as long as you no longer include anyone in your outrageous ideas.”
“I don’t think you fully understand.”
“What is there to understand, Eliza?”
She looked up, first to Rosemary who nodded, then to Sophia, who was confused and then to Mrs. Wiggons. “I will admit that there were times that I did believe in vampires, ghosts and witches, but I also knew that it was highly unlikely. Even when I was getting up to mischief.”
Rosemary stepped forward and took Eliza’s hand as if to offer comfort.
“You see. I thought that if I got into enough trouble you would send me home, or my parents would come for me.”
At that, Sophia’s heart broke for her friend. Eliza hadn’t seen her parents since they sent her off to school. They hadn’t even brought her home on holidays and hadn’t invited her to her older brother’s wedding. When Eliza did receive a letter, it was short and almost an afterthought.
“Oh, Eliza.” Mrs. Wiggons’ voice was filled with compassion.
“I embraced my imagination. I knew that Rosemary would understand and that is why she is the only one I told.”
“Understand what?” Mrs. Wiggons asked.
“What it’s like to be abandoned by parents,” Rosemary answered. “Not that mine have abandoned me in the same manner because I did see my father little over a year ago and my mother writes quite regularly but I still miss them.”
“And the two of you thought that if I became angry enough, your parents would be forced to come deal with you?” Mrs. Wiggons’ tone was not angry, more sympathetic, but Eliza still looked at the floor.
“I’m sorry.”
“No dear, I’m sorry that you felt you needed to go to such great lengths to garner their attention.”
All of her mischief was for attention? Sophia stared at her friend. It wasn’t all made up because Sophia knew for a fact that Eliza had believed, at least for a small bit, that Atwood was a vampire. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You wouldn’t have understood.” Eliza looked up at her. “But what I regret, most of all, was putting you in danger. I honestly didn’t comprehend that any of us could actually be harmed, and when Lord Percer…I thought to find a treasure would be fun, not that he’d take you.” Tears glistened in Eliza’s eyes.
Had she been carrying that guilt all of this time? Though it was something Sophia never wanted to think about and wished she didn’t remember, she had moved past that horror. Sophia reached out and took her friend’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “How could any of us have known he was so dangerous? It wasn’t your fault. Even if you hadn’t been there, he still would have managed to get to me because he knew who I was.” Besides, nobody could be blamed for the madness of another soul.
“So often I failed to see the danger. A mistake I vow never to make again.”
“She just wanted her parents to take notice,” Rosemary explained.
“Did you know, all along?” Sophia questioned.
Rosemary shook her head “No. Not until after the witches.” She glanced at Eliza out of the corner of her eye. “I was becoming fearful of leaving the school, and of what else may be lurking out in the world. Eliza explained.”
So, her friend had used them and betrayed Rosemary’s innocent trust to further her plans to get her parent’s attention? Sophia couldn’t decide if she was angry or pitied Eliza.
“Your father visits, even your older brother at times,” Eliza explained. “You don’t know what it’s like to be forgotten by the people who are supposed to love you.”
Sophia supposed she didn’t, but she also knew that her friend was often hurt when ignored by her parents.
“And, I’ll be forever grateful, Sophia. You took me into your home when my parents didn’t want me, and you tried to keep me out of trouble, caring more than they did.” Tears welled in Eliza’s eyes. “You were…are more family to me than they are. You and Rosemary are part of the reason the decisions I’ve come to are rather easy.”
“What decisions?” Rosemary asked.
“I shan’t be returning home. Ever. I don’t belong there. I belong here. If Mrs. Wiggons will have me, I’ll remain after our education is complete and maybe she’ll let me teach.”
“What of your writing?” Rosemary asked.
Eliza brightened. “If I don’t become famous like Mrs. Radcliffe, then I’ll teach. However, I fully intend to be the most popular female novelist this world has ever known.”
“I have great confidence that you will achieve all that you set out to do,” Mrs. Wiggons assured her. “However, we’ll leave discussion of your teaching for a later time. You are only fifteen and have at least another year at this school. You never know, you might change your mind and wish for a Season, love and marriage.”
