Music Recommendation: Jane Fairfax Plays Mozart Sonata- Amber Anderson
"Very good, Miss Allie," praised Eve while looking at the answers that Allie had written in her book. "You got all your answers right."
Allie's eyes glowed while her face remained expressionless.
"It should be enough for the day. We shall continue the rest tomorrow," Eve said to the girl, who quietly nodded.
Someone knocked on the room's door, and when they turned, they saw it was Marceline. She wore a polite smile and said, "I hope I am not interrupting."
Eve replied with a smile, "We just finished the class. Is there anything I could help you with?" She politely asked the woman.
Marceline nodded and stepped inside the room, walking to where they were. A maid followed Marceline behind her with a bag in her hand. The little girl turned in her chair, looking curiously at the maid's hands.
"The official invitation to the ball," said Marceline, stretching her hand in front of Eve that held a rolled parchment. "You will need this when you come to attend that day. The ball falls on the second Thursday from today."
The last time when Lady Marceline had mentioned it to Eve, she had somehow managed to not accept or confirm it. But it seemed like this time she couldn't avoid it. She took hold of the parchment, bowing her head, she said,
"Lady Marceline, I am not too sure if I will be able to attend it or not."
The young vampiress tilted her head, the smile on her face faltering, and she asked, "Why not? Do you have a prior engagement on that day? We would like to have all our employees that day."
Eve quickly raced her mind to come up with a good reason, "Since a few days my aunt hasn't been doing well and needs me by her side." Aunt Aubrey was feeling perfectly well, but the vampiress didn't know that, thought Eve.
"Oh. It must be very difficult for you to be here now then. Would you want me to speak to my brother to give you a holiday so that you can look after her better?" Suggested Marceline, her eyes held concern in them.
"That is very kind and generous of you, Lady Marceline, but it is fine. Right now there's someone to look after her in my absence," said Eve, noticing a subtle frown on the vampiress's face. She further explained, "I believe it would be unfair of me to enjoy such a grand ball, when my aunt isn't feeling well."
Marceline gave a sympathetic nod and said, "I perfectly understand your situation. When your loved and dear one is sick, we don't feel like doing much. I hope your aunt feels better soon, and maybe you could bring her here if she's in good health. Allie and I were looking forward to having you at the ball. Weren't you, Allie?" She shifted her gaze to look at her little sister.
Allie stared at her sister before her eyes met her governess's eyes.
"Allie would have enjoyed your company, after all, she's a shy thing and doesn't like talking to people," a faint smile appeared on Marceline's lips.
Eve felt an ache in her chest when she imagined the little girl standing alone in one corner with no company.
Marceline then placed her hand on Eve's arm, "I won't force you as I understand how important family is. But if things get better, we sisters would love to have you attend the ball, Miss Barlow."
"I hope so too, milady," Eve bowed her head in appreciation.
"I brought two dresses of mine, and a pair of my favourite shoes for you. Something that might go with the theme of our society, when you attend the ball of course. It would be difficult to prepare a dress suddenly and it would be a waste if you don't attend it. Right? I hope you will like it," said Marceline excitedly, before turning to the maid who quickly stepped forward and spread a black and a blue dress on top of the table. "Beautiful aren't they? I haven't worn them much, and they are in the best condition."
Eve couldn't help but admire the dresses that were made of finest cloth and beads sewn into them.
"I don't think I could accept something so grand, Lady Marceline," Eve shook her head. Though the dresses were beautiful, she was more than happy with the dresses she had in her room's cupboard and drawers.
"I insist," said Lady Marceline, and her eyes lowered a little, "I know how difficult it can get in this mansion. With the way people behave. I heard about what happened between Mr. Morris and you. I want you to take this as an apology from my side on what has happened."
Eve pursed her lips, and nodded.
She would have considered Lady Marceline's gesture to be one that was filled with generosity and kindness. But then, even Eve knew that it was only to maintain the Moriarty family name.
"I feel like a weight has been lifted up from my shoulders now. Oh! I forgot that we have shoes too, they go really well with both the gowns," said Marceline, and upon her word, the maid placed a pair of black shoes on the ground.
Eve wasn't sure if it was alright to accept such expensive things, and she replied, "I already have shoes."
Marceline frowned and said, "Do not hesitate, Miss Barlow. I know you will need shoes for the ball. As Allie's governess, you will be required to dress well when you attend the ball. If it makes you feel better, I was planning to burn these away. I thought it would be better to ask you if you would like to have them. Why don't you try it? Kelhani," she ordered her maid.
The maid bent down, picking up a shoe and adjusted the lace of the shoe before placing it in front of Eve. It was true that Eve didn't have a perfectly good pair of shoes. She never felt a need for a new one until now as she was able to use the current ones just fine.
Seeing everyone wait for her, Eve removed her shoes from her feet. She slipped her feet into Lady Marceline's shoes.
"They are a perfect fit," Lady Marceline murmured in surprise. "They look good on you. You can keep them, Miss Barlow."
Eve thanked her, "Thank you."
Marceline liked the feeling of people needing her and wanted the world to revolve around her. She offered her the politest smile to the human and said, "I should get going now. Have a safe trip back home."
The innocent little girl, who was in the room, watching and listening to her sister and her governess's conversation, saw her elder sister leave the piano room. She took a look at the dress as if inspecting them with her hands by trailing it on the soft material.
"Will you come?" Allie asked in a small voice with her back facing Eve.
Taken aback by the sudden words, Eve replied, "I am not sure, Miss Allie."
"Don't..." came the whisper from the little girl.
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