The kitchens in Gracey Manor were vast and well equip, and always seemed to smell of something delicious baking within the ovens. It was a place Elizabeth was quite fond of, alas she knew nothing about cooking but her dear friend, Emma another maid in the household, was doing her best to remedy that. Elizabeth found she quite enjoyed watching Emma cook, and often took mental notes on how it was done. Much to Emma's delight Elizabeth was a quick learner, though they always tested her concoctions on Ezra, Emma's husband, before they fed it to others. Ezra was a kind soul, with a amusing attitude and Elizabeth found the man would eat anything that was pushed in front of him, and asked no questions. Though his feedback was always honest and sincere, perhaps even sometimes blunt. Though Elizabeth never minded, she'd much rather prefer honest opinions then kind lies to spare her feelings. 

As she stood in the kitchens, she watched as Emma rushed about as she tried her very best to do three things at once, Elizabeth and Ezra both asked if she needed any assistance but she waved them off. Emma was a very independent soul and wished to take on her chores herself without assistance, but she knew she always had help if she required it. As she continued to rush about the kitchen, Elizabeth stood near the stove as she waited on the tea, it was just about tea time for Lady Gracey. Usually Emma would have Ezra setting out the tea cups, but Ramsley had needed his assistance on the other side of the manor. As Elizabeth stared off into space, she couldn't help but recall the cold glare she had received from the older butler the other day, she did not understand it's meaning but she did not like it. She was used to people gawking at her, though no one had ever looked upon her with such hate before, and that scared her. 

Her thoughts were soon disrupted by the shrill whistling of the kettle, with a small content smile Elizabeth picked up the kettle and poured it's contents into the fine china teapot that rested upon the tray. Just then Emma rushed back into the kitchen, her green skirts whipping about her ankles. "Would you mind terribly taking that tray to the library, it's about time for Master Gracey's tea." she said, her words quick and panicked. "I would do it, but Lady Gracey has asked for my assistance in the drawing room." 

At her words Elizabeth couldn't smile wide, she never thought she'd see Edward again. She knew he had wished for a rain check on that game of tag, but deep down she feared he would not make good on his word. He was the master of the house after all, and of noble birth, he obviously had much better things to do than spend his time with the help. Though another part of her assured her that Edward was different than the other noble men she had the displeasure to meet, he was kind and sincere, she could see it in his eyes. 

"Of course, Emma. I'd be happy to help." Elizabeth smiled brightly. "You best hurry, if Lady Gracey requires you assistance, it must be important." she urged, as Emma offered her a sweet smile and disappeared. 

With a steady hand Elizabeth carefully picked up the tray, the china rattling if only for a moment before she found balance. Then with a deep breath she made her way in the direction of the library, her white skirts dancing behind her as she walked the halls of the beautiful Gracey manor. Though the closer she came to the library, she couldn't help but feel her heart pound in her chest at the thought of seeing him again. Would he remember her? She hoped he would, if not she would be crushed. Though she didn't know why, they had met properly only once...she could not be that attached to him already. Nor should she be attached to him, as she mentioned before he was of noble birth, and she was simply the serving girl. There was nothing for the two of them, not even a friendship could develop between them, it was just unheard of. Though deep down, she didn't care. Dash what society may think, she wanted that friendship to develop, he was a kind man and she couldn't help but wish to know more about him. 

The moment she reached the library door, she couldn't help but pause as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Just behind that door was Edward, she could not wait to see him again. Speaking to him the day before was such a delight, she couldn't help but hope for that same delight to come today. Then with a careful hand, she gave a small knock to the large wooden door that stood great and tall before her, and pushed it open as she shuffled in, tray in hand. 

Now, this was the very first time Elizabeth had seen the library, due to the fact it was the master's private chambers. She may have been a maid, but she never attended to the master personally, that had always been Ramsley's job. Though in that moment she couldn't help but become amazed by what she seen, just like the rest of the house the library was beyond beautiful. It was so light and open, and warm. The floors were covered in stacks of old books, and other mysterious artifacts. Slowly as she made her way further into the library, she couldn't help but notice the large and beautiful portrait that hung over the fireplace, it was of George Gracey, the late master of the house. Slowly her dark gaze shifted over towards the desk, where she saw Edward hunched over a large book, his hand supporting his chin as his long raven hair fell into his face. A small smile tugged upon the corner of her mouth, as she watched him. He seemed so focused on what he was doing, she was almost afraid to disrupt him. 

Slowly she made her way over towards the desk, and placed the tray besides him. For a moment he did not move, nor did he speak, much to Elizabeth's disappointment. Perhaps he did not remember her, and with a sigh she was ready to return back to the kitchens. Though in that moment, Edward glanced over towards the tray, then up towards where she stood. It was obvious by the look upon his face, he was shocked and delighted to see her. 

"Miss Henshaw!" he grinned, his dimples forming as he watched her fondly with his warm chocolate orbs. "I did not expect to see you, but I must say I'm delighted all the same."

"Emma is tending to your mother, so I took it upon myself to bring you you're afternoon tea." Elizabeth said shyly, as she searched those kind eyes of his. 

"As kind as Emma is, I am glad it was you." Edward said gently, as he tilted his head to the side. "I've wanted to see you again, but I could not find the time to slip away." he said, his voice almost apologetic. 

"It seems Ramsley keeps you hard at work." Elizabeth teased. 

"Oh, yes. He runs quite a tight ship around here." Edward chuckled, as he turned his leather chair towards her. In that moment he couldn't help but fall into some sort of daze, as his gaze shifted over her lovely features. Just having her so near like this made his heart pick up in pace. 

"Yes, he seems a bit proper, doesn't he?" Elizabeth said, as her full pink lips curved up into that shy smile that Edward adored so much. 

"He strikes most people that way, but I assure you once you get to know him he's rather quite sweet." Edward mused, the tea and his studies long forgotten. 

"He loves you very much, I can tell." Elizabeth said gently, though deep down she could not bring herself to agree with him. To her Ramsley did not seem sweet, whenever he talked to her or Emma and Ezra he was curt and short. Never once had she seen him smile since she began working at this manor, nor did she get a sense of warmth nor kindness from him. To her he was a blank slate, with cold ice like eyes. Of course, she did not have the heart to say such things to Edward, knowing how fond he was of the older man. 

"Yes, he's much like a father to me, really." Edward said kindly, as he ran a hand through his tousled hair. 

"Well, I ought to leave you to your studies. I wouldn't want to keep you from them." Elizabeth said as she averted her gaze, she had wanted to stay with him and continue talking, but she feared Ramsley's return. With a bow of her head she turned on her heel to make her way towards the door, but Edward stood and reached out to take her hand in his warm one, halting her in her tracks. 

"Please stay, won't you?" he asked, as he watched her intently. "I've been at it for hours, I'm sure Ramsley wouldn't mind if I take a small break from it all. Besides, I would very much like it if you joined me for tea." 

At his offer Elizabeth couldn't help but feel her heart jolt with shock, he had invited her to join him for tea? It was not often the master of the house would invite his maids to join him, though Elizabeth could not turn him down. So, she turned to him with a smile and wrapped her delicate light fingers around his hand. "I would be honored to join you, sir." 

With a grin of triumph he lead her over to the crimson sofa that sat in the center of the room, only leaving her side to bring the tray to the coffee table for them. He then took a seat besides her, and like the gentleman he was poured her tea before his own. With a smile Elizabeth accepted the cup, this was the first time another had treated her as if she were a proper noble woman, and she couldn't help but enjoy it. She found when she was with Edward, she felt so elegant and beautiful. It was in the way that he would look at her, and how he would treat her with such gentle care. 

The two sipped their tea in comfortable silence, stealing secret looks from one another from time to time. Elizabeth couldn't help but feel such overwhelming joy in this simple moment, she secretly wished she could have moments like these for the rest of her days but alas she knew that was just a little fantasy. She could not be in Edward's life always, soon he'd marry and she'd move onto the next manor instead of staying on, for she found the thought of him with a wife was something she could not bare to watch. The sight surely would rip her heart in two, but of course that was not something she would admit to anyone other than herself, for it would not be deemed proper. 

With another sip of her tea, her gaze shifted over towards the corner of the room where she spotted a beautiful grand piano. Edward must have caught her eyes, and smiled as he set his tea aside. "Do you play, Miss Henshaw?" he asked, his voice soft and curious. 

"Oh, only just a little." Elizabeth said sheepishly, as she set her tea aside. "My mother used to play when I was small, she taught me a little." she explained, as she folded her hands in her lap. 

"Would you like to play it?" Edward asked, as his lips curved up into a charming smile. "I would very much like to hear you play." he said, his voice sincere. 

"Oh, I don't know. It's been so long." Elizabeth flushed, as she averted her gaze from him. She feared she'd mess up in front of him, the last thing she wanted to do was come off as a fool. 

Edward then stood from the sofa as he offered her his hand, the kind smile never falling from his lips as he watched her with warm brown hues. Elizabeth studied his face as she sat there, and the moment her eyes connected with his she couldn't help but feel a warm comforting feeling take hold of her. So, with a shy smile she reached out to take his hand, and he lead her towards the piano. As they walked, she couldn't help but enjoy the warmth of his hand in hers, it felt so perfect and so utterly right. Soon he released her hand, causing it to feel oddly empty and cold as he pulled out the bench for them both. With as much grace  as she could muster she took a seat besides him on the wooden bench, smoothing out her skirts. 

Hesitantly she placed her delicate fingers on the smooth ivory keys, allowing a small breath to escape her lips as she began playing a soft tune. It had no name that she knew of, it had been a lullaby that her mother would play her before she fell asleep. As the soft twinkling music flowed through the library, Edward could not help but find himself falling even more in love with her than he had been the day before. To him she was the mere definition of perfection, how could she not be? It was hard enough to accept that she was in fact real, and he had not dreamed her up at some point during his studies. But Elizabeth was in fact real, and sitting besides him, for he could feel the warmth of her body at their closeness. As she continued to play, he felt his heart fill with pure adoration as he studied her delicate features, so at ease in her practice as her light fingers danced along the ivory keys. 

Towards the end of the song Elizabeth could feel his eyes on her, which made her quite nervous. No matter how hard she tried to focus on the music, she found herself focusing on the man besides her causing her fingers to strike the wrong note. At the off sound, she couldn't help but flush as she tucked her hands back in her lap. As her gaze shifted in his direction, she couldn't help but notice the look in his eyes. He was looking at her as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world, it baffled her. How could he look at her in such a way? And more importantly what was going through his mind at this very moment? 

"You play beautifully, Miss Henshaw." he breathed, his very being struck by her rare beauty. 

"You're just saying that." she smiled, as she shook her head. 

"No, I mean what I say. You are a very talented young woman, and I am honored you've decided to grace me with such a lovely piece." he said, his voice sincere. "Does it have a name?" 

With a soft shake of her head, she studied the beautiful ivory keys before her. "No, I don't think it does. It's a song my mother use to play me when I was a child." she explained, as she turned her gaze towards him. 

"Well, it's lovely. I would love to hear you play it more often."Edward whispered, as he tilted his head to the side. "As a matter of fact, you're more than welcome to play this piano whenever you wish."

"But sir, wouldn't I be intruding?" she gasped, her eyes wide. 

"Please, call me Edward." he chuckled, as he reached out to take her hand gently in his warm one. "And no at all, I would enjoy your company very much so." he said, as he stroked her knuckles with his thumb. "You have such a light about you, if I may be so bold to say. You seem to light up whatever you room you happen to be in, Miss Henshaw." 

"I do?" she asked, arching a delicate eyebrow as she peered into his eyes. 

"Yes, I noticed it the moment I saw you." Edward confessed, as he shifted closer to her. "You're a rarity in this world, and the next and never let anyone tell you different." he said, his words firm yet kind as he offered her a dimpled smile. 

Never in her life had someone looked at her the way he had, nor had anyone said the soft things he had spoken to her. Edward was different from everyone, he never judged her nor acted as if she were nothing. He was gentle and kind, he accepted her for who she was with no questions asked, and she couldn't help but feel flattered. He himself was a rarity among the world of men, and she was very sure if the world had more people like him in it, the world would be a much better and happier place. As she searched his eyes, his hand reached up to tuck a strand of her dark hair behind her ear, though he did not pull back right away. He allowed his fingertips to linger upon her cheekbone, as he searched her eyes in return. The moment was like pure magic, as if they were both under some sort of beautiful and peaceful spell she never wished to wake from, it was as if they were the only people in the world. 

His fingertips across her flesh was like sparks, never in her life has she felt so alive than she had in this moment. Then as if the world around her was moving in slow motion, his fingers trailing down her jawline to capture her chin between his thumb and finger, tilting her head up towards him ever so gently, as he slowly inched closer to her. In that moment she could feel her flesh burn wildly, and her breath come short as her heart pounded within her ears and chest. Though just as his lips came to hover over hers, the door of the library began to open causing the two to jump apart. The figure who had walked in had been Ramsley, his face stern and his posture straight and proud as he eyed the two in distaste. 

"Miss Henshaw," he said, his voice low and stern. "Do you not have responsibilities to tend to in the kitchen?" he asked, as he arched his white eyebrow. "I suggest you leave, the young master is very busy." 

With a quick nod of her head, and her cheeks still hot with embarrassment she stood from the bench and smoothed out her skirt as she offered Edward a polite bow of her head. "Farewell, Master Gracey." she whispered, her voice small and meek. She then turned on her heel and made her way towards the door, her white skirts whipping around her ankles. Though as she passed Ramsley, she couldn't help but feel his icy cold gaze on her person, she didn't have to look up to see the disapproval deep within those cruel eyes of his. 

As she made her way down the hall all the memories of her time with Edward came rushing back to her mind, causing her cheeks to become redder than they had been before. Had Edward been just about to kiss her? No, he couldn't have. He knew better than to do something so foolish, it had to be her overactive imagination. She was a hopeless romantic after all, and she had been reading some of Emma's romance novels, she was imagining it, that had to be it. 

Back in the library Edward was standing near the piano as he watched his butler with cautious eyes, though despite the look of disapproval written all over Ramsley's face, his mind couldn't help but shift back towards Elizabeth. He knew he shouldn't have been so bold, but he couldn't help himself. When she was near him, he felt himself come alive. He loved her more than anything, he knew that now. He knew courting her would cause talk, but he found he didn't care. He wanted to be at her side, he needed to be at her side. She was his heart, everything that he had ever wanted in his life. She was pure, she was good, she was the sunlight in the darkness of his life. If only he could have stolen at least just one kiss, he would give an entire empire to kiss her lips just once and then die a happy man. 

"You shouldn't allow yourself to become easily distracted, master." Ramsley said, his voice stern. "You have duties that need your attention, and yet you put it all aside to indulge a young serving girl?" 

"She's my friend, Ramsley." Edward said softly, as he made his way over towards the desk. "Besides, I was simply taking my tea, no harm done." he smiled, as he took a seat in his leather chair. 

"I shall warn you young master, she is no friend of yours." he said, his voice stern as he began cleaning up the tray and cold tea that was left behind. "Your focus should be on your studies, just as your father would have wanted. Spending time with that girl will only be a waste of your valuable time." he said, as he held the tray skillfully in one white gloved hand. "Will there be anything else, sir?" 

"No, that will be all Ramsley. Thank you." Edward said, his voice low. As the butler disappeared, and the door shut with a soft click, he let out a sigh as he rested his chin in his hand, his thoughts lingering on Elizabeth. It seemed to be the only thing that could get him through his long days, sweet beautiful Elizabeth. She could never be a waste of his time.