In the quiet evening when all lights in the neighborhood were blown out, one room in the top floor of the Cadien house remained illuminated. The windows were thrown open to let in the occasional gentle breeze, while Ellany was standing at her dresser, clutching a letter to her chest with a dreamy expression upon her face. This week, having hardly seen Corrben, she thought perhaps that he had grown disinterested in her after she had made her affections towards him known.
After all, she still remembered the story she had overheard at one of Miss Charlotte's quilting circles long ago on the fickle nature of men. An elderly woman of the town had completely forgotten young Ellany's attendance at the gathering and told aloud to her friends the latest scandal of a young lad who had "kissed and done all sorts of other inappropriate acts for a pair of unmarried young 'uns and then clean left the young girl a couple days after without a word!" Miss Charlotte had of course been mortified that young Miss Ellany had been present during the gossip, so she turned the matter into a moral lesson of sorts as a small saving grace, if she couldn't rectify the situation. "Don't you go bestowing affections on any man that don't make you any promises first!"
This was the first time Ellany had possessed or bestowed affections upon any man, but she had been sure to remember Miss Charlotte's advice. So she had made Corrben promise not to kiss any other women. Ellany chuckled to herself recalling his response that she had to promise the same - not to kiss other women, too. Ellany wasn't sure what had drawn her to Corrben, but she found her heart fluttering in a pleasant way that first day they met at the Jail when he leaned across the counter with his dimples and dark, warm eyes invitingly. His gaze held hers with a keen perception, as if he already knew her, and yet as though he was interested in finding out more. There were handsome men she had met before in her travels, some with kind or gentle eyes...angry eyes or even blank ones. But none as inviting as Corrben's.
Sighing contentedly, Ellany set the letter on top of her dresser. Corrben had left it for her with Barliman to let her know that he had found a position for her. It had turned out to be as an assistant to the notary in the Town Hall. It was really more than she could have hoped for without any connections to speak favorably on her behalf...Corrben was so thoughtful. Her bright green eyes lingered a moment longer on the page as she blushed at the words and then turned to the smaller letter beside it.
Muirenn had left a note in her room, saying that she was returning to her place. Ellany had been disappointed, but she quickly realized that Muirenn felt herself a burden and wished to leave. A grin settled on Ellany's lips. Of course it had been a silly worry of Muirenn's, and her friend was now sleeping in the room down the hall from her once again, now that she was persuaded that they truly enjoyed her company in the Cadien house.
Ellany regarded these two letters with immense satisfaction. After all, they were tokens of the friendships she had now. She had received quick notes from her family and Miss Charlotte before, but never letters from other people who were dear to her.
What had Mandic told her earlier that week? He liked her. Certainly she had met many people on the roads that were kind, cheerful, rude, terse, unwelcoming, generous...but had she ever known them well enough to say she liked them? Ellany shook her head slightly and grinned. Now she had so many people she could say that of - Corrben, Muirenn, Revio, Mandic, Dwyte...
A frown came over Ellany's features as her happiness passed momentarily. She wasn't sure she could say that Dwyte liked her anymore. In fact, she was certain he was cross with her and might never speak to her again. Why did Corrben and Dwyte have to appear at the same time that night? She hadn't had a chance to tell Dwyte yet that she couldn't return his feelings...that her affections now belonged to someone else. He hadn't been in town recently. Fate would have it that on the very day he did visit, Corrben had been there too and kissed her forehead endearingly as a parting gesture. Normally, she would have been elated, but that night, she was too aware of Dwyte's gaze as he watched on. Now, he most likely thought her very inconsiderate of his feelings.
Ellany shook her head sadly, a frustrated sigh passing through her lips. She was only just beginning to make friends; she couldn't lose any. She would be good to all of them, including Corrben - and not because Mandic told her to be, but because she truly cherished him and all of them.
A flush rose onto her cheeks then, changing her expression once again as she remembered Mandic's lecture. Alongside many other embarrassing remarks, he had warned her that Corrben might not look it, but he too could be hurt. If she ever decided to leave Corrben, Mandic said he would tell her how to do it. Smiling to herself, Ellany blew out the candles before pulling aside her covers and slipping into her bed. As she rested her head onto her soft pillow, her eyes closed, and the last thought that passed through her mind was that she couldn't ever imagine wanting to lea...
