Sorrowed Happiness

She sighed,"You're such a depressing person," she teased,"You have to look, I know you - you follow those guidelines set up for you," she murmured,"Break the mold of the typical woman around here, its kind of funny to watch him get all red in the face," she laughed,

"But I am not the typical woman and you know this, no matter how much you choose to ignore it. Any flaw can show that I am not meant for this position." I muttered.

She sighed,"I don't ignore it," she murmured softly, "They don't get to decide if you're meant for a position, you have an inheritence. Whether you lose your title or not that is yours," she said to her softly.

"I only have an inheritance because it is assumed I won't find a husband. You know this. Thus my priority is helping you find one. I don't have my hopes up, I know what I am meant to do." I murmured, laying back and pulling my blanket up.

"You're meant to do whatever you want, like you said you have an inheritance. Men will be lining the doors to marry you, and as long as you force the pre-nup they won't get a dime of your money," she said to her, "I will end up married, regardless of what I want so don't worry about me so much,"

I sighed. "It makes me happy that you see things differently. Men will not line up because I do not look the way a perfect wife should. I will probably not get married, and I have accepted this. But, if I do... I won't want to enforce a prenuptial. I would want to share with him." I trailed off. "If it ever happens." I sighed softly. "We should get some sleep." I said to her.

She nodded,"I suppose," she said to her lightly as she sighed as she went around the room lighting candles so she could see properly.

I smiled a little and sighed. "You have another meeting with that man tomorrow, don't you? Promise me you'll have fun? I'll be helping grandfather with his newest case."

She sighed,"I'll do my best," she said to her as she laid down on the bed then brushed some hair out of her eyes.
"Grandfather said he'd pay my dowry to this man, and he'd do anything to have me married off to anyone who wanted me," she murmured gently as she looked at her hands.

I sighed. "But if you want him. That matters as well. Your happiness matters as well. Never forget that. And I wouldn't allow grandfather to marry you off like that. I would sooner pay your dowry to someone you loved."

She looked at her then at her hands again,"We always talk about honor, and obedience like its something we have control over," she murmured gently, "Truth is as women we have control over nothing,"

I nodded. "This is the truth, and we must grin and bear it. We find things to cheer us back up. So go to sleep, and dream of things that will make you smile in the morning." I said with a smile.

She nodded a little then closed her eyes, she didn't want to marry because she had to - she wanted to marry because she wanted to but she knew it wasn't possible. When she woke up the next morning, the sun filtered in through her window, and she covered her eyes, "It's too early," she whined as she slowly sat up in her bed. Elizabeth got dressed as per usual, her corset was a little less tight this time. Making her way to the sitting room where she would be waiting for the suitor. If he even came.

I walked into Grandfather's study, noticing another man inside. I bowed politely, before heading to the table where I took notes for Grandfather. I knew this would be his new apprentice, but I didn't know anything about him other than what Elizabeth told me.

"Devan, this is Brandon Ashford, my new apprentice. Mr. Ashford, my granddaughter, Devan Blake." My Grandfather introduced, cutting his monolouge short. I bowed my head slightly, looking back towards my papers. Friendliness would get me nowhere.

---

A maid walked in, leading him in. "Ms. Blake? A Mister Morely." She said, bowing as he walked in and bowed as well.

"A pleasure to see you again, Miss Blake."

She stood and curtsied, "The pleasure is all mine Mister Morely," she said as she smiled at him, "I'm please that you came, I had them make my favorite lemon cakes, they're quite delicious," she admitted with a happy sigh at the thought.

"they should be done soon, in the mean time lets get to know one another," she said to him smiling a little.

---

He smiled and gave a small bow, "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Blake," he said to her as he stood when she entered the room.

I smiled politely and sighed, turning to my Grandfather. "And you, Mr. Ashford."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to spend much time here, I'm needed at the courthouse. However Devan is quite knowlegable of the current cases and will answer any questions you may have in my absence."

I nodded slightly. "Which cases Grandfather?"

"Any and all. He is to learn everything I know, and so you will help him study and I will answer any questions. Eventually he will join me at the courthouse, however he is to learn more first."

---

He smiled and went to sit in the chair by her. "Thank you Miss Blake. I quite like lemon, so I am sure I will enjoy them"

She smiled a little,"Oh good!" she smiled as she poured them some tea, "They got this tea from eastern Asia, it's called Oolong tea, I believe," she said to him.

---

"The murder case, about the mother who drown her children then the abusive husband case, where he hit her with an open palm," he sighed a little.

I nodded a little, standing to look through the filings.

"Alright? I am off, I shall see you both at dinner." He said, bowing his hat and leaving the room.

I suppose since Mr. Ashford wasn't repulsed at the thought of learning from me, I would be welcome at dinner, according to his words.

"What would you like to start with, Mr. Ashford?"

---

He smiled. "Really? Well that sounds quite nice. Have you tried it before?" He asked her, leaning back onto the couch.

She smiled,"I have, it's quite nice. Has a bit of spice to it," she told him nodding a little.

---

"Whichever you prefer, Miss," he said with a small smile.

I looked at him and shrugged slightly. "Mr. Ashford, I'm here at your disposal. We'll start where you wish to." I said, offering him the case files.

---

He nodded. "Then I shall look forward to tasting this Oolong tea." He said with a smile, reaching into his pocket. "I did bring you something, it's a frame. In thought you might like it."