𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄.
chapter sixty-three; Elspeth's Easel
" The welcoming committee was a bit lackluster. "

ELSPETH STILL KNEW the home like the back of her hand. She led Demetre through the winding hallways and staircases; Hans and Blair had remained in the main house, as they were to be the next couple ruling the Duchy.

And Elspeth knew the steps to their chambers as well as she knew the steps to her own.

But the door had never seemed so daunting before.

Even with Demetre standing beside her, even with the soft sounds of a babbling baby and the soothing voice of a mother sneaking out from behind it.

But still, Elspeth Liens lifted a hand and knocked.

"Coming!"

Moments later, the door was pulled open.

Blair had always been beautiful in the way only sisters-in-law could be. Soft features and pale skin, silky red hair that fell in soft ringlets, and the most striking green eyes.

Nessa was balanced on her hip, still a small child, with a puff of light brown hair and a smattering of freckles across her face.

"Oh, Ellie!"

Blair threw her free arm around Elspeth, the younger girl hugging back instantly. Nessa was squished between them, but her giggles proved she was alright with this.

"I missed you so much," Elspeth managed out, her emotions rising quickly.

"More," Blair urged, pulling away only to cup Elspeth's face gently, "You must tell me everything of France; Hans shared your letters but. . ."

It seemed then that Blair realized there was a tall figure framing Elspeth Liens.

"This is the Lord Langlois, then?"

Elspeth smiled as Blair quickly attempted to make herself more presentable.

"Demetre," Elspeth corrected, "This is Demetre. Demetre, this is Blair Liens."

"It's a pleasure," Demetre said smoothly, attempting to offer a small smile.

"I would've gotten myself together sooner if I knew you'd arrive together," Blair said, laughing nervously as she shuffled Nessa higher on her hip, "I wish I'd been outside to welcome you--"

"The welcoming committee was a bit lackluster."

Blair's soft features melted into a scowl.

"Fraser and Douglas have been bickering since Douglas arrived," Blair admitted, "I nearly took their heads off when they started planning out how to decide if they'd approve of your Demetre."

This time, the idea made Elspeth snicker. More so the idea of Blair, a rather short and kind woman, attacking either of her brothers.

"I apologize for their behavior," Blair said to Demetre, "Since. . . Hans's passing, things have gotten strange with them. Declining the title, but acting as though they suddenly must step up to fill someone's shoes. . ."

"No apologies necessary," Demetre said, his posture relaxing slightly, "I'm glad to be here with Elspeth."

Blair grinned, looking back to Elspeth.

"Well, come in, I'll hide the two of you out until Rowan and Malcolm are out of their meeting," Blair said, retreating into the room, "The boys won't run rampant with them present."

Elspeth swallowed her emotions as she stepped into the room.

Blair had kept it the same. Of course, she had.

The tall windows were still framed by old faded curtains, the mattress still covered in a pale blue blanket. Hans's desk was still a mess.

Her easel was still beside it. The wood was hardly visible under the layers of paint splatter.

And the last piece she had made here was balanced upon it.

"How have you been?" Elspeth asked, focusing back on Blair.

The woman gently set her daughter down on a spread-out blanket, and Nessa instantly began grabbing for small toys scattered across it.

"Your parents have been impossibly kind," Blair said honestly, sighing as she turned back to Elspeth, "They help with Nessa any time they can. Keep me company when they're not busy with important matters."

"I'm glad you aren't alone."

"I could never be," Blair said softly, approaching Elspeth, "Not here. Not at home."

Elspeth smiled sadly, reaching out to squeeze Blair's hand.

"Come, sit," Blair said quickly, waving the couple over to a set of loveseats, "Tell me about your time in France; As I said, Hans shared details, but I want to hear it in your own words."

Elspeth took a seat across from Blair, and Demetre followed suit.

He looked more at ease here, resting an arm across the back of the loveseat and offering Elspeth a rare smile.

"Well. . ."

And then Elspeth told her everything.

She recounted her arrival in France, her time with Sebastian, how she and Mary's relationship had changed. Elspeth told Blair about how her engagement had been broken off twice, and shared how Kenna was doing now. She explained she was still closest with Kenna, and that she and Sebastian remained friends. Elspeth told her about the times she had fought Francis and Sebastian and Demetre with wooden swords; and won, once or twice. She told Blair about the art wing and her time spent with Catherine De Medici. Elspeth even told Blair about Henry's aversion to her, and the most recent man she'd found herself opposed to. She told her about Lois and Narcisse and Lola.

And at the end of it all, Blair's jaw was hanging open in surprise.

"My goodness, Ellie."

"It's quite a lot."

"You should write a novel," Blair said, laughing, "I'd read it ten times over."

"I haven't got a proper ending yet," Elspeth said.

Blair's eyes slid over to Demetre, who had been focused on Elspeth the entire time she spoke.

"Perhaps you do," Blair shrugged lightly.

And Elspeth blushed, shaking her head.

This felt nice. Normal. Even if everything else was strange in the home and she wanted to maim Fraser and Douglas, Blair was the same. Kind and protective. Uplifting and generous.

Elspeth needed Blair more than she thought she had.

And then Nessa started fussing so Blair stood quickly, approaching her daughter and scooping her up.

"She's tired," Nessa admitted, bouncing gently with every step in an attempt to soothe the girl, "So, you're still painting?'

Elspeth hesitated, swallowing her pride harshly.

"Um, I've slowed down," She admitted.

"Too busy? I'm surprised."

"No, I. . . I haven't. . . I haven't painted since Hans passed."

Blair's rhythmic movements faltered, a frown carving onto her features as she looked back toward Elspeth Liens.

"Ellie. . ."

"I know, I just. . . it hasn't felt right."

"I understand."

Blair was the one person Elspeth believed when they said this.

Blair opened her mouth to say something else but her face contorted in discomfort, attempting to reshuffle Nessa in her arms.

"Are you okay?" Elspeth questioned quickly, standing.

Blair winced as she shuffled the girl again; Nessa was young, but growing quickly, and Blair had always been a smaller woman. As the child fell deeper into sleep and her weight grew limp, Blair clearly was struggling to keep her steady in her arms.

"Um, Hans always held her when she slept like this," Blair admitted, a rare rise of emotion showing as she tried to gently adjust Nessa in her arms, "She'll wake if I put her down, but my arms give before she's rested enough."

"I could hold her. If you'd like."

Both women looked to Demetre.

"Would you?" Blair asked, her eyes going glassy, "She'll be as still as a statue, I swear, she just likes the motion."

"It's no trouble," Demetre assured, "It would allow the two of you to chat more, anyhow."

Blair looked as though she might cry when Demetre joined her side. He rolled his sleeves to his elbows, before delicately accepting the sleeping girl from Blair's arms. Demetre smiled at Blair, before adjusting Nessa to cradle her in his arms. His eyes stayed on the baby, gently swaying as he took steps.

It was such a contrasting sight. One that made Elspeth's heart flutter in an unfamiliar way. Demetre looked down at a child with such kindness, holding her with such gentleness.

"I'm sorry," Blair said quietly to Elspeth, "I just. . ."

"Don't apologize," Elspeth said quickly, "Not to me, Blair. I lost my brother, yes, but. . . but you lost your love."

Blair rolled her lips, shaking her head.

"I just know he wouldn't have wanted me to live in grief," She admitted, attempting to clear her throat, "I have to be here. For Nessa. I can't just disappear into it."

"You can't. But that doesn't mean you should push it away every time you feel it."

Blair nodded, reclaiming her seat on the loveseat, but this time beside Elspeth.

They talked for longer. About everything and nothing. And once Blair seemed more settled and Elspeth had let her own grief breathe, Nessa was done with her nap and ready to play once again.

Blair thanked Demetre again before retrieving her daughter, looking at the couple with a soft light in her eyes.

"Show him to the orchard," Blair suggested gently, "It was always your favorite place to play."

Elspeth gave her a sad smile, squeezing the woman's hand once.

"I'll send someone to retrieve the two of you once your parents are finished with their meeting, and I'll keep your brothers busy until then," Blair said, "Go. You deserve to share this with the man you love. Without the hostility of two men who don't know how to handle grief."

And then Elspeth hugged her. Without much warning at all, in the way she had when she was a much younger girl.

"I love you, Blair."

"I love you, Ellie Bellie," Blair said quietly, squeezing the girl in the embrace, "Go."

( AUTHOR'S NOTE. )
I love Blair in case anyone is
curious. But did anyone have ANY doubt
that Hans's wife would be
anything less than amazing????