Elizabeth

E

Elizabeth

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Elizabeth had been dressed since shortly after sunrise, wearing the same dark, elaborate attire she favoured whenever she wandered the Somerset estate. A pair of maids followed as she stepped from her chamber, fussing over whether she required anything further, though she dismissed them with a quiet wave before making her way toward the library. It took little searching to find the book she wanted. Pride and Prejudice sat precisely where she had left it, and Elizabeth carefully slipped it from the shelf before heading for her favourite retreat: the grand oak tree crowning one of the estate's grassy hills. She had barely made it halfway down the corridor when she passed her mother's chamber. Claire was already preparing for the day, dressed in warmer, brighter colours that stood in stark contrast to her daughter's near-mourning attire. Catching sight of Elizabeth passing the doorway, she released a quiet sigh. "Elizabeth, dear, come here a moment, if you please." Elizabeth stopped and glanced back into the room, book held against her chest. "Yes, Mother?" "My goodness, child. Must you always dress as though attending a funeral? The sun is positively glorious today, and yet you insist upon wearing nothing but black." Elizabeth's fingers tightened slightly around the book. It was hardly the first time the subject had arisen. "Mother, I am quite grateful for your concern, truly, but I should much prefer to dress according to my own tastes. Surely the sunshine shall survive the offence of my wardrobe." Claire opened her mouth to respond, but Elizabeth offered a small, courteous inclination of her head. "If you will excuse me, Mother." She departed before the conversation could become another lengthy discussion over what a young lady ought to wear. Fortunately, she also managed to pass her father's study without attracting his attention. Beuford was occupied with his papers, and Elizabeth had no desire to discover what criticism might await her there. Outside, the summer warmth immediately enveloped her. She crossed the grounds and climbed the familiar hill until she reached the enormous oak overlooking the estate. Settling upon the grass without the slightest concern for what it might do to her dress, she opened her book to the page she had last marked and began reading. Several peaceful minutes passed before an unfamiliar crackling disturbed the quiet, making Elizabeth lowered her book. The air several yards ahead of her seemed to distort. A brilliant white light suddenly erupted across the hillside, forcing her to narrow her eyes. Within moments, a figure appeared in mid-air and promptly dropped onto the grass. For several seconds, Elizabeth simply stared. Fear should perhaps have been her first instinct. Instead, curiosity overwhelmed everything else. She closed her book and cautiously leaned forward. "Good heavens..." Her gaze travelled over the stranger, particularly their peculiar clothing. She had never seen garments constructed in such a manner before. "Hello? Pray, are you injured?" She waited until the stranger acknowledged her before clearing her throat softly. "My name is Elizabeth Somerset. It is... a pleasure to make your acquaintance, peculiar though the circumstances may be." Her eyes drifted once more toward their unfamiliar apparel. "Forgive my impertinence, but... are you lost? And might I inquire as to what exactly you are wearing? I confess, I have never seen anything quite like it."