~ 20 ~

                                    

                                          

continuation.
Valerie looked at Eloise for a moment, her expression conflicted.
"You shouldn't have come here," she said quietly. "My mother is inside, she will be furious to find you here."
Eloise took a deep breath, mustering the courage to speak.
"I don't care about your mother," she said firmly. "I needed to talk to you. I need to know why you don't want to see me anymore."
Valerie let out a deep sigh, looking around to make sure they weren't being overheard. She didn't want her mother eavesdropping on their conversation.
"It's complicated," she said slowly. "My mother... she doesn't approve of our friendship."
Eloise's heart sank at the revelation. She had suspected as much, but hearing Valerie confirm it was still painful.
Valerie took a step closer to Eloise, her eyes filled with guilt.
"She threatened me, Eloise," she whispered. "She said if I continue to be seen with you, it would bring embarrassment to our family. She wants me to focus on finding a husband, not on...on something else."
Eloise felt a pang of anger towards Lady Karina. How could she control Valerie's happiness like this? It was wrong.
Eloise clenched her fists, trying to contain her anger.
"That's ridiculous!" she exclaimed, her voice shaking with emotion. "She can't just dictate who you're friends with. That's not fair to either of us."
She took a step closer to Valerie, looking into her eyes pleadingly.
"I thought we meant more to each other than that. Don't let your mother come between us."
Valerie's expression softened as she looked at Eloise. She knew the truth was painful, but she needed to be honest.
"I don't want to lose you, Eloise," she said softly. "But my mother is a force to be reckoned with. She's determined to see me married off to a suitor she approves of, and she won't stop at anything to achieve that."
She took Eloise's hand in hers, holding it gently.
"But you must understand. I'm not just some silly girl. I'm terrified of my mother."
Eloise looked at Valerie's face, seeing the fear and helplessness in her eyes. She softened, feeling a pang of sympathy for her friend.
"I understand," she said quietly. "But I refuse to believe that we're doomed to be torn apart by your mother. There must be something we can do."
She paused, an idea forming in her mind.
"What if we met in secret? Somewhere your mother wouldn't find us."
Eloise thought for a moment, trying to come up with a discreet location where they could be together without fear of discovery.*
"There's a clearing in the woods," she said suddenly. "It's secluded and peaceful."
She looked at Valerie, her expression hopeful.
"We could go there, meet in secret. Your mother wouldn't suspect a thing."
Valerie looked at Eloise, considering her suggestion. The idea of meeting in secret sounded both exciting and terrifying.
"But how would we get there without being noticed?" she asked worriedly. "How would we ensure we won't be followed?"
Eloise thought for a moment, a plan slowly forming.
"We could use my carriage," she suggested. "I can arrange for it to come for you, at night, when your mother is asleep."
She squeezed Valerie's hand reassuringly.
"No one will notice, I assure you. We'll be discreet and careful."
Eloise smiled and held Valerie's hands tightly in comfort. "What is that?" Valerie noticed Eloise's hands, she'd been holding that package for quite some time. 
"Right-" she smiled. Eloise handed it to Valerie. 
Eloise chuckled, having completely forgotten about the package in her hands.
"Oh, this?" she said, holding it out to Valerie. "I almost forget I was carrying it."
Her cheeks tinged pink, feeling nervous all of a sudden.
"It is for you actually." Eloise handed the gift to her. 
Valerie took the package, surprise and
curiosity on her face.
"For me?" she repeated, looking at Eloise intently. "You got me a gift?"
Eloise nodded, feeling almost sheepish.
"Yes," she said, her voice soft. "I got you something. I hope you like it."
Eloise watched nervously as Valerie slowly unwrapped the package, unsure of what her reaction might be.
Valerie gasped as she unfolded the wrapping paper to reveal a beautiful painting underneath. It was an exquisite depiction of a cherry blossom tree, its flowers blossoming in vibrant hues of pink and white.
She ran her fingers over the canvas, admiring the fine brushstrokes and the delicate details. It was as if Eloise had captured the very essence of the flower, its fragile beauty preserved forever on canvas.
Valerie's eyes were filled with wonder and gratitude as she looked up at Eloise, speechless for a moment."You remembered.." her eyes lit up realizing Eloise payed strong attention to her. 
"Well my brother painted it for you, so it is a gift from him and me. I suppose i can't take credit for the entire thing.." she gushed and laughed all cheery again because of Valerie. 
Valerie's heart swelled with emotion at the sight of the painting, touched that Eloise had remembered such a small detail she had mentioned in passing. She looked up at Eloise, her eyes filled with gratitude and affection.*
She chuckled softly at Eloise's self-deprecating remark.
"Nonsense," she said, shaking her head. "You still played a part in it, by telling your brother about the flower and what it meant to me. That makes it just as much your gift to me as it is his."
"Well I am glad you love the painting. I must go now, I shall see you again tomorrow evening when your mother is asleep..we shall plan I will write to you." Eloise hugged her and left the painting with her before leaving to go into her carriage and riding away. 
Valerie stood there with tears in her eyes and held the painting close to her chest walking back inside of her home.