Chapter 9
The Present - Ellen's Story
I found Grant's friend Lyons quite the bore. I have to admit I pretended not to remember him from those days of my past, but how could I forget someone like him? He practically went out of his way to embarrass me in front of William. It reminded me of his annoying actions at my little past get-togethers. He and his friends were always getting into things and upsetting my father. Poor old Father hated to have the garden disturbed and his library made a mess of. My friends and I eventually had to stop having those parties since we were always being interrupted by Lyons and his ilk.
Still, those were good times, and now I could hardly fault him for his boyish enthusiasm back then. This war has certainly changed anyone it touches and I imagine it has also changed him as well. Strange to think that I'd ever be sorry the parties had to end. Compared to the present, the past seemed so much better. I just had hoped we wouldn't cross paths again, or at least he could keep his mouth shut. There are so many stories he could tell William and the male imagination has a tendency towards exaggeration. However, I think William would be too much of a gentleman to believe them. And they were such trifling matters anyways. An indiscreet kiss in the potting shed is hardly a marriage proposal.
Anyways, I continued to report to Major Radford every night to fill him in on William's story. The major seemed more haggard with every passing day, and I could only wonder what he was up to. When I asked him for an update, he just shook his head and said it would be better if I knew nothing of his activities. Well, I do know something, and that is that William has to be innocent. I have detected no lies or evasiveness from him. I just hope that truth wins out in the end.