Edward being alarmed by the fact that he can have fun
Edward, an orphan of eight years old, had been living with his much older step-brother and his wife before he came to live with Aunt Kestrel. While his step-brother and his wife had not been cruel, they certainly did not encourage any kind of child-like behavior that would hamper their own lifestyle. As a result of his conditioning to think before his actions and being very mindful of his surroundings, Edward became wary of the curiosity that a normal child had and is thus very surprised at the thought that he was allowed to have fun in Aunt Kestrel’s house.
Edward helping Leonora
Edward after being thwarted by Leonora, when he announces that he doesn’t want to play with her anymore, is chased by her to the house, where she is shut outside by Mrs. Mullen who claims that Leonora has been possessed by the Devil. Edward, however, believes in no such thing, and decides to let her in by opening a different door. However, instead of being grateful to his kindness, Leonora twists his arm and shuts him out in severe summer.
Both getting united by storms instead of everything else
Aunt Kestrel tries many approaches to get Edward and Leonora mingle together. She has them occupy the same floor, has them go out, and play together. But, in spite of this, Leonora begins to be mean with Edward. However, it is during one particularly violent storm, that the two actual mingle. Instead of being a factor that would keep them away since Leonora was scared of storms and Edward was not, it drives them closer.
Leonora complains about getting the house but is violently outraged when she doesn't
After Aunt Kestrel’s death, Edward and Leonora are called by her solicitor to hear the contents of her will. At this point, Leonora is pretty sure that she would inherit the entire property since she was older of the two in spite of the fact that she never lived longer in that house. She is being obnoxious the whole time, professing what a hassle was to inherit such a large house and at a place where there was no excitement. She makes one believe that she didn’t want the house at all, but when it is announced that Edward has inherited the house, she is violently outraged and has to be calmed by Edward who promises to share the house with her.
Leonora living at the Iyot House
Leonora, from her early childhood, was expressive of her feelings towards Iyot House. She proclaimed how ugly the house was, and was situated in a place where it was not possible to have fun. She was quite happy when she had to leave. She maintains the same notion when the will of Aunt Kestrel is read, however she is outraged when she hears she hasn’t inherited the house. But, she is happy to stay away from the house, traveling with her husband and forgetting about the house she hated. However, it is quite ironical that she is driven penniless after the death of her husband and had to relocate to Iyot House in spite of her hatred of it.
