by Ella Edon
Chapter Sixteen
"Lady Bowmount is finally on your side, My Lord. Mayhap, she has come to realize what a good gentleman you are, My Lord." Gerald grinned as he drove the carriage down the path that led to Old Street.
Arthur could not help the smile that formed on his lips. Perhaps she had seen that he had no untoward intentions. He let what she had done during the early weeks of his arrival go. He forgave her for all that. And perhaps she was finally starting to understand him, and what it was that he needed in order to be happy.
The carriage rolled down the bumpy road and slowly, rolled into the street ahead. They were near the jeweler's shop, where he had first met Mr. Herondale. The carriage stopped and he alighted swiftly, his briefcase in his right hand. He walked into the jeweler's shop. The bell above his head rang. The jeweler smiled up at him and nodded to his right. There he saw Mr. Herondale, seated and eating. He placed the chunk of bread down on a tray before him as he saw Arthur. "My Lord, welcome." He half-bowed in his seat.
"Mr. Herondale." Arthur smiled. He took a seat beside the man and nodded. "I see you're back from your journey. How was it?"
Mr. Herondale shook his head happily. "Splendid, My Lord, Splendid."
Arthur smiled. He placed his briefcase on the table before him and opened it. He retrieved the legal paperwork he had created and then took out a quill and ink. "Read it and sign it."
Mr. Herondale stretched out a hand to take the paper happily. Arthur shook his head. "You should finish with your meal, Mr. Herondale. I'm in no hurry."
Mr. Herondale smiled thankfully. Arthur took a seat beside him and waited till he was gone eating. Soon, Mr. Herondale was done with the simple meal of bread and cheese, and he took away the tray. Once he cleared the table before him.
"This is a jewelry shop, William, not an eatery," the jeweler sighed.
Mr. Herondale shook his head and smiled at Arthur. "Pay no heed to him. My brother is rusty in the mornings. Never got used to them."
They all shared a laugh. Arthur finally presented him with the papers. Mr. Herondale took out his spectacles from the side of his coat and began to read through. He nodded as he read on, agreeing to most of what was stated. Once he was done, he smiled at Arthur. "This is wonderful. I am in agreement."
He took the quill from Arthur, dipping it into the inkwell, and scribbled his signature at the bottom of the page. Arthur signed next. They sealed the deal with a handshake and Arthur rose to go to his office immediately. "I will have to set everything up as soon as possible."
Mr. Herondale smiled. "Do as you so please. Thank you, Lord Bowmount." He bowed gallantly.
Arthur waved to the jeweler, at Mr. Herondale, and then pulled the door open. He walked through with a smile on his face. Things were looking up. Perhaps Somerset was not as bad as he had thought. The entire household was warming up to him, Lady Victoria was smiling, he got his office and most of all, Lady Bowmount was starting to trust him. His day could not have been better.
"You're grinning My Lord; I must say that this has pleased you."
"More than you can imagine."
Gerald smiled at him as they walked side by side. "I presume things are falling into place?"
"Indeed. Now if you will excuse me. I need to get the woman who worked here previously to give it a bit dusting so I can set everything in place by noon," Arthur announced.
Gerald nodded understandingly. "You want me to summon her?"
"Yes, of course. Immediately, Gerald." He walked on, leaving Gerald behind. The smile on his face did not fade as he opened his office and stepped inside.
* * *
It was nearly dark when he finally locked up his office and got into the carriage. Gerald had waited for him. Arthur was exhausted by the time he was ready to head home, and his dark brown coat was coated with dust on its shoulders and arms. He rested his head against the seat and relaxed as Gerald drove along the path home.
"A stressful day, My Lord."
He couldn't agree more. The day had been indeed stressful, but everything had come together by the end of it. All he needed was to be present tomorrow, so he could put up the sign and meet the solicitor next door.
The carriage rolled to a stop right in front of the house. Arthur sat still, wishing that the carriage could keep rolling, so he could bask in the abyss of sleep. He reluctantly raised his head and groaned. The front door opened and from inside the house, Mr. Stewart ran down the stairs. He approached Gerald with his eyes wide. "Where have you been? The Dowager Marchioness has been looking for you. You were supposed to take her to church by noon, Gerald."
Arthur sighed. Of course, he had to return to more drama. He stepped out of the carriage and carried his now light briefcase with him. Mr. Stewart shook his head when he saw him. But quickly covered it up with a bow. "Welcome, Lord Bowmount."
Arthur barely nodded. He walked up the stairs and walked into the house. The Dowager Marchioness stood by the entrance door; her hands clasped together. She looked as good as she did in the morning. She raised a brow at him.
"Lord Bowmount." Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "You took Gerald out for the entire day? Did you forget that others have need of him, as well?"
Arthur now saw why more than one coachman stayed in households. He made a mental note to employ at least two more, to avoid trouble.
"Pardon my forgetfulness, My Lady. There was so much work. I had gotten carried away and forgot to send Gerald home."
"Of course," she spat. "Busy getting your office ready. I presume it's all done now, seeing as you spent the day there. Try being more considerate. My son would have never let this happen. I missed my prayers because of you, Lord Bowmount. And your negligence."
Arthur sighed. There it was again. Just when he thought he'd triumphed over all of this, he was, yet again being compared to Victor. As usual, he was found wanting, simply because he was not, nor ever would be Victor.
"Victor had worked hard to achieve so much. From what his father left behind, Victor built something great."
Arthur saw no need for the further reminder. He knew who Victor was already, and all the things he had ever achieved. It was the only thing he ever heard since his arrival at Bowmount.
The Dowager Marchioness stepped forward. Her index finger was raised in the air, and she narrowed her eyes at him. "Now listen well, My Lord. If your decision to work among ordinary folk puts this household to shame, I shall never forgive what you've done."
She huffed and walked away briskly; her shoulders raised high.
Arthur sighed. He placed his briefcase on the floor and placed his hand on his forehead. An encounter with the Dowager Marchioness was often exhausting. He was so tired. He closed his eyes and decided to go to his bedchamber and have a good night’s sleep. He looked around. Mr. Stewart stood inches away from him.
Arthur stared at him pleadingly. "Help me with my briefcase, Mr. Stewart."
Mr. Stewart had another expression on this time. It looked like pity. Then he nodded. "Of course, Lord Bowmount."
Arthur walked up the stairs, thinking of nothing but going to sleep. He would deal with the issues of the household tomorrow. All he wanted was rest. He had over-worked himself. He walked towards the east wing, where his bedchamber was located. He was so happy to be home.
Something by the corner caught his attention. He froze. Then he saw a black dress from across the hallway dash to another corner. His heart stopped. He would recognize the grey colored embroidery on that dress, anywhere. He smiled to himself. If he hadn’t known any better, he'd say that Lady Bowmount had come to see if he had returned.
She was hidden by the corner now, towards the hall that led to more empty bed chambers. She would not be able to leave until she was sure that the coast was clear. She would have to walk past where he was standing.
He knew how inappropriate it was if someone found her seeking him at such late hour. Which was why she had hidden herself so quickly. He turned to Mr. Stewart abruptly. "I'll have my b
riefcase now, Mr. Stewart, thank you."
Mr. Stewart stared at him like he had grown an extra head. If the man had the opportunity, he would have asked Arthur if he had gone mad. "You seem exhausted, My Lord. Allow me."
"I'm fine, truly,” he insisted. He wanted to see her. “I'd like to be alone now, Mr. Stewart."
Mr. Stewart narrowed his eyes for a brief second. Then as though remembering who he was talking to, he bowed and handed him his briefcase. "My Lord."
Arthur collected what belonged to him and made a show of walking on. Mr. Stewart huffed and walked away. Arthur turned. He was relieved to see that Mr. Stewart was no longer in sight. He heard the sound of his feet, retreating around the corner.
He moved his head to the side, waiting for whoever it was to come into the light.
"It's alright," he called out to Lady Bowmount. "You may now return to your bedchamber."
He was not sure she was going to come out, perhaps she was afraid of him seeing her more than anyone. But he wanted her to know that she could trust him.
His heart beat rapidly against his chest as he waited for whoever it was to walk past. Although he knew who it was. Slowly, she stepped out of the shadows. As he had expected, Lady Bowmount stood there.
"Lady Bowmount." He was glad to see her.
"My — my earring, it... it fell somewhere, and I've been searching for it. I thought I'd check around here. Did you see anything?" She looked around helplessly, avoiding his gaze.
Arthur fought back a smile. He had not known that she could look so helpless than she did then. She didn't want to admit that she had been worried for him. He decided to play along. He shook his head slowly. "I saw nothing, My Lady. I have only just returned and am quite exhausted. But surely, you could inform your maid to search for it. Tomorrow, of course, for it is late."
She touched her chest. "Why, didn't I think of that. I'll make sure to do that, Lord Bowmount. Thank you."
He nodded. "Of course. How did your day go?"
Lady Bowmount smiled. She made no intent to move. "Well, I spent the day with Lady Victoria. Although she was very quiet, I thought it best to simply sit with her."
He clenched his teeth as he recalled his conversation with Lady Victoria. He had promised himself he would tell Lady Bowmount about it. And that, he would do, but not directly. He was not sure how she would take the news of Lady Victoria opening up to him when she should have opened up to her mother.
"Perhaps talking about her father would help. And apologizing for the certain turn things have taken?"
Lady Bowmount creased her brows. "Apology? I don't think that's necessary. Victoria wants space and quiet. She's trying to get over this experience. I think she just - "
"Lady Bowmount," he said as he stepped forward. She didn't shy away. "Lady Victoria needs to know that even though her father is no more, she still has you. You need to tell her that. And you need to show her that as well."
"And how would you know about that?" she teased.
He laughed. They knew to speak in whispers because no one should see them together at that time of the day. "I just know. You should try it."
Lady Bowmount was not so far from him. In the dark, the blue of her eyes darkened. Her lips were turned upward and she looked so beautiful there, standing under the light and staring up at him. He felt the urge to touch her cheek, her hair. Preventing himself from doing so was becoming more and more impossible every time.
"Lady Bowmount?" he whispered. She blinked but said nothing. "What are you doing here so late? "
She smiled. "How did your day go? You missed dinner. We were most worried because Gerald has never missed taking the Dowager Marchioness to church."
Her worry pleased him. "I worked today, tirelessly so. I want the office to be done, so I can commence my work."
"Did you complete the preparations? Does that mean you'll start soon?" she asked.
Arthur nodded. "I'll start tomorrow. I have everything ready.”
"That must have taken most of your day."
"Indeed. And how did your day go?" Besides worrying about me, what did you do?
"Nothing of much importance. Like I said earlier, I simply tried to reach out to Victoria."
"Will you do what I have suggested, concerning her?" he asked tentatively. He wasn't sure she liked the idea, but he tried anyway.
Lady Bowmount nodded. "I will. Thank you." She smiled up at him, in the darkness. His heart melted. She was beautiful, and he wished to hold her close.
Her smile was genuine, he knew this because it was... different and surreal. He suddenly wanted to smell her hair. To feel the golden mass fall over his fingers. He wondered what it would look like when it fell loose around her shoulders. He wondered how long it was.
Suddenly, she stepped back. His heart broke. He had to wake up to reality. To their reality. He panted as he stepped back, too.
She made to walk around him, but he blocked her path. "Thank you, Lady Bowmount."
She shook her head. "What for?"
He nodded. "You know what for. Have a good night."
He turned away from her and walked into his bedchamber. He shut the door behind him, but even the door could not stop his heart from beating so rapidly it felt like it would explode. He threw his briefcase on the bed and lay next to it, confused, tired, and wishing desperately for sleep. He had a smile on his face as sleep engulfed him.
Chapter Seventeen
Katherine did not sleep much. She tossed and turned in bed. Everything seemed as though it had fallen apart. With her disagreement with her parents and friends, she felt as though her world had crumbled. And then Lord Bowmount had not returned early and she felt much worse than she ever had. She had been worried that something had gone wrong somewhere. When everyone had gone to bed, nonchalant about his whereabouts, she had gotten out of her bed chamber to check to see if he had returned. Just then, she heard his voice from a distance and the sound of his shoes. She had been relieved. When he asked her to step out from the shadows, she had done it because she wanted him to know that she had been looking for him. That she cared.
And it all left her confused. Despite the discomfort she felt yesterday, with everything not right, talking to him so late at night had lightened her spirits. It had made her comfortable and it had made her smile. He made her happy, she realized. Even when she felt that she couldn't be, he made her feel.
Katherine walked towards the window of her bedchamber. She looked out into the morning and her heart beat rapidly for the new day. She would have to see him at breakfast. She did not know what had come over her. She was suddenly feeling self-conscious. Worrying about him seeing her. Worrying about how she looked.
Katherine shook her head. Anyone would have been concerned. She shook her head. She needed to clear her head. What she should be focused on was Victoria's well-being, and getting her to talk again. To be the enthusiastic child that she had been. With that thought in mind, she turned and walked out of her bedchamber.
She walked down the hallway, towards Victoria's bedchamber. She opened her door and walked inside. Amelia was brushing her hair when she walked in. Victoria was dressed and seated before her mirror. Katherine stared at Amelia and signaled for her to walk out. Amelia handed her the hair brush, bowed and left.
Katherine walked towards her daughter. Victoria did not move as Katherine began brushing her hair. "Good Morning, darling."
"Good Morning, Mama."
"How was your night?" She let Victoria's hair loose and all of it fell all the way down her back. She had no idea that her hair had grown so much. So long. She laughed. "Your hair."
"My night was well."
"Of course." She recalled Lord Bowmount's advice. Perhaps talking about her father would help. And apologizing for the certain turn things have taken?
She was still not sure what to apologize for, but she would try to talk about Victor with Victoria.
"Your papa would have loved to see your hair so long."
&nbs
p; At this, Victoria sat up. Her eyes widened slightly, and a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. But it died so quickly, it seemed as though it had never been there. Katherine felt her eyes glisten. At least she had gotten a reaction from her. She could not be any prouder of herself. Lord Bowmount had been right. This was exactly what she should have done a long time ago, talk about Victor. Instead, she had stopped and all together, created a rift between her and Victoria. Perhaps, if she kept trying, it would get Victoria to talk to her. She had Lord Bowmount to thank for this. How had he known Victoria would want to talk about her papa?
