“Now, if there’s anything you don’t like, just let me know and I’ll get it fixed right away. Don’t look shocked, this is what I do. I’m just so happy to do it too – this is the first time in 25 years that I’ve had the chance to attend to anyone’s needs besides Mr. Smith.” The use of Dorian’s fake name reminds me that I need to keep up some pretense. Sure, I didn’t want Dorian to send his staff to unpack my things, but she doesn’t need to know that - just like there are so many things that she doesn’t need to know about her employer.
She’s very talkative as she shows me where I can find everything. I learn that she’s Dorian’s head housekeeper. I also learn that she traveled all over the world taking care of his various homes but that she hasn’t ever seen him. She seems very proud of her work maintaining and training all of his staff. With all that she does, I can only imagine that she was taking care of my room herself out of curiosity. She makes it very clear that she’s always had questions about her mysterious employer, but she doesn’t press me for details. I’m very grateful, because I’m not sure that I could explain how she’s been working for a 20-year-old man for 25 years.
She leaves me with her card in case I have any questions, and a key to the storage unit that contains the things I brought that she couldn’t find a place for. I know why she chose to not put out some of my things – they’re just too shabby. The undersized holy green comforter I had just wouldn’t work with the upscale furnishings I’m now surrounded by. As soon as the door closes, I go to the bedroom that I slept in last night. It isn’t the largest of the bedrooms, but it feels the most like home to me with its light purple and green color scheme.
My parents always had an affinity for lilac bushes, so every spring the house would overflow with vases of the fragrant flower. I don’t remember my dad ever buying flowers from a store for my mom, but he would cut multiple bouquets a day when the bushes were blooming in the yard.
This was also the room where Mrs. Baker put out the doilies that my aunt made for me. After switching nightstands with the other room so Wyatt’s would be in here, then this room would be complete.
Sitting on the bed I feel a little silly for what I’m about to do and grateful that no one else is here to watch me. Mrs. Baker provided a temporary distraction, but I still need answers. I sit up straight like I’m trying to be formal and say, “Coan, I’m calling you.” I feel like I should pull out a Ouija board or light some candles.
It’s otherwise quiet, so I can hear the faint rustle beside me on the bed. The thread that was embroidered into delicate flowers on the bedspread is pulling free of the cloth in one long purple strand. Coiling into the air like it’s being pulled up into an invisible line, it arranges itself about a foot in front of my eyes into a message.
‘The person you are trying to contact is not available right now, please try again later’
Great. A hocus pocus answering machine.
As soon as I blink, the message is gone, and the thread is all back in place. Maybe it was just an illusion – or a hallucination. No, I remind myself that all this magic stuff is real. At least I know that I figured out the right way to ‘call’ him. I would feel a lot better if I could actually get some answers, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.
Chapter 16
That night and the next day I spend going back and forth between anger at Dorian for leaving me hanging, anxiety about what I should say when I see him again, and missing Dorian so much that I would vow to just shut up and let him spend all his money on me if it meant he would come back.
Somewhere in there I also called Wyatt and Emily to let them know about the scholarship I received for room and board. I didn’t tell them much because things are still so unsettled between me and Dorian, but if either of them found out I was living on campus without telling them they would be very upset. Emily was ecstatic, Wyatt seemed sad that I moved farther away. They wanted to visit, but I made excuses to both of them. I don’t want them to see all of the furniture and décor that Dorian bought for me because I’m hoping that I can convince him to take it back. Keeping secrets is harder than I thought it would be and I’m starting to worry about the real and metaphorical distance between me and Wyatt.
I also got two calls from my folks to check in. Me not sleeping at home must be just as strange for them as it is for me.
By six o’clock Friday night, most of my other thoughts had subsided and my only point of focus was how much I miss Dorian. With the dance only a few hours away, I decided to open up the dress that Dorian bought me and put it on. The seamstress that did my fitting said they didn’t offer refunds, so if I don’t wear the dress it would just go to waste. I’m also hoping that Dorian will be happy to see me in it and that maybe we could have that first kiss.
I put the dress on and spend far too much time awkwardly trying to get the zipper into place. Finally, able to study the dress, I can feel how delicate the material is, and even in the dull lamp light there is a bit of shimmer. Looking in the mirror, I feel like a different person. The cut of the dress leaves my shoulders exposed to the few curled pieces of hair that are free of my messy bun. They tickle in an unfamiliar way as I move my head.
The fit of the dress is amazing. I can see now why that seamstress could be so unfriendly and keep her job – she’s an artist with a needle.
I feel like I should be going to the Oscars and not just a school ball. For the first time I see a glimpse of the type of woman I could imagine Dorian with. If this dress doesn’t get me a first kiss with him, I don’t think anything could.
I don’t know when Dorian is going to arrive, but the dance starts at 8, so I sit on the couch and wait. I don’t want to risk anything happening to the dress or my hair, so I sit awkwardly not allowing my back or head to rest up against the cushions. By 7:55 I’m worried that he might not show up at all, so the soft knock at the door almost makes my heart stop.
When I open the door, Dorian immediately steps forward and puts a hand on my cheek. “Are you okay?” he asks.
“Yes,” I reply, a little thrown off by his worried tone.
On hearing my reply, Dorian closes his eyes momentarily and lets out a relieved sigh.
“Why are you so worried?” I ask.
“Coan told me about your call to him. I was so worried by being away for so long.”
“Oh,” I need to remember that Coan tells Dorian everything. But I don’t need to talk with him now that Dorian’s back and I’m glad that he seemed to miss me too. “I just had some questions, and since you weren’t around...”
“I know. I shouldn’t have left things the way I did. It’s all I’ve been thinking about since I last saw you. Come to New Orleans with me and let me make it up to you. We can spend the whole weekend together.”
“What?” I was hoping for a bit of time after the dance to talk someplace quiet, and he wants to take me away for the weekend? “I have to pack napkin samples tomorrow.”
“Why would you need to do that?” he asks looking at me like I might be crazy.
“That’s my job. I pick up hours through a temp agency and that’s what they’re having me do tomorrow.” He’s still looking at me like I might be crazy. Considering that there’s five million dollars in my account, I guess it is crazy, but I have every intention of giving that money back. Without Dorian’s money, I really need that $12/hour.
“If you don’t want to go with me, I would understand,” he says with a disappointed look.
“No. I would love to go, more than anything!” It’s true; I’ve always wanted to see more of the world, and I want to go anywhere that Dorian might be.
“More than anything except packing napkins?”
“Dorian, I don’t want to pack napkins…” Shouldn’t that be obvious? “I need the money.”
With a smirk, Dorian responds “If this is just about you being stubborn, let’s discuss it after the ball. I wouldn’t want you to miss it.”
The truth is that I couldn’t care l
ess about going to a ball but spending time with Dorian is at the top of my list.
Moving back so he can look at me, Dorian gives me the first real chance to look at him too. He is wearing a fine black tailcoat with a white bow tie. He has a perfect silhouette with his broad shoulders and tapered waist. The buttons of his shirt and waistcoat are a deep green with silver edging and their color perfectly matches my dress. The curls of his hair have been slightly subdued by being combed back, but a few waves and curled ends remain. His smooth lips are slightly parted, and his eyes are wide while he looks at me with awe.
I can feel my cheeks start to blush under his gaze.
“Ellie, you are the most in so many ways; the most powerful, for being able to counter an unbreakable curse; the most stubborn, for letting something as trivial as money get in the way, and the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
Wow. I don’t believe I’m the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen, but the way his face is shining with sincerity makes me see that he somehow might believe it. He’s looking at me with that same look of wonder that he had when he first realized we could touch.
Reaching in his pocket, he pulls out a small leather box and holds it up between us before pulling off the lid.
“I’ve never given a gift like this to anyone before, so please don’t spoil the moment for me” he says. “Don’t worry that I paid money for it, because I didn’t; I inherited it. It was my mother’s.”
With those words, I don’t want to do anything to spoil this moment.
He moves the box lower so I can see. Inside the box is a small line of flowers that look like they’re made from silver and ice. Below them are the long thin teeth of a comb. It’s so beautiful and such a traditional type of gift – a hair comb. It’s also a reminder of Dorian’s classical roots. Too late I realize that the flowers might be diamonds, but I’ve already decided to do what Dorian asked and not ruin this moment for him. The thought that he’s had such a long life, but still wasn’t able to do so many normal things, tugs at my heart strings. I want to be able to give him happiness, so I smile up at him.
Picking the comb up out of the box and gesturing slightly toward my hair, Dorian asks, “May I?”
I nod my head in agreement and turn my neck to give him better access. I’m so glad that I chose to wear my hair up.
“I’ve never had anything so beautiful before, thank you.” I can feel myself tense all over as he reaches to put the comb in my hair. When he’s close to me like this, it feels like there is an electric charge between us, and the look on his face is making it so much more intense.
“Thank you,” he responds, pulling back.
No! he was close enough for a kiss – why did he have to pull back! I’m left staring at his perfect mouth for a moment before it registers that he just thanked me. What for?
Answering my silent question, he continues “…for so graciously accepting my gift.”
“It was my pleasure,” I say smiling up at him
His answering smile is magnificent. I so wish that I could reach up and kiss each of his dimples.
Turning slightly, Dorian holds his elbow out to make a space for me to slide my arm into. We walk arm in arm like this until we reach Great Hall. The last time I was in here, is was bright and utilitarian, hosting all the anxious freshman going through orientation.
Now, all of the easels and helpful brochures have been cleared out and the room is dimly lit with a combination of chandeliers and strings of LEDs artfully arranged in topiaries. It has transformed into a ball room and as we enter, people turn and stare.
Up against the wall I see Jenni and Brooke, the girls that were trying to flirt with Dorian the first day he was in classes. Their talking with my new RA, Rachel, and they’re all looking at me with their lips slightly curled up in hate.
Most of the other girls seem to be staring at Dorian with longing – I can’t blame them for that.
I don’t have much time to look around further because Dorian asks me to dance. I recognize the music as an instrumental version of an old Frank Sinatra song, that nobody else is dancing to.
Dorian grabs me and starts whirling me around the floor, clearing space as we move. Leaning in, he whispers “I don’t know any of the modern moves, but growing up, my governess insisted that I learn to dance.”
The only person I’ve ever danced with before was Wyatt when his grandmother was trying to teach us to waltz. Thankfully now I’ve got a long skirt on that can hopefully hide any miss-steps.
Somehow dancing with Dorian seems easier – maybe it’s because he’s so confident in his own steps.
I don’t even notice how many songs we dance to as we stare into each other’s eyes. As the music stops each time, we clap for the ensemble of players and then go back to dancing again as the music starts back up.
By the time the musicians stop to take a break, a few couples have joined us on the dance floor.
Dorian takes advantage of the break to grab us both something to drink. I’m staring at him as he stands in line by the punch bowl when I hear Coan’s voice in my head.
“Pretend you two don’t know each other and act natural. Another one of my kind is there with you. Lucky, hide your ring.”
Dorian’s eyes meet mine for a second and I see that they are wide with panic before he turns away and tries to regain his composure. He must have heard Coan’s words too.
I put my left hand over my right to hide the delicate gold band around my pinky and desperately try to find something to look at that seems natural.
When Em grabs my arm, I jump and almost let my hands fly apart.
“Lucky! You two look seriously into each other! Look, I got a picture. Oh, and I love the dress! – You’ll have to tell me later where you got it!” Em says while holding up her phone trying to show me the pic.
I’m so startled by Coan’s words, that I don’t really even pay attention to what Emily just said.
I never gave much thought to the magical world beyond Dorian and Coan, and I certainly never thought about meeting anyone else connected to it, but Coan’s warning gave me the first inkling that there was something to fear.
Everyone that I don’t recognize around me is suddenly a suspect, and I don’t even know why I should be afraid of them. Coan and Dorian seemed to insist that Druids are the good guys. Why couldn’t they see Dorian and I together or know about my ring?
Em’s phone suddenly seemed like a large glowing beacon calling out to the mystery Druid in the crowd.
“Put it away Em, I’ll look later.” I would grab the phone, but I’m too worried that my ring would be uncovered.
“Hey, Lucky, what’s got you so worked up?” Sometimes I wish she didn’t know me so well. “Do you wanna go back over by Mr. Handsome?”
“No!” As soon as I say it, I know that all I did was peak her curiosity. She’s just standing in front of me giving me a look that says, ‘tell me’, and I have no idea what to say.
From nowhere I hear Coan’s voice again saying, “Lucky, go back to your room.” I don’t know if that means the threat is better or worse, but I’m glad that I’ve got a reason to get out of this conversation with Em.
“I’m feeling a little off. I think I’m gonna head home.”
“Lucky, you’re acting weird. Are you okay?” she asks looking genuinely concerned.
“Yeah, I’m just not used to all that dancing and spinning.”
“Okay, do you want me to find Dorian for you?” Oh no, I hope she didn’t say his name too loud.
“No…I’ll text him or something. Please don’t talk with him – leaving is embarrassing.” Please let her stay out of this.
“Okay, okay. You two looked awesome tonight though.”
“Thanks, Em.” I give her a quick one-handed hug and say, “bye” while trying to bury my other hand in the folds of my dress.
The walk that only took a minute on the way here with Dorian by my side suddenly seems much longer when I’m alone in the da
rk. I know I’m supposed to be acting natural, but I can’t help looking around to see if there’s some sinister character sneaking up on me.
I hope that Dorian’s curse is as effective against harm from a Druid as it is against everything else.
I find myself back in my dorm room in the same awkward position on the couch, but this time I can’t relax because I’m so worried for Dorian.
It’s almost midnight when there’s a soft knock at my door. Dorian is in light colored slacks with a chunky camel colored sweater. The sleeves are pushed up to his elbows and on one wrist he’s wearing a watch that has a face and band all made from wood. In his other hand he’s holding the strap of a leather duffel bag. His face is serious, and the muscles of his jaw are flexed.
He looks relieved to see me as he steps into the room.
“Lucky, you need to get changed and pack, right away.” I can tell he’s forcing himself to speak calmly.
“What’s happening?” I ask. “Are you safe?”
He half rolls his eyes and sighs a little. “I’m immortal. You should never worry about me.”
“Then what’s wrong…why are we running?” If Dorian isn’t worried for himself, then I must be the one in danger.
“We aren’t running. We’re vacationing.” He’s trying to make his words sound light, but I can still see that something is wrong.
“I can’t vacation. I have a job.”
“Fine, then. We are vacationing and you’re becoming unemployed,” he says, the tone of his words a little exasperated.
“Why? Is the other Druid dangerous?”
“No,” he says, but he doesn’t look sure. “It’s just odd that he would get so close to me. The timing is suspicious.”
“What do you mean?” I don’t see what timing has to do with anything.
“Lucky, please just get changed and pack a suitcase. We can discuss all of this once we’re on our way.”
Lucky: Dorian Gray Novels Book 1 Page 15
