The sky was dark and brooding, reflecting her feelings as her fingers remained clutched on the curtain, over looking through the panes of the window at the relentlessly downpour of rain.
Her night has been short, her restless heart heavy with worry. Only the running of her lean fingers against her son's dark curls had put her mind at ease for a moment. But she was still plagued by unsureness. She was facing off against society, using their rules against them and playing a twisted game. But she'll be damned if she left her ex- fiancee Magnus take away her child— it wasn't even an option.
Her fingers clenched strongly on the soft material until a sudden noise against the unyielding assault of the rain reached her ears. Neighing of horses reached her ears. She squint her eyes through the blurry rain-stricken window. Lucinda could just make out a man alighting from the carriage that stooped infront of their mansion building at a distance.
She couldn't make well which servants the Viscount had sent to her home. But do her eyes deceive her, for she could swear she didn't see an outline of an umbrella— in such heavy downpour? Goodness gracious.
Before she knew what she was doing she had turned on her feet and was heading for the front door. Suddenly plagued with the unusual thought of not allowing her servants to get to the door first.
As Lucinda ran through the corridor and down the stairs, she thought of the words the Viscounts has said before leaving a lingering kiss to the back of her hand; much to her dismay and the tingle she tries to deny she felt.
He had told her that the contract document will be sent to her house in the following days. Yes Albert it took two days, but that was so much time in haste to get such important documents ready. One that would seal her fate. So why? Why did she run for the door; too late to think much of it as the hard oak door now stood in front of her, suddenly seeming more large and imposing than she remembered.
She took a deep breath, allowing the comforting darkness of her surrounding envelope her. She had requested for their curtains to be partially closed hence leaving the hall and almost every other room in the mansion to be shrouded in partial darkness.
As Lucinda reached and gripped the door handle, it seemed more colder than she remembered, biting through her gloved hand but with resolve, she threw it open.
The blinding light of the morning sky, though dull with the storm, took away her ability to see clearly for a moment. She shielded her face for a moment from the on slaughter of the breeze and rain that wiped her dress as her eyes adjusted only to fall on a dark charming smile that greeted her, followed by the thick gravelly voice that demanded her attention over the rain.
"Wonderful weather we are having right Lady Lucinda?", Standing in front of her was a drenched Lord Silas, a charming wide smile on his face like he wasn't at the mercy of the rain that wiped his attire and dark tousled strands in all directions. Though he stood tall.
For the second time in a long time, Lucinda was at once short of words as she stared at the Lord like he was some strange animal.
"I would prefer i come in. I believe your home is much warmer than out here" the man still has the audacity to sport a playful glint in his eye.
Without much fight as she would put off, she let the Gentleman pushed his way into the house as she backed off. The door closed behind him leaving the space dully lit once more.
"If you don't mind i would like to dry up least i catch a cold. You don't want that when we have important matters to take care of do you?" With a look of disbelief his way she found herself leading him up the stairs to one of their guest bedroom which had never been used; that is until today.
•••
Closing the door she took a breath before turning to face him, and against her better judgement was startled at his close proximity— the back of her head lightly hitting the door as his bright blues stared back at her. Swirling and glowing in the partial darkness.
Her furrowed brows mirrored his as he scanned her face and suddenly his hand reached for her. Lucinda almost swath his hand away before it landed softly on her hair. Her confused gaze darted to his but he didn't meet her eye. Suddenly he pulled his hand back to reveal a small twig with a budding leaf.
"I was the one under the mercy of the rain, but it seemed like nature likes you best" he chuckled, his voice deeper in the darkness.
She almost grit out 'back away' before he moved on his own volition maybe sensing the death threat hanging in the air between them as her green orbs lit up in flames.
He waited silently till she spoke "Bathroom is that way" she pointed to a corner.
"Do you by chance have any change-"
"A set of dried clothes will be brought to you by the time you dry yourself off. " Lucinda quickly inputed, suddenly feeling the need to add "It shall be one of the maids and not me to bring it to you".
And she turned and exited the room, seeing for a fleeting moment the way his wet white shirt hugged his muscular frame as he shrugged of his coat. Lucinda wind her neck round her shoulders suddenly feeling stiff as she went in search of a maid.
All her effort to not have to start up a gossip with the maids all for nothing now as she refused to go back in there to see the oddly cocky man.
The maid called knocked on the door of the guest chamber. Her mistress told her to bring sir Connor cloth to the room. She honestly didn't know when he needed a change of cloth and not in his own chambers. Not hearing a reply she pushed into the room.
As the door clicked shot behind the maid, another creaked open and the maid turned and almost had her heart wrenched out of her chest as her leg suddenly gave way to hit the door with back of her head hardly. The tall specimen in front of her made her almost chock on her own breath. He was shirtless and his muscles flexed as he rubbed at his damp dark curls with a towel. The water ran down the expanse of his chest and wide shoulders.
"Ah! you must be the maid Lucinda sent for..." it was not a new thing for maids to see half naked masters and mistresses even fully naked ones wasn't a fluke with the nature of their job. But she did not expect to sleep and wake up today to be gifted the glorified sight as the one before her; not even in her wildest dream did she think of such a pleasure to be before such swoon worthy character.
Remembering the curve of the man sensuous lips as he said something, she mumbled an incoherent acknowledgement with a bow almost stumbling as her head felt too heavy to carry.
"You may put the-" before Lord Silas even finished his statement, the maid quickly dropped the clothes to the side and rushed out the door so fast it was only the clicking of the door shutting and the sudden breeze that blew against him that registered as she fled.
He scrunched his brows. Was everyone going to keep banging the door at his face today. Then he shivered to the slight cold of the breeze. He better get ready. Who knows when Lucinda patience will wear thin and she barge in here; but was that necessarily a bad thing?