Chapter 39: Mrs Dunovan
WARNING: SEXUAL CONTENT
The next morning, Oliver stood near a quaint florist shop, waiting for the maid to deliver the hair sample as requested. His gaze wandered aimlessly across the sky, but his thoughts were firmly anchored on Dominic. *"He's undoubtedly Marie and Victor's son… There's no mistaking it. I have a meeting with him tonight. I want to learn more, though I must tread carefully. He's a cold, intimidating man,"* Oliver mused, his mind drifting to the memory of his sister, Marie. *"Why didn't she come with him to Eardoznia? Is she even alive?"*
A sudden hand on his shoulder broke his reverie. "Mr. Oliver," came the voice of the maid. He turned, recognizing her voice just as she slapped him across the face.
"Hmph... You're a nasty man," she sneered. "Sent another maid to do your dirty work, did you? Are you playing games with me?"
Oliver's expression turned icy, his grip tightening around her wrist as she gasped in pain. His voice, low and sharp, carried the menace of his lineage. "I'll let this slide *for now*... because you've fulfilled my request. But next time, I won't be so lenient. You know where I'm from. My family will ensure you suffer for laying your filthy hands on my face."
He extended his free hand, his long, elegant fingers beckoning. "Where is it?" His voice was cold, authoritative.
The maid, trembling under the weight of his hold, hastily produced a small, transparent bag containing Dominic's lock of hair. Oliver yanked it from her grip and released her wrist. She clutched her hand, gasping in pain, as he placed a thick portfolio of money before her.
"Take this," he said, his tone cutting. "It's more than enough to retire you from your current job. Once you accept it, don't show your face around here again. I won't have my plans ruined by someone like you."
Oliver spared her one last glance before turning away. She hesitated only for a moment before grabbing the portfolio and hurrying off.
A smirk tugged at the corner of Oliver's lips as he examined the hair sample, carefully slipping it into his coat pocket. *"Mother would be proud,"* he thought, unaware of the watchful eyes upon him.
From a shaded corner, Dominic observed the exchange. His eyes narrowed as they followed Oliver's movements. The maid's face stirred something in his memory—a familiarity. *"Isn't that the same maid who cleaned my room yesterday morning?"* he thought, his mind already spinning plans of interrogation.
His lips curled into a faint, amused smile. *"Oliver... so predictable."*
Turning on his heel, Dominic scoffed quietly to himself. *"I have a meeting with him today. I'll need to wrap things up quickly; my absence has caused enough havoc in Verdaselles. At least the bodyguards I hired will keep Evangeline safe."*
With a final glance at the florist shop, Dominic thoughtfully stroked his chin and set off toward the lodge, his thoughts sharp and measured.
As Dominic returned to the lodge, he spotted the maid walking from the East Ward. He slowed his pace, sliding his hands into his pockets, and locked eyes with her from afar. His gaze was cold, unblinking, sending a wave of fear through the woman. She froze in place, unable to move, her heart hammering in her chest. The hallway was empty, leaving her utterly alone with the figure she now recognized all too well.
"May I have a word with you, ma'am?" Dominic's voice was neutral, calm—too calm. "It's nothing much. Meet me in the room you cleaned yesterday morning."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and walked away. The maid's fingers trembled, her hands fidgeting in fear as she watched him retreat. *"Has he found out? What does he want with me?"* Panic flooded her thoughts. *"I must tell Mr. Oliver immediately... but what if Dominic already knows everything?"*
At Dominic's room, the maid stood before him, her nerves barely contained as he sat on the sofa, his legs crossed in an elegant, almost lazy manner. His gaze pierced through her, reading every flicker of fear she tried to hide. A slight smile played at the corners of his lips as he lowered his head, amusement flashing briefly in his eyes.
The maid's cheeks flushed as she finally raised her head and saw him clearly. His beauty stunned her for a moment, but before she could fall into the illusion of charm, his voice snapped her back to reality, cold and sharp.
"I know about your dealings with Mr. Oliver," Dominic said, his voice smooth yet laced with menace. "But I have no idea what it was all about. Care to give me the details? Don't worry, I won't hurt you—unless, of course, you breathe a word of this meeting to Oliver or the Capulets. I assure you, you won't like the consequences."
He took a slow sip from his glass, his words hanging in the air like a heavy, unspoken threat.
The maid's heart raced. She had never seen someone so outwardly beautiful yet so inwardly terrifying. *"He's dangerous,"* she thought, panic clawing at her. *"Telling Mr. Oliver could cost me my life. But why do they both seem like they're playing me? I thought they didn't know each other, but now... it's clear they're connected."*
With a shaky breath, she finally spoke. "He asked me to clean your room because he wanted a lock of your hair."
Dominic raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He set his glass down, the soft clink of the crystal amplifying the tension in the room. *"So that's what this is about. Oliver's playing his little games, but not smart enough. I'll ruin whatever plans he has against me."*
"And did he tell you why he wanted the hair?" Dominic's tone turned icy, his gaze hardening as it bore into her. The maid flinched.
"No, sir. He didn't. He only asked for the hair."
She fidgeted, lowering her head in submission, her hands trembling in her lap. Dominic's eyes flicked to a necklace hanging around her neck, something about it stirring a distant memory. He stood, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. "That's all I needed," he said, sighing lightly. "I'll pay you for the trouble."
The maid, overwhelmed with relief, bowed deeply. "Thank you, sir. I promise, with my life, I won't tell Mr. Oliver about our meeting."
Dominic was about to dismiss her when his eyes lingered on the necklace again. Something about it gnawed at him. "Oh, and where did you get that necklace?" His voice sharpened, sending another wave of fear through her.
*"Why does he care about my necklace?"* she thought, clutching the pendant tightly. "It belonged to my mother, sir," she answered hesitantly. "Do you know her?"
Dominic scoffed softly, a smile creeping onto his face. *"Mrs. Dunovan... so, you're her daughter."* The memories of his dealings with Mrs. Dunovan came flooding back, and his hands clenched into fists at the thought.
"Perhaps," he said cryptically, his voice trailing off as his mind wandered. *"It's a small world indeed."*
~Natalis 20th, 1802~
**The Brusward Home**
Dominic at 14 years old sat at the piano, his fingers gently resting on the keys. His piano tutor, Miss Lilian Dunovan, a woman of 28, stood beside him. She wore a simple yet elegant necklace that Dominic had seen her wear many times before. As she watched him play, she smiled with quiet admiration, appreciating his progress and youthful and beautiful face with sexual desires running in her mind as she saw his delicate feminine fingers.
"You're improving, Young Master," Miss Dunovan said, her voice calm but encouraging. "But you need to play this piece with more relaxation, more feeling."
"Thank you, Tutor Dunovan," Dominic replied, nodding politely. "I'm trying to get the notes right."
Miss Dunovan gave a slight laugh, shaking her head. "It's not just about playing the right notes. Music is about emotion. It's better to move someone with the way you play than to get caught up in perfection." She moved gracefully to sit beside him on the bench. "Let me show you."
Dominic hesitated, starting to rise from his seat. "Shall I stand so you can have space to play?"
"No, no," she said gently, gesturing for him to stay seated. "Stay here and listen closely. It'll help you understand the flow." She sat beside him and began to play the piece, her hands gliding effortlessly over the keys. Dominic listened carefully, his expression calm but focused.
When she finished, she stood up and smiled at him and gestured toward the piano. "Now, your turn. Play it again, but slower this time."
Dominic placed his hands on the keys and began, but his tempo was too quick. Miss Dunovan chuckled softly. "Too fast," she said, adjusting her scarf revealing her cleavage "Relax your hands."She said as Dominic stared at her breasts
"Sorry, Mrs. Dunovan. Let me try again." He focused on playing more slowly, his concentration returning to the music.
She watched him closely, leaning forward a little, but her voice remained professional. "Still a bit too tense. Loosen your hands, like this." She placed her hand lightly on his, guiding his fingers gently over the keys , she caressed his hands and interlaced them with his.
Dominic noticed the subtle shift in her behavior but remained focused on the lesson. "Mrs. Dunovan," he asked curiously, "do you teach all your students like this?"He said as she caressed his arms and chest pressing her breasts on his back , Dominic could feel the soft sensation.
Her smile softened as she withdrew her hand. "No, Only You Dominic. Each student is different. You remind me of someone, though—my late husband that died in the battlefield. He had slender and beautiful hands much like yours—elegant, perfect for piano playing."Then she caressed his hands again admiring them
Dominic nodded, unsure how to respond, but continued to play. His fingers began to move with more ease, and the notes flowed more naturally. Miss Dunovan watched with approval, satisfied with his progress.
"You know, you're an impressive, young and attractive man, Dominic," she said, her tone light and teasing. "Those hands of yours are made for more than just piano playing. They'll serve you well in whatever path you choose and anything would be perfect as you."
Dominic's brow furrowed slightly as he kept his attention on the keys. "Actually, Mrs. Dunovan, I'm engaged to a young woman. I'll be married once I take over my father's business as the next head of the house."He said as Lilian fingers caught into his hands again making the keys sounding out of order.
Miss Dunovan's smile didn't waver. "Well, congratulations, Dominic. I'm sure she'll be quite lucky. And of course, there will always be more lessons to learn."
"More lessons?" Dominic stood up, gazing at her with a raised eyebrow, uncertain of her meaning.
Miss Dunovan simply smiled again, this time with a hint of mystery. "In music and in life, Young Master."
Dominic remained silent, his fingers resting on the piano, contemplating her words.
"I want to teach you how to become a proper man," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of manipulation. "If you refuse, I'll make sure your father makes things difficult for you. You know how easily he can be provoked."She said to Dominic using his father's power against him
Dominic felt a chill as she began to caress her breasts removing the scarf covering her bare shoulders and untie the lace at the back of her dress. Her movements were slow and deliberate, and he could sense her intentions. Though she didn't fully undress she wore a transparent gown revealing her nakedness through the fabric as her gown fell to the ground, the way she stepped closer made her intentions clear. She leaned in and kissed him briefly on the lips, testing his reaction.
Dominic's mind raced. He had been wary of her behavior before, but now it was unmistakable. He understood the danger of the situation—his father was not someone to cross. The mere thought of his father's wrath kept him from reacting. He couldn't afford to provoke the man who controlled his future.
When she stepped back, she gently caressed his face, her tone softer now. "No one needs to know about this," she whispered, her words dripping with secrecy"Including your father.... Just obey and everything would be fine"She said as she caressed his chest taking off his jacket
Dominic stood still, conflicted and tense. He knew how much was at stake, not just for himself but for his standing with his father. He remained silent, grappling with the weight of the moment and nodded in agreement to Mrs Dunovan request.
Lilian led Dominic to a lounge chair, gently guiding him to sit beside her caressing her thighs and breasts again, She touched his arm and placed his hand on her leg, her fingers trailing lightly along his. He felt the weight of her gaze, the tension thick in the air. His mind spun with conflicting emotions—her earlier warnings echoed in his mind, and he knew he couldn't resist much longer.
Though hesitant, Dominic found himself responding, his hands gripping her legs as her intentions became undeniable. Lilian's voice, soft yet firm, coaxed him further. She whispered in his ear, guiding him with a mixture of encouragement and suggestion. As the moments passed, Dominic felt a surge of unfamiliar emotions—a mix of confusion, desire, and the fear of the unknown.
His heart raced as Lilian drew him closer, teaching him step by step how to navigate her gates of womanhood . Her soft words, laced with subtle instruction,He thrusted his sceptre of manhood inside of her and as she moaned with satisfaction as he was inside of her her cheeks flushed red looking into his eyes reminded him of his piano lessons. "It's as simple as playing the piano," she murmured into his ear, "if you stay relaxed."
Dominic felt overwhelmed, his senses heightened, and his mind filled with an intense curiosity that pulled him forward. His inexperience was clear, but Lilian's gentle guidance and soothing words kept him focused. As he moved in rhythm with her, a strange sense of satisfaction coursed through him—a feeling unlike any he had experienced before. It was as if he had unlocked a new world, one that both fascinated and confused him.
Lilian moaned softly, her hands tightening on his shirt as she pulled him even closer. "It's been a long time since I've felt like this," she whispered, more to herself than to him. Her breath hitched as the tension between them intensified as Dominic moaned and groaned.
Dominic, though inexperienced, found himself drawn deeper into the moment, his heart pounding as he kissed her neck. His mind was a whirlwind of sensations—half of him lost in the unfamiliar emotions flooding his body, the other half fully aware of the consequences of this moment.
He didn't want to think about what would come next, or how his father would react if he ever found out. All he knew was that this was his first time, and despite everything, he was unable to pull himself away.
**~Back to the Present~**
"This happened every time we had piano lessons," Dominic reflected, staring out the window. "I didn't regret it having sex with her. At the time, I felt relieved, freed from the constant tension. I didn't want to provoke my father, so I complied with her wishes, unaware it was all emotional blackmail. But that's in the past. I'm glad it ended when it did, though. In 1803, my father sensed something strange between us. He fired her and even filed a restraining order to keep her away from mebecause of her obsession with me it was one of the best moments of my life,even if it was awkward that she was older"
His thoughts drifted as he gazed at the maid standing before him. Dominic's expression remained cool, his eyes unreadable.
"Send Mrs. Dunovan my regards. You can leave now and return later this evening for your payment," Dominic instructed, his voice calm and commanding as he moved toward the sofa with effortless grace.
The maid hesitated before asking, "May I know your name, sir?"
Dominic paused mid-stride, then elegantly lowered himself onto the sofa, crossing his legs with practiced ease. He picked up a glass, swirling the liquid inside before taking a slow sip.
"It's not necessary," he said, his tone distant but polite. "Just tell her her piano student sends his greetings. She'll remember."
With a nod, the maid quietly exited, leaving Dominic alone with his thoughts. He sighed, leaning back against the plush cushions and staring at the ceiling, his mind drifting between the past and the present.
"I wonder how she's doing now... It doesn't matter." A slight smirk played on his lips as he spun the glass in his hand, watching the light catch in the swirling liquid. "I have more pressing matters today—like my meeting with Oliver."
His fingers tapped rhythmically against the cup, a mischievous glint in his eyes as his thoughts shifted to the Capulets. They were always a thorn in his side, but today, he felt particularly eager to outmaneuver them. Just then, Caleb entered the room, breaking Dominic's reverie.
"My Lord, a letter from Mr. Charles," Caleb announced, handing him an envelope.
Dominic's eyes flicked to the letter as he took it, tearing it open with careful precision. "It must be about the investigation," he remarked, glancing over the contents. "He's already informed me over the phone. The trial might begin tomorrow morning."
He set the letter aside, his demeanor still calm, though the corner of his mouth curled into a subtle, devilish grin. "We need to entangle the Capulets in their own web. They think they've gained an advantage by acquiring a lock of my hair." He crossed one leg over the other, exuding confidence. "But I'm not concerned about the results."
Dominic's gaze darkened slightly, his mind already working through the possibilities. "Tonight, I have a meeting with Oliver, and I'll use the opportunity to gather more information about my mother. The Capulets will regret crossing me."
He leaned back, swirling the glass again, his fingers lightly tapping the rim. The game had begun, and Dominic was ready to play his part—with charm, elegance, and a well-calculated plan.
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