Chương 41: NORMALCY
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"Sure, I don't mind. What is it pertaining to?" Jackson asked.
"These are the proposals for using the slips owned by Killian Shipping Ltd. in Sydney harbor." Christopher handed Jackson the document, and he could smell the iron ball ink on smooth textured vellum.
"I will meet with Magnus Killian soon to discuss completing the deal. We should get priority use of the ports. I wish to avoid sitting out to sea with loaded ships waiting to get products on and off the docks because we are deferring to other brokers to move their boats."
After signing the last few documents, The lord placed his fountain pen back in his pocket, smoothing his suit coat. "These documents must reflect this, or I will not continue with the arrangement and go up the coast to make a compact with Darian Lynch at the port in Byron Bay. I'm trying to avoid this, though, as it will take a day longer to get shipments to their markets in New South Wales."
"I will give them a once over today and advise you of my recommendations this evening," Jackson replied, thumbing through the paperwork.
"That will be fine. We can discuss it over dinner." The two men heard Duncan's shoes clicking on the marble tile. They could tell he was walking to the study.
"Milord, you have a caller. Though I was unaware, you were receiving any guests today. Do you want me to show her to the drawing room?" Duncan waited for Christopher's reply.
"A woman, you say? Who is the guest, Duncan?" Questioned Christopher.
The butler handed Lord Thorn the ladies' calling card. It was printed on fine linen cardstock with raised lettering. Christopher grimaced and rolled his eyes. "Wake me up, please. This has to be a bad dream." He mumbled in vexation.
"It's Giselle; Dante has probably sent her the dinner invitation he spoke of the other day." Lord Thorn stood up from his desk and walked with the other men to the parlor. "Duncan, show the woman in."
A few moments later, the butler arrived at the parlor with Giselle. Ducan bowed and announced the guest. "Milord, Lady Giselle De Sang from Dragonwood is here with salutations."
Giselle curtsied and greeted Christopher in her usual sultry voice. "Hello, Lord Thorn. Sorry to come calling on short notice. I hope you will forgive me. I have brought the invitation from Dante for the dinner party. This is a casual get together, nothing fancy. It will be this Friday evening, beginning at 7:30 PM. Can we count on you being there?"
"I'll accept the invitation. Jackson and I will be in attendance. If you are finished, I have work to complete. Sorry, I cannot sit and have tea or entertain you." Christopher spoke in an abrasive manner. It was his way of saying '…get out,' as politely as possible.
"Then we shall see you Friday evening. Good Day Lord Thron." Giselle said with a sinister smile as she glided from the reception room languidly. Duncan showed her out of the Mansion and to her carriage.
Lord Thorn did not look at Jackson when he spoke. He was staring at the door, watching Giselle depart. He could smell the light scent of her gardenia perfume. "Jackson, please have Cedric come to the study before you head back to the stables. I need to see how Giselle got into the estate. I had left strict instructions, no visitors. Also, please don't forget to look over the contracts." Jackson could see Christopher was irked.
~~~
The carriage ride into Covent Garden was pleasant. Rose had breakfast earlier in the morning with her father, and Giselle was not present. Dante explained he had sent her on an errand when Rose asked about her aunt's whereabouts. Then the Count saw his daughter off to work.
Fog banks hung low in the trees, and drizzle had started again. The temperature began to drop. Sunlight was hiding behind the dull grey clouds. A storm front was coming from the coast and would reach London by evening.
When Rose got to Mr. Crowder's greenhouse, she smiled, and her cheeks flushed with excitement to be greeted by Larson Milner. He bowed and helped her down from the coach. "Where did you go? I have been worried out of my mind. I got home last night, and Allison said you had moved out. She didn't say why or where you went to."
Larson held Rose's gaze, and she could see his longing for her. "Did I do something to offend you, or was there an issue between you and Allison? Whatever the problem is, I will fix it. Rose, please come back to the townhouse and stay with us."
"I'm doing very well, Mr. Milner, and everything is fine. I'm staying with my father here in London." She faked a smile for the blonde-haired man, trying to put his anxiety at ease. Rose had promised Allison not to lead him on and planned to keep her word. Especially after talking with Dante last night. Rose was going to take his advice and wait for the right man to come along. Maybe the stars would aline and give her a chance at happiness one day.
"That's delightful news to hear, Rose. We should get together and have dinner again soon and bring your father along. I want to introduce myself." Larson had a bright, charming grin as he spoke with Rose.
Rose frowned internally at her thoughts. It was going to be hard to stay away and deny herself Larson's company. She would ask the Count to help her. Rose did not want to break his heart. He had helped her choose a new dress, defended her from thugs, kept her feed, and given shelter to her in a time of crisis, and she did not have it in her to harm his ego.
"Sorry, I can't stay and chat longer, Mr. Milner. I have to get to work. I don't want to upset Mr. Crowder. Thank you for being so concerned, but I assure you, things are going well." Rose waved goodbye to Larson and rushed to the greenhouses.
"What is it with calling me, Mr. Milner? It's LARSON!" he hollered to Rose's retreating back. Larson shook his head and sighed. He walked across the plaza to open his dress shop with Allison.
Rose was especially busy since the greenhouse closed for the New Year. She saw how well the rose graftings were taking hold. Some had even started to bud with a bit of her supernatural help. It was pleasing to see her hard work paying off, but, Rose had to be careful not to get caught using her powers. It would challenge to explain.
"The roses are magnificent." The older man was closely studying the plants. "I knew I had picked the right person for this project." Mr. Crowder was overjoyed at seeing the progress of the flowers and praised his new protégé. "Thank you, Miss. Rose, you have done a spectacular job. I can't wait to see all these in the summer. I bet we will have a bumper crop of roses with what you have accomplished." The rest of the day went by quickly; before Rose knew it, it was time to leave for home.
With the day completed, Rose walked back to the plaza, and as Dante promised, the coach arrived to pick her up and return her to Dragonwood. The Count waited for the coach so he could greet his daughter. "Are you having a lovely evening?" Dante helped Rose to step up the stairs to the entry under the portico.
Thunder crashed overhead, and the windows vibrated. It started storming furiously, and Rose was glad to be back at the Mansion. She stood in front of the enormous fireplace in the dining hall, warming her hands. Rose was startled as she felt something brush against the bottom of her skirt. Then she realized it was Oscar. "Hello, young man. How was your day? Did you find plenty of mice?" He purred softly and meowed. Rose stroked his tabby grey fur, and Oscar swished his tail back and forth, enjoying the attention he was receiving. As fast as he materialized in the room, he scampered away. Rose gazed up to see why. Giselle had entered the dining salon for the evening meal.
"You need to keep that wretched animal out of here!" Giselle stated in a hostile voice as she addressed Rose about her little cat Oscar.
"Giselle! Leave at once." Both women snapped to attention at the growl from Dante. "Did you not heed my warning yesterday? I meant what I said to stay away from my daughter!" The Count grabbed Giselle by her upper arm and flung her into the hall. "Carrick, have Giselle's dinner delivered to her quarters." He turned and guided Rose to the table for their meal.
Dragonwood was quiet after supper, and Rose curled up on a wicker chair inside the Conservatory after carefully checking on her plants. The Count waited at the greenhouse door and observed Rose watching the atmosphere. The storm outside was increasing, and she could view the lighting as it flashed across the obsidian sky. "May I have a word?" asked Dante, breaking Rose's trance.
Rose set her book down and seated herself properly in the chair. "Certainly." She said to her father.
"Mrs. Hilyard will be here tomorrow night to begin the etiquette lessons. We are on a truncated timetable for this, and she is well aware. Please be mindful of what she has to show you. I know Mrs. Hilyard will have you well prepared once she's done. Ruth Hilyard is a good friend and the best at what she does." Dante waited patiently. He could sense Rose needed something. He would wait and hear her out.
"Father, I need to discuss an issue that has arisen. Today, Larson Milner was waiting for me at work and conveyed concern about my abrupt disappearance. He wants to meet me again for dinner. He is infatuated with me. I do not want to lead him on. What should I do to let him down and not hurt him?"
"Hmm... That's a troublesome question, darling. I've never faced this. In my time, I would use a woman who was too enchanted with me for pleasure. Kill them for the blood and dispose of the body. You can't exactly do that nowadays, especially with that one, since his sister knows your secrets." Dante tapped his finger on his temple as he tried to devise a solution for Rose's situation with Larson Milner.
Rose rolled her eyes at Dante and sighed. She knew he would be of no help. She would have to figure this out on her own.
"Oh! I almost forgot. We will host a dinner party on Friday evening. Don't be too alarmed, but Lord Thorn and his friend Jackson Taylor, Esquire, will be in attendance." Dante watched Rose's reaction to the news. She gulped, and her face turned ashen for a moment. Dante worried she might pass out.
"Dante, are you crazy? Those men want to kill me. What were you thinking, inviting them here? What's going to stop them?" Rose was slightly taken aback by her father's announcement of the upcoming dinner guests. She clenched her hands tightly at her sides in sheer irritation at the news.
The Count tried to soothe Rose's anxiety about the upcoming event. "Relax, darling girl. We will have others coming to the dinner party. There are about 20 other people attending. Christopher Thorn can't go on a wild rampage in such a place. It would not fare well for his reputation." Dante could see Rose's apprehension visibly diminish when he explained about the other guests. "I won't let you out of my sight. We will be together all evening, so don't fret. Lord Thorn is not an ignorant man. Christopher prefers to ambush his enemies while alone to take them out."
"Okay, I will take your word for it," Rose mumbled to Dante. She still was unsure about his intentions.
"The dinner party is a good time to test the skills taught this week. Giselle will send out the invites within the next few days. We have about six more weeks before the winter ball. I think you will be ready by then." Dante continued to explain his plans for the dance till late into the evening.
When her father finished talking, Rose returned to her room for bed. Oscar was sitting on the chest, waiting for her. "Sorry about Giselle. Why is she so hateful to you?" Rose picked up the cat. They were practically nose to nose. "Oscar, stay clear of that malicious wench. I would not put it past her to harm you." The cat mewed and then rubbed his head against Rose's cheek, letting her know he understood and would obey her request. "Good. I'm glad you see the importance of what I told you." Rose crawled into bed and curled up around Oscar. She could hear the rain pattering at the window, and saw lightning flicker through the curtains. It lulled her to sleep, listening to the tempest outside her window.
~~~
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