Page 16 of The Time Of Queens (An Afterlife Story #2)

16

TO DINE OR NOT TO DINE

O nce again, I found myself looking at another mirror and seeing an entirely different person staring back at me. Of course, when Draven practically demanded that I join them for dinner, I had foolishly thought he simply expected me to turn up. That it would be a case of just arriving at the dining room in my simple black dress and eating a better quality of food.

But no. In true Draven style, he had a dress sent to my room, with a handwritten note telling me what time dinner was to be served. His elegant script had not changed much since the first time I had seen it written. Way back when he had left me a note before I had woken up to find myself in his bed for the first time. No, just the stationary had changed and the means to write, as the ink looked fresh. Along with it the words at the bottom that may have sounded like a simple line written, but were loaded with promise.

‘Until Tonight.’

Now as for the dress, Pip told me it was known as a ‘princess style’ and well, I certainly felt like one in it. It was made from a rich cobalt blue silk, with a fitted bodice and a floor length skirt, one made huge thanks to the cage skirt underneath. Something Pip also told me was called a crinoline frame.

I couldn’t decide what was worse, the uncomfortable corset or this caged monstrosity attached to my waist I was supposed to be able to walk in.

Of course, its purpose was to add volume to the skirt, and it certainly achieved that. The cascade of folds at the front of the skirt kind of reminded me of my late grandmother’s curtains. But thankfully was without the gaudy flowery pattern. Instead, delicate pieces of blue lace and ribbons were entwined with the design and matched that on the bodice. One that had a much lower, square neckline and unlike my usual lady’s maid outfit, showed off a lot more skin. Or should I say, cleavage, as let’s just say the corset was doing its job.

As for the short sleeves, Pip had thankfully given me a pair of long evening gloves to wear, so as to hide not only my scars but also my latest injuries. But Pip hadn’t stopped there as she insisted on doing my hair for me. As clearly, a trip to the past wasn’t complete without playing ‘dress up dolly’ for a night. A fact that made us both smile when I mentioned that I had lost count of the number of times I had let Sophia and her do this to me for an evening. Although naturally alcohol had normally also played a factor, something that made her laugh even harder when I confessed this.

But she clearly had a skill for it, as by the end my hair looked stunning. With its elaborate twists and braids all pinned back in an intricate pattern before allowing for the rest of it to fall over one shoulder in a cascade of spiral curls. The knowing smirk from Pip was one I could see in the mirror. A smirk that told me she was proud of her handy work, and it was one that turned into a full-blown grin when I turned around and hugged her in thanks.

A little while after this, and once Pip was in her own stunning dark green dress, we made our way out of the room. I maneuvered the heavy weight of the skirt out the door, and it was one that I gathered yet again belonged to his sister. Something that was proven right when I met her on the balcony that surrounded the first floor, above the entrance hall seen below.

“At this rate I would be better splitting my wardrobe and simply giving you half,” Sophia teased with a wink, making me giggle. “It looks very becoming on you, my dear,” she added, leaning in to kiss my cheek, making me blush as I grabbed her hand to squeeze. She also did this so she could whisper in my ear, “Don’t be nervous.”

“Well don’t we all look pretty,” Pip added when joining us from behind. And as I took in Sophia’s own deep red dress, I couldn’t help but wish we could have had a picture taken, as we looked on our way to a Victorian ball. They were each similar in style, but Pip’s had a lot more lace, and Sophia’s was trimmed with a thick velvet panel around the edge of the skirt.

“Come, dinner will be served shortly,” Sophia said, prompting us to make our way down to the drawing room, where we were to meet before dinner. So, after taking a nervous deep breath, I stepped inside the room to find the men chatting.

The room was quite large, and I remembered Draven telling me that it used to be two rooms but had been knocked into one. The dividing wall had been replaced with a pair of decorative ionic columns. The whole room was lavish in its style, and I expected nothing less from a home Draven owned. Although I had to confess, it was a little garish for my tastes, with its gilded French style panelling and fancy patterned ceilings, every inch of the room looked moulded by an artist.

The furniture was no exception to the Draven’s lavish tastes as it was filled with comfortable seating, for this was clearly its primary feature. Numerous armchairs, sofas, and ottomans were all arranged for easy conversation, each piece covered in matching cream and gold material.

As for Draven, he had his back to the door, whereas Vincent was standing on one side of him with Lucius on the other. Meaning both of which saw me first. The look of shock at seeing me dressed this way was obvious, as neither made any attempts at hiding their surprise.

However, it was Lucius that smirked before leaning in and obviously alerting Draven to my arrival. I didn’t know what he said but it had barely left his lips before Draven’s head whipped around to see me. His eyes instantly widened in amazement before that same heat could be seen morphing them into something forbidden and dangerous. I swear it looked like he wanted to devour me whole, and to the point that even Pip muttered under her breath at me,

“Crickey, run, girl, before he eats you.”

I lowered bashful eyes as the power of his stare beat me into submission. I swear, I thought I heard him hiss a single word before walking over to me.

“Gods.”

“Miss Williams,” he said, giving me no choice but to brave looking up at him, and I swear it was like the world stood still just for the two of us the moment our eyes connected.

“Please permit me to say, you’re a vision in that dress.”

I curtsied before saying a shy,

“Thank you.” My blush spoke for me I was sure, as he smiled down at me. However, the second he opened his mouth to say more, his brother cut in.

“Should we eat before dawn?” Then he slapped him on the back as if in hopes of jarring him from whatever spell he thought I had cast on his brother. Vincent’s icy glare was one of pure distrust, despite him too at first showing me an appreciative glance when I first walked in.

“Shall we?” Draven said, ignoring his brother and now holding out an arm for me. Something Vincent very much disapproved of. That was if his flash of irritation was anything to go by.

Of course, unlike Sophia had been back in Persia, Vincent wasn’t being outright hostile, and no doubt didn’t blame me per say. It was just clear that he didn’t approve of my being here and nor did he approve of the attention his brother was showing me.

I suppose I couldn’t blame him, considering he was just looking out for his brother just as Sophia once had. The only difference now was that Vincent believed that Draven had already met his Chosen One and lost her.

And in his mind that girl wasn’t me.

Now as for Lucius, he looked at me with that famed knowing smirk of his, as if he could see something no one else could. Especially as Draven led me from the room and towards where we were to dine. The tall double doors that led into the dining room were opened by servants who tried hard to keep their judgmental looks from being too obvious. As it was clear my being invited to dine was top rate gossip in the lower levels, along with my fight with the newly unemployed cook. Which did have me wondering who was in charge of cooking tonight’s meal? I hoped it meant someone got promoted, as Mrs Weathers certainly hadn’t been the only one capable of making a good pie.

A large walnut table big enough to seat all of us, unsurprisingly dominated the space, with its matching, cushioned chairs pulled out ready to receive us. I also knew that from working the lower levels that beneath the dining room was a spacious Butler's pantry. A room which was used to serve at mealtimes via a small adjoining servery and staircase. As for the food, this was brought in at the lower level from the main kitchen on the opposite side of the house. Meaning for the servants, it was all hands-on deck during these formal dinners.

The room we entered was an elongated Octagon shape with the walls divided into round arched panels, and great sheets of mirrored glass framed in moulded decorations. Elegant side tables held ornate candelabras that were mirrored in the glass, giving the room an aura of illusion as the reflection of flames flickered around us.

I couldn’t help but look to the window that overlooked the east parterre garden with the flora fountain at its centre. As for Draven, he pulled out the seat for me, taking the job from his staff. A footman stepped forward to do this, only to be left with no choice but to back away.

Draven didn’t seem to care as he was still looking at me as if I was some angel that had just fallen from Heaven only for him. He looked transfixed, and it was only when Vincent cleared his throat that Draven moved away from me to take his own seat at the top of the table. In fact, he looked frustrated that he hadn’t been free to put me next to him. As clearly this was where Vincent and Sophia sat, just like they used to do in Afterlife before I came along. Zagan was then sitting next to his wife, with Adam opposite. Which left me sitting across from Pip who was next to her husband.

And as for Lucius, I tensed when he took the seat next to me, saying,

“How fortunate I am, Miss Williams, for now I get the opportunity to know you better.”

I bowed my head and couldn’t help but flick my eyes to Draven to find him watching us. His jaw was tensed as if he was grinding his teeth.

“And how are you liking this part of England so far?” Lucius asked as they started to serve dinner.

It was obvious that Draven was listening intently and therefore not participating in the conversation between his siblings.

“I like it very much, Sir,” I answered, trying to keep my tone light and not as cautious as I felt.

“And is it your first time?” I glanced up at Lucius to find him grinning down at me like some cat playing with a caught mouse.

“It is.”

“Then it is most fortunate that my good friend there brought you with her,” Lucius replied, looking to Pip who said,

“Oh yes! I just don’t know what I would do without Miss Williams!”

I couldn’t help but smile at her.

“I can’t remember if you ever mentioned it, Pipper, but I’m intrigued, for wherever did you find such a rare jewel?”

Draven’s glass banged on the table a little too hard, making me flinch. However, Lucius pretended not to notice as that tilt to his lips lifted ever so slightly.

“Her previous employment was coming to an end, and she was recommended to me,” Pip answered smoothly.

“Well, it must have been high praise indeed to come recommended, pray tell me, who was your former employer?” he asked, making me gulp down my soup as I frantically tried to search my brain for an answer.

“Mrs Patterson,” I said, having no idea where I came up with such a name.

Lucius gave a thoughtful look before saying,

“I don’t believe I know her, which estate was it?”

“Good lord, Lucius, I fear our guest will think this an integration before long,” Sophia said, helping me out after obviously monitoring the conversation.

“I find it odd that such would bother you, sister, for you would normally have far more to say on inviting the hired help to our table… no offence, Miss Williams, as we are happy to have you here with us of course,” Vincent said, adding this last part after Draven growled his name under his breath.

The sight of his muscles tensing under his dinner jacket had me reaching for my wine glass. Each of the men looked as handsome as usual in the dinner attire, but none more so than Draven. His black suit moulded perfectly to his large frame, as did Lucius’s.

Although Lucius had opted to wear navy, that most definitely brought out the blue in his gorgeous eyes. His blonde hair was tamed back and held there with a thin navy ribbon, making him look more navel in appearance. As if he had just set foot off his own ship, hanging up his captain’s hat before joining us for dinner.

“High praise on my character, brother, I thank you,” Sophia sneered sarcastically to Vincent’s comment, making him scoff a laugh in return.

“In truth, Miss Williams and I have grown close, and I have a fondness for her, as it would be rare to meet one of such strength of character that could match hers,” Sophia replied, giving me cause to grant her a genuine smile and nod my head, telling her,

“I thank you, Miss Draven, for I feel the same way about you… about both of you,” I added, nodding my head to Pip also.

“Indeed, we have become great friends, and I will miss her,” Pip said, slipping up and making Draven straighten in his seat suddenly before snapping,

“Why, where are you going?!”

This question seemed to have us all tense, as a wave of confusion at his sudden outburst travelled around the table.

“Brother!” Sophia shouted, scolding him, but he clearly ignored this as he snapped,

“Well?!”

Pip looked panicked, as if trying to find a reason for her slip up when I decided to say,

“My employment with Miss Fitzwilliam is only temporary, I am afraid.”

“Why?” Draven asked again, making me sigh.

“I will soon be travelling to the Americas to meet what little family I have left there,” I told him, knowing I was somewhat telling the truth.

“Ah a long journey you will have ahead of you, Miss Williams, you must be excited,” Vincent said, as if trying to get me to speak more about leaving. However, his now brooding brother had other thoughts on the matter.

“What family?” he asked in irritation.

“A sister, my Lord,” I replied, and the pained expression of his, was one I couldn’t linger on for long, as the guilt started to eat away at me. So, I concentrated further on my soup.

After this, the conversation moved on to local business, but it didn’t seem as if Draven was interested in participating in that one either. No, his eyes continued to search out my own at any opportunity, sometimes being accusing in nature. As if to silently ask why I didn’t tell him this. The other times, it was as if he were asking,

‘Do you have to go?’

“Where does your sister live?” Draven asked suddenly, clearly not ready to let this go.

“Boston,” I said, randomly picking a state that was anywhere but Maine.

“Where in Boston?” he asked again, and I swear it was like a quick-fire round at a pub quiz. Even Sophia rolled her eyes, pausing mid-way to bring the spoon to her lips. As for Draven’s own food, he hadn’t touched a bite yet, clearly getting his liquid diet from the wine.

“Erm…”

“Charlestown… wasn’t it?” Pip added, promptly saving me.

“Yes, you are correct, Miss, for your memory once again is far better than mine,” I answered, making her wink at me. Something no one thankfully thought odd, as this was Pip we were talking about.

“When?” Draven snapped, as clearly he was struggling with this.

“Brother,” Vincent said, laughing as if to try and ease the tension Draven was inviting to the table.

“Once I have enough funds to get there, Sir,” I replied, making him grit his teeth even harder.

“And are you close, Miss Williams?” Lucius asked, but before I could answer he dipped his head closer and added, “For I believe there are those around this table that will surely miss you.”

At this Draven actually bent his spoon as his fist clenched around it. However, before anyone could say anything more, there was a commotion by the dining room door, and someone burst in along with the steward who said,

“I am sorry, my Lord, but he would not wait.”

“No, as I was told not to, for there is news on the girl you have been searching for. She was spotted not far from here.”

At this I gasped, but it went by unheard as Draven was suddenly out of his seat with a clatter of cutlery.

He then declared in a stern voice,

“Dinner is over!” Then he stormed from the room and this time,

It was without…

A single glance back at me.