Warning -- A similar vein to prior chapters, and even longer x
***
Aleksis stood in the darkness, on the fringe of the forest leading to the Bard estate. Even at the late hour there was steady movement across the premises; servants completing tasks, socialising and unloading supplies.
His black, piercing eyes darted to a large corner room on the third level of the residence, brightly candlelit, the curtains drawn wide. Edmund was at his desk, preoccupied. Frowning at papers, his austere expression made him seem older, more hardened.
The sleepless young man was notably unhappy, and Aleksis wondered if Sage had anything to do with it. A confusing half hour passed before Aleksis felt certain she was not on the premises.
Unsettled by the discovery, he concentrated, working to rekindle their transcendent connection. It was with shock that he turned from the estate, staring at the quiet dirt road leading to town.
Frowning heavily, Aleksis looked back to the Bard iron gates once more, to Edmund's severe countenance, then quickly joined the road. His journey was swift, though he occasionally left sight where a carriage or rider passed by.
Once in the city, he drew his cloak tighter, now wary that several of fine folk in town would recognise him from the Bard engagement festivities. It would be nothing short of disastrous to come across his old friend, Frederick. After rudely abandoning his host at the ball, Aleksis wouldn't put it past the tenacious Lord to place signs up about town to locate him.
The streets were busy at all hours, particularly night, when noble folk liked to spend their evenings in a variety of indulgent activities; attending shows, hosting dinner parties, visiting gambling houses and engaging in surreptitious tête-à-têtes.
Aleksis quickly avoided a large carriage of four horses, and took a turn down a quieter side alley. The street he stepped onto was far less crowded with no active businesses. It was particularly unenchanting to view, thereby unlikely to attract many nobles who might wander on foot to admire brighter lighting and impressive architecture.
"Oh!" A lady cried with alarm, almost losing control of her horse as it reared up in a panic.
Alekis jumped back with his palms raised, trying his best to curb any mannerism that might seem predatory to the beast.
The woman was an aristocrat, in a fine blue coat with a large hood concealing her features. When the horse was startled, the hood fell back.
"Good evening, Lady Amelie," Aleksis politely greeted her from against the wall, his hands peacefully behind his back.
"G-Good evening," Lucille stuttered, extremely put out by the loss of her disguise. "I am so sorry, I know we were introduced but I am afraid I...
Cleo!
" she chastised her mount, which had significantly calmed but was still inclined to retreat the direction they'd come.
"Lord Jaromir," Aleksis smiled. "The fault is mine, my Lady. I'm afraid horses take a keen dislike to me."
"That must be most inconvenient for travel," Lucille remarked, firmly keeping the rebellious horse in check.
"It is very burdensome, but it does force one to the benefits of exercise. I suppose I might be very round otherwise," Aleksis joked.
Lucille laughed, admiring Aleksis' strange beauty; his gleaming blonde hair and flawless face. The compelling black shine of his eyes. "You have not been in town long, I believe?"
"I have not," Aleksis bowed, and Cleo snorted nervously. "My presence here is merely temporary. A nice change of scene before I return home."
"Oh? From where do you come?" Lucille inquired.
"The North," Aleksis answered.
Lucille politely nodded, not particularly curious to delve further into Aleksis' history. She found the unusually attractive young man a pleasing conversationalist, but that was where her interest ended. There was too much on her mind to engage in a social flirtation, and from experience she knew these bantering exchanges could last a good hour.
"Well, I must go. I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay, Lord Jaromir," she said kindly, lightly digging her heel to urge Cleo onwards.
"And I wish you a pleasant evening, my Lady," Aleksis bowed again, noticing Lucille's smile drop at his words before she quickly placed the hood to cover her face.
Aleksis stepped aside to give Lucille ample room to ride by. He turned to look after her, his inquisitive gaze following the young lady, perfectly aware she was on an errand of great secrecy, and not of a pleasant nature. Placing the distinct moment aside for later consideration, he continued his journey to Lord Habern's manor.
***
Thoroughly distraught by her bad luck, Lucille mulled over the incident all the way to Stephan's residence. It was a small mercy that Aleksis was new in town, and unlikely to spread word of their unusual encounter. He did not seem the type to enjoy petty gossip, and possessed a very mature air of wisdom for such a young face. Besides, the death of the Stiles' would be the most diverting topic of discussion for months to come.
This unexpected meeting convinced Lucille that the evening would be nightmarish from start to finish. Departing her manor unaccompanied had been a most trying task. The household naturally knew of her affair with Edmund, but with his recent engagement to Sage, Lucille refused to imply that excuse for her mysterious outing. Her personal maid's dismay earned a sharp word and eventually turned to silent pouting. The butler dared a number of hinting remarks but overall refrained from directly airing his concerns.
When the housekeeper ambushed her at the stable entry to suggest a morning ride as opposed to evening, Lucille irritably advised the older woman in no uncertain terms that she wished to ride alone and might be gone a while.
Once in her saddle and finally convinced the ordeal was over, Lucille's relief was cut short when her carriage driver barred her exit to question whether he should follow behind, should the lady require assistance. It was only a thinly veiled threat to immediately cease his employment that made him reluctantly step aside.
The servants' anxiety for Lucille was touching, but irksome. When her parents died, they watched her grow from girl to woman, disapproved of her affair with Edmund but their loyalty remained strong.
Naturally, it was improper for a young lady to ride unaccompanied at that hour; a Lord would not be badgered about a night journey. But propriety was not the reason behind the pointed interference. Like Edmund, Lucille was a good employer, a bright young woman with a respectable name and ample fortune. They felt their mistress deserved better than whatever new dalliance she chose to recklessly enter.
***
In a white gown with blue satin lace, Sage sat on a small balcony, gazing forlornly into the night.
After refusing to accompany her uncle to a small card party that was almost certainly a match-making affair, she was confined to her quarters. Since claiming to feel unwell, the ruse spoiled any chance she had to venture out even if accompanied by servants. A lady could not plead sickness then gallop into the night.
Even with Habern absent, Sage knew the servants had been instructed to keep her housebound. The servants were polite, but very different to the ones of Edmund's household. More like the Stiles' type, they were rigidly uptight and humourless.
This distinction brought an unhelpful longing for the company of Edmund's old Steward, Joel, leading onto wistful thoughts of Edmund. For a while Sage mulled over her regrettable circumstances, that the world seemed filled with unfair complexities.
Sage suddenly bolted upright, sensing Aleksis. The recognition was like a shimmering vibration trailing across her skin, placing her senses on high alert. Carefully rising from the settee, Sage cast a furtive glance to check her bedroom door was closed, before approaching the balcony edge.
Aleksis smiled up, his eyes appreciative of her beauty and mildly cynical, which Sage knew was attributable to her location. Though speech would be risky, Aleksis was inclined to keep his silence regardless, awaiting Sage's reception.
Sage considered. "You are welcome to enter, Aleksis," she said quietly, and retreated to her bed chamber.
