Elizabeth swung the heavy brass knocker as she shivered. Soaked by rain, she only had to wait a few moments before the solid wooden door swung open. She was greeted by a well-dressed servant.
"Good evening sir." She began, "I apologize for the late hour, but I have come to ask a boon of the master of the estate. My carriage crashed and my driver was injured just a short ride away. I was hoping he might be willing to grant us asylum through the storm." She was mortified to be seen in such a state, but a desperate situation called for the shelving of propriety.
With a nod, the servant led her inside the door. "Please madam, warm yourself here. I shall fetch my lord." He said, before giving a swift bow and turning from the room. Elizabeth contented herself to wait, examining the foyer she had been left in. The furniture was exquisite, she dared not sit upon it in her current state, instead standing near the marble fireplace. As the fire drove away the bone deep chill of her frantic ride for help, she marveled at the wealth on display.
She was deeply examining a painting hung on the wall when a voice behind her made her jump. "It is quite beautiful is it not? I acquired it on a trip through the countryside of France." She turned to see the master of the estate. He was dressed simply but moved with an otherworldly grace as he entered the room. "Do not worry madam, my Major Domo Reginald has informed me of your situation. I have sent my men to retrieve your driver and carriage, and of course you may shelter the night here."
Relief flooded through her for a moment before she remembered her proper manners. She bowed deeply "Thank you milord. Your generosity is well appreciated. I am Elizabeth Baumont, forgive me but I do not know your name to thank you properly."
Her reaction was met with a chuckle. "I am known as the Lord Nikolas Vanikov, but you may simply call me Nikolas. I have never been one to stand on ceremony when not required. Come, let us get you into something dry and fitting of a young woman of your beauty." He turned and she felt a flush rise to her face. He spoke with the confidence of one used to being obeyed, and she found herself moving to follow after him.
He led her down a hallway, stopping to give context on art or decoration he noticed catch her eye. Finally they arrived at an oaken door. "I had my house keeper find you something that should fit. Please make use of what you'd like, this room shall be yours for the night. I shall meet you when you've changed."
His guest room shared the luxury of the rest of the estate. On the bed she found the clothes that had been laid out for her. The dress was simple, but in its simplicity was an elegant charm. A deep crimson, nearly the color of fresh blood, accented in silver. Taking a few minutes to comb her hair she felt her appearance sufficiently salvaged to meet him back in the hallway. The flush returned to her cheeks as he blatantly admired her. "That color suits you perfectly."
He led her on a tour of the house, regaling her with stories of his travels. His business had taken him a great many places and he was happy to answer her multitude of questions. Truly he was unlike any man she had met previously. At every turn he seemed to flaunt the conventions of proper decorum, yet never seemed disrespectful.