"Pardon me, Sir?"
Facing away from the entrance of the study, Conrad Taihn did not shift his gaze from the flickering gold-red flames nestled in the pit of the stone fireplace. "Yes, Tibbs," the middle-aged male said softly.
Dropping his own eyes respectfully, the servant in his black, Spartan uniform replied, "As much as I am loath to interrupt you, e'en as you did ask to be left undisturbed...." He paused to lick his whiskered lips before adding, "The arrival you have been expecting tonight, has come at last."
Conrad's ears flicked backwards; the rosettes in his silver-blue fur catching the firelight as he stood there. "Ah. Show them in." The coolness in his voice betrayed the sudden quickening of his breath... the trip hammer rhythm of his heart beneath his chambray-clad chest, as he continued to watch the fire in the hearth.
Tibbs merely nodded, smoothly turning around to step out of the entry way and head back down the hallway of the long mansion house.
Reaching out, Conrad let one of his large hands come to rest on the smooth, wooden mantle over the fireplace. Long fingers curled over the warm, polished surface as he tried to put a rein on his rapid heartbeat. This night had been weeks in planning, preparing and putting forth the effort to get it done.
Now, in moments, events that had started back in Lord Crowley's estate three days ago were about to come to a head.
He let go of the mantle and dropped his hands down to his sides, rubbing his palms over the thick, worn black dungarees covering his hips and legs before shoving them into the pants' side pockets.
He could still recall Crowley's amused smirk; made only that much more superior as he witnessed his much-younger companion's emotional state, as they both sat there on Crowley's private terrace and gazed at the object that had so captured Conrad's attention.
"Quite a... fetching, little, thing, eh Conrad?" the elder bachelor had murmured, that smile of satisfaction spreading over his aged face. "Fancy a sampling, do you? I'm sure that... and more, could be arranged." Amusement flavored every single word from Crowley's lips, as to make them drop like heavy sugar-covered confections onto a fine China plate. "Yes, that can surely be arranged... For a price."
Dropping his chin to his fuzzy chest, Conrad squeezed his dark amber eyes shut, blocking out the rest of that day. Lords! He'd practically begged Crowley for that asking price, and it was a dear piece of 'coin' to pay, to boot!
But, that cost had already been levied; calculated, banked and eventually paid to Crowley -- who's glee at getting his price seemed unending, the old dolt! -- and now... now there was just the end result of Crowley's little-!
Conrad shoved any further thoughts of the old coot from his mind. He had only to worry about the what was to come tonight!
The sound of footsteps coming up to the doorway of the study made Conrad turn away from the fireplace; just in time to see Tibbs come to a slow halt, the oak wood framing the trustworthy, old mongrel as he dipped his head in respect to the young Master.
"Master Conrad," Tibbs said with decorum, "may I present Mr. Crowley's... maid, Jessica." With that, the old servant stepped back a pace, motioning with his right hand for another to step forward into the room.
As Conrad watched, barely realizing his breathing had slowed to an anticipatory halt, the slim figure of a young woman slipped into the room, to stand just inside the doorway with her head tilted down slightly and her hands clasped together before her as if bound, though clearly she wasn't restrained.
From his viewpoint, Conrad took her in again, as if he were seeing this lovely girl for the first time. Small-made, Jessica was clearly a well-formed feline, even through the specially-crafted maid's uniform she wore. Her white fur and pale sun-yellow hair contrasted strikingly with the white and black outfit; complete with a wide bow at her back, tied over the short, pleated skirt with its maroon trim and similarly trimmed thigh-high stockings. A pair of moderately high-heeled shoes, silver buttoned cuffs and a maids cap rounded out the entire ensemble.
For a span of fast heartbeats, Conrad did little more than stare at the girl. Then, inhaling a deep breath, he glanced up at Tibbs and made a slight gesture of dismissal.
From the doorway, his servant nodded once more, before retreating another pace as he reached out to swing the study door closed, shutting it with a soft click.
Now enclosed inside his private room, alone with him, the maid did not react in a fearful manner. She kept her head down as she waited for him to move, to speak... he did not keep her waiting long.
Moving away from the fireplace, Conrad approached Jessica with measured step. As his tall frame loomed close, he noted that she did not flinch nor shy away from him... a fair change from the skittery types that he usually encountered that were working for his fellow peers. Walking behind her, he noted the calm swish of her long tail and the ready pose in her stance, as her small, triangular ears flicked to follow his movements.
"You are here, to attend to me this night. To serve my... needs."
At once, Jessica's head lifted a touch as she replied, "Yes, I am here to do your bidding, and fulfill your wishes... whatever they may be." Slowly, with her eyes shyly cast under half-mast eyelids, she turned her head towards him. "What do you wish of me, your Lordship?"
This was no idle piece of eye-candy, he mused. This was a girl used to being commanded! To give herself in immediate service! A flicker of a smile floated across Conrad's face. "I am merely a well-kept man, girl. I hold no title of Trinity," he said. "You may call me 'Sir'."
There was a pause. "Yes, Sir. I understand." She kept her eyes down, but her posture turned to be completely open to him. "How may I serve you, Sir?"
Conrad held her gaze for a few seconds more, then he jerked his head towards the sideboard resting against the near wall of the study. "Pour me a drink... and bring it to me." He moved off to where a padded, low-backed chair and slowly seated himself in the soft cushions within.