Excerpt from The Governess -- Chapter 16:
As Carly sat down to brush through her hair that night, she looked up into her mirror startled, squelching a sudden scream. Instantly, she dropped her brush, her hands going to her face in horror. Her countenance was cut into disfigured fragments as she stared back at her shattered, bloodied, broken mirror. The scarlet globules dripped down the disjointed pieces, terrifying Carly at the deliberateness of such a diabolical act. Running from her room in terror, Carly pounded upon Lord Huntington’s door.
He had heard her scream.
Upon opening his door to find her standing there in nothing but her nightgown, Creighton immediately saw the panic upon her face, increasing his own. Unnerved, he asked, “What is wrong?”
“My…my mirror…” was all she could sob, pointing towards her bedroom.
Stalking down the hallway in nothing but his pajama bottoms, he entered her room to see what she was distressed about. As he drew near her dressing table, he could see the shattered glass, the blood dripping down its fragments. Confused by such hateful evil in his household, he was at once livid.
Why would someone be so purposely cruel to Lady Blakemore?
Turning, he could see that she would not enter her room, but only stood at the doorway, distraught at what this might mean. Her discomfort was distressing. Striding back to her, he pulled her to him. Her hands seared his flesh as she pressed her hands against his chest in awkwardness, choking back more tears from the spectacle of his nakedness.
“Forgive me, my lady.” Fighting for something to say or do, he said surprisingly calmly, “You must sleep in the chambers next door tonight. I will ring for someone to clean up this mess, and all will be well here for you by tomorrow.” Nodding her head in agreement, he pulled the bell pull, retrieved her robe, and then escorted her next door.
Opening the door to the spare room, he shuddered at the coldness of the closed up space. Turning to her again, he said, “No, this will not do. It is much too cold in here for you. Please…I offer you my warm room for the night, and I will stay in yours.” Holding his hand up to quiet her protests, he said, “I do not mean to upset you in any way, my lady, but I do mean to protect you and to make certain you are comfortable.”
Mrs. Thompson quickly came down the hallway in her robe and nightcap, and asked, “My lord?”
“Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. Something rather disturbing has occurred tonight. Please have my room made ready for Lady Blakemore. She will be staying there to keep her safe.”
Mrs. Thompson could see by his expression that he was holding back in front of Lady Blakemore. She knew he would explain to her when they were alone. “Yes, my lord. It shall be done immediately.” She left to attend to her duties, with the help of Ethel and Doris, who, in passing, eyed Carly strangely.
She shivered.
“You are cold. Here, let us get you a blanket or something.”
“Thank you,” was all Carly could seem to say.
“Come. Let us get you more comfortable while you wait.” Lord Huntington led Carly to the sitting area of his chambers near the fire and made her comfortable on a couch with the promised blanket. As he belted his robe, he said, “I will return shortly.” He seemed bent upon a mission, his scowl ever-present upon his brow as he left.
Carly shuddered again. As she looked around his room, she observed the simple masculinity she found. Dark wood etched with exquisite millwork was complimented by navy and burgundy accents. The furniture was heavy and straightforward in its designs. Snuggling deeper into her blanket, she observed the women remaking the bed, stacking fresh towels, refilling hot water, and stoking the fire. The chambermaids kept looking at Carly oddly, almost smugly, which was beginning to annoy her.
As the two maids finished and were shooed from the room, Carly received a whiff of the master’s scent from the removed bedding, breathing deeply. Contentedly, she sighed, feeling comforted because of it. She would, indeed, feel safer in his rooms tonight.
Mrs. Thompson looked over the room one last time and asked, “Is there anything else you might need from your room that I can get for you, my lady?”
“Yes, actually, Mrs. Thompson. Thank you. Just my essentials, please.”
“Very good. I will see to it, my lady, and will bring to you some hot chocolate while I am at it.”
“Thank you for all your kindness, Mrs. Thompson, but it is not necessary.”
“No trouble at all. You might find it soothing.”
“Thank you. You are so kind.” She smiled at the sympathetic housekeeper, finding her smile returned. It was a godsend.
As Carly snuggled deep into the covers of the master’s bed, she felt strange. His scent was still present throughout the room, and it invaded her solitude over and over, but was not unwelcome. In fact, it continued to calm her and reassure her as nothing ever had.
Without the hot chocolate, she drifted into an exhausted slumber with the master still upon her mind.
It's always nice to have a hero save you from certain misery. Creighton's kindness and urgency in taking care of Carly is sweet, for she could not bear to deal with the bloodied, broken mirror in her room that someone purposely plotted.
Thanks for reading with me today. Read more on Friday.
Thanks,
Ellise
