Act II — Falling — Scene One: Questions Left Unanswered
975 Words
I woke with no memory of ever falling asleep.
The events of last night rushed back to me in an instant. The cries in the corridor. The blood. Sebastian kneeling over someone in the darkness.
I squeezed my eyes shut and forced the memories away.
No. I wasn't going to jump to conclusions. I was the one who had been wandering the manor when I wasn't supposed to be.
Even so, I couldn't bring myself to leave the bed.
What if Sebastian was angry?
What if he thought I had been spying on him?
A knock never came.
Instead, the bedroom doors swung open, and Margaret stepped inside carrying a basket of freshly folded linens. She stopped the moment she saw me still buried beneath the blankets.
She sighed dramatically and shook her head.
"Still in bed, I see. Planning to waste away the entire morning?"
I groaned and threw the covers back.
"It's not that..." I mumbled. "Please don't be upset with me, Margaret, but... I was wandering the halls last night."
She arched an eyebrow.
"I think Sebastian saw me."
To my surprise, a smile spread across her face instead of disappointment.
"I already know all about it."
"You do?"
"Master Ravenscroft sent me to retrieve you. He wishes to discuss the matter with you personally."
I fell backward onto the mattress with another dramatic groan.
"This is terrible."
Margaret chuckled as she crossed to the wardrobe.
"Be honest with me," I pleaded. "Is he angry?"
She pulled out a beautiful ivory gown trimmed with delicate lace before looking over her shoulder.
"I am not at liberty to discuss such matters, Miss Hawthorne."
"I was afraid you'd say that."
She motioned toward the vanity.
"Come now. Worrying won't make him wait any less."
With another sigh, I climbed out of bed.
Margaret helped me into the gown before brushing my hair until it fell in soft waves over my shoulders.
I stared at my reflection but barely saw it.
Every passing minute brought me closer to facing Sebastian.
My stomach twisted itself into impossible knots.
Oh, God...
This was somehow worse than the time my grandfather caught me sneaking out after curfew.
A short while later, I found myself standing outside the dining room.
Taking a steadying breath, I stepped inside.
Sebastian stood beside the towering windows with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing out at the gray morning sky. The soft light pouring through the glass outlined his broad shoulders and illuminated the rich brown strands of his hair.
I stopped without realizing it.
He looked... peaceful.
Confident.
Elegant.
His hair somehow managed to fall perfectly into place without a single strand out of line.
Did this man ever have a bad hair day?
Better yet...
Did he ever have a bad day at all?
"Good morning, Liora."
His voice broke through my thoughts.
He hadn't even turned around.
"Good morning," I answered quietly.
Only then did he face me.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he walked toward the table and pulled out my chair.
"Thank you."
He inclined his head before taking his own seat across from me.
"Did you sleep well?"
I hesitated, absently tracing the lace embroidered along my sleeve.
"Yes."
His warm smile told me he knew that answer wasn't entirely truthful.
The servants quietly entered, placing steaming dishes before us before disappearing just as silently.
Sebastian folded his hands together.
"I believe we should discuss what you witnessed last night."
Panic immediately settled in my chest.
"I'm so sorry," I blurted out. "I couldn't sleep. I only meant to take a short walk before returning to my room, but then I heard someone crying out in pain. I followed the sound because I thought someone was hurt. I wasn't trying to spy on you. I promise."
The words tumbled out faster and faster.
Sebastian's smile only widened.
"Liora."
I stopped talking immediately.
"If it eases your mind," he said gently, "one of the stable hands injured himself while replacing a carriage wheel. I was tending to his wounds."
I blinked.
"That's... all?"
He nodded.
"That's all."
The knot in my chest loosened.
Before I could respond, another voice interrupted us.
"Master Ravenscroft? Good morning. My apologies for disturbing your breakfast."
A man stood respectfully in the doorway.
Sebastian rose at once.
"Samuel."
Crossing the room, he clasped the man's hand before resting the other on his shoulder.
"How are you feeling this morning?"
"Much better, sir," Samuel replied with a grateful smile. "Thank you for allowing me the morning to recover."
"You've earned it."
Samuel chuckled.
"But it seems," Sebastian continued, glancing toward me, "you managed to frighten my future wife last night."
Samuel immediately looked mortified.
"I'm terribly sorry, ma'am."
I stood quickly, shaking my head.
"No, please don't apologize. I shouldn't have been wandering the manor so late."
He smiled kindly.
"It is your home as much as anyone else's, m'lady. Don't be so hard on yourself."
His words caught me by surprise.
Your home.
The phrase lingered in my mind.
Samuel turned back toward Sebastian.
"Jackson finished repairing the carriage this morning. It'll be ready whenever you need it."
"Excellent. Thank you, Samuel."
After exchanging farewells, the stable hand left the dining room.
Silence settled between us once more.
Sebastian returned to my side instead of sitting across from me.
Without hesitation, he gently took my hand in his.
"What can I do to satisfy your curious mind?" he asked.
I smiled.
"I don't think that's possible."
"No?"
I shook my head.
"Every answer you give only leaves me with three more questions."
He laughed quietly.
"Then I suppose we'll be spending quite a lot of time together."
Heat crept into my cheeks.
I wasn't sure if he realized what he'd implied.
Somehow...
I hoped he did.
- Writer
