Page 51 of Once Upon a Midnight Dreary
He paused at a hedgerow, admiring the impeccable trimming.“I have a keen interest in architecture.Especially these old country houses.They simply don’t build them like this anymore.But with the right investment, Ravenfell could shine again.”
She didn’t like his prodding, but tried to maintain her composure.She clasped her hands.Before she could respond, Aunt Eloise spoke.
“Isn’t it romantic?An old manor, a lady, and a willing suitor.One could write a novel!”She grinned, proud of herself as she paused to sniff a rose.
It took everything within Victoria not to roll her eyes and groan.Lord Charles seemed to take it all in stride.
“I must confess, you aren’t what I expected at all,” he said.
“Oh?And what is that?”she asked, trying hard not to be offended.
“More timid, I suppose.But you don’t seem fearful of a bit of mystery, do you?And this place holds quite a lot of it.”He glanced up at the imposing structure of the house behind her.
She forced a smile.“Mystery is part of the charm, isn’t it?But I’ve found some doors are better left unopened.”
He chuckled at that, as though she were making a jest.He continued his pressuring ways.“You know, with some funding and the right masons, this could be something extraordinary again.I could put you in touch with my architect.”
“That won’t be necessary.”She kept the tight smile on her face as she shifted from one foot to the other.Would he never give up?
“I only mean to help.Your aunt tells me you’re quite independent, but independence doesn’t mean solitude.A partnership can be quite fortuitous.”
No, he wasn’t going to give up.
Before she could bite out a retort, Aunt Eloise said, “Isn’t he thoughtful, dear?He’s simply brimming with ideas for the manor.Imagine it!Ballrooms, dinner parties, guests.Maybe even awedding.”She looked positively pleased at the very idea of planning a wedding.
Victoria suppressed the groan as her stomach clenched with unease.This was all about pushing them together and perhaps him getting his hands on the manor.The surprise visit.His invasive offers of help.Pushy, pushy, pushy.
The raven dove from the sky, squawking as it landed on a nearby tree limb.She started walking again, trying to ignore it.But even so, chills danced up her spine at the significant presence of the bird.
Aunt Eloise had continued down the path toward the hydrangeas.Lord Charles fell in step next to her.
“I apologize if I made you uncomfortable,” he said then, his voice low so her aunt could not overhear.
“I’m afraid my aunt has rather high expectations for me.”She gave him a weak smile.“I do enjoy my solitude, despite what you may think or my aunt told you.And, truthfully, the manor doesn’t like strangers.”
It was a lie, but a kind one.If she were being honest, she’d say she liked her solitudewith Gabriel, who was now furious with her.How she was ever going to mend the relationship with him, she didn’t know.
That seemed to interest Lord Charles.He cocked his head to one side and cast a glance at her.“Do you mean to tell me it sulks when someone tries to fix its roof or freshen the paint?”
A sudden chill prickled the air.She stopped walking and looked up.The raven had flapped to another limb ahead of them and cawed.
“Oh!Ghastly thing.Must be some local omen.You don’t believe in such nonsense, do you, Lord Charles?”
“No, madam, I don’t.”
“I do,” Victoria whispered.Because she’d seen what happened in the manor firsthand when Lenore was upset.
“What a glare it’s giving us,” Lord Charles said, sounding amused.“As though I’ve trespassed on sacred ground.”
“Perhaps you have,” Victoria replied, tersely.
“Are you telling me this manor has a guardian with wings?”He chuckled.
“It’s a warning,” Victoria said.
“Oh, Victoria, honestly!Next you’ll say it speaks in riddles,” Aunt Eloise said with a laugh.
Nevermore.
