Sebastian walked the halls, inspecting each room to ensure that nothing was out of place.
Surprisingly, the terrible trio had yet to destroy anything.
Then again, Sebastian had firmly reprimanded them the previous day, so maybe it wasn't so surprising after all.
He sighed at the memory of yesterday. Spaghetti had gotten everywhere, priceless books were damaged almost beyond repair, and company was going to arrive at any moment.
Sebastian had taken care of everything, of course, improvising with dishes that didn't take long to prepare and stalling the guest with appetizers he'd already prepared should there be a disaster.
'What incompetence,' he thought with a shake of his head.
Good help was indeed hard to find, but he more than made up for every blooper.
Seeing nothing that really needed attending to, Sebastian opened the front door to the manor for a change of scenery.
Just as he stepped out, someone smacked into his chest.
"Ow," said the Phantomhive's accident prone maid, rubbing her delicate nose.
"What is it, Mey-Rin?" Sebastian asked patiently, upon seeing the frazzled redhead's glasses cracked once again as she looked up at him.
"A lovely, old maid has arrived, yes, she has," she replied, pointing past the manor's gate to a horse and carriage.
Sebastian followed her index finger to the carriage, from which a lady was stepping.
She wore a silver bonnet with a single peach rose attached to its side, a long, white/silver overdress coat with peach frills along its lapel and lining, what appeared to be a white dress beneath it that stopped just above her ankles, and black boots. On her small, feminine hands where smooth, white gloves that stopped just past her wrist.
Sebastian couldn't make out the woman's face from her thick burgundy bangs obscuring most of it from view, but her complexion was unusual for any woman in London. From here, he could see that it was the color of peanut butter.
"Excuse me," he murmured to Meyrin as he made his way to the open gate.
"Ah, y-yes!" Meyrin nodded, watching him.
Sebastian stopped a couple feet away from the woman, placed a hand to his chest, and bowed, his glossy, black hair moving with him.
"Good day, madame," he said, "Welcome to the Phantomhive abode."
He stood back up to his full height, his hands back at his sides. The woman was much shorter up close, standing 5'3 1/2" to his 6'1" height.
His crimson eyes were both intent and curious.
"Please forgive the wait, my lady," he said, "But we weren't expecting company today. May I ask what do we owe this visit?"
The woman reached up, brushing her thick bangs aside, revealing the most beautiful, golden eyes.
She was no old woman at all.
Rather, she looked to be in her early twenties. Her skin lacked blemishes, wrinkles, or bruises, but there was a small mole just below the right corner of her lips, which where coated in a peach gloss. Her nose was small, with a smooth point and a bridge that was neither to broad nor too narrow.
"Ah yes, good day," she spoke up, her voice soft but of an average tone rather than a light one, "My name is Beverly Lyle, and-"
The woman's speech was cut short as Meyrin's squeal cut through the air and loud barking followed.
Sebastian turned with a start, eyes widened slightly.
He could have sworn Pluto was sleeping in the backyard or somewhere far away where he couldn't locate him.
The enormous, white beast was moving too fast to stop and Beverly was right there, so no distraction he could provide would allow her to unsee what was happening.
Sebastian swiftly lifted the woman off of her feet and leapt out of the way of the bounding Pluto.
Beverly, to Sebastian's surprise, didn't scream or clutch him with fear at the sight of the hound, though.
The terrible trio came sprinting out of the house, Finnian ahead of the other two, a panicked look on his face.
He paled as he saw Sebastian's twitching brow of annoyance and the distinguished looking maiden in his arms.
Pluto yelped as he was suddenly jerked back by his leash.
Sebastian sighed, and inclined his head as he set Beverly back on her feet.
"Ah, forgive me, miss, I can explain," he said.
"I'm sure you can," she said, walking past him to the enormous dog.
"How do you do?" she asked, eyes closing with a smile as she lifted her hands to his large face.
"Ah, careful, ma'am!" Finnian exclaimed as Beverly reached up to touch Pluto.
He, as well as the others, were stunned to see Pluto lower his head and allow the woman to pet his nose.
"You are a cute one, aren't you?" Beverly said with a chuckle, "I love dogs!"
Pluto barked, sat down and lapped at her cheek, causing the trio to collapse with shock.
Beverly giggled as Pluto licked her cheek, turning her head so his tongue wouldn't touch her whole face.
Sebastian cleared his throat and Pluto stopped at once, lying at his feet with a bark.
"Now what explanation did you have for me?" Beverly asked with a smirk, peering at him through her lashes as she folded her arms across her chest.
"Ah, I will tell you on the way," he said with a closed-eyed, nervous smile.
Beverly nodded at that with her eyes still somewhat narrowed, her lips curved into a deviant smirk.
"You three!" Sebastian glared at the trio, causing them to flinch in unison.
"Y-yes sir!" they replied.
"Put that dog away this instant," Sebastian ordered, a dark expression on his face, "Ensure that he doesn't disturb us further."
Beverly's eyes seemed to glisten with amusement as the three scrambled to carry out his command but she didn't say a word.
"If you would, my lady."
Beverly nodded, following as he led the way.
"You're early."
The sapphire-haired master of the Phantomhive manor gazed intently at the woman seated before him.
Beverly smiled a closed-eyed smile at him and placed her bonnet in her lap, revealing thick, fluffy, burgundy hair that brushed her shoulders.
Her overdress coat hung upon the coat rack in a corner of the room behind her.
"Yes, sir," she replied, "I wouldn't wish to disappoint my potential employer, nor the kind queen who shows me the favor I'm not sure I rightfully deserve."
Ciel sipped from his polished, ivory teacup, eyes closed.
Beverly sat back in her chair, legs crossed. Her eyes flickered to Sebastian, who stood by his master's side, observing her quietly.
Thus far, he'd discovered the woman wished to act as a teacher for the young master.
The queen had sent her, this young, intelligent woman to educate him as a reward for his service to her.
Although studies weren't of interest to any child, this woman was a gift from the queen, and Ciel had to, at least, hear this offer out.
On his desk lay the letter from her majesty, expressing her esteemed gratitude towards him and explaining who this woman was.
"The queen has much faith in you," Ciel stated, sitting back in his chair as he looked up at Beverly.
"I have experience in teaching, sir," Beverly said, "I've taught in wealthy estates for masters' and mistresses' children in France for years. My last employer was the heiress of the Charbonneau family."
"Charbonneau," Ciel repeated, his gaze becoming serious, "Duchess Sophia Charbonneau, correct?"
Beverly beamed, nodding, eyes closed as she clasped her hands together.
"Mmhm, young master is more knowledgeable than the queen let on," she said.
Her eyes opened, sparkling someone as she gaze upon him.
"What a marvelous pupil you will make," she purred.
"Didn't she die recently?" Ciel asked.
"She did," Beverly replied.
"Care to tell me how?" Ciel asked when she didn't elaborate.
"Why, young sir, did we not discuss this over the telephone?" Beverly asked, smirking as Ciel's lips curved into a smile.
Sebastian's look became apprehensive as he looked between his master and the woman.
Wasn't she sent from the queen...?
"Indeed we did," Ciel agreed and sipped the remainder of his tea from his cup.
Beverly caught the curious expression on Sebastian's face and smiled at Ciel, who smirked back behind his teacup.
"Shall we discuss your payment?" he asked.
"Again, young master?" Beverly said with a chuckle, "As you wish."
She sat up in the chair, uncrossing her legs, and brushing a stray bang aside.
"The approval of my master and queen comes first," she said, "But I also seek two more significant things that should put no strain on you."
"Go on," Ciel encouraged, Sebastian staring at the woman.
There was a moment's pause, Beverly twirling a lock of her hair absently, Ciel leaning forward slightly but managing to otherwise contain his excitement.
"I want candy!" Beverly exclaimed, leaping out of her seat, hands clasped together.
Ciel fell back in his chair, a hand to his face.
"Why? Why did you have to wait to mention such a simple thing!" he asked as Beverly purred, eyes sparkling.
"I particularly enjoy bonbons and chocolates," she mused, Oh, oh, and young master, eclai-"
"Ahem!" Ciel interrupted Beverly's babble, causing her to flush slightly and smile apologetically.
"Forgive me, sir," she said, taking her seat once more.
Sebastian's face was blank, Ciel looked mildly irritated.
"But, yes, the last thing I seek is," Beverly's eyes locked in on Sebastian, who blinked, watching her quizzically.
"I seek the heart of your butler, dear Sir Phantomhive," she said with a smirk, placing a glove covered hand to her chest.
"Wh-!" Sebastian stared at the bold, young woman.
"I can promise you the first two," Ciel said, "But the third, I cannot say he will-"
"Oh, good sir, have some faith in me," Beverly cut him off.
Beverly's eyes met Sebastian's, a slight smirk tugging at her lips.
"I will have him, believe you me."
From that moment on, it was decided where Beverly would sleep, when she would meet with Ciel to instruct him, and, of course, what she would be paid in return for her services.
She was sent from the queen, but it appeared that some amount of communication had occured between Sebastian's master and that bold new governess.
Ciel's amusement lasted throughout the day; it had to have been the stunned look on Sebastian's face when Beverly had said she wanted him.
What rubbish.
He'd taken his master's dinner to him, only to see him eyeing him smugly as he left the room.
He closed the door to his master's office, only to see Beverly leaning against the wall.
"You look exhausted," she commented.
"Not at all," Sebastian replied, his eyes boring into hers.
Beverly tilted her head slightly to the side, her bangs sliding across her forhead.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Won't you join me in the garden?" Sebastian asked.
Beverly nodded, her eyes narrowed.
The light of the moon was really something.
It illuminated the water of the fountain, causing it to shimmer even as a leaf fell upon its surface and made it ripple.
A gentle breeze caused the hair of both man and woman to sway as they stood in the garden. Beverly's dress billowed beneath her as she took a seat by the fountain, her eyes on the beautiful scenery- and, no, not the butler!
Golden orbs traveled along the grass, the table and chairs, the rose bushes, before an accented voice brought them to its source.
"What did you mean by that, honestly?" Sebastian asked, his back to her.
"By what, dear heart?" she replied, her lips curving into a smile, "If you're referring to what I said about you, I'm sure you know exactly what I meant."
"Why me, of all those of our kind?"
Beverly chuckled at that.
"Why not you, of all our kind?"
Sebastian sighed.
"Must you answer all of my questions with questions?"
Beverly didn't answer, but instead ran a hand through her fluffy hair and smiled up at his back.
"I want you," she said, her eyes lowered, thick lashes casting a narrow shadow over her cheeks in the penumbra of the moon.
"I want your heart, your mind. I want you, and all that comes with you."
A smirk tugged at Sebastian's lips.
"Is that all?"
"I want commitment."
Sebastian nearly lost his balance.
"Just like a male," Beverly said, getting to her feet.
"Wait," Sebastian said, turning to see Beverly's nose a centimeter from his.
He didn't gasp, but his eyes narrowed.
He inhaled soundlessly and he felt his fangs involuntarily lengthen.
Beverly's eyes glowed a frightening fuchsia in the shadow of the moon as they stared into his.
"I will have you," she purred, lashes brushing her cheeks as she briefly nuzzled his nose, "I will have you, demon. However, you must be worthy for me to even accept you, and I know you will rise to the challenge."
"What makes you say it is a challenge?" Sebastian asked, his own glowing eyes narrowing as he reached up and brushed a curly hair out of Beverly's eyes.
"Males never like to settle, do they, my beloved? It is a challenge because I know you will not be underestimated. I want you to chase me, but until that time comes, I will first chase you."
Sebastian traced a fingertip along Beverly's cheek.
She didn't gasp; she didn't whimper.
Her gaze didn't waver, and no look of tenderness crossed her face.
Her knees didn't buckle; she didn't lose her composure or become flustered.
Instead, she chuckled and purred.
"You sly charmer, you'll have to do a lot worse than that."
"Don't you mean better?"
Beverly shook her head.
"No, worse."
As close as they were, Sebastian anticipated a brush of her lips against his or a kiss, but instead she pulled away, her hair brushing his cheeks as the wind blew.
"Good night, Sebastian," Beverly said, "I will see you in the morning."
Sebastian watched as Beverly made her way to the mansion, his eyes no longer purple but red.
A smile graced his lips.
"How unpleasant," he murmured, "It appears I am being hunted."
He traced his tongue along his fangs, which slowly changed back to their normal length.
The scent in the air told him that the time of mæccea would soon be upon him, and resisting temptation would prove difficult for both of them, moreso for him since a demoness naturally had pheromones, but the effect of them in such a time would increase.
But Sebastian was more than ready.
Beverly glanced back at him as her gloved fingertips brushed the doorknob.
They gazed transfixed as if hypnotized before Beverly scoffed, tossed her hair over her shoulders, and went inside, effectively closing the door behind her.
Sebastian looked up at the Phantomhive manor, towards the room of his lord and master.
"Well played, my lord, well played."