Originally this wasn't supposed to continue on very far. I figured get it out there and see if anyone reads it and says anything. And since two people did through reviews, and a few friends did face to face (though I think they were lying), I'll try to make this as interesting as possible. Difficult, since I make it up as I go along but I suppose that's all part of the fun. Enjoy!
I woke up alone the next morning. Briefly recalling the occurrences of the previous night, a smile touched my lips. I gazed around the room, wondering if Syd had left early this morning, or perhaps late last night, after I'd fallen into a deep sleep. Glancing at the clock on the bedside table, I saw it was quite late in the morning, almost noon. Syd would have been up and about by early morning, probably five or six as he had to get to the butcher shop and get on his rounds by seven. I lay in bed, content to just stay there for a while. My life had been one huge adventure lately, and I could do with a little break.
"Ah, but you can't have a break. You've got to do something about Syd's gem, haven't you?" A nagging voice in my mind interrupted my calm relaxation with an abruptness only to be expected from my own subconscious. I sat up in bed, looking around. I had been granted a rather grand guest room for the duration of my stay, until Syd and I were wed and had found a place of our own. I remembered the look on Frank's face when Syd and I had first kissed in front of him, the shock, and then the joy. I thought at the time that I'd seen a brief flicker of something else, but I'd dismissed it. Partially because I was confident that I'd imagined it, partially because I didn't want to even THINK about what I might have seen. There was a hesitant knock on my door, and I reluctantly slipped out of bed to attend to it. One of the household maids, Elsa, stood outside the door, bearing a tray laden with enough food to feed the entire navy that had been on the Courageous and then some. I smiled at Elsa as I stepped aside to allow her into the room.
"Good morning Elsa." I said cheerily. Elsa smiled.
"Good morning, Miss Royal. Master Avon instructed me to bring you breakfast. While you eat, I'll draw you a bath next door, and lay out some fresh clothing. Master Avon has also requested that you attend his title ball later this evening, and he would also like you to accompany him at lunch. Master Fletcher has sent word that he'll be late returning, but he should be in time for the ball as well." Elsa set down the tray and bowed, but before she stepped out, I stopped her by gently placing a hand on her shoulder. She straightened hurriedly, a worried look in her eyes.
"Is something the matter, Miss Royal?" she asked nervously. I smiled and shook my head, taking in her appearance. She looked exhausted, the dark circles under her eyes a telltale sign that she'd had little or no sleep last night, most likely she'd been scrubbing pots under the watchful eyes of Miss Cavalier, who did not live up to her name.
"Elsa you look exhausted. Why don't you join me for breakfast? I'm only a girl and I can't finish all that food. And you look like you could use some food too." I said with a smile. Elsa hesitated, then relented. She did not even resist as I took her by the wrist and led her to the bed, handing her some food off the tray. We sat on the bed, gossiping about state affairs and household staff, Frank's name came up more than one time, with a small piece of information that was rather fascinating to me.
"Lord Francis was recently acquainted with Lady Rachel of Edinburgh. She's a rather beautiful girl and I believe the two of them have some chemistry between them. Lord Francis certainly seems to enjoy her company. I have no doubt that she will be attending the Title Ball tonight as well, the object of envy of all the other ladies of the court, no doubt." Elsa said. This caught my attention. Frank fancied someone? A Lady Rachel by the sound of it. I wondered if I'd have the benefit of meeting this object of his affections. While I pondered this, Elsa excused herself and I heard running water a moment later as she drew a bath for me. In mere moments, I was seated in the tub, letting the warm water engulf me as I washed the grime from my hair and body, relishing in being clean again. Baths were a rare luxury in Drury Lane, and before I'd met the Avon's, I'd never once had a warm bath. After my short time in paradise, I stepped out of the bath and dried myself off with one of the towels that had been left out for me before slipping into my shift and heading back into my room. Three dresses had been laid out for me. I dismissed the pink. It would clash with my red hair. The sea green one looked too big for me so I dismissed it also and picked up the last one. It was a beautiful cerulean colour, made of fine silk, with white lace along the sleeves and collar. I slipped it on and tied it up at the back, my hands working with practiced ease, earned from many years of dressing myself. No sooner had I tied the last string when there came a knock on the door.
"Cat? You there?" I recognized Frank's voice and walked to the door, gently opening it.
"Ah, Cat, there you…are…" he trailed off as he took in my appearance.
"You look… Wow…" he offered me his arm and I took it. "You're going to be turning heads at the ball tonight." He said. I smiled.
"I hear a special lady has your head turned already." Frank stopped suddenly.
"Wha- what? Wh-who? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to!" he said, his voice panicky.
"Didn't mean to? I'm sure Lady Rachel is a wonderful person." I said, confused.
"Oh you meant her! Yes well." Frank composed himself and began walking again. "She is very beautiful." I smiled.
"Glad to hear it. Um, Frank, where are we going?" I asked. He smiled at me as he led me out the front door and handed me into the waiting carriage.
"Miss Royal, we are going for lunch." He said.
"Where? Why aren't we dining here?" I asked.
"Because I have to visit Rachel to invite her to the ball tonight, and I will be dining there. And since you have a habit of getting yourself into trouble when left alone, I am bringing you with me." He said with a tone of finality. I looked at him skeptically.
"I have no intentions of playing a third wheel to your date, Frank. What's the real reason?" I asked. He sighed.
"The Lady Rachel's younger brother, Benjamin. He gets…bored with no one to talk to. I thought you might keep him company? Who knows, sparks may even fly." He said. I punched him on the arm.
"I have Syd. But very well, I will accompany the little boy if it is really what you wish me to do." Frank laughed.
"Hardly little. He himself is looking for a beautiful girl to woo." Frank said, looking pointedly at me.
"I have Syd." I repeated. Frank shrugged and we sat in silence for the rest of the journey.