Chapter Two. Count Lambirth.
''You found a girl in the garden?'' Mary weather repeated.
Cain and his younger sister walked to Mary's favorite hat shop: Madame Redford. The shops they passed on Main Street were alive with expensive shops, women gossiping, and occasionally an alleyway that was lined with street vendors. People trying to edge their way out of the slums by selling handmade items, flowers, anything they could make at little or no expense. Sometimes, a fortuneteller would set up shop, tell people's future, and then have an accomplice nearby. While the customer was "finding out the future," the accomplice would pick their pockets, and they would be none the wiser.
Cain tried to keep his sister from seeing these shops. He didn't want her to be reminded of her past life. At least, he wanted to avoid making her sad.
''Yes. I saw her and then had Riff send Tom to find her.''
''What happened?''
''She woke up, ran away, and we have no idea who she is,'' Cain said.
''That's it? What's so important about that?'' Mary asked.
''If I knew her intention, I would know whether you are in danger or not. Protecting you is my job,'' Cain said.
Mary didn't look completely convinced.
''Why are you looking at me like that?'' Cain said, twitching slightly at her expression.
''Because, dear Cain, You have a tendency of getting involved in things you shouldn't.'' Mary talked to him as if scolding a child.
''Well…oh look, here's the hat shop,'' Cain said, glad for the change of subject. They entered the little shop.
The inside of Madame Redford's, was lavishly decorated. The back wall was lined with shelves, all holding carefully made hats of all colors. From pink to blue, black to white; in every shade imaginable, all adorned with feathers, frills, and fabric appliqués
An elderly woman with white tied up in a bun was bustling around the shop when she noticed Cain and Mary walk in.
''Ah, welcome, Lord Earl.''
Cain bowed. ''Hello, Madame Redford.''
Madam Redford said something to her assistant before waking over to the siblings. ''How are you today, Miss Mary Weather?''
''I'm fine, Madame Redford, how are you?''
''I'm quite well.''
''We're looking for another hat for Mary,'' Cain said.
''Oh my, another? You do love hats, don't you, Miss Mary Weather?''
''Well…'' Mary glanced to her side, where Cain was standing. ''Big brother seems to have lost my favorite one.''
The elderly woman laughed, and Cain looked sheepish.
''In that case, come with me, I have some new hats I think you might like.''
Madame Redford walked to the back wall with Mary skipping after her.
In the front of the shop, a two little sofa were placed to make a waiting area. Cain took a seat.
As he wondered how long Mary Weather planned to stay mad at him, he heard some conversation that piqued his interest.
The conversation came from two well-dressed ladies one with red hair tied up in a knot, one with blonde hair braided into a plait. They were gossiping about a strange incident.
''Did you hear about the Elm street incident?''
''No, what happened?''
''They say a couple was waking around when a madman jumped out and attacked them!''
''Really?''
''Yes. The male half of the couple was found dead, but both his heart, and the girls body was never found.''
''The same thing happened on Amethyst street! A couple went out, but the man was found dead with his hear missing and the girl was gone too!''
''Creepy!''
''Know what I heard? The couple that was killed on Amethyst, were living together, and they were not even engaged.''
''The Elm street couple was the same way! Maybe its religious murderer?''
''Either way, how scandalous! I feel bad for the family members of those couples.''
As they continued gossiping, Cain stopped listening. It sounded very suspicious. Two killings that were exactly the same circumstance? Hmmm…The male had his heart missing and the female was never found. Could it have anything to do with Delilah?
Cain went on thinking about it for a while. Before he knew it, his little sister was tapping him on the shoulder.
''Cain?''
He looked up, and then smiled. ''All finished Mary?''
''Yes! Do you like it?'' She asked happily, showing Cain her new hat. It was a pretty white color, with a few little pink fabric flowers.
''That is nice. Madame Redford, you have a gift. Mere moments ago my sister was scowling at me, and now she's happy again.''
Mary placed her hands on her hips and a pout played at her small features. ''I hope you're not implying that I'm shallow.''
''Not at all, Mary,'' Cain said, with his charming smile. ''I was just complimenting the Madame.''
''Good,'' the little blonde smiled as well.
''Welcome back, milord,'' Riff said while he took Cain's coat.
''Hello, Riff!'' Mary said.
''Hello Miss Mary. That's a lovely hat.''
''Thank you!'' Mary went up the stairs and out of sight.
Riff chuckled. ''She seems happier now.''
''She just likes to shop,'' Cain, sighed.
''Well…'' Riff smiled at Cain. ''I think she likes to shop with her brother.''
Cain merely shrugged, but he knew Riff was right.
The Earl got dressed up in his black tuxedo and his top hat, and had Riff bring the carriage to the front. He pecked Mary on the cheek, and took his cane from Riff, and left.
This party was thrown in honor of Count Lambirth. Cain didn't know much about the count except that he was from Europe. Aristocrats did not need a good reason the throw a party these days. Just a minimally entertaining one.
The carriage came to a halt at the iron gates of the Lambirth estate. It was about a mile outside of London, and was enormous. A marble fountain in the shape of a cupid with a ring of red, and white roses, was in front of the ancient castle. The gates opened and the carriage drew up in front of it.
Cain stepped out and looked around. "The Count must be very eccentric,'' He said to himself. The castle was made of white stone, and just past where the drawbridge would be when it was closed up; an archway lead to the inner rooms of the building. The archway had two stone angels on either side, as if guarding the structure from intruders.
Cain spotted an inscription just to the side of the archway. The light from a lit torch provided just enough light to for him to read it.
In this; the Castle of Light
Breeds light to those who deserve it
Therefore, angels guard the entrance
And shall judge the worthiness of those who approach
May the goddess smile upon you
For those who defy god
The fallen angels with black wings
Shall feel the thunder of god's fury
And thus,--
"--Be cleansed of their sins," Cain finished.
"Do you like it?"
Cain resisted the temptation to jump out of surprise, and simply turned to the voice.
"Count Lambirth, I presume?" Cain said, bowing his head slightly.
"Pleased to meet you Earl Cain Hargreaves," The Count said, bowing as well. He was a tall man, with an athletic build. His chocolate brown hair was light and fell right above his gray eyes.
"Very nice castle, Count. How old is it?'' Cain asked, staring at the statues of angels.
"About a thousand years, or so,'' He replied. "According to old legends, fallen angels and those who opposed god were brought here to be "Judged and cleansed of their sins." They were faced with trials and if they could not succeed, the fallen ones were locked up in the dungeon. Mystical eh?"
"Very," Cain replied. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something was not quite right about the castle.
"Shall we go in then?" Lambirth asked, bowing his head and gesturing towards the entryway.
Cain bowed and walked inside.
"Isn't that Earl Hairgreaves?"
"I had no idea he would be here."
"Well he is an Earl. It's proper to invite him."
"Well, I'm not complaining. Just look at those eyes!"
"He's very handsome."
Ugh…another party, another chance to be subjected to those twittering women, Cain thought with disdain. He was always the center of attention at these events, but they were boring and dull. The only reason he ever went to them, was to keep up appearances. In the world of aristocrats, you had to stay in societies eye to stay in society. If the ''Earl of Poisons'' stopped showing up, it would only lead to rumors.
Knowing all that still did not make the parties any more enjoyable.
I apologize for the long wait. This will probably be one of my slower fics, since I have many others as well. I hope you'll stay tuned, and review what you think!