Chapter 2

Jane could not sleep that night, for the questions Mr. Moore asked were in her way to dream land. Did he actually notice the eerie sounds at night and strange footsteps echoing throughout the manor? The mere thought of that actually being true put her in an awful position – the secret Mr. Lehnsherr asked her to keep could be exposed. She could still recall that dreadful night, as vivid as day, when she had to keep Mr. Mason awake and put pressure on his horrid wound with a cloth, so quickly dripping with his own blood. It was horrendous, and a day in her life she would gladly erase.

It was when Mr. Lehnsherr asked her to keep everything that had happened that night to herself – it would be their dark secret, something they both should carry to their graves.

Taking a deep breath, in a vain attempt to calm her mind, she stared at the ceiling. She had no idea how much time had she spent like this, but no more. If she could not ease her mind to sleep, the least she could do was to use these waking hours wisely. She grabbed her pencils and album, and went down to the study, in hopes of finding peace in drawing.

The study was a silent sanctuary at an hour like this and she could not feel more content than now. She lit a candle and placed it on the table, moving the books that lay there away, and placing her drawing album right in the middle. Jane cherished moments of solitude like this, regardless that she had to admit that she enjoyed Mr. Lehnsherr's company probably more than she should have. He was like a storybook character, not a prince charming, mind you, but he had that magnetic charisma that would simply swipe everyone off their feet. He was tall, masculine, and passionate in his ideas and views about this world, with an extraordinary mind. He was attractive in his own way, not as temptingly handsome as Mr. Moore was, but that what made him so fascinating.

The decision of what to draw did not wait long, for the only thing that ran though her mind was Mr. Erik Lehnsherr.

Little by little, the picture began to shape into something, and as she was about to finish Mr. Lehnsherr's eyes, the sudden loud noise from upstairs, as if something heavy fell made her jump out of her skin. Somewhere deep down, she knew that that was not a good sign.

~ ... ~

Thornfield Hall was an enormous manor, and by night, it seemed more like a maze from horrid fairytales, than a house. He enjoyed places like this though, with massive doors and windows, with old, creaking at some point wooden floors, with candelabras gracing the halls with the soft light of the candles that they held, with paintings and books that were many decades older than anyone living here. Even the walls of this place had a history of their own, but not many ever tried to listen to what they had to say. Mr. Moore wished that he could just enjoy the magnificence that is this place, but he could not.

During his two week stay, he had noticed bizarre things going on around the manor, and as fate would have it, he had little option but to find out what in the world could that be. Strange noises, something similar to a growl could be heard deep at night along with the sound of something knocking and scratching from inside the walls. Although he was young, he did not believe in ghosts or werewolves, or any sort of fairytale monstrosity for that matter, but another night accompanied by that orchestra and he would have to reconsider.

Every evening he saw Mrs. Pool – a strange looking woman – walking off to the far door of the west wing with a tray of food. She was there for the whole night and came out only at dawn. What was she doing there? 'Curiosity killed the cat' was a wise saying, but did not apply to situations like these, when Mr. Moore had his mind already set on something.

It was late, and the moment the door behind Mrs. Pool closed, he left his room and followed her. He tried to listen to what was going on behind the door, maybe he would be lucky enough to eavesdrop on someone's conversation. Nothing. After a painfully slow twenty minutes, there was not a single sound coming from behind the closed door. Maybe she was not there?

Taking in a deep breath, he had no other option. He was not fond of doing this, but when the situation called for him to do so, he had no other choice but to oblige and to go with it.

Eyes closed and complete silence; he needed the proper concentration to go so deep, it was one thing to catch a quickly vanishing thought by its tail, something that was on top of the person's mind, and a completely different thing when you have to dive into someone's consciousness.

It did not take him long to feel the presence of Mrs. Pool behind the solid door, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not sense anyone or anything being there with her. Even her consciousness seemed to be blocked by something, something he did not comprehend. Maybe it was not a block, maybe the only thing obstructing him from going through her head was his own inexperience. It would not be far from the truth, though.

He was not prepared for the wooden door in front of his face to swing open and that tray with all of the plates falling straight on his head, and Mrs. Pool's disturbingly loud yelp following shortly.

~ ... ~

Mr. Lehnsherr's thoughts raced back and forth, back and forth, and they all came swirling around Daniel. In his mind, he did not address him as Mr. Moore, for it was absurd to call someone 'Mister' when it is just you, alone with your thoughts. He appeared out of nowhere, like a ghost and remained to stay, for god knows how long. But of course, as the true gentleman Mr. Lehnsherr was, he could not kick the guest out. Not that he was a man who was concerned about his reputation much, but the gossip and rumors that would ensue, now that, was an agonizing thought. He could not tolerate any whispers behind his back; he was a man of a belief that if someone has something to say – good or bad – about him, then he or she should do it straight to his face. If they were ever bold and courageous enough, that is.

That was one of the many reasons, why he enjoyed Jane's company. She was straightforward, honest, and a tad harsh in her judgment sometimes, but that what made her easy to understand. She did have her moments of strangeness now and then, but it was not something as baffling as Daniel was.

Everything about him, everything he did and said, every look and smile of his, was a mystery. Whenever he was near, the feeling of someone lurking in his mind, searching deeply and thoroughly through his memories and thoughts was always there. If he did not know any better, he might have assumed that Daniel was one of so-called changelings, with some sort of special power to dive into the minds of others. Not that he did not believe in the likeliness of such people existing and walking on this Earth, for he too, was no ordinary man and- his line of thought was interrupted the instant Daniel descended the stairs.

Out of nowhere. As if he read my mind and knew what I wast hinking about, Mr. Lehnsherr thought.

"Mr. Lehnsherr," the young man said, a few of those bistre locks seemed a bit out of place, he retied his scarf, looking the older man into the eye, "Did I disturb you from your musings?"

"Not at all," Mr. Lehnsherr disregarded the feeling of someone creeping around in his head again, although knew well who was doing that, but how and why, what was he looking for in his mind?

"To be quite honest with you, sir," in one step he nearly closed the gap between them both, and if someone were to see them talking like this, one would assume that they were having an affair, "I was hoping to run into you."

"Is that so?" Mr. Lehnsherr could practically feel Daniel's vibe of sensuality entangling him, as he was so close; he indeed was devilishly handsome. He should not be a part of this world, for many would fall before his seductive, alluring powers.

"Indeed it is so, sir," a little step closer, "I recall that there was something bothering you during the ball, you said," he tilted his head up, just a little bit, "that you wanted to speak with me, well here I am." The familiarity of his tone would seem offensive, even insulting to some, but Mr. Lehnsherr found it entertaining; just how far beyond the line would this man go.

Mr. Lehnsherr was always up to take on a challenge and with a predatory grin he closed the gap, no distance separating them now as they were just standing there, chest to chest, one could feel the warm breath of the other on his skin, the glaring contest fueling the tension that was about to explode. A smile of pure satisfaction, as those azure eyes gave away notes of shock; surely, the younger man was not expecting this. It did not take him long to reconcile, though, as those azure eyes gleamed with that 'I dare you to do it'look.

Oh the temptation, Mr. Lehnsherr thought. Mind still in complete denial, but the true nature of the man was getting stronger and stronger; all he had to do is just lean a bit forward and the reward – those luscious lips - would be his.