Chapter 5

Manners Matter

Arrie was awoken from her peaceful slumber the next morning by a loud bang. She was vaguely aware of her covers being ripped off before a hand latched on to her wrist and pulled her bodily from her bed and began dragging her across the room.

"Let me go!" She shrieked as she tumbled to the floor dragging the sheets with her. Her thoughts were still sleep muddled as she was pulled through her door and down the dark hallway, through another door and up a flight of stairs before whoever had her let her go and she tripped over the long night gown and sheets and landed hard on the carpet. Whoever the figure was, he had brought her to a dark room and she had trouble adjusting her eyesight. She could hear the person breathing heavily as they passed by her, leaning on a cane.

"Who the hell do you think you are ripping me from my bed and dragging me in here!" Arrie shouted to the pacing figure before her. The room was dark, the curtains pulled shut against the rising sun. She could barely see daylight peeking through the cracks. He turned to her but she still couldn't see his face.

"One could ask you the same question! Why are you in my house? Who gave you the right to sleep in my beds and use my rooms!" He shouted in return. Arrie bristled, balling her hands into fists.

"Thank you, but Percy did! He offered me a position here and a room two days ago. I'm starting to have second thoughts about my employment here however, if this is how I am going to be treated. I lived with an ass all my life. I won't do it again." She told him standing up straight. Under the stranger's scrutiny, Arrie became distinctly aware that she was standing in her night dress still without her robe and quickly crossed her arms over her chest with her sheet in an act of defiance as well as to cover herself a little more.

"Did he now? Percy get in here!" Came the man's gruff voice after another moment of watching Arrie. Percy came in to the room and gave a stiff nod to his master.

"Yes sir?"

"Did you tell this woman she could stay here?"

"Yes, sir. Your father said that I could hire and dismiss workers at my discretion and the girl seemed eager for the job so I offered her a position in order to aid Ginny and I around the manor and a room. She was in a bit of a predicament. I assumed there would be no harm in it." Percy said, with a blank look at the man.

"We are not running a charity house here, Percy!" The man seemed to grow more agitated by the second, but not so much as Arrie. At hearing this she stepped in and spoke up angrily.

"Don't talk to him that way! He's been nothing but kind to me and he helped me. And I'm sure he's good to you to even though you don't deserve it. You are an arrogant ass, sir." Her long hair had fallen from its braid to spill across her back and shoulders. He stepped away from her taken aback.

"And let's get something else straight while we are on the subject of unfair accusations. I am NOT a charity case. I fully intend to work to keep my room here and make my pay check. And I'll be grateful for it unlike you. Not everyone is entitled to whatever they want and no one knows that better than I." She said walking straight up to him and poking him hard in the chest with her index finger.

"And if you ever touch me again, or come into my room while I am here, I'll see to it that you regret it till the end of your days," Arrie told him in a dangerously low voice.

With that she turned on her heel and marched from the room slapping him in the face with her long hair as she went. Seconds later they heard her bedroom door slam shut.

Vincent turned to stare at Percy his mouth hanging open. Percy tried very hard to keep a grin from spreading across his face. Vincent turned and sank into his chair with a sigh.

"What have you set loose in my house, Percy?" He finally asked.

"The young lady is here to help Ginny and myself keep the house in repair, Sir," Percy told him.

"Lady my arse! More like a demon." Vincent retorted.

"Well sir, you really shouldn't have barged into her room and drug her from her bed first thing in the morning. It was a bit rude." Percy gave his young master a reproachful look. Vincent glared at him.

"It's my house, damnit!" He tried to argue. Percy just smiled and shook his head before saying.

"Did you need anything else sir? I'm afraid Ginny needs my help to get the morning started. It is after all Thanksgiving. Do try to remember your manners when speaking to Arrianna. "

Vincent motioned for him to leave. Out in the hall Percy nearly ran into Ginny, who was carrying a basket of freshly laundered clothes for Arrie. The old woman's eyes were round as saucers as he shut the door behind him.

"I heard shouting and then I caught sight of the girl storming back into her room and slamming the door. Did she really go off on him?" She said almost breathless.

Percy finally smiled a full on grin. "That she did. I think she is just what he needed. He didn't have it to say when she left."

"Bless my soul," laughed Ginny. Then she proceeded to make her way back down the tower stairs to Arries room.

Arrianna had already made her bed and put on her robe when a soft knock at the door announced Ginny. She opened the door to let the old woman in.

"Morning dear. Ready to get the day started? I'll be taking you around showing you everything and giving you your list of duties. It's nothing to outrageous just cleaning and what no. I don't have the time or ability to do the whole inside on my own anymore and Percy tries to maintain the grounds. " Arrie nodded.

"I'll meet you in the kitchen when your dressed." Ginny told her. Smiling at the old woman Arrie pulled out her freshly laundered jeans. She glanced at the knee of her pants and the pockets and noticed that the holes in them had been sewn up and the stains removed. Her mouth fell open at the small act of kindness.

"Thank you," She said in a small voice.

Ginny just smiled at her. "I figure after you get a couple of paychecks we will just have to take you shopping. These clothes are on their last leg." She said. Arrie smiled and nodded and quickly began throwing on the jeans and her t-shirt and then her sweatshirt. After that she made her way to the bathroom and washed her face, brushed her teeth and attempted to reign in the mass of frizzy mess that was her hair. Her cheeks were still bright red from her confrontation with what she supposed would be her boss. She still didn't even know the man's name.

When she finally deemed herself suitable she made her way down to the kitchen to meet with Ginny. From there they took a tour of the house. It was quite beautiful, with a gothic style architecture. On the first floor there was a parlor, formal dining room, sitting room and then a large open room with mirrors up and down it that Ginny explained had once been a ball room when the family had thrown parties for their friends. She said that the room wasn't used now, but every couple of months they would go in there and clean all of the glass, mop and polish the gilded mirror frames. It looked like it would be an all day job.

In the sitting room she had been thrilled to find a collection of books on the shelves that were the Thorn family's private collection. She would definitely be coming here often. They had just made their way up the grand stair case when Arrianna plucked up the courage to ask about her employer.

"I thought you said he was young? Why does he walk with a cane?" She asked. Ginny regarded her for a moment before answering.

"The young master, was in an accident almost a year ago. He was lucky not to lose his entire foot." Ginny told her.

"Well he shouldn't be so horrible to others. You would think he would be a little more humble."

Ginny laughed. "He has always been that way. You were right you know. A touch of arrogance. His accident made him a bit bitter though." Arrie pondered that statement as they continued the tour. She was shown the upstairs which was basically nothing but bedrooms and parlors here and there, and the tower started near her room. Come to find out her own room had its own bathroom. Inside it had a huge vanity much larger than Ginny's and a massive claw footed tub with a separate standing shower. She made a mental note to try that tub out as soon as she had a chance. All of the rooms were large and grand with heavy dark furniture and drapes and vaulted ceilings. She made mention of how everything was so dark in the house and how all of the rooms had the curtains closed. It made it feel dark and suffocating.

"Since the accident, Mr. Vincent has preferred the dark. It's easier on his eyes." Ginny had explained.

In the dining room Ginny had shown her an entire table service of pure silver with an ornate T in all of it. All of it was antique and only used for special occasions such as parties and holidays. It was polished regularly every 2 months and after every use. Again another all day task. When they had gotten to the tower where Vincent stayed holed up most of the time Ginny informed her that that would not be one of her responsibilities. After a quick breakfast in the kitchen Arrie was directed outside to find Percy, while Ginny started on Thanksgiving dinner. It wasn't to be a big formal affair, but what was a holiday without turkey and dressing.

Come to find out there was a stable on the grounds that stood empty, and she noticed all of the gardens around the place as well, and how empty they were. She asked Percy about it and he told her that Vincent wasn't much of a garden fan and so the beds stayed empty. She thought it was a shame and that the flowers could have brightened the place up.

That afternoon she helped Ginny prepare dinner in the kitchen. The turkey had been cooking all day and smelled divinely. While she helped string green beans, and shuck corn Ginny informed her that Vincent always took his evening meals in the formal dining room and that she would be serving him. Typical. His arrogance astounded her.

She would be serving him, because the great git couldn't serve himself. How ridiculous. Arrie went back and forth from the kitchen to the formal dining room to set the one place at the end of the table. She had decided her first day was quite enjoyable. Ginny and Percy both were very kind and carrying people. She could tell they cared greatly for Vincent, even though their kindness was lost on the great prat. She was carrying in a large platter of mashed potatoes to the dining room and had reached to turn on the light when a voice stopped her.

"No. Do not turn on the light. I use candles at dinner." Arrie turned to see Vincent standing in the doorway from the hall his form shrouded in shadows so that she couldn't see anything indefinitely.

Of course, she thought. Ginny had told her today how he hated mirrors and light. That they bothered him. She of course thought it was ridiculous. He couldn't possibly be that hideous. But she left the light off none the less and set the potatoes down to grab a lighter.

"No need" He said, and walking over lit a match and began lighting the 7 candle silver candelabra. In the flash of the flame she was able to see he did indeed wear glasses. She thought she saw the edge of a scar on his left cheek hidden by his hair but before she could get a second look. He had moved away from the light and settled into his chair. He kept his head angled down and away from where she stood so that she couldn't see his left cheek anymore. Catching herself staring, she hurried back through the side door to the kitchen and brought out a plate of carved turkey and dressing and placed it on the table along with the mashed potatoes and green beans and rolls. Vincent was sitting back in his chair blatantly watching her. Unabashed even.

"Anything else?" she asked a little put off. It was unnerving to be stared at like that. Especially when she couldn't see him.

"Manners. This is supposed to be the south." He told her. She bristled but bit her tongue.

"Step to the window and open one of the curtains to let the light in. I want to see what you look like." He instructed her. Arrie did as he requested allowing the setting sun to come in and rest on her. She was uncomfortably aware that her curly hair was slipping out of its braid again and that she had flour down her front.

"God, a red head. No wonder your tempers like the devil. No matter. Not much to look at are you? I think we will get along fine if you hold your tongue. And stop poking people. It's rude. And those clothes simply won't do. You look like you live in the streets". Arrianna could feel a flush of blood cover her face and even go down her neck and up to the roots of her equally red hair at the comment.

"You have got some nerve to talk to me about manners. You are the one who pulled me from my bed this morning," She hissed.

"How dare you judge me. You don't even know me." She continued. "And I don't care what you think of how I look anyway. I'm here to work, not be a piece of eye candy." She yanked the curtain back over the window and stomped over to the door and left the room, the door swinging in her wake. He could serve himself, the arrogant prick.

Vincent threw his napkin on the table. "Really what did, I do this time?" He asked the air. He jumped when Percy answered him.

"Really, sir. You must stop insulting her. She's liable to poison your food if you keep on." And then he left Vincent to his Thanksgiving dinner alone.

Vincent finished eating his dinner sulking. He hadn't done anything wrong.

How dare she act that way towards him. Honestly, he was supposed to be her employer not the other way around.

Ginny came in to gather his dinner plates and looked at him reproachfully.

"What your siding with her too?" He asked angrily.

"Sir, no offence meant to you but you really need to learn to control your temper. You can't just talk to a lady that way." She told him.

He spluttered. This could not be happening.

"Why are you lot taking her side? She's been here less than a day. What's so damn special about her anyway? Like I said, she's not much to look at under all those baggy clothes and that red hair of hers. She's a viper to say the least." He sounded like a spoiled child and he knew it. But it was so unfair. These were his servants, they worried and doted on him not her.

"Well sir, you could get your head out of your own ass and ask her yourself. It wouldn't hurt trying to be friendly to her. She's had it rough." Ginny scolded him. Vincent huffed. This was nerve racking.

"I've had it rough too! Look at me! Just look at me!" He shouted pointing at his own face.

"Some scars go deeper than skin sonny. You best learn that." Ginny told him.

He pushed back from the table and leaned heavily on his cane storming up to his tower. If he was honest with himself he knew he was being a child. And that just made it all the worse.

Meanwhile Arrie was in the kitchen helping Ginny do the dishes. She heard a shout and breaking glass and looked at Ginny with worry in her eyes.

"Not to worry dear. He's just having a tantrum."

"Well he needs to get a grip. Just because someone stands up to him and he doesn't get his way doesn't mean he has rights to act like a child." She complained.

Ginny made a noise of agreement but said nothing more. After the kitchen was cleaned she and Ginny quickly polished the silver and then sat down to have their own dinner at the table in the kitchen. It was the most rich, filling meal she had had in years. Afterwards Arrie cleared away the rest of the mess and made her way to her own room bidding, Ginny and Percy goodnight and wishing them a happy Thanksgiving.

She took another hot shower and then pulled on her night dress again. Truth be told it was the nicest bit of clothing she had. And that was saying something. Perhaps it was indeed time to treat herself to some new clothing. She sat on a little chair in front of her vanity and picked up a large gilded hand mirror to examine her own reflection. The bruise on her cheek from where her father had struck her was going down. She had had worse. In 3 days it would turn yellow and disappear. She brushed out her long red hair and contemplated how much things had changed for her in less than 24 hours. She didn't have to be scared anymore. She briefly wondered what her father had done when he woke and discovered what had happened. She was glad she had left and she knew he wouldn't bother to look for her. She didn't find Vincent scary in the least. He was just an obnoxious child. That she could gladly deal with. She finished with her hair and climbed into bed, turned on her lamp and grabbed her favorite book Jane Eyre.

She read till her eyes closed of their own accord and finally she fell asleep still holding her book and thinking vaguely that she had a lot to be thankful for this year.

Arrianna may have been drifting into an easy sleep but Vincent was still pacing and knocking things about in his tower. She infuriated him. Everything about her from her flaming red hair, to her blazing blue eyes when she was angry to her pale smooth skin and her baggy worn clothes. And if he was honest with himself he knew that what he had said to her in the dining room was a complete lie. If she was nothing to look at then why was he up here raging at the mere thought of her. In less than 24 hours she had turned his solitude in purgatory to a complete hell and he wasn't even sure if he minded or not. He had ripped open his curtains in his tower to watch the full moon rise over the tree tops, and it calmed him just for a second until he realized the pale glow of the moon reminded him of her pale skin. This was maddening. She was just a girl. A stupid, annoying one at that. He had known several in his prior life. Dated them, hung out with them, slept with them. Why was she different? And why was he having so much trouble not even talking to her, but even being in the same room as her.

This was the first night he crept to her room to watch her sleep. Limping as quietly as he could with his cane to her door, he faltered when he saw a glowing light from beneath it. He bent slightly to look through the old fashioned key hole to see she was asleep in her bed . He eased the door open and keeping to the shadows crept up to her bedside. She was out that was for sure. A book was lying open against her chest from where she had been reading. It looked so old and dog eared he was surprised its spine was still intact. A definite sign of it being an old favorite. Jane Eyre. He thought he had seen the title before. Maybe in the sitting room. When first exiled to the house that's all he could do was sit around and read. He thought he might have seen a copy. Her bright rust hair was fanned out across her pillow. He could smell the strawberry cent of her shampoo still fresh. He noticed how long her eye lashes were resting against her cheek and from there he noticed the faint bruise that marred it . Ginny had said some scars went deeper than skin. He wondered what that meant.

He reached over and turned off her lamp and froze when the sound seemed to have woken her. But she just turned over in her sleep facing away from him. He had been right. The pale moonlight was the perfect match of her skin. He limped back over to the door and quietly shut it behind him. She was going to drive him mad. That was sure and certain. He returned to his room and finally was able to relax enough to sleep in his chair. He was a little worried over what the new day would bring when he awoke and if he could even handle it. He had gone up against thugs and quite honestly he didn't think they scared him as much as this girl did. He dreamed of walking through a forest following the pale light of the moon. Always trying and never being able to catch it.

Shortly after midnight Arrianna woke thinking she had heard the door close. She looked around and saw that her lamp had been turned off but nothing else in her room had been disturbed. She thought she heard another door shut somewhere else in the house but after a few seconds of hearing nothing else she drifted off to sleep, assuming that her reading of the mad wife in Jane Eyre was responsible for her unease. She slept the through the rest of the night, dreaming of dark corridors and masked men.