A/N Ah, look who comes in this chapter! Ciel and Sebastian make a little appearance. Anywho, in regards to Kalam's antics, she knows very well that I can't get a fanfic account for certain reasons. She's just mad because I use hers more often than she does~ So, without further ado, here's the next chapter! I only own Philomena, but I wish I owned Grell (if you haven't figured it out, I have a thing for him. The only person I know who loves him more than I do is Lady of Kalam). Reviews are appreciated!
Chapter 5: Gaining the Attention of the Queen's Guard Dog
"M...ace..."
"...iss...Gra..."
"Miss Grace!"
I shot up, startled, as I was roused from my deep sleep, but sighed in relief when I saw it was only Ellaine and Georgianna. The grandmother clock was chiming eight on the nose, which meant Grell had done what I'd instructed the night before.
"My lady, you must dress! We've received word that the Earl Phantomhive is coming to visit you this afternoon!" Ellaine's voice came out in a panicked rush.
"What?! If you knew this, why didn't you wake me sooner?" I gasped, scurrying out from under the warm sheets and quickly pulling my gauzy, white dressing gown over my pale green night dress.
"Mr. Sutcliff...told us...n-not to wake you until eight..." Georgianna explained, her words pierced with mumbles and stutters; the poor thing was noticeably more reserved than her elder sister and didn't say nearly as much. I sighed as I crossed to my wardrobe, my back to my maids.
"So he did...Well, Georgianna, why don't you see to it that Atkins is aware that we're receiving a visitor today, and make sure that Monroe prepares enough supper for our guest. It would be terribly rude if we didn't have food to serve him..."
"Y-yes, my lady," Georgianna squeaked in response, her mouse-brown braid swinging as she scuttled out of the room, leaving me alone with Ellaine.
"What is...Mr...Sutcliff...up to...anyway?" I huffed as Ellaine helped me to lace up my corset. "Usually...he...wakes me..."
"He's helping to prepare for Earl Phantomhive's visit," she answered, grunting as she pulled the laces of my corset tighter. "There, how's that, my lady?"
"Fine," I breathed, placing my hand on my stomach for a moment.
"What dress would you like to wear today?" Ellaine asked, flipping through my collection of gowns. I turned my gaze to the fabrics, the blues and pinks and purples, until it fell on the single, red dress I had bought, most likely to cease Grell's pestering about my choices in fashion. I tilted my head to the side as I studied it; he had been right; it really was quite beautiful, a deep scarlet and trimmed with black lace. I reached out to touch the silky material and nodded towards the one item I had yet to wear in my wardrobe.
"I think I'll wear this today, Ellaine..."
That morning was spent preparing for Phantomhive's visit; I was so terribly on edge, for I hadn't had a visitor since Mrs. Pershing over a month ago and I didn't have a clue why the Earl would want to visit the likes of me. Still, he arrived a little past three, in a grand carriage accompanied by his own butler.
The Earl was a young man, short but obviously a few years my senior. He wore an eyepatch over his left eye and carried himself with a certain dignity. His butler was quite dashing, with black hair and strange red eyes. He towered over me (but then, who didn't? Even petite Georgianna was a few inches taller than me) and would be highly intimidating if it weren't for the smile he wore on his face, althought it was a tad...ominous.
"Lady Stanhope," the Earl addressed me in greeting as we sat down to afternoon tea, which Monroe had helped Grell to prepare. "As you are aware, I am the Earl Ciel Phantomhive, and this is my butler, Sebastian Michaelis." I nodded towards the man as Ciel introduced the butler with a careless wave of his hand.
"Please, call me Miss Grace," I insisted, taking a sip of the Lady Grey tea; I couldn't stand how strong Earl Grey was, so I preferred the Lady Grey kind. "Now, may I inquire as to the nature of your visit? To what do I owe such an honor?"
"Miss Grace," the Earl's voice was firm and steady as he looked me directly in the eye. "I'm not sure if you're aware, but two nobles of high society, along with one of their wives, have been found murdered in the past two weeks," I opened my mouth to speak, but Ciel held his hand up to shush me. "If you were about to ask me what this has to do with you, well, both of those men were indicted on charges of murder almost eleven years ago, but were later released due to lack of evidence and possible bribery. The murder in question is that of Earl Edmund Stanhope, your father."
"It seems to me," I began as Grell entered the room, carrying a tray of pastries to accompany the tea. I narrowed me eyes as I saw Ciel fix my butler with a writhing glare that sent chills down my spine. I cleared my throat to get the Earl's attention back on me. "Lord Phantomhive, I believe I'm over here. As I was saying, it seems to me that someone is taking justice into their own hands. There are many vigilantes in London alone; perhaps you should investigate them?"
"Lady Stanhope, I suggest you tread carefully," the Earl stood, leaning heavily against his walking stick and giving me a fierce look. I rose as well, handing my teacup to Grell and planting my hands on my hips.
"Just what are you implying, Earl?" I snapped without thinking, mentally kicking myself when I realized how defensive I must've sounded.
"Nothing at all, Miss Grace," Lord Phantomhive replied, a note of smugness in his voice. "A simple warning."
"If you'll excuse me..." I said quickly, through gritted teeth. "I just remembered I need to attend to something." And with that, I began to dash from the room, but before I could complete my hasty retreat, Ciel grasped my arm.
"Could I have a word with you...alone?"
I led the Earl upstairs to my private study; none of the other servants, except for Grell, of course, were allowed in the room, so it was slightly dingy, but usable nonetheless.
"What is it you wanted to say to me?" I inquired, genuinly curious as Ciel took the seat in front of my desk while I took the one behind it.
"I need to warn you about something else..." he explained, folding his hands on my desk and leaning forward.
"Yes?" I prompted, tilting my head to the side curiously.
"Your butler, Grell Sutcliff. He's not who you may think he is. He's not...human," I blinked but felt my face grow into a smile.
"Oh, I know, Earl," I assured him, making as if to stand. "Trust me, I know."
"Miss Grace, there is something else you need to know about him!" Ciel added, giving me a stern glance. I sank back into my seat and waited. "He's merely using you; he wants to be entertained, is all. Once you've finished...do you honestly think he'll let you continue living?"
"Well, I never! Of course he-"
"No! Grace Stanhope, you know nothing about this man. Once you cease to amuse him, he'll end you. That's all you are to him; a plaything, and you'll never be anything more. You are expendable, disposable, if you will. Do not say I didn't warn you, Lady. I shan't be surprised if it's you who turns up dead next."
As the Earl stalked from my study, grumbling about how he would be taking his leave, I felt something wet running down my cheeks. I pressed my fingertips against them, stunned to find he had reduced me to tears. Sighing shakily, I did the only thing I could think of at the moment; I placed my head in my hands, leaned against my desk and sobbed.