"Alexander?" Jayne had come down the stairs of her home, wrapped in a silk robe, obviously still in her nightclothes, and obviously intending to use them to her advantage; it was after all, only an hour or so past sunrise. He had bid Mina a good morning and good-bye when she had come to bring he and Renfield tea. She however, had taken the time to dress appropriately, (not that he would have minded seeing her in her nightdress). Sitting outside in the dark, instead of lying beside her in her bed had been a great source of regret of that past night, and leaving her with her tresses down, the taste of her kiss on his mouth had been the hardest thing he had done. Only his resolve to deal with Jayne had kept him focused, and as soon as he had finished his tea he had left directly for the Lordship's house.
"Jayne? Forgive my early arrival, but I was unable to sleep last night, I could not stop thinking of you."
Her smile was a mix of lust and triumph; Alexander had expected no less.
"Why Alexander, how wonderful." Her voice practically dripped an insincere honey as she spoke. She moved to embrace him, forcing her chest against his, guiding her hips, which brought forth a little indrawn breath as she realized what he wore. "A gun Alexander?"
"There was a disturbance last evening which required my attentions. But we need not speak of that when there are so many more important things to be said." He brushed his fingers down her styled blond hair, curling them under her chin briefly, holding back an urge to simply snap her neck.
"Or done." She whispered, sliding a hand around his neck, trying to draw him to herself for a kiss, backing herself towards the privacy of the sitting room.
"Wait, I've brought you a gift." He pulled away with a smile he hoped looked seductive. He'd set the box down on a table by the staircase when he had arrived and retrieved it then, holding it out to her as she withdrew into the larger room.
"A gift? Why Alexander, how sweet." Her smile disappeared as she opened the lid, those his did not. "What is this?" Her eyes narrowed and she dropped the box; the poor bloody dove rolling out onto the floor.
"I would ask you the same question." His brows turned down cruelly, his lips thinned, his jaws clenched.
"I don't appreciate this joke, or whatever it is Alexander."
"And I don't appreciate your threats against Mrs. Harker."
"To what do you refer Alexander?"
"Do not play coy with me!" He hissed. "Mina has told me about your visit, about your threats. Do not insult me by denying that you sent your man, the one with the birthmark who I have seen working in your household, to deliver this to her, to frighten her."
She tried to move away from him but he caught her arm in a cruel hold and pushed her back against the stone fireplace.
"I'll scream."
"Really? And what do you think that will accomplish?"
"The police will come, you'll be arrested."
"Let us think about that course of action, shall we Jayne? The majority shareholder of the company your husband has most of his wealth tied up in is arrested. I wonder what that will do for the reputation of the business? I can afford for it to collapse, can you? And we will say nothing of the blow to your reputation. Most certainly there are many who know, but will not speak about your extramarital appetites, but once the press hears from my solicitor that you greeted me in your nightgown, that your staff made no attempt to bar my entrance, no doubt at your request, well, I dare say that you will have few friends left to occupy yourself with, male or female."
"You bastard!" She moved to try to slap him, but he caught her hand, glaring hard into her eyes.
"Should you harm, or cause harm to come to Mina I will destroy you Jayne. Not just your money, or your position." He pulled back the tail of his coat to fully expose the holster.
"You would shoot me in my own home?" her eyes widened a little, and Alexander could see that he might finally be making his point.
"Oh no, not here." He drew out his words.
"Is that a threat?" Her hand went to her breast, as if that was some kind of defense.
"Take it as you will Jayne, but understand, you would best serve yourself by staying away from me, from my home, and from my family. If I do not see you perhaps my anger will calm. Make whatever excuses you must." He dropped his hold on her.
"Alexander?" She pleaded with him.
"Goodbye Jayne." He walked away without looking back.
Though he should have been exhausted from his sleepless night and the emotions of having to leave Mina and attend to Jayne, Alexander found himself feeling rather les burdened as he left her house. In fact he found a renewed purpose had filled his heart, and after he had returned to Carfax, shaved and washed he went to his study where he had hidden away the box of silk. Opening the parcel he brushed his hands carefully over the soft fabric, closing his eyes and imagining it to be Mina's cheeks. His deams threatened to take him many places as he thought of her hair, how he had brushed it free of its pins, and how it had fallen upon her shoulders; shoulders he imagined bare, in the flickering light of the lamps. He had never been so close to her bed as he had been then. A bed with its hand sewed coverlet and thin pillows, where she laid her body every night, without him. His chest practically ached with the thought of his own empty bed.
"Renfield!" He called out, knowing the man was close by, as always, "We need to make arrangements for another party."
"But I thought you had sworn to avoid any other such events here for as long as you were able."
"And this is as long as I have been able." He grinned, happiness flooding his chest. "Send the cook in so we can make a list of what will be served, and I will make a list of the guests."
"A garden party as before?"
"No, a dinner party, only a few people, and not his Lordship either, only friends this time Renfield, an enjoyable party. It has been too long since laughter and good conversation rang in the halls of this place."
"Very good sir."
"Yes," Alexander mused to himself, "yes, it will be very good."
Having finished the three dresses and delivered them, and completed James' little jacket Mina felt quite proud of herself. Her little lock box wasn't overflowing with bills, but there was certainly a larger stack of them than had been there in a great long time. Mina even began to wonder whether or not she should open a bank account. The thought actually made her feel a little giddy. But she put it aside. Practically she knew that her floors needed a good wash, and her rugs a good airing, amongst other larger chores that had been put aside in favor of the sewing. So as soon as she had delivered James to school she returned home, tied on an apron, and set water to heat to get after the dust bunnies.
The whole house had a bright and happy air she thought, and not just because the surfaces sparkled as she worked. The sun was shinning, and a weight seemed lifted somehow. Mina opened the windows and let the air in, and even though she did not have much of a voice for singing, she hummed a little as she worked. Perhaps it had been seeing Alexander that morning, serving him tea as simple thanks for the protection of he and his man. The memories of his fingers in her hair, and on her shoulders had given her some courage, courage she showed with shy curves and a blush. The way his eyes had followed her movements, and softened as he gazed at her face made her feel as if she was the most important thing in the world just then; and it had been a very long time since she had felt that important. It was like walking on water, maybe even dancing with her mop like one of James' silly stories as she glided through the house.
She was still singing to herself as she picked up James that evening, and had the surprise of a bakery cake (with icing) for their tea. They spent the evening reading stories together until it was time for James to go to sleep, and Mina tucked him in and kissed him on the head, and told him, (even though he was mostly asleep by then) how much she loved him.
She tiptoed down the stairs, intent on reading for a little while before she went to bed. The sound of footsteps on her porch startled her from her story. Mina froze, waiting to hear what might happen next. The fear of hearing a box set down by her door came to mind, but that was not what happened. Instead there was a gentle knock on the door, and a whisper.
"Mina?" She sprang up from her seat.
"Alexander."
His smiling face at the door was greeted with a sincere embrace, from which he had to stabilize himself.
"I trust it has been a peaceful, uneventful day for you." He asked.
She ushered him inside, sparing a quick glance to her neighbour's window, whose curtains were actually drawn that evening.
"It has." She affirmed.
"And James is asleep?"
"He is."
"Then I hope that I may kiss you, because I have missed you greatly today."
She barely had time to nod her assent to his request before he had brushed the back of his hands along her cheeks, his own eyes closing with the remembered sensations of her soft skin.
"You are so beautiful." He whispered as he pushed his mouth over hers. Her indrawn breath stole his, and he pulled her body against him, wanting her to feel every heave of his chest. When her fingers raked through his hair he crushed her lips even harder.
"Have you spared any thoughts for me today Mina?"
"A great many Alexander."
"I love hearing you say my name."
"And I love when you touch me." She whispered, trembling at her own boldness.
"My darling Mina." His hands ran down her arms, grasping hers, and bringing them close to his chest. "Can you feel my heart beating for you?"
"No different than mine." She stepped to him again, bringing their hands between both hearts.
"Will you trust me Mina? Trust my promise that you are safe and that we will be together?"
"I will."
"Then will you indulge me for a little longer in this game that we are playing?"
"It is not a game."
"No, you are correct, it is not." He kissed their clutched hands, his eyes not leaving hers.
"And Lady Jayne?"
"You will not see her again. And though I may have to see her in the course of business I swear to you that it will be grudgingly cordial, and nothing more."
"I believe you Alexander." Her simple smile and cocked head made his heart melt.
"And again you say my name and I am lost in your voice." He whispered, and leaned in to kiss her again softly, and slowly. "How can I have been so lucky?"
