The lightning illuminated the hallway in an eerie pattern as Lucy descended the large master staircase. The chandeliers were lit for dinner, their glow casting shadows on the burgundy and gold wallpaper and driving away the darkness of the evening.
She hadn't realized how long she had been gone at market. It had taken the whole day, really, to get Henry all the supplies he needed. And her things as well. The new corset bit into her ribs but she welcomed the discomfort as it accentuated her curves. She hoped Henry would approve of the dress.
She was quite surprised, in fact, when she entered the dining room to find no one there but herself. Poole had mentioned he hadn't wanted to be disturbed, but it had to be nearing dinner time. A quick glance at the clock on the mantel revealed it was half past seven, the time they normally started drinks before dinner.
How odd, she thought.
Did I do something to upset him? Is he upset about Emma?
She certainly hoped not, and hoped he hadn't been rethinking calling off the engagement.
What does it matter to you, girl?
It's not like he would marry you anyway.
You're damaged goods.
Poole thankfully interrupted this stream of consciousness rambling when he entered the dining room.
"Doctor Jekyll will be taking his meal alone tonight, Miss Harris. You will be served in the dining room as usual. Sherry?," he asked before turning on his heel and leaving the room.
"Wait!," she called after him. Poole stopped and turned to her.
"Well…did he say why? Or what is …..or if something is wrong?"
Poole pursed his lips into a frown, as if he was thinking who is she to question the master.
"He said nothing of the sort, I relayed you the message exactly as he said it. I will be back with your drink, madam."
And then he was gone.
Poole was not the friendly sort, really.
Lucy let out a small sound like a huff. It had to be his work, it simply had to be. Nothing between them had changed.
Thirty minutes and two glasses of sherry later, she decided she would sit down to a nice dinner, dressed up for no one of course, and then she would sneak down to Henry's lab and surprise him.
That would be a wonderful surprise and he would enjoy it immensely she thought.
If only she had known how wrong she would be.