Chapter 36
"The boat was a waste of time," Mr Castiel spoke shortly as they stopped before each other and bowed. "Nothing of interest except several cases of dirt."
"Dirt?" Benjamin asked in confusion.
"Indeed, dirt," Castiel answered.
"You are both being very rude. Good day Mr Black," Dean spoke to acknowledge the new arrivals and bowed as he looked slyly at the ladies and winked.
"Scoundrel," the first whispered to the second before their brother could respond.
"Mr Winchester, good day to you sir. May I present to you my dear sisters Abigail and Isabella."
"Ladies, it is a pleasure," Dean said and accepted the acquaintance. "I trust that your journey was pleasant?" He asked to make conversation; as was right and proper.
"Of which do you speak; the return from London or the momentary laps between the castle and Whitby that was made via angel?" Miss Black asked with a hint of distain.
"Abigail! You can be so rude," Isabella Black scolded her eldest sister. "The journey was education, Mr Winchester, and made in a very great haste. It was unexpected but not unwelcome, with regards to our situation and our skill set. Thank you for asking, sir," She added with a curtsy.
"I am glad to hear it Miss Isabella. May I be so bold as to introduce my very good friend Mr Benjamin Lafitte," Dean said and smiled at the young lady.
"How do you do Mr Lafitte?" Abigail asked to follow her sisters lead, although she was disinterested in the two very foppish men before her.
"Much better now, Miss," Benjamin responded and bowed deeply.
"You arrived via angel then?" Dean asked and nudged Castiel playfully.
"Yes, our parents send their regards but someone needed to remain at the castle. Your own very good parents also wish you well but they too will be staying away from Whitby. I cannot give their reasoning but they stay away," Nicolas spoke when his sisters rolled their eyes.
"I'm sure they mean well but I don't pretend to understand why they would not join the fray," Dean said with a shrug. "It is nice however to know that there are other hunters around. We have procured an invitation to dine for all of you at the house of Mr Westbrook tonight," he added.
"Ah yes, it is right to keep up appearances and so we will dive right into society," Nicolas spoke sarcastically as he laughed. "Good thing we had the presence of mind to grab our things before we left."
"As we had only just arrived," Abigail grumbled, "and had hardly time enough to set them down."
"You would have grown bored of being at home, dear sister, so it is better that we go into society here. These are some of our nearer neighbours," Isabella stated.
"Too true, dear Isabella! And this Mr Westbrook, has he sons?" Nicolas asked with intrigue.
"One; but he is but a babe," Dean offered. "However, Vlad Tepes, the Vampire King, will be present at the dinner tonight."
"The reason for all this is Tepes, is it not?" Nicolas asked and there was seriousness in his tone and his looks as the idea of spending time with such filth filled him with anxious energy.
"Indeed and thus we are gathering the very best kind of company to bring with us. There is after all strength in numbers!" Dean said.
"And how are we to know whom among us are vampires?" Isabella asked.
"I'll tell you for I am one of them at present," Benjamin commented and seeing the turn of her countenance he continued. "But no need to fret, I am not expecting to remain infected for much longer as Mr Winchester has a friend, Miss Shurley, who has promised a cure. Also, I have not fed on human flesh for a great many years and find the scourge to be repulsive and uncivilized."
"You have a friend that can promise such things?" Isabella asked in shock.
"I have many friends, who can do many thing," Dean replied mysteriously.
"Well I suppose if you are among the trusted acquaintance of such a man as Mr Winchester there is nothing to worry about. Your reputation, sir, is far reaching," Abigail stated. "We have heard a great deal of the Brothers Winchester among our acquaintance in London and abroad."
"We try not to visit London but word does spread quickly all throughout the land," Dean commented nervously. "Ah look, there is my brother at last," he added to change the subject.
"Who is that with him?" Nicolas asked.
"Crowley," Castiel responded darkly and without ceremony.
"The King of Hell," Dean added as they approached.
"I see you have done well to gather your trusted advisors," Samuel commented with a bow.
"And you summoned a demon?" Dean asked in shock.
"I don't care for the vampires any more than you do," Crowley spoke. "But who are these delightful young people?"
"The Blacks," Dean stated. "Of Castle Black. Hunters."
"Pleasure," Crowley said and bowed.
"Our parents and theirs have decided to stay in the moorland," Dean addressed his brother.
"And you have all come directly?" Samuel asked.
"We arrived with Mr Castiel. Our entourage will arrive by morning," Nicolas answered. "These are my sisters Abigail and Isabella. They are hunters as well, sir, and know better than to deal with demons."
"I am not here for any deals. I am here for the society," Crowley countered brightly. "I network in many ways for the sake of my business, and so I say to you: it is my very great honour to make your acquaintance," he finished suavely and bowed deeply to the ladies.
The ladies curtsied out of propriety but did not return his addresses.
"And so an Angel, the King of Hell, the King of the Vampires and a handful of Hunters are about to stroll into the house of the unsuspecting Mr Westbrook. It sounds like a terrible joke and yet there is a great deal of folly to be had," Crowley said to bring the conversation back around to his favour.
"It likely will be, but this is not the whole party," Dean said and sighed. "Come, let us away to the inn to prepare. We will arrive together and meet Mrs Mills and her party on our way, or so I hope. Perhaps I should hire another coach if your entourage isn't set to arrive until tomorrow."
"It is already done brother," Samuel spoke.
"What fun this shall be. Quite a departure from our usual monstrous endeavours," Abigail commented as she fell in step with Mr Lafitte.
"Vampires and Zombies; cut the heads off. How different will it be?" Nicolas asked his sister.
"Society, Nicolas, that is what will be different. These vampires are moving within society," Abigail responded.
"That is the unnerving part," Dean commented to end the sibling's discussion.
"It will be interesting to say the least," Crowley commented and watched in silent enjoyment as the chills and eye rolls greeted him.