Disclaimer: Crimson Peak is Guillermo Del Toro's property, Supernatural belongs to Eric Kripke, The Lodgers to Brian O'Malley. Emma, Constance and I are self-inserts. The old lady from Camden Market belongs to Chibimelodee.
Summary: Ghosts are real and everything happens for a reason. Is this why Marina and her friends find themselves trapped in Allerdale Hall a few days away from Christmas?
Author's note: This story was written for me by « Emma » and « Constance » from Chibimelodee as an Advent Calendar two years ago. Please note that all three of us are french and while we do know our way around English, we might still make some mistakes. Feel free to let us know! As the three girls are french and start to speak from this chapter, I'll put the translations of their sentences right next to them so you know what they say.
At the Candlelight
Chapter 16 : A night we'll never forget
Out of breath, Emma opened the bedroom door wide, seeing a still very distressed Constance, her cheek wet from all her tears. The youngest sister's heartbroken to see her sibling like that and she went running to hug her, Marina quietly leaving her place for her best friend.
« Comment ça se passe en bas ? » Marina asked, her eyes fixed curiously on the open door.
(How is it going downstairs?)
« Ben… En gros, j'ai remonté les bretelles du Sir-Thomas-Sharpe-Miss » Emma answered, trying to dry Constance's tear away. « Je ne pense pas qu'il revienne nous embêter pour le moment… Il a beaucoup trop à faire maintenant qu'il sait que Bobby est son arrière petit-fils… Ah, et, grande nouvelle, Thomas n'est pas un fantôme ! »
(Well, to sum it up, I scolded Sir-Thomas-Sharpe-Miss . I don't think he'll be back to bother us right now, he's too busy now that he knows Bobby's his great-grandson and... Oh, big news, Thomas isn't a ghost!=
« Qu'est-ce que tu… Comment… Mais… » Constance mumbled, her entire body shaken with her silent sob.
(What did you... How... But?)
« Pour faire simple, c'est un protecteur… » Emma stated and continued for a while to explain what she had understood from all this nonsense, Constance and Marina drinking her every word.
(To keep it simple, he's a protector.)
They were both in shock at the end of Emma's monologue, the oldest still shaking slightly into her sister's arms. Even if, technically, he had no past, she was still haunted with flashes of Thomas, entangled with his dark-faced sister, in an incest embrace. Imagining him in the arms of such a creature full of hate was hard for her but the spike of jealousy was what hurt the most. Despite the explication her sisters tried to bring, it didn't really help her in her despair. The wound in her heart was far too much fresh, hurt far too much…
« C'est pas clair, ton truc… » Marina said when Emma had finally stopped talking. « Rien de tout ça n'a de sens… Si c'est réellement un protecteur, pourquoi ne nous a-t-il pas interdit d'entrer dans sa maison ? Si nous n'avions pas franchi le seuil, la prophétie ne se serait jamais enclenchée ! »
(Your thing isn't super clear... None of it makes sense, if he truly is a protector, why didn't he forbid us to enter his house ? Had we not passed the threshold, the prophecy wouldn't have started!)
« Tu marques un point, Marina » Emma whispered thoughfully. « Tu pourras en discuter ce soir avec Sean lors de votre diner en tête-à-tête… »
(You have a point, Marina. You'll be able to discuss it tonight during your one-on-one rendez-vous with Sean...)
The youngest of the three blushed furiously, staring at her friend with wide eyes, her mouth slightly open.
« Ah oui, j'oubliais… » Emma continued with an encouraging smile at her sister. « On a prévu un petit repas en amoureux pour Marina et Sean pendant que Sam, Dean, toi et moi aurons un double rencard… Histoire de nous remonter le moral. »
(Ah yes, I forgot, we planned a little romantic meal for Marina and Sean while Sam, Dean you and I will have a double date, to lift our spirits up!)
Constance lifted up her head, looking horrified.
« Oh, non, non ! Hors de question ! Non, non, non, non ! »
(Oh no, no! Out of the question! No, no, no, no!)
How could her sister have thought about such a stupid idea ? Her on a date with this idiot of Sam she didn't even understand in Thomas's house ? Had Emma gone mental ? She just couldn't… She didn't even know what Thomas and her used to be…
Emma sighed and said softly but firmly :
« Quand on tombe de cheval, la meilleure chose à faire est de remonterimmédiatement en selle »
(When you fall from a horse, the best thing to do is to get back on the saddle.)
To her sister's biggest surprise, Constance burst into tears when she heard that expression. Emma forced herself not to roll her eyes at her sister's antics. She understood her big sister was having a tough time with the petit baron's lies but this, this was just too much… She needed to open Constance's eyes to her surroundings for her to realise what she was going to pass by if she didn't wake up from this nightmare. Sighing, she tightened her hold on her sister to show her without telling her she was here. Stroking her hair, Emma sighed and whispered :
« Okay, on a compris… On ne parle pas de cheval ! Promis… Et puis, ça te changera les idées… On va toutes se pomponner, se mettre sur notre trente-et-un et manger un bon repas… Un dîner romantique aux chandelles ! »
And the petit baron would really be pissed off…
(Okay, we get it, we don't talk about horses, I promise ! Besides, it'll clear your head, we're all going to pamper ourselves, getting dolled up and eating a good meal... A romantic candlelight diner!)
« What ? » Sam asked, sure he didn't hear well his brother…
Surely, he was mistaken. The Baronet was gone with Bobby in private, supposedly to re-solder links unfortunately nonexistent. In fact, Bobby had firmly grabbed Thomas' arm and forced him to follow him in another room, the old hunter just grumbling insults at him. The Winchesters brothers couldn't really distinct what Bobby was saying but could clearly hear the yelling of the old hunter and a countless number of things being broken. Sam and even Dean nearly pitied Thomas and were quite relieved when Sean had suggested they could go in another place, just the two of them. They both knew better than to stay with an angry Bobby…
« I thought you liked her ! » Dean shrugged, looking straight into his brother's eyes, trying to break his defense.
« I don't like her, she punched me in the face ! I hate her... Don't I ? » the youngest brother pouted. Dean struggled not to go big brother again and scowl him.
« So, you would prefer if she ended up with Bobby's great-grandfather? Can you picture calling her Grandma ? » the blond laughed.
Sam laughed bitterly at his brother. True, the young woman had caught his attention right away when he had first met her. True, he had tried to win her affection. True, he did felt a strick of jealousy every single time Thomas was near her. True, he couldn't get her out of his head. But also true, he knew deep down she would never look at him the way she looked at the Baronet. And now he was alive, with actual flesh and bones…
« Dean » the younger brother said, his head low, some strands of hair falling over his face. « Do you really think I've got a chance with her ? I mean, she really did punch me in the face… »
Seeing Dean chuckle under his breath, Sam added quickly :
« You weren't laughing when it was you she was hitting ! »
Throwing his hands on the air in a surrendering manner, Dean tried to calm his laughing before speaking.
« Look, Sammy… Emma did have a point with organizing all this. Remember the prophecy ? If the sister pushed the brother away, then the Gates of Hell will open? You and her need to bond ! »
« You mind doing a little bit of thinking with your upstairs brain ? A damn prophecy shouldn't dictate people's feelings, Dean ! » Sam yelled before gathering his calm.
Getting angry shouldn't do anything good right now. He jumped, surprised, when he felt Dean's hand on his shoulder.
« We're going to go at this double date and be perfect gentlemen… Enjoy the ride and try to open your heart to the damsel… »
You ain't seen nothin' yet
It's gonna be a night we'll never
No never
We'll never forget
Marina was sitten in the armchair, trying not to giggle when Emma « accidentally » tickled her feet as she applied nail polish on her toenails while her sister was doing the same with her fingers. The youngest of the three was starting to feel like a princess, being pampered like that by her two friends. She had tried to dissuade them so Emma and she could mollycoddle Constance first. After all, she was the one who needed it the most. But the two sisters did not have wanted to hear a thing. While Emma and Constance had a double-date with the Winchesters brothers, Marina was going to have a tete-a-tete with Sean and, frankly, right now, she was starting to suspect the sisters were planning for a big night for her and Sean. Her mind began to wander and picture him telling her his true feelings. Maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't be so shy behind closed door…
After some touches of eye-shadow and a light note of lipstick, Marina was finally put out of her misery. She really didn't like make-up ! Emma went, hopping a little, with a small mirror of her hands and handed it over so she could admire their work. To say she was in shock was a little underrated. Marina looked like a fairy tale princess with her face shining thanks to some glitter. The two sisters had managed to make her eyes appeared bigger, her lips pulpier, without being too much. She really didn't regret one bit to have bought her deep red corset, its golden patterns shimmering in the light. Without saying a single word, Marina went to hug her friends thigh. Emma giggled happily and she felt Constance relaxed a bit.
I feel pretty
Oh, so pretty
I feel pretty and witty and bright!
And I pity
Any girl who isn't me tonight
« Je t'avais dit que ça lui changerait les idées… » Emma whispered in Marina's ear before disappearing to get dressed.
(Told you it'd cheer her up!)
They had all agreed that Constance would be the last one to prepare so she could truly relax and enjoy her mollycoddling. Minutes later, Emma emerged from behind the wooden screen, her bright blue-green pinup dress clanging her curves. She was sparkling with glee and anticipation, merely standing still while Constance was taking care of her hair, fashioning a complicated bun, some thin pink braids forming flowers around her face. Marina gladly let Constance take care of her make-up while she took care of the nail polish.
Emma kept babbling about this and that, bringing a joyful atmosphere to the once gloomy bedroom. Right here, right now, it was like they were normal girls preparing for normal dates. Just some friends excited to spend some time with the guys of their dreams. Even Constance was smiling, trying to see the bright side of the event.
After Constance had put some make-up on her sister, putting a bright pink heart on her cheek, Emma jumped out of the chair, running to see herself in the mirror. She kept turning around, making her dress twirl. She was breathing joy and innocence.
I feel stunning
And entrancing
Feel like running and dancing for joy
For I'm loved
By a pretty wonderful boy!
The eldest of the friends took some time putting on her outfits, asking more than once for help. But she did look stunning in the clothes she had chosen. She was wearing an all-made-of-lace black blouse, her pale skin visible through the delicate material, letting people guess a lacy bra. To cover her more, she had added a dark lacey cincher. Her floor-length skirt was way shorter on the front, stopping before her knees. All dressed in black lace, she was the personification of class and sexy at the same time.
« J'en connais un qui va être super fier de t'avoir à son bras ! » Emma exclaimed with a wink at her.
(I know someone who's gonna be proud to have you at his arm!)
Constance felt herself blush. If only Emma knew that her sister secretly had chosen this outfit for Thomas, and not for Sam… No ! She needed to stop thinking about the Baronet. He had crushed her heart, trampled on it, tore it in two... Her sister was right, she deserved better. But, she wasn't sure Sam was better…
Closing her eyes, she let herself drift into a slight slumber while Emma and Marina took care of her. She was quite nervous to see what she was about to look like, knowing full-well her sister's eccentricity. But, when she finally was able to see herself, she was struck with their work. She had vaguely heard Emma talk to Marina but now, she would see what they were talking about. She had delicate spiderwebs on her nails. The deep red lipstick accentuated the paleness of her skin but brought a nice touch of color, matching her red-drop necklace. They had let her hair long, just attaching the moth hairpin on a side of her hair. Constance blinked a few times, just to be sure what she was seeing in the mirror was real. She looked like a vampire princess !
I feel charming
Oh, so charming
It's alarming how charming I feel!
And so pretty
That I hardly can believe I'm real
While the three women were putting the last touches to their appearances, they heard a firm knock on the door, making them jump, following by an English-mannered voice :
« Constance, can I come in ? All is forgiven… »
Constance froze, dazzled a little by her shaky heartbeats, before yelling :
« I am glad that you forgave me but unfortunately I don't forgive you ! And I never will ! »
« I think we should talk about all that. My Butterfly, I can explain everything… We could dine together and I could … » Thomas begged.
« She has another date tonight, Bluebeard ! Go away ! But you can still go eat with your deceased wifes and your loving sister ! » Emma screamed.
Her mind was racing. Was crushing her sister's heart not enough for him ? Did he plan on ruining her life ? Was she not allowed to be happy ? Sam could make her happy. Constance only needed to forget this bloody Baronet. He absolutely needed to disappear from her life. All the protector's explication kept coming on her thoughts but his past was far too much screwed up to be ignored. He killed his wives, for goddam sake's !
« You seriously didn't think I'm going to let Constance dine with you so you can poison her like all of the others »
« Constance, you never were like the others… Never would I hurt you ! Darling, please… Let me explain !... Let me come in ! »
His voice was just about a whisper, begging as if it was a prayer.
« Wait a minute, does your sister really said that you had a date with another man ? She certainly had made a mistake… I know we're facing a slight difference of opinion but I still care about you very much… Constance dearie, I… I am truly sorry… You know I'm never going to hurt you… I promised to protect you… I would do anything to protect you ! Please, let me in… »
Despite every lies he had said, every secret he had buried, every horror he had committed, what he was about to do revolted him and his shaking voice betrayed his despair. It wasn't the first time someone demanded him to accomplish a task as vile but it still didn't make it easier… He also knew there would not be a possible way back. No more forgiveness for him… But, before everything else, he should find a way to come in. He should find a way to see her, to be near her one last time.
« I am but a fool
Darling, I love you though you treat me cruel
You hurt me, and you made me cry
But if you leave me, I will surely die
Darling, there will never be another
'Cause I love you so
Don't ever leave me
Say you'll never go
I will always want you for my sweetheart
No matter what you do
I'm so in love with you »
If it was a joke, Marina didn't find it very funny. Had it just say that it was Constance who was cruel with him and that it was him who was hurt, that he was the most to be pitied ? The youngest of the three friends was happy there was a door between the Baronet and her, or else she would have shown her mindset! Dared he to come to play the victim while it was him who hurt her friend… and slept with his own sister… and killed his wives ! He clearly need to be set a few things straight and she wasn't against the idea of lecturing him should the need arise. When Thomas called for Constance again, Emma and her came to enclose the young woman who was shaking with anger and sadness. They came closer to each other's when they heard the Baronet bang on the door and saw the doorknob moved. Luckily, Marina had locked the door earlier, preventing anyone to come in. She sighed in relief because, without his ghostly powers, the Baronet had no way to enter.
Thomas's voice rose again :
« Constance, please, I need to… »
« Please, stop it Thomas ! » Marina said with anger, wrapping her arms closer on Constance, trying to comfort her the best she could…
If only he could leave and let them alone !
« She doesn't want to see you for now ! You need to understand… »
« I need to see her… and some fresh clothes… Sean was kind enough to heal my wounds but… Constance, darling, I understand perfectly why you hit me… with this vase… these vases… I understand your anger and you were right, but… Please, I can't stay with all my blood drying on my shirt… »
« Try to wash the blood of your wives you had on your hands first ! » Emma screamed hard, squeezing hard her sister's hand.
Apparently, the younger sister's opinion didn't matter to him as he continued to knock, pleading low :
« Constance… my darling… my Butterfly… Please… Be reasonable ! I only want to… »
« Je ne veux pas savoir ce que tu veux… Je n'ai aucune envie de te voir ! Laisse moi tranquille ! Pourquoi ne veux-tu pas comprendre que je veux être seule ? Laisse-moi, Thomas ! Si tu m'aimes comme tu le dis, pars… Et arrête de taper, je sais très bien que tu es derrière cette porte ! Quel est ton problème, à la fin ? » Constance screamed furiously at the closed door.
(I don't wanna know what you want, I have no desire to see you, leave me alone! Why can't you understand that I wanna be alone! Leave me be, Thomas! If you love me as you say, leave... And stop knocking, I know fine well you're behind this door, what's your problem?)
« My problem is that I can't get in my own bedroom… » he whispered, a hint of humor in his deep voice before being serious again. « Constance, I beg you to let me in… Let me explain… »
« Il n'y a rien à expliquer ! » Constance said firmly, turning her back to the door.
(There's nothing to explain.)
The click of a key on a lock and then the doorknob moved again. The three friends cringed as the door creaked open. The head of Thomas appeared, searching Constance with his eyes. His stare locked with Emma's angry face and he asked in a whisper :
« Does she have a vase ? »
The younger sister gestured him to wait a moment with a wave of her hand before running at the opposite side of the bedroom, coming near her sister as fast as she had disappeared. She handed Constance a huge china vase before whispering wickedly in her ear :
« Vise la porte ! ».
(Aim at the door!)
Constance, quick as a flash, turned around and threw it as hard as she could. Unfortunately, Thomas's reflexes were too damn good and he had managed to close the door before the impact. He cringed when he heard the priceless vase crashing on the wooden door. Constance was obviously still mad. Sighing and truly hoping she wouldn't throw another thing at him, he opened the door very slowly, his head low, hands up in a sign of surrender. He leisurely rose his head up and drunk out the sight of the woman who had stolen his heart. She was beautiful, the black of the lace enhancing her natural beauty. His eyes followed her form but his smile turned into a frown at the sight of her skirt.
« You are not going to go out like this ! » he growled, his voice dark and low. « And, if I may ask, who do you think you are going to meet in this outfit ? »
« Sam ! You know, this tall, nice and honest guy who doesn't fancy killing his wives ! And what do you think is wrong with my outfit ? Do you think I have to put a little something on my face… » Constance answered ironically.
« Not on your face, Dearie ! you have got to put a « little something » on your body ! » he retorted, clearly not amused, taking his jacket off to cover her possessively.
« Why ? » Constance asked, jerking away his clothes and putting her hand on her hips. « Et dire que tu paraissais tellement impatient de me voir avec une jupe ! »
(To think you were so impatient to see me with a skirt!)
« This, dear Constance, this is not a skirt ! It's missing a lot of fabrics to be called a skirt ! » Thomas interjected, pointing the said closing as if it personally offended him. « And let me tell you I can see through your shirt. For the love of God, cover yourself ! »
« Oh ! Et tu n'aimes pas ce que tu vois ? » Constance asked, a sly grin on her red lips. « Ma tenue est parfaitement décente, Tartuffe ! Inutile de me jouer la grande scène du « Cachez ce sein que je ne saurais voir ». Ça aurait peut-être été crédible si tu ne m'avais pas déshabillée en pleine nuit, à mon insu… Alors il est hors de question que j'aille me changer ! »
(Oh and you don't like what you see ? My outfit is perfectly decent, Tartuffe ! No need to play this huge scene of « Hide this breast that I shouldn't see ! ». It might have been credible had you not undress me at night without my knowledge... Also, it's out of the question for me to change!)
« Oh yes ! You will wear something less transparent and with a proper length… and take off what you put on your face ! » Thomas ordered. « I absolutely do not want people to think the woman I court is… »
« Ça tombe bien car je n'ai aucune envie d'être cette femme ! » Constance interrupted, the voice full of anger and defiance. « Je n'ai aucune envie que tu me courtises ! Je n'ai aucune envie que tu fasses partie de ma vie ! Je n'ai aucune envie d'être amoureuse de toi ! Et je n'ai aucune envie d'aller à un rendez-vous avec toi dans le seul but que tu puisses m'empoisonner ! »
(That's good because it just so happens that I have no wish to be this woman ! I have no wish for you to court me ! I have no wish for you to be part of my life ! I have no wish to be in love with you ! And I have no wish to go to a date with you just so you could poison me!)
« I have no intention to poison you, Constance ! » Thomas answered calmly, with remorse in his voice…
If only she could let him a chance to explain what happened… But he already had that chance and he had let it go away when he had chosen to ignore her questions, letting her blissfully in illusions and lies…
« Tu l'as déjà fait Thomas !... avec tes belles paroles… Et dire que j'ai été assez bête pour croire que tu tenais à moi, pour croire que tu tenais réellement à moi ! » Constance declared dryly, holding back the new tears that threaten to fall of her already redden eyes.
(You already did, Thomas! With your beautiful sentences! To think I've been stupid enough to believe you cared about me, that you truly cared!)
« Constance, I really care about… » the Baronet whispered, taking a step to join her.
« No ! Stop that ! Nul besoin de me mentir maintenant que je sais qui tu es vraiment ! » the young woman yelled.
(No need to lie now when I know who you actually are!)
She had no intentions to let herself be wooed again by his vain sweetish promises… Her broken heart hurt her far too much.
« Ce que je voudrais savoir, c'est ce que, selon toi, pourraient penser les gens de moi… Je t'ai coupé la parole et j'aimerai que tu poursuives, si tu le veux bien ! »
(What I'd like to know is what, according to you, people will think of me. I cut you in your sentence and I'd like, if you agree, for you to go on!)
Thomas looked at her with defeat, begging her to come back from her decision, praying she'll stop him to finish his sentence that only had one goal, to hurt her irredeemably. He had let his anger, his jealousy win over him. Thinking other men, this Sam, could see his dear Constance like this was just unbearable for him. She was made for him. She had brought him back to life. She was his, only his… But he must finish what he had started… It was the only way…
« There is only two kinds of women who… who paint their traits behind make-ups… Actresses and… and loose women ! » He lowered his eyes, unable to look into her eyes, unable to see the hurt he just had put there.
Constance felt as of the whole world was crumbling beneath her feet. Ans she who thought the worst thing was to hear him reiterating his false feelings, because never could he dare treat her like that if he loved her as he had said… And she who thought her heart could not break anymore… From the corner of her eye, she saw Marina and Emma came closer to her, ready to intervene, to take her defence. With a wave of her hand, she asked them to stay where they were, to let herself deal alone with the quarrel. She needed it, she needed to show him, to show to herself he hadn't broken her, that she was stronger than he thought. She took a deep breath and said with an almost steady voice :
« Et dans laquelle de ces deux catégories me places-tu ? »
(And in which category do you place me into?)
The Baronet forced himself to raise his eyes to her, choking his pain away, hardening his look and his eyes :
« Well… You are, I must confess, quite bad at hiding your emotions. You blame me for not being sincere with you, for having to lie about my feelings for you, but you have no idea what love is ! You clearly had no idea the torments you put me through ! You reject me for faults I had done way before I met you and don't concern you the least. And to punish me, you decide to play with the heart of the poor and honest Sam. Using your body to seduce us both like some Jezabel ! I truly pity him because you will destroy his heart just like you destroyed mine, and you will do everything to make him think it's all his fault… Sweet and innocent Constance…
You have non heart, you have non shame !
You take true love, and give the blame !
Which makes you, dearie, a… »
Constance's hand coming to befall as suddenly and violently on his cheek made him shut up and, for long minutes, a heavy silence reigned in the bedroom. He glared at her with arrogance and anger, she glared at him with wreath and bitterness, Marina and Mélanue glared at them with stupor and astonishment.
« Maybe you could bully your dead-wives but I have been bullied by you for the last time ! » Constance said, her voice full of venom and spite.
« Is that so, you see me like a monster ? » Thomas retorted between his teeth, a deep wound transpiring in his eyes, meddling with his anger.
« A monster ? Oh no ! Même un monstre n'aurait pas été capable de faire tout ce que tu as fait, Thomas ! Seul l'Homme est capable de telles monstruosités… Et c'est tout ce que tu es, Thomas… juste un homme ! Un homme hanté par ses vices et ses défauts, indigne de l'attention et de la compassion qu'il souhaite tellement ! » Constance answered with an icy voice. She began to turn her heels, anger radiating from her small frame.
(Even a monster would not have been able to do all you did, Thomas! Only a human being is able of such monstrosities! And that's all you are, Thomas, just a man! A man haunted by his vices and drawbacks, unworthy of the attention and compassion he so craves!)
Without thinking, he grabbed her by the wrist, the dancing light of the fire catching the glimpse of her hairpin. Thomas looked stunned, his long fingers tracing the delicate pattern of the jewel.
« Where did you find this ? » he asked, his voice just above a whisper.
« It's a gift… from Emma… » Constance answered slowly, her wrath seeming to have almost disappeared. « We found it in a shop in London… »
« It's mine ! » he roared, trying to catch it, hurting Constance when he tried to take it away from her. She screamed in pain, holding her hair.
The Baronet froze, looking guiltily at her, putting his hands behind his back before he said again :
« This hairpin is a family heirloom… Can I please have it back ? »
If eyes could kill, Thomas would drop dead at Constance's feet. She glared hard at him, quickly unfastening the clasp of the moth before throwing it at his feet.
« Si c'est à toi, tu n'as qu'à le reprendre ! Je ne veux rien porter qui puisse m'associer à toi ! » she screamed.
(If this is yours, have it back, I don't wanna wear anything to associate me with you!)
With that final word, she went to the door, never looking back at him. Emma looked at him awkwardly, whispering
« You should have thought about it before, Sir-Thomas-Sharpe-Miss… » before following her sister out.
It was now only Marina and him. She was watching him without fear, like he was lower than her, disgust and incomprehension clearly written on her face. He would be so easy for him to carry his anger on her, to recreate in her fear and respect. He came to her threateningly but Marina spoke before he could :
« I had really hoped you had come to apologize to Malanie. Your feelings are not the only ones that mattered… She didn't deserve that ! She is devastated ! I think she really liked you, you know… She is in love with you, and you, you had ruine dit all… »
Thomas stared deeply at her, letting his icy and indifferent facade go. A huge sorrow filled him and he slowly sat on the end of the bed, defeated, a tear rolling down his cheek, hiding his face in his hands, simply whispering :
« I did what was needed… »
Marina went to sit next to him. She had seen the way he looked tenderly at Constance, the sweetness of their hugs, the worries on his face when he believed she was in danger… and she was even sure to have seen kindness in him… All of this should have been only a lie ! And yet, how to explain tonight's attitude, his cruel words towards her friend, his violence… Who was really Thomas ? She must pierce this mystery, find a solution… Find a solution so Constance would be happy again, so Thomas and her… Lost in her thoughts, she was nervously playing with the necklace Sean had given her. She met the eyes of Thomas and felt the need to be precise :
« Oh ! Euh ! Sean had found this necklace when your sister made in fall in a clay tank… He said it would protect me… But it must be yours, isn't it ? If you want… »
« No ! » Thomas slowly stopped her, smiling sadly. « Keep it ! He is right, it will protect you… Far more than I'm able to… »
His eyes fell on the golden butterfly he was holding in his hand. He looked at him for a while, letting the light of the flames make shining its delicate wings before he closed his fist to make it disappear from his sight. It was too hard, too painful… But he had to let her go… It was the only way… Marina rose discreetly and went to the door, going to meet the man she loved, a man worthy of her love… He wasn't worthy of anything… Constance was right… How could he have hoped ? And yet, she loved him… Marina had told him so… She loved him and she had left… He bent his head, defeated, staying all alone in this room far too big for him, his heart breaking, knowing all too well the love of his new life was going into another man's arms. But he wasn't ready to let her go… He was willing to fight for her ! It must necessarily have another way…
The three young women descended the stairs quickly, wanting to put the more space they could from the not-so-ghostly-anymore Baronet. By the time they had reached the hall, they were all out of breath. The Winchesters brothers came running, asking at the same time.
« Are you alright ? »
« Did you feel it too ? »
« What happened upstairs ? »
« You're not hurt, are you ? »
Marina, Constance and Emma shared a weird look, clearly not aware of what had happened downstairs. Truly lost, they stared at the hunters, mouth opened, not knowing what to say.
« You didn't feel the earthquake minutes ago ? » Sam asked, worried and, when the three friends looked even more confused, he sighed. « Did anything happen upstairs ? »
« Nothing special » Emma waved lazily. « Constance just put the petit Baron at his right place… »
Sam gazed at his brother with worry and silently waved at him to follow him. But Dean didn't move, his eyes not leaving Emma.
« You look… stunning ! » he whispered, taking her tiny hands in his large ones.
The young woman blushed adorably, trying to hide her shyness.
« Dean ! Now's not the time… » Sam whispered angrily, grabbing his brother's arm, pulling at it, forcing him to follow him.
« We have a date with them ! » Dean replied. « If now's not the time then I don't… »
« We have to discuss something… NOW ! »
The youngest brother look apologetically at the young women and said, bowing slightly.
« If you would excuse us, I need to have a little talk with my idiot of a brother. Since the protector of this house is not invited to join our diner and we didn't dare to ask him to prepare diner, knowing his odd taste for poisoned food, we had asked Sean to bring us our meal. He will be there in a few minutes… »
« Would you tell me what was that ? » Dean screamed at his brother when they were finally alone in a small office. « Are you trying to ruin the night ? They had taken quite so time just to please us and you… »
Sam put his hand on Dean's mouth to stop him from talking more.
« Look, Dean, I… Ouch ! » Sam screamed, taking his hand away from his brother's face.
He couldn't believe the jerk had bitten him !
« What was that for ? »
« You should know better than to put your fucking hand on my damn mouth when I'm talking, Sammy ! » Dean smirked, laying on the wall in a lazy fashion.
« I'm not playing your childish game now, Dean ! You're 4 years older than me for God's sake ! » Sam tried to reason his brother.
« Since when ? » Dean asked smugly.
« Since birth ! » Sam burst. « Now, would you listen to me ! The earthquake was a bloody sign, Dean ! We may have been right about Constance been « the sister » but, what if I'm not « the brother » ? What if the Baronet is ? Think about it… Constance just had a huge fight with him, resulting… a bloody earthquake ! The house is warning us ! She is not meant to be with me, but with Thomas ! »
Dean looked at Sam as if he had grown a second head. Was the idiot serious ? Well, it did make sense but, seriously ?
« Are you sure about your theory, Sammy ? I mean, if we throw her into his arms and Lucifer is set free, the blame's on you, dude ! » the eldest said, not looking very convinced.
« Just… Trust me, okay ? » Sam sighed. « For once, listen to me. I count on you to warn Marina and Emma. If we all work together, we can stop this… »
« Okay… But Sammy, just so you know… I get all tingly when you take control like that » Dean smirked slyly at his brother before heading out.
As soon as the Winchester brothers entered the room, Emma's face illuminated like a Christmas tree, a huge smile lighting the whole room. Constance looked at her sister, smirking at her reaction. She was truly falling for him. She could tell her feelings were genuine and she truly hoped Dean's were too. Constance knew her sister like she knew her own mind, she knew he could never find anyone as trusting or as kind. The eldest sister was very protective of her sibling but, seeing how they were staring intently at each other, she just knew she didn't have to be in their way… Because Dean was looking at her like Thomas once looked at her. Back when she was blissfully ignorant of the ugly truth. Back when his intentions could have given the impression of being pure.
« Sooooo… » Marina looked uncomfortably around her. « What were you guys discussing about ? »
« Nothing ! » Sam answered a little too quickly to be honest. He passed his hand on his hair, awkwardly. « We… »
« Diner's here ! » the Irish voice of the Angel resounded, making everyone jump from surprise. Sean was smiling brightly, several bags of a famous take-out fast-food in hands.
« Tu parles d'un dîner romantique… » Constance whispered bitterly before smiling at the angel.
(Speak of a romantic diner...)
« Thanks for bringing us McDonald's foo… »
« Don't tell me you have brought another man into my house » the powerful voice of the Lord of the house echoed from the top of the stairs where Thomas was standing. « I don't want any Sir McDonald in… »
The women went on laughing at the Baronet's reaction, interrupting his speech. Even Emma couldn't stop herself, the ridicule of the situation making her forget her sorrow for a moment. Marina quickly took one of the bags, showing it the best she could at the former ghost.
« McDonald's is not a man… It's a restaurant ! » she said loudly at him, pointing the M logo to prove it.
Dean then ribbed his brother, thankfully turning everyone's attention from a now very embarrassed Thomas.
« Come on, man, don't be so tense… I know you still bust out crying when you see Ronald McDonald on the television but… »
« At least I'm not afraid of flying » Sam muttered under his breath.
« Planes crash ! » Dean reasoned. « Dear Ronald McDonald never killed a single living soul… »
« You forget where the meat comes from… » Sam interjected before being cut off by Sean.
« You look beautiful, Marina » the angel whispered, blushing furiously, his head low, not daring to face her reaction.
She giggled before taking his hand.
« Thank you, Sean » she whispered, blushing too.
Stroking gently her hand with his thumb, he looked quickly at Sam who nodded with an encouraging smile. Slowly, the angel brought Marina to a secluded room. She stood agape for a few minutes, the romanticism of the room enchanting her. It was only light with candles, petals of roses covering the floor. A table for two had been setting with old china chipped plates and silver cutlery. She turned and dived her eyes into his before throwing her arms at his neck, bringing him closer to her.
« It's perfect, Sean » she whispered in his ear. « Thank you so much ! »
« You're welcome » he answered, his blush never leaving his cheek.
He pushed her away gently before leading her to her chair, the picture of a perfect gentleman, going up to pull out her chair.
« It was the least I could do… I'm not very good with words so forgive me for my bluntness. My human skills are a little rusty… »
He went to sit down, putting the McDonald's bag on the table.
« You're special, Marina. You make me feel… feelings… I mean… I thought I could never feel… human… again. All the human's emotions I once cherished, I never felt them since I became an Angel… But at the very moment, I saw you… Something in me changed. »
« Oh, Sean… » Marina whispered, putting her hand over his in a reassuring movement. « I know exactly what you mean… Don't torture yourself with words if you're not comfortable with them. »
The Irish angel smiled softly at the young woman, his eyes never leaving hers as he unwrapped their meals.
Thomas was sitten alone in the kitchen, thinking about all that had happened since his death… He couldn't believe he had had a son. And his great-grandson was currently in the familial library, still angry about him. But who could blame the old man ? Thomas had tried to kill his great-grandmother !
So, when Bobby had told him to break think off with Constance, he couldn't have refused. He owed him that. Furthermore, when a man who looked exactly like Sir Cushing wanted him to end a relationship, he had no choice. Even if Constance was on his every thought. Even if she meant more to him than anyone else had ever meant to him. The old hunter clearly had made him understand that she was staying with him, she was risking her life… He hadn't had a choice !
Moi je n'étais rien et voilà qu'aujourd'hui
Je suis le gardien du sommeil de ses nuits, je l'aime à mourir
In the dining room, the ambience was not exactly the same. In the background, Constance's music player was playing some classical music, much to Dean's annoyance. But the tiny woman sitting next to him made the music more tolerable to his ears. He was truly enjoying talking with Emma, her mind as crazy as his own. They liked essentially the same music, the same movies… It was like they were created for each other. And oh how he loved to make her blush…
« Dad had this story. » Dean was humoring her. « A Marine and a Navy guy walk into a bathroom together. They both take a piss, and then the sailor goes to the sink. The Marine heads for the door, and the sailor says, "Hey ! in the Navy they teach us to wash up after we take a leak." And the Marine turns around and says, "Yeah? Well, in the Marines they teach us not to piss on our hands." »
Sam mumbled a « Very classy, Dean ! » and the conversation between the two lovers began again without either of them noticed the awkward silence between Sam and Constance, neither of them wanting to be the first to talk. It was only when they both finally began to eat they knew something was off. Emma looked at her sister who was doing her best not to look at Sam. She was fixing her goblet of cherry coke like it was the most important thing of the evening while Sam was ever-so-slowly eating his salad. Emma elbowed Dean, waving at the couple facing them, silently pleading him to do something about the situation.
The eldest hunter gave a kick at his brother under the table, making him jump. Dean nodded his head toward Constance. With a sigh, Sam turned to look at the young woman next to him and, taking a deep breath, finally said something to her.
« All of your facial parts… are in the right spots »
« I beg your pardon ? » Constance asked, practically choking on her burger before she turned to Emma « Il a bien dit ce que j'ai compris ? »
(He did say what I understood?)
Emma just laughed while Dean was stunned by his brother's attempt of compliment.
« It's not what I meant… I wanted to say that… your face is on top of your neck… » Sam tried again, failing miserably… again.
Constance was not looking amused at all as Sam continued : « No… Sorry, I… your face is under your hair and… »
Luckily for Sam, a brutal change of music in the middle of a symphony of Mozart interrupted him, putting an end to his misery, the voice of Tom Hiddleston resounding in the dining room.
Well, why don't you love me like you used to do
How come you treat me like a worn out shoe
My hair's still curly and my eyes are still blue
Why don't you love me like you used to do ?
Sighing, Constance got up to cut the music player, clearly not in the mood for such a song.
« On en apprends tous les jours, dis donc… » the young woman grumbled before she sat down. « Je ne savais pas que ma tête était sur mon cou et en dessous de mes cheveux ! » She took a sip of her drink, adding bitterly « et j'espère qu'elle restera là un bon bout de temps ! Je ne m'appelle ni Anne Boleyn, ni Marie-Antoinette, merci beaucoup… »
(You learn something everyday, don't you ? I did not know my head was on my neck and behind my hair ! And I hope it stays that way for a long time ! My name's not Anne Boleyn nor is it Marie-Antoinette, thanks very much...)
Emma laughed at her sister's reply, quickly translating what she had said to the American brothers. Sam's face was truly priceless, not knowing what to do or to say to change the conversation. Opening his mouth in a desperate attempt, he got cut off by the crackle of the portable speakers. All their eyes went to the player which turned on on its own, playing the popular song of Jacques Brel.
Moi je t'offrirai
Des perles de pluie
Venues de pays où il ne pleut pas
Je creuserai la terre jusqu'après ma mort
Pour couvrir ton corps d'or et de lumière
Je ferai un domaine
Où l'amour sera roi, où l'amour sera loi
Où tu seras reine
Ne me quitte pas, ne me quitte pas
Ne me quitte pas, ne me quitte pas
« I don't like that… » Dean mumbled, putting his gun out of his jacket near his burger. « Why the hell are the ghosts coming out just tonight ? »
« Ghosts ? » Emma asked with a high-pitched voice.
« They have the annoying habit to mess up with everything electronic » Sam answered. « Dean, maybe we should… »
« Pourquoi diable un fantôme s'amuserait à nous envoyer des chansons d'amour ? » Constance interrupted the hunter, not really acknowledging him.
(Why on Earth would a ghost have fun by sending us love songs?)
« J'aurais bien une petite idée mais ce n'est plus vraiment un fantôme » her sister said with a wink. Constance sighed and got up again to the speaker, well decided to end this masquerade. But when her fingers brushed the device, the music changed again
(I'd have an idea but he isn't a ghost anymore, not really.)
Only when I start to think about it
I hate everything about you
Why do I love you
You hate everything about me
Why do you love me
Thomas was watching the two couples from afar, well hidden in his favorite place from when he was a child. He couldn't see properly Constance's expression or really hear what was being said but seeing her so close to Sam broke his heart into a million pieces. He hated to face she was near the hunter. He hated to face she wasn't his anymore… The Baronet knew he had done everything to drive her away but the urge to rip him away from the young woman was overwhelming. But he had to be the bigger man and not listen to his instinct.
He felt a stroke of jealousy compressing his chest as he saw the younger American followed Constance to the small table where they had put the device from hell, playing so-called music.
Thomas couldn't take it anymore. He needed, for his own sake, to know if he still had a chance with her or if she truly intended to throw herself at this man. It hurt him to see her in his home with another man.
He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing so he wouldn't explode. A discharge of power seemed to escape his chest, knocking the air out of his lungs… He didn't know what was it but it scared him and he quickly opened his eyes, praying he had not hurt anyone.
Well I could see
You home with me
But you were with another man, yeah!
I know we
Ain't got much to say
Before I let you get away, yeah!
I said, are you gonna be my girl?
« Bon là, on peut pratiquement être sûr que c'est un message de ton petit baron » Emma laughed.
(Well, now we can be sure it's a message from your little baron!)
Her sister glared hard at her, trying for the tenth time to turn off her music player.
« Dean, what powers have the protectors ? » she asked, coming closer to him.
« Don't know, don't care » he shrugged, taking the woman in his arms into a reassuring hug. « But if he fudging touch you again, I'll fudging kill him »
« There's nothing much about protectors » Sam interrupted. « They are kinda rare… But I guess they must have the same powers as ghosts, considering the fact they look like them… »
Constance turned quickly, confusion written on her face. Was it truly possible that it was Thomas ? She stumbled as she tried to walk to her chair. Thanks to his reflexes, Sam grabbed her and, instead of falling on the ground, she fell in his arms, his hands wrapped on the crook on her back. The music changed again, making the eldest sister grumbled in Sam's chest.
When all is said and done
And dead does he love you
The way that I do
Beathing in lighting
Tonight's fighting
I feel the hurt so physical
Think twice before you touch my girl
Come around I'll let you feel the burn
« Cette chanson n'est même pas sur mon MP4 ! » she yelled, exasperated. Emma had to repress her laugh as Sam pushed her sister again non-to-gently, his hands up in the air.
(This song isn't even on my MP4!)
Marina didn't really know how they had ended up kissing but, there they are, Sean's lips on hers, moving in total sync. His lips were soft, the taste of chocolate was barely there from the desert from earlier. She didn't move at first, his hands framing either side of her face, until finally relaxing against the angel and wrapping her arms loosely around his neck. It was a chaste kiss, full of emotions. He pulled away so she could catch her breath, leaning his forehead to hers.
They lost themself in each other's stare for a minute until Sean broke the magic of the moment, turning his head to the door.
« Something's wrong… » he whispered, one of his hands still lingering on Marina's cheek.
« What's going on ? » the young woman asked, trying to catch Sean's eyes.
« We need to go in the dining room… » he said, taking her hands to help her stand up. « I'm feeling a rush of magic coming from the house but I can't say if it's the light or the dark one… »
Nearly running, Sean and Marina came into the room, finding Constance trying to drown her music player with her drink.
« Qu'est-ce qui se passe ? » the youngest of the three women asked with confusion.
(What's going on?)
Despite Constance's attempt, the music was still playing.
I guess I'm scared to lose you now
Please forgive me all I did
(Forgive me all I did)
Cause, baby, if you'll leave
You're leaving me crying, crying
Baby, come back, back
Won't you please come back
Stay tonight
Hold me tight forever, ever
Baby, come back, back
Won't you please come back
Let's feel all right
Day and night forever, ever
« They are things I just CANNOT forgive ! » the eldest sister screamed to the speaker. « Now, leave me the hell ALONE ! »
« Since when can she speak english ? » Dean asked Emma, clearly confused. She just waved to silence him, trying very hard not to laugh.
« Je ne pense pas que parler à ton enceinte arrange quoi que ce soit » the brunette said to her big sister before turning to face Sean.
(I don't think speaking to your speaker is going to solve anything.)
« How can we stop the Baronet's apologies-with-song ? ». The angel hadn't had time to answer as another song began.
Aw! baby, baby, baby
Honey baby, please come home
Your dad-ad-dy is lon-one-some and all I do is moan
I promise you baby that I'll be good
And I'll never be bad no more
I'm sittin' here waitin' for you right now
To walk through that front door
Then I'll stop moanin'; Moa-oanin' The Blues
« Tu vas moaning the blues longtemps, très cher, » Constance resumed her yelling « car il est hors de question que… »
(You're going to moan the blues for a while dearie because it's out of the question that...)
« Maybe you should talk to him... » Sam tried.
The music was playing louder and louder as he spoke, forcing everyone to cover their ears. Without waiting for an answer, the angel rushed to the kitchen, leaving them completely deaf with the music.
After only a few seconds, the silence came back, relieving everyone. Sam waved at Dean he was taking things in hands and went discreetly to the place where Sean had been heading, letting his play-boy brother entertain the ladies.
When he entered the kitchen, he was surprised to see the Baronet sitten at the table, the face laying on his hands, staring at nothing, his eyes red – had he been crying ? -, the fast food bag visibly untouched and Sean, sitten near him, clearly uneased. Sam repressed a smile, Lucky Charms reminding him clearly Castiel at his beginning : trying to do right but completely lost and uncomfortable with the torments of the human soul. Thomas's glare stopped a moment on Sam and he mumbled dryly
« Get out ! ».
Sam came closer to him with a firm step and caught the bag. As he feared, the Baronet had just put it on the table and nothing more. Now that the former ghost was alive again, he needed to eat… What use would a protector be if he was starving himself to death ? When did he actually have to eat ? Certainly before his death… A glimspe to Sean confirmed that the angel was sharing his fears. The hunter took a deep breath and brought his attention on the Baronet who haven't move, despite his presence :
« You haven't eaten ? »
« I'm not hungry ! » Thomas interrupted with a voice that didn't leave place for argumentation. « And even if I was, I have no intention to eat… this ! Whatever this is ! Who can possible want to eat food served in carton ? » he mumbled.
« Well, my brother ! Truth be said, if I let him, he would eat just that ! » Sam answered, amused.
He sat near the Baronet and got the food out of the bag. Showing him his hamburger, fries and a goblet of Coke, the hunter couldn't repress a laugh when he saw the clear disgust written on their host's face. He was like a child who refused to eat his broccoli…
« It's not that bad, you know… Well, I confess it may be better hot but… » Sam stopped when he saw the Baronet stretched a fearful hand to his food…
Thomas gathered his strength and took a french fries with his fingertips. He stared at it, seeming to examine it from every angle before putting it down disdainfully as this unfortunate potato had just offended him. He caught then the goblet to place it as far from him as possible, grumbling :
« Is there something you don't put inside carton ? »
« Yes ! The ice cream is in a plastic pot if you want ! » Sean said, full of liveliness, a wide grin on his lips.
Sam rolled his eyes, hearing the faint attempt of the angel and Thomas glared at him sceptically before wrinkling his nose, unable to hide his disgust. O tempore ! O mores !
« Mind to join us ? » the hesitant voice of the hunter broke the uncomfortable silence which tempted to install itself.
The Baronet rose an eyebrow and looked haggard at him, as if he didn't know what Sam was talking about.
« In the dining room… » the American precised.
« I have no want to see her ! » Thomas retorted, his face suddenly dark.
« Yes, I could have perceived some tension between Emma and you but… » Sean intervened with a calm voice.
« I was not talking about the sister ! » the Baronet precised bitterly, crossing his arms on his chest, pouting.
« Oh ! And if you had no wants to see « her », can you explain to us why you had spent all evening spying on her every moves from your hiding place ? » Sam asked teasingly.
It's not as if their host was particularly discreet… This kind of trick could maybe work for a child, but… It took the hunter the first song to begin and a quick glimpse to spot the Baronet observing them from the kitchen. Thomas just glared hard at him, his jaw tensed. All in his behaviour seemed to indicate he was going to bury himself in a complete muteness. Sam sighed and put a friendly hand on their host's shoulder :
« Listen… As surprising as he might appear, I'm on your side, buddy. It doesn't thrill me but I've seen the way she looks at you… and the way you look at her… It was a mistake to try to break you off… and the prophecy… »
« It's why I have to let her go… » the Baronet intervened dryly.
He was making everything he could be cold and distant, like nothing of what was happening was affecting him… If he succeeded to convince the others, maybe he would convince himself…
« Robert clearly made me understand that… »
« Robert ? Who's Robert… Ah ! Um, you mean Bobby, right ? No-one ever called him Robert… 'cause his name's Bobby… just Bobby ! » Sam exclaimed, trying not to smile too wildly.
No wonder the old hunter was in a terrible bad mood and had decided to lock himself in the library to be alone, if his ancestor strived to call him that. Thomas glared at him disdainfully. Never could he call his great-grandson by a name that was just the diminutive of another. Far too informal and vulgar to his taste ! The hunter resumed more seriously :
« I don't know what he had said to you but he was emotional… He was caring a lot about his « Nana » ! And, he had been forced to kill his wife so he had had the impression the story repeated itself… that it was a curse… It must have been a shock meeting you ! He has trouble expressing his feelings… He hides them under his anger… a lot of anger… and scotch ! But he doesn't have any scotch left so he certainly should have been very angry… He is an old grumpy, you know… But deep down, he's a good guy ! Anyway, all I can say is to not mind what he told you… wait for him to calm down a bit… And, I think he is wrong… I thought again about the prophecy and I have a new theory on… »
« You thought… a theory… » Thomas interrupted coldly, rising from his chair slowly before letting his anger explode. « One of them is going to die ! And you, you come here to talk to me about a theory ?... How am I supposed to protect them when all I have got is fine words and uncertain explainations ? »
« Actually, we are practically sure it cannot be Emma… She is the one who was cured ! » Sam justified himself.
« Wonderful ! I must admit I am grandly impressed with your exceptional sense of deduction ! » the Baronet mumbled before yelling : « I refuse to watch her die in my arms ! I refuse to watch her fade away like all these others ! Like Margaret who choked in her own blood while I was holding her hand, making her believe I loved her and she was going to be better soon ! Like Pamela who had been strangled by Lucille while I was gone because I couldn't bear to witness another death ! Like Enola whom I ignored the agony because she failed to save my son. She needs to go out from here… She needs to go away and fast… before Lucille hurt her… before I hurt her… And if her hate for me is the price I have to pay to save her, then so be it… She can hate me all she wants if that means she lives ! »
« She doesn't hate you ! She was just stunned to learn you're an incestuous serial killer but she doesn't hate you… » Sam mumbled, trying to be compassionate.
« Don't be so sure about that ! She threw not one but three vases at my face… » the Baronet argued bitterly, sitting down again, clearly beaten.
« She almost broke my nose ! » Sam retorted
« I may have let her understand she was nothing but a hussy ! » Thomas added.
« And then, she… You did what ? Why ? Why would you have said that ? » Sam exclaimed, stunned.
The Baronet could have been right, Constance was certainly hating him right now.
« It's not entirely my fault… It's her who choose to dress with the clothes of a harlot ! » Thomas tried to justify himself, loosening his collar that his discomfort should have tightened.
« You're kiddin' !... She has nothing as a prostitute ! She is classy and… and sexy ! What could possibly have gone wrong with you to say something like that to her ? » Sam asked, disbelieved.
The Baronet was staring at the hunter doubtfully and lost, his thoughts and emotions hustling in his mind, reflecting in his blue eyes. The only thing Thomas was sure of now was he was unable to justify his former behaviour. The only thing that had pushed him to hurt the young woman was his own pain… his pain and his jealousy ! How dared she appears in public, dine in the company of another man in an outfit she should have only worn in the intimacy of a bedroom… an outfit destined to charm her husband… an outfit destined to charm him and him alone ! For him, she was not classy or sexy… She was astonishing, breathtaking, beautiful, wonderful, attractive… He had been used to see Lucille wearing black, the color of death and mourning, but Constance had given another signification to this color… Love, desire, life… She was the life he had chosen… She was the life he would never have… because of his past mistakes… because of his lies… because of Sam she had chosen to spend the evening with…
« Listen, buddy, I don't know how the women of your era dressed but I can assure you Constance does not wear… What I mean is there's a lot of girls out there who wear a lot less clothes than Constance and that doesn't shock anyone ! Women have freed themself, pal ! They work, they have fun, they vote and they even do politics ! You have to adapt to your times… well, the one you're living in now… So, you're gonna get out of this kitchen, go see her and apologize ! »
Before the Baronet could answer, Sean interrupted sadly :
« Maybe it's not Constance who's destined to die… It could also be… »
« Do you think I didn't think about that ? That it makes things easier ? If Constance is saved, it means it's Marina who is sentenced to die ! Do you think Constance could ever forgive me for choosing to save her and letting her friend die ? Do you think I would be able to let Constance die so that her friend could live ? They need to go away ! It's the only solution ! » Thomas yelled, his voice shaking with despair and sobs he barely contained.
« It doesn't work that way… » Sam intervened calmly. « Taking them away won't change a thing… The prophecy is already running… We will only succeed to save them all if we work together… So get up, and follow us ! »
Thomas glared hard at him a moment before reluctantly rising from his chair, mumbling :
« I refuse to apologize ! »
Sam rolled his eyes, sighing :
« And said I thought they were all gentlemen back in your time ! » and brought the Baronet towards the dining room.
To Be Continued