DESIRE & DUTY
by MEL

INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
TBC

DESIRE & DUTY

Chapter Six

The sun shone bright in the east-facing window of Clarice's room the next morning. She had been awake to watch it rise, and now sat, awaiting a suitable hour in which to wake Annie so she could bathe. Her mind was occupied with thoughts of the house she was going to see today, and with thoughts of the tenant on that land. Doctor Lecter had certainly left a mark on her consciousness, more so than the other guests who had tried so hard to impress themselves upon her. A thin wraith of smoke was visible far into the distance, and she wondered briefly if that was him, his house. She enjoyed thinking of him for a moment, his refreshing personality, before her sensibilities caught up with her and she put him from her mind. She was a widow, she told herself, in mourning and with no rights to entertain such thoughts. But it has been so long she offered herself a counter-argument, and was forced into a stalemate. What turn these thoughts would have taken she could not discover for the time being, as a rapping at the bedroom door announced that Annie was awake.

Bathed and dressed, Clarice made her way downstairs to breakfast with Bella before they went out to Griffinsburne. Seated at the dining room table, however, was Jack alone.

Good morning! he said brightly.
Good morning, she echoed his salutation as she sat. I must say I am in great anticipation of this outing today. I heard only wonderful things about the house from our company at dinner yesterday.
Jack looked pained for a second and then spoke.
I am afraid Bella asks me to send her apologies, Mrs. Starling. She is not herself today – she begs your forgiveness but she is unable to accompany you out this morning.
Clarice said, a little disheartened. She had been looking forward to spending some time alone with Bella.
We can reschedule, Jack said, for a few days time.
Please do not put yourself to any trouble. I would like to keep the engagement – I will go alone, and Bella can come and view the next property with me.
Very well, Jack hid his disapproval well, she thought. My horses are at your disposal. Now if you will excuse me, he rose from his seat. I have much business that needs attending to this morning. Good day, ma'am.
And with that he was gone. Clarice felt a little bewildered – something she said? Her trip out alone was not the issue, she felt, there was something else she could not put her finger on. She finished her light breakfast and made to call Annie and then thought better of it. Perhaps the ticket for today would be some solitude. It taxed her memory to recall the last time she was truly alone for any length of time, and she fixed upon the plan of taking the short trip by herself.

A little less than an hour later she was leaving Lowingham in the Barouche box; as she was traveling only a short distance the lighter, faster carriage seemed appropriate, sacrificing some comfort for speed and a little style. She pulled back the window dressings to allow the fresh air to circulate and to afford herself a view of the local scenery. They passed out of Lowingham's gates and along a tree-lined pathway, where she delighted in the dappled shadows and the scent of the greenery all around. It was not long before her driver called out to her that they were approaching the estate.

Griffinsburne gatehouse, ma'am! he called, and she leaned a little out of the window, to see a small gatehouse and a pair of large posts whip by. Atop the posts were two stylized griffins, carved into the stone. The gravel driveway crunched beneath the wheels of the small carriage, and Clarice sighed deeply as she finally felt herself beginning to relax. About ten minutes later they were slowly drawing to a halt and the main house came into view. She could not help but smile happily to herself. In the mid-morning sunlight the house rose before her, the sandstone warm in color and smooth to her eye. A large portico and doorway drew the gaze to the center of the façade, flanked on either side by 3 pairs of windows of generous proportions. The upper story was also dominated by large mullioned windows, and in the center above the main entrance, a large semi-circular balcony completed the handsome architecture.

The footman opened her door and Clarice gratefully stepped out and stretched her legs.
Housekeeper'll be out directly I imagine, ma'am. She's expecting the visit. The man bowed and went to tend his horses. Sure enough, the great oak doors opened and a dark-haired older woman came out to greet the visitor.
You must be Mrs. Starling. I'm the housekeeper here, Miss. Smith, at your service ma'am.
It is very good to meet you Miss Smith, Clarice shook the woman's hand. I am looking forward to viewing the house.
If you don't mind ma'am, I have to just attend to something in the kitchen, and then I'll be back directly to escort you around.
That's quite alright, Clarice responded. Would you mind if I wandered around a little while I wait?
Oh not at all ma'am. I'll be as quick as I can. And with that the housekeeper bustled off back through the huge oak doors into the house, leaving Clarice alone once more.

There was an arbor running down one side of the building that looked inviting, and so she set off in that direction down a pleasantly landscaped walkway that took her around the back of the house. The grounds were a wonderful surprise to Clarice, nature and civilization seemed to meet in perfect harmony in the neat and yet unfussy garden. She continued to walk down a path leading away from the main house towards a wooded area some distance hence, until she could turn back and take in the house from this new angle.
she breathed. Being mistress of Griffinsburne might just be something.
A twig cracked sharply behind her and she whirled around in surprise to see Doctor Lecter emerging from the trees close behind her. Her heart leapt into her throat and she willed herself to settle.
It is impressive, is it not? He drew close and stood to regard the house with her. Very few people can deny the beauty of this property.
Yes, it is very attractive, she forced her voice level. Her racing heart was simply the result of his sudden entrance, she told herself.
I am exceedingly surprised it is not let yet, he went on, seemingly oblivious to how he had caught her off-guard. He turned to look her in the eye, then. And how are you this fine morning?
I am very well, Doctor. I was not expecting to see you here.
As I gather, he said, now expressing his awareness that he had startled her. Maddeningly forthright this man was, and Clarice longed to laugh with relief. She smiled, but did not answer.
You do not seem afraid of me. He said into the quiet that followed, his voice only interested, not challenging.
I am not afraid of you. She confirmed, not taking her eyes from the house. You have done nothing to worry me thus far in our acquaintance. He hummed in response. She stole a glance sideways, he looked amused. Should I be concerned? she added.
he sighed, Only if you imagine that by speaking an honest word your virtue is compromised.
You forget I was married for many years doctor, my virtue is the least of my worries now, she quipped, good-naturedly. This earned his full attention, and he turned to face her fully.
Mrs. Starling you are a curious creature. His eyes, bright, bore into hers and she felt herself colouring despite her age and experience.
Most people I have met thus far in England seem to think so. She met his eyes and refused to look away. Her heart bumbled in uneven rhythm.
Ah, I think you are curious for reasons quite different to those bourgeois clods. He turned back to look at the view of the gardens. Clarice felt emboldened.
And you, Doctor, you do not seem threatened by me. She did not have to look at him this time to sense his pleasure, as he chuckled lightly at this.
I am not threatened by a powerful woman. Those friends of Crawford - poor disenfranchised souls clinging to the hard and fast rules simply because they have not the loaf to imagine any other way.
You see a lot Doctor, Clarice felt at once fevered and chilled by his words.
You saw it too, you have no need to lie.
I did not lie, she countered. A mere fact of omission.
I think I am going to enjoy having you as a neighbour very much, Mrs. Starling.
How did you know I had decided to take the house? I have not even seen inside as yet!
As you say, ma'am, I see a lot.
Clarice allowed herself to be dumbfounded. She was excited for reasons she could not yet fathom, just to be in close proximity to this man. Decorum told her she should distance herself, but her gut wanted more. Reason, she noticed, interjected no wisdom at this time.
The house is ready to be occupied, he said, as though they had merely been discussing the weather. It is ready whenever you are. He added slowly. Clarice felt her stomach flip over and remonstrated herself for being so wanton.
I shall speak to the housekeeper directly.
In that case, allow me to escort you back to the house. He offered his arm, and she gratefully took it, a safe way to sample him in close quarters, she thought wickedly. She was delighted when he covered her hand on his arm with his own, and together they took the path back to the house.

The housekeeper was standing on the front steps when they emerged from the arbor pathway. She did not seem surprised to see her companion.
There you are ma'am, I see the good Doctor found you.
Good day, Miss Smith. Lecter bowed curtly. Here I will leave you in Miss Smith's capable hands, he said, turning to Clarice. But I assume I will be seeing more of you soon? He took her hand and politely made his goodbyes. The second the housekeeper turned to re-enter the house however, his expression changed from polite interest to one of definite lasciviousness, that grabbed Clarice by the gut. He pulled her hand up higher and his lips made contact with the ungloved appendage. Automatically, she jerked her hand back but he held tight and would not relinquish his grip.
Doctor Lecter, she breathed, her eyes wide, fixed upon him.

The pleasure was all mine. She whispered. His surprised glee enabled her to take back her hand and turn for the door. When she turned to look over her shoulder at him as she entered the house, he was standing stock-still in the same spot, a smile fixed on his features. He held her gaze for a moment before mock-saluting her and moving off in the direction from whence they had walked, the same smile still on his lips.

To Be Continued