The usual warning and disclaimer applies, see chapter one.
Chapter Three
Kaoru moved in the next day. She didn't have many possessions, only some clothing and jewelry, and herself, of course. She was hanging her few dresses in the closet and arranging the room to her liking when she heard the door open. Kenshin was home from the office, and he greeted her when she appeared in the drawing room. He looked around, smiling.
"Well, how are you? I see that you've settled in."
"As well as can be expected, I suppose."
She's a bit distant, he thought. Ah well, it must be a shock, having somewhere to live. After all, she has probably been without work for some time. He nodded, making his way into the study to answer some letters, whistling. At the door between the room and the hall, he paused. "A tailor will be here in a few hours to take your measurements. Do something with your hair before then, hmm?" She nodded in reply, and returned to her room to put the long, midnight locks up into some semblance of order. It would be a nice change, actually, she thought with a sigh, to not have the men who hired her toss her onto the nearest bed every time they felt like it.
"I could come to like this."
The tailor arrived sooner than expected, and Kenshin went with him to Kaoru's room for the measurements, and then ordered a few new dresses and accessories for her. She was thin, but that was to be expected of one who had been out of work for some time. And, she'd always been petite. Kenshin saw the tailor to the door, and returned to Kaoru's room.
"That went well."
"Indeed it did."
He smiled. It was easy to smile at her…she was one of the few women he'd met who didn't fawn over him. Then again, she was in his employ. "Dinner will be up in a bit. Has anyone showed you around the flat?"
"Not yet, Mr. Himura."
"Well, come on, then. I'll show you." She followed him as he exited her room. The flat was rather expensive, as he was fairly wealthy. "Here's the library. You can read, can't you?" She nodded. She could read, however, she had not been able to read as much as she'd like. "Well, feel free to spend time here. There's also a piano, so if you can play, that'd be excellent."
Kaoru smiled and sat at the piano, running her fingers over the cool ivory. "Would you like for me to play?"
"Oh, please!" He sat in a nearby chair. This would be a treat, as it had been some time since he'd heard anything performed.
"Do you have any requests?"
"I don't really know a lot about piano, so just…whatever strikes you." Se closed her eyes. Mozart's Grand Mass in C-Minor, although written for voices, was lovely on the piano as well. It needed tuning, but it was an incredible instrument. Kenshin closed his eyes as well, in appreciation. He didn't know much, true, but he could recognize talent. This, he thought, is where I can really show her off – at the piano. It was a shame that he didn't play as well. "That's really superb."
She blushed. She'd honestly thought that it had been horrible – she hadn't played in ages, however… "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Come on, I'll show you the parlor." He stood, and helped her to her feet. "Some of my father's private pieces are in there." As they entered the parlor, he made threw open the doors. This room was the most expensively decorated in the flat, which was saying a lot. "You'll entertain here, of course. I don't have enormous parties, but I have the feeling I'll be expected to do more now that I'm a member of that infernal Jockey Club." Kenshin smiled, again, at her startled gasp, and expression of admiration. "I'll give you a quick tour of the art, because, if there ever is a party here, everyone will want to know about it." He led her around, explaining the pieces. "…And this," he continued, indicating the liquor cabinet, "is a cabinet from the Japans. It doesn't quite match the décor, so I'm probably going to be selling it soon, but..." He shrugged. "For now, that's what you'll need to know. Stained bamboo wood, burnished inlay…those are the characters for longevity and prosperity. Hmm…and that's about it." She nodded, her gaze wandering around the room. "Well, madam, could you answer a few of my questions?"
"We shall see, shan't we?"
He asked her a few, and he would continue to do so every day until she could tell him exactly what he wanted to know about every piece in the room. However, she was able to answer about half of them immediately, a promising development, and he was more than pleased.
There was a knock on the door, and a maid entered. "Dinner is served, Mr. Himura." She nodded, and left, as Kenshin led Kaoru out of the parlor and into the dining room.
"Now, I want to see what kind of manners you have, so pretend we're at a formal dinner, alright?" He manners, it turned out, weren't altogether that bad. Of course, it would take a bit of polish before she was suitable to be seen at the Club, but that was fine. She was cheap to hire, and was obedient. He idly wondered when Jean would be back.
With impecible timing, as usual, Jean opened the door. "The king returns to his castle!"
"To his lover's castle, you mean."
"Well…"
"Guess who can play the piano?"
"The newest addition to our happy family?"
"You would be correct. That piano finally saw some use today."
"Finally, indeed. You ought to see if she'll teach you to play."
Kenshin snorted. "I have a frightfully dull head for music."
At this, Jean let out a rumbling laugh. "Too true." The maid brought in another place setting and some food for Jean, and he sat. "How was your day?"
"Almost frighteningly productive. You?"
"Extremely monotonous. I kept watching the clock to see how much longer I had until I could come home." Kenshin gave Jean an adoring look, which he returned, as Kaoru excused herself and went to play again. "I hope we didn't keep her up; the walls are rather thin here."
Kenshin winked at him. "You're not as loud and impressive as you think you are." Jean mock-glared. "And, on that note, I've got correspondence with which to catch up." Jean burst out laughing, and went back to ready himself for bed as the chords drifted throughout the entire flat.