Chapter 3
The rhythmic patterns of the galloping horses seemed to soothe Noin's nerves as she watched the scenery fly past her coach window. Although she had enough time to turn back from what she thought was a big mistake, Noin remained still. Something about this man interested her, made her feel excited and…She felt stupid. Foolish for allowing the emotions of weakness and curiosity irritate her to no end. Just as she decided to forget the whole ordeal, the coach slowed to a standstill. Her heart began to pound as a young man unfolded the petite steps and opened the door. "Lady Casanova allow me…" She abruptly took his hand and stepped down onto the brick side-walk. "Send for me at the day's end…3 hours no less…" The young footman nodded with a tilt of his hat, before closing the door and signaling his readiness. With that, she watched the coach continue down the road until it vanished entirely.
The plantation was very much like her own, very well kept and chic. The metal gates were unlocked, soundless as her glove hand pushed them open with very little effort. Her powdered, full, pale blue skirts swishing softly from side to side as she approached the large dwelling. She reached it shortly, her heels making staccato clicks against the pale marble of the front steps leading towards the doors. Too belatedly to turn back now, the brave woman grasped the knocker adorning one of the matching panel doors and gave it a little rap.
As a result, she was immediately greeted by a bright old chap. Gray in the hair he was, his eyes hooded by thick matching eyebrows, cheeks sweetly flushed. He seemed harmless, as he greeted her, "Good afternoon Madam…" She smiled at his softness, "Good afternoon, my name is Lucretzia Noin Casanova…" He interrupted politely, "Ah, Master Peacecraft has been expecting your presence." He stood aside, bringing the door to a wider stance. "Please, come in…" Slightly taken by surprise, she entered the foyer meeting with the warm aroma of apple cider, comforting against the annual chilly air invading the atmosphere. "May I introduce myself, my name is Pargan…" She remembered this name, a name she would have forgotten if it hadn't been for delicate lettering printed on a simple note. Berating herself for acting like a besotted schoolgirl she nodded warmly towards the kind butler, promising never to think of his Master as anything but a devilish assassin.
Pargan gestured her down the hall, were they met with a large set of carpeted wooden stairs spiraling up towards the second of floors. The wood was polished and well kept, flawless to her naked eyes as she continued to look around, amazed by the remarkable candle chandelier illuminating the case of stairs that soon, came to an end. "This way please…" Noin followed, her eyes preying on the wonderful décor covering the white-washed walls. Pargan smiled at her child like wonder before halting in front of two, tall panel doors trimmed with gold. He cleared his throat, smiling as he caught her attention and excused her ignorance. Of course, being the gentleman he was, he merely brushed it off before motioning towards the door. Noin followed him through, following his instruction to wait there a moment before disappearing behind yet, another door.
~~~
Milliardo looked away from the window displaying the Mississippi and the luscious gardens and trees to spot his loyal butler at the mouth of his study door. "Yes Pargan, what is it?" Pargan smiled, "Master Peacecraft, Lady Casanova is here to see you…" The name itself struck him hard, surprised to see she had actually come at his simple request, considering how incredibly feisty she was. He smiled wickedly, he liked that. "Uh, Master?" Milliardo shook it away, and straightened, "Please, show her in…" Pargan nodded and walked out. Moments later she entered, stopping mid-step as she eyed him beside the window. The sun had already begun to make its way behind the horizon, its soft golden raise making his platinum silk come alive, his piercing arctic eyes indistinct. Keeping her pinned where she lingered, stock still.
She was beyond belief, the most beautiful creature yet to grace the world with her presence. Her eyes were hard and dramatic, her full lips rouged with a glossy, natural color. The silk and powdered taffeta incasing her sensual form, and the way her firm fitting bodice hugged her upper body were absolutely mouth watering against her smooth, lightly freckled shoulders. But those eyes… Those deep pools of endless amethyst hooded by long dark eyelashes, so dark and seemingly cold, yet, to him, irresistibly seductive.
"Did you seek for me to come here just so you can ogle?" That wedged him off guard. He smiled repentantly, "Please… Have a seat…" "No thank you, I won't be here long…" He raised a hand admitting defeat, before walking over towards a minuscule table maintaining a small, but fine selection of liquors. She watched as he took two small glasses, filled them halfway through before proceeding to hand one her. She was hesitant about taking anything that would influence her body in an irrepressible method, but took it nonetheless.
He watched her sip her drink as he took a seat in one of the damask chairs adorning the room.
"Do you love for him?"
The crystal glass fell to shatter on the hardwood of the floor as his blunt, sudden matter caught her by surprise as he remained tranquil and unruffled. He watched as her breath quickened, her eyes sparking with a mix of anger and emotion as they bored into his own. "How dare you pose me this… these questions that have nothing to do with you...!" She asked a glare about her purple eyes. The Baron stood up, walking over towards her as she proceeded to back away in the direction of the door. He halted, looking into her with no emotion about his eyes, "Do you?"
She remained still, locked with his own gaze as he came forward to stand in front of her. The silence lingered, the only sound protruding from the door he gently pressed shut. Noin tore away from his piercing eyes, placing her small purse and coat she had held on a minute table before coming to stand by the open window. She stared out for the longest of times, before answering his question with no hesitation. "I did once…When it came to a stop I do not know. All I am aware of is that he had altered... Changed for the worst." Noin paused, turning to see him documenting her words in a small crimson book before turning her attention towards the setting day…
~~~
'He murdered slaves as a pastime, taking their lives with no mercy. Their pride and will to breathe, until they were too petrified to scream…'
Milliardo re-read this and every thing else she had to tell during that call. His curiosity growing more and more as her life became more of an enigma to him, a mystery. A tribulation she wished to fly away from. He pondered how she had come to stay with him after all his sins… He let the matter trail to the edge of his mind as he shut and locked the notations away within the privacy of his oak lectern. Tucking the key within his robed frame, he turned to the doors of his room when a small, feminine object probed at his attention. With a furrow of pale eyebrows he picked it up, a slight smile forming his face as he fingered the dainty satin purse between his fingers.
~~~
"That night, when Noin came home, Hell rose like never before. It seemed as if they'd let it go after a few short profanities. But, being the alcoholic, inpatient man he was things became worse by the minute…"
~~~
For the duration of the trip home, Noin had a lot of time to reflect. To think about what she told him, what she said and what he contemplated. She barely knew him and he seemed to be something more than another person or acquaintance of Estefan's. In fact, he was nothing like him. She thanked the footman, her eyebrows furrowed as she reached the entry of the house. They had nothing in common…He hadn't even mentioned slave trade, or anything of the sort. He only listened to her narrative, devoted his time to her… Her hand stopped in mid-reach to open the door… 'He took note of me…'
To say the least, she felt incredibly flattered. With a small smile she opened the door and proceeded in, finding the situate quiet and peaceful. Making her way towards her room, she agreed to make sure Hilde was all right and had gotten something to eat. Unlocking her door she walked in quietly, smiling as she found her sleeping peacefully within her bed. A tray of empty plates and milk glass at her bedside. She watched her sleep for a moment, her mind wondering back to her past, this little blessing she turned out to be. Stroking her cheek she kissed her good night, locking the door behind her.
"Where have you been?" Noin turned from the door to see Estefan's silhouette beside her, his green eyes showing irritation and daring her to act acerbic towards him. She shrugged, "Just down in the Parlor room seducing the messenger boy… Is there a dilemma?" He stared a moment, his hand swinging to bodily slam against her countenance. She looked at him, dropping everything she held in her hands as he grabbed her furiously by the shoulders, knocking her hard against the contrary wall. "You wouldn't dare defy me! If there's one to defy it would be you, you filthy whore!" Noin growled, she wouldn't let him dictate her, no, never!
"Any one who beds down with a twisted swine like yourself IS a whore, so what does it matter now, huh?! You've tainted them with your sins!" She asked, pushing him a way with all her potency. He growled, grabbing her by the arm and swinging her to look at him. "Learn to hold that tongue, or I will surely do it for you!" Noin gave out a cry, the muffling of his hand delayed.
Inside her room, Hilde awoke to the sound of argument and struggling. Upon hearing the familiar tones of Estefan and Noin, Hilde hurried towards the door panicking as she racked her wits, trying to figure out a way to open it. Her heart hyperventilated within her chest as she heard the physical rivalry intensify within seconds. Looking at the ground in urgency, she gasped and grabbed at what looked like a small solution. Quickly, she jammed it within its receiver and flung the door open with a vital, rickety flick of her wrist.
Hilde's heart wrenching expression, and a shower of red was all she remembered seeing… As her world went black…
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