I swear I'm trying. I don't own Inuyasha.
Chapter 8 - EIGHTH
Inuyasha walked into the breakfast room where Sesshomaru was reading the newspaper.
Inuyasha was in a bad mood and he knew who's fault it was. He had not had a woman in months and after meeting his fiancé he had no desire to bed anyone else. Well…except maybe one other person, but that would be impossible. Sesshomaru said nothing he just kept reading his paper. Inuyasha went to the side board and filled his plate with eggs and biscuits and then sat opposite Sesshomaru.
"What are you're plans for today?" Sesshomaru asked putting the morning post down.
"I'm escorting my fiancé and Miss Higurashi to the theater tonight." Inuyasha said gruffly.
"Is that so? As it happens I was planning on using your box tonight myself."
Inuyasha gave him a suspicious look. "What are you up to?"
"Me?" He asked innocently. "Nothing at all."
"Look Sesshomaru I know you better than you know yourself. You're up to something. You should just give up she refused you already why don't you just let her be."
"Why are you so concerned?" Sesshomaru asked slightly suspicious.
"I'm not concerned in the least I just hate to see you make a fool of yourself."
"Don't worry about me." Sesshomaru proceeded to inform Inuyasha of his plans for Miss Higurashi.
"You did what!" Inuyasha said feeling very protective of Lady Kagome at the moment. He didn't what to examine why.
"Why are you so upset? This does not affect you in the least. I decided to share my plans with you because you are my closest friend and I may need your assistance in the future in order to carry out my plan."
Inuyasha rose. "Do whatever you will. I have bigger concerns at the moment."
He then stormed out the room leaving both his plate untouched and Sesshomaru wondering at his outburst.
Later that evening Kagome was ready and waiting for Sango to come downstairs. Their escort hadn't arrived yet so she had a few minutes to get herself ready for the night ahead. She hated the theater, not that the performances were bad it was just that it was always a crush and the audience in the pits were always rowdy and there was always the possibility of it turning into a mob. That's why she adored country living, clean air and no crowds. She barely remembered the time spent in her home in Yorkshire before her parents died, but whenever the Matsamuras went on holiday to Bath she was the happiest.
She was nervous she had only seen Lord Inuyasha once since that night. And she still did not know what to make of Lord Sesshomaru's proposal. She thought of how her quiet uneventful life had changed so abruptly.
Even though she was not looking forward to tonight she had taken special care with her attire, she was wearing a pale lavender silk dress and her maid had done her hair in a sedate chignon adorned with pearl hairpins. She knew she look especially well tonight her cheeks had a rosy glow to them and she was hoping it had nothing to do with the impending meeting with Lord Inuyasha. She was interrupted from her thoughts when Charles, the butler came into the room and announced Lord Inuyasha had arrived.
'He was devastatingly handsome in his evening clothes,' was her first thought as he was shown into the parlor.
"Good evening Miss Higurashi." He kissed her hand and held it for a few more seconds than it was necessary. "Good evening my lord." She said "Sango will be down shortly."
He could have sworn he felt her shiver at is touch. "I hope you are in better spirits after your recent ordeal." Inuyasha said after a moment. Kagome blushed at the memory of what happened. "Yes, thank you." She replied.
He began to prowl the room. She noticed from the corner of her eye that he moved with a grace that spoke of arrogance and breeding. He went over to the mantel and leaned against it and boldly stared at her. "Yesterday I'm afraid we walked in on you and Lord Sesshomaru. I would apologize would it not be for the fact that you were in the garden alone with a man again. The only thing is that I know Sesshomaru and unlike your count from the other evening, he is a gentleman. It gives me pause though. I would have thought that after your ordeal you would think twice before venturing out with a man alone."
Kagome cringed at the reprimand. Who was he to lecture her?
'He's the man who saved you.' Her conscience answered.
"My lord, Lord Sesshomaru happened to find me in the garden while I tended the roses." She said indignant. "As I understand, you were aware of his presence since Sango told me you came together to visit yesterday." She shot back. He wasn't going to make her feel bad about this.
He just stood there and smiled a wicked grin that made her curl her toes.
Before anything else could be said Sango walked into the room.
Sesshomaru was standing in the hall of the grand theater. He expected his quarry to arrive at any moment. He had placed himself by one of the columns near the door. He wanted to be able to spot them as soon as they arrived. He could see the entrance very clearly despite the amount of people already crowding the place.
Kagome Higurashi was on his mind constantly and even though her refusal had angered him enough to resort to other tactics, he had felt something more like disappointment. She surprised him though. It showed she was not one of those greedy young women out to catch herself a husband. 'Had she been, he would be an engaged man now.' He mused to himself.
Sesshomaru had already received countless invitations from hostesses all over London, to attend one of their parties. He was considered fresh meat for the unmarried young ladies of so called good breeding. He detested Polite Society. He thought it a contradiction in terms.
Sesshomaru had made some inquiries and found that Miss Kagome Higurashi had been decreed by the ton to be unsuitable for marriage. Her reputation was impeccable but she had neither money nor status. She was little more than a companion for Lady Sango. She was well aware of this. What had she said to him about looking higher for a wife?
He also found out that she was an orphan and had been under the patronage of the Matsamura's for a long time. He didn't care what connections she had or what money came to him through her, all he wanted was the woman. He felt no guilt whatsoever for making a contract for her hand behind her back. She will probably be angry. He was very confident in time he could change her mind.
He emerged from his thoughts to see Inuyasha, Lady Sango, and Lady Kagome make their way towards the staircase that would lead them to the upper boxes. He followed until they reached the second floor. There he came up just behind Kagome and said,
"Good Evening". Inuyasha and Sango turned to greet him. Kagome seemed to paralyze. Sesshomaru stood directly behind her and without looking at them he said, "Lady Sango it is a pleasure to see you again."
"My lord." She paused looking at the unmovable Kagome. "What a coincidence."
"Not at all. Inuyasha mentioned he would be escorting you ladies to the theater, so I decided that Miss Higurashi would need an escort as well." This comment brought Kagome back from her paralysis. She turned to look at him, anger flashed in her eyes. "I beg your pardon?"
"Lady Kagome it would be my honor if you would allow me to escort you to your seat." He said in soothing tones knowing her mood from the look in her eyes. A long silence ensued. Inuyasha was the one who broke it. "Shall we?" He said to Sango, and they walked away leaving Kagome and Sesshomaru standing in the hall. He offered her his arm. She stood there looking at it for a moment. She said nothing and reluctantly took it.
They walked the short distance to the box in silence. Kagome was stunned, she couldn't believe this. This man who by all rights should hate her right now had intentionally seeked her out. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. 'What is he about?' She thought. They caught up with Inuyasha and Sango who were already seated. Sesshomaru offered the chair to Kagome who again hesitated a moment before taking it, and then he sat next to her. Almost immediately the performance began which saved the trouble of trying to make conversation.
For the next hour Kagome sat stiffly in her chair. At times she was aware of Sesshomaru watching her instead of the performance. When the first act ended Kagome gave a sigh of relief. She knew she would be able to get away with a pretense of visiting the ladies withdrawing room. She allowed herself to look at Sango who was totally engrossed with something Inuyasha was whispering to her. She blushed behind her fan. Kagome cleared her throat and said, "If you will excuse me?" She stood and so did Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. Sango asked "Would you like me to accompany you?"
"No it's quite alright. I just need to freshen up. I will return shortly." Kagome slipped out and when she was safely out of the box she felt such relief it made her dizzy. She couldn't endure another hour of this. She made her way though the sea of people who were making rounds to other boxes and getting refreshments. She had almost reached the withdrawing room when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Miss Higurashi. How wonderful to see you. It has been to long since we've spoken." She recognized instantly the smooth, cool voice of Lady Kikyo. She was in her late twenties a beautiful and wealthy widow after marrying an elderly baron who died from heart failure on their wedding night. Kagome always felt lacking in her presence. She had an angelic air about her, but her eyes were always devoid of any emotion. She was the picture of perfection. Every hair in its place and always dressed in the first stare of fashion. Kagome never trusted anyone who appeared to be flawless.
"Lady Kikyo." Kagome said politely.
"I watched you and Miss Matsamura make an entrance this evening that has everyone talking." She said conspiratorially. "Of course everyone is talking about your escorts." She was fishing for information. Kagome was in no mood to indulge her.
"I don't know what you mean." Kagome said. Not everyone knew about Sango's engagement yet.
"You can tell me. Everyone knows that both Lord Sesshomaru and Lord Inuyasha are new in town and searching for wives. Lady Sango should be encouraging Lord Inuyasha. She is not getting any younger." Seeing that she was getting nowhere Kikyo tried another tactic. "What no one understands is Lord Sesshomaru. He has only been seen in your company my dear. If he is searching for a wife maybe I could introduce him to several eligible young ladies of my acquaintance."
Kagome did not miss the veiled insult. "I will make sure to mention it to Lord Sesshomaru."
Kikyo kept going. "I would suggest to you not to be in his company too much my dear. For a man of his standing who is seriously looking for a wife, it would appear that he's dallying with you."
"Is that so? Why would that be?" Kagome was angry now.
"You must know that you don't have enough assets to possibly attract an offer from a titled gentleman like Lord Sesshomaru. So any other alliance with him would be looked upon as indecent." Kagome couldn't believe her ears. She was being insulted right to her face. The fact that Lady Kikyo seemed to think that the sweetness dripping from her voice made it seem like she wasn't insulting her, but just merely offering advice, infuriated her more than anything. "I'm only concerned for your welfare my dear. I consider you to be a friend." Kikyo continued.
'Like hell you do.' Kagome thought. "I appreciate your concern Lady Kikyo, but as it happens I have already received an offer of marriage from Lord Sesshomaru." Kagome said smugly. Kikyo hid her surprise behind a smile.
'That'll show her.' Kagome thought. Suddenly Kagome noticed Kikyo staring at a point past her shoulder.
"Good evening my lord." Kikyo said.
'Oh no, it can't be.' Kagome closed her eyes and prayed to god it wasn't who she thought it was. She turned slowly and her eyes met amber orbs.
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