Once breakfast was complete, the Earl insisted that the rest of the staff be introduced to Lucienne immediately. They had to prepare to go the Viscount Druitt's that evening and did not have time to waste.
Sebastian had them all gathered quickly, and each of them eyed the newcomer with widened eyes as they caught sight of her to the right of the young master's chair. When they had been told a governess had been hired, they were imagining an older woman, and definitely one more plain. This raven-haired beauty was the last thing they expected to see.
Madame Red and Lau were watching the whole thing from the other side of the room with thinly-veiled interest. The whole thing was unusual, even for the Earl. As for Lucienne, she had finally noticed the other butler in the room and had not taken her eyes off him since. He smelled strange and felt stranger. She could tell he was no demon, but she doubted he was human either. She tried her best to refocus when the demon caught her eye as the boy began to speak again.
"This is Miss Lucienne Allard. She has been hired as a governess for the time being. Bard, you and Finny can assist Sebastian in moving her things this morning. Mey-Rin, you can show her around the house and help her settle once everything is moved."
There was a chorus of 'yes, Young Master,' from the group as they all turned to do as they were asked. Mey-Rin nearly stumbled over her feet as she approached the smaller woman, but her elbow was caught by Sebastian. He ignored the exchange as he turned to Lucienne. "If you would accompany us first, please. Once you show us everything that needs to be moved, we can finish."
She gave him a nod before she turned to Mey-Rin with a smile. She had already decided that in order to figure out her best options and hopefully escape, she would not be able to treat this household like she would any other. It helped that she had already been told to do such anyway. She held out her hand, and the girl took it with widened eyes. "I look forward to your tour later."
Mey-Rin nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, it'll be nice having another female, yes it will." She stopped herself and blushed before she took a step back and curtsied. "Forgive my rudeness, miss."
Lucienne shook her head. This was what she had hoped for. "Nonsense, there is nothing to forgive. It will be pleasant to not feel isolated. Please, feel free to call me Miss Lucy."
Both Finnian and Bard were standing nearby as well, so at her words, Finny stepped forward with sparkles in his eyes. "May- may I call you Miss Lucy too?"
Lucienne gave him a shocked look. She had never seen a male look at her with such adoration and innocence at the same time. She could not believe this child lived in the same home as the demon. It made no sense. Still, she returned his smile with a radiant one of her own. "Of course."
Nothing else could be said before Sebastian stepped forward. "We need to be going so we do not keep the Young Master waiting." Lucienne gave him a nod and followed him out with Bard and Finny trailing behind.
She noted the silence that fell over them as they walked. She wondered once again how many of the household staff knew of the evil in their midst as she caught sight of the blonde boy pointing enthusiastically at something in the distance. She didn't have long to ponder the question, as they were not far from the Barnards' townhouse.
Once she let them inside, she headed directly upstairs. She noted the fact that Sebastian told Finny to stay in the hall and not to touch anything, as though he were a child. She frowned slightly but kept it to herself as she showed them her room. It was modest, and most of the furniture stayed. The only thing other than her clothes that would need to be moved was an armoire her father had given her before he passed away. Despite her situation, she was not above begging for it to be kept safe as it was moved.
She turned to Sebastian with squared shoulders. "The armoire is my only furniture. The rest of my clothing and trivialities are in the chests. They are mine as well. Nothing else should go." When he gave her a nod and started to turn, she called out once more. "Wait." He turned to her with curiosity. She swallowed once and quickly spoke. "The armoire was a gift from my father before he passed. Could you please ensure it is moved safely?"
Sebastian raised a brow at her request. He could tell it had taken a lot for her to make it. He smirked, humans never ceased to amuse him. They became so sentimental over the silliest things. Still, he had every intention of keeping her happy for the time being. He had already shown her more of his hand than he intended to. He gave her a slight bow. "Of course, mademoiselle. How could I call myself a butler of the Phantomhive household if I could not at least accomplish that much."
Her only response was a nod. He swallowed another smirk and turned to Baldroy. "Please escort Mademoiselle Allard back to the townhouse and set up one of the regular bedrooms for her use. Finnian and I will handle this."
Bard scratched the back of his head and gave the butler a nod. "Sure thing." He turned to her with a grin. "You ready?"
Lucienne hid her shock at his accent and gave him a nod. She had not expected to find an American in the Earl's household, but given what she already knew, it was the least of the oddities.
They had not gone far when Bard looked over to her with a slight frown. "You don't speak much."
Lucienne blinked a couple of times and gave him a bashful smile. "Pardon me if it seems rude. You must understand that as a governess, we are often asked to make sure we are only seen and heard by our charges. It will take some getting used to in order for me to reacquaint myself with more open habits."
He chuckled at her reply and shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure it won't be long at all until you fit right in with this crazy place."
She raised a brow at his description of his workplace but didn't get to ask as he gave her a curious look and continued. "You know, you talk an awful lot like the Young Master. Are you a governess like in the stories? You know, a down and out noble that's just trying to get by? Mey-Rin is always going on about how romantic it is."
Lucienne wasn't quite sure how to respond. This was all new for her, despite her many years. At least she knew how to hide her discomfort and read people. She gave him a small smile and shook her head. "It isn't as romantic as all that. My family was nobility, but since the peerage was abolished in France more than two decades ago, that is no longer the case. They are merchants now. Wealthy, yes, but still not nobility. That does not mean I was not raised with the finest tutors."
His eyes had gotten wide while she spoke. "Mey-Rin is gonna love to hear that."
Lucienne was grateful that they had made it back by that point. She was still just out of sorts enough that she could tell her façade was slipping. She nodded to the man as he headed upstairs. "Thank you."
He flashed her another grin, but Mey-Rin was already waiting for her. She gave her a smile and curtsied. "It will be my pleasure to show you around."
Lucienne wondered what the girl was thinking behind those thick frames. The glasses obscured most of her face, so it was hard to read the woman, but she could tell the girl was flushed. She hoped it was just the excitement of someone new. "I am looking forward to it as well."
Mey-Rin forgot herself once again and took the other girl's hand as she led her up the stairs. By the time she realized her blunder, they had already gotten through the first room and were headed to the second. The maid was grateful that their newest addition had not said anything, but that didn't stop her from pulling her hand back quickly and trying to cover the action by pointing out something down the hall.
In her rush and embarrassment, she managed to somehow tangle her feet, and she started to fall. She braced herself for impact, as there was nothing to catch herself with, and Lucienne was still back in the other room. The last thing she expected was for her to stop abruptly and open her eyes to the sight of the tiny woman helping her back to her feet.
"Are you all right? That could have been a nasty fall."
Mey-Rin had to catch her breath. She had been caught plenty of times by Sebastian, but she had never considered that anyone else might be able to move fast enough to help as well. She frowned slightly. Perhaps the girl had already been in the hallway, and she had missed it. Of course, that had to be it. She smiled again and tried to wave off the concern.
"Please don't worry about me, Miss Lucy. I can be clumsy sometimes, but I'm alright."
Lucienne wondered, not for the first time, how many oddities one household could have. She doubted it would be the last either as she followed the girl through the rest of the house.
Sebastian set the cup of tea down in front of the young master with a bow. The boy looked perturbed as he picked it up and took a sip. Finally, he turned to his butler. "Madame Red has gotten the invitation for tonight, but we still have not decided how I will infiltrate and talk to him. She was adamant that he would not speak to me."
Sebastian gave him another bow. "If I may, My Lord."
Ciel waved away the pretense. "What plan are you hatching now?"
Sebastian stood with a smirk. "If he will not speak to you as the Earl of Phantomhive, perhaps he will speak to Madam Red's niece instead."
Ciel's eyes narrowed at his butler before they widened. "Absolutely not!"
Sebastian was still smiling, but he didn't get to say anything before Ciel stood. "What about Lucienne. She obviously has the required breeding. We could have her go instead."
Sebastian sighed and shook his head. "She has only started today, and you would push the responsibility of the entire investigation onto her shoulders? I thought you were better than that."
Ciel frowned at his butler. "Surely she would not object."
Sebastian's frown grew a little more. "Young Master, we both know it should be you that interrogates the Viscount. I believe it would be acceptable for her to attend with you so that she could be by your side in places I would not be allowed to go. However, that does not mean you should let her take care of it for you."
Ciel was still frowning. "No!"
It was several hours later that Ciel was holding onto the post of his bed and groaning. He felt as though his breath had been stolen. "I can't take it anymore. Stop!"
He wanted to yell at Sebastian's calm tone. "Hush now. Just take steady breaths, and you will be fine. It won't be long until you grow accustomed to it."
"I'm going to die!"
Sebastian sniffed. "I have never heard of a woman whose insides were displaced from wearing a corset. Now be still; we are almost finished."
Ciel wanted desperately to take his butler down a notch, but that would have to wait. He needed to focus on breathing for now. He only hoped that Lucienne would be ready. Mey-Rin was assisting her so they could leave as soon as possible. He hoped the demon was right in his choice. They would find out soon enough.
A/N: So I didn't actually get to the party here, but that means we all know what's coming next chapter (rubs hands together and smiles evilly) I can't wait :) Thanks for reading.