Matsuzaki was lying in a doorway near the greenhouse. Mai knelt down beside her and shook her shoulders.

"Miss Matsuzaki, wake up!"

She turned the cook over and pressed a hand to her chest, she could feel her heart beating.

"Where are you hurt? He said you were bleeding…"

The red of Matsuzaki's hair obscured the red of the blood seeping from her shoulder. Once Mai found it, she ripped some fabric from her dress and covered the wound the best she could.

"We need a doctor…"

Knowing she could not leave Matsuzaki in the doorway, Mai pulled her into the room. There was nothing she could use to assist in carrying her further.

"I'm going to get help, it's going to be okay."

Mai all but ran to the front door. She swung open the doors, ready to run all the way to Takigawa's house, when she collided with a broad chest.

"Lady Astley, what's going on?"

"Mr Takigawa! Oh thank goodness you are here. We need a doctor very urgently! Miss Matsuzaki was hurt, I have covered her wound."

"I sent the coachman for the doctor as soon as everyone was settled in my cottage. Where is Miss Matsuzaki? If we can get her to the entrance hall, the doctor can see her sooner."

"Come with me."

With Takigawa's help, they moved Matsuzaki to the entrance hall. Mai found a blanket and covered the cook with it.

"Where is the Lord? Where is Lin?"

"In the kitchens— No! You can't go down there!"

"What? Why not?"

"The creature that attacked Miss Matsuzaki is down there. They killed it. But it's not a pleasant sight."

"You have a cut on your neck!"

Mai pressed a hand to her neck.

"Oh, I forgot about that. Yes, I'm fine. It's nothing. In truth my head hurts more. I hit it."

Before Takigawa could fuss further, Lin appeared, hobbling.

"Mr Lin!" Mai cried. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. A little injured. We need to send for a doctor—"

"Already done, Lin," Takigawa said. "We have Miss Matsuzaki here. She's alive but won't wake up."

"Is Lord Pembridge okay?" Mai asked.

"As well as can be expected. We discussed what to do next— Oh…"

Lin swayed and Takigawa caught him before he fell.

"Sit down, man, that leg does not look good and neither does your eye."

"I cannot see from it."

"And you came down to rescue us?" Mai asked, incredulous.

"I had to," Lin muttered. "Let me sit. Do we have any wine?"

"I'll get it," Mai offered.

She returned minutes later with wine and glasses to drink it from. She served the wine in silence. Takigawa had taken a watch at the door.

"I left Miss Mori in charge, she had everyone under control."

"She is a formidable woman," Lin agreed.

"Should I retrieve Lord Pembridge?" Mai asked. "We should not leave him—"

"He'll be up in a bit," Lin said. "He has things to do. He is not hurt physically."

"I can see the carriage," Takigawa said.

The doctor arrived half dressed in his night things.

"What has happened?"

"A beast got into the house, it is dead now, but Miss Matsuzaki and Mr Lin are injured."

"And you have them here in the entrance hall? For goodness sake, they need rest. Where are the nearest bedrooms?"

The closest bedroom was that belonging to Madoka and the next room along, that was currently unoccupied. Takigawa carried Matsuzaki up the stairs while Mai supported Lin the best she could. Once they were both safely ensconced in bed, the doctor dressed the wounds more effectively and prescribed concoctions for pain and healing.

"But Miss Matsuzaki has not woken?"

"I tried smelling salts," the doctor said. "We just have to wait."

"Will you be staying here, doctor?"

"I think there is little more I can do. If she wakes, have her eat and drink. I will return in the morning."

"Thank you, doctor."

Takigawa saw the doctor out, while Mai looked in on Lin.

"How are you feeling?"

"The medication has helped a little with the pain, as has the wine," he said. "Oliver should have joined us by now."

"Should I…?"

"I am not sure you are the person he wants to see right now. We decided we will have to close the house for a time, send the servants away to allow for a proper clean up. Perhaps you could visit Lady Pembridge."

"You want me to leave?"

"I think it is for the best if everyone leaves."

"I'm going to find him."

Mai left before Lin could say anything further. She ignored Takigawa as she passed him on the stairs and headed straight for the kitchen.

Lord Pembridge was still knelt on the floor, cradling his brother's body.

"We have found Miss Matsuzaki. The doctor came and saw her and Mr Lin. They are both resting now."

Lord Pembridge did not respond.

"Mr Takigawa sent for the doctor, he's looking over our invalids upstairs. Miss Mori is looking after everyone else in Mr Takigawa's cottage."

Again, he did not respond.

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"I am sorry that he hurt you," he croaked. "When this all began, he was not going to hurt anyone. After it happened once… I blamed myself. I had not provided what he needed… It was not supposed to be like this…"

Mai opened her mouth to respond, but thought better of it. He went on.

"I felt so blessed. I had my brother back. My best friend. I did not want to see what he had become."

Slowly, he lowered the vampire to the floor.

"Mr Lin said you were going to empty the house, send everyone away."

"Yes. So we can bury him and clean up without having to explain. I want you to go to my mother's, take Miss Mori with you. She will look after you."

"I want to help you."

"Lady Astley, I appreciate the offer. But I have just lost my brother for the second time. I have had members of my household attacked. I need… I need time."

"I see."

"Perhaps… Perhaps if you return, we could start again."

Mai nodded slowly, and said no more.


And so, my dearest, the following day I went to London again. With Miss Mori. The servants were all given a lump sum and told to return in two weeks time. Miss Matsuzaki was moved so she could receive continued treatment. She had woken before I left, but only briefly.

Lady Pembridge was most confused at our arrival. I told her about the rabid beast that had gotten into the House and how her son wanted everyone out of the way to deal with it. She had been quite alarmed, but pleased her son had been so sensible about it all. Though I suspect half of her concern evaporated when I mentioned that he would have Mr Lin by his side.

We remained with Lady Pembridge for two weeks. She was, as ever, a delightful host. We joined her on all her evening dinners and parties. We celebrated the twelfth night together. We showed Miss Mori the delights of London. All in all, it was a lovely time.

I could not forget what had happened. I saw him, Eugene, sometimes in my dreams. I would wake in a sweat clutching my own throat as if he had been about to cut me. He was never there. I was safe in London. Those nightmares took some time to dissipate.

A few days before we were due to leave, I received a letter:

Dear Lady Astley,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am most looking forward to seeing you again. Mr Lin's leg is healing, though he still walks rather stiffly. His eye, on the other hand, may never recover.

I trust you have had a good time in London. If you wish to remain there, I would not assign any blame to your person. The events of New Year's Day were unpleasant and wanting to distance yourself from that is understandable.

I will see you soon, and have something to discuss with you when I do.

Yours faithfully,

Pembridge

This letter caused me great distress as you can no doubt imagine. What on earth would Lord Pembridge want to discuss with me?


"Lady Astley! We have a visitor!" Madoka called up the stairs. "Come quickly!"

"Miss Mori! I am barely dressed and not suitable for seeing anyone! Why do you do this to me?"

"Our guest does not care for your state of dress, get down here!"

Mai, astounded by this declaration, checked herself in the mirror before leaving her bedchamber. She was decent, though her hair was not done. Scowling, she headed downstairs and into the drawing room to find—

"Lord Pembridge!"

"Lady Astley, I see you have only just woken up."

"Miss Mori you did this on purpose just so he would tease me, and I thought you were my friend."

Madoka laughed.

"Now, now," Lady Pembridge said. "My son has joined you for a few days before your return. He has some business to attend to. I trust you can all behave yourselves?"

"Of course," Mai said.

"That means you too, Oliver."

"Hmm."

Lady Pembridge rolled her eyes.

"Mai, why don't you go and have your hair fixed and then we could all go for a walk. I am sure Oliver will appreciate that after his long journey."

Mai complied and returned looking much more respectable. She pulled on her coat and gloves as she joined the other three and together, they walked out into the London sun.

"Remarkably fine weather we're having," Lady Pembridge said. "Miss Mori, take my arm, won't you? I am an old woman and need support."

Lady Pembridge and Madoka walked off ahead, leaving Lord Pembridge and Mai to follow in their wake.

"Subtle as ever, is my mother."

"Your letter, you said you had something you wanted to discuss with me."

His jovial mood dropped, but he offered Mai his arm, which she took.

"It is not something I want an answer to straight away. I want you to think on it for a few days."

"What is it?"

"Promise you will think on it."

"I promise, but what is it?" Mai asked again.

"I am no longer in need of the supply of certain things. I have put about the story that it was for my scientific endeavours. And now I need an excuse for putting an end to them."

"Do you?"

"Yes, without risking the reputation I have in the scientific community."

Mai, who knew little of such things, merely nodded.

"So what excuse will you use?"

"That is what I want you to think on."

"You want me to come up with one?" Mai asked. "I don't think I—"

"No. I want you to be my excuse."

Mai stopped dead.

"I don't understand."

"Come on, Lady Astley, keep up."

"Explain what you mean," Mai demanded as she started walking again.

"I think a young man in my position would be well within his rights to put pause to any scientific experiments he might be participating in if he had in his sights an admirable woman."

Mai's cheeks flushed red.

"I am not some mere distraction!" she objected.

"And that is why I want you to think about whether or not you return to Harker Hall. If you do not, then I shall be heartbroken in your absence. If you do…"

"Don't be ridiculous. You are not heartbroken over me."

"Lady Astley, it does not matter to the wider public what I am or not. But the story will do," Lord Pembridge said. "My previous situation did not allow me to think of such things with much seriousness, you know this. But now… It is a possibility. I am trying to look to the future."

"Lord Pembridge, I do not understand. Are you using me?"

Lord Pembridge stopped and turned to face Mai, allowing his mother and Miss Mori to outpace them.

"Lady Astley, you have a choice to make. You can stay here in London, with my mother until you find a suitable husband, and I will wish you well on that path. Or, you can return with me to Harker Hall, where I would have every intention of courting you. Do you understand me now?"

Mai nodded mutely.

"We ought to catch up."

The pair caught up with their companions and did not speak for the rest of the walk. As they reached Aubrey House, Lord Pembridge declared his intention to call in upon his lawyer and left the three ladies to enjoy some refreshments.

"You are very pensive, Lady Astley," Lady Pembridge said. "What is the matter?"

"Your son has put me to an ultimatum on whether or not to return to Harker Hall. I am… I am thinking about what would be best."

"You are of course welcome to remain here for as long as you need, I enjoy your company. That goes for you too, Miss Mori."

"Thank you, Lady Pembridge, you are too kind."

"Hardly, I am a selfish old woman who wants companionship."

Mai laughed politely and looked out of the window.

"Did your son say why he was visiting his lawyer?" Madoka asked.

"Something about changing the details on a fund, I think. Something rather dull no doubt."

Eventually, Mai excused herself. She retreated to her bedchamber and sat with a book in her hand. She could not even lie to herself and pretend she intended to read, but holding the book grounded her somewhat.

Lord Pembridge, now free from his brother, had given her the choice for him to court her…

Her heart screamed to accept this. He was a good man. Her late husband would approve. She loved his family and knew the household.

Yet his previous actions plagued her mind. She had some power in her current position. She had control of her finances and in a way, choice of her second husband. She did not want to give that up, if not for the right reasons.

Only time would tell if Lord Pembridge had learnt from this experience. The real question Mai had to answer was if she wanted to be there to find out.


Author's note: So I'm doing a statistics assignment for my masters at the moment and can I just say I have never cared less about grapefruits in my entire life. Hope you're all doing well!