It felt wrong to keep from Lady Danbury that I knew of Lord Basset's arrival to Hastings Manor. But how does one bring up such a sensitive topic in conversation? As far as they knew, I was wholly unaware of the duke's presence, and they seemed determined to keep it that way. This was confirmed the next morning at breakfast when her ladyship and I met for our usual first and last meal together. She'd be going to bed soon after her dinner as the day was just starting for me. I had a bit of a treat today for breakfast; a hazelnut muffin Lady Danbury brought back from the marketplace. She was always doing her upmost to ensure I was comfortable and happy…..
We ate at our usual ends of the dining table. Lady Danbury had a goblet of sheep's blood she sipped at uneasily. I, meanwhile, nibbled away at my muffin and fruit quietly, trying to formulate a plan of action in my mind. I didn't want to spring any news on her so directly, deciding to go a casual route instead. I picked up a strawberry and smiled at her.
"With your permission, malady, I wanted to ask if it would alright if my great uncle paid me a visit here this spring? I was hoping he might come in June sometime….." Her ladyship took another long gulp and nodded her head at me. "I don't see why not, so long as your brother approvals." "Oh, I'm sure he will. Uncle raised me; the Bridgertons have ample reason to trust him. And Anthony knows it'll be good for us to see each other again." She nodded again. "Very well then. June it is. It will be nice to meet the vampire who raised such a charming girl." "Thank you, Lady Danbury…." My cheeks blushed slightly as I gazed down at my plate. Something told me now might be a good time…..
"Are we… expecting any other visitors this springtime?" I was hesitant to ask. I noticed her finger twitch on her cup's stem. She didn't look me in the eye when she spoke next. "Not that I'm aware of. Anthony made it clear to me: no one else is to say in the manor besides you and I, with the exception of your uncle when the time comes. No, I'm not expecting anyone else." My eyes lowered a little; my hand grasped my fork. "So…. the duke is not set to return anytime soon?" That's when her gaze finally met mine, and not in a happy way. Our eyes locked, our expressions genuine. "No…." Was her only reluctant reply. My lips opened a sliver.
"So then, who was it I heard arrive at the manor late last night?"
The look on Lady Danbury's face was priceless. I would have felt pleased at my success if I did not instantly feel bad for her. I liked her ladyship and did not wish to cause her any discomfort. Still, this was something that would have to come out into the air sooner or later, and I'd prefer sooner. My carer sat back in her chair, set down her goblet, and hung her hands down in a defeated fashion. "You know then….?" She could only get out.
"Please don't worry! I won't write my brother or my uncle about this. No one will ever know; it'll stay between the three of us." "This is a nightmare," as if she hadn't heard me, Lady Danbury's hand reached up to cover her eyes. "No; no, not at all! The duke and I won't meet; we won't run into each other. Nothing will change," suddenly feeling remorseful, I did my best to calm her nerves. How effective I was is up for debate, especially considering the look she next flashed me.
"You know as well as I do Simon has no business being here. It seems the boy forgot his promise to let Hastings Manor to your brother before he left for one of his many excursions." I said nothing to this; I don't think Lady Danbury was seeking any confirmation from me on the matter. She simply shook her head, now staring off into space. "And now, as usual, he's left me to pick up the pieces. It should be a grand thing, his return; but his monstrously poor timing ruins the whole affair. Lady Cowper will be writing me to too, soon as she hears he's back…." Still not a word on my end and a long sigh on hers. She sounded honestly annoyed, which was entirely understandable for someone in her position. After all what would happen to her if Lord Basset was thrown in jail or worst….
Imagining this only made me grin warmly at her. It felt like my fault for bringing it up- which I knew it was- and I wanted to clear the air. That was the least I could do for such a lovely hostess. "It'll be alright, Lady Danbury. I'm sure it will." "You don't seem to understand, my dear girl. So long as he's under this roof, you are in danger." "Oh, I doubt his grace would actually….." But I couldn't finish my sentence. After all, how was I supposed to know such a thing? And all when I haven't even met the duke yet….. Lady Danbury didn't appear confident in her charge either, scoffing and rolling her eyes. "Oh quite. The duke who has only known pleasure all his life without genuine love or affection- something you humans are well known to give. You give him too much credit, Miss Bridgerton. He may have let his family's estate to your brother, but he is still first and foremost a vampire. And a greedy one at that. He wouldn't understand your kind, not like I and your uncle do. You have no reason to trust him, as you shouldn't. Simon won't take it personally, of course; no vampire with an ounce of common sense or decency would. But you must keep your distance at all times. Remember, when he enters the room, he's the one with all the power. There's nothing you can do to stop him or protect yourself- you must take such a matter seriously, dear girl." "Yes, malady…" My voice was low and my stare was glued onto my hands resting on my lap. Lady Danbury hastily picked up her cup again, raising it to her lips for a sip. Then she looked back my way from across the table.
"But you need not worry, child. His grace has already assured me he'll do everything in his power to avoid any… confrontations. And it's as I said earlier, the grounds are full of livestock and farm animals, so if he should grow… thirstier than usual, he'll have… well, you know. That is to say we'll do our best to maintain your safety, Miss Bridgerton." "Yes, Lady Danbury," I breathed, still not meeting her stare. She let out a forlorn sigh. "One'd think it would be easier, managing a house with a human in it. I suppose it's because your type are so excessively rare. No one knows how to react to such…. circumstances. Many vampires go their own lives without meeting one; must make it easy for them. Really, Simon has no idea…. He wouldn't even know what to do with a human." "Yes, your ladyship…" Another frustrated sigh fell from her bloodily lips. "But then, perhaps it is too much to ask him to understand. He doesn't comprehend that you're a human. You're more fragile and thus requires more visual protection.
In order to truly accomplish this vampires must stop viewing your kind as a food source, and instead treat you as something precious"