Three Days Earlier
"Well, well!" Earl Jason Thompson raised a smile up towards Ciel Phantomhive the second he entered the manor. He was a rather plump man, but his height made the extra weight not look as bad as it potentially could.
A well clad butler, Sebastian, stood holding the door open for the household, who all had been invited to stay two nights at the manor. Though the plump man didn't even acknowledge the servant.
Ciel had called this invite a means to get to know each other, perchance partnering up on the business side of things. Though, from the way the entire household had been invited, it was obvious there was more to it. How much of that was obvious to Earl Thompson himself, however, Ciel was unsure of.
He was simply pleased he had arrived to begin with. And so, he began to step down to greet said earl.
.
"A letter has arrived for you, young master."
"The queen? It has been a while…"
"Indeed."
"I am to… What?"
.
Bard, Finny and Mey-Rin were placed to the side, along with Tanaka enjoying a cup of tea. Intrigued and eager looks were on their faces, glad to have change in their daily routines. They saw a couple of servants had been brought along with the household, and they felt eager to meet new people – especially Finny and Mey-Rin. Bard was quite neutral to that aspect of this visitation. It would be easier to keep an eye on things without having the distraction of people wanting to get to know him.
A pregnant, beautiful lady followed suit behind Mr Thompson. She, compared to the earl, paused in the doorway and offered Sebastian a smile and a bow of her head as a greeting before joining her husband's side in watching Ciel approach. Behind the wife, four daughters entered, pointing up at the butler with intrigue before being shoved to the side by their governess – a slim woman no older than Sebastian, her posture showing dignity and jurisdiction.
She paused in the doorway too, her eyes scanning over Sebastian. The butler, unaware of much else, smirked at her staring for a little longer than she should, and she smirked right back.
"Welcome to the Phantomhive Manor, Earl Thompson, lady Thompson." Ciel shook the hand of Mr Thompson before placing a kiss to Mrs Thompson's knuckles. Fleetingly, if only for a few seconds, Ciel's blue eye flickered over to the belly.
She was heavily pregnant. Curious…
"Thank you. It is quite an honour to be invited here. The Phantomhives hold quite a lot of power in the upper class," said Mr Thompson, taking in the sight of the manor. "Always nice to you on my side.
"You have a beautiful home," smiled Mrs Thompson.
"Thank you, my lady. You must be weary after your journey. My butler Sebastian shall show you to your quarters. We have prepared a nursery as well. We had the rooms to spare."
"Oh, how kind of you," beamed Mrs Thompson.
Mr Thompson made no comment.
"This way, please," said Sebastian.
The sound of his voice caused Eleanora to glance over. Once more, Sebastian noticed, but being in the spotlight of the nobles caused him to simply share a glance with her. Eleanora, however, smirked once more, eyes fleetingly flickering down to his body.
Whilst the two servants who had come along, mainly for dressing the Earl and his wife, met with the other servants, being shown around, Eleanora remained with the children. She ushered them towards her and let them walk before her as they all followed Sebastian.
Ciel watched, and once he was left alone, his shoulders sagged. This was going to be more difficult to figure out than he had anticipated, wasn't it?