Chapter 4: His Daughter, Excitable.

January woke up the next morning, stretching her arms across the large bed in search of her childhood stuffed toy; a bear wearing blue overalls named Malcolm. Her petite hands wandered around the sheets aimlessly, unsuccessful in finding the tattered bear. January opened one eye, squinting in an attempt to find her nighttime friend. Quickly, she shot up from her comfortable position, the sudden realisation that she was not at home hitting her like a freight train. Glancing around the room, she took in the dark interior design and the heavy, black curtains that blocked out the glorious sunlight of the morning.

This most definitely was not her room.

Memories of last night suddenly flooded her mind, the party, the business deal, her father and Ciel, her time with Lizzie and then...him. Sebastian...undressing me. She became flustered at the very recollection of last night's incident with the ludicrously handsome butler. He had undressed her, and she felt that dragging feeling again, how it felt like Sebastian was purposely taking his time to undress her; as if her were devouring her image in his mind. January shook her head, feeling that familiar crimson colour dust her cheeks again. He saw me naked! Absolutely naked! She thought to herself, but why am I so flustered? Ada has seen me naked plenty of times back home… January questioned, swinging her feet off the bed and slowly travelling towards those heavy curtains, desperate to see some light in this cave of a room.

"Ah, miss Huxley, I see you are awake. Good morning to you." That smooth, velvety voice came from behind her and she jumped, not expecting the very man she had just been thinking of to be standing at her door; observing her as if she were a wild deer in a forest. Forcing a smile on her face, she walked over to him, giving him a curt nod.

"A-ah, good morning to you, Sebastian. I didn't hear you come in…" she trailed off as he swiftly turned on his heel, heading to the curtains. He flung them open with grace, and January found herself enthralled with his movements, how he managed to look so poised and graceful even whilst carrying out mundane, boring tasks such as opening curtains. Sunlight flooded the room, and Sebastian turned to the young lady, smiling at her gently. For a second, he found himself lost in her beauty, and the way the sunlight glistened in her green eyes, how her skin looked so supple and soft, and how the lighter tones of her hair stood out against the overall dark brown curls that cascaded over her shoulders.

Yes, the young lord must definitely invite Miss Huxley back to the manor. Sebastian chided himself, smirking ever so slightly. January stood awkwardly to the side of him, not knowing what to do. Gathering up all of her courage, she turned to look at him, and offered him the biggest grin she could manage.

"Thank you, Sebastian. I fear the curtains were too heavy for me. You truly are a wonderful butler!" She exclaimed lightly, only looking him in the eye for a mere second before turning to look out of the window and at the vast, stunning gardens that stretched out behind the estate for as far as the eye could see. Sebastian's smirk grew wider at her compliment. My, what a kind lady you are. I wonder if your kindness shows in other manners…? Chuckling to himself, he turned to the wardrobe at the other side of the room.

"Thank you, my lady. It is but a pleasure to be serving you whilst you stay here." He gathered today's outfit for January; a light pink dress, adorned with white frills and opalescent buttons and shimmering detailing (by the choice of the Lady Elizabeth, of course.) Placing the dress gently onto the large bed, he turned back to January.

"And, if I might say, Miss January…" He approached her from behind, his lips lingering close to her ear, "you looked ravishing last night. Both at the party, and after." Her eyes widened at his scandalous comment, the scarlet yet again rising up her neck and onto her cheeks. She turned to him just as he was leaving her room.

He hadn't stopped thinking about how he longed for her when he had undressed her last night. Though her face looked young, she had the body of a woman; curvaceous hips and supple breasts, delicate legs and a tight waist. She was so innocent, so fragile and unknowing...he felt like a predator stalking its prey; waiting for the right time to strike it down. That was the most familiar feeling of lust he could familiarise it with, the feeling of hunting his vulnerable target. It excited him to his very core.

"Please, do call if you need any further assistance." He said smoothly, and she could have sworn she saw him wink.

Such a devious man... she thought to herself coyly, why am I so entranced by you?

January sat at the pristine white patio table with Elizabeth, enjoying an afternoon of tea and delicious treats baked by the one and only, Sebastian. He had made an array of snacks for the two ladies, from strawberry shortcakes to the finest macarons January had tasted.

"Isn't it just wonderful, January? I'm so excited to tell Ciel!" Elizabeth proclaimed, smiling widely at her younger cousin. She had made the right choice in choosing pink for her today; the lady January had never been too fond of pink but it suited her very well. They wore nearly similar outfits today; Elizabeth wearing a darker shade of pink but with the same pearl embellishments and white frills, but with more bows around the skirt and at her elbows. January nodded in agreement, beaming with happiness for her older cousin. As Elizabeth chattered on about various things, January couldn't help but start to wonder about her own life. Would she marry soon? If so, to whom? Would she get any say in the matter? She scoffed to herself inwardly. She knew the answer to that was no. But still, she thought about her future husband, and possible children she would bear.

She painted an idyllic picture in her mind, herself and sitting around a roaring fire, two or three children sitting at her feet. January's heart quickened when she realised that the children she had envisioned resembled a certain butler she was beginning to know well… No! I mustn't think of him in that way. I barely know him, and he is just a butler. I could never… January scolded her thoughts. They were shameful, and her father would have her thrown to a whore house if she were to try and pursue anything with the Phantomhive butler. Still...there is something about him, something...curious. It won't hurt to explore him a little more…. January thought to herself devilishly, a tiny smirk present on her face. She quickly pulled herself away from her sinful thoughts, just in time to tune back into Lizzie's incessant rambling.

"...So I was thinking, maybe when Ciel knows, and I am beginning to show more, maybe you would stay here at the manor and help me deliver?" Elizabeth asked her slowly, big green eyes staring into her cousin's, awaiting a response. January felt the shock hit her, and she felt dumb for not being able to come up with a response quicker. Elizabeth began to panic, continuing her request.

"Of course, it's absolutely fine if you wish not to!" She exclaimed, a small smile on her face, "I would just appreciate having a very close friend such as you with me! And of course, you will be able to come and go as you please, your room is here whenever you want it!" January felt the smile spread across her face. Jumping up with excitement, she rushed over to her cousin and took her gently in her arms.

"Of course, my dear Lizzie! I am honoured that you would even ask me to share your journey with you!" January felt a stray tear fall down her cheek, and Elizabeth giggle as she wiped it away.

"Thank you, so much my dearest January! I am so excited. You can stay here as long as you like!" Elizabeth hugged her back, the two women holding onto each other with a ferocity.

"Just think, in 5 months, Ciel and I will have a child, and you'll be here when they enter the world! Thank you, so much. I love you dearly, my January Grace." Elizabeth felt the tears fall, shoving her face into the shoulder of her cousin. January smiled at Elizabeth, prying her arms off her and returning to her seat across from her.

"It is indeed wonderful, Lizzie. I can't wait until you tell Ciel and the servants. I love you too, my dear Elizabeth Ethel." January spoke gently. It was decided, that she would stay here at the Phantomhive estate and be with Lizzie throughout her pregnancy. A smirk crawled onto her face as she realised…

5 months with Sebastian… this should be one hell of an experience.