Chapter 6: His Daughter, Leaving.

Sebastian met January, Cassius and Alexander in the foyer of the Phantomhive Manor. They were to leave today, and head back to their own home. Cassius had a bored look on his face, clearly not impressed with having to wait for Tanaka to have their carriage pulled up to the entrance. Sebastian swiftly left through the front door, in search of the elderly butler and the carriage.

"Where is that blasted carriage?!" Alexander muttered angrily to himself, "I have to start writing up the business plans immediately!" Shoving his hands into his pockets, he huffed like a child and started pacing back and forth impatiently. January glanced at him, having yet to tell him she would be returning here once she had collected her belongings. She was immensely glad she wouldn't have to go back home with either of the men in front of her, they were practically a team. Her father was always bending in Cassius' favour; always making sure his precious first-born didn't have anything tarnishing his reputation. It was selfish of Alexander, really. January knew it was, and so did many around him. Alexander was only concerned about the reputation of his company, and since Cassius would be taking over said company, his name had to remain spotless. Money was all that he seemed to care about, his family had always come second to the company and that was that. It was plain that once January and Aurora had been born, he had simply stopped caring about anyone but himself and Cassius. Alexander would kill to keep Cassius' reputation pristine, and that was why she kept quiet.

She kept quiet about her brother in fear of her father having her murdered.

"I apologise for the wait, your carriage is ready now," Sebastian returned, offering a bow to the three in front of him, "I take it that you are aware of the Lady January's arrangements, Lord Huxley?" Sebastian lifted his head to look Alexander in the eye. Alexander raised his eyebrow, glancing back at January.

"Arrangements? What arrangements?" He turned to her now, she could hear the anger building in his voice. "You could have told me before hand, I have business to get to! " He spat his words at her, and she felt her stomach churn with anger. Remaining poised - like the lady she was raised to be - she simply smiled at him gently.

"I apologise father, but Elizabeth has requested that I stay here for a few months. She wishes to have my company whilst she goes through her pregnancy. I hope you don't mind." She offered him a small bow, all the while keeping that fake smile on her face, "I'm simply returning home today to gather belongings that I will need for the foreseeable future." He shrugged his shoulders, turning away from her and heading out towards the carriage. January and Cassius followed suit, and Sebastian graciously opened the door for them. Alexander climbed in, deciding to take up one whole side of the carriage.

Fantastic, now I'll have to sit next to my devil of a brother. January thought to herself, trying to stop the irritation from showing on her face. Cassius climbed in next, and Sebastian offered January a hand into the carriage. She took it, and immediately felt the warmth of his soft hands. As she stepped into the carriage, she could have sworn she felt his hand squeeze hers for a brief second before he shut the door with a soft click and headed to the driver's seat at the front of the carriage. Cassius gestured to the seat next to him, and without argument January sat down and pressed herself against the window, trying to stay as far away from him as possible. She could smell the alcohol on him from here.

"I'm thinking of asking Mercy to pick a date for the wedding soon," Cassius started, "I think it's probably best for us to be married before I take over the company." He stated, and their father grinned at him. Cassius glanced at January, a sly smirk gracing his lips.

"Wonderful, son! That's a fantastic idea." Alexander beamed happily. Cassius turned to his sister, dragging her into the conversation. "What about you, sister? What do you think?" There it was, sister. He said it so smugly, as if he was giving her a reminder that they were blood and she would be known as nothing but his little sister until she married into another family and be known as nothing but wife for the remainder of her life. Biting her tongue, she plastered a bright smile on her face and clasped her hands together in her lap.

"A brilliant idea, dearest brother. I think Mercy will be elated to her of your decision!" She exclaimed brightly, tilting her head towards him. Cassius grinned back at her and continued to talk about the business deal his father had made with Ciel. January took this as her cue to zone out, and proceeded to stare out of the window for the duration of the journey home.

An hour or so later…

They arrived at their manor, and Alexander walked hastily through the front doors and disappeared into his study. Cassius followed after him, lazily strolling up the stairs, leaving January alone with Sebastian at the front doors.

"Terribly sorry, their manners are only decent when it suits them." January apologised to Sebastian, the embarrassment of her family's rudeness making her face burn red. Sebastian noticed, and smirked lightly.

"It's no worry, my lady. Please don't apologise. I'd prefer to be in your presence anyways." He smiled at her, and she guided him through the manor, eventually reaching the large sitting room at the back of the manor that faced the gardens. She knocked on the door gently, before opening it to reveal her mother, Violet, sitting comfortably in a large chair at the centre of the room. Her sister, Aurora, was sitting on the floor close by; a doll in each hand and a small tea set in front of her. Violet looked up from her book, and offered January a warm smile as she entered the room.

"Hello, mother. I've returned. This is Sebastian, he is the head butler at the Phantomhive manor." Violet rose from her seat, and began walking over to the pair at the doors; her elegant skirts swishing gracefully along the hardwood floors. Just as she approached. Sebastian offered her a low bow and kissed the back of her hand like a true gentleman.

"Greetings, my lady. I am Sebastian Michaelis, head butler of the Phantomhive household. I have accompanied your daughter here to help her pack some of her things." Violet looked at January, a confused look crossing her pretty features.

"Your things? Where are you going?" January knew she would worry, and wished Lizzie had arranged this formally. She smiled meekly, waiting for the tears to start flowing from her dear mother's eyes.

"Elizabeth has requested that I stay with her, since she is expecting a baby in a few months," January could see her mother's eyes light up at the news of a baby on the way. "She doesn't really have any female company at the manor apart from the maid. She said she'd appreciate my company." Violet nodded in understanding, and Aurora rushed over with her dolls upon noticing the two at the doors. She held up one of her dolls to Sebastian, and the other up to January.

"Hello! Would you like to play dollies with me?" She asked happily, a bright grin across her face. January grinned, lowering to Aurora's height.

"We can't play dollies right now, Angel. I have to pack some of my things. I'll be going away for a while." Aurora's big eyes filled with tears, and she quickly discarded her dolls, throwing them on the floor behind her and threw herself into January's arms. She let out a small sob, rubbing her face against January's shoulder.

"W-where are you g-going?" She said, although it was muffled by January's shoulder. January felt a pang of guilt in her heart, and her stomach dropped with sadness.

"I'll be going away for a few months. Our dear cousin Elizabeth needs a friend to help her. She's having a little baby!" January gently prodded Aurora in the stomach, and she giggled. January lifted her as she stood upright.

"And anyway, Mr. Michaelis will take good care of me whilst I'm gone, okay?" January said gently, gesturing towards Sebastian. He offered Aurora a kind smile, and bent down to pick up her dolls. He leaned forward slightly, offering them to her.

"Hello, little lady. I'm Sebastian. I'll make sure your sister is safe during her stay with us. I believe you dropped these." She cautiously took the dolls from him, a small smile on her angelic face.

"Thank you, mister Sebastian." She said shyly, nestling her head into January's chest. January walked with Aurora in her arms and Sebastian at her side and led them to her room, where she started picking clothes from her wardrobe to bring. Sebastian gazed around the room; it was much different to what he had imagined her room to be like. It was a relatively large room with a high ceiling, and the walls were mostly cream with one wall being decorated with floral wallpaper, adorned with flowers in pastel colours. There were white, flowing curtains at the window and the bed was made of an intricately carved wooden frame, with a large mattress and a plethora of fluffy comforters.

She must like lots of blankets, I'll see to it that she has more put in her room back at the manor. Sebastian thought, enjoying a view into January's private quarters. Once she had placed all of her chosen clothes onto her bed, she requested Sebastian's help as she packed them. He gladly obliged, joining her on the floor and began folding her dresses.

"I'll be so glad to leave the place for a while," January started, glancing at Sebastian to judge his reaction. Curiosity seemed to flash in those crimson eyes, and she continued. "My brother...is not a nice man." She placed another dress into one of her cases, and clicked it shut. Sebastian finished packing her other bags with her, silently agreeing with what she had said. He was far from a nice man, and he had seen with his own eyes that this was true.

"Thank you so much, Sebastian. You're a truly sufficient butler. I look forward to spending the next few months with you." A smirk danced lightly on her lips, and he was almost shocked at how sultry her voice sounded when she spoke to him. He smirked back at her, helping her up from the floor.

"I must say the same, my lady. Now, let's get these in the carriage and make our way back to the manor, shall we?" He bowed at her and she offered him another smirk, brushing past him as she headed downstairs. My, I am very much looking forward to the next few months...Sebastian thought to himself, following after her.

Within 10 minutes, January had said her goodbyes and was waiting for Sebastian to pull up the carriage and take her back to the manor. She heard a door open behind her, and was aware of another presence. Suddenly, someone was breathing in her ear and a hand was placed tightly at her hip.

"Thank God Elizabeth wants to keeps you around for a while." Cassius whispered cruelly into her ear, his fingers digging into her hip painfully. "Good riddance." He stepped away from her, and disappeared back into the huge manor. Her eyes followed him as he sauntered away. Soon enough Sebastian had returned with the carriage, driver and all.

"I hope you don't mind my lady, but I will be joining you in the carriage today." He opened the door, allowing her to step in and then following her lead. He took a seat opposite her, taking in her form. Today, she wore her hair down in loose curls, and her dress was seemingly more low cut today. The light blue of her dress complimented her dark brown hair and fair skin. She moved slowly, patting the spot next to her.

"Won't you sit over here, Sebastian?" She had that smirk on her face again, and he gladly got up to be seated beside her. She leaned into him, and he didn't resist her. They turned to face each other, and slowly their lips met. It was quick but deep, and January's face turned red as she stared into his deep ruby eyes. He smirked at her, brushing a piece of hair out of her face.

"What was that, miss?" She smirked at him, biting her lip.

"I seemed to have fallen under some sort of spell of yours, Mr Michaelis. You're simply entrancing to me…" He leaned down and cut her off, pressing his lips to hers once again. Pulling away after a short time, she leans in to whisper into his ear:

"Please tell me that you'll meet me privately tonight?" She asked longingly, her voice sultry and low. He smirked, turning to look her in the eye.

"If that is what you wish, my lady." The carriage journey only lasted a few more minutes, and soon enough they were back at the Phantomhive manor. Sebastian and January got out, and she headed towards the manor as he grabbed her luggage.

Finally, you've succumb to my charms, my little lamb. Sebastian thought as he started carrying the luggage inside. If a late night rendezvous is what the lady wants, that is what she'll get.