Sir Henry could not shake the feeling of doom. It surrounded him, cornering him in places he didn't want to go.

He remembered Miss - Mrs. Stapleton's face when they had reunited in the parlor. Her face had the strain and weariness no girl of 19 should have. He wished he could make her happy. She did not deserve to suffer like that.

He desired her even almost more than Jennie. But it was impossible. Everything had happened too late. Besides, she couldn't marry right now even had everything worked between them. She was in mourning for her late husband.

A soft knock sounded at the door and Henry jerked his head out of his hands. "Come in."

Berrymore entered, looking apologetic. "I'm sorry, sir." He brought Henry a silver tray with a single calling card on it.

He took the card. Ms. Lyons, it said on one side. On the other was written in graceful letters, Please, immediately. "Let her in." Henry sighed feeling much older than he was. Berrymore nodded and disappeared out the door.

Ms. Lyons entered, looking apprehensive. "I'm sorry. This probably isn't proper, with you getting married. But..." She sighed and gracefully sank into a chair. "Are you sure you want to do this, Sir Henry? It isn't something to be taken lightly."

"I know. I know."

"She's young. Has so much life ahead of her. Are you sure you want to take that from her?"

He didn't answer.

She sighed. "You know the curse."

He groaned. "Please. Don't remind me. I can feel it surrounding me, consuming me..."

"I am sorry. I will go." She stood. "But please, think about this." And she was gone.

He stared at the door after her for a long time. "The world has gone insane..." he whispered.

Soon he found himself wandering the hallways, blindly. The solitude calmed him. He had no idea what the time was. Nor did he care. He just needed to walk down these dark hallways. Alone.

It was so quiet he almost missed it. Following the sound, he crept closer and closer, until he rounded a corner and nearly gasped.

"Dorthea," he whispered, reaching out to her.

She shuddered and turned, her pain spilling out of her beautiful eyes and running down her cheeks. "Oh, Henry..." Suddenly she wrapped her arms around him, her head under his chin.

He pulled her closer, one hand on her back, fingers splayed out. The other woven into her beautiful, soft hair. "Dorthea..." he whispered again, marveling in her beauty, even as she was in pain. "What is it, my dear?"

Another shudder coursed through her and she looked up at him, their faces almost touching from the nearness. He glanced down at her lips for the briefest second before his eyes darted up again. Her eyes were closed, lips parted, and he leaned in closer.

I know, I know... What the heck am I doing?! Well... just keep reading to find out.

Please review! (Or go read the first section on my profile page and then come back lol)

-FlatFox