The carriage comes to a slow stop in front of the Phantomhive manor, a massive building with breathtaking architecture. Sebastian steps lightly down from the driver's seat and opens the door to the carriage to find both his master and their guest asleep on their respective sides of the cab.
"My Lord," he says softly, rousing Ciel from his sleep. "We've arrived."
Ciel opens his eyes, taking a brief second to adjust to his surroundings, and glances over to the young woman, who has instinctively curled up against one corner of the cab and buried herself in Sebastian's coat. He looks at her for a moment, then sighs and exits the carriage.
"Find her a room and instruct Mey Rin to keep an eye on her. I'm retiring to my room with a headache, Sebastian." He says, walking briskly up the manor steps without once glancing backwards.
"Yes, my Lord." Sebastian bows at the waist and waits for Ciel to disappear through the entryway before stepping partially into the carriage and scooping the sleeping woman into his arms. He grimaces for a moment, but then affixes his usual, nonchalant expression to his face and turns to the manor.
"Come along, little dove," he whispers, looking down at her as he walks. "You're a long way from home."
"Oh, Mister Sebastian! Who is she? I do wonder, yes I do!" A tall redheaded young woman in a maid's uniform rushes out of the manor, tripping over her own feet and tumbling down the steps, sending her large eyeglasses flying. She's silent on the ground for a moment, raising no alarm from Sebastian, before springing up to look at his cargo. "Where did you find her?"
"London, in the snow." Sebastian replies, passing the woman and marching up the steps. "Mey Rin, would you please find her something to wear? And start a fire in the third guest bedroom. She's frightfully chilled."
"Yes, sir!" Mey Rin says, saluting Sebastian before scurrying up the stairs and into the building.
"Someone say fire?" A voice says from inside, causing Sebastian to grit his teeth and force on a smile.
"Yes, Bardroy, it was mentioned, but I've assigned that task to Mey Rin."
A blonde man comes into view, a pair of goggles hanging from his neck and a match gripped tight between his teeth. He's dressed in a chef's uniform and smells vaguely like gunpowder. Sebastian pushes past him into the manor and walks towards the grand staircase in the middle of the entrance hall.
Bardroy begins to protest, but catches sight of the woman in Sebastian's arms and stops.
"Whoa, who's that?" He asks, gawking a bit.
"Our houseguest." Sebastian says, the irritation seeping trough his facade. He somehow feels protective of the little woman, not wanting the cook's prying eyes to sully her. He begins to climb the staircase, taking each step carefully with a measured amount of grace.
Bardroy remains at the bottom of the stairs, scratching his head in confusion.
Finishing his ascent to the second floor of the manor, the butler finds the third door on the left slightly ajar, light pouring from the crack into the hallway. He uses his shoulder to push the door open and steps into the guest room, noting the appropriate temperature change from the fire Mey Rin has started, and finds a nightgown laid out on the bed.
Sebastian places the woman gently onto the bed, pulling a kerchief from his coat pocket, and notices that she curls up into a ball, her arms arranged like she's hugging herself. He sighs, tying the kerchief around his eyes, and proceeds to slip her into the nightgown.
When he's satisfied that she's properly dressed and covered, he removes his blindfold and replaces it in his pocket. Pulling back the covers, he gently tucks her into the bed and pulls the covers up to just under her chin.
He notices something then, and pulls the covers back just a few inches to look at her throat. There's a small gash across the base of her neck, still very fresh - not bloody, but red and swollen with irritation. Sebastian frowns.
"A matter for another night," he whispers, and covers her once more. The candles are blown out and he slips out of the room, shaking his head to clear his mind of several improper thoughts.