"It seems," Lizzie said, setting down her fork, "That I should have been looking a bit closer to home." Ceil looked at her, rubbing his temple.
"We're getting nowhere with your incessant chatter," he grumbled, "I didn't even get to see you kill that man."
"Oh don't get your panties all in a twist," Lizzie said, rolling her eyes, "I don't much like your tone," Ceil said, setting his teacup down and glaring at her. She sipped her tea lightly, smirking.
"I don't much like you," she responded, setting down the empty teacup, "Sebastian? More tea, if you'd be so kind."
Ceil glared at the girl, wanting nothing more than to strangle her. They heard a tapping at the door, and Sebastian let in the girl that Lizzie hired yesterday, in an admittedly horrid modern maid uniform. Lizzie wrinkled her nose in visible disgust.
"I suppose this will work for now," she murmured, "I'm sure some of my mother's clothes will fit you well enough." She snapped her fingers, turning to Sebastian, " Show Jo to my mother's room, she may wear whatever she fancies." She returned to her work as Sebastian escorted her out of the room. Lizzie stood, Facing Ceil once more.
"Get dressed. I need to get some air," she said stiffly, Walking off to check on Sebastian and Jo. She walked in to see Sebastian assisting Jo into one of her mother's more classical dresses. Lizzie nodded in approval, walking over to her mother's vanity.
"Do you like this room, Jo?" she asked, gently touching each item on the vanity, her fingers lingering for a moment on each thing. Jo looked uncomfortable.
"Well, yeas Miss, I right think I do, it's lovely," she responded. Lizzie looked at Jo through the mirror, their eyes meeting.
"You may call me Miss Lizzie if you'd like," she said, turning to face her directly, "I like the idea of us being familiar with each other. Why don't you have this room? I think it suits you," she said quietly, a slight hint of longing in her voice. Jo, still puzzled by the girl's behavior, only nodded and pulled on the boots that Sebastian had pulled out for her. She could see where Lizzie got her fashion sense from, it seems her mother was attracted to Victorian clothes herself. Lizzie looked at Sebastian, jerking her head towards the door. Sebastian bowed.
"I think I am needed elsewhere, " he said, bowing and exiting. Lizzie looked at Jo closely.
"You know, you look quite a bit like a lady. You could pass yourself for my mother if I so desired," she mumbled, looking out the window. Jo cocked her head to the side, curious.
"If you don't mind, Miz Liz, were you an your mum close?" she asked timidly. Lizzie picked at a stray thread.
"You know, I was quite fond of her," she said quietly, "she taught me much of what I know." Jo was taken aback. Lizzie had been very cold and unkind when she hired her, and this side of her was something she had not expected to see. Very quickly though, her posture changed as she sat snapped upright, all weariness and weakness gone from her form. She stood, facing the young woman.
"Right then. Get yourself ready, I'd enjoy a walk to clear my head," she responded, exiting the room. Sebastian walked behind her, casting a long shadow over her.
"The young miss seems fond of the lady," he said, a devilish smirk in his voice and playing across his lips. She turned to face him, her face cold and impassive.
"I am fond of her because she is not you and she is not your master," she scoffed. Sebastian smiled again, resting a light hand on her shoulder, causing her to jerk away quickly.
"Prepare Ceil for a walk, I want some air," she said, stepping away down the hall, "Tell Jo to come here at once." He smirked and backed away, carefully cataloging her violent reaction. Well, as violent a reaction as he could draw from her. He tapped on the door to Jo's room, inviting himself in.
"It seems the young miss desires your presence immediately," he said kindly. She looked at him, her face blushing as their eyes met.
"Right, of course," she replied, "Might I venture to ask a question?" He nodded.
"I am at your service, Jo," he replied, smiling.
"Has the Miss…always been like this?" she asked, looking at him carefully, "I mean only has she always been so very…hot and cold?"
"I'm afraid that the Miss's experience when she was kidnapped has left her scarred in more ways than one," he said, offering his arm to the girl, "She seems to have taken to you quite nicely. Better than she has taken to me, leastwise." She accepted his arm and allowed her to lead her out of the room. Ceil was standing next to Lizzie in the front room, waiting for them.
"About time, you useless lump," Ceil growled. Lizzie, on the other hand, turned away and exited, ignoring him and the other two. They looked like an odd bunch, strolling down the street without what seemed a care in the world. That is, until a handsome young man approached them. He was dressed in modern clothes, his black shirt near as baggy as his jeans.
"Lizzie! Gods, I thought you were dead!" he yelled, trotting towards her.
"If only such a thing were true," she replied, looking past him and continuing her stroll. He came up beside her, "You're pushing me away like I am poison!"
"You are poison," she replied, "And I shall cast you out as such."
"And you are not poison?" he said, grasping her hand and her parasol. Ceil grinned and chuckled from beside her.
"I like this one," he said, chuckling, "He's near as cruel as you, I'd warrant." She turned to Ceil.
"Dear cousin I would be much obliged if you would kindly zip your screaming howler," she snapped, turning back to the boy, "And you, you impetuous creature! I've told you Henry, and I am in no mood to tell you again. I have no desire for you. Now leave."
"You are a BITCH!" he shouted in her face, "A BITCH in all terms and meanings! You are a could, heartless woman!"
" You presume much about me," she responded.
"I presume you cold because all that I have seen of you is cold!" He responded, yanking the parasol out of her hands and throwing it to the ground, "You and your obsession with being exactly like your mother! These parasols, these dresses, they're all lies!"
"Have you ever stopped to think why I have done this? I was trying to protect you," she said coldly, "But you don't want to be protected. Sebastian, this is an order: Remove him."
"And how shall I remove him Miss?" Sebastian asked, stepping forward.
"Forcibly."
Sebastian grabbed the boy by the scruff of his neck, lifting him with ease and throwing him into the alleyway to their left. He stood over they boy, a menacing smile on his face.
"The young miss does not want your attentions," he said, his voice filled with malicious content. He reached down to pick up the boy again, but was stopped by Lizzie's voice.
"I said remove him. Not hurt him."
Sebastian turned, returning to his place next to Jo. Lizzie gave Jacob a cold look.
"You'll do well to remember what has happened here. Next time, he will not be so gentle."