Fright Night (1985)
Twist of Fate
Chapter Four
by
~GaGa4FrightNight~
~Vendhela~
Five Years Prior cont.
The time that followed after the evening of the Lord's confession of love for her, Thea was caught up in her thoughts. She was unusually quiet, typically a boisterous personality but now was noticeably distracted. Usually almost as focused on the household as her sister, she now seemed slacked in her duties throughout the manor. And her odd behavior was always heightened the moment she was near the lord of the house. Then there came a point she desperately worked around being near him.
Of course Tayte was quick to begin questioning Thea's odd behavior which became a constant awkward situation, especially for Thea. She never lied to her sister, never had they kept secrets from one another and so it became another struggle inside her. She always had a conscience, typically she never had a reason to feel that conscience but now it was prominent because of Jerry and her inability to keep her incident from her sister. Each time Tayte would corner her and begin spewing question after question, she would tighten up emotionally and give any excuse imaginable to stray her sister from the truth behind her odd behavior which again plagued her conscience.
Time passed, moved into months and neared six months sinceThea's incident with the lord of the grand estate. She gradually managed to begin to emerge back into her typical happy self. Again she smiled and laughed while enjoying the company of her fellow household staff. She pushed passed the incident, somewhat set aside because she was never again approached by the Lord. Yet, in the furthest depths of her thoughts he was there.
There were some disheartening thoughts, he confessed he loved her but again returned to his silent and distant demeanor. Also, she noticed his focus solely became the business of maintaining the household fortune, coming and going on a regular basis. She assumed since she hadn't caved to his so called love that he went on with his life but she was thankful that he hadn't again moved onto that path of self destruction. Yet, that one evening stayed in her thoughts and when she was alone without any needed distractions, her mind picked over the details of that even from the moment he confessed his love and each and every one of those kisses. She again rose from her thoughts by the following day and continued on with her simple life as one of many household staff.
In the summer Regine departed from the estate to join her husband Kristof in Hungary where he had been doing his part within the long running Ottoman Wars. Regine had been separated from her husband for nearly five years when she was sent to take refuge in the family's English estate. Now the lord's sister left by carriage from the sprawling estate and when she would return, it wasn't known. Jerry was now without family but as lord it was his responsibility to maintain and control the family assets and investments, instruct the estate's upkeep, and every other burden of responsibility being the singular lord. Yet, there was another burden he carried which concerned the risk he had taken the moment he confessed the depth of his emotions for Thea. Had he regretted that confession? Not entirely but it was quite blow when, after months, she hadn't returned to him as he had hoped. He saw the troubling results of his confession, the focus of his affections avoided him in every way possible. What was worse, the loss of love through death or love lost before it could come full circle?
And, so, it seemed the world of the Dandridge estate continued as always.
With the lady of the house gone, the manor seemed to fall into deeper silence. Yet the evenings were still filled with joyous laughter and gossip when the staff gathered in their designated servant's quarters. One evening in particular became louder with celebration for the twins celebrated their twenty-sixth birthday.
After the ritual dinner all celebrated with sweets and ale. The more the ale was consumed the louder the ruckus from celebration grew. The members of the staff were a makeshift family of sorts, kept to their part of the manor when they weren't doing as hired. They celebrated while inside that massive manor their lord was alone which became Thea's thoughts.
Typical of Thea to have her thoughts on someone else and their possible sadness or loneliness. She sat near a corner with her eyes vaguely watching the celebration, her sister livelier than ever having consumed more ale than normal. She held her first cup tucked between her hands barely touched. Her thoughts had recently turned more often to the lord, the day Regine departed she grew concerned about him being without family. She always had Tayte and their extended family but in that moment Lord Dandridge had no one.
She set the goblet aside then rose up off the little stool. Tayte was too consumed with cheer which gave her an opening to slip out without being seen. She left the servant dining room and entered the servant's corridor. There was again a conflict brewing inside her which seemed to grow and dwell the passed months. There was a difficulty understanding why she had grown concerned about him. Perhaps was her true nature to be concerned for others? Yet, could she quite possibly be thinking about him for other reasons, reasons that seemed to always linger in her thoughts?
She paused before entering the kitchen. Several months had passed since that night and there was no way she could possibly be concerned about him other than the fact he was alone. Obviously, she thought, he had changed his mind for his distance and silence had again started immediately afterwards.
Her eyes lifted from those thoughts and she stepped into the kitchen, the celebratory sounds continued behind her with no sign of hindrance.
Through the manor she strolled, the servant's section far behind her and the celebration no longer audible. She mainly strolled about the silent corridors and rooms with her mind trailing through thought after thought. Typically none of the servants ventured about the manor after the day was done but there were no special guests being housed so she assumed there would be no problem for her to enjoy the evening silence the manor offered.
The hours passed as she continued moving about the maze of the manor but a maze that was easily solved having been employed there for so many years. Nothing was of any true interest, she had seen everything thousands of times. She kept her head lowered and eyes focused on the floors she walked. Many different types of flooring from marbles to hardwoods. There were moments of color seen spread over Persian runners and area rugs but nothing of true interest. Throughout her years there she had read all the books of any interest to her, not once did she dare delve in books with topics such as history or any other nonfiction.
When she finally lifted her eyes they peered down the length of a particular corridor. She took a deep breath and released a drawn out sigh. She hadn't been down that corridor since that particular evening. Her eyes again looked down to the floor and she again sighed then turned but her eyes flinched wider the moment she discovered a pair of masculine boots directly in front of her. She took a step back but did not raise her eyes for there was no need because it was apparent who wore those boots.
"Excuse me, My Lord." she forced herself to speak then took a step to the side followed a forward step to attempt an escape from the uncomfortable situation. She brushed passed him but her attempt to escape was ceased the moment his hand grabbed her forearm. She froze, kept her head and eyes down.
"Why are you in this part of the manor?" Jerry asked, curious to why, after several months, he suddenly found her near his room.
"I apologize, My Lord." she quickly said, "I had not paid no mind to my whereabouts walking. My Lord, I am sorry." Her eyes shifted and looked to his right hand that continued to hold her arm, the Dandridge family crest rested on the ring finger.
"That is the only reason you are here?" he asked, suspicious because of how would she not know where she was walking having lived there for many years."
"Aye, My Lord." she answered, wished he would release her arm so she could again run away.
"Are you sure?" he asked, not convinced.
She nodded, yet was she sure?
"Might I have a word with you?" he asked, for all that time he wondered what had happened, why she hadn't returned to him? He had thought within perhaps a weeks time she would have returned but the weeks turned to months.
She looked away from his hand. "What word might that be, My Lord?" she asked but knew very well what word he wished to discuss, love.
"Please," he calmly requested, "Just a moment of your time is all I ask, nothing more."
Her eyes closed, would it be wise to grant him a moment?
"But beg, I will not." he firmly stated and released her arm, hated her reluctance. He hated that his confession of love seemingly fell on deaf ears. There was a sense of betraying himself the moment he made such a difficult decision to speak the nature of his feelings towards her.
"Aye, My Lord," she finally spoke and agreed to hear him, "Have your word."
"Not here," he shook his head, "Not standing in the middle of a corridor."
She preferred a corridor not a closed in a room with one door as an exit. "My Lord, why not?" she asked then elaborated, "Not a single other is about, we are alone."
"Fine," he reluctantly agreed and shifted on his boots and faced her, "Why had you not come back to me and let your decision be known, hmm?" He wanted to know her reasons so he could move on and stop pondering all the possible excuses. "And say it in truth not lies." he urged her with a slight lift in his tone.
She hated being confronted then tried to conceive the correct answer to his question. "My Lord," she slightly whined, "The truth, My Lord, is..." her mind refused to function with the proper answer, "Well, My Lord, I simply know that, um, well," she stammered as her eyes raised and saw the impatience riddled about the tense furrow of his brow, "Simply said, My Lord, you frightened me with your confession of so called love." Her eyes frowned, why should she explain herself when he never again came to her.
She shifted on her slippers and faced him. "Why is it you had not come to me, huh?" she quickly asked, refused to have all the blame aimed at her, "If it was love then why is it you never sought me out, hmm?"
His eyes frowned with confusion in response to her questions. "You dare blame me?" he asked with surprise, "You," he pointed at her, "You requested time and thought in which I agreed. To not disturb your so called time and thought is why I had not again approached you."
She pressed her lips together, after several months he was again right.
"Out with it!" he snapped back at her, "Give me your truths now!"
"Shut up!" she shouted back at him in a quick burst.
Firstly his eyes went wide in response to her blatant demand then they narrowed. He glared at her as she glared up at him. "Oh I refuse any more of this!" he loudly grumbled, "Over and done with right now, all of this!" he tightly crossed his arms over his vest and ruffled shirt, "Deceived I was into thinking you were sweet and kind and thought of others instead of yourself! An angel you are not!"
"Fine!" she snipped at him then pointed at him, "The devil, that is what you are, My Lord!"
His lips tightened in frustration.
"Aye, a devilish ass, that is what you be!" she spouted again then laughed.
"You laugh at me." he grumbled with a slight snarl about his lips.
"Aye!" she said then again mockingly laughed at him.
The natural crook about his lips curved into a grin.
Her eyes frowned then she asked, "And why the devil's grin?"
He had her figured out. Her little spat of insults were meant to sidetrack him away from the truth. After all this time, six months of time, and right before him she was and refused to give any answers to his questions. Well, she refused to give a direct and truthful answer. She was defensive because obviously she refused to admit that perhaps somewhere inside her, inside that undoubted sweetness of her nature she just might have the feelings he wanted returned.
She continued to frown then asked, "Why is it you look at me as you do?"
"Because I have all the answers that are needed." he confidently stated, "Now I know why you found your way here near my door."
Her frown became that of a confused one then she inquired, "Why?"
His grin broadened.
"Well, why?" she again asked, not sure what to think about the expression that enveloped his very expressive eyes.
"Six months," he finally spoke, "Though it took six months, you returned."
Her confusion heighten or was it her way to deny what he was truly saying? "Huh?" she mumbled.
"Though sixth long months have passed," he spoke with his tone softened, "The nature of my feelings have not changed but yours have."
"What?" she asked, continued to confuse herself.
"You, Thea," he spoke with his grin softened into a gentle smile, "Yes, Thea, my feelings have not lessened but yours have strengthened."
She quickly shook her head in denial.
"If I am mistaken," he uncrossed his arms, "Please correct me, I implore you."
She continued to shake her head yet no words would form.
"Fine," he again spoke for she obviously was unable, "Your silence confirms the truth."
Her lips parted but the words she needed to speak wouldn't spill out.
"And so," he took a step forward, "Let actions speak louder." He took the initiative.
Before she could step away or even protest, his hands snatched her sides of her face and after those long and seemingly hopeless months, he again satisfied his need and desire for her lips. His lips firmly took hers and pleasantly she responded differently than that first kiss months prior. He had his confirmation, though it wasn't verbally made, but her physical response to his kiss gave that much desired confirmation.
After months had passed and much of those months Thea returned in though to those few kisses. There was no startled whine or wide eyes in reaction to the moment his lips were again against hers. Had there been an anticipation of another kiss built by the memories of those past kisses? Had her secret thoughtful moments prepared her for if another kiss occurred? Or had she simply wanted it to happen again? No matter the reasons, she relented and eagerly her lips accepted his. And the longer that kiss continued her mind was consumed and solely focused on every detail, sensation, and excitement that intricately designed kiss.
He reluctantly pulled back from the kiss and eyes opened to the sight of her lovely face. His lips formed a soft smile. Her eyes were gently closed not wide eyed. Such a beautiful sight seeing her finally caught up in that sweet moment. Yes, his suspicion was confirmed correct. There was again hope that he again would receive the love he had so longed to have again. Yet, he knew there would be a difference in that love, a very pleasant difference he so wanted and needed.
Her eyes frowned, why had he stopped? Her eyes drifted open and looked directly into his. She immediately read a type of ease and contentment expressed with the depths of his large brown eyes. Was there a similar expression in her eyes?
His eyes shifted and studied her face once again after all those months of distance. She was remarkably beautiful and from within her radiated a whole other beauty that separated her from her identical twin.
"Your decision then?" he finally asked, his lips barely an inch from hers.
Her decision? What truly was her decision? Could she truly attempt a relationship with the man she was sworn to serve his household? Would she just be a servant serving a whole other purpose? Or could it become more than just a mere affair, was it more already? She had her time and thought which he granted and perhaps it was finally time to make a final decision towards the fate of many aspects of her life. The disapproval of her sister. The disapproval of the other staff. Perhaps the disapproval of his sister. But there was obviously his approval which seemed to be of greater importance and that was untypical of her. Did she approve?
"I cannot allow any more time and thought." he confessed, tired of uncertainty then implored, "Your decision, if you please."
She lightly rubbed her lips together, knew he was right, a choice must be made. "Aye," she softly spoke with a slight nod then watched his eyes brighten.
Such a simple answer but perfect nonetheless. He could only respond by again kissing her. There was nothing more to be said, her simple answer relieved him of so much uncertainty. Yet, there was so much more to be expressed beyond words. His mind was freed as were his pent up emotions. No more concern that his confession was done in vain. His desires and needs were given the moment she gave her simplistic answer. Yet, new desires and needs emerged almost instantly. He now desired and needed to see to her desires and needs met.
His arms embraced her, held her firm against him. His lips shifted and pressed a firm and thankful kiss against her flushed and heated cheek. He caressed the side of his face against her and whispered, "Thank you." Now, he truly wanted to thank her for finally giving him the answer he had craved for so long.
She softly smiled yet there was concerns inside her. What would be the consequences of what was beginning between them? Would there eventually become a moment of regret from either of them? Would they have to keep each other as a secret? Could there come a time where they would not need secrets? How was Tayte going to react if it became known that her sister had become improperly involved with their lord?
She tightly closed her eyes, desperate to push back those concerns. She had a right to have another love her besides her sister. She deserved to have a man love her even if he was supposedly unattainable. Yet, he was, she determined, because right then she stood embraced in his arms. No, she thought, there was nothing wrong being loved by him. As he before said, he was but a man and she was but a woman and it was only natural for attraction and love.
And in that moment, that very significant moment was where it had truly begun. But as in any courtship, though secretly, there were rules to abide by, ethics and morals. Thea held herself proudly as an ethical woman and by no means would she allow Jerry in her bed nor would she be in his. Though it was already scandalous, she refused to allow it to brew into that typical scandal where a Lord took a mistress. Yet, there were moments that followed that nearly broke that ethical approach to their secret courtship but she would compose herself and deny him. Quite difficult she found denying a man such as him, a man of great charms and nearly overwhelming handsome features.
Tayte entered the room where the recent strange guest was placed. She carried a tray with a bowl of soup and setting for fresh tea. She took a step backwards and closed the door but froze the moment she spotted Aiden oddly studying the guest's clothing. She loudly cleared her throat with caused the doctor to startle and drop the item of clothing which landed on hot coals of the fireplace. She shook her head the moment she watched Aiden scramble to fetch the smolder trousers.
"Aye, I swear!" she grumbled then hurried to set the tray the foot of the large canopy bed. She rushed to the fireplace and jerked the smoking trousers from Aiden's clumsy grasp. "How be it you became a physician, it is beyond me." she commented and quickly brought the damaged trousers to a porcelain basin filled with water. She grumbled dunking the trousers, "Aiden, you be the most awkward physician in history."
Aiden grimaced, took offense to Tayte's insults then defended in a way, "I be the only physician in these parts." his eyes frowned in regret to his odd statement, "Well, in the least, I am not unpleasant unlike someone else in this very room." He gave a sharp nod then turned his attention to the boy.
Tayte rolled her eyes in response to Aiden's so called retort. "How be our strange guest?" she asked, the trousers couldn't be saved from Aiden's curious clumsiness. She left the trousers soaking then turned to fetch the tray.
Aiden stood while thoughtfully pinching his chin between his thumb and finger. "Strange be right." he agreed then stated, "He mumbles much in his sleep." he took a step forward eyeing the young man, "A constant mentioning of several names he speaks but mostly be the Lord's name." He heard Tayte loudly grumble which drew his attention to her as she stepped passed him setting the tray on the bedside table.
Aiden's eyes curiously frowned. "How goes the situation with the Lord and your sister?" he asked, Tayte had told him in confidence concerning Thea and the lord of the manor, "Continues, does it?"
Tayte again grumbled then faced Aiden.
Aiden and the twins had known each other for much of their lives. When the twins were just little ones, their first household they worked was Aiden's family farm. Aiden was but a few years older than the twins but it was Aiden and Tayte who developed a kinship which lasted twenty years. Once he finished earning his doctorate Tayte encouraged him to come to Whitehill township where a physician was greatly needed which was unfortunately after the lord recovered and the affair between the lord and Thea began. Tayte sensed if Aiden had come sooner, that affair would never have started.
"That well, hmm." Aiden commented then returned his focus on the boy, "There be other oddities the boy speaks while asleep which are beyond peculiar."
Tayte glanced at the somewhat restless Charley. "And it be you, of course," she commented with a smirk, "To pick through sleeping ramblings and find curiosities where there are none."
Aiden again grimaced, Tayte always found ways to insult him which had been the nature of their friendship for two decades. "I shall return tomorrow," he stated, ignored her purposeful jabs, "Back at my flat there be many books I have acquired concerning various peculiar subjects." he sighed then fetched his wool overcoat and leather physician's bag, "I be back tomorrow and perhaps I will have discovered an explanation of what the lad speaks of."
Tayte again rolled her eyes. "Aye, you do that now." she sarcastically urged, "Discover your weird explanation of the boy's inflicted."
Aiden gave Tayte and slight glare. "Hush you," he quipped then grinned at her, "There be times I am confused why I bother with our so called friendship."
Tayte laughed then stepped up to Aiden. "Because, my odd friend," she sang, "If it were not for me, what friends might you have?"
Aiden somewhat wrinkled his nose and shook his head. "Good eve, vile woman." he said followed by a chuckle, "I shall show myself out."
"Aye, you shall." Tayte agreed with a nod then turned to keep watch over the boy, "And, please, do not get lost while showing yourself out, again."
"Ha, ha," Aiden again grimaced then made his way for the door, "Happen but once." He opened the door and heard Tayte bellow a loud laugh. He huffed then left the room to make his way through the maze of corridors.
Aiden moved steadily through the manor, so wanted to return to his single room loft in the village so he could go through his many texts. There a bit of excitement, for the boy midst sleep had mumbled certain subjects concerning something called a vampire. He remembered coming across certain myths and legends during his down times from studying for his doctorate; vampires were creatures mentioned throughout many legends and myths.
He neared the end of a corridor, seemingly lost again, and paused the moment he heard something quite curious. His eyes shifted his right and heard what he assumed was quite intriguing sounds of pleasure. His mind quickly traced to Tayte's confession concerning her sister. "Oh, my dear," he said under a breath, "Had not heard that." He continued forward to attempt to find his way to the front door of the manor.
Aiden's assumption was correct for beyond that door was the Lord Dandridge and Thea who again found their way to one another as they had for nearly every evening ever since Thea finally accepted Jerry's offering of his love.
(Author)
Hope y'all ain't confused. Just wanted to create a proper background so y'all can have the feel of what type of mortal man Jerry Dandridge was before the vampire's curse and how his relationship with Thea developed. Be patient, we shall get into more of Charley's involvement! It's all about giving life to these newest characters also! All in good time, all in good time! Vendhela and I continuously are bumping heads and coming up with more and more ideas as this story continues!
FRIGHT NIGHT FOREVA!