Chapter Seven ~ The Cunninghams

"Loveday! Robin!" Coeur de Noir bellowed, gesturing for his children to come over. I saw Robin and Loveday both glance at each other.

"This should be interesting." Loveday muttered. She lead the way first, a little bit a head of Robin and me. As we made our way over, I glanced up at Robin. He looked surprisingly nervous. I quickly reached out to grab his hand in mine and squeezed it reassuringly. He turned to me and gave me a smile in return, not letting go of my hand. I didn't mind.

We reached the group and stopped.

"Well, if it isn't my niece and nephew." The older gentlemen, who must have been Robin's and Loveday's Uncle George, beamed. "How are you both?"

"Fine." Robin replied flatly.

"Very well, Uncle." Loveday said, trying to be polite. Their Uncle merely nodded at this and said;

"I thought you kicked your daughter out, William?" Turning to Mr De Noir, who's face was unreadable. I widen my eyes at the man's arrogance. A glance at Loveday confirmed the comment had annoyed her. Her small smile faded and her face was firm.

"Yes, well… that was just a misunderstanding." I could tell he was reluctant to tell his children's Uncle anything about recent events. This seemed to ease Loveday's hard features.

"Ahh…" Robin's Uncle nodded. "It's good to see you both again." He kissed Loveday on both cheeks and shook Robin's free hand, both of whom were reluctant.

"Did you have a pleasant journey?" Loveday asked, a false smile plastered upon her beautiful face again.

"So so." The younger man replied this time. This must have been Cousin Henry. He glanced up at the castle again. "Though I wasn't aware that I would be staying in such a… umm… different accommodation." I felt Robin's hand tense in mine. I had to squeeze it again to stop him from saying anything.

"I'm surprised you don't remember it, Henry." Mr De Noir began. "Do you not remember the times you came here when you were younger? You used to love visiting the castle." He chucked slightly at the memorises, though I could tell it was forced. He was trying to lighten this tense and slightly awkward mood.

"Oh yes." Henry nodded. "That was when Robin and I used to be the best of friends." I glanced up at Robin. He hadn't told me that. Was I surprised? "Now look at us," A large grin, almost a smirk, appeared on Henry's slim face. His features seemed to stand out to me the most about this man. They were all slight and pointy, especially his nose. It seemed to curve at the tip. He was the sort of man most girls would find unbelievable attractive, I could tell. Though I couldn't really see it myself. I would admit he was handsome, though in a way that didn't appeal to me. "We rarely speak." Henry's voice brought me back from examining his face.

"That may be due to the fact you are off gallivanting around the world." Robin replied in the same flat and emotionless tone he used before.

"Maybe." Henry muttered, his eyes narrowing slightly as they stared into Robin. After a few seconds they focused again and then flickered to me. He was curious as to who I was and why I was here. His eyes bore into me and made no attempt to hide it. Strangely I found myself staring back. I wasn't going to be the first to look away, I vowed to myself. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Robin turned to my direction, watching me. Finally Henry looked away at the sound of his father's voice.

"William, you didn't inform me my nephew was courting." He spoke. He too was watching me, apprehending why I was here. So far the De Noir's relatives weren't living up to my expectation of them. Their curious stares made me feel uncomfortable.

"I'm not." Robin's voice said. I glanced up at him as he looked away. His words pained me slightly and I felt suddenly sick.

"This is Maria Merryweather." Mr De Noir introduced. His brother-in-law looked to him, eyes wide.

"As in, The Merryweathers?" He asked astonished. He was no stranger to our ancestor's story.

"The very same." It was Loveday that replied. "She is the niece of my husband." Her eyes stared defiantly into her uncle, waiting for a reaction to what she had just told him.

"Oh." Was all he could say. Finally he held out a hand towards me. "I'm George Cunningham, pleasure to meet you Miss Merryweather." Though his greeting sounded strained, I took his hand and shook.

"You too, Mr Cunningham."

"And this is my son, Henry." He nodded to where his son stood next to him. I held out my hand for Henry to shake aswell, though to my surprise instead of shaking it he took it in his and placed a kiss on my knuckles. Robin's hand was practically breaking my own, so when Henry let go of mine, I pulled myself out of Robin's firm hold to cradle it. This action alone seemed to have caused a reaction with Robin as I heard a quiet gasp from his direction. I was about to say something to him when Mr Cunningham spoke again.

"Well, come on then William." He boomed. "Let's be getting inside. I dare say, winter's coming; it's getting colder."

"Maria and I must go." Loveday said quickly. "My husband will be expecting us home for dinner." She grabbed my hand and tugged me. "It was nice seeing you again, Uncle and Cousin."

"Perhaps we could meet this new husband of your's, Loveday?" Mr Cunningham suggested. Loveday was already expecting this so she nodded.

"Of course." She replied. "Drop by whenever. Robin and father can show you the way." The strained smile showed that she struggled to form the words as she spoke them. She clearly wanted nothing less than for her relatives to stay away from her during their stay.

"Certainly." Their uncle nodded. He grinned at her.

"I shall see you later, father." Loveday smiled, this time it wasn't forced upon her face. "You too, brother." Both of them bid her goodbye. I said my goodbyes, which were slightly quiet and shy, saving Robin till last. He gave me a small smile and told me he may see me tomorrow, raising up my hopes, and Loveday pulled me away. We headed out the gates and a quick glance over my shoulder saw the other's retreating back inside the castle. Then Loveday and I headed into the forest and began the long journey home.

"What a pair of arrogant so and so's!" Loveday muttered at dinner after she had informed Uncle and Mrs Heliotrope of the Cunningham's arrival. "You should have seen Uncle George's face when Father introduced Maria. The look of disgust all because of a last name!" She hadn't stopped ranting since we departed from the De Noir castle. She complained vigorously about her relatives and apologised over and over again for the fact I 'had to' greet them to. "Oh and don't get me started on when I mentioned I was married to you, Benjamin! He didn't even have the common decency to hide his reaction! The dirty pig!"

"Darling," Uncle began, finally been allowed to speak. "You're got to remember that it will come of a shock to some people when you tell them. I mean, I was horrified when you told me you were a De Noir." Judging by the look Loveday gave him, Uncle had not said the right thing. "Okay, forget what I said." He muttered quickly. "Carry on, dear." Loveday raised an eyebrow at him and took a sip out of her goblet.

"Will they be visiting?" Mrs Heliotrope asked nervously.

"I expect so." Loveday sighed. "The will be wishing to see my new husband, like I've said before."

"You could always set Wrolfe on them?" I suggested. They three adults chuckled at this.

"Don't tempt me, Maria dear." Loveday smiled.

(A/N) Okay, I will admit this hasn't been my best chapter. It's too short, shorter than the last surprisingly! So I hope you will forgive me for it!

Please review.

-jemlou-