6.
"What were you doing in there?" He asked. His voice not angry or upset as he stood up and carefully put his book aside.
"I... I'm so sorry. I was out in the hall and I was looking... I'm so sorry." She said feeling her face burn. Surely the families hospitality would now come to an end. Arthur would say politely that she could go home now and please do not come back.
She was surprised instead to see he was smiling at her. A faint, humorous smile. Like she had amused him.
"Yes, I forget how big this place it." He said. "It's hard to not explore. This closet has two ways in. One in here, and door in the hall. So the servants can restock it without intruding into the chambers." He explained opening the door again.
"I'm so sorry." She whispered again.
"Don't be." He said gently. "It's alright."
She looked awkwardly at him. Very aware she was in nothing but a night gown.
"Phillipa took my clothes with her last night." She explained to a question he didn't ask.
"I see." He said. "Well, lets find you something to put on till she brings them back." He said kindly as he went into the massive closet.
"I thought..." She said following him back in. "You use this for your clothes to?" She asked looking over the more modern wardrobe she had missed before.
"Of course. This is my closet." He said with a chuckle. He pulled down a handsome ruby red robe with a crest on it. "I think this will do for now." He said handing it over to her. It was thick and heavy. It's fabric a soft velvet that tickled her fingers.
"Thank you." She breathed pulling it on. It's arms were too long for her. He smiled as he stooped to expertly roll them up.
"That's better." He said standing back and appraising her.
"I didn't mean to be poking about in your closet." She said lamely. The heavy robe feeling good on her body. It still held traces of the cologne and aftershave Arthur wore.
"It's alright." He said.
"It's just, I thought it was used for storage. There was so many old clothes in here. I didn't think it was used... by anyone." She explained as if that excused her behavior.
"It's alright." He said again. His voice kinder then she had ever heard it before. He looked like he wanted to say something then but held back. He looked slightly uncomfortable.
"Um, we keep a lot of the family's old clothing in here." He said walking though the maze of the closet.
"I saw the civil war uniform." She said pointing to the blue Union coat.
"Yes." Arthur said with a chuckle.
"Can't believe that's here and not in some museum." She added as he carelessly pulled the blue coat out and looked over it grimly.
Arthur shook his head and shoved the uniform back in with the other suits from a long forgotten past. He searched up on the top shelf and his eyes fell on a hat box.
"Andrew Blunt, was a member of the U.S. Calvary." He explained taking down an aged, blue Calvary hat that went with the uniform.
"Oh." Ariadne laughed as he placed it carefully on her head.
It's wide brim sinking over her head and covering her eyes. It felt heavy from age and the importance of the man who wore it. A man long dead and buried by now.
Arthur was smiling.
"Looks good on you." He said. "I think the scabbard is up her on the top shelf. Had to put it up there to keep little hands from hurting themselves."
"I don't want to damage this." She said shyly as she started to take the hat off. Her hands afraid to even touch the priceless heirloom.
"It's alright." Arthur said taking it from her.
She was suddenly seized with the playful idea to put the hat on him. He was so much more friendly then he was yesterday. He was looking at her, expectantly, as she guided the hat on his head. Where it had slid over her own head and ears, it sat perfectly on Arthur. The young man looking important and military as the hat seemed made for him.
"It fits you." She whispered as Arthur's face seemed to cloud over. He looked uncomfortable.
"Arthur!" Came a muffled voice from his bedroom. The two of them turned away from their dress up.
Grace had come charging into his room without knocking.
"In here, Grace." Arthur called. His voice back to being dark and annoyed.
"Oh, my Dear!" Grace said. "Were all so worried. Ariadne had vanished from her room!" Grace said hurriedly coming into the closet. Her blue eyes missing Ariadne completely.
"It's alright, Grace." Arthur said lazily looking at Ariadne. Finally, Grace noticed the small woman drowning in Arthur's elegant robe.
"Oh my, we were so worried when you weren't in your room." She said as her hand went to her heart. She looked at Arthur admiringly. A knowing light in her eyes. "What have you children been up to?" She asked looking over the pair of them.
Ariadne, dressed oddly in a man's robe and Arthur in Civil War Calvary hat.
"I'll thank you to keep you suspicions to yourself." Arthur almost barked at her. His face grumpy again as he carelessly pulled off the hat and smoothed out his hair.
"An old lady is entitled to her suspicions young man." Grace said teasingly.
"Ariadne." She said refocusing on their guest. "Phillipa has brought you some clothes to wear. After your dressed and we've breakfasted, I thought I could show you around the castle. It's been so long since you were here last."
"Thank you. But I really need to be going." Ariadne said feeling awkward in Arthur's closet in her state of near undress.
"Nonsense." Grace said. "It's not everyday we have company and I intend to enjoy it."
"Grace." Arthur said sternly.
"Now, I won't be argued with. I want this young lady to stay the morning with me and keep me company. End of discussion." Grace said making her exit.
Ariadne glanced up at him as Grace left them alone again. His looked annoyed by the old lady.
"I'm sorry." She whispered again and he shook his head.
"It sounds like the old lady has plans for you today." He said. "Best not argue. She's always gotten her way. Ever since she was little. Her father spoiled her."
"Sounds like everyone spoils her." Ariadne said with a smile as Arthur guided them out of the massive closet and back to his large suite of rooms.
"Yes. It's always been like this where Grace has been concerned." Arthur said sadly.
"How old is she? If you don't mind me asking."
"Well I don't mind. She was born in 1920. Her mother was a socialite who passed away when she was still young. Her father raised her on his own and never remarried. He left Blackwood castle after his wife died and took her all over the world with him. Raised her more like a companion then a child or young lady." Arthur explained. He sounded annoyed with Grace's father. A man who was likely long dead before he was even born.
"Sounds like a interesting childhood." Ariadne said.
"Yes, you can never accuse Grace Eames of being dull." Arthur grumbled.
"She says she's coming back to the castle to die." Ariadne said in a whisper.
Arthur nodded.
"I'm afraid so. It's the natural way of things, do be born, to grow old and to die. It's how things are supposed to be." He said humorously.