Chapter Nineteen
Seduction can be a deadly weapon, especially if the one behind it has it mastered. It can make the most dedicated man can forget that he is married, even if it's only for a moment. It can cause great harm to anyone man that it is thrust upon but can bring a smile to the woman who is talented in the art.
-from Ladies of Manhattan, February, 24th, 1902
Teddy impatiently paced back and forth in the poorly lit library. He had never been so nervous in his life and he didn't even know why. He glanced over at the old grandfather clock that sat in the corner across the room. Eight thirty. She should be here by now. He had been in the dusty room for nearly twenty minutes now with no sign of anyone walking through the door. To make sure he was in the right place, he shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out the note that he been delivered to him only a short while ago by Isaac Buck, a man he rarely came into contact with. When he handed it to him he said it was urgent and needed immediate attention. With that, Teddy was left alone. At first, he was confused and when he looked at it, he noticed his name written very neatly across the front. He did not recognize the handwriting. He then opened it and it read:
My dear husband,
Something awful has happened and we need to talk in private. I do not want this news to get out for it will ruin me and maybe even you. I couldn't be in the room with all those people anymore so I had Isaac give this to you. I am sorry for all this but I will explain everything here shortly and I promise this will all make sense. Meet me in the library in ten minutes, I will see you there.
-E
Even reading it over made no sense and he had no clue as to what could have gone wrong. The only thing he could think of was Keller but if something had happened, Elizabeth wouldn't had written to him for she would have quickly came and found him. That had never been a problem before. This letter wasn't like her at all but whatever happened must have changed her. Her handwriting was even different which he still found awfully strange but he decided to shake it off. He obviously had bigger things to worry about even though he had no idea would he should even have concern of.
He began to pace again, not knowing what else to do. The mask on his face was feeling tight and irritating him so in one fluent movement, he ripped it off and threw it onto a nearby couch. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to calm himself down but not even that seemed to help. He took a deep breath and decided to sit down at the desk beside him. He walked over, pulled the chair out and sat down. He buried his face into his hands and rested his elbows on the dark oak desk top in front of him. He didn't know what to think or what to do. He didn't even know if this was as big of a deal as Elizabeth had made it out to be. Or maybe it was. His thinking made him feel stressed and tense and he didn't like it one bit. He especially didn't want her to see him like this. He obviously needed to be the calm one here; he needed to pull it together.
"Hello Teddy," a voice called quietly. At the sound, he looked up quickly only to be disappointed. It was not Elizabeth that had called his name but a young woman that he did not recognize. Her hair was tightly pinned into a high bun with a small braid along one side. Her face with hidden by a black feathery mask which made her bright blue eyes look brighter than they already were. Her gown was made of a pink fabric and hugged her nicely in all the right places. Teddy hated himself for noticing.
"Did you not hear me open the door," she asked him as she invited herself into the room. He shook his head.
"I'm sorry I did not."
"Are you okay?" she asked, "You seem a little stressed out." He raised one hand to her.
"I will be fine. I'm just waiting for someone," he said as he watched her slowly shut the door.
"I'm sorry miss but I don't think I know your name." She tilted her head slightly to the left just as her dark red lips curled into a smile.
"Oh Teddy you certainly do know who I am," she laughed. She then untied her mask and threw it next to his that still laid on the couch. When she looked back at him, he offered a nervous laugh and felt very bad for not realizing who it was before.
"Miss Hayes," he said, "I am very sorry."
"You honestly didn't know it was me?" she asked soundly a little like she was hurt by this.
"I can't say I did. I didn't mean anything by it," he replied and now he felt bad for upsetting her. The stress inside him was building and he was not acting like himself. He just wished that Elizabeth would get her soon so all of this could be straightened out. He set his arms on the desk and hid his face away from Scarlet behind them.
"Oh Teddy, it's not your fault. I must have been the mask that threw you off. I'm not mad one bit," she said.
"I'm glad," he mumbled miserably. He had been waiting here for what seemed like hours, where was Elizabeth?
"Are you okay," she asked again, "you seem a little stressed." He didn't respond. He didn't know what he should say to her for this was as much time the two of them have ever spent talking. He would politely say hello to her whenever he would walk by and she would always give him a smile but the two had never actually held a conversation.
"Oh you poor thing," she said and he could hear her footsteps coming closer to him. They stopped suddenly, making Teddy look up and scan the room. He didn't see her, only rows and rows of dust covered books with titles no one cared to know. Just as he was about to stand, he felt Scarlet's hands on his shoulders. He jumped a little as she attempted to massage his stress away.
"What are you doing?" he asked her. She bent down so that her lips were only inches away from his ear.
"You just seem so sad and stressed, I thought I would try to make you feel better," she whispered slowly.
"Well that's okay," he said moving her hands off of him. He turned to look at her.
"You know Miss Hayes, it is very nice of you that you would like to help but I am waiting for someone in here and maybe its best that you go," he tried to say as politely as he could. She looked at him for a second and smiled. She then put a hand on both of the arms of the chair as if trying to keep Teddy seated.
"You can call me Scarlet," she said.
"Maybe I should go," he said feeling very uncomfortable. With that, he moved one of her arms and stood up. He started to make his way for the door when he heard a faint cry. He turned back around to see Scarlet with one hand over her face. Her cheeks were beginning to turn red and her shoulders were shaking. He had made her cry.
"Miss Hayes-"
"Just go," she interrupted. She then turned her back to him so that he would not see her tears. Teddy sighed. He couldn't leave her like this and besides, Elizabeth would be here soon. He didn't want her to go searching for him later or this problem they apparently had would not get resolved.
"I'm not leaving. I took your gestures the wrong way and I am sorry. I didn't mean to make you upset."
"I was just trying to help," she choked out. She turned back to face him, tears staining her face and eyes puffy and red.
"I'm very sorry Miss Hayes." She sniffed and whipped away a few tears.
"Its Scarlet," she said quietly, "Miss Hayes would be the hostess of this party."
"Okay Miss Scarlet," Teddy smiled and taking a few steps towards her. He extended his hand towards her and she took it with no hesitation. He brought her from behind the oak desk to the front to stand with him. He then bowed and kissed her hand. She smiled.
"My apologizes," he said as he stood up straight again. He watched her eyes glance over at the clock and back at him.
"You know, Mr. Cutting, there is only one way that you can make up for this," she said taking a step towards him. She brought her hands to the tie on his neck and began to loosen it slowly.
"Miss Scarlet, what are you doing?"
"Don't speak," she said just as she had finished undoing the tie. She quickly tugged one side of it and threw it onto the ground. Teddy gave her a questioning look.
"I know you want me," she said placing one hand on his chest.
"Excuse me?"
"You don't have to deny it anymore Mr. Cutting. I want you too," she whispered bringing her face closer to his.
"I think you have gotten the wrong idea," he said moving her hand off of him. He had to get out of there now.
"Oh no, I know exactly what I am doing. I see the way you look at me and I know how much you want to be with me. There is nothing stopping you now. You can have me."
"Miss Hayes, I really must be-"
"It's Scarlett," she said and with that, she closed the gap between them and laid her lips on top of his.
"Teddy?" a voice came from the other side of the room. He instantly pulled away from Scarlett, making the two of them look directly at the voice. With a white paper in one hand and the door handle in the other, there stood Elizabeth, Teddy's beautiful Elizabeth.
"Teddy?" she said again only this time he could pick up the shock and hurt in her voice.
"Sorry Lizzy," Scarlet smirked still standing close to Teddy, her arms wrapped around his neck. He looked down at her with anger and pushed her away.
"Elizabeth," he said as he started to walk towards her but she only shook her head.
"Lizzy this is not what it looks like. Just let me explain," he pleaded but she shook her head again. The tears had started to gather in her eyes and he couldn't believe that he was the reason they would soon fall.
"Lizzy please."
"You stay away from me," she cried.
"Lizzy," he said reaching out for her.
"You stay away from me!" she screamed. She then threw the paper she held in her hand at him and ran down the hall. Teddy stopped in the doorway and watched her as she went, his heart breaking into a million pieces. He knew what this could lead to and it was all his fault. He should have left. He didn't want to lose her. Before he ran after her, he turned back to look at Scarlet one last time. She was leaning against the desk and there was a proud smile across her face.
"You did this," he said angrily and ran out the door. But just before he was out of hearing range, he swore he heard her say, "yes I did."
Thanks to those that have kept up with my story:) And please review! I want to know what you guys think!