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The Request in the Study

Elaine stood, framed in the doorway of the study, watching her employer. The tea tray nestled comfortably in her hands, laden with a steaming pot and a plate of freshly made raspberry scones. The two hours of evening company was beginning.

Mr. Prince made quite the picture: his long frame enfolded in a huge armchair, a purring cat on his lap and a book held loosely in his slender, pale hand. As she came closer she attempted to see what he was reading, but her eyes kept skittering away from the title and suddenly it didn't seem to matter what he was reading.

She settled herself in the matching armchair across from him. "Tea?"

"Please." His voice was soft as he laid the book aside.

Nimue lifted her head from his lap, softly mewing before relaxing again.

She poured, confident. Just a touch of cream and she held it out to him, their fingers just brushing as he took it.

The moment stretched and became awkward. For all his insistence that she keep his company in the evening, Mr. Prince had suddenly seemed loath to make any demands. His face kept its mask-like calm but the way his eyes followed a line around the room, seeking first the chess set by the fireplace, his book at his elbow, and her face, before returning to his tea, spoke of his uneasiness.

Elaine began to wonder if he knew how to keep company. His obvious reluctance was as mysterious as it was disarming. She broke the silent tentatively, speaking softly. The workmen he had hired to remodel the kitchen were making excellent progress, her plans to start on the garden the next morning, the antics of the cats, and the women she had met while at the shops. The tension flowed out of his shoulders slowly.

"I have a request to make of you, sir."

His eyes brightened and he sat a little straighter.

She smiled slightly. "I have a loom in storage in London."

He said nothing, one eyebrow raised slightly.

"I used to weave quite a bit when I was in school but have not had the time since starting my career." London and its brightness seemed so distant now.

"A woman of many talents."

Elaine laughed. "I was wondering if I might have an advance of my pay to order it moved down here."

"Are you… that is to say… it seems an awful lot of trouble to go to for a month." The tightening of his hand on the armrest was the only thing that betrayed any anxiety.

"Sir, I have been here for a week and, unless you have any objections, plan to stay for the foreseeable future. Moving my loom only makes sense."

Mr. Prince studied her face for a moment before a smile lit his face, crooked and shy but beautiful in its intensity. "Give me the information and I will see too it."

Elaine nodded mutely, basking in the curve of his lips.

Raspberry, #51