A/N: Thanks so much to all those who have reviewed the last few chapters! It's very fun to log onto my email and see them
Disclaimer: I only own Faye.
"Why is Aunt Francis here?" Faye asked in panic as she looked outside Ciel's study window. Aunt Francis stepped out of her carriage with a severe look on her face. She critically looked around the grounds before glaring at the front door and purposefully marching forward.
"She said she has something to discuss with us," Ciel said grimly. "I just received her letter this morning, which is how she planned it, I'm sure. This way we can't make other plans and suddenly be unavailable."
It only took a few moments for Aunt Francis to reach the study, Sebastian just barely ahead of her to open the door. Aunt Francis entered the room as though she owned the manor while Faye and Ciel were merely errant children playing at house. "Sit down," Francis ordered Faye. Not daring to disobey that tone, Faye moved to the couch. Ciel stayed sitting behind his desk.
Aunt Francis looked both Ciel and Faye over before turning towards Ciel. "I am here today to discuss your sister's future, nephew."
Ciel blinked in confusion and threw a look at Faye, asking for help. Faye held her arms out helplessly. There was nothing that could be done against their Aunt. They both knew that at this point.
Francis gave Faye a quick glare before turning back towards Ciel. "Don't look at your sister, this conversation is with me. I already discussed this matter with Faye, and she was about as unhelpful as I expected her to be. I am well aware of the attachment you two hold for one another, and of the understandable desire you have to spend your days together, but at Faye's age she should be considering who to marry. Since you have refused to take any appropriate steps, I have taken matters into my own hands."
Faye lurched forward, as though if she moved fast enough she could erase Aunt Francis' words. Ciel's mouth opened and closed, though no words came out. Sebastian's eyes narrowed darkly for a moment before taking on a look of polite interest. "And what, exactly, do you mean by that, Lady Midford?" Sebastian asked.
"What I exactly mean is what I've said, butler. Three suitors will be coming to meet with Faye today. Count Manning will be here for morning tea, the future Count Williams will arrive for lunch, and Faye will take afternoon tea with Marquis Fretmon. Each of these young men are roughly near Faye's age, of appropriate heritage, and, most importantly, stout enough to take on a Phantomhive as a wife."
"That is…most kind of you," Sebastian said, giving a short bow. "I appreciate you always keeping my masters so close in your thoughts. I shall go prepare the morning tea." Sebastian's eyebrows twitched in anger as he made his way to the kitchen and began preparations. This was not an insurmountable problem, but it was an inconvenient one, and convincing Lady Midford that now was simply not the right time for Faye to marry would not be easy. The Marquess was not one to be deterred once she'd made up her mind. However, while persuading the Marquess would be difficult, convincing the suitors that they'd rather not pursue Faye was another matter entirely.
Sebastian paused in his actions when he squeezed the glass sugar container too tightly and it shattered. The shards cut his fragile human skin and he idly watched as his blood mixed with the sugar. The biggest concern about the Marquess' plans was that they may very well cause Sebastian to lose control. Normally he could handle a situation such as this with nothing more than mild irritation, but with his new knowledge that Claude desired Faye, Sebastian was feeling extra possessive of her. Why was it necessary for any man other than himself to ever be near her? The worst part was a niggling worry in the back of his mind that Faye might genuinely prefer one of these suitors to him. He would not give Faye the chance to find out if such could be the case.
Sebastian opened the door when Count Frederick Manning arrived for morning tea. Sebastian assessed the Count as bland. Dull blond hair, watery blue eyes, and pale skin. The man looked to be in his early thirties and Sebastian wondered if the man was too plain with too little money to attract a spouse on his own. As Sebastian took Count Manning's coat he muttered in a tone that was barely audible, "Lateness does not make for a good first impression." The Count jumped and turned to look at Sebastian with nervous, guilty eyes, but Sebastian acted as though he hadn't said anything.
"There were problems with the carriage," Count Manning said in a wavering voice. "I apologize for my delay." His personality appeared to be as weak as his looks. Such a man would never have a chance of catching Faye's attention even if she were available.
"Oh?" Sebastian asked with raised brows. "Was it me you inconvenienced? Might it be better to make your apologies to the Lady of the house?"
"Yes, of course," he mumbled, face turning red in embarrassment.
Sebastian strode to the drawing room, leaving the Count rushing to keep up with his long strides. "May I present Count Frederick Manning," Sebastian announced at the door. The Count panted when he made it the door, slightly out of breath from his struggle to not fall behind.
Faye rose from her chair, looking resplendent in her blue layered dress with her hair curled to the side. Sebastian wished Marquess Francis had not insisted on dressing Faye up for this infernal affair. Faye was beautiful enough without making an extra effort for these interlopers to gawk at.
"P-pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Phantomhive," Count Manning said with a polite bow.
Faye raised her eyebrows at Sebastian as though to ask, 'Truly? This is what Aunt Francis came up with?' "The pleasure is all mine," Faye lied, giving a small curtsey. When Sebastian went to help seat Faye she murmured, "I thought these suitors were supposed to be stout enough to handle a Phantomhive as a wife."
"It doesn't matter either way," Sebastian reminded Faye quietly, though having an improper suitor did make things easier for him. Sebastian also noted that the Count had yet to apologize to Faye for his tardiness. Had he forgotten his rude behavior at the sight of Faye, or did he not feel the need to apologize to a woman? Regardless of any other circumstances, he couldn't accept this affront to the Lady of the house as the Phantomhive butler.
"Lady Phantomhive," Count Manning began, "I've heard that you're taking up a hand in your brother's company. How are you finding that to-Aaarrggh!" The Count's question tapered off into a cry of pain as Sebastian poured boiling tea onto his arm.
"Dear me, I am sorry," Sebastian apologized. "How terribly clumsy of me." He took a napkin and blotted a little at Count Manning's jacket. "I'm afraid this will stain if we don't do something about it immediately. May I request to borrow your jacket? I'll have this spot gone in no time."
"Yes, of course," Count Manning willingly agreed, looking at Faye's neutral gaze out of the corner of his eyes. "I apologize for all the fuss I'm causing."
"It's no trouble at all," Sebastian countered. "The fault is all mine." Sebastian whisked the brown jacket away and returned in five minutes, barely giving the Count any alone time to speak with Faye.
"That was quick!" The Count exclaimed when Sebastian returned, studying the jacket with admiration. "You can't even tell it was wet a moment ago, let alone see any stains." He stood up to slide the jacket on and gave a little shriek when he had the jacket completely on.
"Dear me, whatever could be the problem now?" Sebastian questioned.
Count Manning winced and took his seat, moving slowly and wincing every time his arms changed positions. "I'm sorry, it's just it feels as though there are pins in my jacket."
"Is the jacket new?" Faye questioned. "Perhaps your tailor left some inside."
"I don't think so," the Count said. "I mean, the jacket isn't new, so I believe if any pins were left I would have found them before now." He carefully reached out a hand to grab his tea and blood dripped down his arm. He watched the thick red liquid, paling at the sight.
"It looks as though you've cut yourself, Count Manning. Would you like me to retrieve some bandages for you?" Sebastian asked with false concern.
Count Manning looked up at him in fearful nervous. "No, thank you. I believe I'll be just fine. It's a mere scratch, I'm sure. I probably got it on the drive here and didn't notice it."
The rest of tea went poorly, with Manning moving slowly and wincing all the time, his face getting paler all the while. Faye had to repeat every other thing she said. It appeared to Sebastian that Count Manning did not operate very well while in pain. He lasted another ten minutes before making paltry excuses and running out the door, either not bothering or not daring to wait for Sebastian to escort him out.
"What terrible manners," Sebastian chastised as he began cleaning up. Faye leaned back in her chair and looked up at Sebastian in amusement. "Is there something you'd like to say, my Lady?" Sebastian finally asked.
"Only that this morning's tea was quick and relatively painless. I hope the rest of my day will go as smoothly." With that, she stood up and left.
Sebastian paused in his cleaning up to lean his hands against the table and breathe out a sigh. He was struggling today, as he feared. He wanted to lock Faye up in a room with him and do things to her that made her forget any males other than Sebastian had ever existed. He wanted her mind so full of him that she couldn't function without him by her side. It was how he felt about her.
On top of everything else, he'd been dreaming about Faye the past few nights. It was rare enough for a demon to dream, for it to be about the same thing was even rarer. He and Faye were in her room and he was kissing her, then she was kissing him. He very much wanted that dream to be a reality. He thought he was patient enough to merely act as Faye's butler for quite some time as she got used to the idea of their relationship. He was a millennia years old demon, after all, but his control was beginning to fray and he no longer knew how long his patience would hold out. Claude in particular might push him over the edge.
At noon, Sebastian opened the door to Earl Edmund Williams. There was something vaguely Edward Midford-like about the man. He had a proud, erect posture and was firm but cordial in his greeting of Sebastian. This man would not be as easy to frighten as the Count. Or, at least, he wouldn't be if Sebastian had not researched his background. The poor Earl had a rather unfortunate incident as a child that left him rather scarred…
Sebastian led Earl Williams to the drawing room. "Lady Phantomhive," the Earl greeted with a bow, "it's an honor to meet you. Your aunt the Marquess speaks very highly of you."
"That is quite the compliment," Faye said, returning his bow with a curtsy. "It's not easy to obtain praise from my aunt." Sebastian blocked out the rest of their idle chatter as he served lunch. It was almost painful to observe Faye acting as the almost demure Lady of the house. Such a persona simply didn't fit the vivacious and somewhat violent countess he had come to know and admire.
Halfway into lunch, Sebastian unleashed his secret weapon. He stood tamely off to the side, awaiting any orders to aid with lunch. His position gave him the perfect view of Earl Williams as he stared past Faye in abject horror. His face paled as he dropped his fork. With a whimper of fear, he shoved his chair back and climbed on top of it.
Faye looked behind her in confusion to see Bronte slithering along the floor. Bronte was soon joined by Keats and Goethe. At the appearance of more snakes, the Earl started gibbering incoherently. Faye looked between the snakes and Earl Williams, saying nothing.
"Oh dear," Sebastian tutted, coming forward. "Is the Earl afraid of a few little snakes?"
The words "poison" and "bite" were clear, but everything else was incomprehensible. Sebastian sighed as though he were disappointed. "I'm afraid this just won't do. Those snakes are practically a part of the Phantomhive household, as are all their friends." At the mention of there being more snakes, the Earl clutched at his arms, digging his nails into his sleeves and looking around the room wildly. "I'm afraid if it is a choice between you and the snakes, you must be the one to go." With that, Sebastian picked up the Earl and carried him outside.
After depositing Earl Williams inside his carriage, he returned to the house, dusting off his hands. He was met by a very disapproving Marquess Midford. Sebastian barely managed not to jump in surprise. It was always strange to come across humans who were capable of sneaking up on him. The Marquess crossed her arms and glared fiercely at Sebastian.
"Do you think I don't know what you're doing? Do you think I'm so blind that I didn't see the blood and the first degree burns on Count Manning?" She paused, but Sebastian said nothing, figuring no answer was better than any reaction he'd get by making excuses. "As the Phantomhive butler, you should be striving for what is best for Faye and Ciel, not pandering to their childish desires. Normally, you do an excellent job balancing serving them while also striving to do right by them, but this time I am very disappointed in your actions. I forbid you from going near the third suitor. Mey-Rin shall serve afternoon tea."
Sebastian bowed. "I am sorry you see fault with my actions, but I'm afraid I must act according to my own judgements." Marquess Midford sniffed and swept past Sebastian. Meanwhile, Sebastian's eyes glowed red in anger. What was he going to do to scare off the third suitor? He could do something before Marquis Fretmon set foot inside the manor, but the Marquess would see right through that and know who was to blame. Perhaps he would have to find something he could do to the man on his way out to convince him he should not return…
Sebastian's anger was kindled further later in the afternoon when he watched Mey-Rin let in Marquis Erlich Fretmon. Sebastian was fairly good at taking the measure of a man, and this man was by far the best of the three. That must have been the Marquess' ploy; start with the worst of the suitors and get steadily better, making the second and last look even more impressive by comparison. The man entering the mansion might actually be a human who could handle Faye and the Phantomhive lifestyle. Not that it mattered in the least, of course.
Mey-Rin shook all over as she brought in tea to her Lady and the Marquis. She didn't know what she should do. Marquess Midford greatly wanted this match to work out, but her masters were unhappy about the whole affair, and even Sebastian had purposefully sabotaged the first two suitors. Shouldn't she follow the lead of the household's head butler?
With that thought in mind and with trembling hands, Mey-Rin dumped the tea into Marquis Fretmon's lap. He jumped up with an oath and glared at Mey-Rin. "What is this incompetence?" He demanded roughly. "Is it so hard to tell the difference between my pants and a tea cup?"
"She's not incompetent," Faye said sharply. "She can't see very well."
"I-I'm terribly sorry," Mey-Rin stuttered, though inwardly she was pleased at Lady Faye's defense of her. Countess Faye must not disapprove of what she'd done. "Let me get a towel for you to dry off with!" Mey-Rin sped off in search of a towel. She took her time, leaving the tea and snacks unserved.
When she finally returned, her Lady and the Marquis were sitting in silence, the Marquis tapping his fingers on the table in irritation. "Here we are," Mey-Rin said cheerfully, proudly presenting the towel. Once the tea was poured, Mey-Rin dumped half the sugar cubes into Marquis Fretmon's tea.
"What are you doing, woman?" He demanded.
"The Phantomhive's only serve the best to their guests," Mey-Rin said in an offended tone. "I can't serve you bland tea." Shaking her head as though she found their guest to be ridiculous, she went about serving the snacks, accidently-on-purpose dropping a piece of key lime pie on the Marquis' head.
"That is it!" The Marquis exclaimed, pushing back from the table. Green pie dripped down his face at the abrupt movement. He scraped one hand across his face, flinging the pie filling onto the floor. "Are the Phantomhives so poor they must bring in help from off the street? Or are you merely so classless that you do not care about the standard of your servants? Or perhaps you hired this blind, useless fool out of pity!"
Faye rose from her chair slowly. "You can say whatever you like about the Phantomhives, but you will not insult our servants. Leave."
"Believe me, Countess, that is exactly what I intend to do."
Lady Faye sat back down and watched the Marquis stomp out of the room. Mey-Rin clasped her hands and watched Lady Faye timidly. Would she get in trouble for her actions?
Finally, Lady Faye turned to look at Mey-Rin and say, "Well Mey-Rin, I don't think Sebastian could have gotten rid of the Marquis any better than you did." Mey-Rin beamed.
Outside Phantomhive Manor
"As you can see, Marquess Midford, now just doesn't seem to be the right time for Lady Faye to find a proper suitor," Sebastian said as he handed the Marquess into her carriage. "Fate obviously doesn't approve."
The Marquess rewarded Sebastian with a stern glare. "The actions of the Phantomhive servants does not equate with fate. And the discussion of this subject is not over. If I have to take my niece out of my nephew's care for a while to accomplish this end, then so be it."
Sebastian sighed as he watched the carriage drive away. It looked like the best he could hope for was a small reprieve from the Marquess' scheming. They'd have to figure out a more long-term solution to this problem. Perhaps Faye could claim to take up a vow of celibacy for some reason or another.
On the porch, Sebastian was greeted by the sight of Faye. "I trust you do not approve of the results following the introduction of today's suitors?" Sebastian asked.
Instead of answering, Faye smiled and said, "It's kind of cute to see you so jealous over so little a thing."
"I'm not jealous," Sebastian protested, not wanting to admit the anger and irritation he felt over those three inferior creatures being near Faye and thinking of her as a possible future wife. "I'm simply the only male allowed to be in your company long-term. Baring family and servants, of course."
Faye stepped closer, her smile growing bigger and more daring. "Is that so? So those men coming here and thinking to woo me doesn't bother you at all in and of itself?"
Sebastian resisted the urge to take a step back. Why was he tempted to run away from this conversation? Before he could think of a retort, Faye's arms came around Sebastian's neck and she crushed herself against him, pushing her lips to his. Sebastian was far too stunned to make a move. It felt like the Earth was moving under him and he couldn't breathe. Was this another dream? He inhaled sharply, finally coherent enough to respond when Faye pulled away.
"Are you sure you weren't jealous?" She whispered in his ear before walking inside the house.
What. Was. That? Sebastian felt too shocked to follow Faye inside the house and question her about her behavior. Had there been some change in their relationship he wasn't aware of? Was she attracted to the thought of him being jealous? Surely she should already understand how possessive he felt of her. Then again, he did try to keep those feelings locked up around Faye, afraid to scare her off with the strength of his obsession with her.
Sebastian knew one thing for certain; he would not be getting any sleep tonight, not with the image and feeling of Faye kissing him running through his head. In fact, he doubted he'd get any sleep all week. Good thing rest was optional for him.
A/N: End scene courtesy of stargazer-rebel's brilliant idea that Faye should shock Sebastian by coming onto him.