From the minute Penelope had woken up, Claude had done nothing but tried to change her decision of leaving him at the house. All the while Penelope had either ignored his complaint or repeated the answer 'I've made my decision' over and over again. This had been going on for the majority of the morning, including breakfast and Penelope had purposely locked herself in the library to avoid him. She was in the middle of reading 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' when a knock broke her from her trance. At first Penelope narrowed her eyes at the sound, as though already suspecting it was Claude, but when Victoria's voice came muffled through the door, Penelope had no other option than to open the door.
Standing up, Penelope unlocked the door and was surprised to see no one outside. She stepped into the hallway and wondered where Victoria had gone. Giving a defeated sigh, Penelope pushed back her stray red curls that were starting to block her vision, smoothed down her lilac dress and locked the door again. As she made her way to her usual chair next to the window, she could not help but gasp when she saw Victoria outside collecting the freshly cleaned bed sheets. She was practically sat on the windowsill as she watched Victoria fold the sheets and Penelope rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
"But…I swore I just heard her" she whispered. Without out turning around, she threw herself back into the chair that she had been sat in minutes ago. However, she wasn't expecting to land in someone's lap. Giving a frightened shriek, Penelope attempted to stand up, only to be stopped by two powerful arms. Trying to regain her senses, Penelope gave a frustrated growl once she realised that Claude had somehow got in the room.
"What are you doing?" she snapped and managed to get free of his grip. Spinning around she fixed him with her firmest glare only to get in return a smirk.
"Arguably you did hear Victoria's voice, it just so happened that it wasn't her. You should be more cautious Penelope". He tutted as though telling her off. Penelope on the other hand saw no humour in the situation and snatched the book off the arm of the chair and placed it back on the shelf.
"So you can impersonate people now? Great, a very interesting skill. But that doesn't explain why you are in here. Surely you have not come in to ask me again to rethink my decision because you have already heard everything I have said on the matter. If you are so concerned, you may pick Victoria and myself up after the ballet but today is for you to rest. Also the ballet starts at six o'clock tonight so we will be setting off about five o'clock due to the time it takes to travel there. Considering it is almost one o'clock now, I'm assuming dinner will be soon and then I will have not long to start preparing". As she spoke, Penelope paced up and down in front of Claude and stopped right in front of him as she finished speaking. All the while Claude just looked thoughtful.
"I was actually here to tell you dinner is ready now. As for the ballet, I have accepted your proposal and will meet you afterwards. And yes, impersonation is indeed an interesting skill". He stood up and offered Penelope his arm to escort her to the dining room. Yet Penelope was watching him with suspicion. She couldn't understand why all of a sudden he was agreeing with her. Looking at his outstretched arm she looped her own through and gave his arm a small squeeze. Yet just before they left the room, Penelope began to speak.
"So can you do impersonations of anyone?" she asked curiously. Claude in return squeezed her arm slightly and pulled her along, encouraging her to keep walking.
"Of course". Came the reply, but it was not Claude's usual cold tone, instead it sounded exactly like Penelope. Penelope in response gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.
"That's creepy. I mean really creepy! Remind me one night about this talent, it would make quite a fun game though" she laughed and carried on down the stairs. He chuckled as well and led her to the dining room for her meal.
Hours later, Penelope was fully dressed in the green dress with embodied flowers and her unruly blood red hair was held securely in a ribbon which was the same shade as the dress. She wore long white gloves, matching white shoes and a white choker around her neck. She had asked Victoria not to tie the corset too tight and had to admit that the dress even with the corset was not too uncomfortable. She had hardly worn this dress and was happy that she could finally get some use out of; she had paid for it after all. Victoria, who was wearing a full black dress and a white shawl, looked giddy at the prospect of going out and Penelope had even helped her with her hair. When the two had descended down the stairs, Claude had to try to stop his eyes rolling at their excited behaviour.
He was thankful however that Penelope seemed distracted as he openly admired her figure in the dress. But his eyes stopped on the white chocker around her neck. She already had a very slender neck and the chocker arguably highlighted it more. He thought of all the delicious things he could do to that neck but stopped himself as she appeared in front of him.
"The ballet should last about two hours so if you arrive by eight o'clock, I'm sure that we will be ready. Remember to rest!" Penelope walked as she spoke and Claude just nodded his head in acknowledgement. He opened the door of the carriage and held his hand out for Victoria who blushed and murmured a 'thank you'. Before Penelope got in, however, she took his hand and turned to face him.
"Seriously, try and rest and don't worry about me. If I need you, I will call your name. I sure you'll answer" she whispered and in reply Claude lifted her gloved hand with his own and pressed his lips against the silky material.
"Always" He whispered and gestured for her to get in the carriage. Giving his hand a squeeze, Penelope got in, being particularly careful about tripping up on her skirts and started to get comfortable. Claude then gestured to the driver that they were ready and the two large white horses began to pull the carriage. Penelope waved happily out of the window, without caring if her hair was being attacked by the wind and Claude returned the wave but slightly more calmly. When the carriage had fully disappeared Claude headed back in and started to get ready. He after all had a ballet to go and watch.
The carriage ride seemed to go quite fast as Penelope and Victoria spent the entire time gossiping and generally talking about whatever entered their minds. Victoria kept asking about Lord Davis and how excited se was to see him in the flesh. All the while, Penelope just kept quiet as she was more concerned with discussing the actual ballet rather than the company. But she had to admit that seeing him again did not sound that unappealing.
When they finally reached the theatre, it was almost time for the ballet to begin and Penelope smiled as she saw Lord Davis and his butler waiting for them outside the theatre. The carriage had only just stopped when Lord Davis opened the door and grinned wildly at her. Offering her his hand he pulled Penelope out a little more forcefully than intended causing her to fall into him. She apologised hastily and scrambled to create a safe distance which would not look inappropriate. As she stood back, she began to look at him properly. He looked different now that he was not dressed in gold, and Penelope was able to admire his features for the first time. She noticed immediately his shining blue eyes, but she also noticed his sharp cheek bones and curly golden hair. He looked quite the opposite of Claude and she shook her head as she compared the two. As handsome as Lord Davis was, she had already concluded that she found Claude more attractive. But she couldn't deny that Lord Davis's smile and impressive physique outlined by his flattering black suit and waistcoat was not an appealing sight. Yet he had a childish air around him and she only hoped that he would take the ballet seriously and would not joke all night, even if she found him to be entertaining.
"Ah my apologise Lady Penelope! I am overjoyed to see you again. You must excuse my behaviour. I will try my hardest to be the gentleman I was brought up to be". He had moved forward to wrap his hands around her waist and reluctantly let her go as she pushed away gently. Penelope didn't actually feel offended by his actions and laughed at his theatrics, but she would rather he didn't act so dramatic towards her. She was also quite shocked to be pressed up against someone who was warm as Claude was naturally so cold. Trying not to think of Claude and focus on her night out she turned around and watched as Victoria sent the carriage off and joined her side.
"We should make our way inside Lord Davis; it would be a shame to miss the beginning. And I'm sure your behaviour will be nothing but gentlemanly". He laughed and pulled her arm so it linked with his own. Victoria beside her let out a small giggle and the all entered the building.
Penelope and Victoria both cooed at the theatre as it was their first time visiting this particular one. The ceiling as painted in various shades of gold and the seats were all made of red velvet. As they made their way around the theatre and descended higher, she felt a shiver travel up the back of her neck but thought nothing of it, instead blaming a draft. They passed a group of people who were also making their way to their seat and one young man bumped into her. He gave a stuttered apology and he hurried past which prevented Penelope from seeing his face. Although she had barely registered anyone's face since Lord Davis was practically dragging her along all the while happily chattering away about his horse winning the latest race.
When they reached their seats they were balcony seats in their own private stall and suggesting that Lord Davis had spent a lot of money occupying them. The view was good though so she could hardly complain. It was not long after she was seated when the lights dimmed ever so slightly and the orchestra began to play. Penelope had to shush Lord Davis politely who began to enquire about her health and rather feebly she just nodded and pointed to the dancers who began to pour on stage. She was grateful that Lord Davis shut up and she allowed herself to be caught up by the magic on the stage. Yet just as she was getting into the first scene, she suddenly felt Lord Davis' hand close over her own and entwined his fingers with her own. It was at this moment that she didn't really know what to do. She felt extremely uncomfortable by his actions but knowing how much effort he had gone to, to get these tickets and invite her to the ballet ultimately meant that Penelope allowed him to keep his hand in place. But the longer he held her hand, the more Penelope started to compare it to her experiences with Claude.
Whenever they had held hands it was a gentle thing and she always felt comfortable whilst he did so. She also felt safe in his presence and right now she had to contain the shudder that was crawling up her back as Lord Davis had started to rub small circles on the palm of her hand, occasionally tapping along to the music. Feeling thoroughly annoyed, Penelope coughed back a sigh and tried to focus on the ballet.
A few rows beneath her seat and more to the right sat a man with a black coat which had a rather high collar. Moments ago he had worn a top hat but considering he was inside, he knew it would draw too much attention. Watching the audience through his glasses, Claude had to force himself not to keep watching Penelope. The whole reason why he had gone in the first place was to watch out for Lucy, not to spy on Penelope. Reminding himself again why he was there, his eyes moved over the audience and stopped abruptly when they landed on a grinning female.
Directly opposite him, on the left side of the theatre, a dark haired woman wore a leery grin which was directed at him. Moving her hand subtly, she waved at him in an almost teasing manner. He had known that Lucy would appear and part of him really wanted to enjoy the fact that he was right but instead he decided that he needed to remove her from near Penelope. Watching her, she stood up and politely asked people to move and made her way out of the back doors. Yet just before she disappeared, she looked up and smiled at Penelope who was oblivious to the unfolding drama meters away. Feeing his blood boil over the way Lucy looked at Penelope, he copied her movements and once outside the theatre he was instantly in front of Lucy.
"Perhaps we should do this more privately, how about the roof?" Lucy asked as she twirled a piece of straight black hair through her ruby red painted nails. Claude nodded and before Lucy could blink they were on the roof of the high building and the cold night air hit them.
"It's nice to see you again" she murmured and circled around him in a predatory fashion. He in return just stood still, attempting to control the urge to punch her in the face. He hated her so much and if he could get away with killing her and not causing a scene at that moment he would. But considering the last time they fought, the house got damaged; he wanted to avoid causing a large scene. To him Lucy was vermin, she was the biggest threat to Penelope and as long as he had a breath in his body, he would not allow Lucy to harm her.
"I wish I could say the same to you. However I neither enjoy nor want your company. So perhaps I should get to the point. What do you want with Penelope?" he asked. As expected Lucy did not answer and instead laughed and danced around him once more. Yet she stopped behind him and pressed her long body against his own. He felt her ice cold breath against his ear as she spoke.
"How protective you are over your little human. It's rather pathetic to see a demon in such a state. Falling in love with a human! Ha! You have no idea how amusing I find this" as she spoke she moved her hand up and down his back in a soothing manner but for Claude it felt like maggots were crawling under his skin. Shaking her off roughly, he turned around and closed his hand around her throat and lifted her body up so her feet dangled above the ground. Yet she did not show any pain, rather amusement instead. He tightened his hand and gave a sadistic smirk when a gargled sound erupted from her lips and her feet started to kick slightly.
"The only pathetic thing around here is you. Answer the question!" he hissed and threw her to through ground. She landed with hard thud and before she could get up, he slammed her back down, enjoying the sickening crack of her head hitting the floor. Restraining her, he pulled up her sleeves and she started to fight back. Knowing that she was hiding exactly what he wanted to find, he grabbed a handful of her hair and threw her head back again causing her to shriek in pain. Pulling the sleeve up again, he finally saw a contract mark. It had an intricate design like most, but instead of being circular it was winged shaped. Standing up, but keeping her in place with his foot that he crushed down for good measure, he looked at the creature withering on the floor.
"And you say I'm pathetic" he laughed. Grabbing her hair again, he yanked her up so that they were face to face.
"You can make this a lot easier if you tell me who you serve. Yet, if you continue to be stubborn then I suppose I will have to find out through other means". Lucy just snarled at him and looking him straight in the eyes she spat at his face. Shoving her away, she calmly took a white handkerchief from inside his coat pocket and cleaned his face.
"How lovely" he murmured sarcastically. As he put the handkerchief away, Lucy stood up slowly and wiped away some blood that was now pouring down her face from her head wound.
"To answer your original question, my actions are the desires of my master. However I will not, no matter how hard to try, tell you who that person is. You will have to work it out" she giggled and ran forward to hit him. Easily dodging her lazy attempt at causing him harm, Claude grabbed her right arm and twisted it in an unnatural angle causing a sharp snap to echo across the roof, accompanied by her scream. With her other arm, her nails suddenly grew and she stabbed Claude straight in the abdomen which made him gasp in surprise. Realising that he wouldn't get any more information from her, he dodged another attack and grabbing her broken arm; he lifted her up and threw her off the building towards the back alley where it was darker and where she was less likely to be seen. She hit the floor with a loud bang and he watched as she stood up shakily and disappeared into the shadows. Knowing that it would take her some time to heal, considering that damages she just took, Claude allowed himself a minute to relax. It was only when he looked down and saw his blood trickle out of the incisions on his stomach that he also realised that he would too need to recover. Thankfully it would not take long and with a wave of his hand the wounds began to heal, although a bit slowly.
He couldn't be a hundred per cent sure however that Lucy would just leave, so not taking any chances, Claude made his way back into the theatre to find Penelope and get her to leave. He just hoped that she wouldn't be too annoyed at him. Especially considering how much she had been wanting to watch this particular ballet.