As was predicted the storm had disappeared by morning and in a sense a new one in the form of an invitation had arrived. Penelope had been woken up by Victoria who asked many questions over her state the previous night. Penelope had just replied with an excuse of not feeling well as she attempted to wake herself up but all sleep disappeared instantaneously as she saw Victoria was holding an envelope with the seal which Lord Davis used.

Sitting up, she had read the contents of the letter and asked Victoria to help her chose an outfit for the day. The letter was rather basic for once with no fancy displays of writing although it was undoubtedly the Lords. There was a lack of extravagance to it that there had been in the past but she was quite happy about it getting straight to the point. It asked for her to come in two days to the manor for afternoon tea, something which shouldn't be that unpleasant.

Victoria had found her a pale yellow dress with a high white collar, and Penelope felt her eyes widening, wondering if the bruises that Claude had been responsible for, were still visible down her neck. She was thankful that her hair was currently covering her and then quickly dismissed Victoria, saying that she would be down soon to write a reply. Victoria did not question her and left the room silently, only slowing down to pick up some sheets that had been left for the wash.

Sitting in her bed, Penelope looked to the side of her and gently ran her hand across the space where Claude had been. She wondered if there ever would be a time when she would wake up every day to Claude still in bed, but she knew not to worry about that for now. She had far more pressing matters to deal with first. She then proceeded to get dressed and looked at herself in the mirror as the dress hugged every curve of her petite body and her red hair made her usually pale compaction far lighter.

Making her way down to the study, she was greeted by Claude who had just left the kitchens. He gave her a small bow and Penelope chuckled, gesturing with one hand for him to stop.

"Good morning, I hope you slept well". He stated calmly, but his eyes hid a mischievous twinkle. She smiled at his behaviour.

"It was lovely, thank you. I do hope you had a good night as well". As she spoke, she made her way past him to the study and felt him following behind. She then passed him the envelope and made her way to the desk, before writing a reply. Her reply took little time to write and with a flick of the wrist she signed off her name in an elegant scrawl.

"Two days then". Claude said as he placed the open letter on the desk and took the one out of her hands. She nodded in reply and leaned back into her chair. Her small rest was broken by a sudden thump on her desk and she pulled a face at the large pile of paperwork which was now littering her desk. She had sworn he had not been carrying it in when she had entered the room.

"What is all this?" She asked, obviously confused. Claude just gave her a look and as Penelope started to inspect the documents her expression grew sullen. With a slightly pleading look and her bottom lip more pronounced she tried to look innocent at the man in from of her.

"But Claude, I have two days until my fate at the manor and you want me to do work. Surely a kinder thing would be to let me relax before the inevitable".

"And what pray tell is this inevitable?" He asked with his arms folded and a smug expression.

"Well the inevitable being forced into a courtship or meeting Lucy". He nodded to her and carefully circled her like a shark until he was standing right behind her. Two arms leant on the desk from behind her and she felt his cold breath by her ear.

"I wouldn't allow you to get hurt so there is no inevitable fate that you are worrying about and I can tell you think something bad will happen. I would not allow you to go if I thought there was a chance you would be in severe danger. Now get on with your work". And with that he was gone leaving a disgruntled girl in his wake.

The amount of work she had did indeed take her a couple of days and the night before going to Lord Davis' manor she was still in the study, thankful that she had been given so much as a distraction. The days were getting shorter so although it was not that late, the sky was already pitch black and writing with candle light was starting to strain her eyes. She had been working constantly, actually enjoying the tasks she had been set. All the while to her knowledge Victoria and Claude were doing work around the house. She was starting to get tired but the thought of waking up tomorrow and it being the day was stressing her out. On one hand she really hoped they would be getting answers from their visit but on the other hand she hoped it would be an anxious free evening. She was in the middle of finishing her last sentence when the door opened and Victoria came in holding a tray with some delicately painted cups.

"I thought you would like some hot chocolate before you retire for the evening my Lady. Are you excited for tomorrow?" The bubbly maid chatted as she put down the tray making sure not to hit any of her paperwork. Penelope smiled in retuned and gave her a polite thank you.

"I look forward to getting out of the house". She replied, tactically avoiding the question. Victoria started to talk about how much she would enjoy herself and Penelope carefully sipped her drink, blowing on it when it scolded her tongue.

"Victoria, do you have any family?" Penelope asked suddenly, interrupting the chattering maid. Victoria looked a bit perplexed but quickly replied.

"Oh yes my Lady, my mother and my younger sister are living not that far away". Penelope watched as a small glimmer of sadness shot across the maid's eyes and Penelope set her decorated cup down with a small thud.

"I want you to take tomorrow and the next day off to go and see your family. You deserve a small holiday and do not fret about tomorrow, I am now more than capable of dressing myself". Victoria grasped her hands against her chest and gave Penelope a huge grin.

"My Lady, thank you so much!" she exclaimed and Penelope dismissed her to go and pack so she could go early. Watching the maid almost sprint out of the room, she leant back in her chair taking the cup with her. She didn't want Victoria to be around when they got back, especially if something happened. Penelope also understood truly the importance of family. She knew how much they meant and now by having none herself apart from her deranged cousin, she only wished others would understand the importance of family also.

Taking the hot chocolate in her hands, thanking the gods it had cooled down she left her study and climbed the staircase. The house was silent as a mouse apart from the odd creak and Penelope glanced at the family paintings down the corridor. She had always tried to ignore them but decided it was time to admire them. There were only three, one of her mother and father together, one of herself as a child and the third one being them all together. She remembered when they were painted and smiled slightly at the memory. When she reached the end of the corridor she was met with the door of her parent's room.

She had not been in for some time, as there was usually no reason to do so. But she felt that considering tomorrow could be the end of the Lucy situation, that she should visit once more. She opened the door with a soft nudge and before she entered she carefully placed the cup down on a small table that held a beautiful display of tulips on.

As she walked in, she was still amazed it smelt like her mother's perfume and smiled softly at the emptiness. She sometimes expected to see her mother brushing her hair whilst she sat at her mirror. She missed them every day and god knows what they would make of her current situation. She was sorry for what happened to them but her grieving days were over. She would never cease to be sad at the thought of them but she was past her mourning stage. She slightly wondered if tomorrow she would be reunited with them if something was to go wrong but pushed that thought out of her head quickly. Like Claude had said, he would keep her safe.

With one last look around the room, she made her way out and collected the cold drink from where it had been left. She decided that she would go and find Claude to entertain herself and made her way down to the kitchens, wondering if he was there.

When she got down, she was concerned to how cold it was and noticed the back door was left completely ajar. Her heartbeat sped up and she walked over with her back rigidly straight, her eyes glancing around at anything that moved.

She was just about to step outside when Claude make her jump as he was entering. She gave a relieved sigh and placed her small hand against her drumming heart.

"What were you doing outside?" She asked as she walked around the table to put the dirty cup in the sink. She heard Claude close the door with a small click and make his way towards her, his hands taking the cup out of her own and shooing her away.

"There was a spider in Victoria's room and she asked me to remove it". He said, amusement obvious in his voice. Penelope shook her head knowing how much he loved spiders considering his affinity with them and took a seat at the small table.

"What is your prediction for tomorrow?" She asked the butler as she inspected her nails.

"I predict you will wake up, get dressed-" he was cut off when he felt a hand lightly slap his arm playfully and turned to see a smiling red head next to him, taking the cup out of his hand to dry.

"Ha Ha very funny. You know damn well what I meant".

"I predict you will arrive home safely and then we will enjoy the evening together without Victoria being around. I predict I will kiss every inch of your body and Lucy will be a thing of the past. I predict that after tomorrow you will be worry free and give yourself completely and utterly to me". As he spoke, he moved around her and lightly traced his bare hands over her slim waist, making sure not to get any water on her. She gave a small shake of the head in amusement sending her red hair to bounce and then looked at him with big eyes.

"I hope that comes true". She whispered, putting the cup down on the side and turning herself to face him.

"It will". Was his simple reply and she watched him stretch over her to retrieve the cup and place it back in the cabinet.

"Have you finished your work then?" He asked and she nodded her head as a yes, knowing he could see her reflection in the glass.

"How about we go to the library, I will read to you". She smiled at his words and he came closer to her, offering her his outstretched arm. Taking it, she allowed him to escort her to the library and felt herself relax when he told her to pick any book of her choice. She spent a while debating over which book and she swore she heard Claude grumble something sarcastic.

After quite a few minutes of looking she gave a squeak when she felt herself being pinned against the bookshelf and Claude giving her an amused look.

"Choose a book". He stated and she was about to tell him that's what she had been in the middle of doing when his hand covered her eyes. She felt one hand that had been pinning her move and take her hand in his own.

"I'm going to run our hands across the books and when you say stop, that is the one you will have". She didn't exactly get to protest as his lips met hers and then she felt him controlling her hand. She made a sound to tell him that she wanted her hand to be stopped and felt him still their hands. Slowly he removed his hand from her eyes and she was met with two glowing golden eyes staring right back, their lips still pressed firmly together. He seemed to smirk into the kiss and press her back further with his own body, his neck tilted to keep them kissing. He was far taller than herself and rather than intimidated she felt safe. The books were starting to hurt her back but mixed with the pleasurable sensations of his body pressed against her own, she wasn't overly bothered. She felt him finally pull away and she watched as he removed his hand from her own and took the book. She gave him a small nod at the choice in book and gave a sigh she didn't know she was holding back when he removed himself from her body.

She had chosen a selection of classical myths and was quite happy about the result. She felt herself get lead to the seat and before she could even sit down, she felt Claude quickly pull her into his own lap. She giggled and got herself comfortable on him, and thanked him when he pulled a blanket out from behind them and covered her.

She didn't know how long he read to her for but being snuggled up against his lean chest and hearing his soothing deep voice lulled her into a dreamless sleep. The last thing she remembered was Claude talking about the story of Persephone and Hades.