Night of Eden 60

 Chapter 60

***

The hollowness of her cheeks and the black shadows under her eyes.

As he skimmed over the lines that made her look so thin and gaunt, Theodore felt anger rise to the top of his head.

Unable to understand why he was so angry, he spoke.

"Are you sure everything's better?"

The hand that had set down the tray shook, wrinkling her smooth, fair forehead. Theodore crossed his arms, not liking the sound of that again.

"If you'd gone to Kreutz like you were told, none of this would have happened. Don't you think so?"

Her full lips parted as if to say something, but then she clamped them shut as tight as a clam.

Despite the lack of sexual intent in the response, Theodore felt a rush of heat push away his anger.

Her bitten lips were so moist and plump.

It tasted like something.

His eyes glazed over as the soft, wet sensations on his tongue returned.

He wanted more.

The unquenched desire snowballed, crushing the short circuit.

The tension that radiated from him went straight to Dana. But she didn't know exactly why, so she felt as if she were walking on thin ice.

She'd been sick for days, and she didn't have the energy to fight; she just wanted to do what she'd come here to do, which was to brew tea.

Dana steadied herself and reached for the teapot.

But before she could reach the lid,

"Forget it, go sit over there."

Theodore said coldly. Dana stared at the man's fuming face, then obeyed.

Once he was satisfied that her tiny body was safely tucked into the fluffy cushions, he began to make the tea himself.

"Just so you know, I don't like people who are needlessly stubborn, I really don't."

Dana watched silently as the man's hands stirred the tea.

Suddenly she remembered the day he'd deliberately broken the teacup.

She should have told Celeste and the head maid everything then, and then things would never have gotten as tangled as they were now.

She should have.......

"Drink."

The teacup was set down in front of her. A rich, heavy tea flavor wafted through the steam.

She was getting good at blending now, she could tell by the aroma. It was a carefully crafted tea, with the right amount of water and temperature.

She felt like something that had been teetering on the edge was about to spill over. Dana racked her brain and recalled her conversation with the young lady a few days ago.

"Yes, he's selfish and self-absorbed, but he's also damn beautiful and perfect.”

"Isn't it weird? I've never been a fan of men who cling to me to death. I'm even less attracted to men who write poetry or give me flowers. You know what makes me love it even more?”

“That he has no interest in any woman but me.”

Dana forced her body to clench down on the hot, strange thoughts. The man, she glanced over, seemed to have calmed down considerably from earlier.

Suddenly, she realized this was her chance.

"I don't know about anything else, but...."

Theodore tilted his head at an angle. Dana had to clear her throat to speak.

"I'm sure you're well aware that the young lady has done nothing wrong."

The sound of the teacup being set down rang out sharply. Her heart sank, but she mustered the courage to speak.

"I hope this is the last time you and I are alone... in the same room... like this.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him cross his arms again. It was a reaction he had whenever he was displeased.

"If you ever organize another meeting like this, I will never accept, I hope you will just... pretend not to see me from now on. For the sake of... the young lady...."

"Why would I do that?"

...what?

"Because I'm going to call you anytime, anywhere."

Dana's head jerked up in surprise at the deafening words.

"Now... that's... What...."

"Literally, I'm going to call you whenever I want, wherever I want."

"No... Even if you don't mind, I don't... I can't...... I can't stand this situation, I can't.... anymore."

"You brought this on yourself, so bear it."

The cold, pitchless voice made Dana freeze.

"I gave you a choice, and you refused."

"Uh, don't be ridiculous, that's not a choice......."

"You seem to keep forgetting."

Theodore cut her off, not even pretending to listen.

"I can create any situation.”

"Create... Create what?"

"What would everyone think if they saw this right now, that I summoned you? Well, it could be just the opposite. You came looking for me."

Dana paled.

"...I can't... I can't believe...."

"Trust me, I'll do whatever I want.”

"No... There's no way you'd... do something like that...."

"I think I've shown you what I'm made of many times."

He muttered menacingly in a low voice, then suddenly laughed lightly.

"Not bad for a handmaiden who's infatuated with her master's fiancé."

Her heart sank.

He seemed serious, and Dana couldn't breathe.

"It would be a great opportunity for me, and why would I pass it up? I could just wait for you to get kicked out and take you back to Kreutz, couldn't I?"

“No...you wouldn't... It's impossible...you’d never... do that...."

"So, Dana."

It was the first time he had ever called her by her first name. But Dana didn't notice. Theodore spoke calmly, his eyes devoid of emotion.

"You just have to make sure I don't do that, don't you?"

Dana was frozen in place.

"My patience is only as far as this party, and as soon as it's over, you'll quit Belvida, and you'll go to Kreutz willingly, with a smile on your face."

***

Bastard.

Bastard.

In the dusky late afternoon, Dana stared out the window and swallowed back tears.

She felt sick to her stomach.

She threw the window wide open and a cool breeze blew in, cooling her flushed face.

Ding, ding, ding, she heard the distant sound of a bell.

Dana stuck her head out in the direction of the sound. Across the open field, a flock of dozens of sheep trotted slowly alongside a man with a pole.

Dana stared at the peaceful scene and pulled the papers out of the envelope.

Ten days.

Just ten more days.

By then, she would be on a ship bound for Dodge.

She would be able to leave behind all of her regrets, cares, and worries. .......

Dana read and re-read the words on the paper, waiting for her unusually fast beating heart to calm down.

****

The statues in the large fountain shone like jewels. The sound of carriage wheels jingled merrily with the cool gush of water.

At this time of day, when the sun was at its hottest, Belvida's central traffic circle was crowded with dozens of carriages and guests.

The doors of the mansion were thrown wide open, and the hallways bustled with loaded carts and servants.

In the center of the hall, Stan was busy directing guests and porters who had just arrived.

"How was the ride? We were very worried when it rained suddenly at dawn yesterday."

"It was a mess. It was terrible."

He was now greeting his twelfth guest, the Marquis of Drayton and his son Marcus.

 "What is it with those damned trains and being so late? I thought I was going to die of boredom." 

The Marquis grumbled and glanced at his son. Something bad had happened, and his eyes were full of discontent.

"Straighten your shoulders, boy!"

The Marquis's thick hand slapped Marcus's hunched back. Marcus flinched, unable to breathe.

"I don't know who you're trying to look like. Even with friends like Theodore and Edwin around, you never learn anything, do you?"

The Marquis shook his head at his sulking son.

"Well, well, well. No wonder the servants crawl all over you when you're so timid.”

A lump rose in Stan's throat as he realized that the Marquis’s son was only timid in front of his father, not at all in front of others, especially the servants. He smiled softly, not showing what he thought, of course.

"You've taken a lot of trouble to get here, and I apologize with all my heart."

The next guests were a group of young ladies. Accompanied by their maids, they were all friends of Lady Liana.

"Welcome, Mrs. Dilton, and Miss Angie Miller."

Stan bowed and turned to the young woman directly behind them.

"Long time no see, Lady Alexandra. I can't help but be disappointed that your mother isn't with us."

The last woman was a stranger. But he’d already memorized the invitation list so well that he was able to greet her with a forced smile.

"It is so good to finally meet you, Lady Rosa. Belvida has been waiting for you with all her heart."

The women laughed and chattered among themselves and followed the footman to the parlor.

Shortly after the chatter broke, a dark-haired man appeared out of nowhere. The old man’s eyes swept over him quickly.

"Ah, welcome, Mr. Richter."

Not a nobleman, but one of the most important guests. A Pianist, specially invited by the Duchess.

Several of the guests recognized his face and began to murmur. With the patronage of the Macmilans, his popularity was rising at a frightening rate.

"Come this way."

Although he was a socialite, he was a commoner, not a nobleman.

So it was against custom for Richter to enjoy tea with other noble guests. Stan snapped his fingers and summoned Kenneth, who was carrying his luggage.

"Kenneth, escort Mr. Richter to the west wing."

Just then, newspaper reporters, polo officials, and musicians arrived, one after another. They were commoners like Richter, so Kenneth was spared the trouble of working twice.

After a while, the Macmilan family carriage finally arrived. Stan, the head maid, and several guests gathered on the porch.

Theodore stepped out of the carriage. Liana greeted him with a smile. They exchanged formal greetings, then walked side by side to the parlor.

The party had begun.

***

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