The Earl seemed to disregard her words entirely, barely casting her a glance. He turned toward his countess instead.
"It's very late, my dear. Please escort Lisa to her chambers for a rest."
The countess smiled, sharp as a blade, as she rose from her seat. "Lisa, dear, it's late. Mama will escort you to your chambers."
Lisa's face turned pale; she clearly had no desire to meet her bed just yet. She would have much preferred to linger under Mr. Crest's gaze a little longer. But she knew better than to throw a tantrum before gentlemen she was far too polished for such childishness.
"Very well, Mother. Good night, Father. It was a pleasure making your acquaintance, Lord Crest," she said with a dazzling smile, though Lord Crest hardly seemed one to worship beauty.
When the two ladies left, a hush fell over the room. The flickering light from the hearth threw long, shifting shadows across the walls.
Rebecca rose slightly from her seat, thinking it only proper to take her leave as well; the men had already forgotten her. But before she could curtsy, her father's voice, cold and commanding, halted her.
"Rebecca. Stay."
She froze where she stood, lowering her gaze.
John, seated at the opposite end near the mantle, looked up from his idle glass of wine. His brows knit for a moment, but he said nothing. He knew that tone too well.
"Would it not be better," Lord NightBane drawled as he reached into his coat for a cigar, "if you spoke to your daughter privately, Lord Blackwood?"
"I can't agree less," Mr. Crest said with a smirk, plucking the cigar from NightBane's fingers before he could light it.
The Earl's voice cut through their exchange, calm yet edged. "But words meant to be said ought to be said, regardless of where."
John shifted in his seat, uneasy. "Father…" he began, but his father silenced him with a single glance.
NightBane's smile deepened. "And yet one ought to respect a lady," he said softly.
Becca's head lifted slightly at that. Their eyes met. His gaze was steady, unreadable, and for a heartbeat too long, he did not look away. "Is that not so, Lord Blackwood?"
"True words, my lord," her father replied, though his tone was void of warmth.
John exhaled quietly, his knuckles pale around the stem of his glass.
Rebeccastood silent, her pulse quickened beneath the weight of their words. She did not understand what passed between them why her name hung in the air like something being bartered but she could feel it: a decision had already been made, and it was not hers to question.
"It's late," said Mr. Crest, turning toward the window. "We should be gone."
NightBane withdrew a silver watch, the faint glow of firelight glinting off its case. "We will return in a sennight. I trust it will have been thoroughly discussed by then."
The Earl gave a curt nod.
Lord Crest bowed politely and left first, while NightBane lingered a moment longer. His eyes found Rebeccaonce again, and this time there was something almost… amused in them. A secret she was not meant to know.
When the door finally closed behind them, silence filled the drawing room like fog.
Becca's gaze drifted to her brother. John had set his glass down, staring into the fire, his jaw tense.
Their father stood by the shelves, his back to them. "John," he said quietly, "see that your sister retires. Tomorrow, we'll speak further."
"Yes, Father," John replied, rising at once.
Rebecca curtsied and turned toward the door, her hands cold against the folds of her gown.
Whatever would be spoken tomorrow, she sensed it wouldn't be to her liking.
༒☬༒
The next day arrived far too soon for Becca's liking. Morning light spilled pale and cold through her window as she dressed for breakfast.
"How was dinner with the guests?" Mina asked while deftly gathering Becca's long curls, tying them back with a satin ribbon to keep the stubborn strands in place.
"It was barely dinner, Mina," Becca replied, handing her another ribbon.
Mina's lips twitched. "I'll take that as a good sign. You did not threaten to stab the guests this time, did you, Milady?
" That was one time Mina, I was fifteen, and the vile man, had really touched me beneath the table." Becca growled. Recalling that painstakingly annoying memory, the man's face soon enough came to her mind. No one had believed her, when she'd said he really did touch her, Mother had scolded her severely, and Father had punished her for accusing the Man. The next week the dirty vile man had dine with them.
"I believe you Milady, but my belief in you is useless, it wouldn't do much for you, the world listens to wealthy men like him. You're ready for breakfast." Mina said finally letting go of Becca, seeing the dress Becca had worn the previous night discarded on the floor; she frowned, cursing.
"I heard that." Becca said in-between the door way as she left.
"You were meant to." Mina muttered gathering the dress, it needed rewashing, she tossed it into the basket, walking over to the window, looked up to the sky. "It's not within my power to stop fate, is it?" She asked but to no one specifically.
Breakfast was what she came for, but she found herself sitting alone in the huge dinning table, tending to her own need, as they're was no guest present, the maids would not pretend to be dutiful. She rather enjoyed having breakfast alone, it tasted a bit like the freedom she longed, it tasted like the sponge cake Mina often baked, bland but it was what she loved. Happiness and freedom short-lived, a maid came in and informed her, Father requested her presence in his study. She felt her skin prickle at the news, but she still dutifully went to Father's study.
The Earl's study was right next to his Chambers, there was a connecting door that led from his Chambers to his study. His study was like a forbidden room, not even the Countess had dared ventured into his study without he being there. The servants were forbidden from ever going into the study. He did receive guest in there often, but his household were strictly ban from going in unless summoned as she had been now.
Raising her hand she tapped gently on the giant oak door. "Enter" came the Earl's commanding voice, from within the study. Becca pushed open the door, walking into the study.
The thick scent of old parchment mixed with the stench scent of Tabasco had her tummy churn unfavorably, but she swallowed the hurl that rushed up her throat."Good morning, Father." She curtsied deeply."you wished to see me?"
"Indeed, Rebecca, sit." The Earl pointed to the seat opposite to his desk, his gaze still focused on the parchment paper he read.
It took a long five minutes before The Earl shifted his gaze to her, taking off the squinting glasses.
"How much knowledge have you of the night creatures?" The Earl asked his eyes peering, feel into hers as tho he saw through her heart.
"They're our mortal enemy, who rely upon our blood to survive, they're cold blooded, do not age, as the immutable laws of nature permit." Becca replied almost in one breath, it was not all she knew about the night creatures, she had learnt a lot more about them, through the sea of books in the library. but she dared not say what she knew,it would create a big hole of trouble for her. She feared ,she might have learnt to much.
"You know enough, long long years, we mortals, had fought with these very creatures, who easily snap the life out a mortal, we had fought physicals and unseen battles, we had shed more blood than we have saved, yet we are but mere mortals, and stand no chance to beings, whose lifei span was heavier than ours, creatures who have Powers that we mortals had not imagined of, at long last we have lost, and the dark creatures have surpassed our power hold in the high Council, we're currently at their mercy." The Earl finally pause taking off his glasses. "Do you know what that means? Rebecca?"
Rebecca gave a curt nod." We would loose our freedom, and become mere blood bags to the creatures of the night."
"True." The Earl said his voice resigned. "But the council had come up with a treaty, and a rule for both races, a chance for the dark creatures and we mortals to coexist peacefully. A treaty that could put an end to all our grudges." The Earl paused searching her face to see if she had caught up with him, but her face looked clueless so he added. "A marriage alliance."