Chapter 3
Chapter Three
I retired to the library, still trying to shake off the feeling of the person watching me, the feeling of their gaze burning into my flesh from beyond the trees.
I lowered myself to a cushion before the fire. My skirts fanned out beneath me. The oil lanterns flickering light danced over the walls of books lining the walls. Soft sunlight shimmered over the marble flooring.
Opening my volume in front of me, the knot in my chest loosened. My mind began to wander. Why was Victor in the gardens behind me in the first place? Was he sent to spy on me? Was he the eyes I felt on me? Surely not. They didn’t feel the same. His were full of concern, but the eyes I felt were full of loathing. There was another figure amongst the trees. I knew this in my heart to be the truth. My fingers trembled every so slightly as I opened the book before me.
Grandmother had always said it was important for women to read no matter what their class. That a woman should always have knowledge no matter what a man says. My aunt, Magdelena, had supposedly told her on many occasions when she was growing up that Grandmother was delirious for the notion. I did not agree. My grandmother was the smartest woman I knew. Quick witted with a sharp tongue, a great weapon to wield.
My eyes roamed over the book. A Guide to Human Anatomy . My lip curled with distaste at the fact that she had changed her name simply for the study to be published. I had read this book weeks ago and found the notion ridiculous. Most of the volumes in the library were filled with medical books. I had read through some of them. Not retaining much of the new information that had been told. The only thing that stood out with each read was just how fragile humans are. If it were acceptable, I would have been a doctor myself. A sudden creak from the halls outside the library tore my focus from a detailed sketch of a skull to Victor walking through the doorway, a silver tray in hand.
“Your grandmother asked me to bring you your morning tea,” He said shyly, still seemingly a little tense of my display in the garden. I forced a smile, thanking him as he brought the tea over to where I lounged on the floor. He nodded and sat before me. I took the teacup from him and looked at the dark liquid. Just the way I liked it. No doubt Arthur had made this brew. My lips quirked into a small smile. Victor’s face lit up at the expression as if waiting for me to finally acknowledge him.
I bowed my head, looking back toward my book. My stray strands of hair that had fallen from my knot at the back of my head hung like inky black curtains from my face. I looked up at Victor through my lashes as he lowered himself to the floor in front of me. I furrowed my brow, watching as Victor smirked. He reclined back on his elbows, still admiring me as if I was as fascinating as the world's most talked about artworks.
“You shouldn’t be reading a book like that.” He chuckled.
“And why should I not?” I withheld the urge to roll my eyes.
“It’s a bit dark for a woman of your age.”
“It is nothing more than medical.” I protested. The doctor's study laid open in my hands.
“At the beginning,” He shrugged. “The end study was on people who have suffered with near experiences of death.”
I huffed out a breathy laugh. “Death does not phase me, Victor. When you have lost as I have, you begin to find death more of a curiosity than a frightful experience.”
Victor’s eyebrows shot upward startled by my response.
“Then I apologise. I just thought…” He trailed off. A flicker of embarrassment crossing his features. He was truly handsome. At least he would be if I weren't so sworn on not finding true love for myself.
I waved him away. “You do not need to apologise to me, Victor. I am not overly delicate.” The smile on my face was genuine. His eyes brightened at the sight.
Victor was the only man to have admired me physically for what felt like years. Most of the town's men already knew who I was and avoided me like I held the plague in my veins. My face warmed at the thought of someone finding me interesting. I didn’t need love, but friendship was always a welcome necessity I had never known. My closest friends were the woman who raised me and a woman the town deemed madder than even me.
“I am most glad to hear that.” He plucked at a stray thread on the rug beneath him. Gooseflesh pricking his exposed forearm. He was hiding it well. Most people strayed from the manor library. Even Grandmother barely came in here. I noted the kernel for later. Needing to dig a little further into the man before I could know. “I think we will be spending a lot of time together.”
My smile faltered. “And why is that?”
“Your uncle has invited me to stay here for the duration of my training.”
Well that was news to me. And most certainly odd. Surely Grandmother would say no. She wouldn’t stand for this. He was not a Florian. But I suppose if we were to be matched then he would be. He would be forced to take the Florian name. A strange tradition my family held. My stomach roiled at the thought of a husband. The words weighing on my tongue left a sour taste in my mouth.
“How lovely.” I managed.
Hopefully the manor would frighten him off soon enough. If it didn’t, then the man was made of steel.
Victor left just before lunch with Uncle Arthur, leaving me alone to entertain myself. The maids had taken grandmother to bed for a brief rest. I remained alone well past dinner and into the night. I couldn’t believe Grandmother had agreed. She said she felt for the boy. That he had nothing and we could offer him something like a home at the very least.
“You want to offer him to me!”
“I do not!” She had insisted as she stormed through her bed chamber searching for her handkerchief.
“Then why let him stay and disrupt us? I thought you liked the peace!”
“Vespera.” She turned to face me. I looked at her from the other side of the bed. My hands on my hips.
“Sophia?”
She stifled a smile at that before clearing her throat and continuing. “I do like peace. But I also like the peace of my mind knowing that my granddaughter will be around people her own age for once.”
I snorted.
“Dorian does not count.” She wove a finger at me before I could even answer back about my only companion.
“He is staying. He will not be allowed in your rooms nor will he be allowed around you without your permission.”
I rolled my eyes before looking down at the floor. A slip of cloth caught my attention. I bent to pick it up. The handkerchief dangling between my fingers.
“Does he know that?” I held it out to her. Grandmother shuffled around the bed.
“Not yet. But Arthur is making it very clear to him as we speak.”
“You are unbelievable,” I sighed.
“Only when I want to be.” She smirked before snatching the cloth from my fingers. “Now go on. Give him a chance. Who knows, maybe love will finally bloom for you, Vespera.” She waved the handkerchief near my face. I swatted it out of the way, getting a throaty chuckle in response.
“You…” I started. She barked out a laugh. I turned on my foot and stormed out of her room. Heading toward my own, I could hear Arthur’s muffled warnings to Victor from the second room from mine. I didn’t bother to eavesdrop. I could care less as long as I was left alone when I needed to be and not be presented as a suitor for Victor to parade around on his arm.
“Like hell would I let love bloom,” I murmured as I slammed my door behind me. The pressed lily dangling on my bedside table fell to the floor.
What a joke that was.
Taking more time to myself, I drew a bath. Hot steam rose from the large chipped porcelain tub, worn from generations of use. Shedding the heavy velvet skirts was a relief but loosening the corset was purely heaven on earth. My chest heaved with a breath of air, relaxation settling deep in my bones. Loosening my hair, I let it trail in waves down my back as I lowered myself into the water. The floral scent of the bath oil coiled over my skin. I was thankful it was not lemongrass. The scent was always like a pang to the heart.
This scent soothed my tired skin. Moonlight poured in from the bedroom window. The night sky on full display before me. Trees swayed gently in the breeze of the forest beyond. The storm from the night before now long forgotten. I lowered myself down further ever so slowly into the water. Allowing the heat to prickle and warm my weary bones. The steam swirled from my fingers as I drifted them across the murky surface before submerging my head under the hot water.
Holding my breath, I opened my eyes under the surface. Distorted visions of the painted ceiling danced before me. I closed my eyes again briefly, only to open them again suddenly, a clatter sounded in the room. My heart leapt to life. A shadow loomed over the surface, their face too dark to make out in the dimming candlelight. Hands plunged through the water, gripping my face and holding it down against the porcelain bottom. One hand holding my forehead, the other tightly wound around my throat.
A scream tore through my throat, bubbling under the water. I thrashed my entire body, fighting the weight of the person holding me down. Their grip softened more with each writhe of my body. My legs kicking up into whatever part of their body I could. The hands withdrew slowly. I pulled myself up from below the surface. Panic running rampant within me. I gulped down air heaving as much as I could down, throat burning from the lack of oxygen. My body trembled despite the heat of the bath. The person was gone no trace of them ever entering here. The door was still closed. Nothing out of order. My eyes darted around the bathing room. Drawing up short. Surely, I didn’t imagine it. Maybe I was still haunted by the stranger in the treeline today. That was all it was. Surely I was just in a state of mania. My heart beat pounded in my chest. Blood raged through my ears. I pulled my knees to my chest. The sharp tears lining my eyes now falling down my cheeks. Landing silently into the water below.
That ordeal could not have been all in my head. Pain ricocheted through my body. What was happening to me? Had the looming mania finally taken hold of my mind?
“My lady, are you okay?” A maids soft voice called from beyond the door, left slightly ajar.
“I am fine.” I managed to call back.
The door opened slightly, the new maid from this morning poked her head through the gap.
“Lady Vespera! There is water everywhere,” She gasped, her eyes darted all over the tiled room now soaked in a layer of water. Her light curls bounced as she shook her head in horror.
My eyes widened as I thought frantically for an excuse. Only to be cut short just as one came to mind by her next piercing sentence.
“Why is there a knife on the floor?”