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"A Distraction, your Grace? Why would she need to be a distraction?" Questioned Carrick.
"Christopher Thorn, that's why the man is an interfering busybody. I will have you deliver a dinner invite to Lord Thorn in a day or two after Giselle arrives. She's a demon who can mislead nosey people," explained Dante to the butler.
"Understood, Count. I'll send the communique as soon as we arrive," Carrick confirmed with the Count.
I want to assure we are getting all the local newspapers. There is something I'm seeking that may emerge in the area papers. Please have them sent to my study early each morning. It is imperative," Dante expressed to the butler,
Carrick Hunter had a big assignment ahead of him with the masquerade ball alone. He thought to himself he was never going to get a respite. This was the life of working for a fiend. There was never any rest for the sinners.
"Count, May I shut my eyes before we make it to Dragonwood? Or is there any additional business you would like to discuss?" Inquired the butler.
"That's all for now, Carrick. Relish your sleep; you'll need all you can get," replied Dante with a demonic grin. He knew well that things would be frenzied for the butler, and he would need the butler revitalized to take care of the forthcoming events.
It was well past noontime when the carriage arrived at Dragonwood. Carrick yawned and rubbed the slumber from his eyes when he felt the momentum of the carriage slow. His life was about to become very hectic. The coach driver pulled the carriage under the front porte-cochere of the mansion.
Dante stepped down from the carriage and was astonished at the Mansion and its grounds. They had been well maintained. He had great confidence in his servants and was glad that Carrick was vigilant with all the little details.
"Let's go in. I'm peckish and would like to meet with the staff. Plus, we are being observed. Look subtly off to your left, Carrick." The Count moved towards the front doors of the Mansion. He had seen Lawrence with the field glasses and figured it was one of Christopher Thorn's men.
***
December 28, 1894, early afternoon
The captain of the guards at the Thorn estate had sent two men to watch Dragonwood. They were disguised as hunters. Mitchelle, one of the guards, returned to the manor to report that Dante and what looked like a butler or servant had made it to the Mansion.
"Did you see anyone else with them? A dark-haired woman, perchance?" Christopher calmly qiuzzed Mitchelle. He looked up at the young guard. The Lord was busy reading and signing documents at his desk while discussing the current situation.
"No, Milord, just the two men. There looks to be about ten individuals total at the estate. All except for the Count look to be servants." Mitchelle reported.
"Mitchelle, You and Lawrence should be careful. The Count is no fool, and it could get treacherous if he notices either of you. I have a bad feeling about this. Let's stop surveillance for now. I will call on Dante in the next few days and find out why he's reappeared after all this time. Fetch Lawrence back to the estate now," mandated Lord Thorn.
***
December 28, 1894, Morning time
"Good morning, princesses," greeted Larson to his sister and Rose as they entered the dining room for breakfast.
"Good Morning, brother.' Allison halted next to Larson and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Did you sleep well?" She asked.
"Like a baby," Larson enthusiastically answered his sister's question.
Larson turned to the chair at his left and looked at the chestnut beauty with amber eyes. He could smell the lavender soap she bathed with. Her hair was pulled up correctly, and she wore the new dress. Rose was even more dazzling in the daylight. He thought to himself as he looked her over. "How about you, Rose? Did you get rested?" He smiled at the young woman.
"I had a decent night's sleep. Thank you," replied Rose.
Larson examined the food laid out across the table and began to serve his plate. "Breakfast looks delicious, ladies. Rose, you have a new job to get to. So, we need to tuck in and leave soon for Covent Gardens greenhouse. Are you ready for your first work day? How did the interview with Mr. Crowder go yesterday? Larson started eating with great vigor.
"It went well. As you see, I'm now gainfully employed." Rose exclaimed with pride. Although, I am a little nervous," Rose admitted. She noticed that Larson's hand was black and blue as he raised his fork to his mouth. Rose assumed it must have been from knocking out the abductor last night. "Does your hand hurt?" She reached across the table and gently grasped Larson's bruised hand; Rose tenderly rubbed her fingers over Larson's knuckles and noticed they were swollen. He saw her facial expression change to one of guilt and worry.
"It's nothing. I promise it doesn't hurt. I've had far worse injuries." Larson explained to Rose as he patted her tiny hands. He quickly changed the subject. Larson could see that Rose was upset he was hurt. "Now, back to my questions about your work." Rose gave half-hearted smile back at Larson and started talking about meeting Mr. Crowder yesterday.
"Mr. Crowder was genuinely delightful and seems to be a good person. The greenhouses were enormous and held every type of flower one could desire. I treasure working with flowers and plants. I was instructed how to graft roses and fruit trees when I was young. I learned botany and horticulture from my mother." Rose described her experience to Larson and his sister as they ate breakfast.
"Rose, Where are you and your family from?" inquired Allison. She was interested in Rose's background.
"My family is originally from Calais, France. We moved here before I was born. Mother passed away when I was a child." Rose had a look of sorrow as she said the words. Allison saw what she thought were tears begin to well up in Rose's eyes.
Allison quickly apologized. "I'm sorry about your mother. I didn't mean to make you unhappy before your day began."
"It's okay. It was long ago. I just miss my mother." responded Rose to Allison. The remainder of the meal was spent in silence, and soon the three of them were outside the townhome waiting on the carriage.
"I will have the coach carry you to the greenhouse on Floral Rd first. I want you to be on time, Mr. Crowder is an extraordinary man to work with, but he insists on timeliness. He is originally from Austria. The man considers you late if you are not there at least 15 minutes before the work shift. I know him well. We are on the local business council and chamber of commerce together. He is a fair and cunning businessman. You will do nicely there." Larson winked at Rose as she sat across from him and Allison in the carriage.
Rose looked anxious but enthusiastic. "Thank you for the insight, Larson. I want to do my best. This job means a lot to me right now. I'm appreciative of you and Allison for helping me yesterday." Rose was smoothing the front of her new dress as she spoke. "I don't suppose Mr. Crowder would have liked me coming to work in that horrendous dress."
"I think you're right about that, Rose. I don't know where you got that dreadful frock." Larson laughed, thinking about the wreck of a young woman in his store the day before, but now the ugly little duckling had grown into a beautiful swan overnight.
"We will pick you up this evening when your shift has ended. Have you considered our discussion last night? Do you want to remain with us at Bedford Hills?" asked Larson.
Allison smiled a big cheeky grin at Rose."I, for one, would adore for you to stay with us, Rose. It would be nice for me to have another lady in the house." Her face was beaming with anticipation for Rose's answer.
"Okay, you two have convinced me. I will stay for a bit. Someday, I would like to try for a place of my own." Rose did not like to impose on others.
"Outstanding!" Voiced Larson as he clapped his hands together. "I'm glad you will be our guest for a while. We both will enjoy the company. We're nearly to the greenhouse. You have a special first day Miss. Rose. Oh! I almost forgot. Molly, our housekeeper, packed you a lunch. Larson passed a small paper bag to Rose. We can't have you expiring at work from starvation?" Larson chuckled as he handed the meal to Miss. Rose.
The carriage stopped, and Larson helped Rose down to the street. "See you this evening" Larson picked up Rose's hand and placed a kiss on its back.
Allison poked her head out of the coach, "Wait, I almost forgot, these are for you, Rose." She handed over a pair of very thin black leather gloves."These will protect your pretty hands and keep them clean."
"Ah! Thank you, Allison. They are perfect. I will give you money for them once I get my first pay bucket," said Rose.
"No, you won't. These are a present from me for your first day of work. They are also an I'm sorry gesture for how I treated you yesterday. Now hurry along. We don't want to make you late." Allison smiled and waved at Rose. She saw her eyes sparkle while studying the new gloves in her hands.
The Milner siblings watched as Rose strolled into the greenhouse. Larson did not want to depart until he was sure she was safely inside after the previous incident.
"You, my brother, have been bitten by the love bug." Allison giggled, seeing Larson observe Rose.
"Allison, you might be right. I would love to make that little woman my wife. Rose is certainly a captivating spirit. I want to court her. Do you think it's too soon for me to ask her to be my girl?" Allison comprehended Larson was enraptured by Rose.
"Slow down and give it a few weeks. You wouldn't want Rose to think you are too eager and frighten her off. Or have her think you're a letch." Allison snickered and patted her older brother on the shoulder.