Scars

Enough

Valora slowly opened her eyes surprised that she was in her bed. The last thing she remembered was falling asleep on his shoulder. Sitting so close to a man was so very scandalous and her mind quickly flashed to how excited Sue would be at the news that he saw her ankles. Thinking about Sue eventually led her to her father and she was saddened almost immediately. There she was dinning at night and sitting so close to a man who was the sole reason her father was suffering with no one to care for him. She figured they were growing closer in the recent weeks and she would ask him to let her go. She knew for sure that she would make sure to never bother him again. Rising, she slid out of her blankets when something at the foot of the bed fell and she went to pick it up. As she held the scarf in her hands she realized what he must have went through to get the pretty blue cloth back to her.

"Oh I see you've found the scarf."

She turned to him smiling, "yes, thank you again."

"I made sure it was properly dried for you before I returned it, so if we are go outside again you will be able to use it." She nodded holding the scarf to her neck. Her eyebrow rose as she observed his body language and noticed him opening and closing his mouth again as nothing came out.

"Yes Adonis?"

He grinned slightly, "how is it you know I've a question?" She placed the scarf on the bed where she had lain and turned to face him as she placed her hands on her hips. Making a face she opened and closed her mouth again and fidgeted just as she had seen him do. At that he laughed. "I will give you that." He scratched the back of his neck again. "I was wondering if you would..." He paused and cleared his throat. "Would you like to..." He paused. "Would you like to introduce the new staff to the home and their duties? I would but I rather wait to address them all when my mask arrives this evening."

"You do not have to don a mask in front of them Adonis."

"But I do ma belle femme. If you would rather not I will have Sicily do it."

"I will meet them, but I only suggest you reveal yourself. If you've any desire to connect with your staff they should know you for yourself. That means not hiding yourself behind a mask and dark clothing."

He gave her a weird look but left her to dress for her meeting with the new workers.

A while later she descended the staircase and was confronted by the line of curious workers and she gave them a reassuring smile. "Though you've been here for a few days I do not think you've had the chance to see the house and learn your abilities..." She started.

Sicily watched on impressed with the young lady's ability to connect and instruct despite her nerves. She nagged Adonis about the girl's return and she knew he was contemplating it but feared his growing dependence of her. She had never seen him smile as much even before that horrid accident until she came around and all she could do was hope he would give her the choice to stay or go or risk her resentment of him. Her mind flashed back to when she took the woman's father home.

Stepping out of the carriage he stood to his full height which was not very tall and glared. "I will be back and she will come home with me!"

She quickly shushed him. "Silence, you do want your daughter to live do you? I assure you as long as you remain silent, no harm will come of her I will make sure of it. Patience and she will return to you in no time, this is more of a cautionary measure taken to insure the man's survival. You must not say a word to anyone."

"How will I explain my beloved daughter's disappearance to the village?!" He demanded.

"From what I can see, I've heard, people expect her to marry, you can inform them of her marriage to a foreigner."

"So am forced to lie and never see my daughter again? Surely she will worry for my health!"

"As I know it, your daughter has spent her life caring for you and taking responsibilities someone her age should not have to bare. For her sake I will make sure you live and have health but your dependence on her has shaped her, this may be good for her."

He paused. "How...?"

"Maids, gossip and the ones from this village can be very harsh. They fail to understand why she has not wed and attribute the fault to you. That goes to say I do not agree completely."

He paused and turned, "wait here please." Returning shortly after he handed her a satchel full of clothing. "Please look after her. She is all I have left."

She nodded, "remember, you mustn't tell a soul of this."

"Yes, I know, now please leave before someone sees you and all of this will be for naught."

"Sicily?" She was brought back to the present and noticed Valora standing near her.

"Yes dear?"

"Is all well with you?"

"Yes, yes. This aged mind wanders." She added a giggle for good measure.

Valora smiled and patted the woman on the shoulder when she was approached by the a woman younger of the group. "Excus moi, but I have heard that there is a Lord of this home, where is he?"

"Well," she paused.

"I heard he'd put a donkey to shame." She'd heard another maid tsk.

"I heard he beds anything that moves." She overheard another conversation. Comments continued and the crowd grew restless. She paused allowing the sentiments to wash through her.

"I hear he's a face not even a mother could love." She gasped at the audacity and glared.

"Enough!" She exclaimed.

The maids stared and quickly hurried about muttering excuses amongst themselves. They glanced at one another as they exited, intrigued about who the young lady who hastily commanded them were.