Page 41 of The Time Of Queens

Of course, its purpose was to add volume to the skirt, and it certainly achieved that. The cascade of folds at the front of the skirt kind of reminded me of my late grandmother’s curtains. But thankfully was without the gaudy flowery pattern. Instead, delicate pieces of blue lace and ribbons were entwined with the design and matched that on the bodice. One that had a much lower, square neckline and unlike my usual lady’s maid outfit, showed off a lot more skin. Or should I say, cleavage, as let’s just say the corset was doing its job.

As for the short sleeves, Pip had thankfully given me a pair of long evening gloves to wear, so as to hide not only my scars but also my latest injuries. But Pip hadn’t stopped there as she insisted on doing my hair for me. As clearly, a trip to the past wasn’t complete without playing ‘dress up dolly’ for a night. A fact that made us both smile when I mentioned that I had lost count of the number of times I had let Sophia and her do this to me for an evening. Although naturally alcohol had normally also played a factor, something that made her laugh even harder when I confessed this.

But she clearly had a skill for it, as by the end my hair looked stunning. With its elaborate twists and braids all pinned back in an intricate pattern before allowing for the rest of it to fall over one shoulder in a cascade of spiral curls. The knowing smirk from Pip was one I could see in the mirror. A smirk that told me she was proud of her handy work, and it was one that turnedinto a full-blown grin when I turned around and hugged her in thanks.

A little while after this, and once Pip was in her own stunning dark green dress, we made our way out of the room. I maneuvered the heavy weight of the skirt out the door, and it was one that I gathered yet again belonged to his sister. Something that was proven right when I met her on the balcony that surrounded the first floor, above the entrance hall seen below.

“At this rate I would be better splitting my wardrobe and simply giving you half,” Sophia teased with a wink, making me giggle. “It looks very becoming on you, my dear,” she added, leaning in to kiss my cheek, making me blush as I grabbed her hand to squeeze. She also did this so she could whisper in my ear,“Don’t be nervous.”

“Well don’t we all look pretty,” Pip added when joining us from behind. And as I took in Sophia’s own deep red dress, I couldn’t help but wish we could have had a picture taken, as we looked on our way to a Victorian ball. They were each similar in style, but Pip’s had a lot more lace, and Sophia’s was trimmed with a thick velvet panel around the edge of the skirt.

“Come, dinner will be served shortly,” Sophia said, prompting us to make our way down to the drawing room, where we were to meet before dinner. So, after taking a nervous deep breath, I stepped inside the room to find the men chatting.

The room was quite large, and I remembered Draven telling me that it used to be two rooms but had been knocked into one. The dividing wall had been replaced with a pair of decorative ionic columns. The whole room was lavish in its style, and I expected nothing less from a home Draven owned. Although I had to confess, it was a little garish for my tastes, with its gilded French style panelling and fancy patterned ceilings, every inch of the room looked moulded by an artist.

The furniture was no exception to the Draven’s lavish tastes as it was filled with comfortable seating, for this was clearly its primary feature. Numerous armchairs, sofas, and ottomans were all arranged for easy conversation, each piece covered in matching cream and gold material.

As for Draven, he had his back to the door, whereas Vincent was standing on one side of him with Lucius on the other. Meaning both of which saw me first. The look of shock at seeing me dressed this way was obvious, as neither made any attempts at hiding their surprise.

However, it was Lucius that smirked before leaning in and obviously alerting Draven to my arrival. I didn’t know what he said but it had barely left his lips before Draven’s head whipped around to see me. His eyes instantly widened in amazement before that same heat could be seen morphing them into something forbidden and dangerous. I swear it looked like he wanted to devour me whole, and to the point that even Pip muttered under her breath at me,

“Crickey, run, girl, before he eats you.”

I lowered bashful eyes as the power of his stare beat me into submission. I swear, I thought I heard him hiss a single word before walking over to me.

“Gods.”

“Miss Williams,” he said, giving me no choice but to brave looking up at him, and I swear it was like the world stood still just for the two of us the moment our eyes connected.

“Please permit me to say, you’re a vision in that dress.”

I curtsied before saying a shy,

“Thank you.”My blush spoke for me I was sure, as he smiled down at me. However, the second he opened his mouth to say more, his brother cut in.

“Should we eat before dawn?” Then he slapped him on the back as if in hopes of jarring him from whatever spell he thoughtI had cast on his brother. Vincent’s icy glare was one of pure distrust, despite him too at first showing me an appreciative glance when I first walked in.

“Shall we?” Draven said, ignoring his brother and now holding out an arm for me. Something Vincent very much disapproved of. That was if his flash of irritation was anything to go by.

Of course, unlike Sophia had been back in Persia, Vincent wasn’t being outright hostile, and no doubt didn’t blame me per say. It was just clear that he didn’t approve of my being here and nor did he approve of the attention his brother was showing me.

I suppose I couldn’t blame him, considering he was just looking out for his brother just as Sophia once had. The only difference now was that Vincent believed that Draven had already met his Chosen One and lost her.

And in his mind that girl wasn’t me.

Now as for Lucius, he looked at me with that famed knowing smirk of his, as if he could see something no one else could. Especially as Draven led me from the room and towards where we were to dine. The tall double doors that led into the dining room were opened by servants who tried hard to keep their judgmental looks from being too obvious. As it was clear my being invited to dine was top rate gossip in the lower levels, along with my fight with the newly unemployed cook. Which did have me wondering who was in charge of cooking tonight’s meal? I hoped it meant someone got promoted, as Mrs Weathers certainly hadn’t been the only one capable of making a good pie.

A large walnut table big enough to seat all of us, unsurprisingly dominated the space, with its matching, cushioned chairs pulled out ready to receive us. I also knew that from working the lower levels that beneath the dining room was a spacious Butler's pantry. A room which was used to serve at mealtimes via a small adjoining servery and staircase. As forthe food, this was brought in at the lower level from the main kitchen on the opposite side of the house. Meaning for the servants, it was all hands-on deck during these formal dinners.

The room we entered was an elongated Octagon shape with the walls divided into round arched panels, and great sheets of mirrored glass framed in moulded decorations. Elegant side tables held ornate candelabras that were mirrored in the glass, giving the room an aura of illusion as the reflection of flames flickered around us.

I couldn’t help but look to the window that overlooked the east parterre garden with the flora fountain at its centre. As for Draven, he pulled out the seat for me, taking the job from his staff. A footman stepped forward to do this, only to be left with no choice but to back away.

Draven didn’t seem to care as he was still looking at me as if I was some angel that had just fallen from Heaven only for him. He looked transfixed, and it was only when Vincent cleared his throat that Draven moved away from me to take his own seat at the top of the table. In fact, he looked frustrated that he hadn’t been free to put me next to him. As clearly this was where Vincent and Sophia sat, just like they used to do in Afterlife before I came along. Zagan was then sitting next to his wife, with Adam opposite. Which left me sitting across from Pip who was next to her husband.

And as for Lucius, I tensed when he took the seat next to me, saying,

“How fortunate I am, Miss Williams, for now I get the opportunity to know you better.”

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