6 6 Butterflies and Roses (AVOT)

"My Lord," Daisy began, her fingers curling on her dress. She hated the way he made her feel so nervous. She wished to explain herself, but not giving her name to a stranger and instead giving her sister's name sounded just as bad. "I did not mean to lie. Somehow, when I feel that I am in trouble, I use my sister's name since she gets away with it easier."

He narrowed his eyes. "You felt you were in trouble with me?"

"I was in trouble because I was running alone at night in the woods." She explained.

"Why were you doing that?" he asked, now suddenly curious.

"Just… sister fights. I needed to be away for a while." She said, then eager to change the subject and know more about the mysterious lord, "Do you have any siblings?" She asked in turn.

"No."

"You live alone here?"

"Hopefully not for much longer," he replied.

Daisy swallowed, and a blush crept to her face as Lord Blackthorne's intense gaze never left her. She couldn't deny the fluttering in her chest as he looked at her, but she also couldn't shake the unease that lingered in the back of her mind either. His eyes seemed to hold a thousand secrets, and Daisy found herself both fascinated and wary of the depths they concealed.

She shifted in her seat, trying to find some semblance of comfort in the unfamiliar surroundings. "I hope you don't mind me asking, my lord," she began hesitantly, "why me?"

His head tilted slightly. "Why not?"

She shrugged. "There are other ladies in society who may be more... suitable, and we have only met once before."

Lord Blackthorne leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers, as if trying to decipher the thoughts behind her question. "Miss Daisy, our desires are not always governed by logic or reason."

Upon hearing the word 'desires,' Daisy's heart raced, and her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink. She held her breath as she tried to process the implications of Lord Blackthorne's statement. Was he suggesting that he… desired her, despite their limited interaction?

She squirmed slightly in her seat, feeling a heady mix of excitement and apprehension.

"What do you desire, Daisy?" As he posed the question, his voice took on a low, sultry quality that stirred a tingling sensation within her.

Was she imagining all of this, or was it truly happening. She looked at his face, searching for any clues. He gave her scrutinizing gaze a welcoming smile. A smile that seemed friendly, but the eyes remained sharp and focused, betraying a more calculated and possibly dangerous nature.

"I desire a simple, carefree life." She replied, deciding to subtly show him that she wasn't interested in his proposal.

Lord Blackthorne raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by her response. "A simple, carefree life," he mused. "Doesn't that seem a bit... uninspired?"

Daisy frowned, taken aback by his dismissal of her desires. She had always longed for the peace and tranquility that came with a simple life, away from the chaos of society.

"Don't you ever crave a life filled with adventure, excitement, and perhaps a touch of danger?" he asked with a voice that seemed to invite her to such a world.

Daisy couldn't help but be drawn to the allure of his question, even as she remained steadfast in her own desires. She hesitated for a moment, her mind conjuring up images of thrilling escapades and forbidden experiences. Finally, she replied, "While adventure and excitement have their own charms, they can also lead to heartache and loss. I would rather find happiness in the simplicity of everyday life."

Lord Blackthorne considered her words, his expression unreadable. "You possess a rare wisdom, Miss Daisy, to recognize the value of simplicity in a world that often glorifies excess and extravagance. However, I believe that a balance can be struck between the two, allowing one to experience the thrill of adventure while still finding solace in the quiet moments."

He paused, his gaze never leaving hers, as if gauging her reaction. "Perhaps, in time, you may come to see the merits of such a balance. I, for one, would be more than willing to show you the possibilities that await beyond the mundane."

Daisy felt a peculiar sensation deep within her, as if Lord Blackthorne's words had struck a chord she didn't know existed. A sudden, unexpected warmth spread through her body, making her face, neck, and ears turn red. She couldn't deny that his proposition was alluring, tempting her to venture beyond the boundaries she had always known.

As the heat continued to rise, she fumbled in her dress pocket and pulled out a delicate fan, hurriedly unfolding it and fanning herself in an attempt to regain her composure. What was wrong with her? She never felt this way before.

Lord Blackthorne, noticing her flushed cheeks and the rapid motion of her fan, offered a sly smile. "Perhaps some fresh air would be beneficial? Allow me to escort you to the garden. It is quite lovely this time of year."

No, she needed to get away from this man. He seemed to wield an invisible power over her, drawing her in with an irresistible force that left her feeling vulnerable and exposed.

Despite wanting to run away, Daisy nodded. She couldn't deny her curiosity about the man and his mysterious estate. Together, they left the dimly lit room and stepped out into the sunlit garden.

The garden was a striking sight. Roses, red and white, dominated the landscape, their thorny bushes intertwining with ivy and dark-leaved plants.

"You like roses, My Lord?" She asked.

Lord Blackthorne smiled, his prying gaze fixed on her. "Indeed. The red roses signify deep passion and desire, whereas the white roses represent innocence and purity. Together, they capture the essence of the human heart – the eternal struggle between our darkest desires and our innate virtue."

Daisy nodded. The fight between desire and virtue? She never struggled with such things. She had more substantial struggles in her life.

He continued, "And the thorns, they serve as a reminder that even the most beautiful things in life often come with a price, a certain danger. Just like our desires, we must handle them with care, lest we be pricked and bear the consequences."

Was he warning her? She turned to him, and he met her gaze. Unable to withstand the piercing quality of his stare, her eyes wandered down his face, taking in every feature. He had defined cheekbones, high and angular, and a strong set of his jawline. His lips had a delicate shape, with a defined cupid's bow that seemed to guide the eye toward them. They held a natural curve that seemed to suggest a hint of a smirk, even when he wasn't smiling.

There was an undeniable appeal about him, though she couldn't quite reconcile it with his odd skin color— an aspect that made him both striking and unsettling at the same time.

He caught her observing him, and a small smile played at the corners of his lips. Daisy looked away quickly. She pretended to be interested in the roses instead and reached for one.

"Careful," Lord Blackthorne said, his voice tense as if suspecting she would prick herself, which she did.

A sharp thorn pierced her delicate fingertip, and a droplet of blood welled up from the small wound. She pulled her hand back quickly and looked at her finger, and Lord Blackthorne seemed to stiffen beside her.

She looked at him and noticed his fixed gaze on the blood and the way his nostrils flared slightly, as if he were trying to catch his breath. A muscle in his jaw tightened, and his fingers curled into fists at his sides. It was as if the sight of blood had provoked a reaction in him, one that he was trying desperately to conceal.

Oh, he was scared of blood perhaps?

She tried to quickly find a way to conceal it, when Lord Blackthorne suddenly reached for her hand, taking it into his gloved one.

"Allow me," he said, his voice controlled but strained, as he reached for a handkerchief from his pocket. He carefully wrapped it around her fingertip, applying slight pressure to stop the bleeding.

His actions seemed stiff, as if he was forcing himself to stay focused on the task at hand.

"Ah, how careless of me," she smiled nervously.

He said nothing and remained tense as he kept a light pressure on her finger.

"Father, told me that…. well, when we met… we touched." She said thinking of how he kept his gloves on. She really wanted to know about his disease.

He smiled a little. "I assure you, Daisy, that I have no intention of marrying you without the intention of touching you."