16 An un contracted request.

Lucinda paced around the room till she heard the clicking opening of the door. She turned to find the viscount in now dried clothes— connor clothes that is.

She wordlessly offered him a seat. Once more putting up her calm dignified image with her back straight and gaze sharp. He rounded to sit on the cushioned couch across from her. The warmth of the fire crackling behind him was much needed.

"I'll go straight to the point. Since you're the one here today, i presume you're with the document right?"

With his lips curved in that usual signature smile of his as he brought out some papers from a bag she just only notice now. She must be out of sorts lately to not have noticed earlier.

In the few moment before the paper was before her, she watched him bring it out to arrange in some sort. His moving arms only brought her attention to his well toned body that strained against the crisp white fabric of the shirt; a few buttons was left undone perhaps because of the cloth looking almost small on him. Well it certainly look that way on him, the way it hugged his biceps; Lucinda cleared her throat ridding her gaze from studying him, she thought perhaps she should have made a better attempt to find something more comfortable and not something that was like a second skin on him.

With the sound Lucinda made, Silas moved his gaze to her, his slightly springy tousled hair due to the rain fell on his face for a moment. He reached his large but slim fingers to pushed the mass of curls away.

Then with a raised brow, he look down once more at the paper which was now in front of Lucinda.

"I've signed it already. The terms and conditions followed through with what you highlighted at our last meeting". Ah yes, the meeting she called for. The same one that is sealing her fate. Lucinda carefully scanned the content and true to his words she found no error. To precise, too clean. It didn't just sit well with her. Lucinda skimmed her gaze to him once more and found him still studying her intently. She dipped the quill pen in the ink but hesitated above the paper.

"Is anything the matter Lucinda. I do hope you aren't backing out so soon" His lack of use of formalities whenever he wanted sometimes irked her. She clenched on the Quill pen a little harder, nursing on her bottom lip her hair for a moment shielding her face, her expression; till she whipped back her head and who stared at him wasn't the defiant woman who was always ready to butt head with him—but was the gaze of a mother with a request.

Her voice was soft now and dare him say almost pleaful, least he was getting ahead of himself" i have just one request that isn't stated in the contract".

The woman that stared at him wasn't the woman in the rumors, not a spiteful witch, or a two faced hag but a determined single mother with all but one request.

•••

"You can't change my mind. That sly witch is definitely using a spell on him". One of the maids said harshly chopping up the vegetables for the next meal.

"I guess you aren't wrong. How on earth could that woman catch such a fine gentleman," another maid seconded, her hip leaning on the counter of the kitchen.

"He was so unreal. I almost thought i dreamed him up. Why do you think she didn't let one of us answer the door?.."

The maid turned to the other two maids at her side currently gossiping with her.

"Beats me if I know. She probably didn't want us to see her man toy" the maid cutting the vegetables said rolling her eyes.

"Hmm.. I don't know about that Sarah. He looked too dignified and important to be a man toy. You think he wants to dupe our lady for all she's worth?Though he didn't seem like that at all" she commented swooning at the image of the fine gentleman she saw her lady talking to at the door, her hand on her robust chest. She was quite a curvy woman.

"Hush Cassie! You sound like they write it on their foreheads. Though maybe it won't be bad to have a new master. Anything away from that woman". Sarah was a robust woman, her face tight as if etched with a permanent scowl.

"Hey! Do you think i could seduce him?" She asked swaying side by side.

The tall scrawny maid laughed at Cassie "you probably could try but you can't deny that though we hate that scornful hag, you features and body couldn't come close to her. Sigh, why did such a vile woman like her get to inherent such good looks and body."

Cassie threw her hands at the scrawny maid in dismissal. "The body you are right, but the face though admittedly beautiful is a face not cherished by the men in our society. Her features are sharp and fierce not like the soft innocent petite beauty they all desire" she said placing her hands on her cheeks and swaying with pouted lips.

Admit their discussion they failed to notice something. At the middle counter in the large kitchen a tiny hand reached out over the edge, tapping futilely at the counter top moving from side to side searching for something.

The hand quickly retreated as another maid dragged herself into the kitchen.

"What happened to you?" The scrawny maid called. Noticing the unusual sway in her step and the far away look in her eyes.

The maid open and closed her mouth a few times like a fish out of water before she said "I-i think... i just saw an angel and a devil at the same time". The three maids turned to stare at the obviously delirious woman spouting such words.

"What are you speaking about Lora" the maid Cassie asked.

The small hand which had once retreated reached out again, blinding searching the counter tops in cautious taps. Then the hand touch a basket and halt. It stretched more, reaching into it to take one of the many delicacy of freshly baked dessert breads. Clenching it in it small fist, the hand dragged the newly acquired treasure behind the counter once more.

"Wait don't tell me. You saw him too..." At the mention of the address of a man, Theodore paused from munching into the bread he just acquired after much effort. The time to consume sweets was over for him, but how could he disregard his hand and stomach that so seek one. He paused with the bread half way to his mouth to listen to the gossiping women. It wasn't unusual to hear their comments on his mama. And in his own time he had defended his mother; though he was told not to be bothered by such people. But the new course of topic reaching his ears wasn't only about his mama.

"You saw him too right?" Lora asked Cassie, her far way look focusing on the maid with freckles.

"The fine gentleman with the tall build. Why yes. Though only for a fleeting moment".

Lora twirled till she fell on the side of the middle counter, making Theodore dock his head closer to himself.

I had the pleasure to gaze at him, but i was too shy and ran away" she said covering her face.

"How was he like?"

Lora took a moment to sigh heavily. "Like something out of a fantasy. Mere words i have could not describe him. His set of deep blue eyes, that i so want to get lost in and never be found. The wild tousle of his dark as midnight hair and the beautiful curve of his sensuous lips-"

"Least i stop you there before you become a poet." Sarah interrupted putting the chopped veggies in a bowl.

Theodore ears perked up at descriptions the maids gave. Though he wondered why they spoke of the man that way, so much details he didn't think of entertaining. But the hair and eyes and the way they spoke of his looks was enough to tell Theodore that it was the Evil lord that came to visit. Though why? Was he joining the family today? If so, he better go greet him.

"I hear that he's handsome alright. but, what brought you to the kitchen?" Sarah asked Lora that once more sported a far away look swaying from side to side.

"Goodness," Lora jolted in sudden alarm.