Allure Of The Night

Music Recommendation: Heavens, what an afternoon- John Lunn

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At night, after supper, Eve sat in her bed holding a glass of water while staring at it. She wanted to explore her mermaid abilities, so she decided to practice it just like Vincent had told her.

She concentrated for one whole minute, but nothing happened. It was only when she dipped her finger in the glass that she could waver the surface of the water. She had to learn to do it without using a medium, Eve thought to herself.

It took her nearly an hour when she was finally able to pull a drop out of the glass, without using water as a medium. The drop of water looked like a silver pearl rose above the glass and met her eye to eye. Seeing it made her happy to think that she could do things beyond what she knew.

She moved the water drop in the air, moving it towards the candle stand and balancing it above the fire. After some time, the water evaporated into thin air. She looked at her hands and smiled.

Finding the ability replaced the thoughts about Lady Camille’s death, but it didn’t erase from her mind. It had been one day since Lady Camille’s death, and the authorities were still trying to figure out about the missing lady’s whereabouts.

Hours in the day and night were quick to pass, bringing Mr. Quintin’s soiree for the highly esteemed guests from different towns to attend it. All dressed and ready, Eve descended the stairs of her house.

Lady Aubrey asked Eve, “Oh, good! One of you is ready. Eugene just went in to dress.”

Eve tried to button the sleeve and said, “That’s fine. Even if we go late it should be alright.”

“Give that to me,” said Lady Aubrey, buttoning Eve’s sleeve. She looked up at Eve, who looked tense. She assured her, “You look more tense than usual. What happened to me is not going to happen to you. And wasn’t it this man hosting who invited you?”

Eve nodded, smiling at the older woman, “Thank you. Yes, he was the one.

Lady Aubrey stared at Eve, wishing the young woman didn’t have to keep watching her back and foot with every step.

The sound of the carriage wheels and horses neighing in front of their house gate stopped. When someone knocked on the door, Eve walked to the door and opened it. She found a man standing at the door with a basket and two boxes in his hands.

The servant bowed, and Eve did the same out of politeness. He greeted her,

“Good afternoon, Ms. Barlow. I am Sir Henry Quintin’s personal coachman and am here to drive you to Quintin’s mansion. He also sent your family gifts and would like to accept it.”

Lady Aubrey, who stood behind Eve, murmured, “Seems like someone is too eager to see you.” She said to the coachman, “You can keep them inside.”

The coachman stepped inside and placed the gifts in the living room. Eve said, “Mr. Quintin didn’t have to send his carriage. I have one of my own which I can ride in.”

The coachman bowed again, “Mr. Quintin said he wanted to make sure that you arrived at the right mansion as you have never visited before.”

Eve stared at the man and said, “I will be there near the carriage in two minutes.” She didn’t want the carriage standing in front of her house idly and gaining attention. The coachman bowed and walked back to stand next to the carriage.

Lady Aubrey asked Eve, “Looks like Mr. Quintin has taken quite an interest in you. Is he an amiable man? Considering how he knows you aren’t of his status and wants you to attend the soiree in his mansion.”

“He seems like a decent man, and his words were polite. I wouldn’t call him to be exactly amiable. Not that I have exchanged many words with him, except for some pleasantries,” Eve replied and added, “In the past, he tried to court Marceline.”

“Mm,” Lady Aubrey responded and then turned back and said loudly, “Eugene, there’s no need to get ready.”

Looking back at Eve, who was buckling her shoes, Lady Aubrey said, “The man seems too smitten by you. Bringing you flowers, gifts, sending a carriage to attend the soiree. He doesn’t sound so bad?”

Eve straightened her back and looked at Aunt Aubrey, knowing exactly what her aunt was thinking. She said, “Not so bad.” She leaned in to kiss her aunt’s cheek and said, “I will see you in the evening.”

Eve rode in Mr. Quintin’s carriage from Meadow to Skellington. Though she didn’t wear a striking gown like the one she wore for the last soiree, it didn’t stop her from looking beautiful. It was the first time a man who belonged to high society was courting this assertively.

She stared at her reflection in the carriage’s window, looking at her blue eyes.

Upon reaching the mansion, the coachman opened the door for Eve. As she got down, her eyes fell on the huge mansion surrounded by gardens and decorated by a few statues, similar to the many other mansions in Skellington.

She noticed three carriages parked outside. It seemed like guests had already arrived. An older man appeared at the front, who was Quintin’s butler and greeted her,

“Welcome, Ms. Barlow. Mr. Quintin has been waiting for you,” the old man, noticing Eve not wearing any coat, said, “Let me lead you to the back garden where you are being expected.”

But before they could walk further, Henry Quintin appeared at the front as if he had been waiting for her to arrive. A smile appeared on his lips, and he complimented her,

“You look lovely as always, Ms. Barlow. Welcome to my mansion. I hope your journey here was smooth?”

Eve smiled and replied, “Yes, it was.”

“I apologise for sending the carriage early. I was hoping to spend some time with you before my parents would ambush me with guests,” Mr. Quintin stated, and waved his hand at his butler to leave them alone while leading Eve. As they walked, he said,  “I was worried that you would turn down my invitation at the last minute,” he looked slightly embarrassed by it. Eve finally realised the reason for the man sending his carriage.

She politely said, “It would be rude to do that when you told it yourself.”

Henry nodded and smiled, “Thank you, Ms. Barlow. I know Lady Marceline said you weren’t looking for marriage, and don’t take my words that I am forcing you for an answer. But I was hoping that if you haven’t considered any men yet, then I would like you to consider me to be one of your prospects to marry.”

Suddenly a few glasses fell on the ground, and ahead of them stood Patrick Humphrey. She was taken aback by his presence here.

Henry turned grim and said, “Patrick, I told you to manage the guests in the back garden, once they arrive.”

Eve and Mr. Humphrey stared at each other. The man wore clothes similar to the butler. He stood frozen in his place. She then heard Mr. Quintin order, “Now that you are here, go fetch the lady a glass of water.”

Mr. Humphrey’s face turned red. He quickly bowed and hurried away from where he stood. Eve asked,

“He…”

Henry answered, “He’s one of the men who works for me. A week ago, I found him stealing some of the profits that were being made and kicked him. After he cried that he had no money, I pitied him and decided to hire him as a servant. My butler has his eyes on him.”

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