"The sweetest smiles hold the darkest secrets..." – Sara Shepard, Flawless

I woke early, refreshed from the evening and proceeded to drive out to my storage unit. Picking up several useful books, some knick-knacks and some more clothes I'd neglected to pack, I returned to Maya's to drop things off before heading back out. I stopped by the local coffee house on my next trip, wanting a warm cup of coffee to heat me in the cold weather.

"Valera is that you? It is you isn't it? What are you doing here?"

The voice held such wonder at seeing me in the flesh and yet the mouth it came from could be bitter, cold and mean. Accompanied as it was by the shrill laughter of a woman who wore too much makeup and had me fighting between the choices of lashing out and running away.

"You disappeared! God, we all thought you'd died! Maya wouldn't tell me where you were," he said.

"She might as well have died, you know, you won't catch a man looking like that sweetheart. Remember, you couldn't keep this one..."

I hadn't had a chance to get a good look at the 'other woman' the first time around but I was unimpressed by what was looking at me now. With a face caked in makeup and a dress impossibly short under the fur coat she wore, she looked more like a second-rate hooker than someone to be jealous of. In my minds eye, I wondered why Philip had left me for this woman.

"Awh, did no one ever teach you proper manners? Sweetheart! You should control that mouth of yours, you never know, you might insult someone who'll fight back."

I wasn't usually catty of bold like this, but all bets were off with the couple before me.

"Did you hear what she said to me?! Are you going to allow that?"

"Valera, why did you run away? It couldn't have been because of us...We never would have worked, you know that. You were so boring and neglectful of me. I only proposed because Father wanted me to, desperate he was to have you in the family. Then Penelope came along, and I realised all that I was missing. You don't understand, she's my other half and her family are well respected. It doesn't matter that we are no longer engaged, you still belong with out family. Maya wouldn't tell me where you'd gone but now you are here I can take you back to Father. You won't be able to leave us again."

I felt a wave of emotions flicker through me as he spoke, first anger and outrage, then disbelief, frustration and concern. Philip's speech sounded a little crazy but the way he was looking at me made me realise he meant his words and that keeping me by his side was something he intended to do. I suddenly felt fearful of the man in front of me.

"I don't belong to you," I whispered in a deadly tone.

"Been to any Castle recently...? You can't trust the Valera. You can't trust anyone. Come home with me where you'll be safe."

Philip pulled me roughly against him, I fought against his hold, but his grip was strong. I didn't help the situation that Philip's woman was now screeching in outrage at the turn of events. I wished I could shut up that stupid woman once and for all.

"Come on Valera, you belong to our family, just like every generation before you. You won't be getting away this time, I'll make sure of it. You have a lot to pay for...my family will not be disregarded or humiliated again!"

He loosened his hold on me as I faked getting relaxed. I took my chance to break free but I wasn't leaving it at that. Using all the strength I could muster, I pulled my fist back and punched Philip squarely in the face. I must have had some force behind the punch for Philip's nose began bleeding. However, as satisfying as the sight before me was, my hand was throbbing in pain from the blow. I tried clenching and unclenching my fist several time and didn't think I'd broken anything, but it hurt like hell.

"What the hell woman?! Are you completely insane?"

"No Philip, you're insane for ever thinking that I'd willingly come with you. I am not your property, I never was and frankly my life is a whole lot better without you in it. I don't know what kind of crazy runs in your family, but I will not allow you to take me prisoner. Look around Philip, this scene has nothing to do with me. You humiliated your family name with your own actions."

I stormed away from the coffee shop and back to my car. I was seething and didn't think I'd ever been this angry. I could hear Philip calling my name and the verbal assault that Penelope was directing towards me was ridiculous. Every feeling I'd ever had for Philip evaporated in the moments after, the anger and hurt I'd felt had fizzled away into nothing and I had replaced my feelings for Philip with steaming loathing. I suppose seeing Philip was the closure I needed. I didn't know how breakups were supposed to work, Philip had been my one solid boyfriend and I wasn't sure if my changed feelings for him had come too soon. I'd spent a good chunk of my life with Philip and now I could see clearly what I couldn't see before, that he was right and that we wouldn't have worked as a couple for too much longer. We were just too different.

I returned to Maya and neglected to tell her the run-in with Philip. I just couldn't take another 'I was right about Philip' speech from her. I'd been back for mere days and I was already missing the Castle and the inhabitants. I would have jumped at the chance to return early but knew that I couldn't abandon another doctors appointment.

What if it's bad news? What if there is something wrong with me and I don't get any better? What if I'm dying?

I gulped down the fear that engulfed me and tried to focus on more positive things. I didn't feel like I was dying and for all I knew the source of my blackouts could be minor and unimportant. It didn't stop me from worrying though and as my appointment with the doctor loomed closer, my nerves skyrocketed. 

"You've had the blackouts how long did you say?"

"Half a year now."

"Could you describe them to me?"

"The air around me starts to feel heavy and I become unsteady on my feet. My vision blurs and I feel dizzy and light headed. I can drop in a matter of seconds."

"I'd like to refer you for a rushed MRI and X-Ray. Take this and go straight to the A&E, they'll look after you."

To say that I was terrified was an understatement. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be driving to the A&E today and it made my brain theorise over and over what I had that warranted hospital time. I knew I looked a nervous wreck when I arrived, but the attending nurse took me under her wing and steered me where I needed to go. It was odd to feel so calm and frenzied at the same time, whatever the results of the tests, it could end up changing my life for the better or worse.

I hadn't spent a lot of time in hospitals before and it was interesting watching all the people milling about and served as a good distraction. The Doctor assigned to me, read the letter I'd brought with me and frowned. My hospital record was already in his hand, though I had no idea where it had come from. The silence was killing me, and my hands began to sweat with the pressure I felt. I wanted to scream 'just tell me what I've got Doc' but I didn't want to cause a scene if the news wasn't good. There was more talking, but I wasn't as aware of what was being said because I was so anxious at being here. I was going for some tests, I worked that out when the nice nurse came back again.

Blood was taken as I squeezed my eyes against the sharp jab, breathing slowly through my nose. I wasn't a fan of needles or blood in general. I was instructed to change into a hospital gown and suddenly I worried that I would be here for more than just today. I hadn't even thought about that aspect and hoped I would be told soon if that was the case, so I could make arrangements. The hospital staff were very friendly, they clearly understood the slightly catatonic state I was in and maneuvered me according to what they needed with fresh smiles and warm approaches.

I was trying to take everything in my stride and not hysterically panic. I suppose I should have been aware that my blackouts could have a sinister cause, but I honestly thought they would have been the cause of something simple. I wondered if I was idiotic or irrational. I went for an x-ray, but the results came back clean. The scheduled MRI also came up with no results. It was frustrating to know that a cause couldn't be found. I saw that my frustration was echoed back at me by the Doctor and attending nurses, and it made me feel better about the situation.

As it turned out, they did want me in for observation, I had to phone Maya and try not to panic as I explained the situation. She was all for marching over to the hospital that very second, but I managed to talk her down from that ledge. The Doctor in charge of my case came to see me in the evening and managed to calm my beating heart just a bit.

"Any time we frequently faint or blackout is cause for concern and your GP was right to make you come straight to us. The results of the x-ray and MRI are still inconclusive and there seems to be nothing evident that would cause the blackouts you are having. I know that's not what you wanted to hear. We'd like to keep you in for a couple of nights, just to explore other avenues and make sure we've done all tests available."

I nodded through all he said, I understood his frustration as well as my own and could see the logic in me staying in longer. I didn't want to return to the Castle until I was sure my health wasn't in danger and yet at the same time, I couldn't wait to return to the Castle. I saw the sense in going along with what the Doctor said and dutifully pulled the flight style stocking on my legs to help with the circulation as I lay in my hospital bed.

Maya arrived first thing the next morning, armed with a gigantic bunch of flowers and a packet of M&S grapes. She was in full bubbly mode as she asked every question under the sun and charmed the nurses into giving her more information about my condition. She was, a little too loud for this time in the morning but I appreciated her presence to much that I suffered the headache that was forming in silence. Maya stayed until she was kicked out, but her visit brought me such joy and positivity that I became hopeful of the rest of my stay. In the days coming that hope diminished slightly until I was sure I would never know the reason of the blackouts. The results were inconclusive, the Doctor didn't know what to do with me. Here I was having a problem but there seemed to be no route cause for it.

I was advised to keep track of the blackouts I had and discharged without coming to a diagnosis. In a way, I was really annoyed to have gone through so many tests and still be so far from the cause. The Doctor didn't seem particularly worried about my blackouts, he seemed burned out and anxious to free a hospital bed. I suppose I knew that I wasn't dying or in any immediate danger, but I felt more confused than when I went into the hospital. At least, I could return to the castle knowing that I wasn't going to keel over and die suddenly – I hoped!

Maya had gone into full angry best friend mode, demanding justice for the lack of diagnosis. I purposefully made her stay away from the hospital as I didn't want her shouting at any of the doctors or nurses. She was still spitting mad when I returned to her house thought, and it was with my tail between my legs and backed into a corner that I decided it was time to return to the Castle. Maya was upset that I was leaving so early but understood that I had a job to go back to. I decided to pick up coffee before starting the drive back. I suppose it was just rotten luck that I went back to the same coffee show where I'd unfortunately met Philip at the beginning of my return. I suppose karma was giving me a right kick up the arse with the person I actually met there.

"Valera, I wondered if I might have a word?"

I was walking out of the coffee shop with my coffee when I was accosted.

"Richard, what are you doing here?" I asked, feeling like a deer caught in the headlights as Philip's father starred me down.

"I was hoping to run into you. I've been here for several days trying to find you."

"What do you want?"

"Philip told me you've been employed at Flyzroy Castle?"

"So?"

"Don't go back. Stay here."

"Excuse me?"

"Bad things only come from that place. You're better off here with Philip."

"In case you don't remember, Philip and I broke up."

"Philip is just stretching his wings. He'll come to his senses sooner or later. Then you'll be together again."

"I think both you and your son are barking up the wrong tree. Philip and I are most definitely over and even if he did change his mind, I wouldn't take him back," I said, crossing my arms over my chest in defense.

"Don't be silly Valera, you have a place in our family. Take the offer, you won't get a better one."

"I don't need whatever misplaced charity you're offering. I'm sorry Richard, I'm not interested in anything you're offering and frankly I'm better off without your family."

"You stupid girl! When I say you're part of this family I bloody well mean it. You're not going anywhere!"

He grabbed my shoulders and squeezed, blood pumped to my heart and as I gazed in fear at the man holding me, I watched his eye bulge and the whites of his eyes grow at an alarming speed. He looked crazed, furious and not at all like the posh aloof man I remembered.

"Richard you're hurting me!"

"I wouldn't have to hurt you if you did as you were told!"

Spittle flew from his mouth as he roared at me. My palms began to sweat with fear and my mind went blank as I struggled to get out of his grip.

"I don't think you understand Valera, you belong to our family. It is what we deserve."

I understood that Richard was completely crazy and that that crazy ran in his son as well. I understood that I was in an uncomfortable situation and that I needed to fight to survive. I gripped any part of Richard I could, scratching and pinching him and willing his grip to loosen. I was in full fight mode, but I could still listen to the abuse he hurled my way and the fact that he seemed obsessed with owning me like a possession.

"Let go of me Richard or I'll phone the police."

"I'm not letting you go again! This family has suffered too much."

"What are you talking about? Is this even about me?"

"I'm taking you home Valera, I'll lock you up till you decide to behave."

"You're absolutely crazy!"

He pulled me closer to him till we were but a hair apart. Looking at the man before me, I only saw a stranger looking back. I decided to seize my chance as he gazed at me, his eyes wildly searching my face. I spat on him.

"You witch!" he shouted but loosened his grip enough to give me room to move.

I threw my full body weight at him, and as unsteady as he was from me spitting at him, I succeeded in pushing him further from me. Repeating an action, I pulled my fist back and punched Richard like I punched his son. Richard had a harder face, because my hand throbbed like I had broken something. In a split second, I could see another change come over him and I knew it wouldn't be a change I liked. I ran, without looking back, I ran as fast as my body could manage and was in my car before Richard could lay hands on me again. My shoulders ached, and I could see the beginning of bruises forming. Just my luck to have such a run in, I always seemed to get the short stick with unpleasant social interactions. My nerves were frayed but I knew I needed to stay focused for the drive back to Flyzroy Castle.

Who does he think he is? He doesn't own me, and his son doesn't own me! I am my own person. What did he mean by needing to keep me? What did he mean when he said his family deserved it? Who did he think I was? I don't have any family. He can't hold me responsible for something an ancestor did – if that's who he was confusing me with. If he knows something about my past, why hasn't he told me?

It was food for thought and something I obsessed over as I drove. It was a tense journey back to the Castle. I knew I shouldn't have let the incident with Richard affect me, but I couldn't help it. What has been said was unkind and scary, and there was no way I was going to walk away and forget it, especially not with the bruising pain of my shoulders. To add to things, my hand was throbbing painfully, starting to bruise and making holding the steering wheel uncomfortable.

Arriving back at Flyzroy Castle, I was still in an angry state of mind but was surprised at how relaxed and calm I felt at arriving back at the Castle. There was now a large bruise blossoming on my hand which was tender to the touch, and taking off my jumper, there were hand shaped bruises on my shoulders. I was unlucky to be one of those people who bruised ridiculously easy. I almost bruised more easily than an apple dropped on the floor! I wondered if I'd done serious damage to my hand with the way it was hurting and wondered who within the Castle would be the best person to check it out.

I couldn't head back into the Castle like this, this anger was consuming me and my friends in the Castle would only want to know of my trip, see the bruises and jump to conclusions. If someone so much as glanced at me with curiosity, I was sure to lose the little control I had over the situation. I didn't want to snap at a friend. A walk around the gardens would do me a world of good and the fresh air would hopefully help to calm me nerves.

I started to think that I should have sought out Ben before I started walking around the garden, but I was already quite far from the Castle and was far too lazy to walk back. I wasn't an expert on hands or how they should feel after punching someone, but I sure didn't think it should hurt this bad. I was surprised that I'd punched Richard, punching Philip had been expected but I wasn't usually a violent person. My hand really hurt! Something didn't feel right, not broken but definitely sore. I felt like screaming, letting all my feelings out and just collapsing on the floor but I reminded myself that I wasn't trying to look like a crazy person. Instead, I kept myself contained and settled for scuffing my feet on the grass and kicking small stones.

I was pacing around angrily, unhappy with the day and uncaring of whether the Groundskeeper told me off for scuffing his grass. Trapped in an eternal monologue of what I had done and what I wished to have done to Richard and Philip, I became blinded with emotions and didn't realise something had happened until I felt myself flying through the air and landing unladylike with my bum against the ground.

Having the wind knocked out of me was rather unpleasant, as was the jarring knock of the head I got as my body was thrown back. I felt startled and dazed and my body throbbed in pain. If I had known I was going to be in this much pain when I woke up, I might have stayed in bed. As darkness clouded my vision, I realised I was about to faint, and it calmed me that at least I wasn't having a blackout.

The view was better this time. I'd only caught a glimpse, but it was apparently enough for me to mumble, "Italian stallion," before my eyes finally closed.

I entered the state of half awareness with a mortified feeling. I willed my eyes to open, yet they stayed stubbornly closed. Whispered phrases caught my attention, 'beautiful', 'lost', 'found you', 'light of life' and 'don't leave me'. Like a lullaby these confusing words woke me from the slumber I'd been in.

Blearily I blinked into the present and wiped away the sleepy dust. I felt the soft grass underneath my fingertips and prayed that I'd woken alone. I didn't want more embarrassment to befall me. As my body joined me in the world of the living, I realised my head was resting on something hard, something hard that was in fact not the ground below me.

I tried to turn and sit up by I found myself being restrained.

"Be careful, you took quite a fall and should rest a while."

The voice, warm as honey, wafted over me in a humming glow. In an instance I remembered what had happened just moments before. Bumping into a stranger had been mortifying enough but falling unconscious was worse. I could now make out the pain of my throbbing hand, which looked a little worse for wear and was now accompanied by the tender throbbing of my head along with the pain of my shoulders. I tried to sit up again and though the hand restraining me seemed reluctant, it did finally allow me to rise.

There was a face I hadn't seen before, and I was momentarily stunned by his beauty. Was it even correct to call him beautiful? Cheeks burning, I remembered calling him 'Italian Stallion' before I'd fainted, and I hoped to god he hadn't heard me. If it was wrong to call him beautiful, then I'd say he was handsome, but that word didn't do him justice either. Perhaps I was being biased and had fallen under the predictable charms a man had to offer a woman. I was sure I'd never seen him before. Had I simply missed his introduction? Or had I been too consumed with work to even notice him? I knew I had yet to meet all the staff, and I hadn't gone out of my way to meet them yet. I would have thought he was the Groundskeepers apprentice had I not already met Zac.

I was staring at him, I realised suddenly and from the look he gave me, he'd caught me starring. Feeling mortified once more and wishing I didn't so easily blush I broke eye contact.

"Your hand! What happened?"

Deep and warm, his voice caressed me like a summers breeze.

"I punched someone but I'm not sure I did it correctly."

"Here, let me look at it."

"No, it's alright."

"I insist, besides what kind of gentleman would I be if I didn't help an injured lady?"

I smiled at the natural charmer before me. I gave into his insistence and placed my hand in his. He tenderly pressed his fingers into my skin, carefully running them over the injured area. I winced as he touched a particularly painful part of my hand. Standing, he walked a short distance to a small satchel I hadn't noticed. He pulled from it a small first aid kit before returning to me.

"This will sting a little."

I glared at him as the true level of sting hit me – it was more than a little.

"Sorry."

I nodded in acceptance of his apology. The stinging sensation finally receded, I noted that my hand looked less disgusting in the current light of day. The man bandaged my hand up and warned me not to use it too much in the coming days. Giving me a stern look he announced that I'd simply sprained the muscle and shouldn't go punching people on a regular basis.

"Thank you."

I looked him in the eye, and he stared back. We engaged in another battle of wills, neither wanting to end it. I had so many questions running through my head, the most important one being who was this man?

"Tell me, why did you punch another person?"

I looked away, embarrassed about that I'd done.

"Dear Lady, I won't judge you. Please tell me who has caused you so much pain."

I felt strangely indebted to him and I convinced myself that was why I explained things to him.

"I had a run in with my ex's father. It was an unpleasant experience and he held me against my will."

"That explains the bruising to your shoulders. He should be punished accordingly," he said darkly.

"Well, he did get a nosebleed."

"Tell me more of what he did."

"He accused me of belonging to his family and that they deserved me. The more he spoke to me the more I was convinced he was mistaking me for someone else. He spoke as though referring to the past, but I don't have a past and I don't have any family. He said that I should take back my cheating ex because it was the best offer, I would get. He told me he was going to lock me in a room until I agreed to behave and warned me not to come back to the castle."

I wasn't sure what prompted me to be so honest in what had happened. For all I knew this man could turn on me, but I couldn't take back what I'd just said. I hadn't realised that in my distress of talking, I'd begun to cry until a clean pressed handkerchief was produced before my eyes. I took it in thanks, carefully wiping my eyes and trying not to stain the handkerchief with my makeup. I clutched it, tracing the softness with my fingers. The stitching in the bottom right corner caught my attention as my fingers ran over the markings 'M. R. L'.

"I'm sorry," I said, embarrassment flooding me, "I feel incredibly rude but who are you? I've not been here long but I haven't seen your face before."

The mysterious man laughed a deep and throaty laugh and I found myself blushing harder than I already had.

"My dead Valera."

I shot away from him, my body folding into a defensive stance as I gazed at him with an expression, I hoped was curiosity and not fear. I had never told him my name.

"Fear me not Valera. No doubt Maggie has withheld all information, but she has become paranoid that I'll be poisoned by some gold digger, not that we get many visitors anymore. I see by your face that you've worked out who I am, but I'll confirm it anyway. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Marquis Raff Lloyd, the Estate, grounds and neighbouring villages all fall under my command as they have for all generations of my family."

"You're not as old as I imagined."

He laughed again and I rather thought he thought me an idiot.

"I apologise for disappointing you, I gather that Maggie has made me out to be an old doddering man with a weak heart? She has rather taken it upon herself to keep me out of danger, but I am sorry that she has led you astray. I've been away on business, but I have heard many great things of your time with us already."

I shook my head, trying to hide my blushing cheeks as embarrassment bloomed within me. Now knowing who he was, I was more in awe of him and worried about my informal treatment of him. I wondered what he knew about me and what he'd heard through the gossip of the castle.

"Please don't let this change anything. I've had a lifetime of people changing their behaviour once they know who I am. Sometimes being a Marquis is more hassle that it's worth. Would you like to take a more detailed tour of the Castle with me? I assume Maggie has left you to wonder with your imagination alone."

He held his arm out toward me and I starred at it, hesitating slightly before I placed my uninjured hand upon his arm. I was amazed by how well he had summed up Maggie, I should have expected him to know his staff, but it had caught me unawares. He smirked once my hand rested on his arm and I felt myself blushing for the hundredth time that day.

Get a grip Valera, you're acting like a silly schoolgirl, blushing every time the cute boy looks your way!

"Are you mocking me Sir?" I asked, proud that my voice sounded so strong.

"Of course not," he replied, the smirk on his face getting bigger.

Definitely mocking me.

I wanted to hit him for turning me into this jumbled embarrassed machine, but I didn't want to risk injuring my other hand. I watched him pick up his satchel and let him lead me in a leisurely pace back to the castle. My mind niggled with worry over what Maggie would think but I pushed it aside. This was the man who hired me to do the job, I couldn't very well avoid him like the plague just so Maggie didn't think I was a gold digger. I wasn't a gold digger anyway!

He talked as we walked, pointing out things of importance along the way. I found his words captivating and wondered why talking with him felt so familiar. I recognised something within him that I had found within myself; a passion for the old and the forgotten.

Once we were inside the Castle once more, the Marquis took me on a detailed tour of the rooms, showing me many things that Maggie had failed to. The Marquis spoke with such passion about everything from an ancient doorstop to the curtains coving the window and everything in between. It was clear that he loved the history of his Castle and was very proud of his family. He even showed me what he called 'the forgotten wing', a part of the Castle that was covered in dust sheets and silence and was a place Maggie had never mentioned. I wondered why he'd brought me here and from the moment I set foot in the wing, I couldn't dispel the feeling of despair I had. The feeling was similar to when I had my blackouts, my stomach churned painfully, and my body felt tight and tingly. I'd not known this feeling to last so long however, and as much as I wanted to see this forgotten wing, I also wanted to run away from it. It was frightening.

"Why isn't this wing in use?"

"Superstition I guess, and a lot of bad memories."

"What happened?"

Silence reigned over us and I suddenly felt I'd been too intrusive with my question. I watched as the Marquis tensed and mentally berated myself for what would be a rebuff.

"I'm sorry, you don't have to tell me. I shouldn't have been so intrusive."

"There was a time when this wing was alight with people and parties. The guestrooms were full to the brim and the ballroom – smaller than the main – was used for the more intimate balls. This was many years before my time you realise, but it happened during the reign of The Prince Regent – that was George's name before he became King George VI in 1820 – when the upper-class society had moved to the countryside for the summer season and were awaiting a new arrival. Quite unexpectedly a single woman arrived, heralded as the 'best in season', she captivated all with her charm and the Castle was filled with laughter and parties during her stay."

"I'm sensing a 'but' coming..."

He nodded, and I sensed that the story was about to take an unpleasant turn.

"The Marquis during that time fell in love with the woman but despite all he could offer, she rejected him. She disappeared into the night and though a search was quickly organised, no new but bad came. She was dead. Society mourned her and her death rocked everyone she'd known. The Marquis was heartbroken, but his grief was short lived, he was dead and buried a week later...it was murder."

Throughout his speech, the Marquis has been starring intently at me and I was unaccustomed to the intense, heated look he was projecting onto me. I knew not why he was looking at me so, but the churning in my stomach reached new heights and I wasn't entirely sure what to make of things.

I gasped, horrified by the end of the story, "did they catch the killer?"

"Never...and the family locked up this wing of the Castle. Locked away the memories of the past and preserved the history of the event."

I pondered on the tragic story, wondering what it must have been like to have lived it. My eyes trailed over the covered furniture and I wondered what antiques and treasures lay buried here. I was overwhelmed by the Marquis bringing me here, especially as it looked like no one had stepped into this wing since it had originally been locked up. The Marquis led me out of the closed room, and I felt the churning of my stomach slip away as I got calmer and calmer. I was taken on a tour of the more popular rooms which ended with the Marquis showing me his favourite rooms of the Castle. The Music Room, The Cellar and The King's Bedchamber – which apparently every titled Estate had. The Marquis had a vast amount of knowledge on every room he showed me, and I soaked up all the knowledge like a sponge. We eventually made our way back to the storage rooms where I was doing my work.

"Maggie tells me you're making great progress and that you're already part of the furniture. Ben tells me he keeps urging you to become a permanent resident. You mustn't feel stressed by their words. We haven't had a visitor in many years, far less one that clicked so well with those that are already here. I fear you might have made some friends for life, they seem most reluctant to see you go. They were most unwilling to let you leave for the time you required."

I blushed with embarrassment as he chucked at my expense. That smirk was back upon his face and make him look both mischievous and attractive. The loud beating of my heart reminded me what my body thought of the Marquis. I don't think I had ever been this attracted so someone on sight and I was completely and utterly embarrassed by it. Especially because I think the Marquis was aware of it.

"Rest assured, if I can find a way to keep you here as a permanent resident I will. If not for the members of staff that will miss you, then for me who should love to know you better."

I wasn't sure if it was possible to turn a darker shade of red than I already was, but I was sure to have just broken a Guinness World Record. I needed to get these emotions in check.

"Thank you," I replied, not really knowing what else to say.

I felt out of sorts and wished to get back on firmer ground. We moved from the storage room and towards a window overlooking the grounds. I noticed that the sun had disappeared from the sky and that night had finally fallen. I wondered briefly where the day had gone.

"Marquis."

"Please, no titles. Call me Raff, hearing the word Marquis speaks of formality and repression. Besides I want you to know me, not the title I carry."

"Raff..."

"I should let you go, it's late," he said, a wistful smile gracing his lips.

"It is late," I replied.

"Before I leave, may I ask you one more thing?"

I nodded.

"Would you please join me for dinner on Wednesday evening? I should so like to get to know you more. If we don't bore each other by the end of it, would you agree to meet me each Wednesday and Friday? I would so enjoy your company."

I nodded, secretly pleased with the turn of events and as we said goodnight I was reminded firstly of his genteelly nature and secondly of how false Maggie's words of him were. As I got ready for bed, I found my heart had calmed and my thoughts weren't in fear of the mysterious things that were happening to me but the happiness I felt at finally meeting the Marquis Raff Lloyd. 

[2019 1st Person Edition]