The Compromise

Chapter 11- The Manor

Georgina had practically enforced the idea that Missi and Duke should at least have a party to celebrate their courting, and Duke's proposal. And who better to host it than the elusive Casmir family themselves whom offered of course! Things were looking wonderful in her beaming eyes, but for Missi, something just didn't sit right with her.

She was never one for elaborate balls or parties but she relented - her curiosity peaked at finally visiting Duke's home.

Georgina was eager to push Missi into a golden embroidered royal red dress, that they had bought together. Before Georgina could drag her to every boutique and seamstress in London, Missi has set down some ground rules to make the whole ordeal a little less tiresome - and fortunately her Mother has agreed.

The dress she'd ended up with had a backwards bustle that Georgina had said would be the fashion of the future. Missi didn't mind so much, the lack of material pushing out at the hips was a relief for movement however the train at the back did weigh the gown down. Nonetheless it was a beautiful dress and Missi couldn't hold in her excitement to wear it when she reached the Casmir manor.

The ride was long. Several days of travel within the carriage left Missi restless and bored as her eyes stared out at the surroundings, trying desperately to drown out her Mother's gossip and blabber. Through the mist and the rain that obstructed her view from her carriage window, and the overcast sky, Missi could tell that the building was formidable. It was old and cathedral like, with twisting spires, large curtained windows, arches and a multitude of statues and gargoyles adorning each corner and crevice tastefully.

The sight renewed Missi's energy and she would have practically bounded to the closest soft bed if it were not for proprietary.

The rain was still coming down heavily when they reached the front steps to the large Casmir manor, and the driver was quick to open the carriage door and pass the two women their parasols and helping them out of the carriage while one of the other butlers ran to announce their arrival. The door was quickly opened and their small entourage rushed in before they could get drenched.

A butler met with them within the foyer, pale and ghostly with deep inset eyes that stared into Missi's soul before they closed, and the man's demeanor changed from bone chilling to kind and placid within seconds.

"Good evening Madams, I am Dimitri, the Casmir family's head butler. I hope the travel up North was not too strenuous for you?"

The mans deep baritone finally caught Georgina's attention which had been fixated on her skirts, too distracted to notice how Missi had stilled in her place like a statue.

"Ah yes, it was not too bad, although the rain had slowed us down, so we apologize for being a day late," Georgina smiled.

"If you would like, before dinner you can rest within your temporary living quarters, however the young Miss Spencer has her own room, as per request from young Master Casmir."

Georgina's eyes sparkled with something that in Missi's mind was akin to madness.

"Oh how lovely! He really is too good to you Missi," she gushed, turning to face her but Missi did not meet her stare, instead fixated on the fake closed eye smile that stared right back at her.

"Then if you two Ladies would like to follow me." He turned to face another servant positioned behind him. "Call the others to help bring the horses into the stables and make sure they're well kept and also ask the maids to take the Spencer's luggage to their room."

He turned back to them, his eyes still being closed yet still seeming to see straight into her. It was intimidating in an odd sense, that despite his eyes hidden behind pale skinned lids and a kind smile, that he could seemingly instill unease deep in her bones.