Dutch's Daughter [[RDR2 Arthur Morgan x OC]]

chapter 27; wolf in sheep clothing pt. 2

[A/N] ~ Hello my faithful readers! I need to apologize for the unplanned absence. I had a huge cross country move that really derailed my writing schedule but I am here, mostly settled in and ready to get back to it! Things are still pretty up in the air so I can't make ANY promises that I will have regular updates but I can say that I will do my absolute best to keep up with this story! Thank you so much for your understanding and continued support through this time!

Without further ado, hear is a little SPICY chapter for you to enjoy!

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The mayor's party is swarming with life, rich with laughter and conversation. Crystal glasses full of expensive liquors appear on silver trays, relaxing the crowds collected nerves. Little do these sheep know that they are dining with wolves tonight, darting from crowd to crowd, soaking up information and emptying pockets and purses along the way. 

Charlotte's hand briefly touches the mayor's shoulder with a gaudy laugh at some mundane joke he'd made. Her eyes glisten with interest as the slightly intoxicated man gives away a very important card in his hand he never meant to reveal. As a servant whispered something in his ear, he failed to catch his drunken tongue from announcing his ties to Leviticus Cornwall. This is what she's been waiting to hear. Scanning the crowd for any one of her men, she excuses herself from present company, tailing the servant back into the grand house. 

A hand grips her elbow, forcing her to snap back around. A gentleman, even more drunk than the mayor, struggles to stand still holding her arm with too much force. His head wobbles to a straight position as he eyes her, a smile tugging his lips. "Well, well, well... where might you be off to?" He slurs, alcoholic breath fuming across Charlotte's face as he pulls her to his chest.

"Let go of me!" Her tone sends a dangerous warning but is quiet enough to not draw attention from the other guests. His hands wander down the smooth length of her arms before violently landing on her waist, slipping down to grope her bottom. 

"God, you smell so good." His nose buries into her hair as she struggles to escape. It's when his hands dare to explore up her dress that she loses control, slapping him across the cheek. Dozens of heads turn at the crisp sound, horrified at her audacity. Conveniently, the mayor announces the start of the firework show just in time and the watching eyes turn towards the sky. Her knee drives into his crotch and he doubles over in pain. As he stands back up to take one more attempt on her, a nose crunching punch sends him to the ground. 

"Straighten your dress darling, your a civilized lady, remember?" Arthur chimes, forcing himself to sound more friendly than he'd like to be while flashing her a smile. 

"I was after that servant when this idiot stopped him. I'm on to something here, Arthur." 

"You go, I'll take care of Sir Idiot here and catch up with you." He grabs the stranger by the shoulder, pushing him back towards the gate. "Come on, now, let's go sober up."

Sneaking through the crowd distracted by the lights above, Charlotte makes her way to the servant's entry of the mansion. The door reveals a full kitchen, servant's working like bees over trays of prepared food and drink to deliver to the guests. She spots the man she'd seen talking to the mayor whispering something into the ear of another servant. "Make sure everything is secure. Keep a close eye on Mister Bronte... he has a habit of snooping around and reading whatever he likes." The servant whispers to the other, tapping the folded ledger tucked in his coat pocket. They exchange nods before parting ways. Charlotte watches closely as he leaves the kitchen, dodging out a side door to follow close behind. 

He ascends the grand staircase, proceeding down the corridor before stopping in front of large, glass French doors. Two red velvet curtains prevent Charlotte from looking inside. Fumbling in his pocket for a key, the doors jar open, shutting swiftly behind him, cutting her view off completely. Giving the hallway a quick scan, she presses her ear to the wall, listening intently for any voices. The room is silent aside from the squeal of drawers sliding open and shut. Charlotte's face flushes white with panic, worried she's missed her opportunity to get those papers.