Close to the Flame

Chapter 3

Cathy opened the curtains in the room as Scarlet started waking. She had a horrific headache after the drinking binge with Arthur last night. But it was pleasant having someone to talk to, Arthur seemed to understand her predicament with her father since he too had issues after losing his. She remembered everything from last night but was confused about why Arthur refused to get married. She sipped her tea as Cathy got clothes for her to change into. "Why are you pulling out that outfit? Is someone here?" Cathy nodded and Scarlet rolled her eyes. "Uncle certainly means business I suppose." Scarlet washed her face and got dressed before going downstairs to find Uncle Leicester in the study with another man. "Good morning, Uncle."

"Ah, Scarlet. Come in and join us for tea. This is young Captain Roger Smith." Scarlet nodded, smiling as Roger bowed to her.

"Good day, Miss Dedlock. A pleasure to meet you." Scarlet did what was expected of a proper young lady being courted. She was polite and chatted with Roger. Roger spent the day visiting and after he left, asked if he could call on her again tomorrow. She agreed to please Uncle and after dinner, excused herself to go to bed early. She knew she wanted to head back to THE THREE CRIPPLES to spend time with Arthur. She didn't know why, but she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. She felt sympathy for him since he had the same types of issues with his father.

Later that night, Scarlet finally got to the pub and went in and smiled when she saw Arthur standing near the fireplace waiting. She went to the bar and bought a couple of bottles of whisky before walking to Arthur. "Good evening, Arthur."

"Ah, hello, Tom. I didn't think you were coming."

"Really? Why would you think that?" Arthur sat at the table and Scarlet joined him, lighting a pipe she had in her pocket.

"Well, I was afraid I might have frightened you with my secrets." Scarlet shrugged as the took another puff from the pipe.

"I don't frighten that easily." They started drinking and talking more about their fathers and Scarlet told Arthur more about the coal mill and her home in Arundel. After a few hours, the whisky started to effect then both as they started getting drunk. Arthur stood from the table when the bar maid announced last call and staggered a little.

"Shall we continue this upstairs then?" Scarlet looked at the two bottles and nodded as she stumbled a little and followed Arthur upstairs. When they got to the room, she stood and looked around the room. Arthur took the bottles from her and placed them on the table before pulling a couple of chairs for them to sit at the table. Scarlet sat down and giggled as she poured them each a drink.

"Are you sure I didn't frighten you last night, Tom,"

"I wouldn't have come if you had, Arthur. So you want to be alone. There's nothing wrong with that." She took another drink and raised it to Arthur. Arthur looked at her and then took his own drink. He then leaned over and kissed Scarlet. She pulled back, her eyes wide. She stared at him with her hand covering her mouth as Arthur suddenly looked terrified. She lowered her hand forgetting herself and stood up. Arthur stood also and took a step back from her.

"I'm sorry, Tom... I thought..." Scarlet forgot herself and lunged forward kissing Arthur fully on the mouth. They kissed each other feverishly as she moved her hands to unbutton his shirt. He started unbuttoning her shirt and when he opened it, he pulled back and looked down. "What the hell...." Scarlet stepped back grabbing her shirt closed. Arthur shook his head, his mind racing. Tom was a woman. Scarlet stared at Arthur.

"Arthur, wait. I can explain."

"You're a girl?"

"Of course I'm a girl. Why else would you have kissed..." Scarlet sat down as the room started spinning and she realized Arthur's secret. He didn't want to be alone.....with a woman. She looked at Arthur, his face full of confusion. She didn't know what to say. She frowned as she grabbed her jacket and tucked her hair back into her cap. " I'm so sorry...." She ran out of the door and out of the pub, grabbing a carriage back to Chesney Wold.