The Companion (18+)

30. Complications

"Hey, wake up."

Aurélie opened her eyes, coming to face with Étienne, who was inches away from her. It was dark in the room, only a few candles having been lit to give off enough light for the companion to notice that nighttime had fallen a long time ago. Sitting up and stretching out a muscle in her neck, Aurélie blinked a few times at Étienne, still drowsy. She felt a strong wave of nausea wash over her before she swallowed the lump in her throat. A sharp pain rang through her jaw, causing the companion to clench her mouth tightly.

"What is it?" she whispered through gritted teeth, looking up at Étienne who had seated himself next to her.

"We have visitors," he simply said, standing up again and holding out his hand. Aurélie took it and let herself be pulled out of bed, swaying over to the bathroom and starting to get dressed in whatever clothes Amelie had lain out for her the morning before. The pain in her jaw had stopped, yet the burning sensation in her stomach had not. It took all of her strength not to double over and throw up whatever she had eaten the previous morning.

"How presentable do I have to be for these guests?" Aurélie called out, her voice muffled as she pulled the deep green dress over her head. Her mind was flooding with potential visitors that would visit the chateau after their return. All of them required her to look a little bit better than someone who was just pulled out of bed.

"As long as you're wearing something," she heard Étienne call out, his statement making her eyes roll in disbelieve.

The companion took several of minutes getting ready, struggling to tie the laces of her dress with her shaking hands. She cursed at her new weakness, worried about her own health. As Aurélie looked in the mirror, she gasped softly at her reflection. Whatever colour she had was now gone. Quickly applying powder and rouge, she tried to ignore how sick she looked. In a matter of minutes the companion was ready, walking out of the bathroom albeit a little out of breath. She followed Étienne out of her room and down the hall, walking down the staircase together. Already from here they could hear the voices of several men in the entrance hall.

A familiar figure stood at the bottom of the stairs, his blond hair dirty and his usual bright smile dulled. Oliver bowed deeply towards the pair, kissing Aurélie's hand as they reached the bottom of the stairs. She caught his eyes and let out a small gasp as she noticed the dark circles and how bloodshot they were. Étienne wasted no time placing a hand on Oliver's shoulder, beckoning him to stand up. Not a single word was exchanged between the two men, yet after both simply nodding at each other, Étienne wrapped one arm around Oliver, pulling the man closer. Aurélie watched as Oliver thumped Étienne's back several times, before pulling away.

It had been weeks since the events at the ball, neither of the families having seen or heard from one another. Aurélie was surprised to see the Linnington family at their doorstep, expecting them to have gone straight to London. Oliver straightened himself and gave Aurélie a small smile as he turned to look over at his father, who had his head bowed in front of Duke Saint-Clair. Aurélie heard the Duke mumble something to Duke Linnington, who shook his head. After a while, Étienne's father dropped his outstretched hand and sighed.

"Speak what is on your mind," he said simply, compassion filling his voice.

"Your grace," Duke Linnington began, his head still bowed deeply. "On our journey home we were ambushed and several of my men were taken from us. I have received word from my men back in England that my home has been overrun, my wife killed and my eldest sons taken along with their families. I wish for my youngest son and myself to seek refuge among your walls."

Aurélie gasped, clasping her hand over her mouth. Her head snapped to Oliver, who had his head bowed as well, tears threatening to spill down his cheeks. The cheery man she knew stood broken before them, helpless and defeated.