Learn your place (book 1)

Growing tensions

All night long Lady Isabelle kept the attention of Alexander's little maid. How could this happen?! Was fate just mocking him relentlessly? It was just not fair. He put in all the hard work, and all she wanted to do was talk to the mortal? Why did she deserve her attention? Such nonsense. He needed to sit down, and collect his thoughts. He moved to the parlor where some of the more reserved guests were collecting. He sighed sitting at a table. When one of the servants passed by he demanded something strong. As he sat there he heard somebody scold him. "You know, you should treat the Irish help with more respect." When he looked up a thinly built watcher in black met his gaze. When a server passed by he took a small finger sandwich raising his eyebrow. Then he handed Alexander his drink. Alexander knew this statue, but not as well as his housemates.

"Hedwig. When did you arrive?" He asked straightening his hat. "You greeted me at the door, though you were probably so focused on looking for Lady Isabelle you didn't even notice us walk through the door."  He said looking the host up and down. "Judging from how miserable you look, I take it you were cast aside? Let her go, man. If she wasn't interested fifty years ago, she won't be interested now." He smirked as a passing duchess gave Hedwig an interested gaze. "I'm flattered but move on, madam." She sneered leaving the two to talk. "Don't worry lad. You invited a buffet of eligible maidens here tonight. You're sure to entice a lady, even if you aren't as tall as me."  Alexander should've guessed. Just as obnoxious as always. He stood up. "So have you come alone?"Alexander asked the tall man. He then heard the piano in the study being played. "Does that answer your question?" The guest in black asked. "I best be off. It was a pleasure, half pint." He yanked Alexander's hat down over his eyes, and left him alone. Once he fixed his hat angrily, Alexander passed a few guests and saw a man that he hadn't seen in a few decades. He was either too ashamed of himself to face him, or too sensitive to his memories.

General Verlice sat in front of the piano playing a solemn melody, always holding himself in a gentle demeanor. Other guests drifted in slowly to listen to his delicate tune. As he played Alexander grabbed the side of the door frame. His cheek rested on the frame as he listened to his general. He finally ended the tune, and the audience slowly clapped softly for the general. It was always the applause they gave to the general. Never too loud. Always respectful. Once he was done, the guests left to another room. All except Alexander. As the older man placed his gloves back on, he smiled. "I know you're there. I can feel your loyalty." Alexander took a few steps forward. When General Verlice stood up and turned around, he quickly saluted. General Verlice placed a hand on his forearm telling him to be at ease.

"How are you, lad?" He asked sitting on the couch. His fellow soldier joined him, stiffly sitting. "Better, I think. I've been able to sleep again." He said his eyes down. "Good. Very, good." The general nodded. "How about your bed? Have you been able to lay down?" The general asked. Alexander shook his head letting him know that was still one of his struggles. He pat his shoulder. "I saw that you have a new maid. Is she good?" The general was curious of the newcomer. "She is fine. Some of the men thought she was going to be pleasurable flesh, but they learned the hard way, that wouldn't happen." The general knew what Alexander's stance was having seen his results of what happened to him the last time he saw him alive. "Lady Isabelle saw her and found her more interesting than me. After all this time getting close to the Coventry's, it's only been for my maid's benefit." The general laid a hand on his shoulder. "Lad, you're making it sound like Lady Isabelle proposed to her in front of everybody. Maybe she's just helping her find some female friends." He said knowing that look Benjamin had on his face. Benjamin angrily sipped his wine.

"Even if it was romance, don't you think after all these years, if it was meant to be, Lady Isabelle would be in your arms by now? Having a woman in your life doesn't solve all your problems, lad." It must have been easy to say when the general didn't live with James who would beg to differ. "It's best to just give that girl up. You're only tormenting yourself." He slowly smiled. "There's plenty of beautiful women in the county. As a matter of fact... how old is the maid in this household." Alexander spit out his drink. What did General Verlice just say? Was he suggesting that he should try courting a mortal? "I figured if it's believable that Lady Isabelle can do it, I figured you could too." Alexander stared wide eyed at his General as he played another tune. "Just know this, Alexander. Given our experiences, the trauma that was left behind is a lot to deal with. Taking a love interest will make it a shared load."

~~~~~

Diana was with Lady Isabelle and they were sitting on a couch in the drawing room, looking at male gold watchers in the room. "What about that one?" Diana asked, pointing to a sweet looking young man. "Oh, that's Haytham Bishop. Total sweetheart. A bit young though." Lady Isabelle admitted. Now it was Lasy Isabelle's turn. "Ooh. Tell me about him. I've only met him once or twice." She said pointing to Benjamin. "Oh, the second in command. Benjamin is the sternest one of them all. He especially doesn't care for the Irish." Diana pointed one out that looked like he was covered in chains. "Whoa, look at that guy." She looked. "Ooh, Judas. Don't be fooled by the cute face. He's a total nightmare from a mortal's perspective." Diana didn't doubt it. As men passed by, she saw Alexander emerge from the study. She realized she could grant him a favor. Maybe singing his praises could sway the woman of his dreams. "What about that cutie pie? He is a fine man." Diana hinted. The gold lady, rolled her eyes. "Please spare me the headache, girl." This was unexpected. Why would she be uninterested in Alexander? "This is why my parents brought me in the first place. They also try to push me on one of those boys. I'm not interested. I haven't been interested in Alexander for over two hundred years. Just don't try to push him on me like my parents." Lady Isabelle groaned. Diana nodded. "Alright. I won't push it." She promised.She decided to hang out with Alexander for a while. "I'm gonna go hang with him for a while if that's alright." Lady Isabelle let her leave.

As Alexander was headed to the sweets table, Diana was making a beeline in his direction. Right as she was about to reach him, she bumped right into Judas. He spilled a cup of wine, all over her dress. "Oh, I-I-I'm so sorry Judas. It was an accident." She said wiping the wine off her face. He looked down at the stupid clumsy maid. "What is wrong with mortals today? You would think they would know better to actually get out of the way." He shoved her out of the way, and went on his way. She sneered, but felt a hand on her shoulders. "Well, that wasn't very nice. Poor Diana. Your dress is all wet. Come, let's go get you out of that dress." Alexander said taking her up toward the bedrooms. He helped her into her room, and started looking through the wardrobe. "So I see you and Lady Isabelle were getting along well." He said trying not to sound jealous. Diana caught it right away. She knew he was upset she wasn't interested.

"Well, yes, but I like being with you a lot more."  He froze as he was pulling out some dresses, and turned around. He then did something that was an equivalent to rolling his eyes. "Very funny." He said resuming. "No I mean it, Alexander. Please, I'm not kidding." She said touching his shoulder. He paused again, and turned to her. "You're being honest? My, my, my. I've never heard that before." He chuckled. She shrugged. "I don't think she asked a single question about me. She was eager to tell me a lot about herself, though." When Diana explained this, Alexander wasn't surprised. "She's had many admirers, and is used to answering questions about herself. It's more of a habit, and less about vanity." Once he said that, it made more sense. These people were aristocrats, and made out of gold. Why wouldn't they consider themselves more distinguished?

"Actually, Alexander. Could you just grab a night dress? I think I'm gonna turn in for the night." She asked yawning. He liked seeing her yawn. "Not bad for your first Gold watcher party eh?" He chuckled. If his guests were satisfied enough that they were ready to sleep well, he felt that was the sign of a grand party. He pulled out a night dress, and placed it on the bed for her. As he walked out Diana spoke quickly to keep him from leaving. "Uhh, actually... Clara is serving the guests downstairs, and I can't get out of my dress without help. Alexander... this is extremely painful to ask, but..." When she looked at him his face burned. Good God. He took a few shaking breaths. It was only a friendly gesture right? No need to be nervous. What was a little undressing between master and maid? He nervously closed the door behind himself.