Wolf's Bane

Motives

The impromptu tea party went about as well as Desiree could hope. Poppy and Emily didn't completely warm up to Sebastian, but they weren't in such a rush to get away from him by the end of it. Desiree was satisfied with that for the time being.

"I heard you had a little get-together," Andrew commented at dinner. "How did that go?"

"Well enough."

"May I ask what you hoped to achieve through it?"

"Nobody talks to Sebastian," she explained. "None of the staff know him and I don't think he knows how to get to know them. I was trying to help make that happen."

"Were you successful?"

"It's hard to say," she admitted. "It would be good if he was able to make some friends, though."

"You want to help him make friends?"

"I'd like to try."

Andrew was silent for a few seconds before he asked, "Is there any way I can help?"

"You want to help?"

"If it's what you want, I will do what I can to make it happen."

She studied his expression, trying to read it. "I was beginning to think you might not want him making friends."

"On the contrary, I would very much like him to have friends other than you."

"You were jealous!"

"Well, that's only natural," he argued.

"It's not fair for you to be jealous when we're not even dating," she pointed out.

"I am romantically inclined towards you," he said. "Have I not been clear about that?"

Desiree wondered how he could make such statements so boldly. Just hearing the words made her blush. "Well, even so, it's not right for you to be jealous. Jealousy is a sign of insecurity. I should be able to have as many friends as I like without you feeling insecure."

"I suppose that's a fair point," he admitted. "Now, tell me how I can help him make more friends to decrease my jealousy."

"I'm not sure that's the right motivation."

"Do my motives really matter if we're working towards the same goal?"

Desiree felt like they might, but she couldn't explain why. She decided to move past that for the time being. "Well, I figure the best way to help him get to know the rest of the staff is just to find a way for them to spend time together. I don't think having them all in a room at once would be good, though. Too many people would likely overwhelm him."

"That makes sense. He's been isolated for quite some time."

"I'm guessing Peter didn't want him hanging out with other people."

"That would be an accurate assessment," he agreed. "He always kept Sebastian close, so I doubt he had any other company."

Desiree wasn't sure if she should tell him about the maid who slipped him books. Sebastian had told her that in confidence, so she decided to keep it to herself. "I can't imagine Peter's home carries a lot of fond memories for him."

"I wouldn't think so."

"Is it true that you'll take him there for the Halloween party?"

Andrew frowned. "Unfortunately, I don't have a choice. Everyone else will bring their vampire servants. It's considered an honor for them to be invited, so it would be an insult for them to refuse."