VESPER

CHAPTER 10

Mavis woke to the soft hum of morning light filtering through the tall French windows of Arkwright Manor, casting delicate shadows on the elegant furniture that adorned her grand room. The previous evening's events danced in her mind, like the delicate notes of a cherished melody. Lord Vesper Arkwright had gone above and beyond, preparing a sumptuous dinner just for her. She could still feel the warmth of his hands enveloping hers, the softness of his lips brushing her knuckles as he bid her goodnight. A gentle blush crept across her cheeks at the memory, thrilling and exhilarating.

Yet, as the light grew brighter, her mind strayed to her dear aunt Agnes, who had been feeling poorly. She hoped Lady Katherine was attending to Agnes's needs, administering medicines and perhaps offering company. The thought tugged at her heartstrings, and she resolved to visit her aunt tomorrow. Mavis then remembered Mrs. Wells and little Timothy, the cheerful family she had befriended here in Ravenfell. Would they be wondering about her sudden absence? Probably. But she quickly shook off the worry-today was about the present.

Determined to show her gratitude for the enchanting evening Lord Vesper had provided, she decided to make breakfast for him. The idea filled her with excitement. As she made her way to the kitchen, she envisioned the delight on his face when he tasted her cooking.

As Mavis entered the spacious kitchen, the first thing that caught her attention was the amusing sight before her-Lord Vesper, a stark contrast to the refined lord of the manor, bustling about in a simple white shirt and black trousers. A half-finished breakfast lay strewn about the counter, an evident war zone of culinary mishaps. She couldn't help but laugh, a melodious sound that filled the room and drew Vesper's gaze.

Her laughter blended with the fragrant aroma of burnt bacon. As the marquis fumbled with a spatula, his tall frame a comedic sight amidst the chaos, Mavis couldn't help but find the moment perfectly endearing. She stepped closer, her hair cascading softly over her shoulders, a note of mischief in her eye.

His cheeks flushed as he chuckled nervously, "I seem to have misplaced my talents in the kitchen," he confessed, glancing at the charred remains of eggs and bacon in a pan. "I was attempting a grand breakfast, but I fear I might just be better suited to creating dinner rather than breakfast," he joked, shrugging with mock defeat.

Mavis smiled widely, teasing him further. "Oh dear, I didn't know the flames could rise so high in the Arkwright kitchen! Should I fetch a fire extinguisher?"

"Very funny!" Vesper replied playfully, a twinkle in his eyes. He tried to maintain his composure, insisting that he would manage on his own. "You should relax and enjoy the morning, Mavis. I can handle a few eggs."

But Mavis wouldn't hear of it. The spark of amusement in Vesper's eyes only fueled her determination. "Nonsense! You need all the help you can get. Besides, I can't allow the marquis to starve," she declared, stepping up beside him.

Reluctantly, Vesper relented, a smile playing on his lips as he watched her take charge. Mavis hummed a lilting tune as she set to work, deftly making a fresh batch of toast and sizzling a new batch of bacon and eggs. The air filled with tantalizing aromas, and Vesper felt an alien warmth spreading through him. The sight of Mavis cooking so effortlessly, her hair cascading softly around her face, made her look ethereal-like an angel hard at work.

"You know, lord Vesper," she teased, stirring the frying pan with an expert hand, "you might want to consider leaving the cooking to someone who doesn't threaten to set the place ablaze!"

Vesper chuckled, the sound deep and rich, and it warmed her from the inside out. He watched as she moved confidently about the kitchen, her fingers dancing over the ingredients as if they were an extension of herself. In that moment, he felt a warmth he had never known-a blend of admiration and something deeper and more unsettling.