Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 131: Miss Chapman~

Julian knew another woman, much like Miss Nichols, who had sold her dignity away to filthy desires no woman should act upon. Her name was Miss Chapman, and she worked at a local pub near the train station of London. A disgusting, brutish place, filled with drunk peasants who were so loud and obnoxious it seemed to only fuel my need for righteousness. I made my way to the counter and tapped the wood to get the matron's attention.
"Can I 'elp you, love?" A woman, who the patrons referred to as Kirsty asked.
"I'm looking for a Miss Chapman, I hear she works here," I stated, my tone was rather clipped, and by the way her eyebrows raised, she could tell I was of the richer sort.
"Ay!" Kirsty nodded, turning to another woman who scrubbed at a desk to clean the filth off," Shelley, is Annie in today?"
Shelley glanced up with a scowl of sorts and nodded," She is. In the back, havin' a smoke; off duty. Why?"
"This gentlemun 'ere wants her, he does. Do ya think he's 'er boyfriend?"
I felt my face reflexively scowl at the mere idea of dating someone like Miss Chapman. Just what kind of standards did they think of me?
"This is not some romance, Kirsty," Shelley sighed loudly, as if upset; she made her way over to me and studied me carefully," Why'd you want her?"

I had to think up some believable lie that would allow me passage to the back of the pub.
"Annie..." I tried to stop myself physically gagging, speaking about her on such friendly terms,"...is..."
I glanced desperately at the clock, as if it would give me some help. I sighed, realising there was only one thing I could do. And I'd passionately hate it.
"...my love interest. I've seen her serve these parts, and she's such a pretty woman with such a gentle heart. May I see her? I implore you. I have no ill intent. I'm perfectly sober."
I watched as Shelley studied me meticulously, as if she had some sort of right to look down on me. After a moment, she waved her hand with a sigh and took me to the back of the pub, which your average patron would not be able to access. I definitely was not your average patron. It was a small alley, fenced off and solely belonging to the pub that they called the pub yard. It was made of the cheap sort of paving slabs, and the nearby slum smell violated my senses and clouded any judgement I had left. Miss Chapman leant against a post, cigarette in hand as she smoked idly, flicking bits of residue onto the paving slabs. She had quite piercing blue eyes, and wavy, dark brown hair. Rather an unpleasant woman.
"You're lucky she's sobered up," Shelley whispered in my ear," We call her Dark Annie for a reason. Very civil an' industrious when sober, but for the worse when she drinks."

I gave her a dry sort of laugh, deciding then and there I didn't particularly like Miss Chapman much at all.
Shelley called out," Annie, this bloke here is, er..."
"Lord Mohan," I gave a slight incline of my head in recognition, forcing a smile to at least see like I was slightly interested in her.
Annie furrowed her eyebrows, kicking the cigarette to the floor and stubbing it with her foot," 'Lord'?"
"He's an admirer of yours," Shelley stated.
"Quite," I nodded, putting on my best charming act I had, that not even women of my status saw, not even my own wife.
I dropped to my knees, filthy-ing my tailored trousers and looked up at her with a moment of desperation, like some love sick fool.
"Miss Annie Chapman, I have never seen any lady more pretty than you. Call it absurd, but I have fallen madly in love with you, Miss Chapman. So in love I can hardly think straight, I can hardly even notice any of these other women, because your beauty outshines them all."
"Oh, wow, I-" The woman giggled, twiddling her hair between her finger, giddily," I had no idea, Lord Henry. This must be one of those upper-class scandals."
I bit back any remarks I wished to make," True love is no scandal. Miss Chapman, please...may I take you away from this wretched place and somewhere more... private?"
She blushed properly now, a shade of crimson and she looked as though she'd faint from excitement.

"I've never done it with a lord," She murmured, linking her arm with mine," Please, call me Annie."
I tried to not gag as she linked her arms with mine, and I whisked her out of the pub, in a graceful manner. I suppose to her, I was like some prince in a fairytale. She probably liked the idea of fortune from my part too. But I was very aware that I was exceedingly handsome, after all, I hadn't met a lady before that hadn't swooned for me. Though, to be linking arms with one like her, it fueled my urge further. We walked at a steady pace in the cold night air, and I took her past the Thames, and said nothing on our walk. I could tell she felt awkward from this, desperately trying to fill the silence with conversation. I didn't give her the satisfaction. She fell silent from this, thankfully, and clearly didn't think it rude; much to caught up in the idea of a real life prince coming to steal her away from her common life. I took her to Hanbury street, where my walk started to slow, until it stopped completely.
"My Lord?" Miss Chapman frowned, confused, her arm still linked with mine.
I gave her a tired sort of smile, and gently squeezed her hand, most regrettably noticing the dirt in her nails afterwards," I... apologize, I feel rather tired, all of a sudden."
The street was dead silent.

"Then should we go to an inn?" She hummed, pressing close against me.
I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose, and this time, she seemed to notice it. She stepped back a little, and made an effort to pout at me. That pout...why must it look so infuriatingly similar to Leora's!?
"Please, my lord? I'm so tired."
My hand seemed to find it's way effortlessly to my bag.
"As am I."
I felt the cold metal, and my breathing steadied, as if reaching some moment of enlightenment. I was doing this for the greater good. Much like Miss Nichols, I saw black, and heard her scream.

I stared down at the thing lying on the floor, my expression dark. Part of me wanted to dispose of her, and throw her in the Thames, but then I recalled how I was making a statement. I had harvested what I needed, and now it was on display for everyone to see. Satisfied, I turned and left.