"And what, may I ask, are you doing here?" I heard from the darkness beyond my vision.
His face emerged from the shadows and at first I was surprised, but that was soon replaced with confusion and anger. "Pardon me," I quipped, " I could ask you the very same question."
A lamp that rested by the bedside was lit, now able to see clearly, I stared into his eyes and matched his unwavering gaze.
"Indeed, I suppose you could." Mr. Pierce said with an unnerving smile. "And I would say, this so happens to be my room."
I glared at him defiantly. Surely he must be pulling my leg I thought, before taking notice of the single bed in the corner and the unmistakable scratches, of a heavy trunk being dragged along the floor, tucked away from view, underneath the bed.
I cleared my throat, in an attempt to organize my thoughts as well. Instead of starting with an apology I simply said, "By the lack of light and furnishing I had assumed this was an unoccupied room."
His gaze remained steady, but the corners of his mouth twitched as though containing his laughter. "What exactly had you hoped to find then?" he asked. I supressed the urge to wipe the amused look off his face. " Nothing at all." I replied hotly, " I apologize for the invasion. Good night." With as much dignity I could muster, I turned on my heel and walked quickly down the hall.
. . . . .
I woke before the rays of the early sun had begun to seep into the room, and rinsed away my drowsiness using the wash basin and fresh lemon-scented soap.
My stomach churned at the reminder of yesterday evening's events. I hoped Mr. Pierce wouldn't accuse me of snooping and express yesterday's events to the Bradfields. At the sight of the Steinway, the purpose to find out what happened to my mother, was reinforced. The piano was a sign I was definitely searching in the right place, and I couldn't afford to be dismissed.
Running a gloved hand down the front of my stiff powdered blue dress, I relaxed my nerves, rolling my shoulders back and held my face free of emotion.
I opened the door, practically running into Mrs. Hudson in the corridor. "Oh! Oh dear! I apologize, are you alright?" she yelped as she struggled to hold a large bundle of towels under her arm. "Yes, I'm quite alright. Do you need assistance?" I asked. "No, no!" she said swatting her free arm. "This way, Emily is waiting in the room just across from the parlor. Will you be able to find your way?" she asked without waiting for an answer as she bustled down the corridor.
Eventually finding my way, I saw Emily slumped in a chair by a table, facing a set of large Paladian windows. I cleared my throat, and watched as she very reluctantly rose to her feet, "Hallo," she muttered. "Good morning," I greeted. I came over to the bookshelf that lined one entire wall, skimming through some of the titles.
"Quite a collection," I mused aloud.
"Yes," she huffed.
"What are your favourite subjects, Emily?"
"Music. That's all." she muttered.
I nodded in response, "Yes well some of these subjects can be difficult, but once mastered, can be very rewarding."
"I doubt that. How could history ever be useful?" she sighed.
"Without the knowledge of yesterday, how could we begin to understand today, or predict what is to come in the future?" I asked calmly.
She furrowed her eyebrows and didn't respond. "Well," I said, "We'll leave history for later today seeing as how it's your least favourite. How about mathematics?" She looked up at me startled, then just nodded stiffly.
I picked up the heavy textbook, flipping through and scanning the pages.
"Lets begin then." I said.
YOU ARE READING
Unearthed
Romance"He came closer until he was well within arm's reach, "Catch me if you can." He whispered with a sneer. His footsteps filled the silence eventually fading away entirely while his voice continued to ring in my ears. Catch him, I certainly would. ...
