Rookery ~ Assassin's Creed Syndicate

Chapter Thirty Two

I got to Henry's shop just as the sun was beginning to set. I unlocked the front door with the key Jacob had given me then stepped inside. The old, burnt out wood was still in the fireplace from the last time we had all been there and ash had been displaced over the carpet. My eyes then went to the small table beside three sofas. On top of this table was a little box, containing some of my older research concerning the Piece of Eden. I took it into my hands and slipped it into my pocket on the inside of my jacket. Then, turning back to leave, I spotted the bedroom door. I entered the bedroom and the door to the bathroom was open. That was rather tempting. A nice, hot bath sounded delightful after the week I had had.

I stripped off my outer jacket and hung it from the bed post. I then went to light the fire using a match and a few new logs. The pot above it had some water still left in it, but barely any. I took the pot to the pump outside. Three women, dressed in tight, heavy-looking dresses which were covered in fat, glittering jewels glared at me. The only jewellery I was wearing was my ring and necklace. The necklace had fallen free of my blouse and it seemed that the ladies' eyes rested on it. The glimmering ruby must have stuck out to them, as I dressed like a working class citizen, while wearing the jewels of a Queen. They scoffed from behind paper fans as they swanned past the shop. I shook my head, wiping my brow as I finished pumping water.

I took the pot back to the fire which was now blazing strongly. The water slowly heated up as I pulled the curtains shut in each room. I didn't want anyone peering in at me. Once the water was boiled, I tipped it into the bath tub and went to fetch some more cold water to cool the bath.

Three pots of hot water and two of cold later and I hopped into the bath. Nude and exposed to all around me, the clear water didn't cover anything. I rested my head on the edge of the tub and slid my eyes shut. I was incredibly relaxed and soon felt myself drifting off to sleep. I was disrupted, however, by the slamming of a door. I froze, covering any exposed parts which should not be seen by anyone with my hands and arms. I held my breath as well, simply to hide the fact that I was there.

Moments later, the bathroom door was knocked on.

"Carina? Are you in there?" Jacob. He had probably gotten worried as to why I wasn't at the station and had come to find me.

"Yes. I am. Don't come in, please. And don't you go looking through the keyhole." The door handle started to jiggle. "Jacob! I just said not to come in!" He walked through the doorway and shut the door behind him. "I hate you. Get out." My cheeks flushed red and burnt furiously. He rushed over to me and grabbed the sides of my face. "Jacob, I swear to God. When I am no longer nude, I will hunt you down and kill you." He pressed his lips to mine in a quick, hot kiss. I kept my hands over myself as he pulled away again. "Get out of the bathroom."

"No." He smirked, beginning to take off his own jacket.

"You are not getting in here with me. Go away." He kicked his boots off, seemingly ignoring me completely. I huffed and pulled a towel from the floor.

"Don't get out on my account. I'll just join you."

"No you bloody well won't." I stood carefully to wrap the towel around myself without exposing any extra skin. "Well, you have thoroughly ruined my bath. I hope you are pleased with yourself." I secured the towel by tucking it in at my bust and stormed out of the room to sit on one of the beds. Moments later, Jacob emerged again. I sighed. "Stop following me and have a bath if you so need to." He raised his arms, went back into the bathroom and locked the door. I started to dry my body before going for some clean underwear in the chest at the other side of the room. I slipped the underwear on and discarded the towel in a basket. Then, I finished getting dressed. "Jacob?"