SAS/ITEOTS: ONE SHOTS

Shot Nine: Secrets of The Night.

"I won't be long my love." And with that, he left. Not before planting a kiss on my cheek. Furiously, I rubbed it off, still angry at the events that'd happened.

I was out on the balcony, sitting on a high chair with my arms on the railing and my head on my arms. Mr. Ambrose had just left to complete some meeting and didn't want me to leave the suite, otherwise consequences would ensue.

I looked down and saw him meet up with a bunch of other men. How did I tell it was him? He was the only one with a stiff posture and no wine glass in hand. The men said something and then Mr. Ambrose turned and looked up, probably searching for me.

Not in the mood to make him panic over me disobeying him, I stood, put on a fake smile, and waved. I saw him nod, even from the distance. He turned away and the other men did too, and they all began walking away.

Sighing, I scowled and sat back down into the same position. Who knew when he'd come back? It could be hours from now, and I'd be bored out of my mind.

Hmm... What could I do..? Maybe.. I looked behind me at the door of the suite. He did tell me to stay in the suite, but I'm sure no harm will come if I just go down for a bit... And with that thought in mind, I stood, picking up the skirts of my dress and left the balcony. Before I left the suite though, I grabbed my fan.

On the stairs, I clutched the fan tightly in my hand. I would use it both as a weapon and an attractor to men. Even though I actually wasn't completely interested in meeting one.

I entered the room with the restaurant and dance floor mixed in. I took a seat at the sidelines and opened my fan, covering up most of my face except for the eyes. It was hopefully give the mysterious look I was aiming for.

After a while though, I got bored. I turned to look for some refreshments and found bowls with fruits, biscuits and...

"Chocolate!" I said, excitement coursing through me. I walked over to the table, looking at them delightedly. I took some and put them in my mouth. "Mmm, still the same wonderful taste."

"They are quite delightful, are they not?" I looked up surprised. It was a person of male species, with blonde hair, bright green eyes, hawk-like nose and a bright smile.

"Quite, yes." I returned the smile. But then I remembered that I had the fan in front of me.

"Forgive me, I haven't seen you around here. Are you new?"

"New? Well I suppose you could put it that way. But I'm merely here on..." A holiday? Honeymoon? Should I give the same excuse that I gave to Captain Carter?

Well why not?

"Holiday. With my grandmother."

"That must be pleasant." Oh yes. Most definitely, especially when the actual person I am with is currently gone some place I wouldn't find, and we still haven't gone to fight any bandits.

"Eh, she's just hard of hearing. That's the only problem."

"Ah, yes, that's common with grandmothers and possibly grandfathers. I wouldn't know, mine died at an early age."

"You have my condolences," I said curtsying as gracefully as I could.

"Thank you. Oh, I am so rude. I never asked for your name," he said, bowing and still smiling.

"Miss Lillian Linton. And you?"

"Sir Julian Dalgliesh." I nearly dropped my fan in utter surprise. Dalgliesh had a son!? Impossible! Hardly a woman was ever around him! Unless...

"Oh. Is he.. Your um.."

"My uncle." I almost sagged in relief. A son would've been worse. Yet a nephew... That was still bad.