A Wager Of The Heart

54. Schemes

:::Kent::: 

The room I was to call my own for the duration of my stay was small and very warm, even in the late evening hours. The furnishings were sparse and poorly tended. The bed was lumpy and the coverings scratchy. I smiled as a pair of young men carried my trunk in. I got the distinct impression I was being punished but it mattered little to me. "Where am I to find the west drawing room?" I asked one of the retreating men. 

He turned back to me and bowed. "When you are ready there are always servants standing watch that will get you whatever you desire."

I raised my brow as both men left. Clearly the Countess had mentioned some form of debauchery to them. They were to expect such requests from me. I wasn't prepared to change or freshen up, there was nothing wrong with my appearance that any amount of pampering would change. I sighed and settled down in one of the wobbly chairs that was provided to me and waited. Brandan or my mother would demand my presence before long and I planned on soaking up as much of the peace as I could. Whatever these next few days brought I was certain peace wasn't something I'd experience again until my angel was safely back at my house. I sighed and ran my hand through my wind disheveled hair, I wished that we could have just stayed away. 

Nearly twenty minutes later there was an insistent knock on my door. I slowly opened my eyes and called, "Come in." The door opened and Brandan stepped in, looking over excited. I laughed as I sat forward, "Has something unexpected happened already?"

Brandan scowled and shut the door. He stepped further into the room and then looked around. "Is this all you have?" He asked astonished. 

I raised myself from the chair and offered him the one seat. "I think it's a reflection of my great hospitality while the Countess was a guest in my home." I chuckled and leaned against the wall as Brandan took a seat. "Is there a reason you rushed to my side?"

Brandan looked sheepishly at me and shook his head. "Your mother asked what was keeping you and if I would fetch you. The company was tedious and I left gratefully. I figured if I rushed I'd have more time away." He chuckled. "Not that I can stay long, your parents seemed adamant that we return quickly."

"I'm well aware." I rolled my eyes in contempt. "Preston believes in presenting an unbroken and united front in the face of our enemies." I chuckled darkly. "The Countess doesn't seem like the type to be put off her goal by anything."

"I agree." Brandan said quietly. "Still, if we must face her, I'd as soon do it together than apart."

"You, as always, are the voice of reason." I stood still for a moment thinking. "Anyone we would know and rather avoid?"

Brandan shrugged his shoulders and looked around. "None that I could see but the Countess keeps reminding us that not everyone has arrived so I'm under the impression that she thinks to rattle someone with her guest."

"Hmm," I sighed and pushed myself from the wall. "I wonder who she intends to upset?" 

Brandan nodded and stood. "I've wondered as well but I can only hazard a guess that her target is Charity, as it always seems to be."

I looked quickly away to hide my annoyance. If Brandan caught on that I had renewed my attentions on the fiery angel, I'm sure he would sputter and explode. I led the way from the room and down the stairs but deferred to Brandan's lead once on the first floor. "I suppose we shall just have to ask Charity whom we should expect."

Brandan shook his head as he walked confidently forward. "Geraldine claims that Charity wished to rest for the evening so I wager we'll have to wait in suspense."

I tried to contain my irritation as we finally entered a room over full of people. "How many more can she fit?" I asked as we squeezed through the press of bodies. It seemed every soul was crowded around the door and there was more room once we passed the wall of people. Preston and Edi were standing in one corner of the room in cased in their own fort of strangers demanding their attention. Amelia and Geraldine stood with the Countess and her sons. The Countess was entertaining only a few guest but all of them were young, nicely dressed men. I had no desire to join either group.