Crimson peak re-telling (Reader x Tomas Sharpe)

ℭℌą℘ţℯr VI

The envy of Aphrodite

Not even a week after your picnic with the Sharpes you were invited to attend a gala event hosted by perhaps the snootiest woman in town. Miss Regina Applegate was second only to your family's wealth. She was apparently holding a ball to celebrate the coming of winter. You rolled your eyes at the unnecessarily extravagant invitation and tossed it onto the credenza.

"You will be attending Miss Applegate's ball, won't you?" you heard your father's voice from around the corner. How did he know already?

"Not if I can help it," you nearly laughed. When had he known you to willingly go to these events?

"Really?" he asked, coming around the corner at last. He held in his thick hands an envelope with your last name on it.

"What's that?" you asked. Your father gave a victorious smile.

"Oh nothing," he feigned. "Just a letter from Sir Thomas Sharpe, asking to be your escort to Miss Applegate's event." He turned his head away from you as if to convince you he didn't care about it, but kept his eyes carefully on you.

You squirmed. Thomas had immediately asked you to be his date to an event. You wondered how he worded such a request; probably exceedingly suavely. Extending your hand, you sighed.

"Give it here," you commanded.

"I thought you didn't want to go," your father pretended to be shocked. You did not move your hand and he eventually conceded to handing the letter over.

You turned it around nervously and opened it. The paper was heavy, as though it were expensive. The handwriting was one of a well-educated, precise man.

It read:

Dear (Y/L/N) family,

I am writing to acquire the consent of the beautiful (y/n) to accompany her to the gala that is to be held by Miss Applegate this coming weekend. It would be my utmost pleasure to assure the safety and happiness of the lady for the evening. If appropriate, please send back a letter confirming this arrangement.

Truly yours,

Sir Thomas Sharpe

A stupid grin had spread itself upon your face and you quickly tried to hide it, but it was too late. your father had seen your reaction. You cleared your throat in hopes of scaring away the excitement from your voice before you spoke.

"I suppose I should make an appearance," you allowed. "And I would feel better in the company of a man who does not make me want to vomit, unlike the usual company to be found at such events."

It was not untrue that the men at these societal events were less than decent fellows. Although most of them came from money, they were not as wealthy as you, and often only wanted your attention for the fortune you could bring them through marriage. Then there were the older, married men, who were not nearly as faithful as their wives imagined them to be. Yes, it would be good to have Thomas there with you, as your father would no doubt make your attendance mandatory since he was in town.

Thomas would also save you from having to interact with the other girls. Their caddy natures and shallowness had never appealed to you. You never connected with any of them.

"I will write him back," your father answered smugly.

You truly hated how everyone was apparently so aware of your affection for this man. You didn't hesitate or deny it any longer. The more time you spent with him or thinking about him, the more you realized you truly did care for the man.