Esteemed Malevolence

XXXIII: The Perils of Approaching Eleanor Lovett

That night, it seemed to be never-ending. Eleanor almost jumped for joy once the last few customers trickled out of her courtyard.

She knew her fatigue had only increased due to how horrible she felt after dismissing Miss Fiori. As she absent-mindedly stacked up soiled plates and tumblers, she thought back to how the girl had owned up to her stupid mistake. She hadn't tried to deny anything, nor had she tried to dispute with Eleanor.

And from that alone, the baker now considered her to be a decent person.

In all honesty, she too wanted Beadle Bamford dead, especially after hearing the chilling allegations of murder leaving Eva's mouth...

She shivered uncomfortably, grabbing the damp dishcloth she'd placed over her shoulder to begin wiping one of the tables down. Feeling that focusing on the dirty surface as she cleaned it was depressing her even more, she raised her head up and cast her dreamy eyes towards Mr Todd's shop.

She regretted not telling Mr Todd of the events that evening. She hadn't been able to approach him ever since their brief encounter - mainly out of fear for how he'd react. But also because she wanted the memory of the last time she saw him that day to be the feel of his lips against hers as his body trapped her in place against the wall of his shop...

Until he made a new memory when he slipped into bed beside her, of course.

She couldn't help wearing a smile smile as she closed her eyes, her head still faced in the direction of the barber's parlour. Her hand kept on moving over the table in a circular motion, but she was already completely lost in the memory of him.

She recalled when she'd tipped back her head and exposed her neck, which had caused an emphatic growl to come out of him. He'd been pleasantly enthralled by her actions, and she'd heard it plainly within every syllable of his want.

She could even remember the exact noise he'd made - his voice had been low and hoarse with lust and she felt goosebumps developing all the way down her back. She longed to draw that noise out of him again...

As she opened her eyes again, she bit down into her smile, her blush giving away her desire-filled thoughts. Deciding that she'd spent enough time cleaning that particular table now, she raised her head, casually glancing across her courtyard.

She narrowed her eyes as a figure across the street caught her attention.

The swagger as they left a small nook next to Bell Court passage was enough for her to deduce it was Beadle Bamford. The way he pinched his nose also gave it away - Eva's whack was still affecting him, how awful.

Eleanor's eyes widened however, when she followed the direction of his gaze.

Dread filled her as her cloth tumbled out of her palm - the man was watching a few boys playing a game of tag in the street, which was a usual sight to see at that time of night in those parts.

She wouldn't have even given the pig's actions a thought if she hadn't recalled Eva's words... Bamford was being exceedingly suspicious given what had occurred that night - not to mention, downright creepy.

Suddenly Eleanor found herself shaking with anger. She wore a stubborn pout on her face and before she knew it, she was marching across the street towards him - the cracks in her pallid mask of indifference were finally starting to show.

"Oh! Why, if it isn't London's most favoured baker... and now notable hostess, might I add."

His daring insinuations had already begun and she hadn't even reached him yet. She was fuming with him, why did he feel the need to rub everything in? He wasn't exactly the cleanest of people... literally and figuratively.