Dearest Lady | Nadia Petrova

Chapter Eight

 Nadia had no idea what she would say to Lillian the next time they were face-to-face. She already had to compel the Blakeneys' driver to get the automobile fixed without telling Sir Stuart what she had done to it. Now she had Lillian to worry about.

 But would Lillian really tell anyone? She didn't seem to have many friends, and she probably would tell the servants. Nadia sincerely hoped she wouldn't tell her husband about the day, at least not the crash into the creek.

 At supper, Lillian was her usual quiet self, and didn't look up from her plate.

 "It seems July is already passing us by," Sir Stuart remarked. "How has your time here been, Cousin Petrova?"

 "Very happy, Cousin Blakeney," Nadia replied with a smile. "I especially enjoy the gardens. I hope they are always this lovely in the summertime."

 Sir Stuart nodded. "I should hope so."

 Despite the polite manner, her 'cousin' did not seem happy at all at dinner. He too kept his head down and barely spoke, which gave Nadia plenty of time to think, which she was hoping not to have that evening.

 Eventually, she excused herself, and went up to her room to pace the floor like a madwoman. She should leave. She should just compel both of them to forget her and just leave.

 But no. She couldn't bring herself to leave Lillian now, not after hearing her talk about her husband. There had to be a way to get her away from Sir Stuart.

 Nadia paced over and over again and thought to herself until she felt ready to destroy every bit furniture in her bedroom. She took a deep breath, and walked very calmly out of the room.

 She went down to the entrance hall, and saw that the door to the dining room was still open. It was big airy room, so perhaps if she sat down for a little while, she thought, she would feel better.

 When she stepped into the room, however, she saw that she was not alone. Lillian was standing by the windows, half hidden in the curtains.

 "Hello, Lillian." Nadia stood in the doorway, uncertain if she should actually enter the room.

 Lillian nodded. "Nadia."

 Nadia stood staring at her, filled with a sudden longing to run to her. She stepped into the dining room and said, "Lillian, you cannot leave me in such suspense. Have you told anyone about today?"

 "Of course not. How on Earth would I explain such an occurrence? I do not even know what happened, as you have not told me what occurred so that I may understand."

 "But it is for your own good that you do not understand. I know these things, and I know it better for you."

 "I don't see how it is better for me to not know the truth about someone I care for," Lillian retorted. "You have to be the strangest woman I have ever met, Nadia Petrova, and that is if Nadia Petrova is your real name."

 "It is. Lillian," Nadia stepped forward and touched her cheek, "I have not told you everything about myself, but I am Nadia Petrova, and I care for you."

 There they were, their faces so close to each other's, looking into each other's eyes. Nadia leaned closer and gave Lillian a soft kiss on the lips, which Lillian did not protest to. When Nadia realized Lillian wasn't going to shove her away, she pulled her closer and kissed her more passionately.

 "What is this?"

 The women jumped apart, and turned to the doorway, where Sir Stuart now stood.

 "Look at this," he said. He staggered into the room, apparently drunk. "My quiet, meek-mannered wife seducing my little cousin. And in my own house as well."

 "Now, Cousin Blakeney-" Nadia began.

 "Don't say a word!" he shouted. "She's a foreigner, Lillian! She doesn't know this country, and you do this to her?"

 Nadia looked at Lillian; she stood very still, trembling, staring at her husband with wide-eyed fright.

 "Sir Stuart," Lillian stepped forward, "Please listen to me. It is not what it seems to be!"

 "Isn't it?" He slapped her across the face. "I know what it is, and I won't act like I don't know."

 Nadia stepped forward, filled with fury. "Leave her alone."

 "Stay out of this, cousin! This is between myself and my wife."

 "Not anymore, it is not."

 Nadia gave him a hard shove. Because of her vampire strength, it sent him crashing against the fireplace, and they heard a loud crack.

 Realizing what she might have done, Nadia went over to Sir Stuart's crumpled up figure, and examined it.

 Sir Stuart Blakeney was dead.