Falling Petals

Chapter Four

"What happened to her?" Carmen demanded in a rather rude tone, her eyes narrowed fiercely at the violet-eyed man before her. She knew exactly who he was, but if he had hurt her Lady Sophia, she would not hesitate to whip her pistol out from under the ruffles of her skirt.

"I simply told her we were to be wed in a few months, then she acted very surprised and fell to the ground." Lord Damon answered calmly, amused by the way the handmaiden acted towards the girl in her care. His dark hair still hung over his right eye as they scanned the young noble's face.

Her blond curls draped over her now closed eyes, her lips curled into a soft frown as they had been before she hit the ground. Her eyelashes were fluttering only slightly, making her look more asleep than passed out.

He enjoyed reading her letters greatly. Whenever they arrived, the envelope always smelled of Lilac. And her handwriting was just as graceful as she herself was. Each letter always curled elegantly, and every word spelled perfectly. Every I dotted and T crossed. In truth, he'd been waiting for this face to face meeting since their first few letters. It was evident that she was unlike any other woman he has spoken to before. And now, here she was, fainted on his tiled floor, not even out of the entrance hall yet.

"That's because she hadn't known yet. Neither you nor she mentioned it in any letter. And her deranged mother never even spoke to her about this engagement before it happened." Carmen grumbled with a frown, laying Sophia's head gently in her lap as she sits on her knees. "The poor girl has been so nervous that it is a wonder she didn't faint as soon as she stepped through the door."

Damon's violet eyes remained in their near emotionless position, however inside he was cursing himself for not thinking about such a thing. Of course, he had thought her mother would tell her about how soon they were to be married, but he shouldn't have just assumed. That was wrong on his own part. "Yes...I suppose you are correct. I will have to apologize when she wakes up." He said in the same calm fashion, his hand tightening around the golden colored handle of his cane.

"Arthur, can you please help me carry her to a guest room?" The handmaiden turned her dark brown eyes to the butler standing nearby. He was standing straight and tall, precisely how he should be. His silver eyes met hers for a short moment as he nodded in response.

"Of course." Was all he said as he approached the women and lifted Lady Sophia effortlessly into his arms in a bridal position. He made sure her dress was not riding up, and that he would not drop her as they climbed the stairs. However, just when he began to walk a very soft groan came from the figure he was holding so tight against his chest.

Sophia's head was pounding. It felt like someone was beating a drum inside her skull. The last thing she could remember was speaking to Lord Damon Larson before she had felt strangely dizzy and fell to the ground.

She could feel strong arms around her. It reminded her of her elder brother, so warm and safe feeling. But her brother hadn't come along, so who was carrying her in such an embarrassing position? Slowly her pale blue eyes fluttered open, meeting the silver eyes of the familiar butler. Her face became a dark red, but when she spoke her voice was full of authority. "Put me down this instant."

"Yes, of course." Arthur responded with an amused chuckle, carefully lowering the young lady to her feet which made a soft 'click' on the tiled floor.

"Oh, My Lady are you alright?" Carmen asked worriedly as she fussed over Sophia's hair, dress, and light makeup. She's very fond of the young noblewoman and has already promised herself that she would never let any harm come to her.

"Y-Yes, thank you, Carmen." Lady Sophia said as she gave the Handmaiden's hand a gentle squeeze. Her blue pools then turned, meeting a pair of violet eyes watching her from the other side of the grand hallway. "Lord Damon. I must apologize for my sudden, er, reaction." She couldn't think of any better words nor anything to say that could rid her of this dreadful embarrassment.

"Please, you needn't apologize. But lunch will be getting cold if we do not hurry to the dining room. So if you will all follow me." The tall, dark clothed figure turned on his heel and exited the room through a large archway that lacked a door. His cane making quiet 'thud's' that kept in rhythm with his light footsteps.

Sophia followed the nobleman into a large, very beautiful dining room. Decorated with the same gold and white colors as the main hall was. Another equally gorgeous chandelier hung from the ceiling, moving slightly from the breeze blowing through the open window. And with this breeze came a heavenly scent of roses from the outside garden. She was unable to keep her eyes on one thing for too long, as curiosity made them dart left and right, a satisfied smile finding its way onto her lips.

"Again, another beautiful room." She said softly as Carmen helped her into a large wooden chair with a soft cushion on the seat. "Your mother and father had exquisite taste." And she meant it. Even her own mansion which her father had personally chosen the decor for wasn't equal to the beauty of these rooms. And she's only seen the two.

"And again I must thank you, Lady Sophia." Lord Larson said in a calm tone, taking his own seat at the head of the table, as any head of the house would do. "Arthur, go tell the others to fetch our meal. I believe we're all ready to enjoy what they have to offer." His dark hair once again fell into his face, leaving only one violet eye to look over to his butler.

"Of course My Lord," Arthur responded with a smile and respectful bow. He turned and exits the room through a single, wooden swinging door that Sophia can only assume leads to the kitchen.

Damon's single violet orb now shifted, meeting the blue pools that were full of curiosity and nervousness. "Now, is there anything you would like to talk about, Lady Sophia?"