Mysterious Seduction

XVIII. Crafting Fiction

She was a great actress, after all, Ellie thought to herself as she packed her bags that night.

When Byron told her of his origins and the place he came from, there was no one best to perform the disbelieving—and eventually the surprised—woman but she.

He bought her act and offered her a trip 'down' there.

And she was ready, with the urgings of the old man who seemed to have more to gain than Ellie.

But if she played this right, she would have more.

And Ellie had always wanted more.

-Above and Below

*****

"Lady Emma, my lord," Lawrence announced as he entered the room with Emma behind him. The butler gave him a look of warning and something else that told Wynne he did not like the woman's presence.

When the man started for the door without even another word, Wynne dryly said, "Are you not going to offer Lady Emma anything, Lawrence?"

"Ah, yes," the butler said with a forced smile on his lips. "Would you like some water, my lady?"

Emma smiled at the butler. "Water with tea, yes, please."

Wynne almost laughed at Lawrence' appalled look. "Very well."

"And biscuits if you have them as well, thank you, Lawrence."

"Very good," Lawrence said through his teeth.

When he finally left, Wynne could see the triumphant smile that curved Emma's lips.

For some time, he simply observed Emma as she studied the room with her curious eyes.

She was here knowing he was a Trilby. And there was no question that she was playing him. Knowing Emma Everard, she must be thinking his ultimate goal was to cause havoc in her perfect life.

"Did you come here to know my secrets?" he asked.

She stopped her roaming eyes and focused it on his, as though she could see him for who he truly was. Which was apparently quite true, Wynne thought.

"Yes," she said, walking forward and taking the chair he did not even offer.

With the desk between them, Wynne had the urge to reach out and grab her.

But to do what? Throttle her for making everything complicated? Or kiss her for being so wise and brave?

"Writing a play requires a vast imagination," he said, straying back to the topic they both knew they had to discuss. "And discipline, of course."

"I know," she said with a small smile. "One ought to know what is expected to deliver the best result."

Wynne shook his head. "You do not merely meet their expectation, Emma," he said, "You have to surpass it."

"How?"

He allowed a small smile to slowly curl the corner of his lips. "You attack them with surprises."

She slowly nodded.

Wynne blinked and looked away with a sigh. "I do not even understand why you would come to me for this," he wryly said. "You can ask Samuel to teach you these things."