Heiress In Blood

eight

The weather was rather chilling these last few days, coursing the need for winter clothing to be out again. Maidens and servants flocked with hangers of winter gowns and capes for each lady of the house and shawls and costs for Archer, Coal and Fischer.

Delta sat on the bench outside, watching as two maids stumbled through the doorway carrying stacks of fur dresses and velvet capes. She was dressed as them too; in a plum dress with a matching cape and gloves. It was so cold, Delta had been expecting snow.

It wasn't long after the maids made their way through the doorway that Archer walked out, carrying a rolled up umbrella with him.

"Delta." He said as he took a seat besides her with the pretense of buckling his boots.

"Still nothing." She replied in  a hushed tone.

"It's been days, Delta."

"Yes, extremely cold days and my arthritis is acting up."

"You have arthritis?" He said as his fingers pauses over his boots.

"Well, not officially but I'm sure I do."

Archer sighed and Delta rolled her eyes, then shook her head and spoke.

"I'll try to get there somehow. I don't think Mr Johan's house is very far away so I'll just give Marcia some lame excuse."

"Don't bother." He whispered. "I'm  going into town today - and Johan's house is on the other end of town - so I'll just stop there one time."

"With your grand entourage? I don't think that's very discreet."

Archer sighed and sat up. No one was around and there was no need to pretend now.

"What's your plan?"

"Bring me along. Say it's for shopping or something - doesn't matter - but drop me off close to his house. I'll sort out everything while you finish off your work in town."

Archer concidered the flawed plan for a second and then nodded.

"Okay, fine, but you need to tell lady Withlock before leaving."

Delta smiled and nodded slowly. That should be easy.

The manor glowed in orange and yellow, a fire set in every room and candles lit in each walkway. The oil paintings shone as if they were being melted away and Delta could notice the fine strokes of the brush. Wow, that was really a sight.

Lady Withlock's room, however, was in an illuminous blue. Delta paused at the slightly opened door before nudging it further.

"Delta." She said, spinning around.

Lady Withlock had not been in her best form since the news of the matzim key has reached her and she spent most of her days in the secrecy of her bedroom chambers.

"Lady Withlock, I do not wish to disturb you -"

"Then don't."

Silence fell on the room, and instead of lady Withlock apologising, she turned to face the window.

"I will be leaving with Archer now. He's agreed to show me the town. Would you like me to get you anything?"

Her lips were pursed as if she were chewing on her inner lip. She shook her head slightly, not saying a word.

Delta smiled. She knew it would be easy to leave.

"Archer?" Delta whispered into the cold.

The were rooted on the roof of an old building ajasend to Mr Barclay's mansion. It'd been nearly half an hour and there had not been a single movement. Archer was beginning to doubt Delta all along when she spoke.

"Archer, dammit. I see him."

Archer jumped up from his reclined position and reached for Delta's binoculars. She slapped his fingers away and nodded in the direction of another set of binoculars.

"Oh God. This man has so many guards." He whispered to himself.

Delta reached for a salted chip from its bag when Archer slapped her fingers.

"Quiet!" He reprimanded, but Delta suspected it was out of revenge.

"What'd lady Withlock say?" He asked after some time.

Delta shrugged. "Just that she wanted some face paint from the local tavern."

Archer turned to her and she rolled her eyes.

"She's depressed as ever."

"I know. She's not taking the news very well."

"Makes sense. She has everything to loose."

Archer zoomed in on his vision and watched as Barclay removed an envelope from his coat and handed it to one of his guards who then disappeared back into the building.  What had that been about?

"She mentioned to me earlier that she wishes to see you before dinner." Archer said.

"Will we be back by then?"

"We will if we leave now."

Delta sighed and turned away from their suspect. She shoved her packet of chips into a bag she recently bought and stood up. She turned to Archer who still hadn't removed his gaze and jumped.

Short chapter, I know but it's better than nothing.
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