Lost Through Time (On Hold)

VIII

Adelaide unstrung her corset dress, allowing her chest to finally breathe after the dinner. Lucien and Alexander were the last to leave the Dragos Summer Home, giving her a kiss on her palm, the exact same palm. She couldn't help but get butterflies from both men, she felt so loyal to Lucien's heart yet, the pull. The ever insisting pull she felt to Alexander, it made her question where her heart truly lied. 

Shaking off the mortal coil, and crawling into her bed, Adelaide looked up to her ceiling, what's a girl to do?, she wondered. Longing to go home ever since telling the household, she closed her eyes and envisioned herself back there. Constanta, Romania. Sunlit horizons, timeless buildings. The thick smells of gorgeous foods, the salty smell of the Black Sea, it was all there. How could anything compare to home. She continued to sleep the rest of the night, but what of Lucien, what of Alexander? She should feel so lucky, but her own carcass felt empty. She did not dream.

If there was ever a word to describe tonight, it was unexpected. What Lucien thought should of been a simple pleasure of a night turned into a swell of emotions, not all of them positive. Alexander was lucky to sit with Adelaide, and to have to just watch, he couldn't help but feel jealous. But something made him sane. A slow soft voice inside him, 'I love you Luc.' Adelaide's voice calmed him. He felt secure, he felt confident. 

The carriage ride to an empty house may have sullied his thoughts for now, but as long as he felt Adelaide was by his side, the loneliness kept itself at bay.

The long journey home met its end. Lucien stepped out with a sigh and tossed a bag of coins to the driver. He passed the family oak tree, his gaze meeting the initials 'L.K.' and 'A.D.' on the lower side. He defaced a centuries old piece of wood, for love? If his father was still around he'd probably give him a smack upside the head, then proceed to give his thoughts on the matter as if Lucien needed the help to go forward with his heart's choices. Walking towards his towering home, he pushed the door open and entered through the main hall toward the stairs before pausing. Playing back the memories he shared with Adelaide here. For the first time in such a long time, he smiled without faking or hiding anything deeper. For once he was happy to be home.

* * *

Adelaide arose from the comforts of her bed, and whisked herself to the balcony. Taking in the fresh new air of the day, she decided on wearing a rouge dress with a laced back, dancing toward the downstairs lobby of her home with thoughts of the market place in mind to go. She had a promise to keep, finding herself missing those lovely vendors but of course most of all, Lucien Elliott Karstairs. But going there so much, it felt too routine for her. Maybe surprising him at home, she thought,could work better. Anything to see that smile of his perked up Adelaide's excitement.

Making her way to the step, she came across her mother, Ioana. "Good morning dear, you seem more... cheerful." 

It was true Adelaide had color back in her cheeks and a spark in her eyes. "I feel wonderful mother!" 

"I am very happy to hear that, so does that mean you've decided?" Ioana quirked her brow much like her daughter.

"Not as of yet." Adelaide stopped in front of a mirror, palming a small package that was slipped into her hand last night.

Alexander, during the dinner, offered a gift of good faith to Adelaide. Like Lucien's gift to her a couple days before, this too was jewellery. But different, it wasn't from Alexander's lineage as he would explain. A blackened crystal held by a thick silver base of which had a chain attached on each end. It matched her dress. 

Adelaide played with the necklace through her fingers inspecting it. She held it to the light of a candle, it looked and felt like a mineral but didn't shine much like one. There was a knock at the door. Adelaide jumped after being fixed on her new gift and held it close to her chest. Did Lucien beat her to the punch of a surprise? She gripped the necklace in the palm of her hand, moving towards the door to greet who it was. Ioana wasn't far behind and came to accompany her daughter. Taking a breath, together opening the door, greeted to a smile of man. It wasn't Lucien. 

"Lord Alexander DuMort!" gasped Adelaide, "How do I owe the pleasure?" 

Alexander bowed humbly and rose back up to face the two ladies, "The pleasure is all mine dear Adelaide." 

"Humbled." Adelaide tried to sound unimpressed, trying hard to not feel bound to him to by some way, "But if you don't mind I need to meet with someone before I'm late." Ioana smiled at that.

"You must be mistaken, I'm here to speak with your father." 

Adelaide turned after passing him by to grab a carriage, "Oh?" A pull was felt.

"I have matters I would like to discuss with him, but if you have time, I'd like to take you to a restaurant tonight." 

Ioana shared the same surprised look as Adelaide, but was widened further once her daughter responded, "It's a date." 

Hopping into the next available carriage, Adelaide couldn't help but feel like she was betraying Lucien. They did have a plan after all, and she did love him, but something about Alexander was different, persuasive in such a manner she was surprised at herself for accepting it. The driver asked for an address, and she responded, "The Karstairs Home." And off she went with a crack of a whip, and clouded thoughts. 

Lucien arose from bed, hair in tangles and still with roughly the same clothes he had on the night before. He stripped himself of the night and prepared for the morning ahead. Seeing the clock, he still had time to clean up and head to the market, but would Adelaide be there? He muttered to himself. No matter his doubts, he stayed true, washed up, and got dressed in casual attire. 

Almost routinely he made his way to his sanctuary, the library, and began to read until a light tap at the door was heard and caught Lucien off-guard. Walking to the door, book cradled under his arm, he opened to a body lunging at him leaving his face covered in raven black hair. It was Adelaide. The hug she gave was so tight and forceful he was almost knocked to the ground if it wasn't for his grip on the oak wood door. "And hello to you too Addy!" He grabbed her curved waist and lifted her up in the air, twirling around. 

"Surprise! I thought I'd come and see you here instead." She looked into Lucien's eyes, there was no better place she'd rather be, "Couldn't risk another suitor spotting me or getting the wrong idea." 

Lucien quirked a eyebrow, "You wanted to visit my library again didn't you?" 

They both shared a laugh, Adelaide giving him a quick punch on the arm as he put her down, "Shut up." She couldn't help but blush, allowing herself the simple pleasures of happiness. However she was serious in what she meant as she explained to Lucien walking toward the Library. "My father will want me to choose a suitor. Maybe even see one of them again." She sighed. The fact that this charade had to continue left her stomach feeling empty. 

Lucien could only watch Adelaide's deep sorrow for so long until finally embracing her in a comforting hug, "If we have to keep it up, then keep this up we will." 

Adelaide's head rose from Lucien's chest looking up, "What do you mean?" She seemed utterly enchanted by his response. 

"I know I should have a typical reaction, but I've understood this life of yours when I stood outside your home. I understand where you are coming from and the duties you have towards your family." Lucien brushed Adelaide's hair from her face, revealing to him those beautiful green eyes he'd missed. 

All she could do was embrace what made Adelaide feel safe right now. Sure Alexander inviting her to dinner tonight was what to come, but for now she wanted this. "No matter what happens. Can you promise me something?"

Lucien looked down in his arms seeing Adelaide's face partly covered in their embrace. "What is it?" 

"Trust me through this. I need it." Adelaide was feeling withdrawal. Whether it's what she felt with Lucien, or what she felt with Alexander, she needed strength if she was ever going to survive. Or die trying.