Story 8-chapter 2

Despite her protestations, Adelia agreed to change her outfit for the dinner that would welcome their guest. Anna, Adelia’s favorite of the maids, assisted her.

‘They say he’s very handsome,’ whispered Anna, as she slid a blue brocade bodice around Adelia’s chest.
‘Who says that?’ Adelia tried not to gasp too hard for breath as she spoke.

‘Everyone,’ said Anna with a giggle. ‘I heard the wife of a Count, I’m not saying which one, was found on her knees on his doorstep. She was begging for just one more night with him, as if she were his slave. Can you imagine a woman of such standing humiliating herself in such a way? It was a scandal.’

‘That sounds a bit absurd,’ said Adelia skeptically.

Anna shrugged and smiled. ‘That’s what they say.’
Adelia glanced down concerned at how prominent the shape of her bosom was. Ever since womanhood had fallen upon Adelia, her breasts had been ample enough to show, no matter how modestly she dressed.

‘Don’t you think something else might make me look a little more, well, appropriate?’

Anna fastened the bodice with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. ‘Miss, I’m afraid that clothes can only do so much for modesty, especially when one’s body is so...’ She gestured towards Adelia’s chest.

‘Right,’ said Adelia.

Once they’d finished, Adelia stepped towards the gold framed mirror on the far wall of her room. The reflection that met her had a cinched waist, slate blue eyes, and dense curls tamed atop her head. Her body was adorned with blue brocade, and a slight shimmer of the pattern caught the light.

‘Find me a princess that looks better,’ said Anna victoriously.

‘It seems like a lot of fuss to go to for someone I don’t even know,’ said Adelia.

‘First impressions can only been done once.’ Anna looked Adelia over with satisfaction.

Adelia took a deep breath as best she could, and made her way out down the stairs, taking care not to trip on her skirts. She ran her hand along the dark wood of the railing to keep balance. Gliding across the richly carpeted floor, Adelia began to hear her father’s voice as well as another coming form the parlor.

Silently, she entered and her father smile at her.

Beside him, a young man turned around. He was dressed in a dark grey suit, with only a tinge of dust to indicate he’d been travelling. What captivated Adelia first though were his eyes. They were a hue of golden green she’d never seen before, not even among her paints. Each iris caught the light like amber.

His cheekbones were kissed with a tan that she felt sure could not be from British sun. His har was brushed back in dark blond waves.

‘This is Victor, my dear.’ Her father gestured swiftly.

‘Victor, this is my daughter Adelia.’

Victor stepped forward. ‘Charming.’

Adelia was surprised at her trouble finding words. Nearly stumbling, she stepped forward. ‘It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.’ She could see Victor’s shoulders appeared broader in his jacket than men she was familiar with, as though he’d had cause to develop strength not normally required of gentlemen.

‘Well, lovely then.’ Her father clapped his hands together. ‘I’m famished. Shall we see what can be done about that?’

Together they entered the dining room, her father sitting at the head of the table. Victor and Adelia sat on either side, facing each other. Long white candles flickered around the room.

‘Did you know Victor has only just returned from India?’ her father asked, picking up his spoon.

Adelia looked down modestly at the first course of potato soup. ‘I did not.’ She was afraid that if she lifted her gaze she would stare directly into Victor’s golden eyes.

‘I was making a study of the silk industry there. However, as always the experience of travel brought many more lessons.’ Victor blew gently on a spoonful of soup. His lips seemed sculpted by a classical artist.
Her father took a sip of wine. ‘I had no idea I would be getting such a knowledgeable apprentice.’

‘How fortunate,’ said Adelia. She tried not to be mesmerised by the way candlelight illuminated Victor’s face. She had never found a man so compelling.

At that moment, one of her father’s stewards swept into the room. ‘Sir, an urgent message has come through.’
Her father wiped his lips, and rose up. The steward spoke a few more hushed words and her father’s face turned serious.

He faced back to the table. ‘You must excuse me. I have urgent business I must attend to. My apologies for this lapse in hospitality.’ He looked at Adelia. ‘You will be able to host our guest for the remainder of the evening, won’t you?’

Adelia didn’t know what else to do but smile and nod graciously. ‘Good. I should be back before morning.’
‘What?’ said Adelia, but her father had already turned to go. She looked at Victor tentatively. ‘I trust you are enjoying your meal?’

He looked at her and she felt her breath catch. ‘Every bite has been a pleasure.’

Adelia looked nervously back down into her soup. ‘May I make a comment?’ said Victor.

Adelia looked up. ‘You may.’ She expected him to ask if some salt could be added to his food.

‘Your breathing is very shallow.’

‘Is it?’ Adelia suddenly began considering every breath.

Victor pushed his chair back and stood. ‘I find many ladies here bring themselves close to fainting with corsets that are too tight.’

Adelia laughed a little. ‘And what would a man such as you know about corsets?’

Victor only smiled, and came around to her side of the table. ‘If you adjust your posture, you may experience some relief.’ He was standing near enough to Adelia now for her to detect the scent of his musky soap. ‘May I?’ He gestured to her shoulders.

To her own surprise, Adelia nodded.

Gently, Victor placed his hands on her shoulders and lightly pulled them back. ‘How’s that?’

Adelia tried taking a breath. ‘It’s a little easier, as though part of my ribs were freed.’

‘Good.’ He drew his hands away.

‘Don’t stop,’ Adelia said. ‘I mean... I don’t know if I really had a sense of the position yet.’

‘We have time for you to get it right.’ He walked back to his chair, and Adelia felt a longing for his hands to be on her again. She also noticed her breath had quickened in a way she had never felt while sitting still before.

Victor took a sip of wine. ‘You should also have your maids take care not to bind you so tightly. There’s an art to something being tight enough, without doing harm.’

As the meat arrived, Adelia found herself eagerly trying to maintain the posture he had showed her. She hoped he would be pleased by her following his instruction. To her disappointment, Victor did not appear to be paying attention.

Adelia did however enjoy hearing about Victor’s adventures in India. The spices, silk, and flowers all sounded otherworldly. Tentatively she shared a little of her interest in art and literature, and was impressed by his broad knowledge on both.

Long after the meal was finished, Adelia realised they should bring the evening to an end. She’d already dismissed the servants out of concern for their rest.
‘Shall we retire for the evening? I trust your room was to your liking?’ she asked.

‘There was one thing I meant to enquire about,’ he said, his voice low like the purr of a tiger.
Adelia nodded eagerly. ‘Of course. We want you to be comfortable here.’