Music Recommendation: Dances for Harp- Lavinia Meijer
Mr. Lowe politely invited Vincent, "You should join us for supper, Mr. Moriarty. If you don't mind having food with us," his words were cautious as the vampire in their house was someone from high society, while his family belonged to the middle class.
"How kind of you, Mr. Lowe. I was just wondering where to have my supper for a while now. I haven't found a suitable place to stay yet," Vincent responded to the human while casually adding the last bit, and Eve blinked. He had visited the house at the time of supper. Of course, he knew the family would ask him to stay for a meal. She was well aware of how devising and cunning this vampire was.
"Well, if you do not mind, Sire," Lady Paloma was eager to have a member of the high society. Not anyone, but someone who worked in the Council and was Eve's employer. She agreed with her husband and said, "You can stay here with us. There's a spare bedroom."
Theophilus turned and gave a look to his mother with a frown because all the rooms were occupied. Unless his mother was thinking of cleaning his room and giving it to this man!
"I wouldn't want to burden you, Lady Paloma. It would be rude of me to intrude your space and trouble you. One of the city's authorities will arrange something," Vincent replied to the woman as if he didn't want to burden her.
In the meantime, Lady Aubrey, who noticed Eve glaring at Vincent, placed her hand on the young woman's knee. She raised her eyebrows and asked softly, "Is everything alright?"
Eve schooled her expression, clearing her throat. Until now, she hadn't told Aunt Aubrey about what was transpiring between Vincent and her.
"It would be a great honour for us to accommodate a man as yourself, Mr. Moriarty. Theo, come with me," Lady Paloma was quick on her feet and dragged her unwilling son along with her, who wasn't keen on being a host to this vampire.
Mr. Lowe turned to Eve and chuckled before he said, "Earlier, your little smack on the wall had me and Paloma jump in surprise." That was because Eve's room was right next to the Lowe's. He continued, "We thought something cracked. What were you doing with the wall?"
Vincent turned extremely interested in the conversation and looked at Eve, who pursed her lips. Before she replied,
"There was a terrifying spider that had entered the room. I had to chase it out of the window. But I don't think I did a good job kicking it out," her eyes met Vincent's, who took a sip from the teacup while his eyes were on her, and Mr. Lowe nodded.
When it was time for everyone to have dinner at Lowe's house, everyone sat at the dining table, which was big enough to accommodate another person. Eve sat next to Theophilus, while Vincent sat next to her aunt, as if enjoying a good conversation about her time when she was a governess.
As much as Eve didn't want to look at Vincent, she couldn't help but subtly stare. The last few days, this was the last thing she had imagined it to happen. It was surprising how they now sat under the same roof.
Theophilus, who took a bite from his food, turned to catch Eve looking at her employer and said to her in a low voice, "All these people from the council are like this."
Eve tore her eyes away from Vincent and met Theophilus's eyes, "I am sorry?"
"You turned quiet since he appeared. Also glaring, he mustn't be as good as he shows out to be," Theophilus remarked and added, "I have met many like him. All of them are abundant with money. If he does anything to you, tell me and I will take care of it."
Eve hadn't meant to glare at Vincent, but she was annoyed with him trying to rile her every time; this time, he had picked a war with her. She smiled at the man beside her and said, "You don't have to worry about it, Theo. Mr. Moriarty is a guest and by tomorrow he will be gone from Berkshire."
"Oh, well, if that is so, that is good then," Theophilus nodded, liking what Eve said. His eyes fell on the food stuck on the corner of her lips, and he raised his napkin to clean it.
Vincent, who caught sight of this, narrowed his eyes and slowly chewed his food.
Theophilus asked her, "What are you doing tomorrow? If you like, I would like to take you to the city centre, to meet one of the seamstress."
Eve returned the smile, knowing Theophilus would ask for her response to his proposal. The young man then took a bite from his food.
Vincent, who sat across from them, remarked, "It is good to see Ms. Barlow shares such a close sibling-like bond with your son, Lady Paloma."
Theophilus coughed the food that he had just swallowed, patting his chest. He responded to the vampire's words, "Eve and I aren't siblings, but are like friends."
"Interesting," hummed the vampire before saying, "Because Ms. Barlow and I share such close friendship too. Isn't that right, Ms. Barlow? But to have grown up knowing each other for so long, it must give a brother-sister feeling."
Lady Paloma agreed with Vincent with a smile, "Theo has looked up at Eve like a sister. He always takes care of her and is protective about her." Her son's eyes widened. Was that what they thought it was? Theophilus questioned.
Theophilus turned to Vincent, and before he could say something, the vampire remarked with dry humour, "You have an adorable brother, Ms. Barlow."
For the rest of the dinner, it wasn't Eve who was glaring at Vincent but Theophilus, ready to run a stake through the vampire's chest for insinuating that the woman's reply he was waiting for marriage, was like his sister.
