“I question nothing about my wife,” Robert roared. “And I will not stand here and allow you to impugn her virtue. Get out of this house, Edwin, before I throw you from it.”
“Oh, Robert,” Edwin replied, “I will go further than impugning. I will destroy her if I must. I will NOT be robbed by that little whore.”
A scuffle sounded behind the doors. I recoiled as the doors flung open. A dark-haired man slid sprawling on the floor in front of me. He appeared at least a decade younger than Robert. His lip was bloodied, his eye purple-red and already swelling. He rubbed his jaw as he pulled himself to sitting.
“Lenora!” Robert exclaimed at the sight of me as he entered the foyer.
Edwin glanced up to me. “I… I heard a commotion,” I stuttered.
Edwin climbed to his feet, his eyes surveying me from head to toe. “Ah, here is the little tart now. I suppose…”
His statement hung unfinished as Robert flung his cane aside and grasped him by the collar. “I have warned you once about your foul mouth and using it in regard to my wife. Do not EVER speak about her in this manner again. Now get out!” Robert dragged him to the door, tossing him through it into the autumn air.
Robert shoved the doors shut, bolting them as Edwin threatened to return. He crossed the foyer, straightening his jacket. My eyes remained downcast, studying the marble floor below my feet. Our rushed nuptials were already causing ripples.
“May I ask how much you overheard?” Robert inquired.
“Most of the conversation,” I admitted.
“I apologize for my brother’s behavior,” Robert voiced. “This is not the way I hoped you two would meet.”
“There is no need to apologize,” I assured him, raising my eyes to his face.
“Yet there is,” Robert argued. “I have placed you in a position to become his enemy. The circumstances of our marriage opened the door for him to utter those vile insults. And those circumstances are of my creation.”
“And of mine. I agreed to this marriage.”
“Without a solid understanding of the family politics. I have used you, Lenora. The consequences of this you have just witnessed firsthand. My desperation to learn the circumstances of Annie’s… well, my desperation has led me to make selfish choices.”
“Your brother’s behavior is not your fault.” Robert offered a brief smile, averting his eyes from mine. “And your defense of my honor was… commendable.” I offered a smile. “I hope you did not hurt your hand.”
Robert eyed me sideways. “No need to worry, my dear. It is quite fine. I’m afraid my magnificent ability in a brawl is another fact I have kept hidden from you.” He paused. “I do apologize, Lenora. This marriage must be far from what you hoped for as a young woman.”
“There is no need for an apology. Your choices were not selfish. You have provided more than what is fair in this arrangement.”
“Arrangement…” Robert answered, leaving the word hang in the air for a moment before continuing. “Not quite the stuff of a young woman’s dreams.”
I chuckled, drawing a questioning glance from Robert, his brow furrowing at my reaction. “Given my circumstances,” I explained, “I’m afraid I hadn’t many dreams. Therefore, I can say without hesitation this marriage has provided me with more than I could ever have dreamt of!”
Robert’s eyes met mine, and he studied them for a moment. “You are too kind, Lenora.” He paused for a breath. “I regret disturbing you with Edwin’s nonsense, though. It is nothing more than that, Lenora. Drunken nonsense.”
“No bother. I was on my way to the library.”
“Oh? I shall walk you,” Robert suggested, offering his arm.
“Thank you,” I said, accepting it.
“And what has you heading to the library? Considering making some changes? Removing it to add another parlor?”
“Absolutely not!” I exclaimed. “What a ghastly idea!”
“Ghastly? I should imagine the dusty library itself ghastlier than the idea of its removal.”
“I happen to cherish your dusty library. What a treasure to have so many books, so many escapes at one’s fingertips.”
“A treasure? Am I to understand you are an avid appreciator of books?”
“I am,” I admitted. “Books kept me company on a number of lonely nights at the orphanage. Though, the library there was woefully lacking compared to yours.”
Robert smiled at me. “Compared to OURS,” he corrected. “Though I must admit I am unaware of its contents. I have spent little time there. Is our selection sufficient?”
We reached the library doors. “More than sufficient,” I assured him.
He smiled at me as we parted ways. “I am pleased you find it so. I shall leave you to your books, my dear.”
I glanced down at the book on my lap, one that I found within our library after my arrival with a smile. The library far surpassed the one in my previous residence and had brought me many hours of enjoyment.
I opened the book to the marked page to continue my reading. As I settled into the first words of the chapter, a chill suddenly overtook me. I clutched the blanket closer to me, drawing it further up my lap. Perhaps the chilly air outside made my window seat too cold a place to read, I mulled. I glanced to the fireplace. Large flames still danced inside it, and I considered drawing closer to it for warmth.
Before I could make my decision, my fur blanket began to slide slowly off my lap, taking my book with it. I grabbed at it, pulling it back toward me. I snuggled into it, tucking it around me, and retrieved my book.
I had not read two words when the blanket began to creep toward the floor again, as though something weighed it down. I pulled it back, ensuring no parts of it remained on the floor. With a deep inhale, I returned to the pages of my book.
Within seconds, the blanket inched away from me for a third time. I grasped at it, now realizing the source was otherworldly. A powerful force tugged against
