A slight frown flickered across James’s brow as he heard what sounded like sorrow sweeping through her voice. It was as though by signing this, he had brought a great heaviness to her soul. That was not something he could comprehend, for surely, she would be very glad indeed that he had done as she requested? What else then could be the cause of her dissatisfaction?
“What is your name?”
Given her gasp of surprise, it was clear that James had surprised her as well as himself. What cause had he to ask her anything of the sort? It was not as though he cared for the wench.
“My name?” Her voice wobbled. “Why should you care for my name?
James could not answer her, and the silence stretched out between them. The young woman seemed all the more disinclined to answer his question, for she did not give him any further word. Clearing his throat, James tipped his head, wishing that he could see her face. The candle gave only the smallest amount of light, and he could not garner even the smallest hint of her features.
“It is best in this situation, my Lord, to keep our names private.”
Shrugging, and embarrassed that he had found himself in such a situation, James made to stand up, only to remember that he had no clothes.
“Of course. My clothes, if you please,andI should like a copy of that vowel. I assume you will make a record of it.”
“The copy of the vowel will be sent to your home, my Lord. There is no need to concern yourself.”
Her words were spoken quickly, as though she was desperate to have them all said before he could make any further argument.
“I should like to take it with me,” James replied. “You can be sure that I am sincere in saying that I will pay it just as soon as I can. Therefore, I am quite certain that you will be sure to return my things – including the copy of my vowel - to me, just as soon as you are able. It is only that I much prefer to remain abreast of all of my circumstances, be they pleasant or otherwise.”
“As I have said, my Lord, the copy of the vowel will be sent to your home within the hour. If there is any cause for dissatisfaction, my employer will come to speak with you immediately.”
Opening his mouth, James was about to question this situation, aware of his growing dissatisfaction, only to close it again. Arguing would do nothing. The best thing for him to do in this present situation would be to make his way out of this house. Then, at least, he would be able to free himself from the embarrassment of his present circumstances. If there were any difficulties with his vowel or the like, then he could deal with them at a later date. For the moment, it would be best for him to return home as quickly as possible.
“My clothes and my personal items then, if you please.”
Keeping his tone sharp, he pulled the sheet a little tighter around his waist, lifting his eyes to hers in an attempt to make out her features more clearly.
“At once, my Lord.”
The tension in her voice had faded to a heaviness that he could not quite understand. Why was she not pleased that he was giving her all that she had requested and required?
“Is there something wrong?”
It was a very strange thing to ask, given his current situation, but James could not help himself. There was something very odd about the whole thing. He was still shrouded in darkness and could not see the lady speaking to him with any clarity. He had barely been able to see what he had been scratching out on the paper, given the single, flickering candle in the corner. The only brief glance he’d had of her was that she was slim, with large eyes, but he had not been able to make out anything more. What would he see if he looked into her face now? Then again, he considered that it was probably more than normal for young ladies in this profession to remain anxious. It must be difficult indeed to be certain of payment once the goods had already been delivered. There might well be some concern that if her actions did not gain what she had been instructed to collect. Then the consequences for her could be painful.
He did not expect to garner any sort of answer to his question. But much to his surprise, he found her fingers fumbling on his arm as if she were trying to reach out to him in the darkness, trying to comfort him in some way. Her fingers were cool on his arm, making him realize just how cold he was. To his surprise, he felt no embarrassment at his nakedness, despite his sheet. This was a business transaction after all. There was nothing personal here.
“You would be well to remove yourself from here, my Lord.”
Her voice was only a whisper, drifting close to his ear and making him shiver suddenly.
“This is not a place for gentlemen such as you.”
“And yet it appears that I have found myself here nonetheless,” he retorted. “I do not quite know how I have come to be present, but I can assure you that I will never return to this place again. I am heartily ashamed of my behavior if it is what has brought me here. The vow I made has seemingly easily been broken.”
“You have not broken your word.” Her hand pressed lightly to his shoulder, and James caught his breath. Whatever did she mean by those words, and why was she speaking to him in such a fashion?
“How can what you say to me be true? I have found myself present in your company this evening and you have demanded payment from me. What could be the reason for that, if not because I have broken the vow which I made to myself? “
There was a moment of silence. James reached up, clasping her hand with his as it rested still on his shoulder, suddenly all the more determined to find out precisely what it was that she had been talking about.
“Lord Pottinger, I –”
Someone knocked at the door, interrupting her, and her hand lifted, pulling away from him. Too late did James’s fingers attempt to curl around hers, trying to pull her back, and he lurched forward as a sudden urgency took hold of him. As he reached out and fumbled in the darkness as she lifted her hand from his shoulder, his finger snagged on something but then quickly fell away.
“What?” he asked, his voice a hiss as he struggled to find her. “What is it that you were about to say? What was it you wanted to tell me?”
