08

As Dorian studied the engraved map dispersed across the mahogany desk, a knock jarred him to awareness. Lieutenant Cummings didn't wait for an invitation and instead pushed open the door and strolled into the room.

A dark brow arched, "Lieutenant? What brings you to my estate?" his eyes narrowed as his old and trusty companion slid comfortably into the leather seat across from him. "I see you find no difficulty in making yourself comfortable, lad."

Cummings smirked, "Aye." He leaned back into the seat and surveyed the study, pausing to admire the marvelous collection of leather-bound books lining the walls of the room. "This room is smothering." he tossed one leg over the other as he turned back to peer at Dorian who merely scowled deeply.

"Surely you did not come all this way to criticize my study? What brings you here, Lieutenant?"

All amusement fled Cummings' face as he dropped his leg and leaned forward, "There is trouble brewing at sea. That bastard Reyes has captured another of our vessels, this one containing valuable cargo."

"Which vessel?" Dorian demanded his voice dropping precariously to a dangerous tone.

"The Silver Wind. He seized the shipment of barrels containing cash crops, the expensive furs-"

Dorian abruptly stood, flexing his hands along the smooth surface of his desk as he asked, "What of the crew?"

Cummings stiffened his face paling beneath that intense, blue scrutiny. "They were seized, Captain."

Dorian gritted his teeth, his jaw flexing as the muscle ticked dangerously; his temper flaring. He swept a hand through his disorderly mane of black hair and turned to the window. Two vessels had been seized by the self-proclaimed Spaniard King, stealing him of profitable cargo, not to mention the lives of his men.

He released a string of curses before turning back to his Lieutenant. "Is there a ship docked?"

Cummings nodded, "Aye, The Lady Charlotte."

Dorian's thoughts instantly turned to Eloise. He had just returned only to be forced back to sea once again, but this time he would not know when he would return. "Inform the crew and prepare the vessel."

Cummings nodded briefly, "Aye, Captain."

Dorian watched his retreating back before sweeping an arm across the effects adorning his escritoire. He cursed violently beneath his breath as he turned and braced his hands against the wall, his temper rising to dangerous measures.

He turned as Eloise stepped into the study, her blue eyes assessing the broken clutter along the elegant rug. "What news did Lieutenant Cummings bring?" she gently closed the door and stepped towards him, the deep-set of her eyes daunting as she approached him.

Dorian straightened and inhaled deeply to brace his sister's verbal attack that was surely to come. "Another vessel has been claimed." He said sharply, "A Spaniard has laid siege on my crew and cargo."

Eloise stiffened, "You are leaving?" she asked, perplexed.

"So soon? You have just returned."

She blanched as the blood hastened from her face and she advanced towards him in outrage. "This is absurd!"

"No." she said firmly, her eyes stormy with affliction. "You haven't even settled and already your obligations are calling you."

His face darkened, "I have responsibilities that I cannot disregard."

She lifted her chin and glared definitely up at him, "What of your responsibilities here, Dorian?"

His fists clenched at his sides as he glared down at her, resisting the urge to throttle her. "Several of my men will remain behind to see that the fields are tended and the laborers are guarded. I have far more important matters to attend. The fate of my crew depends entirely on me, Eloise."

His sudden flare of anger was quickly extinguished as those blue eyes glistened with tears. He reached out and gently cupped her chin, "What is it that you fear soeur?"

Eloise peered up at him as she fought back her tears. "I fear the day you will not return."

Dorian pulled her gently into his embrace, holding her tenderly as he had done when she was little before she had gone to boarding school. He placed his chin atop her head and said, "You need not fear for my wellbeing." He said to reassure her.

"You are not immune to death, dear brother." She stepped back to look up at him, "How long will you be gone?"

He hesitated, "I know not. There is much that needs to be done. Tracking the Spaniard will be my biggest challenge as well as finding my crew. The cargo can be replaced but the lives of my men cannot. Much time will be needed to find them."

"I understand your responsibility." Eloise said gently struggling internally to conceal her dismay. Dorian was all she had left of her family; she couldn't bare the thought of losing him.

Ginelle knew something was amiss once Eloise returned to the parlor. Her raven curls were slightly disarranged, her ivory complexion revealing a faint blush and there was a dull redness in her blue eyes. Had she been crying?

She cleared her throat as she moved to the far side of the room to peer out the window. She was quiet for a moment before turning to a rather large, black object sitting in the corner before the mantelpiece. Eloise reached out and touched the sleek black surface before asking, "Do you know what this is, Ginelle?"

Ginelle stepped forward in curiosity as she studied the magnificent piece in all its ebony glory. Eloise settled onto a leather bench and lifted the heavy lid to reveal a row of black and white keys. Ginelle settled in beside Eloise as she continued, "It is a piano."

"A piano?" her face brightened with genuine interest.

Eloise smiled, "Have you heard of it?"

She nodded, "Aye, but I have never seen one until now."

She fell silent as Eloise began to play a soft melody. Her fingers danced delicately over the black and white keys, creating a structured flow of musical notes and gentle cords. The sound was alluring to Ginelle. The combination of notes blended together in a perfect cadence created a beautiful rhythmical harmony. Ginelle smiled despite the doubt clouding her thoughts. Would she ever learn to play such a magnificent instrument?

"Music is a necessary skill." Eloise started, "You will have both music and dance lessons. You will also learn to cook and sew. You will have a wide expanse of domestic skills in a few years time."

She stopped playing and turned to smile down at Ginelle, but Ginelle was quick to notice that her eyes lacked happiness and revealed a dull light, as though something deeply troubled her.

"That is lovely." Eloise said, pointing to the locket around her neck.

She glanced down, not realizing she had been gripping the chain all along. "Twas my mother's." she said softly reaching up to open the small case concealing a miniature portrait of her mother.

"She is beautiful." Eloise said, studying the small picture of the blond haired woman. "You resemble her."

Ginelle's heart fluttered within her chest as she lifted her head to peer at Eloise. "You think so?" she asked gleefully.

Eloise straightened; her smile widening. "You have her eyes."

Ginelle lowered her head as she reached up and touched the delicate picture. She smiled to herself. She resembled her mother.

She had not realized that Eloise had slipped from the room until she lifted her head and found herself alone. She focused her attention on the beautiful stretch of black and white keys and felt her fingers twitch with curiosity and anticipation. She reached up and gently pressed down on a key; the note sharp and intricate. She smiled as she pressed down on two other keys, both producing a different tune. Her smile broadened as she tested the others, each individual sound heightening her eagerness to learn and explore music.

She caught a looming shadow in her peripheral. Her gaze jerked from the keyboard to the imposing frame watching her through cold, observant eyes. She wrenched her hands from the piano as if the instrument had burned to the touch. Ginelle wondered now if he would scold her because of last night or worse, beat her. She remained unmoving, fearful as of what to do as he continued to stare at her, making her consciously aware that they were alone. It was obvious the dark laird disapproved of her presence. Did he too disagree with her staying here because of her lowly rank? This was after all his estate. If he commanded that she leave, there was naught Eloise could prevent.

"I will not tolerate thievery while I am away. Is that understood?" his declaration shocked her. Did he really believe she would steal from Eloise? "Is that understood?" his voice dropped to a dangerous pitch and she stiffened.

"Aye, milord." She answered sorely. It pained her deeply that someone would think so poorly of her, but what else was she to expect? She was after all a street rat prone to pick-pocketing but he knew naught of her circumstances. She had done it in order to survive. Ginelle blinked away her tears, not wanting to show a sign of weakness before this towering beast of a man.

It wasn't until he left the room that she allowed the tears to come. She brushed them away with shaky hands and moved to stand by the window as tiny snowflakes fluttered from the sky, falling gently to the moist terrain below. She shuddered with grief as an image of her papa came to mind, the two of them playing in the snow. A sob lodged in her throat and she turned from the window, pressing her back against it as she closed her eyes against the intense pain surfacing in her chest.

Later that evening, Ginelle noticed once again that the dark Lord was absent from the table. As the servants scurried around the room, going about their tasks, she was keenly aware that Eloise appeared withdrawn, her usual manner of buoyancy all but dissolute. Ginelle toyed with her utensils as a thought occurred to her.

She remembered something he had said earlier to her in the parlor. I will not tolerate thievery while I am away. That would explain Eloise's sudden change in mood. Her brother was leaving again? She didn't realize how disturbing his presence truly was until she felt sudden relief at the thought of him leaving. He was a formidable man that unnerved her. Although it was a welcoming remedy her heart ached for Eloise for it was evident she adored her elder brother and wanted him home.

"How long will he be gone?"

Eloise stiffened as if suddenly jarred to awareness. She turned those deep, azure eyes to Ginelle and she wondered if she had made a mistake by meddling when it was none of her concern, but it pained her to see Eloise distraught.

"I do not know." Eloise replied, her voice barely revealing the sadness that was clearly there in the blue of her eyes. She smiled than as she reached over and patted Ginelle's hand. "No need to fret. He is quite capable of taking care of himself." Though she spoke the words to Ginelle, she was certain they were said aloud as if to reassure herself.

**********