The Gentleman Villain

It was a bother to ride a horse along the London streets even at such ridiculously early hours as five in the morning – the single carriages and carts pulled by merchants littered the way making it difficult to pass. More and more people appeared on the streets with each passing quarter. A red haired rider dressed in a green riding habit somehow managed to manoeuvre between the moving and static obstacles without losing much speed, causing people to shout some obscenities at her. Ariana hated London. She reminded herself to scold her brother for summoning her here. “Tell the Earl of Blackwood that I am here. Where is he?” the girl asked the butler, taking off her hat and gloves as soon as she entered the hallway. “In his study.” He was handed the items as the girl proceeded to the room he mentioned. “Thank you, Adam. I’ll show myself in.” “One moment, mistress the earl is-” before he had a chance to even finish his sentence, she threw the door open, without knocking and then her heart came to a standstill. The hair in the colour of ripe grain seemed to absorb the sunlight. It was most certainly not red. The eyes that stared at her with the scorching intensity of the Indian sun were striking blue color instead of brown. The chiselled features of a young man sitting behind the huge mahogany desk reminded her of Greek statues from the British Museum. This was definitely not her brother. Ariana froze with her hand still on the widely open door, holding her breath in startlement. Her heart hammered in her chest as she realized this was the most beautiful person she has ever seen. “Well, good morning!” he flashed his white teeth at her, startling her out of her reverie. “Forgive me, my lord, I tried -“ gasping, the servant reached the room. “It is fine, Adam.” The young man waved the butler off and rose from the chair, presenting his firm form dressed in finely cut trousers, an immaculate shirt and a vest that brought out the width of his shoulders. “Who are you and what are you doing in my brother’s study?” the girl finally managed, overcoming the initial shock and doing her best to push aside strange emotions that made her stomach flutter. Ariana was always considered tall but she was nowhere near his height. She could not help but to flinch, as he slowly approached her. “Well, I expected a warmer welcome, cousin.” He grinned at her and leaned slightly down to the level of her eyes. “A kiss, perhaps? “Cousin?!” she squeaked. “I presume you did not catch on the first part of the sentence…” he sighed with resignation. “What about a hug then?” he opened his arms for her, grinning. The girl suddenly felt very oppressed by his demeanor. “I’ve heard you the first time, I’ve simply chosen to ignore that ridiculous remark the same as I do now. Where is my brother?!” the girl retorted, feeling her cheeks blush. “Would you be so kind as to sit?” the man moved the chair for her. Ariana lacked for words at this audacity - he dared to order her around in her family house! She stormed out of the study and crossed the stairway swiftly. The girl jumped two steps at a time, feeling as if the insides of her head were boiling. “Grandmother!” since nobody replied, she yelled even louder. “Grandmother, where are you?!” “What is the meaning of this? Who is hollering in this impudent manner at such an ungodly hour?!” the elderly lady dressed in a bathrobe with curl paper in her grey hair, started to descend the stairs, the expression of utter disgust twisting her face.  “Ariana!?” she clutched at her chest, upon seeing the tell-tale red hair. “Dead God! You are in such a mess! And why was I not informed your carriage arrived?” here she turned her eyes towards the butler who has just joined them. The servant, being at the age of forty-eight, was clearly not used to such an exercise as to literally run along the long hallways. “That is because it didn’t arrive yet. Mitsy is riding it.” the girl replied in his stead. “Your maid is riding your carriage?! How did you arrive then?” “Grandmother, that is the least of our concerns at the moment!” Ariana’s patience was rapidly wearing off and she felt as if she were to explode in a moment. “You smell like a horse!” the lady pressed a handkerchief to her nose. No doubt, it was scented with some essential oil. “Could we please discuss what this strange man is doing in William’s study?!” the young miss implored, grasping at the last straws of patience. “Ah, that is why I specifically instructed Adam to tell me as soon as you arrive.” the dowager lamented, rolling her eyes. “Forgive me, my lady.” the butler bowed his head with contrition. “We did not expect miss Crowford to arrive at the back of the horse, rather than in a carriage…” “Et tu Brute contra me?” Ariana lifted her eyebrow with irritation at the servant who slightly shrugged his shoulders. Obviously, he wanted to save himself by diverting the old lady’s anger at her granddaughter rather than him. “Hence the smell… How many times should I say: this is not the countryside! Ladies from the polite society travel in carriages!” “Is everyone in this house more interested in my blatantly impolite behaviour rather than the alien in our house?!” The girl felt like going mad at that point. “Please, allow me to escort you to the drawing room and explain, cousin. Adam, please bring some tea and scones. My cousin must be tired and hungry after such a journey.” the fair haired man she just mentioned came out of thin air right behind her. He offered his arm to her, like a perfect gentleman, no doubt to grandmother’s approval. Her mouth hung open at his behaviour - he ordered the servants around as if it was his house! “Nilgiri tea as usual for breakfast, my lord?” “Yes, Adam. And as the flower of this family has arrived, it should be properly celebrated so bring it in the Royal Vienna Rose set, please.” This was just too much - not only did he order everybody around in the house, he apparently has been living here long enough to distinguish different china sets they had! “Grandmother!” Ariana wanted to throw her arms into the air to express her irritation. “Yes, it is best he explains the situation to you.” with that the woman turned and climbed back the stairs. The butler also disappeared leaving the two on the stairs. “Cousin?” the young man leaned down and lightly nudged her with his elbow. “Will you stop calling me that?!” Ariana glared at him and blatantly ignored his raised arm. The girl marched into the drawing room but he caught up in a flash. He was quick to move the chair for her. For a second she wanted to sit on another, just to spite him. She gave up on the idea realizing how childish it would be and sat down, wanting to find out what kind of mischief this was... “I failed to observe how stunningly you look, my dear cousin, It is unforgivable of me.” He moved her chair slightly closer to the table, as if to prevent her from bolting again. Ariana’s cheeks flushed, as his breath swept across her neck. Then the man sat down right next to her - way too close for her tastes, as she could smell his cologne. Her grandmother was right - her hair and clothes were in disarray from riding at high speed and the man was clearly mocking her.  “As I said to my grandmother, I believe we have more pressing issues to discuss rather than my behaviour. Or appearance.” despite her self-assured tone, her cheeks flamed red - cursed be the fair skin! The girl ordered herself to remain calm and focus on what was most important: “Where is my brother?” she inquired pointedly. “I see you kept my little gift all these years. May I?” he reached out not waiting for her reply and opened the locket that she wore on a chain around her neck. Inside it, there was a lock of golden hair - the identical color that was on his head. Ariana’s mouth gaped open - again, not in a very lady-like manner - as realization of who this man was hit her. The tall lanky man with golden hair and piercing blue eyes looked nothing like her scrawny and sickly cousin. Edward was always shorter and they made a bet that once he grows taller than her then they would marry. Only the wager was to remain unresolved - shortly after they made it, a Sippaj rebellion started and soon reached the region their families were staying at. The family of the Earl of Blackwood has been evacuated from India. Edward’s father, being a commander of the English troops, had to stay and so did his son. The revolting Indians have been setting fires to English estates and supposedly that was how her cousin and uncle perished. “You...cannot be!” she stood up abruptly. “Sit down.” He also lifted, towering above her and his icy tone sent chills down her spine. Oh yes, he was much taller than she. And apparently, much changed as well. Ariana’s heart pounded uncontrollably in her chest. “Please.” he added in a softer tone. Her knees gave out and she collapsed down the seat. “Ed-Edward is-is dead!” she managed finally. “The gossip about my death has been greatly exaggerated.” he flashed his white teeth at her, smiling as he sat down next to her again. The young man placed his arm on the back of her chair, making her feel awfully self-conscious.  The girl clasped her hands tightly to conceal the fact that her fingers started to tremble uncontrollably. “Bu-but….I’ve seen...an obituary!” “Have you actually visited my gravestone?” Obviously, she has not been to India ever since. “Do you have any evidence of my supposed death?” he leaned even closer and she tried to move away, but the chair and the table prevented her from doing so. That would be a body, which, apparently, had been burned to ashes. ”No.” The girl was staring at him with her huge brown eyes opened widely. “Is this...really you?” “I am not a spirit, I assure you.” he chuckled. “You can touch me, if you wish to confirm it.” again, he leaned towards her, moving so closely that his breath swept across her forehead.  Her high cheeks blushed beautifully and Edward’s eyes focused on her parted lips. Congratulating himself, he lowered his head towards her. A second later her hand collided with his cheek in a loud slap. “That was...unexpected.” he breathed, trying to collect himself. “That is for never writing to me! I thought you were dead!” she pointed an accusatory finger at him. “And now you suddenly appear and-” her voice trailed off, as things started to fall into place. “Where is William…?” Ariana’s voice was weak when she asked that question. Her eyes focused on one detail she missed earlier - Edward’s cravat was black. “Ariana, you are a clever girl, always have been…” he reached out and clasped her small hand into his. “Please accept my heartfelt condolences...” Blood drained from her face and ice seemed to seep through her veins. “The earl is in his study.” Those were the words a servant gave as a reply to her question about the host. But upon her entering the room, she saw him instead of William. And Edward was next in line for succession... The girl stood up abruptly, causing the chair to fall over. “That’s nonsense! It cannot be!” Ariana was entirely oblivious of the fact that she had been retracting and, likewise, he had been advancing on her, speaking in a low murmur, as if trying to soothe a scared animal. “You are angry and sad. That is understandable. Remember, I am here for you. And always will be...” “Ridiculous! I would know! I would know!” Ariana’s head was spinning. Her shin hit a small yellow pouffe and she lost her balance. In a flash, he reached out and steadied her. “As I said - I am here for you.” Then he suddenly pulled her into his embrace. The only man she hugged apart from her father was her brother and he was as plump as a dumpling. It always put her at ease, whenever she was pressed to her brother’s soft belly. Thus Ariana found it strange to be embraced by someone as firm as a stone statue. Her face was pressed right below his collarbone, forcing her to inhale the scent of sandalwood and something else - something that made all hairs on her back rise. The girl found herself unable to breathe and stiff as a log. There was nothing comforting about this embrace and the way his fingers buried in her messy curls and slowly circled on her head sent chills down her spine. “William…” The young man was silently congratulating himself, as he stroked ginger messy curls of the girl. Oddly enough, she smelled of a meadow. Perhaps she used a potpourri of dried flowers and herbs, he thought. Her body was shrilly bony - like of a malnourished cat - and he winced at that as he preferred when a woman had curves. He was quite sure this time his charm had worked. His train of thoughts was abruptly stopped by her sudden movement. “I will never believe it! Not until I have seen his dead body!” With that, miss Crowford left the room, nearly colliding with Adam in the most impolite manner. Edward sighed and collapsed onto the sofa. “Clever, indeed…” “I presume it did not go very well.” a brown-haired boy with a freckled face entered the room a moment later, taking the tray with tea and snacks from the butler who apparently froze in the doorstep. “She will come to her senses, Patric.” the fair-haired man waved off the servant. “What makes you so sure?” his friend settled on one of the chairs. “I have seduced married women and you doubt I will woo a teenage girl?” the young earl shot him a glare. “She is not an ordinary girl.” Patric observed and popped a scone into his mouth. “Clearly.” Edward admitted with irritation as he touched his burning cheek.