Allure Of The Night

Music Recommendation: The Latest Whistledown- Kris Bowers

—

In the town of Meadow, a fancy-looking carriage entered and rode on the streets before coming to a stop in front of Dawson’s residence. In the haste of wanting to open the carriage door as quickly as he could, the coachman lost balance and fell. But he quickly stood up and opened the door for the temperamental vampiress.

Rosetta placed her fancy shoe on the dry ground of Meadow and then the other before looking around. She ordered the coachman,

“Stay here and don’t go anywhere. I will be back in some time.”

“Yes, milady,” the coachman bowed, standing by the carriage.

Eve’s neighbour Mrs. Edwards heard the sound of the carriage, and even after being publicly humiliated, her eyes moved towards the window as if itching to move towards the window.She said to her husband, who was reading the newsletter, “It seems like the Dawson’s have a visitor.”

“Did she return?” Mr. Edwards questioned his wife.

Mrs. Edwards shook her head and whispered, “I think Eve left for good.” She then turned to him and said, “If she weren’t so guilty, she wouldn’t have left the town. Wasn’t she working for her lover, the vampire.”

“I think it would be best for you to not meddle yourself with her or the Dawsons anymore after what happened,” the man warned his wife, remembering how he had come back to the town after work to find a few townsfolk, including his wife, sitting on their knees at the centre of the town.

Hearing her husband’s words, Mrs. Edwards quietly walked away from the window.

In front of Dawson’s main door, Rosetta smoothened her dress several times so that she looked presentable. She quickly went to the window and fixed her hair, making sure only four strands of her hair rested on her forehead, and she touched her lips to make sure they were moist.

Going back to stand in front of the door, Rosetta raised her hand to knock on the door but stopped midway.

It was because she had come here yesterday, and Eugene had told her Eve had gone to Berkshire. A little nervous and excited, she hadn’t been able to find the words to continue the conversation, and the man had closed the door.

“You can do it, Rose. I will ask for water,” Rosetta spoke to herself while staring at the door. She rehearsed the words, “I will say I am thirsty and need to drink water.” This would let her step inside the house as if she was there on purpose.

Getting cold feet, Rosetta took a deep breath by opening her mouth to suck in the air. At the same time, Eugene opened the door, who carried the water can to water the garden, and didn’t expect anyone standing right outside the door.

Noticing the vampiress, who looked as if she was ready to take a bite from him, Eugene took a step backwards. His foot slipped on the doormat near the entrance, and the water can fell on the ground, splashing water everywhere.

“A–Are you alright?” Rosetta asked with wide eyes, not expecting Eugene to fall.

Eugene wondered if one of these days he was going to die due to a heart attack. He cursed his luck when it came to this vampiress, because he felt pain in his bottom and back. Gathering his thoughts, he warily asked her, “What are you doing here, Ms. Hooke?”

Forgetting the lines she had been practising until now, Rosetta’s lips moved before she uttered, “I was thirsty. Yes! I was very thirsty for–blood!”

Hearing the vampiress’s words, Eugene felt sweat forming on his forehead. It seemed like Rosetta had planned to finish her unfinished business that she had been unable to complete the night of the Moriarty’s ball. His hand inched toward the water can so that he could use it as his defence.

“Your pants,” Rosetta pointed her finger to his pants like a child.

Eugene’s eyes moved up and down before he caught sight of blood on his pants, where it seemed like he had hit the water can on his knee when he fell backwards. He quickly pushed himself and stood on his feet. He said, “Ah, I will take care of it later. It is nothing.”

Rosetta felt terrible for causing Eugene’s injury and wanted to apologise, but not used to it, and she asked, “Why were you walking backwards? How clumsy.” She wondered how he even took care of her that night.

No one had ever treated her with such kindness as him. He hadn’t looked at her with contempt or down at her. He had gone as far as to offer his handkerchief when she had thrown up. She knew if it was someone else, they would have belittled and laughed at her.

As this young lady was Miss Eve’s friend, Eugene offered a stiff smile because if it weren’t for this vampiress, he wouldn’t be feeling pain in his back now. He said, “I will be more careful next time,” and bowed before asking her, “How can I help you, Ms. Hooke? Miss Eve isn’t home. As I already said yesterday, I don’t think she will be returning to Meadow anytime soon.”

Rosetta shook her head, “Eve told me that we would meet. I am sure she will be here soon.” But the vampiress didn’t know when. She then stared at him, as it had been a whole seventeen hours since she last saw him.

With Eve’s letter and also with the way how the townsfolk behaved, warily looking at him, Eugene didn’t want another dispute, and he said, “When she returns, I will be sure to inform her about your visit, milady. You have my word for it. You can go back to your mansion and rest now, milady.”

Rosetta snapped from staring at him and was about to speak when Eugene quickly offered her a polite bow and closed the door with an inaudible sigh. For the time being, he was safe, he thought to himself.

—

Question for our beloved readers, where are you reading these chapters?