Allure Of The Night

When Eve finished teaching Allie for the day, she packed her things and walked through the empty corridors. She came across some of the servants, who continued to do their job without uttering a word. 

On her way, she saw Senior Mr. Moriarty standing outside the entrance with Lennon Morris. The men shook their hands, and with a nod, Senior Mr. Moriarty stepped inside the mansion, while the other man walked away. 

Alfie, who had come to wait on Senior Mr. Moriarty, informed, “Sire, Lady Annalise is waiting for you in the family room.” The butler helped in taking off the coat that his master wore. 

“Did you get the horse shoe fixed on Morris’s horse?” Questioned Senior Mr. Moriarty. 

“I have. Mr. Morris should have no problem on his way to Hollow Valley and will be able to change the shoe,” replied Alfie, and the other man nodded. 

“Good,” replied Senior Mr. Moriarty without glancing at Eve. He walked past her with the butler closely following him from behind. 

Eve who heard their conversation, stepped outside the mansion, and started to walk on the pavement side. She unconsciously touched her index finger and softly winced. She noticed the dark line, and the area was tender when touched it. Her eyes looked around before placing her finger in her mouth and pulling it out. 

When she was heading in the direction where the local carriage often came to a stop and passed by to go to the next town, she crossed paths with Mrs. Walsh, who was with another woman taking a stroll. Eve looked in the other direction as if she didn’t notice them, but the woman did. 

Mrs. Walsh questioned Eve with her eyebrows narrowed, “What are you doing here? Still going to houses to seduce the misters and masters of the houses?” came the mocking words from the woman. 

The woman’s words had forced Eve to stop and turn to look at them, “I am sorry?” She asked. 

“Did you forget what you did before?” The woman who belonged to Skellington demanded with a slight scoff, “Or perhaps you have always tried to get into the pants of the wealthy men with hope to gain money from them.”

“Forgive me, but I think you have got the wrong person,” Eve behaved as if she had no clue who Mrs. Walsh was. She offered a polite smile. “Excuse me,” and walked away.

Mrs. Walsh hadn’t forgotten about the incident. She had tried to get the information printed in the newsletter on how a woman from the town of Meadow was trying to take advantage of the wealthy in the name of being a governess, but the news never got printed. 

“I didn’t know you were acquainted with a woman from a low class, Mrs. Walsh,” remarked the other woman, who had accompanied Mrs. Walsh for a walk. “Who is she? She seems to have upset your mood.”

Mrs. Walsh pursed her lips before shaking her head, “A woman who leeched on men.”

“Mm, it seems like women like that are growing quite in number. Such repulsive appearance, one can only tell where the person comes from,” stated the woman as she stared at Eve’s back, and Mrs. Walsh sent a harsh glare before they continued their walk. “What do you think she’s doing here? Hunting her next prey?” 

“It is possible,” replied Mrs. Walsh, who turned troubled. 

Though it wasn’t openly discussed, rumours were quick to spread in every town. And people in high society had heard about her husband being slapped by a lowly woman. But they had tried to keep the details to themselves. Mrs Walsh didn’t want this so-called governess tarnishing her husband’s reputation.

Away from the two women, Eve had crossed, and she reached the stop for the local carriage. A pole had been fixed with a lantern hanging for the travellers who travelled at night. She turned around and saw the two women had disappeared. A sigh escaped from her lips, and she was glad to be able to slip away without causing any drama. 

Eve was well aware that arguing with Mrs. Walsh was pointless because the woman would blindly believe her husband and not her. 

And if she tried, it would only leave her in a precarious situation by turning the person into an enemy. People who were wealthy didn’t like anyone offending or pointing fingers at them, especially not one that belonged to Meadow. 

Eve stared at the sky that had started to change its colour. All she cared about was making some decent money and pay back the man who had mercilessly killed her mother. 

When one of the local carriages arrived, it stopped in front of the pole. This wasn’t the usual carriage that she hopped on, and instead, it traveled in the opposite direction of Meadow town. 

“Stop to Hollow Valley!” Shouted the coachman, pulling the reins of the horses. 

Eve stepped forward, and the coachman jumped from his seat, ready to let the passenger into the carriage. The coachman said, “Three crowns.” 

“Three crowns? Is that the usual fare for one trip?” Eve inquired the man, who took a look at her attire. 

“The fair ride is higher for Hollow Valley compared to the other towns. If a person is going to a town like that, one ought to have a few more shillings to spare for the trip,” the coachman and Eve stared at the man before pulling out some more coins. She counted one by one before placing them in the coachman’s hand.

“Thank you, milady,” he opened the carriage door for her, and Eve stepped in. 

When she got inside, Eve noticed three men sitting in there, and they were dressed poshly. Having never been to Hollow Valley before, she could tell that the town she was going to visit was similar to Skellington. She remembered Lady Marceline mentioning it. 

She wanted to know more about this man, Lennon Morris before she could plan on what to do next. Time being scarce with her job, she decided to follow him here. 

By the time the carriage arrived at the town of the Hollow Valley, the sky had turned slightly dark, but the town had only turned alive. 

On stepping down from the carriage, Eve came to stand upon the square-shaped stones closely cemented on the ground. The buildings here were high, and most of them had sharp roof tips pointing towards the night sky. Golden lights illuminated from inside the buildings, and the light spilt out through some windows. 

There was a slight fog in the sky, and she saw some birds fly, making their way back to their nests. 

“Move out of the way!” 

Shouted someone, and Eve’s head quickly turned, and she noticed a carriage heading right in her direction. She quickly stepped away before she would be trampled under the horses or the wheels of the carriage. 

She noticed most didn’t spare a look at her. She moved to the side, and noticing a man walking nearby, she inquired, 

“Kind, Sir. Do you know—” 

But the man ignored Eve as if she didn’t talk to him, walking past her. 

She attempted to ask the next person, but she was ignored again. Turning behind, she noticed a window, the surface of the window pane reflected her appearance. 

“Okay. I need to blend in,” Eve said to herself, and she raised her hand towards the ribbon that tied her hair. She pulled it down.

Her golden blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders. Using her fingers, she combed her hair, making it appear more appealing. She turned back again, this time walking with a little arrogance and noticed a man’s eyes fall on her, who was coming her way. 

The man was unable to look away from the beautiful woman. 

  Eve softened her voice and asked the man, “Kind Sir. Might you know where I can find the nearest farrier? Or maybe blacksmith, to fit a horseshoe?” 

The young man appeared stunned that the beautiful woman was talking to him. He nodded and pointed his finger in the direction, “You will find it in the West side of the Hollow Valley, Miss. Would you like me to take you there?”

Eve politely smiled at the man and replied, “Thank you, kind sir, but I wouldn’t want to trouble you. You seem to be a busy man.” 

She offered him a bow and walked away, leaving the man to continue to stare at her.