Once inside, she found herself closing the door and then promptly leaning against it with a heavy unexpected sigh and glancing about the empty spacious foyer with a frown. How difficult it was to have a nice afternoon when there was a quite literal reminder of her ex burning in the back of her mind!
Juliette held up her hand again to inspect the swollen cut, her frown tilting to a scowl. She supposed it was lucky he’d tried something childish and petty instead of turning his attentions directly to Jordan. As far as she knew David didn’t own any weapons, but now she was starting to think keeping a small pistol in her purse might the way to go. She’d certainly shoot him down long before he attempted anything else.
And the gall he had to show up to her workplace at that! It was likely a matter of time before he figured out she’d left the hotel and was moved into Jordan’s home. Somehow having a gate around the property and a number code for the front door didn’t quite feel like enough. Perhaps she should ask her new feline housemate how he felt about minding a pack of dogs. A couple of Irish Wolfhounds would surely be intimidating enough.
Regardless, Juliette would have to speak it all over with the Housekeeper who would be the guardian of door and pet alike. It was a bit awkward to have to introduce herself alone, but then it was also an opportunity to learn more about her ever interesting new fiancé from someone who would hopefully have some interesting intimate details.
The house itself wasn’t too busy. Not that one ought to expect it to be, considering for a place that was seemingly large, it only possessed two human occupants within. One additional feline to make a number of three but it was hardly anything so ostentatious that one might consider it to be a hopping joint that was always alive and loud. Rather upon entry there might have been simply the sound of instrumental music seemingly coming from the hallway itself while the air itself had been recently saturated with homely baking.
Something warm, sweet and most likely in a portable shape that was best for snacking on the fly. Adding a layer of welcome to the otherwise mostly neat but sterile environment that was better for well… an elder bachelor! One closer to thirty than twenty. Shirking parties and drinking for the comfort of silence and books evidently.
As the door had opened to beckon the newest entrant, the pitter patters of a furred creature naturally gravitated towards such a location. To check upon whom had entered and to begin their newest tirade of mewing in hopes to receive an earlier dinner than usual. Having had no success thus far with the woman that had no sooner come up from the lower portion of abode toting a basket of wicker that held fresh clothing. To be organized, pressed and hung for the absent duke of the manor.
Mousy brown hair had been dappled with streaks of silver –seeming more salt than brunette any further- as glasses were looped across nose and ears alike. Even should they depart, the beaded chain would assure that they didn’t go far. Just to rest on upper chest rather than plummeting down to the ground to be crushed under foot. With errant pieces sticking up from the claw style bun, the woman was closer to her mid fifties. Notably a bit heavier set but not so grossly so that one ought to question her health. Pleasantly and grandmotherly plump, the sort that made you feel comfortable rather than a skinny rail of a being that probably had more in common with Cruella De Vil.
Hazel hues peered beyond the rounded rims to blink once or twice before the lines around mouth expressed their use by the beaming smile as she adjusted the basket to rest at hip. Freeing other hand temporarily. “Afternoon dear.” She spoke quickly with a vague hint of upper accent that deemed itself commonly as posh in the media. Fancy and refined till someone dropped the C word with a steamed infliction! “You must be Ms. Juliette Bryon.” She claimed though in turn at Theix’s insistent meow and need to press his silver body along legs as if someone might not know he was there, she huffed. Toddling free fingers at the cat, “Go on now, you won’t be getting fed any sooner than you ought too.” Speaking to the animal in the same value as one might talk to a particularly stupid child.
Which in this case, might be well suited. Since Theix didn’t seem to care and continued his figure eight steps in hopes to annoy to his success.
Shrugging shoulder to adjust lenses up onto bridge of nose, she turned once more to look at the woman. “I’ll just be but a moment. Merely need to take the linens and clothing upstairs to be hung. There is a kettle of hot water already boiled if you wish upon the oven within the kitchen,” Elisa gestured with an elbow behind her, “I’ll come and check on you momentarily, dear.”
Cruella De Vil was certainly more in line with what Juliette was expecting. Some aged old crone with silver-white hair with a severe nose and a black gown button up to her neck. Perfectly posh, aloof, and potentially more dangerous than any look Jordan himself could give.
So she was quite surprised to see the exact opposite! A warm storybook nanny fussing at a cat was the keeper of Jordon’s old fashion manor? Thank goodness Juliette had the sense not to start laughing out loud! What a delightful thing that he seemed to employ people so different from himself.
“Yes, I will meet you in the kitchen,” she agreed with genuine pleasantry. Already making her way down that direction, making a soft psspspspssp to gain the attention of her feline cohort, both so the elder woman could resume her chores without fear of tripping, and for her own pleasure of scooping the cat up as soon as he was in arm’s reach.
Theix received all the snuggling affection she could give on her way to the kitchen, though regretfully setting him down when the burning of her palm was too much to bear.
The kitchen was huge but a bit dated, Juliette surmised once she crossed the threshold. The appliances were new, but the cabinets and walls likely hadn’t been updated since long before Jordan purchased the place. At least it seemed to like any sort of influence of his compared to his study and his bedroom. With the home just being him and his housekeeper, with few visiting guests, she supposed that was to be expected!
It took her a moment of peeping into cabinets and drawers to find herself a suitable cup and tea for steeping, but once she did, immediately she prepared herself a cup and slipped into one of the stools at the breakfast bar. She might’ve been a disaster with cooking, but at least she could make herself a proper cup of tea.
Theix of course was now singing her the songs of his peoples, no doubt attempting to charm her into an early dinner.
“My furry love, even if I were to sneak you a treat, I would not know where to find it. You will have to show me where it is.”
It was but a few minutes at most. Maybe closer to ten before she was clapping imaginary dirt from hands as one shuffled upon the kitchen to offer once more the easy grin that pulled smile lines and crow’s feet upon woman’s features. Only for gaze to drop expectantly at the caterwauling argent coloured mouser making his pathetic attempts to beg to that of madam of the home. Liable at this rate to be shooed away with a dish rag flapping like a mad matador after a not so furious bull. For now earning tutting clicks of tongue, “Never mind him. You’d think the very thing was starved daily for how much he complains.” Elisa declared, brandishing hands in tandem to consider this topic finished.
Still she strode properly inside as to assess whether the young woman had properly gotten herself a few things to sit down. “Now,” Breathily she chuckled, “If you have not gathered, I am Elisa. I am sure Jordan has spoken of me, even if it was momentarily complaint.” The chuckle continued seemingly finding her own humour worth her own merriment. Leading still to step around to the inside of kitchen counter arrangement to stare momentarily at fridge. Then to oven top where clock was staring out for her to assess whether it was time to start meal prepping or to delay it further. Doubting by now that Jordan would appear for such a thing.
Something she was personally a little more thrilled about to have a lady in the home. Perhaps she might convince the very man to properly start dining in the evening hours! She certainly hadn’t been successful!
“Hmm. Well I can at least start chopping up some vegetables.” Elisa mused openly till she turned her face back to properly face Juliette. “Is there anything in particular you don’t fancy, dear? It’s not often I get to properly cook in this kitchen after all, I wouldn’t wish to create something that I like and you do not.” The elder shrugged slightly, “I rarely have a schedule either for dinner time due to Jordan often shirking or coming home later. But with a gentle touch in the house, perhaps things might change.” As if Theix needed his two cents on this, the static call of the cat was made once more. “For the human’s of the house.” She corrected tagging on a bubbly sound of amusement no sooner.
Enchanted with Elisa’s ongoing argument with a furry feline, Juliette smiled wide as she sent her elbows on the counter and her chin in her hands. The little beast was likely to get many extra snacks in the future, as she was already wrapped around it’s fuzzy paws – but that was not something to admit to the housekeeper!
“I’m afraid I may be as ill-mannered as Jordan when it comes to being home in time for dinner,” admitted Juliette. “Although, I’ve not had someone at home preparing lovely meals for me, so it might be worth the effort to try!”
Picking up her porcelain cup, she took a small sip as she watched Elisa bustle about the kitchen.
“I’m very fond of food and adventure, so don’t you worry about pleasing me. As for a gentle touch,” she laughed softly, giving a sort of careless smile. “I am not the gentle type. Maybe for the best, I think. Jordan doesn’t seem to have the patience for any sort of nonsense. He has promised to make me a dinner himself, so we may be on the right track to evening meals at home after all?”
Once more the elder woman let out a airy sound of jubilance to hear the younger woman remark that she had similar behaviours to that of the former bachelor. “Well perhaps I will have to try to curb you both on that. There’s more to life than work consistently.” A dark brow seemed to lift in such a motherly way that she might have preached this very thing not only to the absent home owner, but to her own children.
Yet imagine her surprise when there came a mention of not being too fussy and that the very man himself who didn’t really partake in the culinary evening actions, offered to do so. Not just to take a piece of it but to conduct the very thing. “My my,” Elisa tapped a hand to her clavicle, “You must be something special, dear. For I haven’t ever heard him in my years of service that he’d ever offer.”
Suddenly she leaned forward as if looking for a hint of explanation, rather than blurting a jest out. “You aren’t magical, are you?” Eyes went up and down from behind the spectacles, sizing Juliette up. As if to expect that a pair of gossamer wings would erupt from her back with a wand in hand. Staring for a moment longer even as nothing occurred before sliding back to seemingly start deciding on what ought to be arranged for the foodie and adventurous type lady upon stool. “You are correct though. There are times I wonder if the very man is truly an eighty year old crotchey coot for how his patience seems to wan dramatically. Had we children that could run across his lawn, I fear he might shout at them when his mood is deplorable.” Even if one couldn’t see it, she was rolling her eyes. “He needs someone not so docile and meek, that is for certain. Not unless they wish to sob consistently.”
Turning in an abrupt twist, Elisa chuckled. “And here I am already setting bad ideas out that Jordan is a grouchy sort. Surely that is not what a fiancé wants to hear of their beloved.”
Juliette erupted into laughter immediately, casually shifting in her chair.
“I believe my first impression of him was sanctimonious ass, though I have since changed my opinion. …mostly,” she admitted with a mischievous wrinkle of her nose and a sip of hot tea from her cup. “He called me snide and snippy, so I suppose it is only fair.”
Even without saying much, Elisa seemed to have an interesting insight to Jordan’s private world. A crotchety old man indeed! She supposed this is what people meant when they called someone an old soul, as everything about him was so painfully old fashion it was almost endearing at this point. Perhaps not his mercurial moodiness, Juliette thought, but that she at least knew came with their position in life and the sorts of demands, expectations, and delusions people tended to put on you!
“How long have you been here with Jordan? Your years of service for a tempestuous lord of the manor that refuses to sit down for dinner sound most wretched indeed,” she teased with another laugh.
There was no reason to daringly hide the fact that she found it amusing that the young woman’s first impression had been less than stellar. It seemed to be a favoured trend from her knowledge, warranting the chuckle that hopefully echoed no insult on her employer’s behalf. Especially as it became apparent that whatever was blooming between the two, Juliette’s belief’s had changed. How, maybe that was magic itself too!
Instead, she set out a large skillet onto the first flat burner of the range. Deciding something of the poultry variety could be served that was generally light.
“About three years now.” She explained, “He had previous housekeepers that seemed to either be let go for some reason or they didn’t fit into the scheduling habits of the man.” Elisa stated easily enough, “For the amount of work and the result of pay, one would have to wonder just why others weren’t sticking through. Surprisingly enough, there is very little work to be done for a singular man. Perhaps if he had been a few years younger when I started, I’d have been cleaning up after large parties.” She stated this but by the way her mouth quirked, she might be rethinking it. Not so convinced of the thought. There were plenty of things she noticed about the juvenile adult that didn’t appear so immature. Self sufficient was practically he word to use which coined the thought still to this day, why have a housekeeper at all.
Though that could come to pass swiftly if the man was finally settling down. Which meant hopefully the house would have more of a reason to be a home rather than a furnished cave. “He’s a particular creature.” Elisa glanced towards Theix having stopped whining for now, settling for sitting on the floor like if he stared long enough, something would materialize for him. “Much like a cat. Routine and strict methods of organized madness one might state. Suppose his former employees here just didn’t know how to deal with him.” Which maybe pegged the question of, “Hopefully you do as well, dear. It would be nice to have a feminine touch in this place. Liable to think its a haunted mansion at this rate.”
Three years wasn’t that long in the grand scheme of things, nor was Juliette at all surprised that Jordan had a series of housekeepers before landing on the Madam Elisa. Likely he’d be just as blunt about his thoughts and opinions then as he was now, and those that hadn’t immediately fled might’ve been so stupid he’d tossed them out himself.
Imagining the entire thing had her giggling softly into her cup, and really cemented the fact that Elisa herself must’ve been both a talented keeper of the home and a wise woman. Jordan seemed to actually like her, and she in turn seemed to like him. …even if she was exasperated with with habits!
“There was certainly a learning curve,” she mumbled, almost too softly to hear. “I rather wonder if he has learned to manage me?” Juliette wondered out loud, leaning on her elbow and placing her chin in her hand.
“At any rate, you are to have your wish granted! He’s told me to do as I please with the house, which is honestly going to backfire quite badly if he thinks it will be a project to keep me busy and out of his hair. I can’t get through this wedding nonsense fast enough, but renovating this house will be delightful good fun. Of course, I can do it all on my own, but if we’re going to live her together, he ought to have a say on how it all feels.”
“…though I might paint the foyer bismuth pink just to shock him a bit. Get a little thrill.”
A thoughtful consideration arose at the mere suggested rhetoric if Jordan had learned to manage the young mademoiselle. Rolling it over as hands went about their work, “Suppose one will have to wait and see.” Since she had yet to witness their interactions to determine if there was chemistry or if this was a bad thing waiting to explode, Elisa had to lend herself to believe in the better than the bitter. Surely hoping that the old soul that was Jordan, wouldn’t have somehow lost his edge and that Juliette herself wouldn’t have been looking for a weak willed individual. There must have been something between them, otherwise? Why would they marry?
But such thoughts were promptly thrown in the figurative dumpster. Dashing the pan with fragrant olive oil and a sprig of rosemary to add further scent and smell; it took her all willpower not to jerk eyeballs over shoulder to gawp at the eventual lady of the home. Instead looking over to listen and to express she was doing so before smirking rather easily at the suggestion that this place was due for a large renovation. “I doubt he gave you the task to keep you out of his hair, most likely knows as well as I do, that this place is sorely lacking.” Elisa glanced about for emphasis, “While it isn’t dated per say, it is soulless. I thought when I first started here that perhaps Jordan had just moved in, but so far, nothing has changed. Besides his office but he spends most of his time there.” From the books, to the various trinkets that denoted some shelves and walls, to the time he would once in a while play the Stradivarius; there was rarely time he spent outside of it.
Had there been a bed inside, she was sure he would sleep in there! God forbid.
Yet she started to giggle at the suggestion of how Juliette intended to get him to be part of the conversation. “If there is one thing I know about the man, he isn’t particularly fussy. Which in itself may be an oxymoron.” She knew how it sounded, “Though he might complain if the foyer was pink. Or he may not notice, I think if you wanted to get to see him bristle or stare in horror, that office of his would have to be touched.”
Elisa hummed, “Made the mistake only once that I went to clean the very area or rather some of his books and he was rather swift to appear almost out of thin air. Declaring that nothing needed to be touched and was firm enough to escort me from within.” Brows rose and fell in succession. “Just particular about the area. Nowhere else it seems.”
Forgetting to at least be a moderate bit polite, Juliette tossed her head back in such a cackling laugh it should’ve been embarrassing. She could see him oozing up from the shadows themselves with that severe look of his, threatening to disembowel the poor woman should she ever dare to dust his books again!
“Oh! He had warned me well not to lay a hand on his office! Honestly, I don’t think I could blame him. I am a bit fussy myself about certain things in my collection, and I rather look forward to actually having a home office of my own. Or I guess just a home in general. I did live in an apartment for some time, but it wasn’t near enough space for my entire library and myself.”
Not to mention David for the majority of the time, but Juliette had quite enough of him for the today! Blast it, now he’d popped back into her thoughts again, when things were going so lovely with Elisa. Juliette took another quick peek at her hand before frowning to herself and then downing the rest of her tea.
“Hmm, on that note, I have quite a few things in storage that I’ll have to have moved here. We’ll need to organize a time and decide where they go – I hate to have you bombarded with hundreds of boxes! I can have movers do the brunt of the heavy lifting, books are always dreadfully heavy, and I suppose they’ll just need temporary places to live until we decide which room will be my office. At the least the rest will be easy enough to stuff into attics, but I think Jordan might like snooping through my books.”
As soon as the breast was added to the pan on its low simmering heat, fingers were swift to dash aside to grab salt and sprinkle it over top the two. Not to be oversaturated but for flavour. So she might in turn then pivot around to face Juliette once more. Fetching a ripe lemon so it could be cut into slices to add zest to the cooking items on the very appliance. Witnessing the sound of amusement ringing easily before it seemed Jordan had imparted some cautionary wisdom ahead of time to avoid the young dame from being caught so off guard as she was. Just to discover that there seemed to be similar personalities in that very venture. That both lady and man alike were particular about their collection and of course that Juliette announced she was also that of a book worm.
“Well now,” She gestured around with a hand –avoiding using the knife to do so- “I feel at this rate there ought to be a wing created and dedicated to you both for your novel appreciations.” And to have someone hired that might be a librarian that would keep to the upkeep. But kept that part out of her commentary, simply to smirk. Just it faded at the mention that the woman before her hadn’t had a place to call home for some time. Pulling a small wobble of thought in which softened momentarily.
It seemed she would finally be able to put her feet down now at least.
Instead to turn that grin back up as hands worked, “I am here every day. Except every second Sunday of the month and every Wednesday. At least during the daytime as I am usually off visiting my daughter in town.” She made sure to point this out just in case the madam might have some questions. “Otherwise I am readily around. My room is upstairs as well, as most are. Though you mention an office, I am sure one of the unused rooms would be fitting for such. Or well, there’s plenty of void space if you haven’t noticed.” The housekeeper frowned, “And many spaces that seem to be detailed for use but are either too large or just generally left to look fine.” Not pretty or inviting, just fine.
Yet she couldn’t help herself, “I bet he would. There are days I am sure he spends more of his weekends down at…” Pausing to search for the name, Elisa hummed. Tapping fingers on cutting board, “It’s a small bookstore. Privately owned but for the life of me, I cannot recall its name. Not that it matters, just I know he is prone to going down to it and spending from morning to closing there. Having some new books here is very likely to catch his attention. Like a dog to a new bone.” Elisa chuckled softly, “There is a basement as well, though it is mainly only the laundry. Not very large. So you might have to just store your items in the living room that goes very unused.”
Whatever Elisa was cooking up smelled absolutely divine, even despite Juliette having more than enough to picked through during her earlier tasting test. With someone here cooking meals and an office she could still continue work in if she needed, perhaps she wouldn’t linger linger so late at the warehouse!
As she leaned to peer down at Theix, who also seemed to be enchanted with the scents of cooking poultry, she supposed having a furry friend also made coming home early all the more appealing.
She almost laughed to herself again – shouldn’t she also be hoping to spend time with her fiancé? Juliette wondered if he too might be tempted to spend more time at home. At least she knew he’d be as occupied with her books as she would be with his. After all, they would have to compare collections and see what crossovers there might be.
“There is no sense in having all of this space and not using it,” she remarked easily. “Even if it is just to sit and read with a cup of tea, a change of scenery every once in awhile is nice.”
“It’ll be a challenge then,” she continued with a growingly wide grin, “to refurbish every room, hall, and wing in such a way that lures Jordan into spending time in it. If there are book shelves in every one, he really won’t be able to resist. I bring home enough when I travel, I’ll just deposit them about the house and see what he finds.”
For a time between breath and thought did she continue on the creation of food. No sooner deciding that a small starchy addition ought to balance the meal. Promptly locating a small box of linguine as she pulled out some asparagus to eventually be tossed into the skillet with the rest. Intending on making this at least filling for the remainder of the day. No need to have nibbles in the dead of the night!
“Exactly!” The woman claimed at the agreement that such a waste of space was what this house was. It needed more, correction and by far some homey touches that might be a place where either party would feel comfortable to exist. Rather than passing through like lost souls.
“I am sure that it will be a wonderful challenge. By all means, I am ready for a change. Doubly so if you are able to convince that wandering child to explore more of his homestead than just two places.” Though she smiled no sooner at the prospect of putting the figurative carrot on a stick before Jordan. Just a book rather than a vegetable. “It sounds as though you’ve already located fair ways of keeping him focused. And here I was worried that I might have to give you a list of ideas that would hopefully work in your favour, dear.”
The cat then decided that he needed to voice his song once more. Issuing a slight sigh before gesturing to the one long pantry, “Would you might giving his majesty some food. Jordan has a stack of pre packaged wet food packets for Theix in the evening. One will be enough for him. I am sure Theix is convinced I am starving him at this point.” She darted a glance at the bright eyed creature. “Surely if he could talk, he’d complain the entire time to his human father. Liable to get me fired for nothing!”
Juliette slid out of her stool and made her way over to the pantry, seemingly with Theix hot on her heels and already brewing up several boisterous mrows and mews. She took her time examining the contents, in part because she was curious about what was inside (though she’d never bother with much outside of grabbing whatever was fast and prepackaged), but mostly because the feline’s antics were so amusing, she really couldn’t help herself.
She made a great show of finding the packet of kitty food and pretending she hadn’t noticed the howling cat song. Casually shifting where his bowl was set, to lean down and attempt to dump the package’s contents inside only to finally giggling when the cat’s eagerness to have his dinner nearly had it poured atop his furry head.
“I wouldn’t mind a few suggestions on how to best charm Jordan, regardless. A little bit of dazzling to make sure he remembers who the enchanter of this partnership truly is,” she finally confessed. “For a man that is quite blunt and generally honest, he does seem to enjoy being mysterious and keeping his interests to himself. No one can walk around with that sideways smile of his and not have a few interesting secrets.”
Thoughts turned while the new lady worked on assuring the starved and clearly mistreated cat was fed. Leaving her to think about what ways she might be able to lend answers to Juliette when in reality, her mind suddenly felt as though she knew nothing about Jordan. Which wasn’t the case, she knew the gentleman rather well. But in this very second it was as though her entire mind went completely blank. Working temporarily on the meal instead till she was able to focus and hum in turn.
“It is funny you say that but you aren’t far off. He is rather mysterious. I just had a moment of brain fog trying to think of things about him to use for charming and I drew a complete blank. I’ve worked here for three years and realize that surprisingly I know very little about him. Save about he is an only child and his parents had past away when he was just in his early twenties. Beyond that?” She gave a easy shrug nearly apologetic. “We talk nearly every morning, he tends to enjoy black coffee. I can tell you that much but I am standing here realizing that our conversations are usually about my family. My children, what I am doing that day. Rarely if ever does it bounce back that he expresses about himself. Unless it is work related but even then, it is shrouded in mostly silence.”
Scratching at her brow, she couldn’t believe this. Not that Jordan seemed to mind but still, the fact of the matter was, she didn’t know him as well as she thought. “He does drink often though. Usually in the evenings, he usually as a drink in his study though what it is I couldn’t tell you. A whisky of some sort from my knowledge but it’s never been discussed either. And well, he plays the violin periodically. Beyond that, I apologize my dear… I apparently know very little of the mysterious man.”
It was both surprisingly and not that Elisa had little further intel on Jordan, even in being the keeper of his home and the washer of his clothes. So it seemed his entire salacious reputation was mostly just torrid lies after all! He admitted well enough that he had his share of shallow flings, and that he also spent the rest of his time in his books. Maybe he was no man of mystery at all, but a delightfully boring book worm with a soft spot for furry felines and plucky old ladies.
And musically talented as well. That was going to be a fun conversation later.
“You must have been shocked to hear of a sudden fiancé out of the blue,” she remarked, taking a moment to give Theix a few good pets before rising to her feet again and returning to the comfort of her stool. “I’m almost certain he didn’t even build up to it. ‘Elisa, I am throwing an engagement party.‘” she mimicked as best she could that soft subtle accent of Jordan’s.
“I hope he at least told you before that!”
Now it was her turn to truly laugh at the suggestion of how sudden it was to hear of a fiancée. Bubbling easily no sooner while eyes observed the other. Seeing how Theix seemed most gracious to have received his meal finally, “It was certainly not what I had ever expected him to say.” There were plenty of things he could have brought up, being engaged was so far down on the list that it might be better to say it hadn’t even made it onto the proverbial thing!
“Thankfully, he didn’t just conjecture it out of thin air that evening. It was the night I believe after Ms. Myra was conscripted to be his little helper for a evening out. And it wasn’t him that told me, rather her.” The housekeeper heavily stated. “Later that night when he returned, I had to corner him. One of the few times I would mind you, but you can’t just have someone dump such information on their way out of the house and expect that I wouldn’t try to find out more later.” Elisa rambled, “So he told me that it was more of an arranged marriage.” Explaining to the girl that she was well aware now that Jordan had found something from his family in some old connections to the Bryon’s that indicated a promise between the families.
Which of course still was curious. What need would he have for an arranged marriage. What need would Juliette have for one! Things that she couldn’t apparently drive out of the grinning trickster as he stepped around her to disappear into his office once more. Claiming work called as in hope that she wouldn’t follow him further.
“I’ll admit, there was a part of me that worried he was about to take some one’s daughter away for some old agreement. Like Rumpelstiltskin or something.” Not that she ought to consider him to be like that but there were large question marks of course. “But on that note, if you want to know something about Jordan, Myra or Felix would be the two you could always hound. They’ve been friends from my understanding since they were all small. So whatever I don’t know, they certainly will.” She paused a moment, lifting a finger into the air. “Myra most likely would be easier to speak with. Felix is certainly a man of few words.”
“Ah, so he did dare to divulge the details,” Juliette responded with a widening of her eyes, but none the less amused. “I wondered if he had any close confidants to confess to at all.”
With the names of Felix and Myra mentioned, it was confirmed he most definitely had the two beyond his housekeeper. Felix, of course, she’d met that first day – a rather stern looking redhead that looked about as comfortable with their biting conversation as a cat in a bathtub. Myra, she’d been a little more unsure about, but nonetheless Juliette found companionable enough that she would’ve eventually told the woman herself if Jordan hadn’t.
She was also completely serious about stealing Myra away to work for her instead. There was no shame in luring away good assistants.
“Oh, I am certain he was expecting someone with the wit of a potato sack and the charm of a poodle. I’m honestly surprised we made it past the first two meetings at all. I suppose if we both didn’t have other motives, neither of us would have bothered for a third, but I’d realize he just as a bit of a… Well. He is monstrously tactless, to put it bluntly! He tends to say the rudest thing possible, and then moments later he’s side-blinding you with kindness. It’s incredibly disarming.”
Jordan might’ve been closed-lipped with his housekeeper, but Juliette did not have that problem. The woman was going to be in charged with all of her most precious things, as well as herself when she was in the home. A good relationship was built on being honest. …and it was honestly easier talking to Elisa than most everyone else in Juliette’s life.
“After a bit of chiding.” She stated as not to let Juliette think that the man simply spilled the beans after a mere single question. “And he does, he is just from my knowledge selective of who he has close to his inner circle. I can’t say why but there seems there is reasons for his secrecy.” Shoulders lifted and fell promptly. Not about to go express any knowledge to why he was so choosy with whom and what was known.
Even yet as the pasta was soon spooned into the skillet with the rest of the tossed in ingredients, the easy sound moved past lips once more. “So you both have a reason for being together. I won’t pry certainly but perhaps I can take solace in the fact that you’ve made it past two meetings. I’d worry that you both were marrying another out of pure hate.” She might not know everything about the employer but she also knew he was a good gentleman. Even if he had the personality some days of a shark with a toothache. Which seemed Juliette had found out as she stated he was monstrously tactless and swept in moments after to be rather sweet.
Much like being slapped by a baseball bat only to have the assailant provide medical treatment! It was as she said, disarming. Not always in a good way! “I think he does that to everyone, if I were to guess. I’ve seen a few of his interactions with the few people that come by the house to conduct business. Then again, a few of those who wander in are what I would dare say, spine tingling.” A minor frown appeared, “Especially the one called Augustus. The man gives me the creeps and it’s not uncommon for Jordan to be in quite the mood after dealing with him.” She’d say they acted like siblings but that would be incorrect. Whatever dealings Jordan had with Augustus, she kept away from. And it seemed more out of habitual occurrence that Jordan dealt with him at all. “Not that he is in much better of a mood when he has Ms. Emery in the office either. Both seem to provoke a bulldog mentality out of him. Whatever work they do for him, I hope it is contractual.” Little did she know.
Stalling for a second as to check the arrangement of a meal had been suitable for consumption, off when the range. Collecting plates from the nearest cupboard to set down and dole out a healthy portion for either of them. Promptly setting the first plate before Juliette with fork and spoon and knife to follow. In case she wanted to roll her noodles up in the spoon’s basket.
“Hopefully you two at least see something worthwhile in another to keep this marriage. More than just business.”
“Certainly not out of hate. I’m afraid it may be him that has done the enchanting and that I may actually want to stay.”
It was meant to be a light-hearted tease, but there was a frightening amount of truth to it now. She couldn’t blame sleeping with him, as fun as it was, the sex hadn’t been life-altering! Somewhere along the way she’d developed a juvenile crush on the man. Which could’ve been lovely if she actually believed in all of the dramatic romantic nonsense. And if Jordan himself hadn’t told her in his own matter-of-fact way, that this arrangement was nothing more than business – albeit business with benefits as who wouldn’t take advantage of a good relationship while you had it! But a temporary arrangement nonetheless.
Good lord! This was not what she wanted to think about right now! Mooning over a man as if she were in love with him!
Thank goodness for what looked like an amazing meal. Juliette pulled out her phone first to make sure she made a note for the best times to have her things delivered, as well as the names Elisa so kindly dropped. She’d make sure to pay extra attention to this Augustus and Emery when she got the chance to meet them.
Then she set the phone aside to pick up her fork and try a bit of chicken and pasta, making a soft sound of appreciation before swallowing.
“I am well versed in dealing with unpleasant people, be they employees or not. Jordan has been kind enough to help me navigate issues with my wretched father and what he’s done to the family business, I am more than ready to aid Jordan with his own difficult people.”
There was a sweetened sound that came from the idea that Juliette may actually at least like the other, even if it was in just a platonic way. It would at least make their marriage amicable rather than trying to claw another’s eyes out in public! “I am sure he could use the enchanting too, you must have. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him bring any woman into this house that wasn’t for a business related matter. And nearly turf them out by the scruff of their necks after.” For a long time she questioned if Jordan may have preferred company of men, but when he similarly treated those guests much the same it promptly ruled it out. Starting to think her employer was determined to be some sort of gremlin with his mound of books. Soon to begin hissing and shirking light as though he were a creature of the night!
It brought her an immense relief to think, to hear that they weren’t partnered up from a common goal with hatred being the glue that held temporarily. “Perhaps it is silly of me to say but he needs someone that can polish his edges.” It was a compliment even if it didn’t outright gush in favour of the brunette. Still the fact she was this far and Jordan wasn’t mouthing off a steady stream of colourful expletives was truly a feat. One that she figured Juliette would learn at her own leisure.
Still she turned around to meander around the island counter so she too could take a seat at its ledge. Cutting fork side through the arrangement of saucy noodles as there was a mention of unpleasant people. To hear that there was a mention of wretched father and the family business, she merely paused the forkful from entering mouth. Blinking a few times to ponder this, “Some people shouldn’t be parents.” She commented as if she knew who Juliette’s father was. When in reality, she didn’t. It was an assumption at this point that may change in the future, but she was unlikely too should she actually have the unfortunate pleasure of meeting said being.
“I am sure he could use the help. They are odd, the pair of them. I can’t put my finger on it but they each give me goosebumps. Something almost unnatural about either being. Perhaps you are the very person that can either help Jordan with said people or at least instruct him to keep a cooler composure. Or come ready with a frying pan, I am not sure which.”
Juliette wasn’t so sure anything could smooth off Jordan’s rough edges – she also wasn’t sure if it were necessary either. After all, she herself was more than a little biting and it did her well in her business. It sounded to her that Jordan used those same skills well in dealing with suspicious clientele.
Although, strange that he was meeting them in the place that was supposed to be his peaceful sanctuary! Perhaps the business he had with those two had nothing to do with Rosendry and something of a more personal nature.
“Well. I am certainly not shy about threatening people with whatever weapon seems to be on hand,” Juliette mused with that innocent air she loved to put on when what she was stating wasn’t all that innocent at all.
If she were not under the watchful eye of Ms. Elisa, Juliette might’ve snuck Theix a piece of chicken once the feline was done lapping up his own dinner. But she was quite content to finish the entire meal on her own as well, grateful the housekeeper actually could make a fine meal out of practically nothing. Juliette might’ve set the kitchen on fire if she ever tried!
“At the very least, I am fine with taking over as queen of the house and banishing anyone difficult.”
A momentarily thoughtful expression crossed over the elder woman’s face at the so innocent commentary of something quite the opposite. Eventually coming to ease out a airy sound, “Seems you do have some similarities with Jordan.” Whatever that comment was, it was left up to Juliette to dissect in whichever way she wanted. Though if she was bothered by it, nothing was voiced. Simply taking a few chances to help herself to a couple bitefuls of the meal.
Leaving the mood to stay as it was before smirking even against her own better judgement. “I am sure there would be no complaints to such actions, dear. While I am not a confrontational person, there are those that I wouldn’t mourn watching being told to leave one’s home.” The tugged grin went temporarily wider before mollifying. Allowing another chance to pluck away at one’s meal before glancing towards the range clock. Debating the motion of chores still waiting completion as they were set mentally aside for a while further.
“As for anything else, well I am sure this place will do well with you at the helm, Juliette. Lord knows it could use some organization.” She smiled once more seemingly pleased with their first interaction.
“I’ll do my best,” Juliette agreed with a congenial smile. Any fears that she might’ve had about the housekeeper were officially laid to rest. The woman made conversation so easy and effortless, Juliette hadn’t once felt the need to put up pretenses or that cool dismissal she so often used to get out of conversations. She’d feel at home here in Jordan’s cozy household.
The meal was pleasant and discussion enjoyable; Juliette used the opportunity to tell Elisa about her parents in all of their frustrating glory if only because they’d no doubt make regular appearances. While she didn’t have any intentions of dealing with her father once he was officially and for good cut loose, her mother did so love afternoon brunches and excuses to have drinks and gossip, and Juliette hadn’t the heart to blow her off. She was a dutiful daughter even despite wanting to throw them both into the ocean.
Halfway through her plate she couldn’t get through another bite! After an afternoon of testing all manner of appetizers, entrées, and desserts there wasn’t much room left for a full meal. She set her fork aside and leaned back in her chair with a sigh.
“Would it be much trouble to have the rest of this packed into a lunch for work tomorrow? This would be a far better lunch than the hot dog carts down at the wharf.”
As the rounding of pleasant mealtime conversation and dinner came to a easing end, there was of course that trademark giggling sound when she was asked to pack up the remains for a lunch for the next day. “No trouble at all, dear.” Scraping the chair’s legs across the floor so she might exit the space without attempt to wiggle woggle over the top of the counter, at some point it seemed Theix had escorted himself up onto one of the dining chairs. Curled up and idly peeking through half lidded eyes. Managing not to possess the self important imperious look most cats had at some point.
“And yes, this is much better than those questionable items. Good once in a while, not for every day consumption.” Elisa reached over to help herself to the plate that had been Juliette’s. “The salt content alone should be questionable.” Muttering the latter half almost to herself.
Just that it was pushed aside promptly. “Why don’t you go rest for a bit, dear. I am sure you could use it after the day you’ve had working. If you wish to have a bath, I do have a variety of bath bombs and soaps that might make it a little more lovely. I am sure Jordan will be home eventually, though you may as well take the chance to explore the manor without his hawkish eyes. If you wish.”
“I had my things brought from the hotel, so I have everything I need for now, but thank you.” she responded easily, slipping from her stool and only pausing a moment to give Theix few long strokes. “Taking a better look around does seem like a grand idea. I’ll need to pick out my office and my library quickly, else poor Jordan is going to have to make room for me in his.”
Laughing softly to herself, she bid Elisa a momentary wave and stepped out of the kitchen to do a proper snooping through the manor. Juliette pulled out her phone so she could write down notes if needed (for one things were quite dark in the main foyer and halls, did Jordan hate windows?), as well as take a picture here and there so she’d have a reference for later.
There was certainly no lack of available space downstairs! She’d already seen Jordan’s office and the small waiting study that led into it. The large dining room that had doubled as a party space and led onto the outside linai. It was impressive that Elisa managed to keep everything dust and cobweb free, especially when Jordan seemingly never bothered to actually live in any of these other rooms. Juliette herself was certain with a little bit of extra touches, it’d be wonderful sitting by one of the fireplaces with her books, the cat, and even Jordan for a quiet evening.
Once she found the basement door, she hesitated a moment before steeling her nerves and making her way down the stairs. Obviously the house was old and thus an old basement was likely to be as creepy as could be, but that was exactly why she needing to give it a quick inspection. There was no way she’d store any of her things down there if she found any signs of damp cracks!
There was truly very little in the considerably small basement area. Seemingly to only a singular room that was able to accommodate the washer and dryer arrangement, with some shelving and a small table. Immediately upon the right side of the stairs was a shelving system that held a few various items but nothing so glaring as to express that there was more to the place. Granted unless someone knew what to look for, the area was decently anticlimactic. Save for one or two people that knew the right levers of items to tug upon that would unlatch the very shelving unit to unearth the secondary area hidden behind. Making the minute hallway seem almost useless by comparison since it appeared to be the only shelving unit there.
At this time Elisa herself had begun to cleanse the kitchen, leaving the furry feline to decide to follow after eventual lady of the manor. Padding quickly to keep up less he be left behind, mrowing deep in throat to assure that his presence wasn’t left unchecked. Curiosity following creature as it too seemed to be watching Juliette out of pure intrigue. Having spent most of its day with the housekeeper, and no master in sight, this was the next best option. To provide soundless companion on the woman’s explorative investigation.
“Odd…” murmured Juliette to herself – or rather, to Theix who was only a few steps behind her on the stairs.
The basement area was… so small! For a house this size, she was expecting much more storage space beyond just the utilities room. Generally there was more than enough space to store old furniture and still have room to create livable space. Or at the very least a wine room that were always popular in rich homes! Everything must be getting dragged upstairs into the attic.
Which, honestly was probably better in terms of dry storage conditions.
Still, after peeping in at the lackluster laundry, Juliette pulled a book from the small shelf along the wall. These definitely weren’t a part of Jordan’s special collections, or they likely wouldn’t have been forgotten down here in the cellar.
“We’ll add a wine cellar,” she told the cat after looking up from a few pages. “A man should have a wine cellar, or a whiskey cellar for whatever nonsense he is always drinking. I don’t imagine you’ll want to be down here much. It’s cold.” Cold wasn’t good for humans and cats, but it’d be ideal for a fine collection of aged brews at least. All she’d really need was to get her hands on the original house plans to make sure the foundation was sound enough to do a little extending.
“That is a big project though, a bit too much for now,” she admitted to the cat with a sigh and set the book back on the lonely, pitiful shelf. “Well, come on then, let us go get a good book and see what else is on the second floor besides your cat father’s wing? I bet he hasn’t bothered to give you a room, has he!”
They stood at the edge of the driveway. Eyes rotating over the miniscule notes scrawled in hen scratch across the paper. Finding it was less than satisfactory considering they had been known to do better. This was a bare empty laugh of an attempt to gather intel, so he wasn’t sure if this was simply because Mr. Gates was better at keeping his private matters all sealed up or they hadn’t had enough time to scrounge around like digging dogs. Unfortunately for them, he was in no mood to have excuses. The glare registered upon Augustus face within the bar was just enough to tell him, he wasn’t impressed either with the lack of information.
At least he was good enough to know that any failure in this would result in his own head being used as a potential crochet ball.
Paper rustled a moment between fingers whilst glaze lifted slightly under the cool night moon upon each head. Haloing a silver ring upon black and upon red. Pronouncing the depth of frown towards the slightly shorter man as Felix seemed to be taking a deep interest at glaring at the pavement. His car merely idling a few feet away since he had no intention of staying or entering the abode for an extended time. This thought was enough to encourage Jordan to turn the page over itself. Folding it into half so it might be held out to Felix to take. “I want more information.” Came the words that should have been naturally expected. “There’s more to that shit than Augustus little bastards found.” Rings of sanguine thinned as if they needed to make the point any more vital.
Taken from him, Felix sighed. Not one of defeat, more of annoyance. “I’ll keep them on track.” The former officer expressed. Tucking the note into inner breast pocket, “So long as you don’t mind expending some of their resources.”
A smirk appeared. Hollow and snide, “Use them in whatever way you wish. It’s about damn time they do something useful than sucking at a throat in that hovel. Emery has other focuses to put her maggots towards, so it is only fair that Augustus pull his weight. If he wants to expand his group of bloodsuckers, it’s time he make himself valuable enough to warrant the agreement.” The tolerance he had for others turning humans into vampires was expressively low. Nor did it ever really end well for those who thought they could tiptoe over the line. Anyone who was anyone within the split coven knew that he had no patience. While not being afraid of assuring some walls were deeply coloured an unnatural shade of dripping red. “One little paragraph about the idea that David was part of the reason for Juliette’s idiot father to lose money, is not enough. I doubt I have to extend the explanation as to why this is important, Felix.”
The other man chuckled slightly, “Don’t get all huffy puffy with me. I already know.” Fingers flicked at him in a dismissive yeah yeah way. Following with rims of illuminated red as mouth slightly pulled at one corner. Lucky that he did like Felix, otherwise his attitude might have welcomed a swift reaction. “I’ll keep them moving and working. Sure Augustus will love that.” Felix rolled his own gaze for emphasis, “What about Myra though?”
“She’s doing her own bouts of digging. For things that have broader concern than just some golden fuckwit.” Sneering at the words even as they exited, a hand rubbed at the outer span of neck. Taking a few prolonged blinks to shoo aside the burning crimson for muted blue once more. Jaw rotating slightly as the taste of faded iron had still lightly lingered on tongue. “Don’t worry about her. I’ve got enough practice juggling that these ideas and plans will come to fruition when best.”
“Says the great king worrying about some measly human brat.”
“Don’t push it. Even a single flea can cause a larger problem. It’s better to know as much as possible so he can be quashed quickly. Not only for my sake but for Juliette’s. The girl is important to a larger success Felix.” As if this needed repeating.
Though the smirk that appeared seemed to rub him the wrong way, “Don’t you have work to do?” A curt way of expressing this conversation was over!
Easing out a breathy laugh in reply, he stood a moment longer watching the human man turn to wander back to car. Even as he entered to leave the gated yard, he remained. Staring after with a mental questioning of whether or not he ought to worry a little more in directions he hadn’t pondered about but promptly tucked a mental pin in said thoughts. Swiftly escorting himself around to trail up the front steps to manor so he might enter with a few presses of keypad. Bidding entrance as the fading smell of a dinner prepped was the first item of greeting. Though maybe it was the sudden return or the way his vision flexed over the immediate entry way to hallway, but his gaze came to rest no sooner upon the crown of dark hair rising up from the basement floor. Silver cat in tow as a momentary dread arose in chest like she might have seen something she shouldn’t have!
But that would be silly!
“Browsing the home at your leisure, peristéri?”
Juliette wasn’t surprised to see Jordan, he did seem to be a bit… wild looking, though that didn’t quite appropriately describe him. Nothing about him was rumpled or out of place, nor did he seem particularly upset. But there was something she couldn’t put her finger on.
Well, most likely Jordan shared her all around doneness for the chaos of the day. One could only be cool and composed for so long before something started to crack!
“I’ll need to settle in sooner rather than later, else I’ll be spending all my time in your office,” she explained easily, pausing a few paces away to clasp her hands behind her back and smile brightly. “I’ve worked out when to have my things brought here out of storage, but it seems the basement is hardly enough room for much of anything. Not even a dungeon cell to store the family in.”
“Elisa is still in the kitchen if you’d want a late dinner after all,” she suggested, tilting her head to eye him curiously. “I like her. Although I think she might be worried you’re more likely going to chase me out than keep me.”
Patters of feet seemed to finally register that the last member of this household had finally arrived, tail flipped and flopped at its tip while announcing that he was here with long pronounced meows. Insisting that he bend to pat head and stroke back while rubbing happily enough over shins. “Hello to you too Theix.” Jordan idly commented while giving Juliette the chance to close distance.
Keys from pocket pulled and hung on a small hook by the foyer lightswitch, attention glimpsed from corner firstly. “Of course, though you say spending all the time in my office like it is a bad thing.” Lips curled into a easy grin. It was his second preferred place in the house after all.
But the bean dimmed some when she mentioned the basement. Glancing its way, “It serves the purpose of having the laundry within it. I never thought much of it since well, it’s a basement. Though maybe I ought to have had a dungeon created should I have known I would have had in-laws that would require such places.”
Once she was within reach, there was little resistance to stepping inwards to at least denote a temple with a chaste press. Listening no sooner that she expressed Elisa was still within the kitchen and dinner. “Ate with Felix.” Not a lie but not exactly the truth either. Being stepped back as he indicated that he had no want to stand in the entry of the home, allowing her to lead him instead to where she was heading. Even if he snorted no sooner at her suggestion of Elisa’s potential worry.
“She would be. She may still believe this is a fantasy rather than reality. But I think even if I attempted to shoo you ought, she might turn fairy godmother to bippity bobbity boop with a magic wand across the back of the head.” Suddenly having a odd image of Elisa in a blue gown, wand and going strangely kung-fu mode on his rump! “I’m glad you like her. She’s a good lady and I’m rather fond of her as well.” Daringly he pressed a hand across the small of lady’s back, “As for formerly mentioned storage, you may have to use one of the empty rooms here. This damnable place was larger than I knew what to do with when I purchased it.” Yeah back when it was first built eon’s ago!
There was something quite nice about casual touches, though Juliette doubted Elisa needed to see such a thing – then again with the way the elder woman spoke, maybe it would delight her to find Jordan being affectionate rather than glowering at every corner!
Still, after such a long day, no one needed to linger around in the foyer, thus Juliette was content to lead the way up the stairs and get comfortable for the evening.
“I may have allayed her senses in suggesting I could more than easily defend myself,” she mused with an soft frown. There was no need to mention in the hows or whats, now that he knew she was vicious enough to brandish weapons should her temper get the better of her. Juliette was content to forget today all together!
“It is lucky I have more than enough imagination to make the entire home wonderfully cozy, so that you might even dare come out of your cave long enough to join me and Theix.”
Juliette stopped midway up the stairs, turning to Jordan with her hand resting on the banister, that fey-like grin broadening across her features.
“Such as a music room, I think. You didn’t tell me about the violin, Jordan. It’s an interesting choice for a toothy shark about town. Is that the only thing you play?”
Brows lifted at the mention that she may have eluded in such a way to Elisa that she was no damsel in distress. Needing no real details to guess that it could have been done for the elder’s betterment or for Juliette’s own need to enforce that she was by far not a dainty little flower that needing someone to surround her with a protective shield. Only imagining how that would have translated to Elisa, though he knew enough that she wasn’t so much of a gentle soul at every given moment either. He’d witnessed how she spoke to solicitors when they passed the gate in search of selling or preaching their religion.
Enough even for him to slunk back to the deep dark cave he crawled out of, less he have that woman’s ire pointed towards his location!
Instead he hummed. Expressing he heard her but had nothing to add to it. So he might once more give a easy smirk when she suggested her ideas of making this empty place a wonderfully cozy place that it might even tug him out from the lurk of his administrative domain, “Colour me curious to see what you can do. Though I am starting to suspect you and Elisa have deemed me a turtle hiding in his shell.” Yet he came to a pause at her stalling motions.
Looking upwards towards her as he stepped at a lower rung, curiosity taking over innocently. Though perhaps he ought to take that expression of faeish suggestion as a warning. Mouth parting to express interest in why she had paused –long enough for Theix to zip up to the very top- and he felt his features momentarily gawp at her. Exchanging that to press a finger into the side of his skull, “You’ve truly been talking with that housekeeper of mine.” A rhetoric remark, half tempted to shout down the stairs that Elisa was some sort of traitor!
“I didn’t see a reason too.” Which was true, he didn’t intend to overly express things he could and couldn’t do. You live for so damn long, you tended to pick up new hobbies and skills simply to keep yourself from going bat shit crazy! Granted he couldn’t say that. So he had to come up with something else, looking upwards at her once more. “I doubt a music room is needed, Juliette. Considering that is the only thing I can play. Less you wish to have your ears bloody from the horrendous wailing of mutilated instruments beneath my brutish touch, even chopsticks on the piano would be a painful experience.” Folding his palm outwards to gesture for her to continue up the final pegs of stairs, vision tilted upon her momentary. “Less you play something, even yet I don’t see reason to start arranging a room as such. It’d be more useless than the ones that are collecting dust now.”
“Then we are only in agreement about a library and a dungeon thus far,” she commented breezily before breaking into a laugh. He seemed so called out about the violin! As if she’d discovered some salacious and well kept secret! Surely, there were far better things for him to be concerned over her discovering.
Even with him a pair of steps below her, Jordan was so tall he matched her height despite it. Unable to resist the opportunity, she lift her hands to brush her fingers lightly through the dark hair at his temples. Not quite smoothing it out, not quite mussing it up.
“I never had much talent for playing instruments,” she admitted. “I might sing if no one is watching, but well? Most likely not.”
And she wasn’t going to elaborate on that either! Choosing instead to laugh again and turn around to quickly follow the impatient cat up the stairs.
“I may just make a conservatory regardless! You can play your violin and I will have an easel and make some vague attempt at learning myself a new hobby. Otherwise, I might be charmed by Elisa to attempt to throw dinner parties, and what an awful time for everyone that would be,”
“Only cause they both provide equal entertainment.” Perhaps one more than the other but that was left up to the air for which one he would consider more thrilling. Yet to hear her air the sound of laughter was enough to thankfully curb off any ice that he might have acclimated due to Elisa’s reveal of things he did every so often. Not sure as to why the elder woman would list such a thing, he didn’t do it that often! Still tempted to yell after the older biddy for the sake of assuring that he wasn’t a fan of his habits being revealed so easily in idle conversation. Like he had been exposed with a vulnerable spot even if the very thought of it was utterly ridiculous.
Touch pulled him back from being too irritable. Tendrils of raven’s feathers being moved into some sort of unnamed semblance though he speculated it was her own way of tempering down any ire that he might have started to express. Over something so pathetically dumb too. Knowing that his temper had just been prodded enough that even the most asinine of things were likely to tweak him in the wrong direction.
Still he couldn’t deny that it was enough to quash it for now while she mentioned having no talent for instruments. He didn’t either, just curiosity, boredom and enough time on his hands that he learnt. By no means was he stellar enough to perform for coin but it soothed maybe some beastly side of himself. Disliking immediately to think that the idea of music soothing the savage beast, could be true.
“Oh? Colour me interested.” Wily did a grin appear with fang and all at the suggestion that she might sing. “I may try to catch a glimpse.” Even if she didn’t elaborate, it was enough of a lure that he might try his hand at accidentally stumbling in. Still he followed up promptly for feet to level on the floor in which his attention appeared to be properly attached to her. Rolling eyes maybe a little when she mentioned the conservatory with the violin and an attempt for her to paint. “I think you have a slight bit of romanticized idea set in your pretty little head.” However she continued and he set vision to minutely glare, “If you want to witness me leaping out the nearest window to escape such torment, then yes, awful time for all! Don’t torture me with such threats, I might start to believe you want me to suffer in a mortal realm of hell!”
Juliette did love when he forgot to be snarly long enough to smile in that winsome, toothy way. Like some silly wolf with fangs and all, purely delighted with whatever tidbit he was about to sink his teeth into. Or in this case, the hint that she might sing around the house when he wasn’t watching. Well, she supposed if he was going to try and catch her unaware, it would be fair game to hear his violin playing!
She was still giggling softly when she led the way to what was now their bedroom suite, deciding she’d had enough of household touring – after all, she’d already decided the bulk of her renovating would be setting up her office downstairs. If she did any moving around upstairs it’d be to tackle the bedroom itself in all of it’s dark and brooding glory. Not that she didn’t like the navy blues and deep greys… it was just that, Elisa had her points. It could be more.
“Don’t worry, lover, I have no intentions on making you suffer… anymore,” she teased with another laugh. As soon as she passed through the threshold into the bedroom, she took a moment to brace a hand on a bookshelf to slip off her shoes, then plucked them up to carry over to wear her suitcases and other personal things were still waiting to be properly put away. She hadn’t bothered last evening being far too exhausted and this morning she snuck away so abruptly, there wasn’t the chance!
“And you say romanticized as if you yourself are not living in some big beautiful manor, playing the part of a beastly thing, and charming yourself a modern princess. If you tell me you fence and ride horses as well, then that’d perfectly prove it.”
There was little to no stopping when the cat helped himself through the narrow opening space that was the bedroom door. Racing in like his life depended on the very access even though there was hardly anything within that would prove vital for the pint size felid. Besides stirring another smirk while his view moved promptly over to Juliette with her need to mention parties.
Truly hoping that her malicious intent wasn’t going to expand to such things. While he could tolerate it, he wouldn’t be well behaved long enough to allow more than one or two before his fuse unleashed. By the stroke of pure luck she stated she had no intentions of such things. “Your mercy is legendary.” Making a imaginary tip of hat to express that he was true to the expression, he moved through the space to go and at least flick on a light or two. Listening to the bedroom fan turn on no sooner with the spark of electricity. Even if attention promptly glanced back at her to listen.
Eyes trailing away with a thoughtful hold.
When was the last time he used a sword of any type… not for centuries at least. So he couldn’t say he was still practiced at it. After all, who the hell really did such things nowadays besides for amusement or re-enactments. “I could ride when I was younger.” He mentioned to the latter, “Doubt the case now.” Nor would he want too. Horses were lovely but the measure of a car just worked far better. “Though perhaps that is my ploy. Everyone out there,” he made some sort of flicking gesture to indicate the rest of the world, “Believes in some vain that I am a playboy prince, when in actuality I might as well be the very dragon that whisks away said princess. Just in this case, said same people would be surprised I am sure to learn that the princess might as well be the knight.” He glimpsed her carefully, “We made a odd duo, princess.”
Jordan smirked a little darkly then, “However, I wouldn’t say calling myself a dragon is correct either. Something slightly more… convoluted.” That grin lingered, stretching almost sinfully. Trailing sights down and up in a purposeful way. “Devilish maybe. I did say at some point you were liable to be fed upon in some way.” Maybe not in those exact words but he was paraphrasing in extremes.
But it was shirked soon, “Now what plans does said royalty have for correcting the grand palace to fit her whims? Besides making your eventual husband serenade you with music by that of yonder window.”
“You ought not make such wicked looks and promises my way Jordan, or I might just design us a entirely different sort of dungeon to play in,” she threatened with that wide faeish smile. Juliette took the moment to eye him up an down as well – a dragon he was not. Devil, though, for certain.
“Lucky too, I am more enchantress than princess. Though my plan has not yet expanded beyond putting shelves of books in every room,” she did admit.
Juliette dropped onto the small soft in front of the cold fireplace, only having to wiggle her fingers for a split second before getting to whisk the cat onto her lap. Partially because she had promised the feline a good snuggle before, but mostly because if she weren’t petting the cat she’d be tempted to be petting Jordan, and Juliette wasn’t quite sure which direction to takes things with him just yet.
There was what she wanted.
And there was what was smart.
And with that dull burn still twinging on the palm of her hand, Juliette was annoyingly aware of what could go wrong if she didn’t choose the smart thing.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” Swiftly retorted to the antics of building something a little more adult, he wasn’t sure if he ought to be the one worried due to that puckish like grin that appeared. Certainly not telling him anything but it wasn’t saying no either!
Although maybe he ought to start believing she had a bit of enchantress in her. “Shelves of books in every room?” The question rose simply out of interest. Was this part of her scheme or was it just because she also had so many of the novel items that it would require such. It left him thinking whilst she in turn made herself comfortable before the absent fireplace. Cat shortly beckoned to knead himself down into a loaf for ample attention.
“Seems someone has certainly made themselves homey.” Leaving it vague to whether he was mentioning how Theix quickly got attached to the shipyard heiress or if it was Juliette settling into the comfort that was home life.
Observing them each with a bemused expression. Shortened due to the position of frame turning to angle itself in a wandering past. Glancing at the variety of luggage that had been gathered here, “I won’t stay up here too long to disturb your lap of luxury with the want to be sphinx,” Vision flicked over shoulder, “I’ll be temporary to merely wash up and be back to work downstairs. Allow the enchantress to enjoy her modern tower.” Indicating he was going to shower most likely before returning downstairs. After all he still had to do some things that required other focus. Some of that damnable shit brat that was named David and the other half with coven details that weren’t about to be discussed either.
Juliette could have been content with a loaf of cat on her lap, her current book easily within reach on the small coffee table. Lord knows, she could’ve used the time to relax and disengage from the world at large to get lost in a mystery novel. Or if she wanted to actually be productive, she could’ve unpacked all of her clothing and put it away in the wardrobes and closets. To seem how much space would actually be left once all of Jordan’s nice shirts and suits were pushed aside to make room for her expensive designer fashions.
But it was so incredibly hard to ignore temptation and let opportunity pass her by, even if it was a terrible, risky decision.
“Would you like company in the shower, Jordan,” she asked, her tone perfectly innocent and casual as if she were asking him what he’d like for dinner. Her eyes and hands focused on giving Theix all the loving he deserved, rather than stealing a look in Jordan’s direction to see how well that landed.
At the threshold that separated bathing chamber from sleeping quarters, did he pause. Grasp resting along the door frame while he needed a moment to process the ever so innocent question that was not so innocent in its intent. Thankful that his stare was forward for a moment as not to allow visage to give away that he might have been actually caught off guard. Surely their previous night wasn’t entirely an introduction that they were likely to form such a loose and freeing relationship.
Searching thoughts quickly like files in a cabinet that was soon shoved shut to lay the visual cue of ringed blues over shoulder. Considering her quietly as the cat seemed to be rather contently situated. Taking every bit of attention offered to encourage the steady rumbles of purring to declare that it was satisfied.
A part of him knew this was dangerous. Their relationship while being of course on the idea of marriage, it wasn’t intended to be intimate. At least nothing more than serving to scratch particular itches when they came about with no awkward bumbling teenage feelings after. But he wasn’t against it either. Meaning his words with genuine intent that he found her intriguing. Worthwhile and certainly enough to keep his attention from straying like some fool who didn’t know when a good thing was right in front.
So he smirked instead. Making no effort at concealing his look, “Door’s open.” An easy reply that allowed her to feel validated that he heard her but wasn’t demanding that she follow through either. If there was one thing he might have discovered about Juliette Bryon, she didn’t like other’s telling her what to do. Leaving her with the ability to make the choice in either direction she wanted without the aftermath being potential childish pouting.
Stepping through was the indication that he wasn’t about to continue either. Turning grasp down to hitch and bunch at hemline of shirt arrangement so it could be shed into the nearby laundry basket. Grateful once more for the darker colours that he selected for reasons of unknown verbal value, he hadn’t been exactly sure if there had been a mark of red lodged upon its surface or not. But the light within the bathroom could reveal it more so if he had left it be. So off it went and ducked promptly down into the basket to evade any quick eyes.
To remove watch from the domination of his leading hand so it could be cast across the counter of bathroom, ringing lightly as it slid and bounced off of cup holding the toothbrush arrangement. Tugging towels readily off its hook to have within reaching range after the shower was completed rather than stumbling about wet or sloppy looking for a sudden slip across the tiled floor. Leaving his thoughts to naturally gravitate towards the sad gathering of information acclimated in a minimal time. Finding it frustrated him to be so lacking and yet curious if the woman within the other room was aware that her ex had successfully taking her father for quite the gambling ride. But one couldn’t exactly drop that sort of information like talking about the weather!
He’d have to leave a bit of hope and expectation in the hands of Augustus. Surely one of his goons in the nightlife scene could dig up more about the idiot golden child.
Thoughts such as this allowed him to shed the remainder of any articles to enter the upright chamber of showering vestibule. Knowing that whatever the hell David knew, it could be potentially dangerous. Still certain that his antics with giving Juliette the paper cut hadn’t just been a juvenile response but something more. But… how would he know, was the question of the very moment.
Well, that wasn’t an enthusiastic yes, but considering the hint of a smirk she could see from the corner of her eye it was more than enough.
Now should she take him up on this open invitation!
“I should talk to him about it,” she mumbled to the cat once she heard the flow of water come on in the bathroom. Juliette smushed it’s little furry face and scritched it’s chin while she was at it. “It doesn’t have to be complicated, does it?”
But complicated was how it all felt now. Last night Jordan had offered up the world for her to take, and Juliette was more than ready to jump on board and see what came about. Juliette prided herself on making bold choices, on listening to her instincts, and reaching for exactly what she wanted in all aspects of her life!
Now as she glanced down at her palm and frowned at the puffy mark, she wasn’t so confident. David had blustered in his usual chaos and made himself such a perfect example of how her instincts were not always on point. Jordan’s people were painting such a wonderful picture of him, was she sliding into his life squeezing out everything good about it until one day he finally snapped!
She hated this shaken up feeling that David left her with. Making her second guess and question every single little thought in her head – wasting her time even! What did she even have to be afraid of?
Scoffing, she shifted Theix over to a chair of his own and rose to her feet. Off went her clothing to be put away in one of the open cases, exchanged for a simple green silk robe. There was still that pit of anxiety churning in her stomach, but why should she be afraid? To behave like herself, as she would in any normal relationship! Consequences be damned, she could handle them!
Thankfully Juliette was ever so good at burying her fears under a veneer of bravado and confidence. When she did enter the bathroom, coming through her dark hair with her fingers, she did so as if it were hers and he were merely a guest in it. She made a soft humming sound to alert him to her presence, then silk robe and all joined him in the large shower. By the mischievous vixen look on her face, it had been an intentional choice.
How simple would it be just to appear at random once he learnt of David’s habitual routine of movement, to show up and simply you know… remove an arm. No one would believe the guy should he attempt to say that it was him who did it. Especially if he never actually laid a finger on him. Surely it would promptly correct any crazed and rejected ambition that little crap stain, had! He’d leave him with his dominant arm as a show of good faith, surely that would be enough.
Yet, even as he entertained such ideas that damn stupid little voice that still existed even after countless years of shedding a an outer layer of humanity suggested that he couldn’t just mangle and deform the asshole. Even if he might deserve it.
Stupid conscience.
Sometimes it truly was a miserable lot in life to have ‘compassion’. Or humanitarian instincts.
Bah!
“Hmm?” Glancing attention over the span of shoulder due to the soft sound of announcement pulling through the echo’s of tiled chamber, it seemed that at least there was some interest tugged to invite the woman into the space. Looking like she had always been there. Owned it. While this was her first true night within the manor, it might as well have been her hundredth if her attitude was anything to read. Though as the door to the rainfall chamber parted, oddity crossed over. Expressing that as she seemed to wander in with the additional part that kept the aspect of showering difficult, lips had already expressed that her intention had been on purpose. Chuckling no sooner with a light shake of head. “Never a dull moment with you.” Spontaneous perhaps though he doubted she thought ahead to explain to Elisa why on earth the very robe was so water logged!
She could have fun with that one. He was not about to be apart of that explanation, besides an potential inconspicuous eavesdropper.
Still that was a later problem. In the presence he was far more focused on the soaking silk wrapped woman, sparing grasp to make pointed attention to push back dowsing chestnut from brow. “Is this an invite to unwrap you or an test to see if I will ignore it out of sense of modesty?” Asking impishly whilst bending to nudge mouth in pressing affection across brow again. “Cause the latter could be out of the question.”
“It’d be a long life to live without making things interesting,” admitted Juliette. The look on his face was more than worth the price of wet silk. Maybe even worth the twinge of anxiousness still lingering in her stomach, though he seemed to ease that away simple enough just with another kiss to her brow. That casual affection was certainly at fault for all those blasted moments he’d knock her off balance.
“I do want you to peel me out of wet things,” she said first with an amused wrinkle of her nose, but held up a finger to pause him for a moment. “Though! I thought it might keep you from getting too dazzled before we have a conversation.”
Of course, even as she said she wasn’t trying to dazzle and was attempting to put a serious expression on her face for a very serious conversation, Juliette was resting her palms at his waist and gently tapping her fingers against his wet skin. There was the briefest flicker of her eyes glancing down between them, which really only resulted in her attempt at seriousness failing and her head to tilt back as she smiled wide.
“We skipped and rearranged so many steps,” she explained finally. “It’s hard to gauge what is appropriate and what isn’t, and I would just like to know that if I follow you up into the stratosphere that I won’t make a wrong turn and be left to fall?”
A bit of her façade cracked there and instead of trying to hide it, Juliette just left it be. If she could weather through a bit of frightening honesty now, there would be nothing to fear later.
“Isn’t that the truth.” His mouth moved a little faster than he had intended. Remarking on the comment of a long life if there was nothing there to make things interesting. Hating that he knew that was right on the money but rather than express he had been caught in something, he was bending to denote her in a gentle pecking that was meant to both be enthralling and shutting his own mouth up. Readily leaping on the whole green elephant in the space that was her bathing attire, which of course was like an invite for him to speak about.
And address how it seemed to be a fancy package for him to unwrap. Earning a easy grin with the button cute wrinkle but she stopped him long before he might have even had a chance to leap. Raising a finger forward as he exhaled a little bit more dramatically than he may have intended. Looking at the offending digit as she expressed she wanted to talk.
Here? Of all places. “A fine time to do so, when I am not so readily able to evade if I wanted too.” Suggesting he seen her ploy as a tactic that would have kept other men glued in place. As most were known to dip away should those disasterous words appear. We should talk. Terrible things.
Attention lightly deviated so he might at least properly use the said facility for its original purpose, allowing scent of chosen cleansing agent to be used while she smiled at him only after stealing an obvious peek.
Mentioning no sooner that they had certainly made their original agreement less of a straight forward path. Mouth parting as if he already had an answer to that. However, pause drew first. Mostly due to the fact she continued and there was something in that very expression of words and expression that told him to look at her. Not from the corner of eye. Studious gaze ventured every plain of face to noticing that there was no entire play attached to her comely features. Soaking wet or not, it was there. Notable but not holding her complete hostage either.
Rather than readily responding, he thought. Proving that by a few notable glances around that expressed thinking instead of readying a lie. Allowing thought to be provoked rather than emotion or a knee jerk reaction. Letting water rinse bubbled suds and finger to eventually rake back the atramentous locks. “I am not David, Juliette.” He decided that was his first way of going about this other elephant in the room. “I understand that you’ve been twisted, hurt and made to be on guard because of both of your involvement. So I am not going to just blow smoke up your ass either.” Honesty to a point. Rocking his jaw momentarily back and forth. “Just because I have ambitions doesn’t mean what we have will be used as a stepping stone. That you will be used as a foot up only to be cast aside once your piece has been met. I know words are cheap, actions will have to show that. But it will take time to do so. All I can offer you now is a promise that I am not cheap.”
Rivers of water cut along features as if trying to heightening his genuine reply. “I am not an open person.” Making that clear for the sake of conversation, “And should you stand by and work with me, you might see parts of me that I keep closed for good reason. But if there is one thing I stand by, it is loyalty. I don’t throw people down the stairs to get what I want. I take what I want and bring those who damn well matter with me.”
Clearing his throat as he dared to look down towards her, reaching to cup a palm to cheek. Brushing thumb through trickled water upon the apple rested there. “I wouldn’t need you if you were easy to throw away,” Jordan studied her coolly then. “We may have come together for a similar agreement but you are to be my wife. That means equality. Good and the bad.” Fingers tensed a little, “I don’t need someone to stand beside me and offer lip service, Juliette. I have enough people kissing my ass on a daily basis. You aren’t expendable. You are valuable and someone I know damn well will assist me while assuring to keep me grounded.”
Eyes searched over a long moment then, “You can grip onto me, Juliette. I won’t let you fall.”
She’d been called out about David so quickly that she went a bit pink in the face, but other than her mouth twisting to the side in a half frown she didn’t dare to deny it. She let him continue speaking instead, and continue he did in that blunt, never mincing of words sort of way. He studied her with those intense blue eyes of his, and despite insisting he wasn’t an open person, still spoke to her with clear intent more than anyone else had ever bothered.
“I hadn’t meant to make you defend yourself and reassure me,” she murmured with a whisper, eyes wide and blinking in a momentary fit of awe before she caved into what she had wanted to do earlier that afternoon and simply closed the distance to slip her arms around his waist and bury her face at his chest.
Oh, why did he have to cap his speech off with such an earnest and dramatic thing! All she had wanted was to make things clear, so she wouldn’t feel so wobbly about boundaries here or feelings there. Well, now she was in it. Done in, completely infatuated, potentially in love with her own fiancé. It would’ve been wiser to just seduce him in the shower, and again any old time after.
Now she wanted so much more.
Pulling back just a bit to finally lift her head, despite the fact she could feel a flush in her cheeks, that small frown had returned.
“I am an open person. For you,” she specified the distinction, only to tilt her head back further and give a heavy exaggerated sigh. “…Jordan! You say you’re not romantic and then you just say things that make me breathless!”
“He did shake me…” came her slow admission. “I would like to pursue a relationship with you, even a life with you, I had already decided, and then he appeared out of the bog he crawled out of and shook me. I should have just come in here and kissed you the way I wanted to in the first place.”
Someone would have to be pretty damn blind, mute and dumb not to know that a lot of this stemmed from captain douchebag. Hell, even his own thoughts were filled with that unwanted myopic twat. Delighting in torture and just wanting to throw the guy off a bridge! David had successfully become a tumour in both of their heads within a singular day, so it would have been hard to guess that he wasn’t the centre piece to this very conversation. Doubly so when cheeks skewed slightly to a warmer pink, inviting lips to tilted into slight press. Not that it told him to pause. Rather he kept going till he had successfully come to the end of his verbal tirade to claim what was truth. His truth.
“Maybe not but I think you also needed me to defend myself and to be reassured.” Suspecting that she wasn’t very often allowed to be given a sounding board that was on her side simply because they had similar thoughts. Rather than someone grovelling about trying to just earn her favour. “There’s nothing wrong with being affirmed and I needed to make it clear my intentions from my own mouth. Rather than just assuming you know.” Welcoming the state of embrace that she sought after, it was easy enough to respond.
Cupping arm about waist while he let the moments blend till they were concrete and she was able to purchase whatever conviction she needed from his monologue.
Watching seconds after as head turned upwards to showcase that small frown. Like it was an invitation for him to use the other grasp for something other than laying in dormancy, to lightly trail the back of fingers against lower lip. Giving a cockeyed smirk no sooner as she declared she was an open person at least between them. Though if she was expecting him to say he was going to reciprocate immediately, he wouldn’t. Using the way she sighed at him to claim that something he uttered previously as moot, easily he laughed. “The truth can be strangely amorous.” Not that he thought he was being swoon-worthy.
Though perhaps he was about to find something shocking. The mention of how David shook her up not being it, but following.
Blinking more times than he cared to count, softening slightly. Maybe it was enough for him to feel a slight sensation of guilt. “I’m right here, there’s no need to pursue me. You can’t chase what isn’t running.” Jordan hummed, “Just know there are parts of my life that aren’t pleasant.” Being sure she knew that here and now. Yet he scoffed in a mild irritation no sooner, squinting at her nextly. “Before you came in here, I was already entertaining ideas of ways I could manage that damnable golden boy without being caught.” Sneering next, “Someone ought to smack that shitbird off his pedestal.” Muttered clearly to certainly detail no love there, it was shortened at the favour of her last words.
Letting the ebb of David’s existence temporarily slip away with the run of water. Escaping grasp down to locate the bundle of knot that kept the robe in place. “He doesn’t deserve to be part of either of our thoughts,” Looping index through the sash. Tugging on it noticeably with lips turning into the vainglorious uplift. “You’re here now and so am I. You don’t need permission to take what you wanted, especially when I’ve got nothing but sinful thoughts on the mind.” Tilting chin somewhat up to let the streams flood down, “Come now, the hot water won’t last forever. Might as well make you filthy before we clean you up, peristéri.”
“That sounds like a failing with your water tanks, Jordan,” she teased, though by the tone of it she could have said something far more sumptuous. How interesting it was to find a man that could bare his soul buck naked in a shower! The truth could be amorous indeed. Never in her life did she think she’d become taken with a man just because he could actually talk to her, free of games, free of nonsense. It was a genuine relief to have had her moment of fussing, and now to just relax and play.
“I am not afraid of your shadows and dark dealings, Jordan Harrow.” Juliette pressed her hands to his chest, grinning wide as she gently pushed him back a step or two under the spray of shower fall. “Unless you are murdering people left and right… Though, you can do as you wish with dear David, as long as you please stay out of prison.”
With that plea she slowly turned her back to him, making a production of tugging loose her tied sash, but very pointedly not shrugging out of it. Juliette tilted her head back to make sure she could fully soak her hair proper, and if it weren’t for the soft giggle and smallest shrug of her shoulders it might’ve seemed like she intended to resume her shower as if he weren’t even there!
Wicked did it spread. From corner to corner, taking over either side of mouth at the suggestion that it would be the water tanks fault for not being able to produce enough to keep the falling water sufficiently hot. Seemingly taking that as an unspoken invite to consider options. “Suppose we will just have to see if that is the case with some proper testing.” As if that needed to be explored but then again, didn’t it?
However colour him temporarily paused when she mentioned not being afraid of his shadows and dark dealings. Tempering the snide smirk that thought to cross over his face with a equally empty laugh. Controlling those actions knowing that whatever she thought he was doing wasn’t at all in the right avenue. But she gave him a gentle push back to assure the soak was on him once more. Pulling fingers to scoop and sway back hair that moved with the flow till she was mentioning murdering people –well…— but colouring David as a suitable example. “No prison time, promise. I’d assure that he’d have no grounds to ever label me as someone nor would I waste my effort in putting that thing in the ground. Wouldn’t want the earth to spoil with something so rotten.”
Rolling eyes for emphasis wanting to properly shuck David out of his thoughts for the time being, the turn of body pulled focus. Observing as she put her back towards him as though this was totally normal. Taking over minus the impish sound of giggling and shrugging, it was certain a suggestion for him to follow up.
Reaching forward to grab at waist to tug her into the water with. Bringing shoulders into chest, certainly not having the same polite decorum as former. Indicating with a searching grasp to flirt and snatch fabric from thigh to tense fingerprints upon slickened skin. “Weren’t you saying something about coming in here and kissing me the way you wanted?” Brushing lips no sooner across shoulder with some help of pushing the satin aside. “Or was that a ploy for something much more? Don’t tease me too long Juliette, I might not have the patience to be courteous.” Punctuating the comment with a nip of teeth against trapezoid.
Juliette was more than happy to let thoughts of David fly away right out of her mind, especially now with the distraction of wandering fingertips and nipping teeth. Unless he planned to crawl up out of the drain, there was no way for him to ruin this!
“I suppose I wouldn’t be satisfied with just one kiss,” she mused out loud, tilting her head back against his shoulder and pretending that this was something she needed to give a great deal of thought to, when really she was just relishing the feel of hot flowing water, hard body, and the fall of his breath against her neck. They would test the size of his hot water tank for sure at this pace, leaving her giggling softly again at the thought.
Having no desire to leave him suffering, she turned back around and reached up to cradle his face in her hands and pull him down to her level. Her first kiss was nothing more than a gentle bump of noses and a brush of her lips briefly over his.
“Consider this your official notice that you also do not need permission to take what you want,” she murmured in his words. “No courteousness necessary. I certainly won’t be.” He could take that in any dirty direction he desired, Juliette herself was going to have a great deal of fun testing out where and how she might charm him into forgetting everything he was doing.
Her second kiss came with far more intent, though unrushed and lazily slow, it came with a soft breathy hum and a sharp, encouraging nip of her own teeth.
“Mhmm—” At least she was playing the idea that she wouldn’t simply be content with merely one, rather than pointing out the obvious nature that he surely would be the one feeling slightly shortened if that had been the entire plot here. But there was no need to articulate that when he found more interest in the slow exposure of skin. Determined to still shirk this idea of satin wrapping from the siren like human. Leaning back to give him a chance to dare hands to try their hand at shoo more and more of the soaked garment from fair landscape below it.
Within a bare breath of a giggle did she turn. Reaching up to claim the suggestion of why she may have originally come in here to give him a bare sampling. Bumping nose tips and fluttering in a whisper of touch over another. Stifling down the instinctual urge to scoff and lunge forward. However she was saying something that seemed important. Laying optics upon the deep coffee hued ones as the announcement that he didn’t need permission was both wonderfully grand to hear. And so dangerous to have. The urge to look at the slender column only then and there with the jumping pulse was surely enough of a reason to still have boundaries!
Gluttony was a terrible problem for one of his kind to have. Especially with one that didn’t realize they were offering themselves up like a all you could eat buffet.
Thankfully she was too busy next keeping him from making a comment. Rising up to snatch the slow torture of heated petals. Pulling the low approval that turned to hissing breath escaping with a graze of teeth. Absently pulling lip through that had felt the nip to sooth with tongue.
She said not to ask. So he wouldn’t.
Turning fabric to be gripped in fistfuls and tie to be shortly rejected. Nonverbally telling it that it’s service was no longer necessary. Letting its existence drop to the tile basin bottom. Encouraging grasp to feel at flesh as though he were touching clay. Trying to get the sculpt correctly, snatching that damn teasingly slow mouth back to his. Demanding that it wouldn’t be chaste but personalizing it with crude passion, certainly using the motions to bend her closer as if there needed to be physical evidence to know where his mind had already went.
Departing when lungs demanded air, peppering lips in slow assault from lips to chin and jaw alike. Intermingling kiss to kitten lick to nipping, fingers of dominant hand sliding to grip tersely upon thigh. “Better… lean on me. Less you want to see how much of a gymnastic Olympian you are.”
Quite contrary to her apparent dislike of being told what to do, Juliette was very good with following instructions. With arms and body now free of sodden silk, she easily slinked her limbs around his neck and used the leverage for a quick hop to pull herself up and wrap her legs around his waist. By the measure of her brilliant smile and the way she seemed way too pleased with herself, she might not have had Olympian strength or acrobatics, but she certain had a trick or two!
No time was wasted in capturing his mouth again with tongue ravishing and passion met with equally delighted fervor. Chaste kisses and gentle touches during the day were all well and good, but this had it’s own intoxicating appeal. Body pressed tight to his, paying no mind to the steamy water finding every nook it could to pool and slide in steady streams.
There was a temptation too for murmuring sweet things, but with her mouth well occupied there was little time for that!
Had there been a curiosity pair of ears that might have listened to the extension of how long the water in the shower had been running, he might have been prone to reply back to the question that inevitable came out in brunt honesty. Surely liable to embarrass one or two parties –guessing it might only be one housekeeper that would turn a fair shade of rose- instead he busied with tossing the other occupant of finished activities and wash up, a towel.
The one within grasp wrapped about waist as one more was tugged out from the little bundle of cottony fresh tower to use for the rest of himself. Not about to wander about in a sopping mess since he didn’t really want to deal with replacing floorboards that drank up the excess in the bedroom. Once head had been freed from the vigorous tussle to make use of tips to comb the bundle wild black into some half semblance of organization; there was a slight training that forced himself not to immediately tense up.
Or to turn towards the bathroom door with the distant sounds that shouldn’t alert a normal human. Making more of an effort to dab away that of goatee to stop it from dripping till the approach and soft knocking on the outside of the door was made. Well within human levels of hearing, “Jordan?” Elisa softly queried through the wooden panel, almost like he could hear a sliver of embarrassment in her voice. Though he merely grunted to express he was listening, “Ms. Emery is downstairs for you.” Had someone said her name too many times to summon the thorn in his ass?
“Great,” Dripping false sincerity, “Why?”
“She didn’t say. Just expressed that she has a few things to discuss with you. When you are decent of course.”
“Right… Tell the hag I’ll be down within five minutes.” Glaring at the door as though it was the culprit for this, “If you offer a drink, try to dump it on her.” There was a light tsking suggestion by no measure would Elisa do such a thing, as he listened to her depart away from the space. Counting under breath that might suggest he knew when she would leave the room, before his gaze seemed to find Juliette. Looking her up and down before narrowing lids. Not in judgement but with obtuse thought.
Exhaling seconds next with a sigh, “I’d hate to even say this but… if you want to learn something this evening you are welcome to come to meet my lesser associate. She’s a fucking pain in the asshole but… she’s been eager to meet you. Much to my irritation.”
Juliette was quite contentedly riding a wave of languid joy, skin still flushed from hot water and exercise even as she gave herself a thorough patting dry while Jordan had a brief (amusing) conversation with the housekeeper. She supposed if Elisa had any concerns about their bonding before, she certainly had plenty to speculate about now!
Wrapped appropriately in one towel while trying to dry out her hair with another, she paused long enough to give his offer to meet this Ms. Emery some consideration.
On the one hand, Juliette was in no rush to meet all of the people in his life in one day, and she was more than ready to curl up in bed for the rest of the evening.
On the other… Elisa’s concerns about Jordan’s associates was plenty enough reason to make sure she was introduced.
“Then I shouldn’t disappoint,” Juliette affirmed, moving over to the mirror and counter to find her brush and run it properly through her damp hair. She could not so easily tame hers with fingers as Jordan did!
“Do you want me dressed or do you want me scandalous? I suppose if I am to make an impromptu impression I might as well do it with style!”
If he were to strongly advise his myriad of thoughts, he’d sooner keep Juliette as a mystery. The fact that he had already found this agreement in the dust, not only to enact it with a stronger measure of success than either coven had expected; he knew the two leaders of either side were terribly interested in the woman. Enough that he was growing slightly concerned that the two of them might truly start to cause him some greater issues! As if they would risk everything for their own measure of amusement, though if they were smart; they’d curb that quickly.
Being well acquainted with just how he accepted failures when there was more than a few heads at risk. If either of them messed this up, heads would roll. Literally and it would be one of theirs before he made their little grouping of gremlins perish alongside.
Yet, if he kept Juliette secret any further it was likely one of the two would start causing issues. More than they already did. Still, what did Emery need this night. Was it something of actual use or was she just insisting on being a pest since he had thrown her out last night? It was a mystery that only spurred him to chew the inside of cheek. Glaring at the ground for its mere existence giving the human woman plenty of time to contemplate which way she wanted to go. He’d never complain either way.
As she begun to comb the tresses through with a mention of not disappointing, he leaned against the counter. “Do you want to leave the room?” He asked curiously, “Cause the latter will be a sure fire way we won’t be leaving. I don’t share well.” Commenting with every ounce of truth there, arms came up to cross over chest. “She’s an associate that has no part in Rosendrey, if you must know. Rather, she is someone I work with in other avenues.” He shook his head long before anything else, “Nothing illegal. Should you think so. More of an agent for the European market that I am currently targeting for Rosendrey. An…” A finger rotated through the air, “Off the book’s associate that keeps tabs on movements I need to be in my favour to grapple the market in the near future.”
Only then did he straighten to step away from the counter. Pulling the door open to vent out the steamy heat out, stepping in quick strides across the room right up to wardrobe. Having no reason to gussy up, towel abandoned to be switched over for undergarments and dark washed jeans and a simple logo-less t-shirt. Favouring much like every other thing he possessed in muted shades. Canvas-ing itself across frame with a dark heather gray. Once more swooping raking grasp through hair till it fell by the right of face in a lazy shrug.
Still searching thoughts for an answer to why she was here and still coming up brilliantly empty. “gamiméno skatá.” Uttering the curse with the familiar dialect, suppose this was his own fault for having ever allowed either tithead to enter his head. Or to know that he was going to marry a human, at all!
Now would be a proving point to see if Juliette really did mean that she could handle the darker aspects of life. Even if this was still minor, he couldn’t safely say that it was a hundred percent likely that Emery wouldn’t try to reveal it in some way.
He sounded positively murderous at the suggestion of her making a bare introduction, only solidified by the way he spoke of his associates. Though he insisted none of it was illegal, it was fairly obvious to her this involved those dark dealings he so oft liked to warn her about.
Still, her only reply was to smile mysteriously wide as he strode out of the room, barely able to mask that sour of face of his as he did.
There was no time to doll herself up with a blow dryer and proper face of makeup, but in this instance it was a definite power move to appear just as freshly showered and quickly dressed as Jordan. So once her hair was as dry and neatly combined as she could get it, Juliette joined Jordan in the bedroom to rummage through her collection of suitcases. She chose a simple wrap dress in dark green to pull on – without bothering on any underthings!
After all she could be visually presentable and scandalous.
Juliette also didn’t hesitate to slip her engagement ring back on. The details were important.
With a small wave of her hand and that innocent-but-not pursing smile on her face, she gestured for Jordan to lead the way!
There was little more than silence as the motion to carry them from the safety of the bedroom was given. Promptly departing down the stairs whilst the forward steely stare no sooner landed on the presence of the woman. Arms unfolded from their crossed resting upon the oversized sweater of a peculiar green colour that he might have thought looked decent on her cooler complexion, if he gave a metric shit anything about Emery. With hair twisted up into a side braid to come to rest freely at her back, the turn of painted lids pulled the thankfully less red rings up at them each. Noticing surprise lightly touching the blush dabbled cheeks as rounded fingertips seemed to perch their manicured state at her hip. “Well I’ll be damned.” Her mouth tugged into a wolfishly amused grin that promptly soured his own.
Hitting that last step with a curt point towards through the sitting area before his office, “Move.” One word given that seemed to slightly turn Emery’s amusement up. Shrugging as she meandered through firstly. Barely allowing him a glimpse towards Juliette that wasn’t already panning over her head to look for Elisa. Offering a unspoken stare that expressed should some other stray rat show up on his doorstep, he wanted it to be thrown over the gate.
With a gentler motion to beckon Juliette to follow the escort into the study once more, doors were promptly shut behind. “At this rate I can’t tell if you are truly that hard of hearing, Emery or if you are just that touched in the head that you forget I wanted little else to do with you for the next while.” The woman that had been addressed simply glanced at him. Making a show that she had been fussing with her nails. “Was last night not enough declaration to find the nearest hole and jump in?”
“I see you woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”
“You’re face has the ability to make any man sour. It’s a real talent.” Eyes of green rolled within her head. “But since you are like the penny hooker on the street corner not knowing when to take a fucking hint, what the hell do you want now?” There was an obvious stare that seemed to be addressed from him towards Juliette. Lingering in a pointed way that even if he wished to ignore it, he truly couldn’t. Exhaling sharply, “Juliette, this is my greatest misfortune to introduce you to Emery Hart. First class parasite.”
Turning on heels she chuckled, “I see I’ve been upgraded.” Hand came out swiftly to offer it to the woman. Making sure there was no distance to be had as Jordan kept notably close as well. “My my my, how we have heard so much about the soon to be little miss. Myself and my cohorts have been anxiously waiting for our esteemed leader to bring you down to the shop but it seems he’s been extra fussy as of late. I couldn’t imagine why, you’d think he’d be glowing from finally settling down with such a prize.” She grinned slowly. Making every inch spread just a little bit cooler than the last.
“Now that you’ve been introduced, get to the damn point of your insistent intrusion.”
Gaze cut to him, frowning. “You’d think that you’d be happy that I didn’t show up in your room. I used the front door as you wanted.” If it might be possible, she might have erupted into for a fire column from the glare. “I heard from the grapevine that you have some people digging around, of course I have to come and investigate this. After all, it is my job to be your informant, sir.”
“After the stunt last night, you’re lucky I haven’t decided to use you as a personal throw rug!” Of course he shouldn’t be surprised that Emery heard he had favoured Augustus side this evening.
She frowned then. A dramatic slant. Eyes focusing once more on Juliette. Lingering long till she gave a small grin. Full of teeth, “Shouldn’t you leave that sort of sleuthing informational digging to that of your fiancée? After all, isn’t this David fellow her ex? I heard that you had Augustus doing some scrounging around, we all know he is subpar at that. If he was half as good as he said, you’d have all the information… would you not?” Resting an arm over the crossed other, Emery hummed knowingly. “I heard he made quite the show today. That even blood was spilt, I couldn’t believe such a man had done something so daring and yet… he’s still here. Walking around. My thoughts wane in the sort of power you possess if that’s the case.”
“Watch to whom you speak too,” Jordan sneered knowing she was actively looking to push buttons. “I won’t make the same mistake twice, Emery. Push my buttons and see just how forgiving I can be.” Taking a step forward to make her in turn take one of equal value back.
She paused for a moment, considering the words but continued seemingly with a hope that she might be spared due to the human in the room. “I am merely saying, that perhaps you may have been distracted. And that perhaps you ought to consider what your bride to be thinks of your choice to look into her ex lover’s past. After all, are you sure that she wants to know what sort of things he has been doing?” He knew Emery was bluffing and yet she made it sound like she knew more than what had been given previously this evening.
Emery was here to do damage.
Juliette remained properly silent and observant, very much intrigued with Jordan’s immediate vitriolic responses to the young woman. Now she recognized this must’ve been the reason Jordan stepped away last night and returned to her with clenched jaw. How curious that she was so determined to have her face to face meeting with Juliette that she was willing to risk this vicious side of Jordan.
Once introduced and hand offered, Juliette gracefully accepted the shake – not without noting Jordan making sure to stay within arms reach. This too was interesting. He didn’t seem to trust this woman physically close to her either. Juliette made sure to keep that contact friendly, but brief. Offering only a curious pleasant smile until the words little miss fell out of her mouth.
Little miss! Now Juliette herself had the urge to chuck the woman out a window!
Softly folding her arms, Juliette let the women continue on with her nonsense and without surprise, Jordan was swift to demand she get to the point. It was good she did wait to speak, as Ms. Emery had quite a few interesting things to say about what Jordan had spent his afternoon on. Enough that she’d very nearly pressed buttons on Jordan that she oughtn’t have.
Juliette’s perfectly unreadable façade slipped in that moment. Turning her head to look away, softly biting into her bottom lip to keep from bursting into a loud laugh or smiling broadly. She honestly shouldn’t be laughing about Jordan clearly being ready to make violence at every opportunity. But what a nice change of pace to have someone doing it for her instead of at her!
“Ms. Emery I am incredibly flattered about your concern for Jordan and myself,” she finally spoke up, before Jordan made good on his threats and turned the girl into a fresh rug. “We were just upstairs discussing what to do about Dear David, though I admit, perhaps… a bit of distraction did come into play.”
Letting that suggestive comment marinate for a second Juliette moved to take a seat on one small sofas, beckoning with a hand – very deliberately the hand David had assaulted – for Emery to take a seat as well.
“Hmn, this,” she held her palm open for Emery to see. The swelling had gone down well with time and hot shower, leaving just the streak of opening behind. “I was tempted to ask Jordan to throw him from a window then and there. Though preferably I’d like to lay him down in a bed of concrete and then let the tide come in. That wouldn’t be the wisest thing to do, though, don’t you think?”
Juliette leaned in close, dropping her voice down to a whisper pure for Emery’s benefit.
“Jordan wants the quick route, but I would much rather have him suffer. Information does well in that regard, to make sure I take back everything he has ever taken from me and have him anguish every moment for the rest of his life.”
Smiling bright and straightening back up again, Juliette then shrugged her shoulders.
“Of course, thorn that he is, he really isn’t all that important in the grander scheme of things? From what I have been told, Jordan has much more important business to be concerned about. Aren’t you supposed to be involved in those things and already busy with tasks more vital than chasing down information about a jealous halfwit?”
It wouldn’t be hard. All it took was looking at whatever or whomever he wanted to suddenly throw or grab from across the room. To invoke unnatural abilities but it would also reveal other pieces of himself. For it was no subtle thing after all! Especially at the way Emery was picking at his patience like a rabid dog. The moment he tossed her without ever touching her, it would reveal so much to Juliette that no doubt would warrant a plethora of questions. Ones he did not want to answer. Still wiffle waffling on how much he revealed to her.
Their days together had been coming together better, but was it worth the risk?
That was still to be determined.
However as Emery decided to make use of that unfortunate space in the lower half of her face that was deemed a mouth, she went for the preverbal jugular. To try and put him over a barrel. This wasn’t surprising, it was mostly just infuriating. By no measure of the word or the imagination, he knew Emery and a selected ‘nother in her little grouping had desires to attempt to remove him from his placement at the very tippy top. Though they hadn’t succeeded yet and he truly doubted they ever would. After all, there was a reason he had taken over the lead position in this coven that no other had, and it wasn’t because of good looks or brains alone. By no means was he atypical of a bloodsucker, which at this point they should have known. But if she was going to keep trying her hand, he might as well deal with her with a finality sooner than later.
Contemplating that still while she made her attempt to make him sound like he was doing something truly unsavoury behind Juliette’s back with her idiotic ex, she spoke up. In a manner that pulled his attention slowly to notice that she was being decently cordial. Far more than he ever would be, suggesting that she was flattered at Emery’s false attempt to sound like she gave a shit. Mentioning that they had a topic of David in mind but were busy forgetting about that in reply!
“I see.” Emery hummed giving a lengthy look as though she needed to have it validated to what they had been up too. Pausing a moment whilst Juliette moved over to take a seat, showcasing her hand nonchalantly that did pull the bitch in heels attention. Slowly gravitating over to take another spot whilst he remained standing. Without a bother to conceal the murderous glare that was centred on Emery’s head. Listening acutely to what had to be expressed as this was sadly a good thing. For Emery to learn quickly that Juliette was no demure flower that needed rescuing or protecting entirely. Becoming apparent after the comment of the guy almost tossed out a window with her blessing but favouring the idea of concrete shoes to the ocean.
There was a delighted tilt to lips when Emery seemed to be almost taken back, tilting her chin upwards to look down the length of her nose upon the other. Not so following the whispering but listening all the same.
“I think you give me too much credit.” Jordan muttered, “If I could get away with it, I’d see him suffer for years.” Muttering more for the effect of irritation, floating globes temporarily looked at him. Feeling Emery’s green stare going up then down and back towards Juliette as she continued. Properly calling out the black plague pest that she was getting her fingers all knotted up in the wrong things. But he shouldn’t be too surprised when the leech tittered lightly.
“Perhaps in a way that would seem like I ought to keep my cart in my lane, but this could create larger issues for what I am doing. If he is so easily able to wander in and make himself known whilst causing—” leaning forward to make a show of looking towards Juliette’s hand, Emery grinned. “Bodily harm, what do you think he will do at your wedding? At any future meetings? Why what Augustus told me when I visited him for a brief meeting, the little boy has already gotten his claws into your father.” She pulled back with a deep laugh. Pressing knuckles against the outer rim of lips, “He might be someone you consider a halfwit but clearly he wants just as much revenge on you, Juliette. Which in turn means Jordan will be involved and should what he wants in the European market be discovered, do you think that this David will just sit still.”
Jordan sneered as he stepped closer to the couch. Leaning over only then to grapple hands across the leather backing to spread behind Emery. “And just pray tell, how would he learn of what I am working on, Emery?” Ice filled that voice, cold. Wintery and dangerous, “The information we have isn’t common conversational pieces, but the way you are speaking suggests you know something or may try something.”
While it was light, there was a dry gulp made. Clearing her throat secondly, “I certainly wouldn’t, sir. But… what makes you think that what you are doing about investigating him… that he isn’t trying to investigate you and her?” Looking at Juliette then, “Don’t you think it’s odd that he hasn’t just disappeared after getting away with so much money from the elder Byron man?”
A breath exhales sharply looking to Juliette then himself. Frowning, “Surely you know that David took your father gambling and walked away with quite a mass of money from him.” Deciding it was better to phrase this to Juliette, as it was the only tidbit of information he had thus far. “But… as much as I hate to admit it. This one is right. If I am willing to dig into David, then he surely would try the same. At least, that would be the most reasonable and smart way of going about it.”
“I suspected as much,” Juliette admitted forthright. “There was a moment I was more interested in vengeance over more constructive things, and it would not surprise me in the least if he had used that as something to attempt to impress me with or even to needle with. Unfortunately for him, he did not get that chance.”
Emery seemed to be trying her hardest to throw out all sorts of things that might upset her, or in turn do Jordan dirty. He didn’t trust Emery, which was an obvious fact… but still worked with her despite it? Ms. Emery had an important role then, if he couldn’t just remove her and replace her with someone more loyal. And though she did flinch here and there when Jordan pushed, she was still daring enough to keep pushing back herself. Which led Juliette to suspect this woman had enough sway and confidence to believe she could dislodge Jordan from his position if given the right chance.
With these mentioned “discussions” with the still unmet Augustus, clearly Jordan’s associates thought Juliette would be that weakness!
Oh, they would be so painfully wrong about that.
“If David is digging, let him.” Juliette simply stated, turning on the sofa to face Jordan directly, placing her hands on the back as she spoke. “There is nothing he can do to me beyond be a pain in the ass. But should he continue sticking his nose into your business, he’ll flush out and reveal those trying to ruin you soon enough. Then you can deal with him and everyone stupid enough to give him information. Should they get wise to this plan and drop David altogether, well, that is one less loose pawn.”
If this were any other thing, yes. He wouldn’t even consider it worth a secondary thought. But if David was digging information about Juliette and him in turn, things could turn in a very bad way. Though he wasn’t personally sure how David could find something of value that might in turn reveal things that were better left in the dark. But at this rate, he knew it wasn’t in his best interest to assume that the human sized toilet brush wouldn’t present a problem.
So while he nodded to agree with Juliette that she wanted to just let David dig away like a hungry dog, it was clear too that she made a valid point. If he was looking for someone on the inside that could help him, it would only reveal soon enough that they had done something of the sort.
“Except it isn’t that easy.” Emery pointed out quickly. “Things aren’t so black and white.” Cursing under his breath as he pushed away from the couch only to step towards Juliette’s side, tracing fingers over jaw. “If we just leave him be, sure he might find some things but there are parts of this business that is far more important on the side of Jordan that shouldn’t be revealed. It affects more than just you two.”
He gave a back handed gesture then, “Well aware. Just he would need proof if he ever wanted to bring it to light. And that would be a very dangerous thing to do.” Musing openly as though they weren’t hiding something in broad daylight, “And you came with this information out of the goodness of your heart, Emery?” Jordan asked suddenly, “I doubt that. You want something.”
She grinned then. So innocently that it made his skin crawl. “Always. I could always use a new plaything.”
It took him a moment not to immediately turn around to outright lash out. Slowing it instead so he might look at Juliette. Considering her, “There are some things worse than death, Juliette. What Emery wants is exactly that. I don’t even think I would give David to her even if I hate the man.” Nor did he want that thing in the coven! He’d likely brake his head open like an egg the first day!
“It’s either that or well… maybe I want more in the agreement. After all, you’re getting a queen. Surely you will need more help once the little miss is all nestled in her roost. I could use more pull with my side of things.”
“Bold of you to assume that the little miss will be nestled away, rather than being a capable partner,” Juliette snapped back quickly.
This little conniving, hyena grinning upstart – that came here to start trouble no less! – was actually daring to try and weasel herself treats, when she’d done absolutely nothing to be useful beyond workplace gossip and even had the gall to be insulting on top of it!
Juliette didn’t need to know the details of Jordan’s business to understand that things could be complicated and affect more than just a pair of lives. The condescension of the woman was infuriating!
“I find it interesting that within less than eight hours of an incident – one that Jordan had already set into motion of handling, mind you – that you decided to chat with said associate about the details, then immediately came here to tell us what we already know and hem and haw about the dangers without providing anything valuable or noteworthy to aid the situation yourself.”
Oh, if she could reach out and snatch the women up and chuck her out the door herself, Juliette would have! Instead, she remained calming seated (well maybe not so calm now, she was furious and doing well not to let that show beyond the sharpness of her tone), touching her fingertips with her thumb to help resist reaching out to strangle her.
“Tell me, Ms. Emery, what about that deserves a reward. As little miss I can say if one of my people dared to interrupt my evening just to criticize the way I conduct my business without offering up any actual solutions, a reward would not be what they get.”
If he ever needed convincing that he didn’t really need to worry about Juliette having to face down some other vile vermin, it was here and now. Witnessing as Emery tried her hand to say that she deserved more than what she already had with a hope on some suggestion of how she brought them some information; she was met with Juliette’s cutting verbal edge. At first it didn’t seem to do much but there was much to say.
Slowly pulling the smirk from face to replace it soon with a puckered frown. Lids thinning slowly till there was little more than a glowering stare being presented with next to little care. Knowing without actually having to hear it that she was thinking of the ways that Juliette was human. And how she was speaking to her. Though he in turn found this fitting. It was good that Emery have a front face viewing to what sort of methods of behaviour Juliette would take.
“It’s amusing that you think you can speak to one of myself in the way you have, girl.” Words slithered out swiftly as one had to be blind not to notice the twitch of mouth. A snarl curling no sooner, “You talk big and sound even bigger but you have no idea. All you have right now is the belief that Jordan will keep you safe.” She huffed, “You are nothing more than a little dog with a big master.”
“Emery.” His tone was level but it carried something more to it. Watching her gaze flicker up at him but it was noticeable the way they fluttered from green to something else. Enough that he tensed his grasp on the couch back, “I think it’s time you leave.”
Mouth tensed further. Head tilted, “Why? She ought to know everything if she thinks she can be the yappy little brat. It’s only fair that she get to see what she thinks she is dealing with.” Another flicker and he was nearly growling himself, keeping his distance now close to Juliette. Not sure he wouldn’t put it past Emery to leap at either of them. “Oh, are you getting protective now Jordan. And here I thought she’d just be a toy for us to break eventually. Look at you getting all territorial.”
“It would be better if you left on your own accord, Emery.” Jordan spat, “My last warning.”
Eyes rolled before pushing her fingers up off the couch. Escorting her very being upwards to stand, “I’d be careful Jordan… You’re starting to look weak.” Looking down at Juliette, “Especially with a little morsel like that.” Rolling optics for measure, it seemed that she wasn’t that willing to risk herself too much further. But didn’t seem to mind making things complicated if she could. Of course she would, tugging open the door to let it fall loudly at her departure from the room.
“I assume you need her for something. You better need her for something,” Juliette warned first. As soon as the other woman was out of the room Juliette was on her feet, arms straight to herself and she was doing her best not to dig her own perfectly manicured fingernails into her palms.
To dare call her a brat! A dog with a master! Insinuating she needed to hide behind Jordan for protection! To threaten her to her face.
Oh, Emery would find out soon enough that Juliette Byron was not one to be backed into a corner without equally drawing blood.
She’d sucked in a breath, pacing in front of the fireplace and holding up a hand as if she were going to tell Jordan exactly how she planned to murder the girl, but just as quickly reigned it all back in. Retracting hand to tap her fingertips against her chin, expression shifting to something thoughtful.
“That one is dangerous. She wouldn’t have been so bold if she didn’t have some way to shield herself,” she murmured out, mostly to herself to gather her own thoughts. “Reckless. Desperate more like. She doesn’t have enough on her own to do much, or there is no reason to wildly come poking bears to see what turns up!”
Juliette finally stopped her pacing long enough to stomp a foot and turn towards Jordan again.
“What an obnoxious, presumptuous little shit! There is more than enough time for me to learn what I need to know and us to grow into this partnership. You do not build an empire in a day. She won’t be so self righteous next time she steps into this house and I shoot her on sight, because that is exactly what I plan to do, Jordan! I’ll take a leg or two in case she is still necessary, but I will shoot her.”
He was starting to believe the opposite. That he didn’t need her for anything, which at this point might either been his boon or his bane. Undecided which way that was, he shouldn’t at all be surprised that this had gone so south either. If there was one thing he had plenty of time to learn about Emery, it was she had ambitions and hated being nowhere near the top of the totem pole. Of course her dig to imply he was growing weak was only that. A dig. If she truly thought that, she wouldn’t be trying to wriggle herself in closer for some sort of boost in power. So it meant she was trying to find a loophole somewhere to make herself stand taller than Augustus.
The same shit, just a different day.
Like two children, they fought. Just the difference was Emery was loud about it. Augustus was calculated. Two heads of the same demon.
Of course she managed to rile up Juliette as well. Following her walk to and fro while she was trying to make reason of what the hell had just happened. Staying silent whilst to give her a chance to think without additional voices.
Butt was promptly planted to the back of the couch. Watching still till Juliette spoke the truth. “You have no idea how dangerous.” He commented but the thing was, he was worse. Which still bothered him. What did Emery think she had that she could be so untouchable. Besides the fact that he wasn’t telling Juliette about this whole supernatural reality that existed literally steps away from her. Did the blowhard think that since the woman in front of him was human, that it was her safety net. That he’d never say anything or inadvertently reveal himself? Surely she wasn’t that stupid.
Then again—
“I don’t think she has a way to shield herself. There’s….” He hesitated then looking at the door the squeaky bat bitch went out of, “A belief that with you in the picture now, that things will change. That she will have an opportunity to take my place at the top. Foolish mind you but that comes from power hungry snakes in any scenario.” Running thumb and finger over another, he did have to agree. Reckless and desperate was certainly it. “She’s banking on something particular to keep herself safe. A stupid thing. Reckless as you said.”
Hand rose to rub at his temple, humming once more to agree that she was a presumptuous little shit. And that was putting it nicely.
But leave it to Juliette to suddenly make him chuckle. “You better have good aim, love. She’s hard to kill and to wound.” Gaze moved to her, considering once more. Pondering a moment to wonder if Juliette had even paid heed to the signs of something not quite right with Emery. Besides her insanity, but visually.
Maybe he was feeling bold, “I may regret asking this one but… If I had a particular secret that was rather unbelievable, how would you respond to that. I am talking about out of this world believable.” Just that he pointed towards the exit, “Because that… is only the icing of the shitcake.”
“She’ll be surprised to find my aim quite true,” she huffed back, softening in her anger a fraction if only because he’d so casually laughed and called her love, that it surprised her out of her tirade. Emery’s assumption that Juliette’s presence made him weak would be a huge mistake. Jordan had offered her the world and more without asking for anything other than her respect in return. Juliette was going to make sure every endeavor he ever reached for would be a success, and that his trust in her wasn’t misplaced.
So naturally she was quite curious about this allusion to his big secret. The one she knew he was still keeping, that he claimed wasn’t illegal, but seemingly was something large and dangerous indeed to involve wicked little snots like Emery.
Pausing her pacing again, she stopped in front of the fireplace, resting her hands loosely on her hips, giving a soft, thoughtful frown.
“For something out of this world unbelievable, I couldn’t honestly tell you how I would respond.” She tilted her head glancing at the door Emery flounced out of.
“…if she is any hint at what it would be like dealing with it – then I will be fine. You have my trust and my promise that whatever it is, I will handle it. But you also don’t need to feel pressured to tell me before you are ready to, Jordan. She was very obviously trying to manipulate you – honestly! No better than David, really! I suppose she thought I was going to cry and demand answers, call off the wedding in a fit of horror.”
“Hmm, keep that up and you will have my heart at your feet.” Eluding to her true aim should Emery want to chance the feisty temper with a gun in her hand, of course he might have paid to see it. Simply because it would serve the vampiress a good view not to count out the human race simply because she’d been part of the otherworldly collection for longer than she maybe should have been. Seemingly forgetting hunters had been a thing and they were truly dangerous beings. Equally as they were. But if she wanted to assume and believe that she was so untouchable, he wouldn’t waste even a mocking breath to spare her the fate.
Yet, she did succeed in one thing. Turning his mind over and over again. Which seemed to loosen his lips out of morbid curiosity. To rest visual cues upon the once stationary shipyard heiress. Taking what had been said and running it over rather than blurting an immediate response.
“Fair.” He couldn’t discount the honesty of how she might react. She could tell him one thing and completely go the other way!
But he still chuckled again, “As I said, just the icing.” Brows playfully rose and fell so he might escort his butt off the incorrect way to sit on the piece of furniture. “She was, but there is merit to her words too. As much as I hate to give that humanized form of an apology note from a condom factory.” Snorting at his own comparison, breath exhaled no sooner. “I think she would like you to. Call off the wedding. It may be petty but I’m already a great thorn in plenty sides. Having someone of equal calibre and someone I trust beside me, makes things harder for those who slobber at my seat in hunger.”
Fingers flicked in no real meaningful discretion. Casting aside the shadows of thought perhaps. “Maybe I will let you discover the depth of this shady pool at your own discretion. As much as I would like to scoff at myself to think it wouldn’t happen, there is plenty of evidence in this house alone that might paint the truth of it all. Without me saying so. Thankfully nothing dangerous.” Which was the truth! There was plenty of telltale signs even within this room alone that should one look, they could find the oddity of things.
But he didn’t need to spell it out. “Just be aware. Things aren’t as they seem and now that Emery has seen you possess fangs, others will be just as curious. Even I am not omniscient, so I can’t tell you what could happen but I damn well know that should you ever feel that someone is not pulling their part, a mere word.” He snapped for emphasis, “And they are no longer a concern.” Chuckling at his own words, they softened sooner. Stepping up so he might stand before her.
Laying the backs of fingers against cheek, lightly stroking. “I trust you Juliette. Remember that. When you find the truth, just remember that. And the fact that I’m on your side, regardless of what you see. Nothing I do will ever come to be harm to you. Even my temper.” Peeking out a smirk, “I’m quite fond of you already, so I’d be foolish to ever do something to ruin that.” With a hum and a departing grasp, he glanced towards the door. “I think that’s enough miserable work this evening. I might even come to rest with you this night, truly throw Elisa off her beliefs that I can be not such a busy body. If you want the company that is.”
What an intriguing way to not directly tell her anything. To simply mention there was evidence enough everywhere she looked if she only dared to do so. Juliette supposed, if his secret truly was as unbelievable as he says, perhaps she really wouldn’t believe it unless she were to uncover it bit by bit herself.
He didn’t seem to realize, it was her heart at his feet if he kept making these grand statements and gestures. Causing her to slowly smile wide, and all of that tension from Emery’s unpleasant introduction to drift away. That little pain in the ass would get her own comeuppance the same way David would, in due time.
“I suppose as I work on this house and continue to meet your most pleasant of contemporaries, the unbelievable will soon become the believable,” she agreed, reaching out to take his hand and tug him gently towards the door.
“In the meantime, yes, come to bed with me. What queen wants to sleep alone with nothing but a cat to keep her company! Not to mention it brings me a great deal of satisfaction knowing we’re sleeping soundly together, while the ilk of Emery and the like are out there seething because of it.”
There was that. If she wanted to pull apart this place for up to date renovations, she was bound to stumble upon something. It removed him from being potentially too revealing while in turn announcing that there was something out of this world, for her discovered.
Supposed he could have just taken her down to the basement to reveal the largest part of the unseen but that would be too easy. Especially when it seemed that she wasn’t too bothered by the measure of skating around the topic. Taking a hold of grasp instead to invite him to tag along. “Oh that is a good point. What a wonderfully grand way to assure their irritation.” Grinning devilishly at the comment of how them being together would work to place annoyance where it was rightly needed.
It was rather perfect, was it not. Plus he could use a bit of a rest, even the creatures of the night needed some downtime.