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Business or Pleasure
Perhaps I was more upset about being found out
or having my choices taken away than not seeing him again…I really didn’t know. I sighed deeply just as Trix knocked.
“Come in.” I was pulling my gloves off when Trix closed the door behind her.
“So where did your mom take you after dinner?” Trix took a seat on the balcony while I found my night gown.
When I didn’t respond Trix looked over at me and saw me crying.
“Oh Raea! Whatever is a matter?” she leapt out of the chair and hugged me. She hated to see me cry, it was as if the whole room became a storm in the ocean.
“Here, sit down.”
“Oh, Trix. Tonight, on Earth, I met a human man,” Trix eyes grew large.
“He talked to me, and tried to get to know me. He was so… I don’t know. The point is Mama knows and informed me that I am no longer able to speak to him or see him. You know how much I dislike having my choices taken away,” Trix nodded, though she wasn’t entirely sure that that was why I was upset.
“What should I do Trix?”
“Do you mean should you see him again anyways?”
“Yes, that is what I mean.”
“Do you fully grasp the potential consequences of your actions?” she helped me undo the buttons on my dress, so I could pull my nightgown on.
“Yes, however, I am not sure that I would let it reach the point of no return.” I climbed into bed. I turned down the lamps, and placed a single lit candle on my bed stand.
“I think you should thoroughly examine all of the possible scenarios that could occur if you did or didn’t see him again, and then make a decision. Find your priorities, Raea,” she hugged me goodnight.
As she was closing my bedroom door, I said, “Thank you Trix. I love you.” Trix leaned back in the doorway so she could see me, and said, “Your welcome, Raea. I love you too.”
When the door was closed, I blew out my candle
and climbed out of my large wooden poster bed to sit at my window seat. I stared out at the night sky, and thought about everything I’d always known, everything I had just learned, and him. It was a weird unusual feeling, to know that he was thinking about me, that he had not forgotten me. That pink light had shown me that. I would have thought he was to headstrong to waste any time thinking about me, what with the apparent gala erupting from the walls of his home, I certainly wasn’t the only female in his thoughts. Yet as I stared out my window, it became apparent that he was the only male in my thoughts. I fell asleep at my sill, my mind filled with mysterious thoughts of Mr. Staun.
At the home of the Roulon’s, Jack let Hoss do most of the talking.
He really would have preferred not to be there at all. He was only doing it because he understood the moral support Hoss needed. As Hoss invited Miss Mary, Miss Lilly, and Miss Delaine to the picnic, he found himself now thinking about Miss Astraea, and comparing her to Miss Delaine. Miss Astraea had long dark brown wavy locks that seemed to shimmer as if glitter was floating within each strand. Miss Delaine had bright red auburn hair, reminding him of copper. It was pretty, and lay on her shoulders in tight ringlets, but it was not as enticing to him as Miss Astraea’s. Miss Delaine had brown eyes, that didn’t seem to catch his attention, though they did seem to catch other males around him. Miss Astraea had emerald green eyes that seemed to be the strongest glowing hue of green he had ever seen. Her skin glimmered like snow, and her lips reminded of the deep burgundy roses that grew on his estate.
Aside from the physical differences, Miss Delaine seemed dull
and far too focused on what people thought of her. Miss Astraea didn’t seem to care, even what he thought of her. He found that unusual for most of the women he met. They were all transparent, except her. She didn’t seem to know who he was, which was odd considering she was on his property. What had she been doing? She was putting on a cloak and gloves when he approached her, which means she had them off for some reason, though what that reason was he wasn’t clear.
He was brought back to the present with an elbow to the ribs from Hoss.
“Mr. Staun, we are looking forward to the picnic with you gentlemen this afternoon.” Miss Delaine reiterated.
“As are we,” he bowed.
“We shall see you ladies then. Do you know Lord Tempton and Lord Mackintosh? They will be joining us as well.”
“We have heard of them, yes, but we look forward to making their acquaintances, don’t we girls?” Miss Mary responded, and the rest of the girls nodded.
When they climbed back into the carriage, Hoss was glowing with excitement, “She’s coming,” he nudged him in excitement.
Jack smiled. He was happy to see Hoss happy,
but he himself wasn’t excited to spend the afternoon with these girls. However, it wasn’t a total loss; he always enjoyed seeing Mason and Beathan at a party.
“Sir, the picnic is set up and ready. As is the horseback ride before hand, if you would like to change into your riding gear?”
“Thank you Fareus.”
As they turned to leave the drawing room and head to their dressing rooms, a male servant by the name of Peter came running up to Fareus and whispered something under his breath. Fareus hurriedly stepped forward.
“Sir?”
Jack turned around, listening.
“Sir, I have just been informed the Roulon’s carriage has arrived.”
Jack looked back at Hoss, Mason, Beathan and Joyce, who all smiled and nodded.
“Lead on, Fareus.”
“Very good, sir.”
They all made their way outdoors, some to meet new people, one to honestly glow with happiness and one to hide his true opinion.
Follow me 
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!Rose Schreiber. Copyright 2017. Not for reproduction or republication.
Table of Contents
Prologue