Chapter 58: Murder- Part 2

Heidi took her time, looking at the hundreds of canvas that was in the room, going through all of them slowly as she had all day to spend. Some were interesting, the colors he used was something no painter would have tried. It was interesting because she had once seen something like this at the auction when she was young. Auction that took place legally in the vampire land. It was during the time she was still a slave and bound to the slave establishment. She had been taken to the auction like many others but fortunately she hadn’t been sold that day due to an issue that took place between a bidder and the head of the auction. She wasn’t sure about the painting but it strangely resembled her memory of the painting she had come across there.

Had the lord and her almost crossed path that time when they didn’t know each other yet? The question in her mind made her wonder.

Not wanting to dwell about it, she continued to go through the paintings which were on display. Moving forward she suddenly felt she shouldn’t have stayed here too long and should have gone out of the room when Warren had left. There were paintings of women, not a normal portrait but paintings of women posing sultrily who wore not a single piece of clothing on them. Some having men and women together in one single portrait. Just looking at them her eyes shied away. Gulping, she thought she had stepped into a matter of privacy, something she wasn’t supposed to see. Dashing out of the room and not bothering to close the doors she quickly made her way back to her room.

The head butler, who was getting the maids complete their usual jobs at the mansion, now stood in the hall while giving a maid his signature narrowed eyes as she had forgotten to replace the flowers from the vase since this morning. Getting all the details right, he went to check on the other servants. Going to the kitchen he went to inform them that they didn’t have to prepare a meal for the lord as he wouldn’t be coming back to the mansion today. Giving the prescription Mr. Lawson had given him to the kitchen caretaker, he went back to make his rounds.

Stanley had seen something very unusual last night when he had gone to his masters chambers. It was the young Lady Curtis who was in his room. No not just in his room, his lord had held her in his arms to help her cope with the cold night. Lord Nicholas wasn’t one to care about anyone, especially a human due to the distaste he held for that kind with what had happened years ago. It made him smile that the lord had finally begun to warm his heart, trying to be in touch with his emotions but maybe he was delusional because in the morning when Mr. Lawson had just arrived at the carriage things turned back to how it was.

“Master,” Stanley knocked Lord Nicholas’ door to relay the message of Warren’s arrival.

“Come in, Stan. What is it?” his master asked calmly. When the butler looked around, the young lady was nowhere to be seen in his room, “Mr. Lawson had arrived.”

The lord who was sitting on his armchair stood up chuckling to himself, “Were you worried that Warren would find Heidi in my room,” he smirked beginning to strip his clothes unashamedly which he had done plenty of times in front of his servants, the butler had his eyes cast down on the floor, “Toby informed me about his arrival. Don’t worry, Ms. Curtis is sleeping in her room peacefully. Her temperature looks to be back to normal so she should be fine.”

Curious and unable to keep his mind to himself, Stanley asked, “Does this change things master?”

“I wonder,” his lord hummed before going to speak to him, “I want you to prepare the carriage. I will be leaving for the council in an hours time.”

“Of course, master. When shall I expect your return?”

“I will be back in a week. I have and need things to do than sit here and play with the little cat,” his master replied making him ponder which cat he was talking about when they had none in the mansion. It then hit him that he was referring to the lady, “I heard Norman is raising hostility against the vampires which isn’t good for the trade that takes place in Bonelake. He has already put a plea to consider dividing the humans and vampire land. It would be quite an issue if he interferes.”

“I thought he was targeting the West lord.”

“Indeed he is, but it would be a pain if he decided to flip his enemies. I am pleased that Alexander made sure to appoint a man who could be useful and not go against the vampires by getting Wastell as the lord for Woville. But they that is causing a different situation for us. Well, it was obvious so we have taken the required measure. I will take a little trip to the south so maybe my trip might extend more than a week. It will also give time for the girl and Warren. See what you can do,” he ordered his butler, “And get me an experienced maid to wash my back with good amount of blood,” saying this his lord disappeared into the bath.

“Yes, master. Right away,” he bowed and took his leave to send maid up to his room quickly, knowing he didn’t like people keeping him waiting.

That morning when he saw his master off, Lady Heidi was at the balcony. Having caught each others presence, they looked at each other and Stanley had sneaked a glance from the corner of his eye. His master, who had held her in his arms in front of the fireplace now gave her placid expression. He recollected it was a rather strange atmosphere that they shared. Like Lord Nicholas had expected, Mr. Lawson spent a good amount of time with the lady.