And If You Wrong Us

Part 4: The Lady Doth Protest Too Much

Sophie shuddered under his touch. "But can you promise that you've never wanted it to?"

"Miss Pemberly." Mr. Raven stood up from his desk, heartbeat quickening. "How can I help you today?"

"I'm sorry to bother you," she replied, face flushed. "But I am afraid I must ask for your help. I know you meant well, assigning a maid to me, but it truly isn't necessary. Because my mother passed on while I was quite young, I became accustomed to dressing myself, doing my hair. I never let the maid help me then, and it is rather suffocating to have someone trying to do those things for me now." She fingered the cameo that rested on her neck.

Mr. Raven smiled stiffly. "Of course, Miss Pemberly. It was insensitive of me to not consult with you to find out what your needs truly were. I will tell Millie to return to her regular assignments."

"Thank you kindly, Mr. Raven." She curtsied, preparing to leave the room.

"Miss Pemberly."

She hesitated but did not turn around.

"Forgive the intrusion on your privacy, but that necklace... I don't believe I've ever seen you without it."

"You likely haven't. It was my mother's." She left the room quickly.

Later that day, he consulted with Mr. Roberts.

"I believe she is struggling with this new lifestyle," he confided. "This must be drastically different from her home life."

"Indeed," Mr. Roberts agreed. "Well, if that is what she prefers, then at least it frees Millie to help the others again. They were getting overwhelmed without her help. Cirius, before you go..." He lowered his voice a bit. "How are you handling things?"

"I beg your pardon?"

Mr. Roberts shook his head. "Don't play dumb with me, Cirius. I've known you for too long for that nonsense. I haven't forgotten that night at my ball."

"No one has, after that tragedy."

"Honestly, Cirius, you can be quite infuriating when you are avoiding a question. No more games. How are you handling Miss Pemberly's presence at the orphanage?"

Mr. Raven shifted in his chair. "I think I'm handling it just fine, Mr. Roberts."

"I think you're as full of shit as an un-mucked stall. It bothers you, doesn't it? Having to face her nearly every day? Having to look at her, so somber and sullen? Having a bit of a hero complex, are you? Want to sweep her off her feet and carry her away to a happily-ever-after?"

Mr. Raven swallowed, throat dry. "I don't know what you mean."

"Confound it, Cirius!" Mr. Roberts slammed his palms upon the desk, rising out of his chair. "This isn't a joke! Your turbulent emotions could cause us a lot of trouble! You cannot be romantically involved with one of our residents — you know this! And being a married man just makes it all the more scandalous. Oh, the blood-thirsty reporters, I can see the headlines now — Respected member of community and married father of two pursues young, gullible orphan of our former mayor!"

"Calm yourself! I have no intentions with Miss Pemberly! Do you think so little of me?"

"No, Cirius, I think quite highly of you, which is why I must intervene before things grow unmanageable. I don't want you to fall victim to this temptation."

"You worry too much." Mr. Raven stood up, ready to end their meeting. "I am not so foolish."

"The heart knows what it wants, Cirius, oft times more than the head can tell what it should do. You must tread carefully. The allure of a beautiful woman in mourning can be quite...intoxicating."