The Complement

Chapter Two

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Arabella yawned and stretched as she woke. The early morning light spilled in her open windows and the sea breeze ruffled the gauzy curtains. Arabella breathed in deeply, cherishing the salty, fresh air and eager to face the day.

At least until she remembered her itinerary for the day. She froze, mid-stretch, before collapsing back onto her soft bed and burying her face in a goose-down pillow, growling her frustration into the linens. Somehow she would have to visit Mim before her mother managed to drag her to the Completer.

The conversation she overheard in the streets last night returned to her. She had spent the better part of the night laying in bed and wondering what the sailors had been talking about. Why were pirates active? Were they really targeting Monty's ships? Or was it a coincidence?

A tap sounded on the door before it burst open. A rotund older woman with silver-grey hair flying about her face bustled into Arabella's room, toting a heavy laden tray in her arms.

"Honestly, Arabella, you're worse than a little thief! Snatching my fresh turnovers from the window and sneaking out the back door before dawn!" She plopped the tray down and tweaked Arabella's nose. "Terrence and I were out of our minds with worry! Not to mention your mother."

Her black skirts swished about her legs as she bustled through the room, fluffing curtains, snatching up discarded clothing, and tidying things that didn't need to be tidied.

Arabella sat still in bed, arms wrapped around her legs and resting her chin on her knees. "I'm sorry, Sophie. I didn't mean to be gone so long, truly. You know how Libba can - "

Sophie clicked her tongue. "Don't try that nonsense with me, little miss. I know you weren't at Libba's house. She may be your best friend, but everyone knows there is no possible way you stayed at Libba's all day discussing dresses of all things. The Maritime Ball? Really, dear? You're lucky your Mother's desire for you to show interest in ladylike things has blinded her to your behaviour yesterday." Sophie sank onto the bed in front of Arabella and cupped her check tenderly. "Where were you really, dearie?"

Arabella sighed, puffing air out to push wayward strands of hair from in front of her eyes. "I was at the beach, Sophie. I went to the pier in the morning to catch news of the Everlast from sailors and then I went to Father's cove to think. I truly did lose track of time."

Sophie smiled and patted her young friend's cheek. "There now, was that so hard? Terrence and I thought that might have been where you disappeared to, but by the time we had a chance to check, your mother was in such a tizzy that Terrence didn't dare leave." Sophie pushed herself off the bed and started toward the door. She paused at the door frame and looked back at Arabella with a twinkle in her eye. "And now look at what you've gotten yourself into- dress fittings and a visit to the Completer."

And with that parting shot Sophie was out the door and down the hall before Arabella could launch a pillow at her retreating figure.

With a last forlorn gaze at her comfy bed, Arabella dragged herself from the warm cocoon of blankets and trudged to her water basin and pitcher. Pouring the cool water into the porcelain bowl, she splashed the water onto her face and scrubbed, following her manual cleansing with a rough washcloth.

"Sakes, Arabella, you'll scrub your skin raw doing that."

Arabella jumped and her hip bumped the night table, sending the porcelain bowl and pitcher rocking precariously. She grabbed the table, steadying the contents, not quite quick enough to avoid the slosh of water onto her nightclothes. Arabella turned to confront the intruder. "Mother! You frightened me near to death."

The corners of Lucretia's mouth turned up before she could stifle her face back to neutral. "My apologies. But I did want to remind you that we have an appointment with the tailor in just two hours, and then I thought I could take you to luncheon with the ladies in my society group, and finally we have to meet with the Completer at sunset. She assured me that is the best time to get the most accurate reading of your aura and you wouldn't believe the strings I had to pull to get this consultation at such short notice..."

Arabella's mind began to wander at her mother's mention of the Completer. If the tailor was in two hours, then Arabella should have enough time to slip out to find Mim. Even if she had to wait until later, there was ample opportunity before sunset. Breathing a sigh of relief, Arabella tried to attend to her mother's long-winded recitation of today's very tight schedule.

"...and that's not to mention a visit to the hairdresser or the hot springs. Why, how we will fit all of this in a fortnight is beyond me."

Lucretia took a breath and was about to plow forward when Arabella interjected quietly. "Mother, why not ask Lady Constance to assist you in the detail planning? I know it has been a time since you enjoyed her company."

Lucretia practically beamed at Arabella's suggestion, a rare show of emotion from the normally reserved, even taciturn woman. "What a splendid thought. Arabella, what a fine lady you are becoming."

Arabella flushed at her mother's compliment. It wasn't that she was unused to praise, although that was surely a rare thing to hear from her mother, but rather the swell of guilt that rose in her stomach. She tamped down the unwelcome feeling. So what if she was using her mother's friendship with Libba's mother to gain more time? If she didn't volunteer Constance to help out, Arabella would bear the brunt of Lucretia's over-extensive attention to detail and drive her absolutely to insanity. She had to get to Samuel's office and there was the matter of the Everlast, not to mention why pirates would be targeting the Montys.

"Well, I'll leave you to dress. Please remember to wear something fitting for your station, Arabella. I don't want you to embarrass me again." With that, Lucretia swept from the room, not a single hair daring to stray from its place.

Arabella felt like ice water had been dumped on her, jerking her back to reality, until she realized the ice water was reality and she needed to hurry if she was to locate Mim in time.

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Arabella could have cursed loud enough and long enough to put a sailor to shame. Mim was nowhere to be found. It was like the witch had simply vanished. Not in a pub, not near the brothels, not at the docks. Where in the Completer's name was she?

Now Arabella was cursing. It was just over an hour until she needed to be at the Completer's chambers. Last time, Mim had taken nearly 3 hours before she judged Arabella's case resolved. Long shadows played over the streets as the sun sank lower to the horizon, casting the bustling city in grey and pink as the light faded.

Arabella stamped her foot and turned back to try the waterfront district again. As she passed an alleyway, an arm shot from the dark lane, clutching her wrist and dragged her into the shadows. Just as Arabella took a breath to scream in alarm, another hand clamped firmly over her half open mouth. A gravelly voice sounded in her ear, "Not a peep, miss."

Arabella froze, squeezing her eyes tightly against the sharp tears that threatened to break free. She had really done it this time.

Word Count: 1,295