"Florence, let me walk you to your room." Ruby offered as the climbed the wide stairs to the mansion's entrance. Clair paused, clinging tight to Cathryn's drunken arm.
"I've got it Ruby. Besides, you're in the East wing." He insisted.
"You've already got your hands full with Cathryn." He protested, moving protectively towards Florence. Her eyes widened at this gesture. Clair was upset with how Ruby seemed so territorial over her.
"I'm not a handful." Cathryn slurred glumly.
"That isn't exactly what I said." Ruby exhaled impatiently.
"You're tired. Let me take her." Clair was firm. Florence got quite a thrill out of this whole ordeal, but she wouldn't dare admit it.
"Don't mistake my frustration towards Cathryn as me being tired." Ruby answered, now flustered as he wasn't getting his way. Cathryn grumbled.
"Ruby, please, just let-" Clair pleaded.
"No." Ruby interjected.
He resumed walking up the stairs and Florence, left with no choice found her place beside him. The four stayed silent all for Cathryn's mumbles as they made their way through the echoing halls. When Florence's door came into sight, Clair and Cathryn walked along without a glance back. Ruby stopped at her door and turned to face Florence.
"I'm sorry I got so frustrated." He explained guiltily.
"It's quite alright." Florence muttered up towards his wonderful face.
"Sleep well, mon amour." And with that, Ruby placed a soft kiss upon Florence's forehead. She watched as he made his way down the hall and eventually disappeared. Slinking back into her room, Florence tucked herself neatly into bed, thinking back on the night's events. The ghost of Ruby's lips on her forehead remained until she drifted to sleep.