Ravenwood(18)

“Ah, dear Elinore. I wish we could have become better acquainted under more congenial circumstances.” He bowed slightly and then came around the table, standing before her. “A pleasure to meet you at last, Miss Reed. Hayter Vollmond, at your service.” He fixed his sharp blue eyes on her and Elinore froze, like a rabbit in the woods. He held a hand out and she reluctantly placed her own in his, her manners not allowing her to leave his gesture unresolved. His eyes fixed immediately on the bandages on her arm and she swore she saw his nostrils flare slightly. He kissed her knuckles and she had the urge to snatch her hand back and wipe it on the dress.

“What are you wearing, my dear?” he questioned, looking her up and down.

Elinore looked down at the dress, not sure how to respond. “A dress, my lord,” she said, for lack of anything else. Hayter’s eyes darted to Mrs. Davenport who seemed to flinch under his gaze.

“Miss Reed’s own dress was in quite a state after last night. I have secured one of Alice’s dresses for the time being.”

“Nonsense,” Hayter said, his sharp eyes coming back to Elinore. He again looked her up and down and Elinore had the urge to raise her hand and cover her tender throat, though she could not say exactly why. “She looks to be of a size similar to the late Mrs. Vollmond. I’m sure you can find something in the closets more suitable for our dear Miss Reed to wear.”

“Yes, sir. Of course. I shall check immediately.”

“See that you do.” Hayter’s words were sharp and Elinore felt herself flinch slightly at his tone. Hayter turned to the table, still holding onto Elinore’s fingers. “I believe you’ve already met your cousin, my brother’s son, Caleb Vollmond.”

Caleb stood stiff and still at the table, nodding his head once at Elinore. She managed a small curtsey.

“Yes, sir. We… met last night in the woods.” Elinore supposed ‘met’ wasn’t exactly the correct word for their encounter the night prior, but she could think of nothing else.

“My nephew has told me the details. I was quite distressed to hear of your troubles,” replied Hayter. He lifted her hand, examining her bandaged arm. “I see Mrs. Davenport has set you to rights with her poultice. A wonderful gift she has for healing.” He turned to smile at Mrs. Davenport who, like Elinore, froze under his gaze.

“Well, I imagine you’re quite famished.” Hayter turned, tucking Elinore’s arm in his and leading her to the table. Hayter pulled a chair back and Elinore took her seat.

In the daylight, Caleb was fiercely attractive and Elinore cautioned herself not to stare so openly. Her eyes flickered up and then back down at the table. Hayter pushed her chair in, his arm brushing over her shoulder as he did, before rounding the table and taking his seat at the head again. Once he sat, Caleb followed suit. A servant came forward and draped a napkin over Elinore’s lap, offering some tea as he did. Elinore nodded quickly, grateful for something to do with her hands. The borrowed gown pulled at her shoulders as she fixed her tea and the skirt hitched up a little too short for her liking. She moved her feet under the table so as not to expose any of her leg by accident.

“That will be all, Mrs. Davenport,” Hayter said, not looking away from Elinore as she sipped her beverage.

“Yes, sir. Please fetch me if you need anything.” Mrs. Davenport gave Elinore a fleeting, kindly smile and then left, leaving Elinore feeling somewhat exposed in the room. Elinore had the urge to run after her and offer to assist, if only to have an excuse to leave.

“I’m so glad you’re here safe, at Ravenwood now. We’ve sent some men out to collect your things from the wreck,” Hayter said conversationally, cutting into some meat on his plate.

“Thank you, sir.” She sipped her tea, calling on every etiquette lesson she’d ever had to think of something to say. “It will be good to have my things.”

“I hope you aren’t too shaken up over the events of last night,” Hayter said.

Elinore’s eyes darted over to Caleb, though she didn’t know why. His eyes were blue like Hayter’s, perhaps a family resemblance along the jaw and the strong brow, but other than that, they were quite different. Hayter had a lean, whipcord sort of physique while Caleb appeared slightly more broad in the shoulders. They both watched her carefully - Hayter’s gaze making her feel somewhat pinned down. Caleb’s stare was more careful, more circumspect.

“No, sir.”

Hayter waved a hand. “You needn’t address me as ‘sir,' dear Nora,” he said, shortening her name. “It makes me feel old, and I’m not that ancient. Simply ‘Hayter’ will do.”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly…” Elinore began, stammering her words.

“You could address him as I do,” Caleb said, his voice easy and polished. “Uncle.”

Elinore smiled a bit at Caleb, grateful for his input. “Yes, I suppose that would do, thank you.”

“I’m hardly old enough to be an uncle to either of you.”

“You’re old enough,” Caleb said, his tone a little sharp. Hayter fixed his gaze on Caleb and the younger man tipped his head down slightly and off to the side - an odd gesture that Elinore did not understand. It made her uneasy. Hayter cut a piece of meat from his plate and placed it carefully in his mouth, chewing it slowly, never once breaking eye contact with Caleb as he did. A servant came to Elinore’s side, ready to serve some soup, if she wished and she nodded once in acquiescence. As soon as the smell hit her nose, she realized she was famished. The first mouthful of soup burst across her tongue in savory delight and Elinore wondered if one bowl would be enough to fill her empty belly. The silence in the room made her pause after a few minutes and she looked up from her meal to find both Caleb and Hayter watching her. She’d nearly finished the bowl in a mad rush. She put her spoon down, horrified at her behavior.