Lord Nightingale drummed his fingers on his desk. The parchment papers were left forgotten as his thoughts were occupied. It hadn't been his intention to summon Lady Stark. It was...curiosity. Right. That's what it was. With the few instances of where he met the Blackburry residents, Lady Stark was one of the few who was honest with her expressions, and yet, he couldn't guess what she thought.
He glanced at the invitation piles on the desk. After attending the Sol church's sermon, he had received countless invitations to the gentleman's club in town. From what Mr. Timmons had gathered, mostly warm-bloods populated the establishment. The one for his kind, however, had sent a delicate black envelope with a simple message.
More than a few ladies had reached out to him. Their purpose was clear as they wished to enjoy his company in a secluded place. Sebastian knew many of his kin partook in such arrangements, but he had never been one to consider such a relationship. Yet, if the only letter he truly cared about was...Lady Stark's.
Sebastian rubbed his forehead. I shouldn't care. No, I don't care. It's...curiosity. He had expected more from her. A letter for a secret rendezvous. Yet, nothing. Her letters were always businesslike with a flirtatious flair, but nothing for him to mistake as interest. Lady Stark had never crossed that line. He, on the other hand, had.
Sebastian frowned. Am I that undesirable? The thought gave him pause. He rubbed his chin. Wasn't that what he wanted? He had been wary of her because he thought she would be like everyone else. She hadn't been and now...I'm confused.
Mr. Timmons knocked on the door. Sebastian sat up straighter and smoothed his hair.
"Enter."
As the door opened, Lady Stark walked in. A nervous smile pulled at her lips. Her steps were slow yet graceful. Her gaze was on him again. She always did this when they met.
When they were alone, Sebastian gestured to the couch.
"You wanted to see me?" she asked.
Straight to the point. He appreciated that.
"Yes," he said. "I wanted to see how things were going."
"Oh, with Delilah."
He stared. That's not what he meant.
Sebastian smiled. "Yes."
He didn't miss how her shoulders slouched a bit, yet her posture remained strong. Her reactions were subtle, but enticing. Enticing? He pulled his tie a bit looser.
"The children are getting on great," she said. "They were a bit shy at first, but they started playing together soon after that."
As she spoke, Sebastian leaned forward. Lady Stark's words were quick, excited, even breathless. Then they turned to caution, then to optimism. How could someone show so many emotions in one sitting? She was fascinating.
"Lord Nightingale?"
Sebastian froze. When had she stopped talking? He should have been paying more attention. This wasn't like him.
He cleared his throat. "Yes. Thank you for your report." Trying to act aloof, Sebastian picked up a piece of paper from his desk. "Your family business. Has it been taken care of?"
Her breathing quickened. "Hmm? Oh. Yes. Apologies for disrupting the schedule." Lady Stark shifted closer. "It won't happen again."
Sebastian smiled to reassure her. "Take it as concern from an acquaintance," he said.
"I'll accept graciously." Her knuckles were white against her lap.
He placed the paper down. Sebastian hesitated before speaking. "I also wanted to apologize again. If my presence at your home caused any misunderstandings, I shall rectify it at once."
This is what he should have done immediately. It had been his intention. It just so happened his thoughts never stayed still when Lady Stark was around. Perhaps visiting the physician was in order.
Lady Stark looked down. Her voice was small when she spoke. "Lord Nightingale. I am confused." When she gazed at him, her eyes were resolute. "While I can understand Delilah's concern, no gentleman would risk their reputation. Blood-born or not."
Sebastian clenched his jaw. She was right, and he had no excuse. Why had he gone? Lord Nightingale stood and walked around to the front of the desk. He leaned against the wood. The truth was best.
"Your intentions weren't clear," he admitted. "From the night of my ball to accepting this post, I believed you had a hidden agenda."
Lady Stark stood, clenching her hands. "What? You-?"
Sebastian pressed his palms against the edge of his desk. "Why would a noble lady accept this position? Why would she work as a maid? That is what I couldn't understand."
Her hard, fixed gaze instantly made him regret his words. Yet, they had to be said. If she was going to continue her lesson with Delilah, he needed to make sure she was trustworthy. He couldn't have a suspicious person around his sister. It was best to learn the truth now than later.
"Are you pretending not to know? Or do you truly not know?" she asked.
He frowned. "What do you speak of?"
With a sigh, Avaline returned to her seat. She hung her head. "If you ask around, everyone will say the Stark family has fallen."
Ah. That was it. Sebastian pinched the bridge of his nose. He hadn't wanted to dig into a lady's background. He believed it was better to know others himself. It was what he preferred. Not to mention, rumors weren't exactly reliable pieces of information. In this instance, however, he should have checked.
Sebastian bowed. "Forgive my rudeness. I shouldn't have pried."
She shrugged. "This was to be expected. It's an open secret." She turned to him. "I should thank you for being oblivious until the last possible moment."
"Financial difficulty is not shameful."
She smiled, but it held no feeling. "Some would say otherwise." Lady Stark straightened her posture. "We're considered fortunate. We make money somehow, though some must not approve."
"What of your parents? Do they not approve of your position?"
Lady Stark raised an eyebrow. "My lord, do you not know anything about the people of Blackburry?"
Sebastian rubbed his neck. "I must confess I haven't been digging into everyone's business."
Lady Stark bit her lip. Sebastian marveled at how it reddened with pressure. Embarrassed, he glanced away and fiddled with his cuff links.
"For future reference," she said. "You might need to consider being more cautious."
"I shall keep that in mind." He cleared his throat. "So, your parents-"
"My mother is ill and Father... He passed three years ago, in the war."
Sebastian bowed deeply. It seemed he was making it a habit of being inconsiderate. "Forgive me. May Sol keep him in Her embrace."
She waved his apology away. "You couldn't have known."
"If I may ask, where was he stationed?"
"Fort Poppy," she replied.
Sebastian frowned. Was it a coincidence? "What was his name?"
"Nathaniel Stark."
"He had brown hair, a thick mustache, and a large frame?"
Lady Stark stood. Her mouth slightly opened. "You knew him?"
Sebastian was sure of it now. He had seen such a man in the fort. Though their paths had never crossed, he had known the late Lord Stark.
"He and I were in different units," he said. "He was a marksman, and I was with the ground forces. Lord Stark had a way of reassuring everyone. He'd sing and laugh the loudest."
Lady Stark rubbed her eyes, chuckling. "He couldn't carry a tune."
Sebastian spoke gently. "He took care of his men."
"That does sound like him." Lady Stark took a deep breath. "They never told us how it happened. Only that he died bravely. They brought home an empty casket."
Reaching into his coat, Sebastian took out a handkerchief and handed it to Lady Stark. Her face flushed, Lady Stark took the square cloth and dabbed her eyes.
"Forgive me. I didn't mean to -"
"No apologies necessary." He sat across from her. "From what I remember, the fort was overrun by Hellios. We managed to get it back, but it was too late."
She nodded. "Thank you for telling me."
Sebastian turned his gaze to the door. He had made significant blunders recently. He wouldn't be surprised if Lady Stark gave him a cold shoulder. What could he do to remedy the situation?
Hurried footsteps came up to the door and knocked.
"Enter."
Seeing Mr. Timmon's worried expression, Sebastian stood.
"It's the children," the butler said. "Something has happened."
Sebastian and Lady Stark stared at each other. Wordlessly, they rushed out the door.