Taking in a breath Cecilia stood and followed Mrs. Eisen out into the hall. Lockwood Estate was always a grand sight to behold! Every time she was allowed to wander amongst its halls it took her breath away. Despite her mother's financial worries, Lockwood Estate still held its beauty...its grace... And as Cecilia followed Mrs. Eisen downstairs did she recall her mother's sudden influx of spending. She hired more servants...more grand furnishings. It now finally made sense to her...her mother did remarry.
Finally reaching the first floor where the parlor was, Mrs. Eisen stopped in her tracks and knocked gently upon its grand doors.
"You may enter," a sharp, cool voice answered. It was her mother's.
Mrs. Eisen opened the doors and Cecilia cautiously followed suit. There standing in the middle of the parlor was her mother and the man she saw enter Lockwood Estate. He was a broad-shouldered man, with light golden hair and a confident disposition. He nodded a small bow to her in greeting and smiled.
"Cecilia my dear, I'd like you to meet your father and the new Master of Lockwood Estate," Her mother smiled, "Mr.
Errington
"
Gracefully walking over to her, she took Cecilia's arm gently and walked her closer to him. Cecilia stared and tried to hide her nervous yet confused expression.
"I'm...pleased to make your acquaintance," She said mechanically as she curtsied.
"The pleasure is all mine," Mr.Errington grinned, his loud cheerful voice ricocheting off the parlor's walls, "But please!" he continued, gesturing towards Cecilia, " let us not be strangers! Come give your father a hug!"
Cecilia suddenly froze on the spot. The smile she painted upon her face slowly began to dim. Seeing her mother's eyes spark with agitation she let out a loud lyrical laugh,
"Well go on, my dearest! he's not a stranger but your father!"
Holding her breath Cecilia walked over to the strange man that she was soon to call her father and felt him give her a big uncomfortable hug,
"See?" he said in a booming laugh, " I don't bite!"
Anxious to get away Cecilia gently pulled away from his embrace and feigned a smile and a soft laugh.
"Here let me take another look at you!" he said holding onto her hands,
"Your mother spoke of you often, but she did not say what a great beauty you truly grew up to be!"
Cecilia felt her cheeks begin to burn with embarrassment.
"...Thank You Mr.Errington,"
"Oh yes!" Her mother politely smiled, striding over to her side, "quite."Looking down to hide her red cheeks, Cecilia felt him let go of her hands. The room suddenly felt still and awkward.
"Well!" her mother laughed, placing a hand on Cecilia's arm, " I suppose we will let your father retire this evening. You certainly must be weary from your travels dear,"Mr. Errington smiled as he let out a chuckle,
"Alas!" he said feigning disappointment, "your mother is right I must retire!"Bowing a curt nod to her mother,
"But," he continued, taking a step closer to Cecilia, "It was such a pleasure to meet you Cecilia, my dear,"And just as 'my dear' passed his lips he gently brushed a black curl from Cecilia's face. His finger left a hot trail on her skin that made Cecilia's stomach plummet. For just as he finished speaking and gave her a curt bow goodbye, she could see a glint in his eyes that frightened her.
And as if nothing had just transpired Mr. Errington strode out of the parlor. His footsteps echoing against the marbled floors.Mrs. Eisen who was quietly waiting outside the door made her way over to Cecilia.
"Shall I take Miss Cecilia back to her room Mistress?"Noticing her mother had not stopped staring where her new father had walked out she said,
"No thank you, Mrs. Eisen. I would like to speak with my daughter first before she retires for the night,"Mrs. Eisen gave her mother a curtsy and began to make her way out of the parlor closing one of the doors when her mother called out to her,
"Please wait outside, will you not?"
"Yes Mistress," Mrs. Eisen replied, closing the door with a soft click.The room suddenly seemed to drop in temperature as Cecilia nervously looked up at her mother and saw that her eyes were blazing. Seeing her mother's stoic expression made her heart freeze in fear. And for a moment nothing was said or done, only her mother's hard stare that continued to burn through her.
Just as Cecilia tried her best to smile like her mother always wanted her to, Mrs. Lockwood took a step towards her daughter. And in a blur, she watched as her mother raised her hand to strike her. Cecilia's heart startled as she flinched, closing her eyes as she turned her face away, preparing for the blow that was to come. Yet when it didn't...Cecilia opened her eyes and saw that her mother's hand was raised perfectly still in the air. And just as their eyes met... her mother struck a hard blow across her face.
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