Red Wolfe (11 page)

A
brilliant deep blue dress had been neatly placed across one of the chairs by the fireplace, and her eyes flew to the door to see it still locked. It was startling to think that someone was sneaking into her room, and she had become more and more convinced that it was not Gregor. Maybe there was a secret passage? But then why would someone sneak into her room at night just to lay out her clothing?

Eyes were watching her, dozens of them and that’s when Ellena noticed it, a slight change in one of the portraits. It was a pair of old women sitting around
a square wooden table in a small library. Ellena could tell from all the book shelves, only something was different. Ellena was certain, as certain was she was that the sun had risen, that atop of the tiny table in the picture had sat a vase of blue daisies, only now it was a vase of vibrant red tulips.

She had to find Gregor. He would be able to answer her questions. Her blue dress whipped around her feet where she had placed a pair of dazzling silver shoes. Gregor was in the hallway lighting the candles.

“Morning, you are up early.”

“Gregor, please answer me honestly,” she
said.

H
e stepped down from the stool he had been standing on to light the candles.

“The paintings—” she began but just at that moment Lord Wolfe appeared
from around the corner.

“I see you are awake. I was going to ask if you’d like a tour of my estate
before breakfast,” he said. “Come.”

Before she could reply, he was already leading her away and Gregor had once again avoided her question
by scurrying off out of sight. Now, she was sure that something was amiss.

She felt another cough bubbling up her thr
oat, but she forced it down as he led her upstairs, along a hall that seemed to widen as they went deeper into the bowels of the mansion. To her left giant floor to ceiling windows appeared, towering over them as they walked and to her right was a polished wooden banister that looked out over another darkened corridor.

The doors at the end of the hall were a striking golden color, shining brightly from the light. Lord Wolfe grasped the elaborate knob and flung it open to reveal a grand
ball room. The stage for the musicians was to her left, surrounded by a red curtain. Another chandelier floated above them, twice the size of the one Ellena had seen before as windows with deep green drapes looked out across the fields. 

“I have danced in this ballroom with many, many beautiful
ladies,” Lord Wolfe grinned. It was all Ellena could do to keep from rolling her eyes. Yep, he was definitely back to his old self.

“
Mademoiselle
,” he said, extending his hand.

“Yes?” She glanc
ed at his open palm. “Forget it, I’m not dancing with you. Besides, didn’t you say you only dance with beautiful women?”

“What is that well known peasant saying? Ah, yes! Beggars can’t be choosers?”
 

The next thing
Ellena knew, she was twirling as Lord Wolfe grabbed her hand began to waltz. She, at first, tried to pry away but found he would not allow it. He hold was firm, but gentle and she eventually gave in allowing him to lead her in the age old dance.

Her feet betrayed her several times, tripping and colliding into each other as she tried to keep up with unfamiliar
steps and she knew her partner would be all too happy to critique her less than spotless performance. She felt him laugh a few times, but she would not dare look into his face. The deep vibrations pulsing through his chest let her know he was chuckling.

Their dance came to an end and he let her go, but not before kissing her hand. “Now I have danced with many, many beautiful ladies and one ugly woman.”

Her temper was about to burn again when she caught the twinkle in his eyes. He was teasing her. Ellena’s breath hitched in her throat when she, for a brief moment, found his eyes to be a deep chestnut in the bright sunlight, but it must have been her imagination.

“I guess then all the other ugly women will forever envy me since I am the only one of our kind who has had the privilege of
being your unwilling dance partner.”

“Ah, bu
t you did want to dance with me.”

“Oh really?” Ellena scoffed.

“You are not the kind of woman who is forced to doing anything she does not wish
. You did want to dance with me. You just do not wish to admit it.”
 

“I allowed you to dance w
ith me. There is a difference and we both know I have ulterior motives for doing it.”

“Are you nervous I will go back on our deal if you were to deny me?”

“That has crossed my mind,” Ellena whispered as she adjusted the skirt of her dress.

“And what if I asked you for a kiss? Would you allow it for the sake of your precious story?”

Ellena merrily laughed as she headed for the door. “A kiss? From an ugly woman like me? I don’t believe either of us would allow it.”

He
brushed past her as they left the room.

“Where are we going now?” she asked.

“You will see.”

“Are you going to s
how me your room?” Ellena asked.

“You have no idea what you’re asking, do you?”  He didn’t bother to look at her while he spoke. “I doubt anything but your ignoranc
e is speaking right now. Is it common for women to want to go to a man’s room for a strictly innocent reason?”

“Mine is an innocent reason,” she defensively said.

“I know it is,” he said. “You are far from talented at playing the seductive temptress to realize the underlying meaning of those words. Do you often ask to see men’s rooms?”

“Of course not!”
There it was again, that aggravating tickle in the back of her throat.

“Then I am the first?” he stopped
, causing her to halt as well. “So I am special?” He was looking at her now, only Ellena was nearly too mortified to answer.

“I was just curious,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean to imply anything.”

“Sadly,” he suddenly cried, “even the ugly woman has rejected me.”

“Do you always enjoy terrorizing me?”
she asked, sweeping past him in a mixture of relief and irritation when she realized he was simply taunting her again.

“It’s the most fun I’ve had in ages,” he replied. “Gregor is not nearly as entertaining to tease.”

He took the lead once again as they wandered through the corridors. She wanted to ask about his family, but feared the topic would be an undesirable one and the last thing she wanted to do was destroy his pleasant mood.

“What brings you to France?”
He suddenly asked, taking Ellena surprise. It was the first time he had ever expressed any real interest in her. “You are obviously not a native.”

“
I am a writer here to do research.”

“You travel alone?”

“I do.”

“Now, that is uncommon.”

“I suppose so,” Ellena watched the back of his head as they walked. Had his hair always been that hue of brown?

“And where are you from?”

“I am from the states.”

“Where?”

“America.”

“The New World? How interesting.”

“Well yes, but it’s been a while since anyone has called it that,” she said.

“
Excusez-moi,”
Gregor unexpectedly appeared. “
Le déjeuner est prêt.”

“Ah, wonderful. I was beginning to grow famished,”
Lord Wolfe smiled and Ellena felt her heart flutter. She didn’t think it was possible, didn’t think he was capable of such a smile, the kind of smile that held no dark secrets or selfish motives, one that was not condescending or patronizing. It was a beautifully sincere expression and Ellena couldn’t help but stare. He looked unbearably handsome when his eyes gleamed and he let loose a boyish grin. “Are you ready to eat?” he asked.

“Just allow me to run by my room first.”

“Are you not feeling well?”

“I’m fine,” she quickly answered. “Just give me a few minutes.”

She ran into the wall behind her when she tried to flee. “I’ll be right there,” she hastily said before turning the corner. He didn’t follow and Ellena was glad of it.

He was
acting strange again, not unlike the other night in the gardens. He would never have danced with her a few days ago or asked about her personal affairs. He had all too often made it clear that he was not one to engage in idle pleasantries or acceptable manners just to appease another. So why was he acting so congenial now?

Was it
a game to make her fall for him? Maybe he realized that his original course of action was not working and so he modified his plan? Ellena couldn’t tell. He had looked so genuine, but then again she knew how the arrogant man could manipulate any situation to his advantage. Which was the real John Wolf, she thought. After all, wolves were often known to hide in sheep’s clothing.

Lunch
was a quiet affair. Ellena sat deep in thought staring at the chunks of meat floating in her soup and Gregor awkwardly cleared his throat to ease the uncomfortable silence.

“Is everything to your liking?” he asked as Ellena poked at her meal.

“It’s delicious as always. I suppose I’m still full from breakfast.”

Ellena wouldn’t admit it herself, but she was worried. It was not like her to not have an appetite. There it was again, that irritating tickle in her throat.
A harsh cough overtook her as she strained to breathe. Darting for the door she raced into the hall since she couldn’t bear to have
him
see her in such a state.

“For you.”

She jumped as Gregor appeared from around the corner with a warm glass of water.

“I don’t understand
. I was feeling fine yesterday,” she groaned, taking the cup.

“That’s how it usually works, my dear. Why don’t you go and rest in your room. I’m sure even Lord Wolfe will understand.”

“Actually, I would prefer it.” He was suddenly behind them. “I ask that you confine yourself to your quarters until your ailment passes. I do not wish to fall ill.”

“What about dinner? You were going to tell me the story.”

“Go to your room,” he ordered. She poised herself for a fight, but never had the chance. Another fit of coughs erupted and by the time she could see through her blurry vision caused by the straining jerks, Lord Wolfe was gone.

“As
rude as he acts, master is right. Let me help you to your room where you can rest. I’m sure it’s nothing too serious, but just in case I have a special remedy that’s been passed down through my family for generations. It’ll certainly cure anything.”

Ellena
grimaced, but not wanting to hurt the old man’s feelings quickly replaced it with a beaming smile. Home tonics were always an interesting concoction and she worried that if the sickness didn’t finish her off, whatever dear Gregor brewed for her would.

“What kind of remedy?” she dared to ask.

“Oh, don’t you worry. I’ll take care of it.”

Boredom was to be her companion that evening. After re
turning to her room, Ellena lightly dozed for about an hour so, but now she was wide awake and looking for a way to occupy her restless mind. For a little while she watched the birds from her window, along with a pair of squirrels go about building a nest and gather food.

The most exciting spectacle was the sig
ht of a lone gray wolf skulking around right below her window.  Now, from the safety of the house she could finally appreciate its wild, untamed beauty, unlike before where she had been too distracted on not getting eaten. But now as she watched the graceful movements of its muscles, the gleam of its thick coat, and the intense look radiating from its yellow eyes, Ellena couldn’t help but be captivated. She had seen this creature before. Those burning eyes were forever engraved into her memory.

In the height of her unbearable monotony
the beast slinked away into the forest, leaving Ellena alone with only one option left to ease the dullness—talking to the many faces on the walls.

“What are you not telling me?
I know you are hiding something,” she accusingly whispered.

Whatever it was, the portraits weren’t talking.

It wasn’t long before she fell asleep curled up in one of the chairs by the crackling fire that Gregor had kindled. Angelic music drifted in and out of her dreams, sweet cords that vibrated throughout her mind. The notes enveloped everything, sad notes that made her sad even in her dreams. There was no mistaking the distinct sound, the resonance of a finely tuned piano.

Music was not her only visitor as she
slumbered. She was sitting at a table in a sunny library talking to someone, no laughing, as the sound of clinking cups echoed. It was a woman. Ellena could see splashes of her partner’s bright blue dress as streaks of bright light filled her vision and in between them sat a sweet smelling bouquet of red tulips. It felt so real—the smells, the sounds, the warm sunrays.