FLORAL CIPHER

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"Unfinished business? Does that mean someone died?" Rose comprehended, without asking, that Dante had killed Milley. She knew why Dante dealt with Milley the way he did. He was a fair judge of character, and the Count recognized the maid was guilty of theft and harming her. Rose looked up at Dante with dismay in her eyes. "Thank you. I'm sorry for what you had to do to get them back."

"I'm not. Milley asked for it. She was a killer and had nothing but vengeance in her heart, and you were her target." Dante gazed at Rose with a father's love.

"No, Dante, she was using me to get to you. Milley knew hurting me would also hurt you." Rose bowed her head, stroking the cat as she explained how she saw the situation.

"Hmm... You may be right. We will have to be extremely prudent. I've entrusted your care to Giselle. She'll ensure no further harm comes to you." Dante realized Giselle would not cross him. She would be devoted to her duties. Giselle had a lot to lose.

"Master?" Dante and Rose looked up to see Giselle standing at the door. Her face filled with curiosity.

"Come in, Giselle." Dante invited her into the bedchamber. "Rose, this is Giselle, my second in command of The House De Sang. She is going to be your teacher, handmaid, and protector." Dante patted the edge of the bed next to him for Giselle to take a seat. "Giselle, please meet my daughter, Contessa Scarlette Rose Le Chevalier De Sang. She is the next in line to my empire." He had an unscrupulous grin and a gleam in his eyes when he officially introduced Rose by her full royal title to Giselle.

A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Contessa Rose. I hope you are on the mend now. We have a lot to accomplish. Giselle was stiff in her response to the introductions.

~~~

The fog and clouds were becoming thick. Christopher had to come out of the cloud bank and find his whereabouts. He saw Dragonwood in the distance and flew back to where the horses were tied. Jackson was there waiting, and he was none too pleased with Lord Thorn.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed? What on earth were you thinking about taking off that way?" Jackson bristled with anger at Christopher.

"Where those two are involved? I have to keep a watch." Christopher was non-apologetic for his actions. "I guard this world, and it is my responsibility to keep all angels and Demons in line, enforcing the rules is my duty. God bestowed divine authority upon me to keep the peace."

"Fine, but don't leave me behind again. That fog was too thick, and I could not gauge if you were in trouble. Also, next time, could you at least make sure you're armed? I feel you were lucky to get away unharmed." Jackson chastised Christopher like a child. He was agitated with Lord Thorn. The man never used to take such risks, and now, he was suddenly acting without thought of the repercussions.

"We need to get back and fix this leg. My trousers are soaked in blood." It was his only remark to Jackson's harsh words as he held up his bloody hand.

"I don't pity you this time. Lucy is going to be furious about those busted stitches." Jackson mounted his stead, and they quietly rode back to the Thorn estate. He would wait for Christopher to get his leg stitched and calm down. Then he would ask about what happened in the forest with Giselle and Dante.

~~~

"I have a question for you, Rose. Do you know who would send you flowers? Or anyone that would even know you're here?" Giselle took her position as protector seriously, especially in front of Dante. He had been more than serious about caring for his precious daughter with Giselle.

"Not that I can think of; Larson might have sent them, but he is still in France and doesn't know I'm here." Rose was puzzled by the question. "Why do you ask?" It made her heart ache when she thought about Larson Milner; she genuinely liked the man.

Giselle snapped her fingers and chanted a Latin enchantment, "Ostende Flores," and a small nosegay appeared in her hands.

Rose's eyes widened at the sudden appearance of the flowers in Giselle's hands. "How did you..." she didn't finish the sentence when Giselle explained.

"We each hold extraordinary powers. I can make objects appear and disappear. I can also create confusion and distract people's thoughts, so they forget what they are attempting to accomplish. Your father can trick other beings' minds and blind them to the surrounding environment. He can make them see something that doesn't exist and make objects appear to be what they are not."

"So now, back to the question at hand. Do the flowers look familiar?" Giselle held the nosegay where Rose could see the flowers. "They arrived late this morning without a card."

"No, they do not, but they are a pacifistic message. The lavender and olive branches mean peace. The star of Bethlehem is atonement, and the other flowers speak of being repentant. May I?" Rose picked up the tiny bouquet and examined the beautiful florals, and she realized that this was a message from Lord Thorn.

Christopher was the only person who would need to apologize to her in such an expressive way. Rose stayed quiet about her thoughts on the flowers. She felt it might be safer for everyone involved. "I have no idea where they came from." She handed the nosegay back to Giselle.

"It looks like you have a mystery to solve, Giselle." Dante raised his eyebrows and smiled. She already had enough to handle, and this was an added aggravation.

Rose could see the joy it brought her father to taunt Giselle. She could tell there was more to the relationship. Rose wondered what was going on between them.

Dante addressed Rose, "As your guardian, Giselle will screen everything before you receive it, including your food. We cannot take any more chances with your life and health. Speaking of food, it's time for you to have some lunch. I will bring it up. I don't want you wandering around, darling."

Giselle spoke to Rose in a silky yet vexing voice, "Get some rest, Contessa. I have some reading for you when you get a chance. Are you literate, Lady Rose?"

"Yes, I'm well educated," Rose replied to Giselle dryly.

"Good, one less thing to be concerned with. We will speak more tomorrow about your etiquette training." Giselle bowed to them and left the room.

"Ignore her. She is cranky from the trip and all the events of the day. If she gives you any trouble, let me know." Dante made a funny face behind Giselle's back after she exited, and Rose giggled. "I will return with lunch shortly. We can eat together. Does that sound okay?"

Rose nodded her head.

"We have to work on your speaking skills, Rose. It would be best to answer politely with words when someone asks a question. In some circles, it is considered rude not to speak and only to nod. Your shyness is adorable, but we must bring you out of your shell." Dante bent down and kissed Rose on her forehead. She was still feverish, but nothing like the past couple of days. It looked like her body was finally fighting back. He left to fetch their lunch.

The Count returned a short time later to find Rose curled up around Oscar, asleep. Her Redouté book of flowers opened to the section on roses. It made him think. He could see why Claire gave her the name Rose. She was the most beautiful flower in the garden.

Her hair was long and chestnut with red highlights, well-groomed brows framed her eyes of golden amber, and she had beautiful milky white skin like the petal of a flower with pink-tinted cheeks and full lips. Her features were exquisite, down to the slight upturn on her little nose.

"Rose, lunch is here. You need to wake up and eat. I can see you are tired, sweet one, but you must get nourishment so your body can heal."

"I'm awake," Rose groaned, sat up, stretched her arms above her head, and gave an enormous yawn. She looked at Dante in anticipation of what they would dine on; "what did the cook make for lunch?" She asked.

"Mmm... There's rare roast beef with potatoes and vegetables, black buns, and shortbread." Dante was serving Rose her meal instead of an attendant. She thought it was odd, but she understood he was protecting her. The Count set out the bed tray and placed a napkin on her lap. He put a small serving of everything prepared for their meal on her plate. Rose had a good appetite and ate all the food Dante gave her.

"Do you want some tea?" he asked.