15 Luscious Peonies

'Why is he being so kind?' Rayne questions to herself. Since the first night they met he's been nothing but helpful to her and now he's saved her from a terrible situation. She shivers as she thinks back to Fletcher's grimy hands on her body. She opens the door into the massive white bathroom. Its marble walls and fancy appliances sparkle with cleanliness. Rayne walks over to the large mirror and eyes herself. She looks exhausted and disheveled from her struggle with Fletcher and the flight here. She strips herself of her soggy clothing and runs the hot water into a goliath white porcelain tub. Rayne climbs in, her small figure stretches out easily in the tub's vast expanse. She scrubs herself vigorously to rid her skin of Fletcher's filthy touch. She thinks back to the fight and him pressing against her, making her shiver and cringe. She sighs, pushing it to the back of her mind, and climbs out of the tub. Rayne wraps herself in a clean silky robe hanging on the wall. She steps out of the bathroom just in time for a small knock on the bedroom door.

"Come in." she calls. The door swings open and a young maid enters with her head down.

"Miss," she begins, "Master Drake asked that I collect your measurements."

"Measurements?" Rayne puzzles.

"Yes Miss, for your garments." The young maid explains.

"Oh okay." She replies, still unsure of what she means but too embarrassed to ask again. The young woman comes forward, extending a long tape in various directions across Rayne's body and writing something down on a pad of paper. Rayne stands in a cross-like position while peaking down at the girl working below her. Her tight black curls poke out from under her white bonnet which stands out against her dark skin. She works quietly and diligently, never looking Rayne in the eyes as to not be disrespectful. "What's your name?" Rayne asks her.

"Zadie, Miss." She replies while continuing to work.

"That's a beautiful name." Rayne answers, "You can call me Rayne." She says.

"Oh, no Miss, I'm just the help, I could never address you by you…"

"No, please, I insist. I'm not anybody special." Rayne says smiling. The girl looks up at her, meeting her gaze with caramel colored eyes.

"You're a friend of Master Drake." She says quietly.

"No, I hardly know him. I was actually hoping I could ask you some questions about him?" Rayne asks sweetly. The young woman nods. "What is he like to you guys? The help that is." She inquires.

"He is fair. He's not like other vampires. We are very lucky to work for him and not a different household, and everybody knows that to be true." Zadie replies, continuing to measure Rayne.

"So, he's never hurt any of you?" Rayne continues. Zadie shakes her head.

"No. I even saw someone steal from him once and he let her keep the vase when he fired her. It was very expensive. Any other vampire would have cut her hand off or worse." She answers. Rayne's eyes widen at the thought of what "worse" could mean.

"Does he bring humans home a lot? Like me?" she asks. The young woman purses her lips as she ponders the question.

"You know, once I saw him bring a woman and her two kids here for a few weeks until he got them a house. He's very generous, he gives cabins to his help for themselves and their family. They're small but it's more than anyone else would ever do for mere servants." The girl praises. Rayne smiles thinking about Drake's compassion. Zadie finishes and stands. "Can I get you anything else Miss?" she asks.

"Rayne." Rayne corrects. The girl smiles.

"Right, Rayne." She repeats. Rayne grins back to her.

"Actually yes, do you mind helping me light the fireplace? I'm embarrassed to admit I've never used one before." She asks. Zadie nods and lights the logs, setting them ablaze. She waits a few minutes then pulls some hot coals out, placing them in the bed warmer which she puts between the plush blankets on the bed.

"That should keep you nice and toasty Mi…um, Rayne." She says smiling.

"Thank you so much." Rayne replies. They curtsey to each other and Zadie leaves, shutting the door. Rayne crawls into the massive, puffy bed, pulling the dense blankets over her. She sinks deep into the silky mattress and pillows. The heat from bed warmer and fireplace makes her tired and cozy and she falls asleep quickly.

A small knock at the door wakes Rayne from her slumber. She peers around the large unfamiliar room before remembering she's at Drake's house. She crawls from the bed and stretches, feeling more relaxed than she can ever remember.

'The luxuries of wealth really do make a difference.' She thinks to herself. The person waiting at the door knocks again. "Come in." Rayne calls, adjusting her robe. The door opens and Walter enters.

"Miss Rayne," he begins, bowing to her, "Master Drake asked me to see how you're feeling?"

"I feel amazing, thank you." She answers sweetly.

"Perhaps you would like to join him for dinner then?" he continues.

"Oh my gods, dinner?" Rayne gasps, "I slept that long?!" Walter chuckles.

"It's quite alright Miss." He assures, "I'm sure it was much needed. Besides, Master Drake stays awake all night anyways." He flashes a friendly smile. "So, will you be dining with him?" Walter asks again. Rayne's stomach grumbles at the mention of food. She nods and Walter smiles. "Good." He says. He snaps his fingers and Zadie and another elderly maid arrive carrying stacks of folded clothing. They approach Walter and hold them out to him, staring down the whole time and not saying a word. He looks over the piles of fabric before grabbing a piece out of the middle of one of the stacks. "Now Miss," he begins.

"Please, just call me Rayne." She interrupts. Walter's face purses with uncertainty.

"Very well, Rayne," he continues, "all of these are yours to keep and to choose from, but I personally think this garment would look lovely on you." He pinches the outfit with his fingers and pulls it up so that it unfolds in front of her. The navy-blue fabric opens to display a beautiful gown. Rayne's eyes widen at the sight of a dress so beautiful. This piece alone had to cost more than her entire wardrobe at home. She glances at the bag of outfits she brought with her that sits on the floor behind Walter.

"I really appreciate it, but he doesn't have to do that. I brought some of my own stuff." Says Rayne, trying to be humble. Walter follows her gaze to the bag behind him containing her old rags.

"Of course." He says, nodding to her, "Either way, he has no use for these. They are yours if you'll have them." He motions with his head to the maids who hustle past him and lay the stacks of clothing on the bed. Zadie takes the blue dress from Walter and folds it neatly. The two leave the room without ever looking away from their feet. "I will be right outside to show you to the dining room whenever you're ready." He bows and leaves, closing the doors behind him.

Rayne walks over to the stacks of clothing on her bed and runs her hand across the expensive fabric. She unfolds the blue dress again, sprawling it open on the bed. She grabs one of her old ratty dresses and does the same. Next to this beautiful garment her old outfit looks like something you would clean the floors with.

'It would be kind of rude not to at least wear it…' Rayne thinks, trying to convince herself, 'and I don't have to keep them.' She decides. She grabs a chemise and some stockings from the dresser and pulls them on. She slips the long blue dress over her head, letting its heavy fabric drape over her. It fits Rayne perfectly since Drake had them specifically tailored for her. Rayne looks at herself in the tall oval mirror. She draws the white laces on the front of her torso tight, tying them at the top. The dress pulls in closely, accentuating her slim curves. She tugs it up, trying to cover herself as it's lower than she's used to, and she feels exposed with the top of her cleavage poking out. The sleeves are tight on her arms until her elbow where they open wide and flow freely. The deep blue fabric has sparkles that shimmer in the light when she moves.

Rayne combs her hair, her loose curls reform instantly after the teeth run through them. She pinches her cheeks for some color and slips on her old black boots before opening the bedroom doors and stepping out. Walter waits patiently down the hall and rushes over upon seeing her.

"Oh lovely, you decided to wear it after all!" he exclaims excitedly, "Master Drake will be delighted, it truly does look remarkable on you." He says making Rayne blush.

"Thank you, Walter." She replies, smiling. Walter grins and nods.

"Please, right this way." He motions for her to follow and turns on his heel, leading her down the long hallway. Their shoes clink on the marble floors which echoes through the large open corridor. They walk a short distance to a wide archway which leads to the dining room. Walter stops and steps to the side, showing Rayne through with his hand. Rayne walks in to see Drake sitting at the end of a long polished wooden table. A tall golden vase full of luscious peonies sits in the middle. He stands when he sees Rayne enter the room. She walks over shyly, and he meets her halfway. He stares at her intensely with his deep black eyes. A genuine smile rests on his thin lips.

"Rayne…" he begins, his voice making her heart flutter, "you look so beautiful."