A visitation Shrouded

Once the carriage began rolling, Hugh sought Matilda's hands. Once their hands found each other, he brought her hand to his lips, giving it a delicate kiss.

Matilda's face flushed. A warm sensation trickled throughout her body.

Their love was so obvious. The shadows inside the carriage usually offered some moments of privacy, and they frequently took full advantage.

Suddenly, the carriage jolted forward, tossing Matilda across Hugh, her bodice spilling over his lap.

Hugh delighted at her accidental pose. "We should have just stayed home. That position is almost pleasurable."

"Hugh, you intolerable dog!" Matilda shrieked. She tried to pull herself up by pressing her hands down on his thighs. The carriage jerked again, and Matilda flopped back down, her chin catching his sensitive area of the male anatomy.

Hugh's eyes widened. He opened his mouth in hopes of yelling, but only silence escaped. Hugh went to cup his private area, but ended up cupping the back of Matilda's head.

Distressed over the sudden bumps, Benjamin pulled on the reins and the horses quickly halted the carriage. His heart pounded as he climbed down from his bench and rushed to the carriage door. Thankfully, Benjamin knocked for permission to inquire. "Hello, is everything okay in there? Should I open . . . "

Matilda's attention quickly turned toward the wooden blue and brown carriage door. "No, for the love of God, do not open the door!" Did she manage to conceal her panic? This would be quite the scandal, Matilda thought, still wincing at the idea.

Drivers of other carriages pulled up behind them. "Do you need any help? You need to get a move on!" they shouted.

Benjamin backed away from the door slowly as he lifted his hand in apology. He returned to the front of the carriage.

"Hugh," Matilda spoke as she clung to the far side of the carriage to scramble up. Her look to Hugh revealed her enduring concern.

"Matilda, I am fine," Hugh spoke, still not in control of his usually appealing voice.

The carriage jolted forward, and Hugh gritted his teeth. Evidently he was still not in control of some serious pain either.

Matilda watched Hugh, her lips pursed as though she felt his pain also. "Are you sure you are fine?" she said sympathetically.

"Yes," he squeaked.

The rest of the carriage ride had no more disasters or moments.

Hugh peeked out from the carriage's side window as they pulled up to a gate. A massive iron "J" in a circle stood firmly above the black iron bars. The gates creaked open, and Benjamin nodded to the people manning them.

Matilda peeked out through the window on the opposite side. She sighed, feeling some disappointment. "Not much on my side, just the usual, a few people going about their daily business." She sighed again.

The carriage pulled through the gates and the horses trotted up a winding path until a massive manor came into view. White columns overshadowed a grand wooden staircase.

Benjamin looked up in awe. "I am impressed to work at Larkin Manor, but this is something else entirely," he muttered under his breath. He continued to admire the mansion, then noticed someone at a window.

Viola peeked through the delicate white curtains that lined her small sitting room windows. She wearily eyed the well-maintained carriage arriving out front. Obviously someone of distinction, she thought. "Billy, put on a pot of tea. Be quick, we have an unannounced guest. Hopefully my day is about to become more interesting."

An older man stood behind her, attempting to peer over her shoulder at the mysterious guest. He bowed, then quickly left the room to fetch tea.

Viola spun away from the window in a rush. She collided into a settee, stubbing her toe. She sank down, whimpering, as she tried to grab her bare foot. "Oh, damn it all!" Her cheeks flushed. "Billy!" Viola called out.

"Getting the tea, Madam," Billy replied, barely audible from the back of the house.

Exasperated, a hunched-over Viola limped from her small sitting room out into the foyer. She turned toward the front entryway, but suddenly fell flat on the floor while attempting to rub her aching foot. She managed to rise, then balancing herself, she tried to shake out the pain. She wished she had waited to send Billy away.

Viola limped, still in a hunched-over position, to the front door, every so often trying to touch her back, which hurt, too. "I'm a complete mess," she told herself out loud, "not becoming of the lady of the house at all." Viola hissed uncomfortably. "Ow," she moaned, struggling.

Benjamin pulled the horses to a stop.

Once Hugh felt the jerky movement of the carriage stop, he opened his door and stepped down. He walked with care around to Matilda's side.

Matilda popped open her door. Hugh held out his hand to her and she took it, gracefully alighting from the carriage. They soon were on equal ground, staring into each other's eyes.

Hugh squeezed her hand, then released it.

Matilda walked around the carriage to the stairs.

Hugh followed behind her, admiring the well-formed frame he had married. He turned around and called out to Benjamin. "Stay here. We will not be long!"

Benjamin nodded.

Viola opened her front door, mustering up a manufactured smile. "Matilda, oh, and you brought your husband. What is the occasion?" She stepped outside, still holding her back.

Matilda's eyes widened. She inhaled a sharp breath at the sight of Viola. "Oh, my lands!" Matilda rushed to help Viola, attempting to grab her arm.

Viola pulled away, shaking her head. "Fell down the stairs. No need for such a fuss," she quipped, shrugging off Matilda's concern for her well-being.

"Please, allow me to help you." Matilda reached her hands out to Viola again.

Hugh came up the stairs and immediately was taken aback by Viola's state of dress. "Is this a bad time?" he questioned her.

Viola turned around to face the doorway again. "I am afraid no time is a good time," she replied not too pleasantly and still frowning.

Hugh shrugged for a moment and then straightened himself back up. "I do apologize for the inconvenience, but I am afraid we must intrude."

Viola wobbled inside to the entranceway. "Then intrude away. Besides I already had Billy put the tea on. And Matilda," Viola turned her head to look at her, "please do not help me. I can manage on my own." She whipped her head around, grimacing. Once she entered the foyer, Viola forced herself to stand up straight. She groaned and whimpered. "Come in, you know where I receive guests, Matilda. You have been here many times."

Viola limped back to her sitting room and sat down on the settee.