10 Chapter Nine

Throughout the Viscountess' stay, there had been many rumors about her circulating around the estate. It was so bad to the point where even Caroline had begun to hear them. Some were quite frankly ridiculous, like the rumor that she bathed in the blood of children to stay young or would transform into a wolf on the night of a full moon.

Others were more realistic; the most popular rumor, both with the servants as well as high society, was that the Viscountess had killed her husband in cold blood. A few weeks after the Viscountess' son, Jeremy, had been born, the Viscount was found dead. He had been stabbed through the heart in his own bedchamber. Since he passed, the Viscountess was given control of his estate until her son came of age.

After seeing the Viscountess distraught the night before, Caroline had chosen to not believe in these rumors and vowed to put them to rest whenever she heard someone speak of them. So when she heard two maids gossiping before her lesson, she scolded them.

“Did you hear about the Viscountess?” The younger of the two asks.

“About her being a vampire-”

“No, now people are saying that she killed the Viscount in some kind of ritual.”

“A ritual?”

“Ladies,” Caroline says firmly, “shouldn't you get back to work?”

The two maids, who had not noticed Caroline’s presence until now, stiffen up upon hearing her voice. They turn to face her. “We’re on break-”

“Lady Boushley, you're late.” The Viscountess calls to her from down the hall.

“Give me a second, I was having a talk with-” Caroline turns to motion towards the maids, but the two scampered down the hall as soon as they had noticed the Viscountess' presence. She lets out a sigh, makes a mental note to reprimand them later if she passes by them again, and walks into the classroom.

Caroline and the Viscountess had worked on etiquette as they had the day before. In the midst of this, Caroline found herself ignoring the Viscountess' instruction, as worries of Caroline’s engagement crept up in the back of her mind.

"Caroline!"

"Ah yes-"

"Are your ears clogged, child?!" the Viscountess snorts. "I called you over four times."

"My apologies, my mind had begun to wander."

She shakes her head in disapproval, "Fine, fine just show me your curtsy."

Caroline nervously grabs her gown and bends her head as she lowers herself a few inches. As she raises her head she notices the Viscountess' relaxed expression; noticing Caroline's stare, the Viscountess’ mouth returns to its usual scorn.

"Hm, that actually wasn't too bad."

"Thank you, Vis-"

"Don't get ahead of yourself now. It still needs some work."

Despite the Viscountess comment, Caroline couldn’t help but smile. The two had grown closer since their instruction began. Although Caroline had never known a mother, the Viscountess had taken over the role of a maternal figure. Caroline had even begun to look forward to these lessons; sadly the Count would soon return, and the two would have to part ways. The Viscountess was not even scheduled to stay for the wedding.