RUN AWAY

This novel is exclusive to Web Novel, if you find it posted other than this website please contact me through the chapter comments. Thank you.

She shook her head. "I'll pass on the tea. How about water?" Rose was not in the mood to be ill again. She could not see what was in the teapot, but the pitcher was clear and made of crystal, and she knew what was in it.

"I know you are nervous, Rose, but I made the tea. There is nothing in there. If you would like, I will pour it for you"

Dante picked up the hot tea and poured a cup for Rose with sugar and cream. He handed it over. She took a sip. He had made Earl Grey tea. She could smell lavender and a hint of citrus from the bergamot. It tasted light and delicious on her lips.

"Thank you, Dante."

"You're welcome, darling girl." Her smile was gentle and sweet at his words to her. They sat in the room and ate quietly. It was a pleasant break after the recent excitement of the past few days.

Dante posed a question to Rose after the servants cleared the dishes and left the room. "Why did you lie to Giselle?"

Rose quirked her head in question. "I'm not sure of what you speak."

"The flowers, my child. Why did you lie about where they came from? Be careful with how you answer me, Rose. I can tell when a person is being dishonest, especially you." Dante observed Rose as she formed her answer. Not that he could read minds. It was the necklace that gave Rose's emotions away. He picked up the deceit from the jewels.

"I did not lie. I omitted a theory because I'm not sure." She gauged the Count as he listened to her.

"Then what is your theory, my dear?" Dante asked.

Rose sighed. They may have come from Christopher Thorn.

"I believe you are right. What made you come to that conclusion?"

Rose explained, "The type of flowers and plants used. He is the only one I know that owes me that type of apology."

"Do you or would you accept his apology?" The Count was more than interested in her answer.

"I don't know." Rose wanted to ensure that she was clear with Dante about her feelings and transparent with her answers.

"I see, so you are unsure of Lord Thorn's intentions. The man who tried to kill you with his sword. You know he is dangerous and will not have a problem annihilating you, darling. Yet, you are uncertain. Is that what I'm to understand?" Dante was becoming short with his remarks to Rose; she could sense hostility in his voice.

"I have not spoken with the man, so I do not know his intentions. I'm feeling irritated with your questions, Dante." She was blunt and to the point. "I do not want to discuss Christopher Thorn or the flowers further. I'm tired and would like to return to my room." She did not wait for him to speak again. Rose left Dante's room and took the cat and belongings with her. She padded down the hall to her suite.

When she reached her room, she shut the door and sat on the floor with her back leaning against the door. She held Oscar and patted his soft fur. Rose leaned her head against her knees. "I don't want to be involved in his feuds with others." She mumbled to Oscar. He rubbed his head in her hands and purred.

A loud knock came from her door as Rose pondered the situation, making Oscar jump and scatter under the bed in fright. She already knew it was the Count.

"Rose! stop running away from me and finish this conversation."

He spoke in a demanding tone and banged harder on her door.

It was all she could stand of his volatile temper. Rose had already lived a life trapped like a bird in a cage, and she was not about to do it again. She did not want to give him the absolute answers he was looking for; she was still processing everything. Rose tossed the necklace on her bed, opened the window, and dropped to the ground. She ran and could hear the door crash in her room as she reached the woods.

Dante entered to find nothing but an empty space. He saw the open window and called for Giselle. "She has run. Get her back here now!" Giselle left the mansion to hunt down Rose.

The woods were thick and mucky. The fog and drizzle made it almost impossible for Rose to see where she was going, and she tumbled into a briar patch, scaring a fox who bolted from its den. She didn't know how long she had been in the woods, but she found a clearing on the other side. It was the cemetery where she had been buried. Rose strolled around the grave and mausoleum. She happened upon one that still had fresh flowers placed around it. The epitaph read, 'For My Beautiful Wife, Lilith Thorn' reading the crypt made her realize that Lord Thorn had recently lost his wife and must be hurting. "How sad for him to lose his young wife," she muttered.

Rose walked up the hill and followed a muddy, rutted path as it led up to the Thorn Estate. She ambled to the back of the mansion and saw an enormous conservatory. She could tell it was severely neglected and had not been touched in some time. Scarlette Rose knew better than to stay, but the overlooked plants were too tempting. She didn't want to return to Dragonwood and didn't care if Christopher caught her. Rose would be better off if he did.

~~~

Milord, I asked you to be careful. I can't consider you thought it was okay to ride a horse with new stitches. And you, Jackson Taylor! You should know better. Why didn't you stop him? I cannot believe the two of you. Lucy was chiding Christopher and Jackson over the ripped stitches in his thigh. She was busily sewing him back up and ranting at the same time. Lucy was the only person in the world who got away with talking to Lord Thorn the way she did.

Jackson raised his hands in surrender and walked backward from the angry maid. "I tried to tell him, and he was insistent he'd be okay." "I think this is my cue to go back to the stables." The stable master left as fast as he could before Lucy could berate him further. Jackson gave Christopher a look over his shoulder, saying you are on your own, friend.

"I'm sorry, Lucy. I didn't think it would cause a problem. Please don't be mad." Christopher apologized to the maid. The Lord felt terrible that she had to fix his wound again. He had promised her to be careful, and The Lord knew the young maid cared for his health and safety. He was well aware of what would happen if he rode a horse in his condition.

As Christopher lay on the bed waiting for Lucy to finish suturing his leg closed, He perceived something eerie entering the estate. Christopher had felt it that day in the cemetery. It was Rose; he was sensing. She had come back.

Once Lucy was gone, and no one was watching, Christopher wandered outside to the garden. He walked to the conservatory, and what he saw inside made his heart skip. A young girl wearing a nightdress and no shoes in his greenhouse. She was standing right in front of him. It was Scarlette Rose, the vampire he was chasing.

He sat on the bench in the garden and watched Red as she strolled about the greenhouse. The Lord was in no shape to pursue or fight her, and Jackson was not near enough to alert. He stopped and silently observe the beautiful woman.

Rose was looking at all the plants. She sauntered around, pruning and watering the greenery. The girl looked happy and comfortable inside his conservatory. She sang beautifully while she worked. It seemed like a place Rose was at peace. Lord Thorn sat quietly and watched her for hours. He was taken aback by her sweet nature and loveliness. He wondered how someone so precious could be wicked. Rose left once the sun set; Christopher followed her to the edge of the woods and watched her vanish.

He would have followed her, but he had to return to the estate to prepare for the New Year celebrations. It was a necessary evil of being a London businessman, but he wasn't much in the mood to celebrate. He needed to be dressed, ready to visit and socialize with the London elite, and ring in the New Year with friends.