Chapter Five: Visiting Hours

Being reconciled to Alexia was a comfortable first step. But he was curious about her, and very much interested in furthering their relationship beyond that of an infrequent acquaintance. And that presented a bit of difficulty.

There was no possibility that he might call upon her in daylight hours. He slept through most of them anyway, as a matter of course. Most supernaturals did.

Alexia's age made visiting her in the evenings a bit of a problem as well. A young woman of age might entertain an unconventional visitor or two on her own account, but at 17, Alexia was not yet old enough for that. Preferably, she would need to be an adult of 18 years or older, or a confirmed spinster, before he might safely entertain such notions. Certainly before she would gain the independence necessary. At 17, Alexia was likely still under her mother and step-father's guardianship, and thus unable to make such decisions. And he doubted the Loontwills would approve of him visiting.

He entertained the idea of sending a card around anyway, just to judge what would happen, then discarded it. He had no wish to endanger Alexia's honor and respectability. And even he was not completely immune to the dangers of overstepping one's bounds in polite society. Furthermore, he had no logical reason for such a gesture. He did not take female drones as a matter of both preference and necessity, in accordance with his relationships with the hives. He did not desire Alexia Tarabotti as a partner of any sort. Thus, the usual sort of leeway which might exist for a courting couple, or for a rove and his drone, was utterly unacceptable in this situation.

Added to that, he did not wish to bring too much attention to Alexia. She was clearly uncomfortable with her status as a preternatural (he didn't blame her in the least), and if she was taking pains to keep it quiet, then he could do no less than follow her lead.

He consoled himself that it was the Season in London. Given that, he would only need to follow news of where the debutantes were appearing, and he would likely find Alexia, attending as her sister's chaperone.

Getting the schedule for the Season in London was an easy matter. He kept up with it as a matter of course, to follow those young men whom he thought might be worth cultivating as drones. The social calendar for the ladies was often a mirror to that of the young men, and thus fairly easy to keep track of. Nonetheless, he dispatched two or three of his more discreet drones to ascertain what gossip was around the Loontwills. After all, each social class had their own special engagements, and there were some circles that he did not frequent that a man of Squire Lontwill's station would.

Then, of course, there was the matter of his own social calendar. Intriguing as Alexia was, it would not do to let his other special projects lie. He had a reputation to uphold and an image to maintain. He would need to balance his cultivation of Alexia with his other affairs. Following and setting fashion trends, keeping up with his sources for gossip and, more importantly, information. Also the cultivation of any new drones. He'd spotted a young man who looked to have a bit of Spanish blood in him, and seemed quite promising. A Rabiffiano de Sandalino, though he hadn't arranged a proper introduction with the lad just yet.

Fortunately, it was still early in the Season. Early enough that he had room to alter his calendar to better suit all his interests. He had hopes that, by the end of the Season, he might have formed a more certain arrangement with the young Miss Tarabotti.

To that end, he invited himself, three nights later, to the party hosted by the Squire of Fenbrook. The squire was of the more liberal sort, precisely the type who would welcome any and all comers to his soiree. Akeldama himself was a touch more outlandish than most of the Squire's guests, but that did not trouble him much. It certainly did not trouble the squire, who was more than pleased to have such a well-known member of the London social set in attendance.

As he had expected, the Loontwills were there. He thought of introducing himself to the squire and his lady, then decided against it. All reports said that they were rather more conservative than the host. Indeed, when Lady Loontwill spotted him, she looked rather discomfited just on principle.

He wondered, idly, if she had known what her husband was, and how an Italian, lord or otherwise, had managed to gain her affections long enough to produce a daughter. Perhaps it had been a matter of money, or prestige. Or perhaps it had been a matter arranged by other interested parties. It might have even been a sincere attachment of the heart, though he rather doubted that. Unless, of course, the lady's current sensibilities were a reaction to her previous entanglement.

He set the matter aside. It was old news, and he was not in the habit of collecting old news. Not unless there was some benefit to him, and the details of Lady Loontwill's previous amorous assignations did nothing for him. It was enough to know that she had produced such an engaging creature as Alexia.

He turned his attention to locating the object of his interest, and found her sitting in a chair by the wall on the far side of the dance floor. She was, as usual, alone, and looked utterly bored. Akeldama made his way politely toward her, and was delighted to see her countenance brighten as she noticed him.

"Lord Akeldama. It is a pleasure to see you this evening." She dipped into the polite curtsy that every young woman knew. He returned the courtesy with a bow. Here in public, he would not upset her by taking her hand. He straightened to find her regarding him with a quizzical expression, which she schooled to a polite smile when he met her eyes. "I confess, my lord, I did not picture this as the sort of event in which you might be interested."

He smirked. "La, my dear dewdrop, I have many interests. And as it happens, one must be quite versatile in order to reap the benefits of the Season." He winked at her, and had the joy of seeing her polite smile flow subtly into a genuine one. "Besides, dear Alexia, I had heard that you might be in attendance. And it simply would not do, darling, to deprive myself of your company for a single evening longer."

"I see. In that case, I am honored, Lord Akeldama."

He gestured to the dance floor. "You do look positively deprived, my dear. Do you wish to dance?"

That earned him a startled blink. "I am not a particularly gifted dancer my lord. Besides...I had thought..." She raised one hand in reminder.

He winked at her. "Worth daring, if you so wish, darling Alexia. Besides, it would be terribly entertaining, would it not? To see how people might react, should I appear in a human form. Can you not imagine the rumors, my sugarplum?" He smirked, and received an answering smirk in return.

"The rumors would indeed be astonishing, my lord. Alas...I do not think Mama would approve. And, I confess, I have been at pains to keep my peculiar talents from her notice. Mama does not approve of things that are not...just so. I fear that providing her with information of my unusual talent might cause her to restrict my activities more than I should like." The smile faltered.

"Ah. In that case, I shall procure some refreshments, and we shall talk, you and I." He bowed to her, then made his way back towards the refreshment area.

There was no champagne, which was a pity, but he did collect some tea for both of them, some lemon (he rather liked it, though most vampires found it too sharp for their senses) and some pastries for Alexia. He procured a tray from a servant and took the lot back to where Alexia had now claimed a seat to one side of the room.

"Here we are, dewdrop. I trust this will meet your standards?"

"I thank you." Alexia smiled. "This will suit quite well, my lord. Will you be joining me?"

"For the tea only, my dove." He poured the tea. Alexia added her own sugar and a twist of lemon, raising an eyebrow as he took the other lemon for his own.

"I did not think that your sort took lemon in their tea, Lord Akeldama."

He shot her a mischievous grin. "La, darling, most don't. But, as I've said before, I am not most supernaturals. And I refuse to let proper standards of conformity dictate my behavior." He tossed his head, and saw amusement sparkle in the dark eyes as Alexia hid a smile in her teacup.

"That is better. I quite prefer your smiles, my dear. The expression suits you, though solemnity does not harm you. But..." he gestured emphatically. "A flower such as yourself should not be so positively dour. Though I suspect your gravity comes from being a chaperone?"

Alexia sighed. "That is some of it, my lord. I confess, I am...envious. Mama did not think that it was worth the expense or the trouble of presenting me. She believes that between my complexion, my temperament and my paternal lineage, I am...was, unsuitable for presentation for an official Season."

"Then your mother, my flower, is blind. It is true that you are quite unconventional, but that does not detract from your charm. It only means that you will interest those who have a more refined appreciation of beauty and wit. And believe me, they will be the ones most worth accepting pursuit from." He set his cup down and put his finger to her chin, not touching but still close enough to bring her head around. "You may trust my word on that, dear Alexia." He smiled. "I am quite the authority on matters of refined and unconventional taste."

Her eyebrow rose as she studied his garments, and a small smile lifted the melancholy off her face. "Perhaps you are right, my lord." She didn't sound convinced, but at least she was smiling again.

He made a note to seek out potentially eligible young men who might appeal to her, or whom she might appeal to. Sadly, most of the young men he could recommend with certainty were drones, either of his household or another. On the other hand, he might see, discretely, if any of his boys would be willing to entertain her. Some of them were only interested in others of the masculine persuasion, but there were several more who found both sexes appealing. There were also lads he had cultivated as acquaintances who were not official drones, who might also be charmed by Alexia.

He would put out feelers among his network. Even if Alexia could not have a Season, she might appreciate the attentions of some sprightly lads now and again. And she deserved to be appreciated. It was truly a pity her own family had seen fit to relegate her to spinster status without giving her a chance to shine, as he was rather sure that, with proper encouragement, she would be magnificent. And with the right partner...she could be glorious.

And even if he could not find her a suitable match as a courting or marital partner, he would at least find her some company to make her life less dull.

On that note… "Alexia, darling, permit me a question that is a trifle...indiscreet?"

Alexia blinked. "You may ask, but I might choose not to answer."

"That is fair. I had only wondered...I should like to make more of an acquaintance between us than simple chance encounters at parties. However, my own limitations do make conventional visiting hours rather impossible. Now, I should not wish to impose, my primrose, and I certainly would not want to cause you any discord with your family, but I wonder if you might tell me what sort of freedoms you are permitted, in regards to visitors and the like?"

Alexia frowned and set her teacup down. "I am...I have not the means to live away from my mother's household, so I am expected to behave in a manner befitting a young lady. However, my father did leave some funds in trust for me. Mama has said that, once I have reached my majority on my next birthday, that I shall be permitted access to my inheritance, and a small allowance. And that I shall be permitted some freedoms of my own, in regards to visitors and expenditures, provided that I give her warning so that proper chaperones may be arranged." Her lips pursed, and her brow puckered slightly. "I have promised to obey Mama's rules, for the most part, but...I have sometimes wanted more freedom than was offered, and have often persuaded my Butler, Floote, to permit me extra liberties."

Floote. He knew that name. He had heard it in conjunction with something else…the reference escaped him, and he set the matter aside. It was not of immediate importance. He tapped one nail against the cup. "You have said that your mother does not approve of association with the supernatural set, have you not? So she would then not approve of me calling on you at your house?"

"She would not. And not only because of your supernatural inclinations." A small smile played across Alexia's lips. "I believe you are altogether too unconventional for her taste, even were you a mere mortal."

"Now that truly is of no matter to me." He shrugged. "However, I shall not make things difficult for you, my dear. So we shall wait until your birthday before introducing me to your mother's household. However, perhaps we might arrange some meetings in other locations? I do not think it wise to bring you to my house, just at present. But I do know some delightful places where we would be remarkably undisturbed. And there are always places such as the Park, where everyone is there and no one notices anyone."

Alexia relaxed into a true smile, looking much younger. "I should like that, my lord." She considered. "There are...mama does let me go shopping alone. My particular tastes and hers do not coincide. And Floote would not say anything, if I were to meet someone else. I also take walks alone quite frequently. Mama frets, but I have assured her it is quite safe, and I am in no danger."

"Well you certainly have nothing to fear from either of the supernatural sets. But I should think you would be more mindful of human dangers, my dove."

"I am. I do take care to arm myself." A smile curved Alexia's mouth, eyes glinting with mischief. "If a meeting outside of Mama's watchful eye and the Society scene can be arranged, I would be delighted to show you."

"Ah. I look forward to it." He finished his tea. Alexia had already finished hers. He took both cups and stood. "This will take some planning, my dear, but I shall have it all arranged within the fortnight. However, I fear I must take my leave of you for this evening." He tipped her a bow, followed by a grin that caught one edge of his fangs as he winked at her. "Until next time, lovely Alexia."

"Until next time, my lord." She dipped her head in response.

Akeldama took the tray with him until he found a servant to give it to. Then he made his excuses to Squire Fenbrook and took his leave.

This would take some planning indeed. Not only for meetings, but arranging suitable companionship for Alexia when he was not available.

Akeldama smiled as he stepped into his carriage. He had always enjoyed a challenge, to liven up the monotony of Season after Season. And he did love matchmaking, though he rarely had an opportunity to put his finely honed skills into play. Particularly in a manner that required such subtlety from him. But subtlety Alexia would require, if he was to avoid offending her pride.

All in all, it was shaping up to be the most interesting Season he'd had in years.

Author's Note: Just a little interlude. But next time we'll see some fun.

After all, a certain BUR Representative hasn't yet figured out Alexia's nature...