Shortly after my confession, I gained a suitor. Mummy said it was a perfect wonder that I had a young gentleman after me, what with me being all skin and bones, and not taking care of myself like a proper young lady. That much was true. I never bothered much with pretty things back then. They were such trivial matter for a girl who spent her time wondering if she was the child of the Devil. And after Daddy died, socializing with other men was never of much interest. The local boys were nice, but none could make me feel like a princess, like my daddy did. But Miss Edith and me had a grand time by ourselves, we did.
I ran into him on the street, walking home from evening mass.
"Good evening, madam," he said smoothly, stepping into my path.
"Excuse me sir, I must be on my way," I said quickly, moving past him.
"Won't you allow me to introduce myself?" he said, catching my hand. "My name is Angel and I am at your service, madam." He raised my hand to his lips and kissed it softly. Like a honeybee to a flower, it was. Angel always did know how to turn a girl's head.
I blushed deeply, and spoke. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir."
"You're leaving me in suspense while I wait eagerly to learn the name of such a blushing flower," Angel said.
"Miss Drusilla Edenton, sir, if you please."
"Drusilla…" he said softly, as he leaned in closer.
I stood mesmerized. His eyes. His voice was so familiar and comforting, like the word of the God to a bowed head. I blushed again, ashamed at myself for such a blasphemous thought. And I had just the other day promised to strive for purity. Bad girl. I pulled my eyes away with great effort.
"I'd thank you, sir, not to be using my Christian name with such liberty. We've only just met," I stammered, and began walking away again.
He fell into step with me. "Begging your pardon, madam," he said, "I can be bit forward at times. The only excuse I have is that your beauty has blinded me to matters of propriety." We had come to the doorway of my building, and I stopped to look up at him. "I was wondering if you'd do me the honor of accompanying me to the ballet tomorrow evening?" he asked.
"A dance? Oh, I'd love to," I cried, clapping my hands in delight. Then, struggling to regain my composure, "If mummy says it's all right, of course."
"Ask her nicely for me," he said, looking down at me.
"Are you bloody coming or not?" a strong voice shouted out of the shadows, its owner appearing from the alleyway. "Some of us would like to eat tonight." My Spike. He could never abide an empty stomach. Sometimes I would feed him piece by piece from my kill to tease him with his hunger. Those were good times. But at the time of this story, I didn't know him yet.
"Just a minute, Spike. Can't you see I'm somewhat busy here?" Angel called back tensely.
The strange man leaned against the wall and lit some tobacco, staring at us. I peered at him, but could only make out his thin, tall frame against the London fog.
"Who's that man?" I asked.
"Just a business associate."
"Oh." I readily accepted his word. Little innocent lamb, I was.
"So, I'll be here to pick you up tomorrow night. That sound about right to you?"
"Yes, that sounds lovely," I breathed. He kissed my hand again and went to meet the other man. As they walked away, I stood at the door, looking after them. The thin man looked back once before they disappeared into the night.
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