Chapter 48: Waking up Alone

When Lavinia woke up, it took her a moment to realize where she was. The heavy drapes around the bed blocked out all the light from the open window, leaving her almost entirely in darkness. She reached out, her hand brushing Isaac’s pillow. Empty.

Lavinia rolled over, turning onto her side. Isaac was gone. She sat up, pulling the curtains aside to look out into the bedroom. The door to the room was open and cold air rushed in. She pulled the comforter tightly around herself, trying to maintain the little bit of warmth still left.

It was Isaac’s room. They were back at the manor. For all the horror she had experienced within these walls she could not stop the thought that she was home. For a moment she sat there, wrapped in the warmth of belonging. She wished that Isaac were there to share the moment, so that she could tell him that his room finally felt welcome.

But the cold from the door had started to curl around her, creeping into the open side of the bed. Isaac’s absence suddenly became a jarring fact. Where was he? If he was not here, he must be somewhere else in the manor.

Lavinia leapt to her feet. She pulled a dressing gown from Isaac’s armoire and put it on, fastening it tightly. She stepped out into the hallway, finding it empty. She paced down the hall, standing at the top of the large curved staircase. There was no sound downstairs, but as she lingered she could make out the faint sound of footsteps behind her. She turned and saw Sonia shuffling towards her. Her hair was tied up messily, her frizzy curls sticking up in all directions and her borrowed night dress was far too short. She had one of Arabella’s robes wrapped haphazardly around her.

“Have they come back yet?” she asked.

Lavinia did not respond.

“Isaac came to our door earlier this morning and told Arabella to come with him.”

“He was gone when I woke up.”

“Arabella was worried all night,” Sonia said. “She was scared about having to face her mother today.”

“Understandable. Have you met the woman?

Sonia shook her head and Lavinia smiled sadly.

“She is a piece of work. She-”

A loud crash interrupted her. Without hesitation, Lavinia tore down the stairs. Her hand grazed along the railing, trying to keep herself from tripping over her skirt. On instinct, she ran towards the library. She paused outside the door, pressing her ear against the keyhole.

“-unimaginably foolish. You have ruined this family’s name.” Mrs. Astor’s voice was sharp and clear, obviously enraged. “You could have created a union between us and the Brogans. You could have expanded our empire and elevated our name. Instead, you have decided to start a war.”

“Mother-”

“Quiet, Arabella. Do you think massacring their children will foster a good relationship? You have decided to ruin us.”

“They weren’t massacred. Isaac did not kill any-”

“Oh, I have not even started on him. He, instead of choosing any acceptable bride that I had brought to him, has picked some insignificant human. Apparently he has decided that his own petty desires are worth more than this family and more than his position in this empire.”

The loud scraping sound of an armchair made Lavinia jump back from the keyhole. Sonia knelt beside, having taken her time on the stairs. Lavinia put her finger to her lips, motioning for her to stay quiet.

“I will be removing you from the company’s deed. You will never have to worry about the burden of this company again. I wrest your future from you. Cyril will take your place.”

“He has no claim to this company,” said Isaac.

Despite the tension in his voice, Lavinia could not help but feel more relaxed knowing that he was on the other side of the door. Sonia started to reach for the doorknob but Lavinia pushed her hand down.

“Not yet,” she whispered. “Hold on.”

“No, he has not claim. Yet.” The click of Mrs. Astor’s heels echoed on the wooden floor, tracking her steps away from the door. “He will marry Arabella and become my successor.”

“Sorry- if everyone could stop trying to marry me, that would be lovely. I am a person and do have the ability to develop my own feelings, thank you.”

“I am well aware of this. You think I can’t smell that mangy redhead you brought home? You cannot be trusted, either of you. You won’t need to worry about making choices anymore.”

Sonia became stiff, a growl rising in her chest. She started unlacing the bodice of her dress, preparing to transform.

“Sonia, no,” she hissed. “We can’t just burst in. We’ll be-”

“Something very bad is about to happen. We need to help them.” Sonia stood up, trying the doorknob. Locked. Sonia took two quick steps back, then kicked the door in. The wood shattered under her foot. Lavinia followed her into the room. Cyril stood in the corner, arms crossed. Mrs. Astor was bent over her two children, sitting close together on the leather sofa. She had her hands rested on both of their faces, her own eyes white. Lavinia recognized that expression. She was about to put both of them under her thrall.