Gabriel went back to Cooke Street. He immediately decided that, without Joan around, the place was boring, cold, and unhappy. Or perhaps that was just him without her. Maybe his attitude was reflected in the state of the house.
Gabriel shook himself, and went to his study, knowing he was being ridiculous. He had the whole day ahead of him, until about four o’clock, which was when he needed to head over to Myles’ enormous manor house, where the ball was being held, upon the King’s insistence, as Myles could better protect his son in the place he knew best, his own home, which just as beautiful, if not more modern, than the royal palace itself. It was also far easier to navigate than the cold, winding hallways in the palace, which were maddeningly identical.
This got Gabriel thinking about the King, of course. Thankfully, the current monarch had been accepting of Myles and Gabriel’s presence there as keepers of the peace between their two peoples, though few knew of the Locke brothers’ true identity.
Myles thought of himself and his brother as defenders of justice, but Gabriel really just liked solving problems. Although perhaps Joan was right, maybe solving crimes was his way of caring for people…Gabriel decided that he’d gone soft, but that it didn’t matter to him anymore.
Perhaps being soft wasn’t a bad thing.
Joan wouldn’t want him if he was anything but kind, and he’d slowly come to realize that what Joan wanted mattered more to him than anything else. But…if he was so attached to her, surely she ought to be one of the few people that knew who he truly was.
Of course, it would be a proper shock to her, finding out that the man she had grown accustomed to wasn’t actually Gabriel’s proper physical form…But she was an intelligent woman, and would eventually accept his deceit as something that had been necessary, he hoped, as it allowed him to pass rather unnoticed amongst human society, whereas his true appearance would had caused a ruckus no matter where he went. Both he and Myles would have been in that situation, in fact…Myles just chose to hide himself differently, and used glamours every day, since he liked being able to sleep in his own form, and typically had far more privacy than Gabriel did.
Gabriel, on the other hand, had opted for a far more permanent disguise, and had chosen to use a spell, which Myles himself had cast, to bind himself to this form for long periods of time so that he didn’t have to deal with the nuisance of putting on glamours everyday. There was also always the chance, when you used glamours instead of a long-term disguise spell, that you might forget to put the glamour on one day before letting someone else see you.
A sharp pain shot up Gabriel’s spine, and he fell to the floor, knees slamming against the ground. Gritting his teeth, he waited out the pain, which was mercifully short. It appeared that the spell was slowly coming undone. It probably was about time, too, this one had already lasted longer than Gabriel had expected it to. The pain subsided, and he stood once more, then went over to his wardrobe to retrieve his new suit, which needed ironing.
Myles would soon have to touch up the disguise spell so that it could last another couple decades or so…Of course, they would have to move homes and change their names. Gabriel would also have to have Myles alter the way the spell made him look, so that they could stay in the country.
They’d moved around Averah many times in the five hundred years they’d been here. King after king had come and gone, and as each one took the throne, Myles and Gabriel had been there, each time with a new guise, an introduction from the previous human king, as well as their own king, telling of their presence in Averah, and how it was beneficial for the king and his country, if the brothers were allowed to stay, and they’d never been turned away once…Myles was a little frightening, after all, which probably had something to do with it.
That thought caused Gabriel to chuckle aloud to himself.
They’d have to move on soon, though. He’d been in the house on Cooke Street for ten years now, had been in this specific body for something close to thirty, and had been Mrs. Hudson’s employer for close to thirty as well.
It saddened him to know that he would have to leave Mrs. Hudson behind during his next move, she’d been a good friend for those thirty years, and had kept the three houses that he’d been in, the Cooke Street one included, in excellent condition. She’d kept him well-fed and looked after as well. But his dear housekeeper didn’t know of his true nature, and wouldn’t understand if he came back one day and wasn’t the man that she knew as Sir Gabriel Locke. This was why he would send her a letter, extending her holiday leave to actual retirement, and send her a large sum of money regularly until she died. She was a dear friend now, so he aimed to see to it that she was comfortable for the rest of her life.
A frown stretched across Gabriel’s face as he ironed his suit pants.
Then there was the problem of Joan. He would not, no, he could not just leave her behind, as a memory that he was entirely too fond of.
She would have to come with him, and that required her to know the truth, the full truth, so that she wouldn’t be confused when he suddenly looked different. Maybe this time Myles would agree to make him look younger. Sure, looking younger made it more difficult for people to take him seriously, but he didn’t like looking ten years older than Joan, as it made them seem a bit mismatched, as a pair, as a couple…
Not that they were a couple. And…and maybe Myles would allow him a face that looked more like his own proper face, which was far more attractive than the visage he currently wore. After all, their people were known for their beauty…Yes, he would beg his older brother for those things on both knees, need be.
Joan deserved someone who looked closer to her age, and whose looks pleased her. Although she didn’t seem to mind the way he looked now, but he wanted to be more for her. She deserved only the best of everything. Gabriel was very aware that he wasn’t perfect, much less a particularly good man, given that he’d been lying to her about who he was for the whole time that they’d known one another…But at least he knew that he could be far more physically attractive, and if that was the only way he could make himself better for her, then he would definitely do what he could to facilitate that.
The detective finished ironing his suit, and inspected it. When he was certain that he’d done a satisfactory job, he laid the clothing out on his bed, lest it wrinkle.
His bones ached momentarily, drawing a gasp of pain before magic swelled in his body, and quieted his nerve endings. Yes, he would have to speak to Myles soon about fixing the spell.
Though it was causing him considerable discomfort every time it wavered, Gabriel estimated that he had a few weeks left before the spell started to come off completely, but that would give him plenty of time to get his affairs in order, purchase a new house, send a letter to Mrs. Hudson.
Joan also needed to be told the truth, the full truth, and convince her to come with him to his next home and identity. Once she knew everything, he would ask Myles to let her see his proper form before the next disguise spell was in place. Indeed, that meant Myles wouldn't have to wear his glamour around her anymore, if she knew the truth.
Gabriel hated that he could never stay in one place for very long, but any longer than ten years in one place, and his neighbors would definitely begin to notice that he didn’t age any. Of course, Myles was able to combat that just by making his glamours age appropriately, and then just eventually faking the departure, or death, of the person that he was pretending to be. Once he’d done that, he’d just reappear with a different glamour, as a new advisor to the King, literally his own replacement.
That’s how he was able to stay in the same place, with the same people. His brother was quite the actor. Although, admittedly, his most recent personality was the closest to his own actual one, cold and calculating. Gabriel preferred it when Myles acted as a man who actually cared about others, and was warm and kind. Even though they both knew it was a lie, it was somewhat comforting to Gabriel to see that side of his older brother, a side that may or may not actually exist.
A slight ache throbbed across his shoulders as he walked through his study, and left his quarters, meaning to find some lunch. It wasn’t an intense pain, so he was able to ignore it until it faded, as he’d been doing since the pains started, maybe about a month before, though the pain had slowly grown in intensity over time.
Gritting his teeth, Gabriel sipped his tea.
Joan wasn’t there, and it was lonely. The house was far, far happier with her in it.
The detective looked around the kitchen, feeling melancholic. He’d have to leave this place soon. He prayed Joan would accept the truth, and be willing to come with him.
Gabriel idly spoke aloud his worries, in his own language. Somehow, hearing the concerns voiced was comforting, like by telling the universe, he somehow wasn’t alone in his plight anymore.
Joan would have to learn his native tongue. The thought of her little voice speaking the words so dear to him warmed his soul, and caused him to grin stupidly.
Before he’d met her, this clear effect of sentiment would have infuriated him, that he’d allowed himself to become weak, but where she was concerned, he found that it was entirely acceptable to have sentiment, and that it felt like sentiment made him stronger, more resolute because he had to be strong for her.
Though she was a strong young woman, he could see it in her face, in her wide, dark eyes, that she wasn’t self-sufficient, she wanted someone’s support. He was wanted to be the person who offered her support so much that it caused almost an aching sensation in his chest…or maybe that was just more pain from the spell slowly coming off…Regardless, he was resolute in his decision that she must know the truth about who he was, and sooner rather than later.
--
I had never had a rose-petal-filled bubble bath, or a massage, or been waited on hand-and-foot before going to a salon. A girl could get used to that kind of treatment.
“Ms. Watson?” the maid, an older woman named Tina, who was attending me, asked.
“Yes?”
“Are you ready to put on your dress? It’s getting to be that time.” She told me, smiling.
“Oh, I guess so. It’s in the parcel over there…I never had the bravery to open it.”
“I’ll do that. You stay right there.”
“Alright.” I liked the huge, impossibly soft seat that I was in, swathed in a cloud-like bathrobe, in front of a gorgeous vanity mirror, which was covered with various hair-styling tools and makeup.
“Oh my goodness!” I heard Tina gasp. “This dress is one of Mrs. Widley’s new ones, isn’t it?”
“She designed it for me.” I couldn’t help but feel pleased by this.
“Oh you must have some sway in the dressmaking community for her to have designed a dress just for you!” Tina said admirably.
“Actually, it’s Gabriel who knows her, not me.” I told her truthfully.
“Your husband is a special man, Ms. Watson.”
I felt my face flush a deep red, “H-he’s not my husband.” I stammered, “He’s my colleague.” That was the easiest way to explain it, and I didn’t want to say that I was just his maid, it always made things weird when I said it to anyone.
“Well, he must be very fond of you indeed.” Tina said approvingly.
“I guess.” I laughed a little weakly.
“Now, let’s get you in this, and then I’ll do your hair and makeup, and you’ll be on your way by six!”
“Alright.”
“I’ll just let you get changed, call for me if you need anything!” the attendant said, stepping outside the room.
The dress was laid out on a dressing table, and its golden material shimmered romantically in the light. I sighed in awe. It was a positively gorgeous dress…too bad it was going to be put to waste, being worn by someone as plain as me.
I took the dress, marveling at how light and silky it was, and slipped it on, and then went to the mirror.
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Almost beautiful. I was almost beautiful. No amount of fancy dresses or makeup or anything would ever change that. “Alright, Tina, I’ve put it on!” I called.
Tina came in, “Oh that is lovely…” she breathed.
“It’s a lovely dress.” I sighed, managing a small smile, and feeling silly that I was feeling sorry for myself. I shouldn’t, I had a gorgeous dress, and I was going to a ball…Confidence was needed, so confidence I would have.
“Go ahead and put your shoes on as well.” Tina directed, “That way you don’t have to do it as you’re leaving.”
“Right.” I slipped the heels on, which were a matching shade of gold, and sat down at the vanity.
“Now, I think that we’ll go for an understated look with your makeup. You don’t need a lot, not with that dress. If the dress were less gorgeous, I would go with a more bold makeup look. But we’ll settle for only a little foundation, your complexion doesn’t need much, dark red lips, shimmery golden eyes, dark lashes, and only a light blush…”
“That literally means nothing to me, I’m afraid, Tina.” I told her.
She laughed, “Just hold still. Then we’ll do your hair.”
“Yes ma’am.” I did as she said, puckered my lips when she said, blinked my eyes when she said, and all the other things that were necessary for her to do my makeup.
“Now for your hair. I think simple, but elegant is best. Would you like it in an up-do, or down and curly, but pushed over one shoulder?”
“What do you think would look best?”
Tina thought for a moment, scrutinizing me, “If you had some jewelry, like a necklace, to show off, I would say put it up, but since you don’t. We’ll go with down, besides, it will mimic the waterfall effect that your dress has.”
“Sounds good to me! I’m in your capable hands!” I laughed.
“Don’t smear your lipstick!” Tina warned, but smiled. “I’ll give you some of all of the makeup, compliments of our lovely salon, to take with you so that you can touch up your look once you get there, need be, and so that you can replicate the look for later occasions.”
“Oh, thank you!”
“It’s our policy!”
“I think that’s a good policy.” I told her.
“So do we.” She laughed, and started to brush my hair. Tina was a magician when it came to doing hair, and managed to get my unruly hair, which I typically kept up in a tight bun because it was so untidy, to stay in the loveliest curls. She then pushed said curls over my right shoulder, and secured them with the ornate comb that had been tucked into the package with the dress, apparently an added accessory from Mrs. Widley. “There we are, dear! And just in time! We need to get you on your way!”
I stood, and followed her to the entrance. There was a carriage waiting for me, “Thank you, Tina.” I said, feeling grateful, “I couldn’t have gotten ready without you!”
“That’s what we do best!” she smiled, “Do come again!”
I climbed into the carriage, and we set off to the ball, which, if I understood correctly, was being held not far from the salon, thankfully, so I didn’t have to sit alone with my nerves for too terribly long.
The carriage stopped and the driver opened the door, “We’ve arrived, miss!”
“Th-thank you.” I climbed out, with the driver’s help.
“Have a good night, miss!” the driver said, and then drove off.
Suddenly, I realized that I had no idea what to do, or where to go, and stared nervously at the large, beautiful, but very imposing manor house in front of me.
I stood there, frozen for a few moments, then took a deep breath, and made up my mind to follow the other guests who’d arrived. They walked right up to the front door, which I realized was open to receive visitors, and went in.
Following a little ways behind a couple dressed in their finery, I stepped into a lovely, high-ceilinged antechamber, which led to an equally tall front hall, with doors going in every direction. Not wanting to get lost, I followed the other guests down to the very end of the hall to a large set of tall, double doors that had been propped open. Passing through, I came out at the top of an ornate staircase that swooped directly down to what appeared to be the ballroom, which was full of people.
A group of musicians played in one corner, filing the air with music alongside the crowd’s chatter.
Scared to go down into the throng by myself, I peered about, hoping to see Gabriel somewhere. But I didn’t see him, and suddenly realized that I must look incredibly out of place, a girl of average looks in such a fancy gown. It felt like everyone was staring at me, picking apart my dress, hair, and makeup, able to tell that I really was just a servant by my bearing alone.
Panicking a little, I went back into the front hall to calm my nerves, hoping that no vampires showed up because that was the last thing that I wanted to deal with, especially when I was alone. I was having trouble just going into a crowded room, how was I supposed to keep an eye out for such an evil creature, much less possibly have to help fight one?
I stood just to the side of the double doors, and took deep breaths, ignoring the steady stream of people who were going in, shooting curious looks at me. Finally, I steeled myself. I didn't feel particularly confident, but I knew that sometimes, you could fake it until you really did feel confident.
Putting my shoulders back, I lifted my chin, took one last deep breath, and went back into the ballroom by myself. I immediately felt like I was being stared at and scrutinized. I did my best to ignore the feeling. Honestly, people were probably curious about the dress. It was a new style, after all.
I descended the stairs slowly for two purposes, the first was so that I didn’t trip and fall, and the second was so that I could scan the crowds for Gabriel again. Also, everyone else seemed to be taking the stairs slowly as well, which suited me just fine.
When I’d reached the bottom, and still hadn’t seen Gabriel, I made the split-second decision to search for Myles instead, since he was the only other person there I knew. Taking another deep breath, I was about to head out into the crowd to search when a hand caught my elbow.
“Doctor Watson.” It was Myles.
I breathed a sigh of relief, and suddenly felt much better. The elder Locke brother looked very dapper in his suit, and I was very much calmed upon seeing a familiar face, even though it was Myles.
“Oh, thank goodness. I was about to go in search of you because I don’t see Gabriel, and wasn’t sure what to do because I don’t know anyone else.” I told him honestly.
“Quite.” He seemed in surprisingly good spirits, and smiled a little. “Come this way. I haven’t seen my brother at all tonight, but I was made aware when he arrived, and I know that he hasn’t left.”
“Oh good, for a moment I was afraid that he’d ditched me.” I laughed.
“I would say that I thought better of him than that, but that would be very much like him.” Myles sighed, but remained in a seemingly bright mood. “Would you care to dance, to pass the time until he gets here? It’ll save you from dancing with people you don’t know. Judging by the looks I see, you’ll receive plenty of requests, but perhaps Gabriel will show before the others can get the courage to ask you.”
“I would much rather dance with you than a stranger, Myles.” I told him honestly. Sure, I didn’t know him very well, nor did I like him all that much, but he was at least a familiar face, and I knew I’d be safe with him. “But I doubt I’ll get many requests to dance, this dress is just different than what everyone is used to, so I should think that’s rather why anyone is staring in my direction.”
“Undoubtedly.” Myles nodded curtly. “Shall we?”
“Of course.” We moved out to the dance floor, where things were moving at a brisk pace, as it was a quick dance.
One of the strangest classes in my time in medical school had been an etiquette class, where I’d learned how to act at high society functions, and had included a section on dancing. Since I was the only girl in the entire medical program, some of the nurses had been allowed to attend those sessions as well, so that there were enough partners for everyone.
When we’d inquired as to why we had to have such a class, we’d been told that, as doctors, we would someday be mixing with the higher echelons of society, and would need to know how to dance properly so we wouldn't embarrass ourselves. Indeed, we’d had to put those skills to the test at our own military graduation gala, which many higher-ups, officers, nobles, and high-society folks in attendance. I hadn’t enjoyed the dance classes, but at least it had kept me from making a fool of myself at the military gale, and again now.
“Is Gabriel even going to come out to the ballroom? I know that he doesn’t like to dance.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him to stay hidden away from the main party, but I do not think his sense of chivalry would allow that.” Myles told me.
I snorted at this, “Chivalry? If you say so…I hope he does come out, because I certainly won’t make myself a burden to yourself and follow you around the whole night.”
“I should hope not!” Myles seemed earnestly alarmed at the thought.
I laughed, “Like I said, I would not do that. But I would stand, uncomfortably, in a corner, for the remainder of the night, if Gabriel didn’t appear.”
“I do not think you’ll need to worry about that.” Myles assured me.
“Good.” I sighed.
Myles, unlike his brother, was good at making small talk, and inquired of Mrs. Hudson, Gabriel’s cases, and all sorts of other things that I was able to keep up with in a conversation. But the dance eventually ended, and we parted ways, “I’ll come check on you later, and if my little brother hasn’t appeared by then, I’ll find him for you, Doctor.” Myles told me.
“Thank you, Sir Locke.”
“Of course.” Myles nodded, then disappeared into the crowd, leaving me alone once more.
I looked around, trying to find somewhere close to the wall to go and stand, when a man’s voice addressed me. “Excuse me, miss, but you look entirely lonely.” I blinked, whirled around, and was met by a stranger’s face. “Would you allow me to remedy that?”
“In what way?” I asked, not sure how to proceed.
“Well, it’s common that, when a man sees a beautiful woman all alone at a ball, that he ease her pain and ask her to accompany him to the dance floor.” The man smiled, “I’m Prince Edmund, would you care to dance with me?” I recognized the name of the King’s second oldest son, and was finally able to put a face to the name.
“I-I’m sorry, Your Highness,” I curtseyed to him, “But I’m looking for someone at the moment, I’m terribly sorry to turn you down, sir.”
“Well, at least allow me to help you find who you’re looking for.” the Prince said amiably, not growing angry that I’d turned him down, thankfully.
“Do you know Sir Locke?” I asked, fighting the feeling of shyness that was fighting to keep me from speaking in full sentences. I was speaking to a member of the royal family, and he was treating me as an equal…and I was on the verge of losing my mind because I didn’t know what to do.
“This is his manor house, of course I know him. After all, he’s my father’s closest advisor.” Prince Edmund laughed.
I reprimanded myself for not being more specific. “Certainly, in fact, I was just speaking to Myles but-”
He cut me off, an incredulous look passing over his face. “You are a mystery! You’re on first-name terms with Myles Locke, when so few people are, and easily refuse to dance with a Prince…who are you, miss?”
I felt my face heat. Maybe I’d never before realized the power of the Locke family. It did suddenly seem that Myles was one of the most powerful men in the kingdom…and I was indeed on first-name terms with him. “My name is Joan, sir, Joan Watson.” I curtseyed. “But that’s of little consequence. In fact, when I asked if you had seen Sir Locke, I should have been more specific, I meant the younger Sir Locke, not Myles, but Gabriel.”
“Ah, the detective.” Understanding passed over the Prince’s face. “I haven’t seen him tonight, but I had assumed that he was here somewhere. Am I to take it that he is your escort tonight?”
“My absent escort.” I laughed a little, “He’s not doing a very good job, is he?”
“Perhaps you would allow me to steal his escort status?” the Prince asked, grinning mischievously.
“I wouldn’t do that to him.” I replied, smiling a little.
“Well, he must be dear to you, if a Prince can’t steal you away.” Prince Edmund said, proving to be surprisingly full of insight. “Let’s strike a deal, Ms. Watson, I’ll help you look for him if you’ll give me the next dance.”
Trying not to laugh because he didn’t realize that he was asking a maid to dance, I smiled, “I would be honored, Your Highness.”
“Please call me Ed.” He laughed, offering me his hand, “I hate all these formalities.”
“But of all the names you could go by, you choose Ed?” I asked, raising an amused eyebrow at him as I took his hand, he led me to the dance floor, and his free hand alighted gently at my waist, and we began to dance.
“Don’t knock it! With all the extravagance around me, it’s nice to be known by a simple name!” he replied, grinning at me.
“I suppose that’s understandable.”
Ed laughed, “Of course. Perhaps if we do not find the younger Locke brother, I will introduce you to my own brother.”
I was completely surprised by this, “The Crown Prince?”
“I know him as Stephen, my nuisance of a big brother.” Ed winked at me.
“Only if we can’t find him. Honestly, I’m not used to meeting members of the royal family…”
“Then I am incredibly disappointed in the Locke brothers! Where have they been keeping you locked away? A woman of your considerable beauty and charm should be known in all of the highest circles.”
“Oh you flatter me, sir. But perhaps I’m not the kind of person you’re imagining me to be.” I replied, shaking my head.
“Ah, the mystery deepens. Perhaps I do need Gabriel Locke to come and solve the mystery for me, it seems like something suited for a detective.”
“You don’t have to be a detective to solve mysteries, I promise.” I assured him.
“Indeed? Am I to take it that you have solved some?” Ed asked, sounding earnestly intrigued.
“I’ve helped Gabriel solve some.” I admitted honestly. “But he’s the real genius.”
“So you have helped the most incredible detective of our time solve his cases…Who are you, mystery lady?”
“No one of consequence.” All the questions were getting old. Prince Edmund seemed like a very nice fellow, and he was fairly handsome, not to mention royalty, but he could never know who I truly was, as a mage and as a humble maid…albeit a maid with full medical training…but still. No, Gabriel and Myles were really the only people who could ever know me as I truly was, and Myles, though he was in a good mood at the moment, was far too cold a man, and I was fairly certain that he didn’t do friendship on any level. Anyways, with Prince Ed, though we did appear to be getting along just fine, I had to pretend to be someone that I wasn’t, and that wouldn’t do. Besides, seeing someone so socially capable made me miss Gabriel’s lack of social skills, as well as his lack of concern for society’s stupid demands, which was part of his odd charm.
“I find that hard to believe.” Ed said seriously. Gabriel would have told me that everyone was of consequence, then would have finished the sentence with something mildly offensive about how even the most empty-headed of people existed to serve some purpose in life. The thought almost made me laugh aloud.
“I’m only being honest.” I shrugged.
“Well, then have it your way, Ms. Joan.” He smiled, apparently enjoying himself. I wasn’t playing hard to get, I just wanted to find Gabriel as soon as possible.