Madeline tried to move away, and if possible, she wanted to run far away from him. Still, with his hands on her waist and his face next to her, it made it hard for her to step away from him, “Now, how about we get you dressed unless you have plans to undress,” when he finally let go of her waist, Madeline could feel the soul that had slipped out of her body return.
He then started to pull the laces behind her corset, and each pull testing her hold on the bedpost.
“How do you know how to dress a woman?” asked Madeline, praying that his eyes were not looking at the back of her body. The upper part was covered in the corset, but the lower half was covered in the petticoat, covering her bottom and legs which was made of thin material.
“I don’t. I have removed plenty dresses, so I am guessing it is the reverse of it,” he left the detail that it wasn’t often in order that was worn, after all, who had the time to remove every single piece of cloth the women wore, “If we get it wrong, we can start from scratch to see what works.”
Madeline turned her head to the side, her eyes staring at the painting on the wall, “I thought your time was scarce.”
“My time is scarce for only things that are pointless and are of no use to me. But you, my dear, have all my time,” Madeline thought this was no boon but curse that had fallen upon her. She was filled with shame that a man was dressing her all alone in a room, “Your corset is done,” he said, picking up the skirt and having it spread around her front.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked him, “I am a simple girl who wants a simple life.”
“Looks like you have a very forgetful memory, Madeline. I want you.”
“You cannot have me!” she whispered, her hands clutching at her sides.
Calhoun smiled at her stubbornness, “You haven’t opened your heart to me.”
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Madeline had turned around to look at him now, “What makes you think a girl who has been forced against her wishes will open her heart. Especially when the heart belongs to som-“
“Shh,” Calhoun had stepped forward to place his finger on her lips, “So brave. What did I say of being careful with what you speak? If you were alone in the ballroom without dancing with a partner, then I think your heart is still here,” he looked down at her trembling lips that were parted, and he couldn’t help himself but move his finger to feel the softness, “Don’t tantalize me with your words else I will take you to bed. Is that what you want?” he challenged her, and Madeline couldn’t get a word out of her lips.
“Raise your arms while I am still patient,” he offered a smile as if he hadn’t intimidated her by his words, “Good girl,” he said when she did, and Madeline glared into his red eyes as she held back her tongue.
As he had said, he did dress her, and she had tied her hair herself so that he wouldn’t find more opportunities to touch her.
Calhoun started to walk towards the door, and he then turned over his shoulder to look at Madeline,
“I have to meet some people, but they can wait. Let us take a tour of the castle,” he raised his hand and seeing Madeline not move from where she stood, Calhoun slowly walked towards her, picking up her hand, “What a shy girl you are,” and he tugged her out of the room.
The servant man who had joined the maids to look at the King and the girl quickly followed them to speak to Calhoun, “Milord.”
Madeline noticed how the servant just spoke a word and didn’t dare to speak another word until Calhoun spared a look at the lowly servant, “Your aunt Lady Rosamund is here with her daughter Sophie and son Mark.”
“And what have you done about them? Thrown them to the sharks or into the den of wolves?” asked Calhoun, finally letting go of Madeline’s hand to button the cuff links of his sleeve.
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The servant looked at Calhoun nervously, “No, milord.”
“Then why do you look like you did. What is it? Speak,” demanded Calhoun.
“They, ah, are in the dining room, and will be joining you for breakfast.”
“Of course, it would be rude to have them seated in the carriage without inviting them in,” laughed Calhoun and Madeline didn’t know what the joke was about but looking at the face of the servant, she could tell it wasn’t a good one as he looked troubled, “Let them know that I am on my way,” and the servant quickly left their side to go ahead of them.
Calhoun didn’t say anything to her and Madeline followed him, looking at him from the corner of her eyes to see him calm and composed. His eyes looked ahead of him that was unwavering, and his polished shoes were clicking against the ground for one to know who was walking. And even though his eyes were calm, his lips told an entirely different story. There was a wicked smile on his lips, his fangs appearing in view.
Having breakfast with him was already a lot, and now Madeline would be eating in not only in his presence but also with his relatives, and with the way he was smiling to himself, she wasn’t looking forward to any of it.
With the dress that Calhoun had made her to wear, Madeline didn’t look like she came from a poor family where her family was struggling. Right now, she looked like the daughter of a notable man with the clothes and the jewels that covered her neck and hands. They continued to walk until they reached the doors of the dining room, that was pushed open for the King to enter and Madeline followed him, to notice three people who were already seated at the table.
Madeline took a quick glance at Calhoun to notice the smile on his lips that had broadened even further.
