Porcelyn Cracked- rough 1st edit

Chapter 6

6

It seemed like years had passed since Lord Robin sent Raye off with Mr. Ramis, though it had only been weeks. Each day brought new worries with it, he knew she wasn't in pain, but he also knew that some part of her was still human and should be treated as such. He wanted answers, he wanted Raye back in the house, he wanted Jamie to be gone, he wanted Evangeline to open up to him again. It seemed like everything he wanted was something he couldn't have.

Robin spent much of his time in council meetings and at his desk bent over government documents and petitions that required his attention or signature. He had watched his father perform the delicate dance for years, yet when you were dancing on your own, he had found it was much harder to find the right tune. Days were passing like sand through fingers and each day without another message from Mr. Ramis or any reassurance from Evangeline was even harder than the last. He wanted to shirk his responsibilities and be there as they tested her, be there when they fixed her, he wanted to take Evangeline away and talk to her and have her honesty again. He knew what he felt was impossible, but he still felt it pressing on him day after day.

Jamie had already been packing and preparing to leave for his new home in Southampton, he had already sent Artemis along beforehand to make the house look up to his standards, as well as peruse the local brothels so Jamie could find out which one is the best in the area. In another few days, he would be out of the house and Robin had already given orders to have that room scoured and redesigned, new paint, new flooring, new furniture, everything new and it would be turned into a guest room instead. Evangeline had suggested turning it into a nursery, but Robin had said that was not a place he wanted to set his child, that room held so many dark secrets, it was better off being sealed off as much as possible, she didn't argue with that.

Robin re-read the message from Seth, sighed and ran his hands through his hair, stopping for a moment to hold his head between his hands as if the pressure would somehow block out everything else. After sitting this way for a few minutes, he finally allowed himself to relax as much as he could. He needed to talk to someone, just a moment and he could unburden himself so much more than just trying to work through it. He clapped his hands on his knees and stood up heading for the door. As he walked out and closed the door behind him he could hear Jamie barking orders to the maids about how he wanted his items packed, Robin listened long enough to make sure he wasn't harassing anyone (they had been given strict orders to tell him if Jamie crossed the line), before turning down the hall and walking towards Evangeline's room.

He knocked softly on the door and heard as Evangeline walked to open the door. She pulled the door open a few inches and looked up into Robin's eyes, before sighing and opening the door further. As Robin entered, he saw Vance was in the corner of the room, building a fire in the fireplace, another maid was in the closet, apparently straightening up Evangeline's clothes as it sounded like she was patting the fabric down to be free of wrinkles. He followed Evangeline to her sitting area near the fireplace and sat down in front of her, she waved her hand to dismiss Vance and the other maid silently, they bowed slightly and headed towards the door.

"I know we haven't been speaking much this past week." Robin said as the two servants left the room and shut the door. "I am so sorry for being remiss in seeing you and spending time with you."

"I knew what I was signing up for Robin." She replied in an exhale and sat down on the couch facing him, the firelight dancing off her glistening eyes. "You've been busy, and I've been working on the beginnings of my charities." She reached up and scratched softly behind her neck.