@VioletL_HP Heavily lidded eyes forced open, a quiet murmur cutting through the thickness of the evening, his voice coated with sleep.
“Violet. .”
Pale rays from beyond paned glass illuminated their room just enough for him to see her clearly. Charles sat up, his arm pulling her near. >>
Castle Ashby had not been decorated to it’s full grandeur, but enough for two to enjoy. The main parlor boasted a lit Christmas tree and a roaring fireplace where only two stockings hung.
Still in his robe and underthings, an arm was secured around his wife who leaned >>
back against his frame, the pair nestled on the sofa in the late morning as tea was brought and the pair left alone.
His neck craned, lips gently brushing her temple in a kiss.
“Happy Christmas, dove.”
@VioletL_HP “I should not have left. . perhaps you would have been here instead.”
He shook his head, that soft fabric finding her face now as he was able to fully see her— that soap lightly washing at those rounded features of hers.
@VioletL_HP take her for? A killer?
Laughable.
A few final pins were removed from her hair to let it fall freely.
“My home has always been yours, dove, you needn’t worry.”
@VioletL_HP Clear waters were tinged with pink, but he paid it no mind as he began to wash the evidence of what she had endured from that porcelain skin — hands gentle as he tried to wipe away memories that he knew he could not.
“They should not have.”
He shook his head. What did they >>
@VioletL_HP stool to pull over.
He seated himself, looking to those items on the silvered tray at his side. A cloth was grabbed and dipped into the water.
“There is no another place in this world for me if not here.”
@VioletL_HP It was frightening, the contrast of that blood against porcelain skin, near the azure of those baby blues that were cast his way in such a wide manner.
Light flickered about the room. No painting could do it justice.
Charles nodded, free hand now reaching for short, dark >>
@VioletL_HP One hand found her back to gently guide her forward into that washroom, the other in hers, bloodied or not.
The water had been given some time to cool, but he still leaned down, hand falling away from Violet as he tested the water and ensured it would not be too hot. >>
@VioletL_HP those ruined fabrics. He started on those corset strings, a familiar feeling and yet entirely surreal in this moment.
“I will take care of them.”
And you. That went without saying.
@VioletL_HP An apologetic look was afforded to the crimson stained lady before him, Charles giving a slight nod of understanding before fingers took to those buttons and delicately undoing them.
His frame stood slightly to the side, that gaze remaining on her features as he rid her of >>
@VioletL_HP of. The maid was instructed to simply leave the pails at the door to keep his love from being seen in such a state.
“And I think it may be best that I help you out of this one. . “
He remarked when turning back to her.
@VioletL_HP “There will be other dresses.”
He reassured with a quiet sigh, that concern never quite disappearing from a furrowed brow as he guided her upstairs. One of the maids was called for, Charles keeping Violet well out of sight when she came.
Hot water was requested, plenty >>