Chapter Twenty-Seven

"Better lock it in your pocket, taking this one to the grave."

The next morning, I woke with a sudden shock, I could hear voices coming from downstairs that weren't normal in my house. I stood up from my bed, sneaking to my door, cracking it open, only to hear.... Sebastian's voice echoing through our home. My mother's followed after, I snatched my robe from the dresser, pulling it over me, walking to the railing. I could see Curtis carrying in large trunks, with Mr. Moore and Sebastian standing in front of my mother, swords at their sides.

"Yes, Mrs. Braxton, we will keep this safe in hand." Sebastian looked up at me, and smiled. "Good morning, Miss. Braxton." He bowed, along with Cameron.

"Ah, darling, get dressed and join me?" She looked at me, like she was disappointed I was in my nightgown. I nodded, disappering to my room. Annie was waiting, with one of my finer dresses, and I looked between her and the dress.

"Mr. Calston is coming today, for you to discuss wedding arrangments, your mother wants you to look presentable." She smiled, holding the dress toward me. I nodded, untying the robe, letting it fall.

"Alright, let's make me look beautiful then." I pulled the nightgown off, and turned my body toward her. She blushed, I was never as open with Annie, and she pulled the slip over my body, tightening a corset around me. I took one last deep breathe, before stepping into the heels she sat in front of me, and the dress came over my head. I looked at her, as she tied one last corset lacing in the back. "Are we down?"

"Your hair..." She looked ashamed, and I smiled, pointing at the brush. She handed it to me, letting me run it through my hair, it cascaded over my shoulders. I pointed at a ribbon that matched the color of the dress. I pulled part of my hair back from my face, letting her tie it. "Better." She breathe a sigh of relief, before I exited the room, adjusting the necklace to sit between my corset and skin.

When I came into the parlor, my mother was waiting, standing by the window. "Ah, Camille." She smiled at me, and hugged me.

"Hello, mother." She held my hand, playing with the shackle that was on my finger.

"Well, Annie has told you, wedding arangments have been made. Henry just cannot wait to marry you..." She rambled on, and I partially listened, hearing Cameron and Sebastian upstairs, moving their trunks across the floor.

I cut her off, "Mother, why are Mr. Moore and Mr. Lowry here?"

She looked at me, scowling. "I was speaking, Camille. But if you must know before I may continue my conversation..." She shook her head, looking above her head, "Mr. Lowry, offered to protect us to keep you safe. Feeling the men who killed Lucas, could kill you. I agreed, but with that he said Mr. Moore, who served your father well, and knows our family would be another prime choice for this duty. I agreed with him, and said they could stay here in the house, instead of the old house. But they are going to alternate staying here, in their common room upstairs, and the old house on the property."

I nodded, "I see, I believe that will make things a little easier on us." I smiled, crossing my hands in my lap.

"I believe so too, now-" Before she could say another word, Curtis appeared in the door, with Mr. Moore beside him. "Yes?" She looked at him, and I watched carefully.

"Mr. Calston, has arrived."

"Thank you," She was practically squealing with delight. I was confused, was she not there yesterday, or not realize what a terrible man he is? Or maybe it was the thought of me wed, and us safe that made her so happy. I shook it off, sanding up. Sebastian was in the corner of the room, nodding at me. I smiled, and lowered my head. Calston walked in, and I looked at him.

"Hello, my love." He spoke with a crocked smile, and kissed my hand.

"Hello, Mr. Calston," I felt sick to my stomach, feeling his lips against my skin. "How are you today?"

"I am well, and you?" He looked into my eye, squeezing my hand.

"I am well." I smiled, and tried to pull my hand away.

"I am so happy to hear this," He pulled tighter, pulling me to his side. "Mrs. Braxton, before we discuss plans with you, I think we should step outside, and speak to each other to see if we have the same plans." He smiled at me.

"I believe, that's a great idea!" She squealed, and I felt as if it was an act.

"Me too, let's go." I smiled, linking my arm through his, and he directed me outside. His grip became tighter, as his arm moved down around my waist.

"So, this wedding will be happening, am I correct?" He spoke deep, leaning into my ear.

'Yes, why would it not?" I smiled at him, stopping in front of him.

He raised his eyebrows at me, "I don't like games, Camille."

"No game," I smiled, touching his chest, "I am ready for this."

"Good, I am glad we are coming to agreement."

We sat there, waiting for a few moments to pass before entering the house again. My mother waited patiently in the parlor. Henry and I sat in front of her, and waited for her to speak. "Hello, children."

"I am so pleased, did you two come to any agreements?"

'Big wedding, mother." I smiled, and she smiled at me as well.

"I love the idea, social event of the year! Now, when do you want this wedding?"

"As soon as possible." Henry opened his mouth before I could even flinch. "I just want to start a life, with this beautiful young lady." He squeezed my hand, and looked at me.

"I can understand that, that's how her father and mine wedding went." She smiled at the memory, looking at me, and frowned slightly.

"I didn't know that.." I mummbled.

"Yes, it happened in a matter of two weeks."

"Well, I was thinking, since the Coleman's have their annual ball happening end of this week, I figured the following week." I had let the idea of the Coleman's had their party coming up, and now I had an idea flowing through my head. I looked at Sebastian, and raised my eyebrows. He seemed to know what I was thinking, because he was smiling.

"I agree!" I smiled, and touched his hand, giving it a squeeze. "It will be perfect timing, and we could annouce it at the party, so all would know."

"Great idea, darling." My mother smiled, and began rambling on.

Before I knew it Calston was holding my waist, kissing me. I sat there, holding my breathe till he disapperead out the doors. I looked over at Sebastian, and he told my mother that he was going outstide to check premiter.

"I forgot my fan out there." I disappered outside, and followed toward the small house.

"Come inside, quick" Sebastian opened the door, and I followed him in.

"Did you hear about the party?"

"Yes?" He looked at me.

"That's where we do it. That's where we work our way into the web."

"I agree, I had this planned since we spoke about this."

"I cannot take kissing that man anymore." Sebastian laughed, then face became serious.

"It will end soon, and as I said, you will not die, till I am dead." He stepped forward, and took my hand. "And I hate seeing you, even touching him." He shook his head, and I looked up at him. "But there is something that's going to unravel soon, and I wish I knew where to be or where to go."

"It will end soon." I looked up at his eyes, "Thank you,"

He leaned down, cupping my face in his hands. I closed my eyes, and kissed me deeply, holding my face with one hand, and my waist was held by his other. He linked his fingers in my hair, pulling away, "I like your hair this way." He smiled, kissing my forehead. I pulled his mouth back to mine, kissing him a little longer.

The door busted open, and scared us. I looked behind me, to Mr. Moore standing speechless, but holding his sword. He regained his sense as soon as Sebastian spoke, "What is it?"

"Pirates. They are attacking the docks, and the trading company, and they have Mr. Madison captive." He looked at me, and then Sebastian.

"Let's go. Camille, I am going to arm Curtis. You take your mother, and the maids. You hide inside the library. There should be a small, corridor that leads to a small room. It was your father's hiding space. Mr. Moore told me about it. He had them everywhere." He touched my face, "Go there, have your sword ready. I will knock three times like this," He tapped the wood beside him, and kissed my forehead. "Understand?"

"Yes."

"Remeber, you will be safe, till my last breathe." He put me insde the house, before I watched him disappear with Cameron, and I felt my heart skip a beat, when I realized we were being rushed upstairs, and this could be death.