And Thou Art Dead, As Young and Fair

[Arabella Balfour]

Her time in Chicago had not been wasted. In fact, it had been exactly the sort of thing to put Arabella's mind back on what was most important to her. Originally she'd gone to stay with Fiona and Michele because they were both as family to her, and they lived in close proximity to the hospital where the the blood disorder specialist she had been recommended to see worked. There was nothing he could do for her. She did not have an iron deficiency or anything of the kind that medical science was going to solve. Her blood was two centuries old, that it was weak was the least of her troubles. He'd been correct about one thing, she required a transfusion, but not of anything that he could give her.

Arabella had been all set to spend her last days surrounded with old friends and new. Fi & Michele. Paddy. Duilo. All of them so diverse, like so many colored threads in the rich tapestry of her life. The most vibrant of the colored threads, the one that had most influenced the design was reserved for Byron.

Her prince had sent for her, and Arabella's resolve had crumbled like so much confectionery sugar. She could deny him nothing.

Almost nothing.

Suddenly Arabella had arrived. Roissy Airport, and it was just about dark.. She was weak, exhausted from travel and really just wanted to go to home, change and rest more than anything, but she suspected it was not to be so. Her suspicions were confirmed when she spotted Rose, the employee of hers that she had left in charge of her business, but more importantly that she had personally tailored to serve Byron in her stead once she was..gone. That she was here now probably meant that it was on his behalf.

"Mistress..", Rose greeted her with a steaming cup of tea, knowing how Arabella was always cold.

Gratefully taking it, she listened as she was told that her bags had been claimed and a car was waiting. It was nice to have competent people to rely on...

She had just assumed the car was taking to her own address, so when it passed her turn entirely Arabella opened her mouth to protest but then recalled she was not in Chicago anymore. She was in Paris now and subject to the whim of the prince.