One or two lights, but silent

Marlton manor stood on the hill overlooking the sleeping village that shared its name and lazy river that wound in a gentle bow around the base of the hill. Normally, at this early hour, the manor house would be completely dark but this morning there were hurricane lanterns hanging at the front porch and the stable gates. Randy and Charlotte approached the estate carefully, avoiding the long, paved driveway that led up the slope, instead making their way through the manicured lawns and flower gardens towards the west side of the building. As far as Randy could see, the household had settled down for the night with no lights shining from the interior of the mansion.

"We can try the cardroom entrance." Charlotte had told them as they walked through the silent forests. "It is closest to Father's office, and I know where the key is kept. My brother used to use it when he returned late from visiting friends." Randy tried not to scowl when he heard Charlotte speak kindly about her step-brother. If she was right this is the man who seduced Mary and then abandoned her when she conceived his child, but listening to Charlotte reminisce about her older sibling made him sound like one of the few people in her childhood how showed her any kindness at all.

The key was exactly where Miss Marlton expected under the sill of the window adjacent to the French doors and once she unlocked the doors he followed her into a room lit only by the dim light of the full moon that was setting in the Western sky. He traced his fingers along the felt-lined card table as he followed the graceful figure of Miss Charlotte as she moved easily around the expensive furniture and through the dark room. The understated wealth of the furnishings in just this one room made him acutely aware of how far above his station she was. The hallway through door at the end of the long room had no windows at all and was almost perfectly black.

"Hold on to me, Mr. Fuller." Miss Charlotte whispered as she took his hand in hers and placed it on her shoulder. His thumb traced the neckline along the back of her neck as she led him into the darkness; even now, after all that they had shared Randy still marveled at how soft and smooth her skin felt.

Charlotte trembled as she felt Mr. Fuller's thumb, but continued silently down the hallway for a dozen paces until she felt the heavy doorframe of the thick office door. She had warned Randy that it was most likely to be locked, but to her surprise the brass handle turned smoothly.

As the heavy door slid open quietly a crack of light stopped her and she became aware of voices coming from within her father's most private sanctum. She pressed her ear to the crack and listened, aware of Randy's body pressed against hers as he too strained to hear who was in Lord Marlton's office and what was being said.