Enthrall

by Sandra R Neeley

  “Because I know what it’s like to be alone. No one should be alone. And I’ve waited too long. Should have brought you home with me the first time I met you.”

  “I wouldn’t have gone anyway, I had to take care of my friends.”

  “I know, but they have someone, a family for that. You don’t. Well, at least you didn’t,” Enthrall said on a smile.

  “You want to be my family?” Shane asked, wide-eyed.

  “I do. If that’s alright.”

  The boy started walking toward him. When he reached Enthrall’s side, he looked up at him. “I guess it’s alright. I don’t know where my real family is. It’s just me.”

  Enthrall smiled down at him. “Not anymore, Shane. I’m right here.” Enthrall looked down at the boy as they started walking, and his heart was full. He knew he’d made the right choice. This boy needed him, and he needed to be needed. He wanted to make a difference in someone’s life. In a child’s life. Shane smiled up at Enthrall and slipped his hand into Enthrall’s. Together they walked away, past the streetlight, past the people milling around on the streets at night, and made their way to the house on Schuylkill Ave, that, for now anyway, Enthrall called home.

  Enthrall opened the front door and walked into the grandest home Shane had ever seen, ushering Shane in with him. His eyes were wide with wonder, his heart afraid to trust that this change in his life was permanent.

  “Is this where we live?” he asked.

  “For now. Come on in, and let’s get you something to eat. Then you can have a bath and pick which bedroom you want for your own.”

  “I get my own room?”

  “Of course you do. We have a family staying with us for now. You can choose a bedroom on the second floor near them. Or you can choose to have a room down here on the first floor. Whatever you’d prefer.”

  “Okay,” Shane answered, looking around clearly in awe, but still a little unsure of the entire situation.

  “You hungry?”

  “Yes, sir!” Shane answered.

  Shuffling footsteps could be heard moving toward them from the hallway just off the foyer. Soon enough Oksana entered the room. “Good evening, Mr. Enthrall. Who do we have here?” she asked, a warm, welcoming smile on her round face.

  “Good evening, Oksana. This is Shane. He is my adopted son and will be here from now on.”

  Shane looked up at Enthrall and watched him as he spoke, a grin on his face. To have such a prominent, strong, successful man want him for a son was surely a blessing.

  “Welcome, Shane. Would you be wanting dinner?”

  “If it’s no trouble, yes, please!”

  “Well, come on then. Let’s get you a plate.” She reached a hand out toward Shane, waiting for him to come with her, at the same time she addressed Enthrall. “And you, Mr. Enthrall, will you be having dinner, too.”

  “Have the others eaten?” he asked.

  “Yes, they have.”

  “I’ll eat with Shane in the kitchen, then.”

  “I’ll just set your places at the kitchen table.”

  “Thank you, Oksana. I’m right behind you.”

  Chapter 19

  After a late dinner Enthrall gave Shane a brief tour of the house. He took him upstairs and opened the doors to the unoccupied bedrooms and allowed him to look inside each. He showed him where the bathrooms were, and then took him downstairs and showed him the study he worked in, as well as the office that Felicity worked in. He showed him where the downstairs bathroom was and then he showed him his own bedroom as well as Felicity’s. He explained that Oksana and George had taken the large common room off the kitchen and made it their bedroom and that Mamaie’s room was the first one as you entered the hall they were now in. There were two others that were unused in that hallway. One right across from Enthrall’s room, and another on the other side of the bathroom everyone in that part of the house shared.

  “So, where would you like your room to be. You may have whichever you want.”

  “This one. I want this one,” Shane said, pointing to the one right behind him. The bedroom was right across the hall from Enthrall’s room.

  “Are you sure? You don’t have to stay so close if you’d rather have one upstairs.”

  “No. I’m sure. I want this one.”

  “Then it’s yours. Let’s get you bathed, then you can get some sleep. Tomorrow we will go shopping for some clothes for you.”

  Shane nodded, smiling.

  Enthrall showed him how to use the faucets in the bathtub and set out a clean towel and wash cloth for him as well as soap. He went to his own bedroom and came back with a shirt for him to sleep in and his own brush for Shane to use.

  By the time Shane was done with his bath, his skin and hair fresh and clean, and Enthrall was tucking him into bed and turning down the glow of the lamp by his bedside, Mamaie was sticking her head in.

  “I hear we have a new house guest,” she said, making herself welcome in Shane’s room.

  “Not exactly a guest. This is Shane. I’ve adopted him, and he’ll be with us from now on.”

  “A very lucky little boy, you are, Shane! Welcome home, boy,” Mamaie exclaimed.

  Shane grinned. “I like it here.”

  “As well you should!” Mamaie said.

  “Let me have those clothes and I’ll have them laundered and ready for tomorrow.”

  “You don’t have to do that, Mamaie. We’ll get him some more tomorrow.”

  “And what will you have him wear while you’re about getting those new ones? You can’t have him marching around like the day he was born. He’ll need to wear something. Give them to me, so I can clean them.”

  “I can take care of that,” Enthrall said.

  “No, you can’t. Give them to me!” Mamaie insisted.

  “Very well,” Enthrall laughed, handing her the clothes.

  “I’m off to see to these,” she raised the clothing in her hand. But she stopped at the foot of the bed to smile warmly at the boy. “I was thinking maybe some pancakes for breakfast. Would you like that, Shane?”

  “Yes! Very much!”

  “Then get you some sleep, and when you wake, they’ll be waiting for you.”

  Mamaie smiled again and patted Enthrall’s shoulder as she passed him on the way out of the room. He was a good man, and now he’d taken in an orphan and adopted the boy personally. There were not many as good a man as he was.

  Enthrall pulled the door almost all the way closed, but left it opened a crack. “I’m going to clean up and get to bed myself. You know where my room is if you need me?”

  “Yes, sir. Right across the hall.”

  “That’s right. Do not hesitate to come get me if you need me. Don’t be afraid. You can always come to me with anything.”

  “I won’t be afraid,” Shane answered.

  Enthrall stepped away from the door, but paused, turning back.

  Shane could just make out his face through the crack of the door.

  “I’m glad you’re here, Shane. We’re going to have a good life. I’ll make sure of it.”

  Shane didn’t answer, but turned over, smiling and snuggling in the soft, warm blankets and quilts that covered his bed. He didn’t know how long this would last, but he was determined to enjoy it for as long as he could.

  The next morning Enthrall tapped lightly on Shane’s door. There was no answer, so he opened it and looked in, expecting to have to wake Shane to go to breakfast. Only the bed was made, and everything put to rights. The only thing that showed Shane was ever in the room was the nightshirt Enthrall had loaned him, folded and laid neatly on the foot of the bed. Enthrall closed the door and went to the dining room. He laughed when Shane greeted him, waving his fork at him and chewing a huge mouthful of pancakes. Eyes bright and smile huge around the mouthful he was trying to chew.

  “Good morning! I see you woke early.”

  Shane nodded, gulping down half of his glass of milk. “Yep. And I was starving, so I came to breakfas
t.”

  “Good. I’m glad you’re settling in,” Enthrall answered, taking a seat and gratefully accepting his usual cup of coffee from Mamaie.

  Enthrall greeted Anna, her son Steven and the baby, who were also having breakfast. “Good morning. How is everyone this morning?”

  “We’re fine. Enjoying breakfast before I head off for the hospital.”

  “Felicity told me about your housekeeping position there. It’s a wonderful opportunity.”

  “It is. And very kind of them to make room for me while I prepare for nursing school.”

  Moments later Felicity joined them. “Good morning.”

  “Felicity. How did you sleep?” Enthrall asked, becoming somewhat subdued as he skimmed the newspaper and sipped his coffee as though he’d just seen her the night before.

  “Fairly well. And you?”

  “Very well. Must have needed it.”

  Felicity took her seat, thanking Mamaie for the plate of pancakes and sausage placed before her. “I’ve missed you of late. I even looked for you after dinner last night. You must have gone out.”

  Enthrall lowered the newspaper he was perusing and met Felicity’s eyes. “I did. I must have lost track of time. Sorry.”

  Felicity nodded and looked down at her own plate.

  “Do you remember Shane from the boarding house?”

  Felicity smiled at the boy, feeling ashamed that her own distress over being shut out by Enthrall had her focusing only on him and not everyone else in the room. “I do. Welcome. I’m glad to see you’ll be staying with us for a while.”

  “No. I’m here from now on,” Shane said excitedly.

  Felicity was surprised. “Oh? That’s even better. That’s wonderful news. You will love it here.”

  Enthrall watched the different emotions flicker across her face when Shane told her he was here from now on. He folded the newspaper and laid it on the table. “I went out to find Shane yesterday evening. I wanted to bring him home with us when we brought Anna and her children, but there was just so much going on that day…”

  Felicity leaned over and placed her hand on Shane's. “I’m very glad you are here now, Shane.” Then she turned to Enthrall. “I’m glad you found him. He belongs here.”

  Enthrall nodded. “He does. He was alone. So I’ve decided to adopt him. He needs a family. So do I.”

  “Yep,” Shane added. “We’re gonna take care of each other.”

  Enthrall smiled warmly at him. “Yes, we are. Eat up, we have a busy day.”

  Enthrall had just in effect told Felicity that he needed a family. And she wasn’t it. She’d thought they’d created a bond, but after his comment about needing a family, and his avoiding her since they’d returned from Whispers, maybe she’d been wrong. Felicity watched the boy and Enthrall interacting. She realized that Enthrall felt more alone than she’d realized. She really was very happy that he’d gone back after Shane, she just hadn’t realized it was in his mind to do so. She decided to act as though his behavior hadn’t hurt her, as though his implying that she wasn’t his family wasn’t a slap to the face. She wanted to bang her fists on the table and shout at him. “What is wrong with you? What are you thinking? Don’t you see me here? Can’t you tell that I miss you? You’re right here, and I miss you, doesn’t that say anything to you at all, you stubborn, clueless male?” Instead she smiled sweetly. “What are your plans today?”

  “We are going to buy some clothes for Shane. A new pair of shoes. Maybe have lunch out today. Would you like to come with us?” He’d decided to invite her to accompany them at the last minute.

  “I would love to, but I have some legal paperwork I need to complete and have it filed with the court for Anna.”

  “Ah, well. Another time, then.” He was not surprised she’d turned down his invitation. Her work came first. But still he’d had to offer.

  “I’d like that,” Felicity said forcefully.

  Enthrall started to rise, but looked right at her with volumes unspoken in his eyes. “As would I.” He stood then, went to the sideboard and poured himself another cup of coffee.

  “Mr. Enthrall? Can I go outside with Steven?”

  Enthrall turned and smiled at Shane. “I’m not Mister any more. I’m just Enthrall, or anything else you may want to call me. But Mister is a formality for strangers or acquaintances. We are family. And, of course, you may go outside. Just don’t leave the back property and stay close this morning. We will be on our way shortly.”

  “Yes, sir!” Shane followed Steven outside, and they could be seen playing chase. Their laughter floated in through the open windows.

  Enthrall leaned against the sideboard and sipped his coffee, trying not to look at Felicity. It was killing him to stay distant from her. He wanted to touch her, taste her, smell her scent on him and around him at all times. But it would be unfair of him to continue to influence her knowing that her heart led her in a different direction. True she was attracted to him, but he still believed that it may have been the blood-infused tea Mamaie had fed her. He inhaled, taking in her scent. He’d been waiting for his blood to exit her body. For it to rid itself of his blood, so that he could finally see if she really was drawn to him on her own. Every time he was near enough to her to get a good scent, he inhaled, filling his lungs with her essence, but always, his scent lingered. And lately it had been even stronger than when she was drinking the damned tea. He made a mental note to speak to Mamaie, to make sure that she wasn’t still mixing any of his blood into Felicity’s food. Knowing Mamaie, she could have saved a small amount and set it aside and have her own plans in place.

  The laughter of the children caught his attention, and he looked for them through the window with a smile on his face. He loved the sounds of children's laughter, such innocent happiness. He set his coffee cup down in preparation of going to call Shane inside, so they could be on their way.

  “Do you have a moment to speak with me, Enthrall?” Felicity asked, rising from her place at the table.

  “Now? I was about to…”

  “Yes. Now,” she cut him off.

  He raised his eyebrow at her voice filled with impatient tone. “Of course, Felicity.” Enthrall followed her to her office, where she promptly shut the door behind them and turned on him.

  “Is there a problem I’m not aware of?” she asked.

  Enthrall shook his head. “No. I don’t think so. Do you see a problem I’m missing?”

  “Do I see a problem… Yes! I see a problem. What is going on here?” She motioned between herself and Enthrall. “What happened to ‘Lici’, and what happened to you are mine and I am yours?”

  Enthrall smiled sadly and looked down at his shoes, his hands clasped behind his back before looking back up to meet her eyes and trying to construct some type of response. “Nothing has happened.”

  “Yes. It has. You are treating me more coldly than you did when Carolena was here, and you pretended to be her husband. Even then you were friendlier to me than you are now. If you’ve changed your mind, just say so, but this back and forth, cold and hot is not a game I care to be a part of.”

  “I’m not playing a game, Lici,” he said softly. “I’m giving you a chance to rethink your options. I can be very persuasive in things I want. I can be quite demanding. I don’t want to do that with you. It is very clear to me that your heart leads you down another path. It’s evident that we want different things. I’ve stepped back to allow you to have the things that you want in life. I love you, Felicity. I am yours. And when you’re ready for me, I will be here. But until then I’ve stepped back. I will not force you to be what I need and end up a regret.”

  Felicity’s face was a mask of confusion. “Did I ask you to step back?”

  He shook his head. “No, you didn’t. But you have plans for your career, you have goals that you believe being my wife would interfere with. I don’t want you to have to choose. So I stepped back, hoping that when you’re ready, you’ll come to me, if you still want me.�
�

  “Enthrall.” She walked over to him, reaching up to cup his face with one hand, tugging on a strand of his hair with the other. “I never said or did anything to indicate that I didn't want you. Or if I did, it was certainly not my intent. There’s got to be more to it than this. Tell me.”

  Enthrall sighed. “Everything I said is the truth. That and the fact that I’m not completely sure it’s me that you truly want.”

  “Who else would I possibly want to be with?”

  “I don’t know. But Mamaie has been mixing my blood into your tea for weeks and weeks. It’s possible that is the reason you are drawn to me. I wanted to give you a chance to have it clear your system, see if you still want me.”

  “You foolish man! I’ve wanted you since the first moment I laid eyes on you. And I didn’t have your blood in my body then. Do you remember the day we first met?”

  Enthrall smiled, remembering. “I do. I could barely control myself.”

  “And I clearly made a fool of myself, obsessing over a married man.”

  He laughed. “But I wasn’t married.” He looked into her eyes. “I knew that day that I would belong to you for eternity. I will be here when you are ready.”

  “Yet you step away now.”

  “It is not unheard of to find your intended mate, and have that mate choose otherwise.”

  Felicity went up on tiptoe, and pressed her lips to his. “I choose you. The first day we met, the night we made love, now today and always. I choose you, Enthrall.”

  “But your career, the responsibilities you spoke of,” he said, looking around her office.

  “I can have both. There is no reason to choose one or the other. Trust in me. Trust in yourself! You are so much more than you see. Why is it so hard to believe that I want you?”

  He shrugged, a bit of vulnerability he’d been hiding entering his expression. “I’ve been accused of being a monster by those I loved most.”

  “Oh, Enthrall. They were fools! You are no monster. But what you are is presumptuous. You need to stop thinking for me. You need to just assume that we are exactly what we are, and stop over-thinking everything.”