"MERCY? ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO WHAT I'M SAYING?"

"Yes" the answer was actually no.

No, Mercy Reeves could never focus when just that morning, before the sun could rise that day, he took Francesca Bridgerton to her home, dying by the departure of their touch, the feeling of her skin.

No, he could still remember her kisses, her moans, her giggles, the way she called his name, the way she clung to him, everything leading to the climax of the best sensation of his life.

He had finally loved that woman to the fullest, expressing all he kept for so long, only to return her to her home that morning.

How disappointing.

It was almost infuriating.

"Then what did I say?" His maid, Miss Fickle, who had returned back in town, to her psrt of the residence, that morning, asked.

Luckily he was quick enough to sneak out with Francesca before the sun rose in the sky and that elderly lady's cunning eyes could capture them.

"You...uh...was it about food?" He asked, since he had barely touched it.
Miss Fickle looked at the man intrigued, somethimg was off.

"I was actually speaking about Jonah, his father seems to be with some financial problems."

Mercy snapped back to reality, turning instantly to her. "Financial problems? What do you mean?"

"It's just him and the child, you know, his work doesn't exactly pay well enough...the economy is difficult."

He looked down at a moment thinking, he was so raptured by his love haze that he had simply forgotten of the cruel reality he actually was settled in. Liking it or not, Francesca would return peacefully to the dream like reality she lived in, while and people similar to him, would endure the consequences of being born in poor circumstances established by fate.

But if fate made him this way, why was he cursed to fall for someone so far from that perspective?

Miss Fickle continued to talk bu he couldn't pay attention to a single thing she'd say, doomed was Mercy Reeves for yerning or Francesca Bridgerton so badly, sinned he had, for fulfilling his deeper desires and have a taste of her flesh. Now he was sentenced to live an entire life mourning his love for her, who would never be able to live in broad daylight.

Now there was only noise, Sharp at a corner, cleaning his dark fur, while Miss Fickle had finished speaking but he did  not understand what she said. Shame on him, but how to blame him on his obssession by the one and only rarest jewel ever found, Francesca Bridgerton?

Dearest angel that led him into hell's flames...He wondered how she was now...

"Mercy." He finally listened. "Mercy are you sick? You don''t seem like your usual self." Miss Fickle pondered with concern.

"I...I am fine." He stared bakc at the clock and got up from his seat abruptely. "Look at the time! I should take not be late for my appointments"

"Is miss Bridgerton still taking lessons?" Miss Fickle furrowed her eyebrows. "Strange, a lady like her sould be focusing her time on finding a husband by now, especially since she is the newest queen's choice."

Mercy freezed by the door, his bue eyes nervous, avoiding Miss Ficke's cunning senses. "Well...her family might find playing the piano  agreat strategy to attract suitors, who knows...anyway, I'm leaving, see you later."

...

Francesca's dress as too tight, her skin too warm, her cheeks too flushed,no matter how much she'd attempt to fix herself, she was more nervous than usual, no one could even approach her in that situation. The thing, she couldn't stop thinking  of what happened, she was fixated in the issue, poor thing,and some would take her for shy wen she'd marry, but truth is, Francesca honoured her Bridgerton genetics and secretely wished or more of her lover.

She had done the only little thing she wasn't allowed to and thrilled on the subject.

Being able to love and to be loved by Mercy was the best thing that had ever happened to her. And she didn't want to say goodbye to it.

So when the clock showed the time for her class and she heard his knocks on the door, Francsca had a heart attack,rushing donwnstairs like it was christmas. standing right where she was supposed to, when she was supposed to.

"Oh, you're already here."Vioet gasped with a soft smile, as she arrived at the drawing room with a musician by her side. "Very punctual as always, Francesca."

Mercy Reeves did what he barely did in front of others: smiled. And he did not just smiled, he grinned brightly, lke this was the most wonderful surprise he could ever witness. Francesca, the air that he now breathed ws ther,e nd trying to so hard not tosmile at him while gazing a the floor.

"Good afternoon, Miss Bridgerton" He said with delight.

"Good afternoon Mister Reeves." Her blush spread all across her face.

"Well I'll be over there if you need me." Violet excused herself  to the couch across the room, as Mercy followed Francesca to the piano.

He pulled the stool she cud sit, smelling her delicate essence of roses on her neck, while Francesca giggled with no sound this invisible intimacy was priceless to them.

"What piece should we work on today?" He asked.

"...Maybe something by Mozart?" She suggested, ditracted.

"A fair choice, let's see." He leaned over to see the music sheets above the piano stool, but whispered in her ear "How are you feeling?"

Francesca smiled. "As if my heart would explode at any given moment. And you?"

He chuckled. "Mine's already entering combustion."

Her fingers softly touched the keys, in a frequent rythm Mercy approved. But even with that secret joy they shared, Mercy's consciouness started to weight in his mind.

He looked around the Bridgerton's drawing room, so light remarkably luxurious, even the gardens outside were better than his entired neighbourhood. He could feel smoke filling his lungs, the fire was right there, in front of him, he did not belong there.

He did not deserve that woman, to ahve tea with her in the afternoon, or to write her melodies tp make her swoon, to caress her soft hair strands and sing her to sleep, or even hold her palms when she was nervous.

No, Mercy Reeves was only a ghost at that point, a spirit who had entered a happy family he did not belong to.

Vioelt Bridgerton was a sweet host by now, but who would she become if she knew what he had done to her daughter? If she knew her daughter was falling for a mere commoner who couldn't pay his bills?

He was never there, not as his persona, but only as staff. And staff weren't supposed to fall for who ordered them around.

Again, the line was evident and clear, so by the end of the songs, Mercy Reeves smiles had faded completed, while Francesca looked at him excited.

"So, what do you think?" She asked sweetly, looking up at him, who stood tall by her side.

Mercy tried to form a sentence while being stabbed multiple times by his own thoughts, his lips pursed painfully while processing the information.

"You did...marvellously Miss Bridgerton." Was his answer. "Astonishing as always."

Francesca smiled again, happily, and turned back to the stool, trying a few more arrangements.

But during all those moments, Mercy's mind was never present.

...

The goodbye came as quickly as the hello, and when Mercy was about to leave, Francesca almost ran to him. "Wait, Mr.Reeves." Her chest moved up and down, as he looked at her almkst crying his heart out, cursing himself, how could he escape that situation now? He was too far gone, too screwed, too...in love. "I..."She tried tk disguise it, since her mother already looked at them strangely. "I was hoping to ask...will you play at the ball that will happen tonight?"

It was a secret invitation, he already knew, he should refuse, but her eyes were so bright, her smile so joyful. She left a mark just as deep as the fingerprints she left on his skin last evening.

"Yes...Lord Stinx has invited me to play a piece."

"How...remarkable." She sighed. "I...I'll be sure to listen."

"Yes...please do." He tried to keep a neutral aspect, nodding. "Lady Bridgerton, Miss Bridgerton."He nodded, excusing himself.

The door was closed, and now their worlds were apart again, Francesca felt her soul rotten just by the seconds away from him.

"Francesca dear." Violet called, as she turned around. "Are you alright?"

"What? What do you mean?"

"You seem happier than usual. Not saying it's a bad thing...it's great actually...did something good happen?" Violet smiled go her daughter.

Something incredible happened.

"No, not at all." She shook her head.

"Oh...fine then." Violet said, still finfing it strange.

"I think Hyacinth asked for my help with her...um...bows, excuse me." Francesca hushed upstairs, now able to breathe.

How to explain to her mother that in that moment, all she needed, was the man that had just crossed their front door?

No, she could only stay at a window, and watch him leave, touchinh the glass as he entered the carriage.

She could not wait for that ball.

...

Balls weren't Francesca's cups of tea, it was clear by now, but deep inside she wishe dthat time could run faster all so she could meet with Mercy again.

Her family already suspected her excitement, asking tons of questions.

"Wow."Anthony smiled as he escorted his sister downstairs. "So...sparkling, you look beautiful sister." Francesca thanked the compliment. "Is that all so Lord Samadani may notice you? He surely will."

Francesca made a face. Of course, Lord Samadani would be there, and she was starting to worry about that stigma. Sooner or later, he would want to take the next step, when all Francesca wanted, with due honesty, was to 'accidentally' fall onto Mercy Reeves bed again.

But by now, she had to keep a pleasent smile and join her sister Eloise in the carriage, who already complained.

"You look happy." Her sister commented, tilting her head. "At least one of us is."

"Why aren't you?" Francesca blinked.

"You know I hate this parties..." She shook her head, staring at the window outside. "And my only company, who used to be Pen, now only spends time with our cousin."

"Our cousin, Stephen?"

"The very same bastard." She sighed, crossing her arms.

"Are you jealous? Why?"

Eloise held herself not to let her vulnerability show up too much, trying to keep up her fierce and wild attitude, like a car showing their claws when afraid.

"What if he does succeed in making her fall for him?" She asked. "Is it gonna be like this?"

"What do you mean?"

"If they...if they marry, do you think Pen will not have time for me anymore?" She gulped anxiously. "We always hoped we would stay single together but now...now I am not so sure."

"Shouldn't you be happy for her instead?" Francesca remarked. "After all, this was Penelope's dream."

Eloise sighed, tiredsome but also defeated. "Yes...Yes, you are right."

"I believe if she is your friend and love syou, she will always make time." Francesca tapped her shoulder carefully, in an empathetic gesture. "Don't worry so much."

Eloise attempted to smile and muttered something in gratefulness, but the words were fastly interrupted by how fast their vehicle abruptely stopped in front of a large mansuon.

In a matter of seconds, the carriage was open, allowong them to leave with the help of staff.

Anthony Bridgerton quickly offered his arm to his sister Frabcesca, while Eloise was stuck to her mother.

"Now, we keep an eye out of Lord Samadani." Violet said joyfully. "Oh, this will be a wondetful evening, children. Come along."

Across the room, Mercy Reeves struggled in a circle of people asking him questions, a bunch of nobles asking how he learned the piano, how he met Lady Danbury, how he managed to achieve the increasing success he gained, and what were his connections that led him to teaching to one of the Bridgertons.

It was suffocating overrall, yes, but he was being seen, and if that emant to suck up and give a few smiles to some nobles, he could endure that situation.

After all, Mercu was now known for many qualities, his talent, his charity work and, thanks to Lady Whistledown, his looks.

Perphaps he could find some good patrons that evening.

"Mr. Reeves." Lord Cowper shook his hand. "We meet again."

"Lord Cowper, good to see you." Mercy only nodded with his head.

"So you're playing tonight? Getting tons of invitations, I presume."

"I received the host's kind invitation to demonstrate a piece, yes." He responded, still beware of that strange kindness.

"I was thinking throwing a soireé to attract suitors for my daughter, I was wondering if you'd be interested to be the main musician of the event."

Mercy blinkrd, the main musician?  That was HUGE.

"You mean, play songs you categorize-"

"Whatever feels best and that may please people." Lord Cowper waved with his hands indifferent. "Truth is, Mr.Reeves, you are becoming popular, and I need Cressida to increase her popularity, so do whatever feels best." He insisted. "What do you say?"

Mercy felt like that was the opportubity of a lifetime. "Well...if we can adjust the prices."

Lord Cowper handed him a paper. "Write whatever feels best for you until tomorrow, and I shall reward you with it."

His jaw dropped slightly. Never, in all these years, he was faced such an opportunity. He nodded promptly. "I will, thank you sir." He shook the noble man's hands with enthusiasm.

"My wife must be looking for me. Excuse me." Lord Cowper exited the conversation, as Mercy watched him still in awe.

Maybe life was finally smiling upon him, he found the job opportunity he was begging heaven for, he fell in love with the woman of his dreams...

Wait. Maybe it wasn't so bright at all.

No, it was actually dark.

Mercy Reeves visualized the exact moment Lord Samadani approached Francesca Bridgerton. He flawlessly bowed and kissed the back of her hand, inviting her to the dance floor, as her family encouraged her.

Mercy could feel his heart bleeding, his nerves cacking below the surface.

"Mr.Reeves?" A voice brought him back fo his senses. It was Lord Stinx, the host of the event. "I believe people would like to hear some music now. the pianoforte is ready for you."

Mercy almost had forgotten what he was there for. He cleared his throat. "Of course, right away, my Lord."

Mercy went to his position, sitting on the piano stool, stretching his arms,  the crowd attentively listened, as couples ligned on the dance floor.

"Seems like your instructor will play for us." Lord Samadani commented to his pair.

Francesca looked over his shoulder, as she met her favorite musician's eyes burning against hers across the room. She felt her whole skin shiver, as if she was caught doing something wrong.

The notes begun soft, delicate, but also sinister. Mercy Reeves played as he watched the love of his life dance with another man, the same man she was supposed to marry in the future, the man he could never be.

And she slided on the dance floor, serene and light as a feather, spinning on Samadani's arms as she was made for them, a wonderful pair, people would comment, as Mercy increased the tempo.

His shoulders were tense, posture rigud and curved, the crowd gasped with excitement, as Mercy conitnued his ominous ballad that led couples back and forth through the glistening floor.

"Francesca's instructor is really talented. Never heard anything like this. It's almost like he is mad." Anthony whispered to his mother.

Violet had a feeling she couldn't deny, a bad one, like there was a hidden connection, something off in the atmosphere and she couldn't quite tell what it was.

"Yes...yes he is." She mumbled still astonished.

The tapping of the tiles were violent, almost slamming them, as Mercy continued, fingers fast, notes screaming as the couples spinned. Francesca couldn't bare look at him, her heart was escaping through her mouth, it was almost as if his melody was making her ill.

It sounded as if he was screaming on her face.

Whenever Lord Samadani touched her hands or her waist, she felt the it in an intoxicating, corrupting and burning sensation. It all seemed wrong, it all seemed comoletely twisted.

The air of the room was suffocating, the crowd rooting was too much, everything was spinning, and spinning, and spinning.

"What season would you like to marry, Miss Bridgerton?" Lord Samadani muttered, Francesca felt like vomiting by jow nauseous she was. "I am very fond of the summer, what about you?"

She couldn't answer, her skin was more pale than usual, her habds trembling, the figure of Mercy playing in that way was killing her.

"Are you feeling well, Miss Francesca?" Lord Samadani noticed the change.

"Y-Yes" She managed to stutter, as her legs almost failed.

"You don't look like it-"

Mercy's fingers slipped through the pieces,his hair was already falling above his gelid blue yes, as an animal, letting music possess his soul.

A soft sigh escaped his lips as he continued, ladies went crazy because of him. There was nothing like the image of a jealous but talented man pouring his heart into songs.

The ballad was almost over, and Francesca felt like that would be her ending, like that, over the piano, was the image of a phantom ready to abduct her soul.

And she would gladly give it.

It abruptely stopped. His fibgers still tense, as he breathed heavily, with great effort, and the cloud erupted with applause.

Lord Stinx made sure to go thank the musician for his performance but he stormed off the room, overwhelmed. The orchestra continued their usual melodiee, and soon nobody else laid attention to the duo.

"Would you like a refreshment?" Lord Samadani offered.

"Actually..."Francesca mumbled, watching Mercy's figure disappear from the ballroom. "I...need to meet with my sister Eloise...my apologies, just a moment"

She didn't bother creating much excuses, even with the clear fact that Eloise was there, at a corner, creating fist known to the whiole ton. No, Francesca couldn't waste tine any longer. Her feet rushed out, almost tripping over the heels as she saw his shadow almost obscure by the evening, only lightned by candles at the secluded hallway they were.

"Mercy!" She called, he continued walking. "Mercy!" She called again but he still seemed to ignore. Her hand gripped onto the sleeve of his coat, making him finally stop. "Mercy...why...why are you like this? Wait-"

Her shoulders got stuck by large palms, her whole figure was compressed, stuck, and thrown against a cold wall. Francesca didn't have time to object, as soon as Mercy's lips dominated her own, she allowed his tongue to invade her mouth, making her moan and succumb to his attack.

His hand were both on her waist and her thigh, pulling it forward, against him, expressing his desire and rage. The so gentle and kind figure seemed completely gone by that prinal urge he had to reassure her of what he felt.

Mercy Reeves didn't think about the time, location or occasion. He thought about her, only her.

He needed Francesca as the air he breathed, if it would kill him as inhaling poison, he couldn't care less. She was the water he'd drown, the knife he would be gladly stabbed by.

And be would not allow any man take the death that was rightly his.

"Mercy...people will see us-" Francesca tried to speak, but he interrupted her over and over with his kisses. "Mercy-"

"Do you think it is fair?" He gasped from the contact of her kiss, no single air in his lungs. "To make me watch you both?" His expression was purely somber. "To make me play so you two can dance all over me, Francesca, is that it?" He continued  "While I stand and suffer for you, as a vow you've made in secrecy."

"No, that's not what I wanted, Mercy I do not want him-"

"You misbehaved, Miss Bridgerton." He pointed his finger to her. "What's to be done about that? Mhm?" The sound of the party continued, muffled voices and music, all too close, too dangerously close. "What should I do with a bad student like you?" He whispered in her ear, hot breath on her skin as his hand crept beneath her dress. "...Punish you?" He whispered in such a soft, innocently like manner, that made her want to scream.

That was a man of morals, of values, a kind man who cared for others and praised Lord everyday in church.

That only showed the power she had on him, able to twist and bend Mercy Reeves the way she desired.

Fingerprints over wet cement, forbidden symphony covered by her own hand. The soft rubbing he made against her skin made Francesca shiver in weakness and pleasure.

"M-Mercy-" Francesca mumbled with half closed eyelids.

"It is worse than I thought...how drenched..."He breathed out. "...how perfect..."Sloppy kisses on her mouth again. "Watch the hallway. Be silent."  He suddenly said serious, in a rush.

"What? Why?" Francesca asked puzzled, as suddenly Mercy dropped to his knees. "What are you- Mercy!"

Mercy got underneath her dress, a silhoutte under her gown. Her underwear pulled to the side, skin exposed to fresh air, as Francesca's eyes widened within the next sensations.

Her knees weakned, while Mercy's mouth explored her flesh, wet sounds filled with lust echoed through the hallway. "Someone might see us...mer-Mercy..."

She could feel his laugh vibrate against her folds. He was slow, and detailed in his motions, adding a finger inside her, driving Francesca to the edges of her consciouness.

With one hand, Francesca tangled her fingers within Mercy's hair, almost pulling him against her, and the other covered her mouth from screaming his name so all the party could listen to their salacious satisfaction.

Mercy could feel the hardbess in his pants with only the muffled moans he listened from her. Pleasing Francesca was his fetish, the trigger that pulled the gun.

Kissing and licking inside, so soft and tender, even her juices were sweet as vanilla. She tasted like the mist delicious sin he could ever commit.

Francesca mumbled something he couldn't understand, and soon enough there was a flooding all over his lips. A tear ran over her porcelain skin.

The queen's sparkler was ruined.

Mercy tried to clean the excess of cum on that rolled over his lips with his handkerchief, standing up as he looked at Francesca red faced, overwhelmed.

He cupped her face, and the old, concerned and caring Mercy appeared again. "Are you alright?" He whispered tenderly, as she nodded. "Are you sure? Okay...okay." He kissed her lips again, allowing her a taste of herself. "Oh, you look a mess" He chuckled, making her smile. "Such a mess, Fran.."

"Feeling better now, Mr.Reeves?" She teased. "You seemed...out of your mind."

"And I was. Extremely" He joked. "Sorry if I was...rude, or unkind in any sort of way."

"You weren't." She reassured him. "In fact, it was...exciting."

Mercy smirked slightly surprised. "Oh, was it?" He chuckled. "If only you knew all we could do in this hallway"

"I can imagine..." Francesca muttered, her hand reaching for Mercy's crotch, making him slightly whimper. "I couldn't stop thinking of last night."

He felt his own face heat up, he was better than making one blush than he was, for God's sake, that woman was just evil.

"Francesca..." He eaid nervous, as she rubbed the front of his pants in a rythm that made hus senses slower and heavier. "Someone will see us."

"Please Mercy" She pouted with mischief. "It is not fair, this should be my turn to make you come undone."

The two giggled to one another, she squeezed his cock eagerly, as he gasped. "Fuck..."He moaned, becoming a puppet in her hands.

He was closing his eyes, already taken over by the pleasure, her skilled fingers already pulling him out of the pants.

"Mr.Reeves!" A shouting made his eyes snap open. He pulled awsy, adjusted the pants.

"Stay here, get back to the ball once I leave." He whispered, kissing her cheek as he rushed forward.

A figure waited at the other end of the hallway, unable to see what might've happened by the darkness. Lord Stinx.

"There you are." He greeted the musician. "You disappeared after the sing. I was going to compliment you for the performance, where have you been?"

"Um...smoking" He lied. "Crowds are quite overwhelming."

"I could day the same, but change crowds for my wife." He laughed. "Come, there are some high peers I'd like for you to meet."

Mercy gazed back, trying to spot Francesca, but she was already gone. He sighed relieved,  trying to process all that has happened in that short timed evening.

But for now, all he could say was "May I use your bathroom first, my Lord?"