The door creaked open, revealing an elderly lady dressed in a nightgown. She was carrying a lit candle, it's warm light illuminating the womans wrinkled features. She looked at Desmond from top to toe, taking him in, her face fixed in a somewhat stern but equally surprised grimace. Finally, she looked him square in the eyes, her brows slightly raised.

[color=8dc73f]I must say[/color], she said, [color=8dc73f]That I'm quite perplexed as to why such a dashing young man such as yourself would be calling at my door this time of night. I would be inclined to take it as a compliment, albeit unexpected, were it not for my growing suspicion that I am not in fact the lady you're here to see. As much as this assessment disappoints me, I am still glad. The young lady upstairs has been entirely too unconcerned with courtships, as far as I'm concerned, and she could certainly do well to spend a little time with a strapping lad. Oh please, don't try to deny it, I'm not interested in appearances or other lies. Do come inside. I'll show you to her room.[/color]

The woman let Desmond in, guiding him upstairs. She stopped in front of a door and knocked on it. Without waiting for a reply, she opened the door and stood to the side.

[color=8dc73f]You have a gentleman caller, my dear[/color], she said, [color=8dc73f]Now, I would have liked to have been informed of this prior to his knocking on my door, but we'll have that discussion in the morning. I will tolerate no secrets or skullduggery in this house. Well, I'm off to bed. I do not want to be disturbed. Good night.[/color]

Without further ado, she left the two of them there, disappearing down the hallway. A young woman, presumably miss Blakes, was sitting at a small desk in the room, staring at Desmond with wide eyes. She hadn't been able to speak while the whirlwind of a widow had passed by, and now she sat with her mouth slightly agape, still trying to catch up. Finally, she took a deep breath.

[color=f6989d]Who...[/color] she whispered, [color=f6989d]Who are... I mean, what are... Uh, to what do I owe the pleasure, mister...?[/color]

[@CollectorOfMyst]