"I did it," Alison said, bursting into the room once again.
Eugenia went to her and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. She didn't like Alison, but she had to act as though she did. To keep peace and harmony. "Good," she said quietly. "And now. You must promise to not breathe a word of Dawn's worsening to any of the girls," she added, frowning.
"But they'll notice," Alison said. "Dawn will be expected to make a showing. Especially when the tree is lit, later on this evening."
"We can tell them she's not feeling too well," Eugenia said. "We don't have to tell them how bad she is."
"But what if Dawn should… ?"
"I'm going to call a doctor just as soon as Dawn gets her injection and falls into a deep sleep."
"But Dawn____"
"I don't care what Dawn has said," Eugenia said stubbornly. "I'm going to get a doctor. Dawn has grown so weak she won't be able to argue with anyone about the matter. We must do what we can."
"When the morphine gets here, I'll give her the injection," Alison said. "Then I'll let you know when to call the doctor."
"Thanks Alison," Eugenia said. Eugenia just hadn't been able to give Dawn the injections needed to keep her at peace. She couldn't stick the needle into Dawn's body. It sickened her to think about it, much less to actually do it.
"I must go on down and join the girls," she added, checking her appearance in the mirror, brushing some loose strands of red hair from her eyes. She had kept the bangs that Clarissa had cut for her. She had liked the way it had seemed to help her eyes, which she thought were set too far apart.
She could still hear her Mama's words. "It's a true sign of intelligence, Eugenia," she had said. Eugenia had scoffed, wondering who in their right mind had made up the saying that eyes being set far apart could be a sure sign of genius. She certainly hadn't fallen into that category, or she most surely could have done more with her life than what she had. But yet, being a madam had its compensations.
She let her eyes lower to admire the green velveteen dress that hung in deep gathers around her waistline. The roundness and firmness of her highly exposed bosom was more noticeable beneath the smoothness of the velveteen, the dress itself feeling like the bare skin beneath it. It was at times like this, when Eugenia paid special attention to her body, that she missed Drew—the need of him against her body, his touch, his lips. So far, she hadn't been with another man and wondered how long she could wait for the passion to be dealt with once again. She had seen many men come and go from this house, some had even flirted with her and had invited her to have a drink with them, but she hadn't been able to do so. None of them compared with Drew. In any way, whatsoever.
"Is that all you want of me?" Alison said from beside her.
Eugenia had gotten so carried away with her thoughts, she had completely forgotten about Alison standing in the same room. She could feel her face reddening, knowing that Alison had seen her admiring her own figure. But, luckily, Alison hadn't been able to read her mind. "Yes," she murmured, moving away from the mirror, to the window. "Be off with you," she added, then stopped Alison when Eugenia saw quite a happening on the street below her. "Wait. Come here. Quick, Alison," she said, pulling her drapes aside, gaping openly.
"What is it?" Alison said, going to her side.
"What's the crowd for outside on the streets?"
"There's supposed to be a parade passing by here at three o'clock," Alison said, her eyes wide, taking it all in.
"A parade?"
"Yes. Quite often the Opera House sponsors such parades to advertise a show they're going to present there."
"But, it's so cold for a parade."
Alison laughed. "You don't know Frederick Heinmarch very well, do you?"
Eugenia turned and looked darkly toward Alison. She knew that Alison knew that she had stayed with Frederick. She knew that Alison knew that she knew much about Frederick. "And what do you mean by that remark?" she snapped.
Alison's eyes darkened. "Nothing," she murmured.
"Is it about three o'clock?" Eugenia asked, again watching the crowd assembling thickly, anxious, like a small child.
"Yes. It is," Alison said quickly. "And listen. I think I hear music already. And look. There are some clowns."
Eugenia's eyes widened like a child's. She had not seen a clown before, and most definitely not a parade. She stood mesmerized by it all, the colorful faces of the clowns, floats with gorgeous, streaming banners passing below her, two brass bands, each person attired in red striped uniforms with towering hats on each of the musician's heads, tassels flopping clumsily with each step taken. And the ponies! So beautiful! Ten Shetland ponies that were drawing the attention of the smaller children who dared to venture onto Myers Avenue without their parents and the bloodhound dogs running around, barking, making a nuisance of themselves.
"Why this parade? Today? Is it to celebrate Christmas?" Eugenia asked, almost in a whisper.
"No. Like I said, it's always for a show that's to appear in the Opera House."
"What presentation could be so great to have such a parade to show it off?"
"I heard it's to be Uncle Tom's Cabin," Alison said, squirming in closer to Eugenia to take a better look below her.
"Uncle Tom's Cabin." Eugenia sighed, remembering reading the story so often by light of the fireplace late into the night, when she had lain alone in her Mama and Papa's living room. She had been so innocent then, really such a child.
A knock at the front door below drew Eugenia's attention away from the parade. "I imagine it's the delivery boy," she said, going to her purse. "Here. Give him a dollar tip for his services." She.
wondered if these small delivery boys had any idea at all of the seriousness of their deeds, working as dope runners, as Alison had said they were called.
"All right," Alison said.
"Then hurry and give Dawn her injection," Eugenia said, walking with Alison out into the hallway. "Come for me, downstairs, when you're sure Dawn is comfortable."
"Yes, ma'am," Alison said, and hurried down the steps ahead of Eugenia.
Eugenia paused at the head of the stairs to let Alison handle the transaction without any interference. Then she sighed with relief when she heard the door shut once again, and smiled knowingly at Alison as she passed by her, heading toward Dawn's room. Something tugged at Eugenia's heart, knowing what Alison was going to have to do to Dawn. How horrible it must be, she thought to herself, then' lifted her skirts and walked into the parlor.
"Madam Eugenia," Nell squealed, running toward her. "Isn't it all too beautiful?"
Eugenia paused and looked around her. Everywhere she looked she could see colorful crepe paper of green and red twisted and turned and tacked to the top of the doorways and windows, and tinsel sparkling in gold and silver beneath the bright lighting of the crystal chandelier.
"The tree is ready for decorating," Laura said, going to Eugenia, clinging to her arm. "Where's Dawn? We're anxious to get started on the tree."
Eugenia clasped her hand over Laura's, and then patted it, as though she were the child and Eugenia the mother. "Dawn isn't feeling so well this evening, girls," she said loudly, trying to be heard above the Christmas music being played on the victrola. "We must proceed without her, I'm afraid."
"But Christmas Eve won't be fun without Dawn," Nell said solemnly. "Can't she come down for only a minute? Maybe just enough time to watch us decorate the tree?"
Eugenia looked from one girl to the other, seeing something in their faces quite different from what she had ever seen before. They had been transformed into small children on this one special night. Children even possibly thinking of Santa Claus. It did appear that way to Eugenia. It made her heart go out to each one of them, knowing that this life they led had to be one of sadness, emptiness, loneliness. She looked toward Laura, then Nell. Nell and Laura, both so sweet and innocent. Nell had found some spark to life with her relationship with her friend Iris.
"Nell?" she said softly.
"Yes, Madam Eugenia?"
"Why don't you go and get your friend Iris to help you girls decorate the tree?"
Nell gasped noisily, flipping her skirts up into the air as she twirled around. "Really?" she asked, stopping to eye Eugenia, almost pleading.
"Really." Eugenia laughed. "Now off with you. Go and get her." She watched as Nell left the room, then she felt a presence at her side.
"You know you're asking for trouble, don't you?" Pearl said, frowning, as she was turning a round tree decoration between her fingers.
"I don't know what you mean."
"If Iris is allowed to come in, all the rest will feel they should have the same privilege."
"And what's wrong with that?" Eugenia snapped.
Pearl's skin seemed to pale right before Eugenia's eyes. "You don't mean that we will have to mix with the likes of them?"
"And how do you separate yourself from them?" Eugenia said firmly. "They're of female gender. Just as yourself. I see no difference. Except in the coloring."
"You're disgusting," Pearl hissed, walkingaway from Eugenia.
If it had been any other time, Eugenia would have quickly reprimanded one of her girls for such an outburst. But she didn't want anymore sadness than was already present in the house. She just walked to the window and watched the last of the parade as it moved down the street. Then her eyes went to the mountain. The evening sunset was reflecting orange onto the foggy mist, resembling the spray from an orange being peeled. It was so beautiful, she could almost taste it.
Then suddenly, there was another knock on the door. Eugenia turned and checked the clock on the mantle over the fireplace. It was too early for the men to start arriving. She couldn't imagine who it might be. It couldn't be the doctor. She hadn't had the chance to call him yet.
"Want me to go to the door for you, Madam Eugenia?" Laura asked, already heading toward it.
Eugenia smiled warmly. "No, dear," she said. "You get on with the fun. I'll take care of it." She walked into the foyer and prepared herself for the cold blast of winter air as she pulled the door open. She stepped back, shocked, not at all prepared for whom she found standing there with his black suit against the backdrop of white snow spread all around him.
"What do you want?" Eugenia asked, quite aware of the trembling of her voice.
"It's Christmas Eve, Eugenia," Frederick said, taking his hat from his head, bowing deeply. "I've brought you a gift," he added, his eyes searching her face as he pulled a small wrapped box from the inside pocket of his suit jacket.
"I don't want any gifts from you, Frederick," Eugenia said cooly. "Now or ever. Will you please just leave me alone?"
"I must talk with you," Frederick pleaded, his face reddening. Eugenia didn't know if it was from impatience or embarrassment for not having been invited inside, knowing that many people walking away from the parade area might see him standing there at The Old Homestead Parlour. But Eugenia wasn't going to budge. She pitied him, but was still afraid of him.
"There's nothing you have to say to me that's of any importance to me, Frederick," she said, starting to shut the door, but she was stopped by the firm grip of Frederick's hand on the doorknob, pushing against it.
"Clarissa is with me no longer," Frederick said hurriedly. "Won't that make a difference to you, Eugenia?"
"What did you say?" Eugenia said, almost in a whisper, feeling her heart begin to thump nervously. Had she heard right? Had he said that Clarissa was no longer with him?
"I need to talk to you, to tell you what I've done about Clarissa and her lies to you."
"Lies… to me?"
"Yes. Please. Let me enter long enough to give you your gift, and long enough to explain much you need to know. You owe me that much Fräulein Eugenia. You know, I, personally, never gave you just cause to hate me."
"Oh, all right," Eugenia murmured, knowing that he was right. He had only tried to help her become a lady, which in the end she had become. Yes. She had him to thank for that. She could give him a few minutes of her Christmas Eve. She could remember how alone he always seemed while living with him. And now? Clarissa even gone? She held the door open widely, shivering with the coldness passing over her as he pulled the breeze in behind him.
He stood with his cane tapping nervously on the floor, his eyes searching around him.
"Let's go into the dining room where we can have privacy," she said, lifting her skirt, hurrying away from the gaiety radiating from the parlor. She stepped aside and let him enter first, then looked quickly around her to see if they had been observed by any of the other girls. She wanted to get this over with. Alone. Without any interference from anyone. She shut the door behind her and stepped on into the room. "And now, what have you to tell me?" she asked, clasping her hands together behind her, hoping to stop the trembling of her fingers. He looked so large, so threatening to her finally found peace of mind.
"First. The gift," he said hoarsely, handing it in the direction of Eugenia.
She shook her head. "No. I really don't want anything from you, Frederick," she said. "I already told you that. I'm willing to hear what you say. But I don't want your gift."
Her eyes widened as his pudgy fingers began to work with the blight red bow wrapped around a small, gold-colored Christmas-wrapping papered box. The red ribbon fell to the floor as he tore the paper aside. And as he lifted the lid on a white box, Eugenia gasped with astonishment. It was a diamond brooch, sparkling even more brightly than the crystal chandelier hanging above her.
"Why, it's beautiful," she sighed, wanting to accept it, remembering the day that she had admired the diamonds in the store window and knew that some day she would own such beautiful jewelry.
"It would look beautiful on your green dress. May I?" he asked, stepping c loser to Eugenia.
Eugenia swallowed hard, hating to refuse. But she had to. "No, I think not," she said, then hurried away, to stare out the back window. Even the house in back occupied by the colored girls was decorated at the windows in the bright greens and reds of different-shaped ornaments hung on strings stretched across each window. She could even see a few Christmas tree lights twinkling from farther in the room.
"You said something about Clarissa?" she said quietly. She could feel his presence behind her. She knew that all she had to do to find him would be turn. There he would be, his brow dripping perspiration, and his white ruffled shirt showing from beneath his black suit, and his pudgy fingers still offering a gift so beautiful it had almost taken her breath away.
"I've made Clarissa leave," he said. "I forced her to admit many things to me."
"Like what?" Eugenia said, feeling a numbness surging through her. But she continued to stare out the window, not wanting to watch his expressions change as he talked.
"She told me of the girls whom she had shackled in the tower room," he said, wheezing, as he grew more excited. "I had no idea she was using that room in such a manner. And she told me that she told you that I shared in such madness. Well, with God as my judge and witness, Eugenia, I did not. You must believe me."
Eugenia swung around, her eyes wide. "I can't believe what you're saying," she mumbled. "Do you mean to say… ?"
"Yes. Clarissa is responsible for the disappearance of the girls that I brought to my house. Girls I wanted to make protegees of mine. Girls I wanted nothing from but to teach them the ways of the opera. Girls I wanted to present to the opera, stating that I had found them, had been responsible for great talent drawn from inside them. That was my reason for bringing you to my house. It is no lie, Fräulein Eugenia."
Eugenia was well aware that she must have paled from these discoveries. "But why would Clarissa do these things?" she said. "And she so emphasized your participation in these evil doings."
Frederick cleared his throat and wiped his brow. "She was jealous of any attention I paid another young lady," he said. "We never had any sexual relationships in a sense that you would guess. She had only helped me with my bath, and while in
the bath, she would… relieve me? So you could say?"
Eugenia turned away from him once again, remembering the giggling and laughter that had come from the bathroom that had adjoined her own while living in The Towers. Clarissa had even then been pleasuring Frederick, but in such an abnormal way? Why hadn't they ever… ?
Frederick continued. "Clarissa had hoped that I would in the end make her my wife. We had been together for so long. But she didn't know that the thought of marrying a mulatto repelled me. But she never stopped hoping."
Eugenia swung her skirt around and sat down on a chair. "But the girls? Did she actually murder them?" she asked.
"I have no actual proof of that. When the girls would disappear, Clarissa would just tell me that they had run away. I had no idea that she had taken them to the tower room to do as she pleased with them. I only went to the tower rooms for one reason. For my opium den. I never once thought to check the other rooms. I never had reason to. I never heard one sound come from them. She must have bound their mouths. It sickens me now to even think about it."
Eugenia looked up into his eyes, studying him, to see if she could tell if he was lying or telling the truth. "But why would she tell you about myself?"
"She didn't. She just told me that you had left. I wouldn't have guessed any of her evil doings if you hadn't told me that Clarissa had locked you in the tower room."
"And Clarissa? Where is she now?"
"As I said, I have no physical proof of her crimes. I couldn't have her arrested. I just made her leave."
Eugenia's Embrace Page 18
