Pretentious Hearts

by M J Schlotter

  ​“No offense taken,” Charles smiled pulling an Army Club from his pocket and striking a match. “I figured you’d still be considering becoming an expat. That’s why I up and left London.” He continued blowing a puff of smoke. “Now, how about we forget this topic for the moment and instead decide on some kind of sport for tomorrow?”

  ​“Oh, yes let’s!” Jocelyn squealed turning her gaze to Robert. “What about riding in the motorcar through the countryside? I’m sure Charles and Emma wouldn’t mind us going out for a while.” She finished, laying her hand on Robert’s arm in a manner that suggested claim.

  “Of course we wouldn’t,” Charles grinned observing the souring expression forming on Robert’s face. Then seeing Katie entering the room with a pitcher of water he suddenly had an idea. What was it they said, keep your friends close and your enemies closer?

  “Katie,” Charles spoke catching her by surprise. “We were just discussing possibilities for outings. Please have a seat. We would love some input from a local.”

  What on earth was Charles doing? Robert stared completely confused by his friend’s actions. Not only was this against social etiquette, but had he not just conveyed to Charles his thoughts regarding Katie’s loyalties? Charles ignored the questioning look in Robert’s gaze and instead stood up and pulled out the seat beside him for Katie, who looking unsure at Robert refused to be seated until he finally nodded.

  “Excellent! Thank you for joining us!” Charles grinned, pushing the seat in behind her while Lady Shelby gave him a glance that suggested he had lost his mind.

  “So, Katie,” Charles spoke ignoring the bewildered stares of his companions. “What’s a person on holiday supposed to do around here?”

  Still in shock at being invited to sit with Robert and his guests, Katie remained silent, but with all faces turned in her direction, she found she had no choice. Softly clearing her throat, she spoke.

  “The Mourne Mountains are a lovely sight to see and have a beautiful view of the Carlingford Lough if ya are up for a bit of a hike. Slieve Donard,” she continued, “is the highest peak in Northern Ireland; and Percy French’s 1896 song, “The Mountains of Mourne,” is named after the peaks.”

  Robert’s eyes brightened. Hiking up the mountains and being able to see the vast landscape spread out beneath, as if placing him in a time all his own, sounded just like the kind of perspective and peace for which he was searching. How was it that Katie seemed to know precisely what he needed? With every word she spoke, Katie continued to prove more and more interesting. Her suggestion, her interests, her intelligence...what was he not understanding about her?

  “How quaint.” Lady Shelby sniffed. The look on Robert’s face said enough to her. It was as if he had some silent connection with Katie. But that could not be possible, could it? “Charles, dear,” she laughed lightly, “you are not really going to take the suggestions of some cook seriously are you?”

  Katie felt her cheeks begin to flush. Had she been invited to sit down only so that she could be insulted and made a fool for the entertainment of Lord Clifton’s guests?

  “A small hike sounds slightly invigorating,” Emma smiled. “I have not been hiking in the country in years.”

  “I cannot believe we are even entertaining such a notion.” Jocelyn spoke rolling her eyes. “A nice drive in the country would be much more befitting for people of our class.” She looked at Robert, her smile genteel.

  “Come now, Jocelyn” Charles chuckled, “wherever is your sense of adventure?”

  “Where it should be.” Jocelyn shock her head conveying that to think otherwise was preposterous. “By doing what is practical. We are here on holiday, and I do not desire to go on some manly excursion. I’m sure Miss Williamson does not either.” She shot Emma a glance causing the young woman to forget her prior utterance and shake her head in agreement.

  “I’ll surprise you all with an outing,” Robert spoke tired of the bickering. “Thank you Katie for your suggestion. You are dismissed.”

  Katie nodded and rose from her chair relieved at being set free from the hostile remarks of Lady Shelby. As she made her way back to the kitchen, she shook her head sadly. Lord Clifton had not come to her defense. He had allowed Lady Shelby to belittle her while he remained silently listening. Maybe he really was not the man she had thought she had seen within his eyes.

  Chapter 21

  ​“Robert, I had know idea you played! Why on earth have you been hiding such talent?” Charles exclaimed, shaking his head in amazement as Robert, finishing the song he had been playing, lifted his fingers from the keys.

  ​Robert shrugged. “I had not played since before the war. I only recently began again.”

  “Bravo!” Jocelyn exclaimed from the sofa where she and Emma were seated. “Such wonderful skill. I see your education is not lacking in any subject.” She praised, flashing Robert an amorous smile.

  “Thank you,” Robert replied forcing a smile upon his face. Lady Shelby and her not so subtle intentions were going to prove difficult to evade.

  “What made you decide to take the piano up again?” Charles asked lighting a cigarette.

  “I heard Katie playing one day.” Robert admitted.

  “Katie?” Charles asked astonished. “You mean to tell me that your cook can play? Well now, I must go find her. This young woman proves to be more and more intriguing.” He winked.

  “Charles.” Robert’s voice warned.

  “Robert, old chap, how else am I supposed to glean any intelligence if I do not keep her in close proximity?” He asked in hushed tones as he passed Robert on his way to the door.

  “Fine.” Robert remarked flatly. “But just so we are clear, it is strictly for the purpose of intelligence.” He whispered back.

  “Of course.” Charles smiled. “Whatever would make you think I had any other purpose?” He added, his grin growing as Robert was forced to shake his head in surrender.

  When Charles returned a few minutes later, Katie was with him carrying a tray of tea and biscuits.

  “I thought we all could use some refreshments,” Charles remarked. “And Katie kindly obliged to bring us some.”

  “Oh, that sounds lovely!” Emma smiled, while Lady Shelby’s face remained indifferent.

  “Thank you Katie,” Robert nodded as she proceeded to pour the tea and offer them all cups.

  “Robert, has been telling me that he heard you playing the piano and then decided to play again. I must say,” Charles smiled taking a sip of his tea, “I would love to hear what helped my good friend take up something he loved again. Would you do us the honor?”

  Katie held the biscuit she had been about to put on a plate in midair and looked at Captain Wesley. “I’m sure after hear’in his lordship play, ya would not want to hear me.”

  “Nonsense,” Charles spoke, “I’m sure you play very well.”

  “It would be a privilege,” Robert spoke holding her gaze.

  “Very well, I will play only if his lordship will accompany me in a duet.” Katie spoke.

  “Excellent idea!” Charles beamed rubbing his hands together. “Robert, old chap, don’t keep us waiting.”

  The look Robert gave Charles as he followed Katie to the piano bench was one full of irritation; and much to his further annoyance, Robert found it only made Captain Wesley more pleased. It was with a sour expression, that Robert took his seat beside Katie and felt the walls of the room closing in around them.

  As Katie’s fingers reached forward and lightly pressed the keys, Robert noticed the slight tremble in her digits. If he did not know any better, he would have believed her to be nervous as they sat inches from one another on the bench. That was a preposterous thought though, because she was the woman who had blatantly insulted him. It was not nerves he decided, but rather guilt and shame; feelings she deserved to experience. But as the song they played began to blend and swirl in musical harmony, Robert felt his mind relax, the music was beautiful. Turning towards Katie he cou
ld not help but smile, and was pleased when she returned it with her own. He saw the happiness dancing within her eyes. For the moment nothing else mattered except the pirouette in which their fingers and souls were now engaged. Feeling the rhythm coursing through her body, Katie closed her eyes breathing in the tune that radiated with life. This was a song that had started out following the notes, but it had now become a composition all its own; a song being written at this moment by its players. How well they blended together, how well they…

  “Robert,” Lady Shelby’s voice interrupted, causing Katie’s eyes to flash open. Lady Shelby was inches from her side wearing an expression brimming with irritation.

  “I did not know you played duets so well. Please, allow me to accompany you on a piece. My governess said I was a natural.” Lady Shelby bragged as she rested a hand upon Robert’s shoulder.

  Before Robert could stop her, Katie rose from the bench and moved to slip around Lady Shelby.

  “And you my dear...you are just full of surprises.” Lady Shelby smiled; but her words were not meant to be a complement, for Katie saw the displeasure within her gaze as her eyes continued to assess her.

  Lady Shelby lowered herself onto Katie’s vacant seat. “Alright darling,” she smiled at Robert, “how about we play this lovely little tune?” She cooed turning the page of the music book.

  As he played the song with Jocelyn, Robert’s fingers moved mechanically adhering to the notes upon the page. His thoughts kept returning to the song he had been playing with Katie. Why was it different with her? Why had it seemed so natural? He forced a smile at Jocelyn, inhaling some of her perfume. Sitting beside Katie had not been suffocating. Lady Shelby, however, had a definite presence that was unable to be ignored.

  As Charles watched Robert and Lady Shelby at the piano, Robert’s lack of life did not go unnoticed. When Robert and Katie had played, Charles had listened to the melody and harmony entwine into a beautiful song and had been unable to contain his smile. It had been so wonderful to see the life coming back into his friend. He chanced a glance at Katie who stood beside the serving buffet watching Robert with a look he detected as fondness, no affection? Intriguing, he thought, very intriguing. So far, he had not seen Katie do anything that implied she was working with the I.R.A. If he had observed anything in her actions, he thought curiously, it was the way she was now gazing at Robert. Interesting. This was definitely not what he had expected, but it was not something he did not approve. For the moment, Charles decided, he would leave Katie’s name out of the letter he was going to pen to the Irish Royal Constabulary. There was undoubtedly more to Katie than meets the eye. She was intelligent, and if he was not mistaken, she was quite possibly harboring a growing infatuation for his friend. This holiday, Charles smiled, was proving to be more and more interesting by the moment.

  Chapter 22

  After playing the duet with Robert, Katie’s mind was racing with emotions. It was not proper! She should absolutely not be feeling the way she was about him, Lord Clifton was her employer! She was to maintain the socially acceptable behavior of a cook engaged in service. Playing the piano, sitting so close to him, the way their song had become a composition of their own...this was nonsense! She moved to stir the soup on the stove before returning to the counter to prep the salad. How am I to face him and his guests now? She thought with growing despair.

  Dinner could not be avoided forever, and to avoid it would just imply to all that she had felt something. No, she must pretend that nothing transpired between her and Lord Clifton, she must carry on normally.

  “Good evening,” Robert smiled from the head of the table as Katie walked through the door with the salads.

  “Good even’in, sir,” She replied unable to keep the smile from bubbling across her face.

  Robert’s eyes twinkled, “We are planning another musical evening after dinner if you would care to join us?”

  “Thank ya, but I will have too much clean’in to do in the kitchen.” She replied.

  “Come now, we insist.” Charles remarked.

  “Yes, your playing was very lovely,” Emma smiled.

  “If she said she has too much to do, don’t badger the poor girl,” Jocelyn interjected shooting Katie a warning glance.

  “Please consider the invitation.” Robert offered, his eyes lingering on her face.

  Jocelyn watched the gaze between Lord Clifton and Katie. Please consider the invitation! An invitation to a cook! This simply would not do! Something must be done to right this dreadful situation, and it must be done quickly!

  “I shall consider the invitation.” Katie replied, “Thank you,” she added as she departed for the kitchen.

  “I just do not understand why you all seem so inclined to include this Katie into our evening.” Jocelyn shook her head. “Befriending the hired help is not something certain circles of London society will look kindly upon.”

  If he had to form an opinion of Lady Shelby at this very moment, Robert thought, he was quite sure that his description would be unkind. Not trusting himself to reply to Jocelyn’s insinuation, he instead remarked,“I think I will go and get more Chardonnay. Would anyone else care for some?” He added placing his napkin on the table.

  “Allow me,” Jocelyn smiled standing before Robert could get out of his chair. “You have been such a wonderful host, it is the least I can do for you. Now, don’t you three talk about anything interesting until I return,” she teased. Then with a twirl of her long blonde hair, which sent another cloud of jasmine flooding Robert’s senses, Jocelyn departed leaving Robert wondering what had caused her sudden change of demeanor.

  ​In the kitchen, Katie had filled the sink with water and was now scrubbing the various pots and pans she had accumulated as she cooked. Sighing, she stared at the massive pile of dishes where she had just deposited the soup bowls knowing it would only continue to grow. The salad plates still had to be collected and the main course had not yet been served. She really needed to figure out a way to consolidate her cooking utensils she thought shaking her head. Should she take Lord Clifton up on his offer and play another duet with him? His words had been sincere in his invitation, she had seen as much within his eyes. But to do so would go against her plans to maintain social graces...yet if she rejected his offer, what would that suggest? But accepting his offer provided yet another opportunity to have her character and status ridiculed by Lady Shelby, and that was something her pride would not again permit. Conflicted by Lord Clifton’s words and the decision she must make, she turned her concentration back towards the dishes. Consumed by her task, she did not hear the kitchen door swing open.

  ​“Ahem,” a voice coughed.

  ​Looking up, Katie saw Lady Shelby standing near the door.

  ​“So this,” Lady Shelby simpered “is the kitchen.” She moved slowly forward.

  Even though her long blonde hair shimmered enchantingly in the fading sunlight which was streaming through the window, there was nothing lovely in Lady Shelby’s eyes. Holding Katie’s gaze, Jocelyn starred pretentiously at the young cook. There was no way she could be competition, she thought, she’s a cook for goodness sake! Yet as she continued staring at the girl, Lady Shelby could not help but notice that her emerald green eyes, her long red curls, and petite figure were something Robert could not help but notice, he was a man after all. After our little chat, however, she sniffed the cook will no longer be a problem!

  ​ “Is there something I can get ya Lady Shelby?” Katie asked, feeling a bit uncomfortable under the English woman’s presumptuous gaze.

  ​“Yes,” Lady Shelby spoke, a harshness cutting through her words, “I just want to make one thing perfectly clear. Robert, that is Lord Clifton, is my fiancé.”

  ​Katie stared at Lady Shelby and forced herself to smile as the words cut through her heart. “I…I had no idea,” Katie spoke trying to keep her voice steady, “Congratulations to you both.”

  ​Lady Shelby sneered at Katie, “Of course you would not
know. You are a cook,” She sniffed, “not a friend in Lord Clifton’s social circle. After the war Robert needed some time to himself, but now he is ready to resume his duties at Evanshire, and we marry at the end of October. It was so sweet how he asked me.” She smiled, “Roses, champagne, the theatre... it was every woman’s dream.”

  ​Katie felt as though someone had punched her in the gut. Leaning on the counter she forced herself to stay composed. She had thought…that night in the kitchen...their times together in the parlor...as they had walked to and from church… the invitation to join him after supper tonight...and just a moment ago when they had locked eyes she had…why was she so stupid to think that Robert had ever had feelings for her? Why did she even care or want him to?

  ​“So,” Lady Shelby continued in a snobbish tone, “Woman to woman, I know men can often send off the wrong messages, and Robert, being a man, might have unintentionally given you the wrong impression, he is extremely nice to everyone after all, sometimes to a fault,” she added, a slight laugh in her voice.

  ​Katie’s head was spinning.

  ​“I would appreciate it then,” Lady Shelby remarked, “if you would refrain from eyeing my fiancé. The cook goggling over a man who is only nice to her out of courtesy, is extremely distasteful. Trust me darling,” Lady Shelby huffed, her eyes glinting, “When a girl like you acts flirtatious with an aristocrat like Lord Clifton, the man’s only thoughts for her will be if he can take her as a mistress. Men of Robert’s status do two things, bed women like you but marry women like me. And women like me,” Jocelyn spat, her eyes narrowing, “will not permit conniving ladder climbers like you from leading our men astray.” Then spinning on her heels and grabbing a bottle of wine, Lady Shelby left the kitchen entirely pleased with herself.