Pretentious Hearts

by M J Schlotter

  “I just put a record on the phonograph.” Emma smiled, “and Charles here tells me that you are an excellent dancer. Would you care to give me a demonstration?”

  “Thank you, Miss Williamson, but I do not believe I would make a good dancing partner at this time.”

  ​“Oh, come now Robert,” Charles spoke, “can’t you participate for an old friend?”

  Even though at the moment there was nothing more that Robert wanted to do then remain a bad host, he pulled himself from his sulking and followed Emma and Charles back into the house. As they were walking into what in Kerney Hall’s glory days must have been a magnificent ballroom, Charles spotted Katie coming out of the kitchen.

  “Katie,” he spoke, “would you do me the honor of dancing with me? It seems with Jocelyn resting upstairs with a headache and Robert and Emma paired off, I’m the odd man out.” He smiled.

  Katie blinked, then caught sight of Robert’s soured expression. “Thank ya Captain Wesley, but I must decline. There’s much to be done before super.”

  “Come now,” Charles persisted crossing the floor and taking her hand. “Robert won’t mind will you old chap?”

  But he did mind, Robert wanted to blurt. He minded a great deal and wanted to give Katie a piece of his mind! But instead, he found himself saying, “Of course, Charles, I don’t mind.”

  “Excellent!” Charles exclaimed, his eyes twinkling as he took Katie by the hand. “Now that’s all settled, let’s show Lord Clifton and Miss Williamson how to dance!” He smiled knowing he was sure he would soon find out if he was right about his speculations.

  Robert put his arm around Emma’s waist and held her hand in his. As they Tangoed around the room, he kept catching glimpses of Katie’s red curls swirling as Charles attempted to teach her the steps.

  “Robert, I am bloody awful at this.” Charles laughed. “Can you please come and correct my errors before I completely mess Katie up?”

  Robert narrowed his eyes at Charles, but Emma smiled broadly as Captain Wesley cut-in. Katie looked at Robert, her green eyes a tempest of anger and sadness. As Robert put his arm around her waist his fingers tensed, just last night he had pulled her tighter into his arms where she had fitted he thought so naturally. As he led her around the room, neither one spoke. It was not until the second song began playing, that Robert chanced himself to speak.

  “I encountered your Mr. Shannon today, he seems to be rather smitten with you. I assume the feeling is mutual?” His words aired on friendly, but his eyes showed no such emotion.

  “Not that it is any of your affair,” Katie spoke, “but yes, I do believe the feel’in is reciprocal.”

  Robert tightened his grip on her waist. “I must implore you to reconsider his character before you do anything that might be rash.”

  “Consider his character, when ya yourself are of such moral stand’in?” Katie stopped dancing.

  “You should not judge when you do not know the entirety of the story or the facts.” Robert spoke, his voice heavy.

  “What I know,” Katie spoke as Robert began moving her again across the dance floor, “is that Mr. Shannon was court’in a young woman named Anna Pruitt, but ya had no morals and back stabbed a man who was supposed to be a friend of yours. Then ya did not have the decency to follow through with your obligation as a gentleman when Miss Pruitt became in the family way with your child. I know all I need to know about your character. Ya are the worst kind of libertine!” She finished, her eyes penetrating him like ice.

  “So it seems,” Robert spoke levelly, “that you have already decided what type of man I am. Thank you Miss for the dance.”

  Robert walked away leaving Katie standing in the middle of the floor looking after him. He had not even tried to deny it, she thought. A part of her heart fluttered and died. She had wanted the story to prove false, and now the truth hurt even more, like a knife being twisted into her heart. Hastily thanking Captain Wesley and Miss Williamson for permitting her to practice the Tango, she retreated back into the sanctuary of the kitchen. She would be serving dinner soon she thought sadly, and would then be departing from Kerney Hall in the morning. The only thing she had to look forward too, she thought with a smile, was seeing Michael Shannon later that evening.

  On her way to the dining room to set the table, Katie walked past the parlor where Robert’s guests were engaged in lively conversation. The doors were pushed open, and as she passed by, she heard Captain Wesley’s animated voice entertaining his friends with some story. She paused for a second and looked at Captain Wesley. How could a decent man like him be friends with Lord Clifton? It just did not make sense. She noticed Lady Shelby had recovered from her headache and was now seated on the sofa next to Robert. As she was about to resume walking, Katie saw Lady Shelby lean forward. Turning away, she continued towards the dining room feeling the sting to her heart and pride. There was nothing wrong with an engaged couple sharing a small moment of affection, but seeing Lady Shelby and Robert’s lips pressed against one another’s made her wish dinner was already over and her services ended.

  During dinner, Robert refused to make eye contact or any acknowledgment of Katie’s presence, and kept himself absorbed in the conversations of his guests even though his mind was truly disengaged. When Jocelyn had kissed him in the parlor, he had as nicely as he could told her that she was out of line. And now spurned, Jocelyn was refusing to speak to him this evening which was fine with him, for he was just as disinclined.

  When eight o’clock finally arrived, Katie, with relief, slipped out the kitchen door and made her way towards the stables. The sun was beginning to set, and soon it would be dark. Reaching the barn, she opened the doors and slipped inside.

  ​“Mr. Shannon,” she called into the shadows. She heard the horses stamping their hooves but no other response. “Mr. Shannon,” she tried again, “I got your telegram.” A feeling of uneasiness slipped over her, and she could not shake off the thought that something was not right.

  ​“Well, well,” a voice spoke, “So ya do fancy this Shannon fellow.”

  ​Ian McAllen sauntered forward out of the shadows. Katie stared at him. “It...it was you?”

  ​“Yes,” Ian smirked, “I sent the telegram. How else do ya think I was gonna get ya to see me?”

  ​Katie turned to leave but Ian caught her by the wrist.

  ​“Ian, ya let me go this instant!” Katie jerked, then trying to sound unintimidated added, “Don’t think I won’t kick ya someplace else besides your shins!”

  ​Ian’s smile flickered, but he did not release his grip. “When are ya gonna come to your senses and marry me?” he asked putting a hand on her chin. “Your da’s already given his bless’in.”

  ​“Never,” Katie glowered stomping on Ian’s foot and causing him to release her. She used his momentary lapse of attention to slide past him. Reaching the barn door, she looked back, “I suggest ya leave this very minute!”

  ​“And why is that? Ya afraid your English tenant might pummel me? Don’t look so shocked,” he scoffed seeing the horror on Katie’s face, “I know there is a British spy in your house. The question is,” he breathed stepping closer to her, “Is whose side are ya on?”

  Katie shivered, Ian was inches from her face, his eyes glinting wickedly. “Robert Clifton would never lower himself to fight the likes of ya, and there is no reason why he should!” Katie snapped.

  ​“So, it is true! Ya are housing a filthy Brit!” Ian exclaimed, his face flushing with fury, “I knew it after I watched that stupid Englishman ride off towards Kerney Hall. He is a good for noth’in spy Katie! He saw us at Warrenpoint!” He bellowed taking a step back from her and pulling out a letter.

  “To: The Irish Royal Constabulary…my contact, L.R.C., and I are convinced... the merchant ships were not the result of an accident, but rather a blatant attack by...I.R.A. sympathizers. L.R.C. observed a group of men...names overheard McAllen, Flynn, Fitzpatrick, Ryan, Kelly, and O’Connor…Sincerely C. C.W!�
�� Ian spat shaking the paper in front of Katie’s face. “L.R.C… Lord Robert Clifton. A damn nobleman is spy’in on your father and me!” He bellowed.

  Katie saw the ire burning within Ian’s eyes. He was like a wild animal, a loose cannon, a blind fool consumed by hate.

  Ian suddenly held her gaze again. “Unless,” he smiled wolfishly at Katie, “we turn the tables on him. Have my girl play the coquette getting this L.R.C. to walk straight into our hands.” He added twirling a strand of Katie's hair between his fingers.

  ​Katie's heart was pounding with fear. Robert and his guests were no longer safe. “Ian McAllen,” she stammered forcing bravery into her words, “I’m not go’in to tell ya again…leave this instant!”

  ​“You’ve turned into an English lover!” Ian roared his eyes bulging, “Where’s your patriotism!”

  ​“With the rest of descent Irish folks who aren’t hot-tempered hooligans!” Katie retorted wishing she was far away from Ian.

  ​Ian smirked. “Well, if I were ya, I’d warn your crumpet faced houseguest to watch his back, cause no one, least of all an oppressive regime’s spy steal’s Ian McAllen’s girl!” he threatened brushing past her, “Ya never know, what happened to those ships could soon happen to him.”

  ​Katie stared at him horrorstruck. “Ya…ya killed the sailors on the British merchant ships? They really were sabotaged?” She recalled the conversation she had interrupted between Lord Clifton and Captain Wesley.

  ​“Ah, casualties of war,” Ian snickered pleased with himself.

  ​“They were innocent civilians!”

  ​“No! They were British invaders!”

  ​“You’re insane!” Katie exclaimed.

  ​“Yes, well if it weren’t for ya father and me, those aristocratic tea sippers would still be dig’in their claws into Irish pockets!”

  ​“They were merchants!” Katie bellowed, “Civilians, not soldiers! Ian McAllen ya are noth’in but a terrorist!”

  ​“Don’t forget your dear old da!” Ian sneered, “Ya should have seen his face when he lit the fuse!”

  ​Katie slapped him across the face. “How dare ya implicate me da!”

  ​“Implicate!” Ian chagrined, “Try tell’in the facts,” he snorted grabbing Katie by the shoulders and shoving her to the ground. “You’ll do good to remember just who you’re dealing with,” he spat leaving her lying on the stable floor.

  ​Pulling her knees up against her chest, Katie watched Ian disappear down the road, the stars beginning to emerge as he disappeared. With a pang of horror, she wondered how she could possibly keep Lord Clifton safe.

  Chapter 30

  ​Heading back to the house, Katie found the kitchen door had been bolted. Of all the nights for Mrs. Sparrow to lock up early, she thought with annoyance as she headed towards the back of the manor. Reaching the large stone walls constructing the posterior wing, Katie silently made her way towards the corner where two antiquated partitions met. As she rummaged through the ivy, Katie was grateful for the presence of the full moon. When her fingers found the slab of stone that was slightly raised, she pushed with all her might until a narrow chasm appeared.

  Slipping through the aperture, Katie pulled the stonewall shut behind her then hastily headed down the darkened corridor. She had been down this passage as a child numerous times, but even so, it was eerie swatting back the wispy cobwebs which lunged out at her from all directions within the dark. Stumbling on a loosened stone, she reached out and caught herself against the wall. She had found this secret passage by accident she recalled. Running her fingers along the wall, Katie continued walking. She had been playing hide- and- seek with her mum, when bumping into a bookshelf she heard a creak. Being curious, she had pushed against the shelf and gasped when a narrow opening appeared. This passage, she thought smiling, was a secret only shared between her and Kerney Hall. As she neared the end of the corridor, Katie saw the thin glow of light seeping underneath the door. Someone was in the library she thought, and shuddering she realized she would have to remain in the damp and musty corridor until the library’s occupant departed.

  ​ Katie leaned against the door and pressed her ear upon the rotting wood. She did not hear anything, but the library light still cast shallow beams within the darkened passage. How long she remained standing, like a shadow breathing in the musty air of the forgotten passageway, she did not know; but when at last her legs began to ache, she realized it was time to take a chance. Softly pushing against the door, she froze as it emitted a silence shattering creek. This is stupid, she thought, once again pushing against the door, it’s not like I’m break’in and enter’in, I’m not fired until tomorrow.

  ​Laying on the sofa, his vision intoxicated from all the Cognac he had consumed, Robert swore he saw one of the bookshelves moving. Wow, he thought, trying to focus his eyes on the nearly empty bottle sitting on the floor, he had consumed way too much to drink. Then with a final glance back at the bookcase, Lord Clifton passed out.

  ​After stepping out of the passage and closing the bookshelf, Katie caught sight of Robert lying on the sofa, his face drawn and haggard. Tearing her gaze from Robert’s face, her eyes darted to the almost empty bottle. Had her kissing him made him feel uncontrollably guilty? Was that even possible for a man of his nature? She understood now why her employment had been terminated. Robert, despite all odds and flaws of his character, was a man in love, and he was undoubtedly disturbed by Michael Shannon arriving and knowing his secret. Tearing her gaze from Lord Clifton, Katie noticed a crumpled piece of paper on the floor halfway to the waste basket. She moved to pick it up and throw it away when her eyes read the first few words. Slowly unfolding the parchment, her hands trembling for she knew she was invading the private thoughts of Lord Clifton, she read:

  What heart does see and know tis blind to eye,

  Each breath, your name is on my lips, sweet love,

  Each beat longs to speak a word lest one die,

  Oh lady fair, oh lady from above

  My heart aches but waits and hopes in the dark,

  For your light to mend my oh troubled soul,

  One word from you, and I shall sing, a lark,

  If you should not speak, I will not be whole

  Your smile, your laugh, is it merely a game?

  You can tear or heal by what you decide,

  Tell me, oh lady, that you feel the same,

  That my heart is not alone on this ride

  Oh sweet lovely lady, whose lips pressed mine,

  With your kiss my heart is forever thine!

  Katie stood silent, her hands holding the paper tightly, as she reread the sonnet Lord Clifton had composed. His heart was pouring out in pain. Could it be that Lord Clifton, a rogue, could truly be in love? Oh fairy lady... Lady Jocelyn was indeed a fair and beautiful woman. With your kiss my heart is forever thine...She had seen them kissing in the parlor. Had Lady Shelby somehow learned of Robert’s reputation? Crumpling the paper back up, Katie threw it into the wastebasket, then quietly left the room swearing to never cause Lord Clifton pain again no matter if his flawed character deserved it.

  As she entered her bedroom, her eyes caught sight of an envelope lying on her bed. Picking up the crisp parchment, she saw her name scrolled in the same elegant cursive in which she had just become acquainted. She did not know why, but her fingers trembled as she opened the letter and began reading its contents.

  My Dear Miss O’Connor,

  I have recently learned of your surname and have come to realize that divulging this information to you, if you are indeed affiliated with the I.R.A., puts my person in harm, but it pains me to know that you think of me as one of the most vile types of gentlemen. I only hope, now that you are dismissed, I can alter your perception of me, by addressing the accusations Mr. Shannon has levied against my person and character by setting the record straight. Michael Shannon and I both attended Oxford as you already know. Finding that we both excelled in our marks and shared common
interests, we developed a friendship which I valued. It was in our final year, however, that Mr. Shannon’s behaviors changed, or rather I stopped turning a blind eye towards his actions.

  Shannon had been seeing the daughter of a prominent London banker, I believe you know her name, a Miss Anna Pruitt. Despite having looks I believe women are drawn too, Mr. Shannon also has an extremely charming personality. Miss Pruitt soon found herself in a delicate predicament, and when she told Mr. Shannon she was expecting his child, he broke off their courtship. I shall spare you all the details, but needless to say after much financial compensation and the offer of a prestigious position at Mr. Pruitt’s bank, Miss Pruitt’s father and I were able to convince him to marry Anna.

  It is not I who has the low moral character, but rather Mr. Shannon. I would normally not see it as my right to share these details, but I feel it is my duty as a gentleman to share them with you so that you too do not fall prey to the schemes of a womanizing man who is still bound in matrimony. Please forgive me if I have caused you any further pain, for that was truly not my intention.

  Your concerned friend and former employer,

  Robert

  ​Katie stared at the paper in her hands. She was at a loss for words. Everything Michael had told her about Lord Clifton had been a lie. She had been so willing, so easily persuaded to see fault with Robert. She had been so wrong in her judgements, and now she could only hope she could rectify her actions and gain his pardon which she did not deserve. As she packed, Katie hated her pride. She had been wrong about Robert in so many ways. If she had only listened to her heart from the beginning, then the hurt feelings, false judgments, and arrogant actions between them could all have been avoided. It was with these melancholy thoughts that Katie finished packing, realizing her hopes of reconciliation with Robert were as possible as grabbing a star from the sky. In the morning after quickly scribbling a note to Robert, she grabbed her suitcase and left Kerney Hall forever.