The Secrets of Water

by Wendy Nelson-Sinclair

  “Oh, no,” Addie’s tragic face grew grimmer. “It was nothing like that. Daddy’s death was an ugly rumor. He was very much alive when Mummy inherited Aunt Margaret’s wealth after she died. My brothers remained on the farm until they decided to sell and move to the city. My parents inherited wealth, just as you did, although not on the same level, of course.” Addie sat doe eyed as she explained the events to Edith.

  As she listened, Edith fought the urge to pry further but the tangible, yet brittle anguish in Addie’s voice prevented her. The last thing she wanted to do was cause Addie more pain. Seizing the opportunity to share the horrors of her school years, Addie gave Edith the full, brutal account. Edith’s heart panged as Addie poured hers out. Clearly, Addie was subjected to several years of loneliness and isolation. A subjection that did nothing to dim her bright, burning inner light.

  “Didn’t anyone visit you?” Edith asked even though she was quite sure of the answer.

  “No,” Addie answered flatly. “No one visited me while I was at school, especially my parents. They had time to travel the world but not a minute to spare for their daughter,” Addie spat bitterly. “They were on their way to China when their boat was caught in a storm and sank. Father had business prospects there, you see. Prospects, according to my brothers, that later went belly up and ate away his entire fortune. Their selfishness has left me destitute. I have nothing, Edith.”

  “Addie,” Edith gasped, suddenly worried for her newfound friend. “What about your brothers? Do you have anyone that you can live with until you find a way back onto your feet?” Addie shook her head. Edith watched with dismay as Addie’s lovely, cherubic face crumpled and she began to weep.

  “My brothers both died from tuberculosis,” Addie choked the words out, struggling to remain calm. “They both died as paupers. Due to father’s business interests going belly up, Philip and Lyle died in the poorhouse. Lyle sent me a letter just after Philip died, explaining everything. The letter he wrote arrived two days before he himself died. The poorhouse buried them in a potter’s field, nameless and forgotten.” Addie’s heartbroken, timid voice tugged at Edith’s empathy.

  “Oh, Addie.” Edith wrapped a supportive, comforting arm around Addie’s trembling shoulders. “Why didn’t you write me before? You know that you could have come here! After all, I have this big, dusty old house, and there’s no way that I can use all its rooms. I want you stay here until you get back on your feet. Once you do, you’re more than welcome to continue staying. You were the light of my life when we were little. You made my childhood happy.” Edith met her friends’ eyes with a supportive smile. “And, let’s not forget that you’re the only other person who knows about the secrets of water. Do you remember?” Addie nodded that she did. “Don’t you worry yourself any further, Adelide Grey. You’ve come home.”

  Edith made the decision quickly and once it was made, it was final. She and Addie finished the pot of tea as they spent hours catching up. Once tea was over, Edith escorted Addie upstairs to the large, unused room located at the opposite end of the hall from Edith’s.

  “This room once belonged to my grandmother,” Edith announced as she opened the door. The hinges squeaked loudly from lack of use and the interior smelled of dusty, stale air. “I’ll ask Mrs. Sargent to air the room out and change the bed linens. I don’t know how long these have been here.” Addie nodded as she stepped past Edith into the room that was now hers. She cast an appreciative, yet scrutinizing eye about the chamber and finally, gave it her approval.

  “This is too much, Edith, dear,” Addie said delightfully as she spun on her heel to face Edith. “I don’t know how I can ever thank you for your kindness on a poor reject like me.”

  “Don’t say that!” Edith rushed towards her and gently smacked Addie’s hand. “You are not a reject. You are my friend and… you’re family. I hope that this drafty, lonely old house will be your home as much as it’s been mine.”

  “It already is Edith. It already is.” Addie flashed her well-practiced smile and forced a blush to rise in her cheeks.

  ************

  “Is Miss Grey going to be staying with us permanently?” Mrs. Sargent asked a week after Addie’s arrival. Edith had been sitting in the parlor, thinking upon a poem that she was contemplating writing. A poem about her pond and all the secrets it safeguarded.

  Edith glanced up as the older woman came to stand in the open doorway, her eyes fixed upon her employer. “Yes, she will be staying for now,” Edith answered with a smile but took a concerned notice of the scowl upon her trusted second-mother’s face. “Mrs. Sargent,” Edith said, giving words to her worries. “Is everything all right?”

  Mrs. Sargent stood stone-faced as she battled whether to voice to her opinion and how she and Mr. Brown felt.

  “Yes, Miss Edith,” Mrs. Sargent said shortly. In an unconventional and uncharacteristic move, Mrs. Sargent came in and took a seat on the divan opposite Edith. “I know that Miss Grey is your friend,” she began as she looked into Edith’s medium-brown eyes. “But she’s not telling you the truth about her life.” The long-time housekeeper admitted her concerns. “and Mr. Brown detests her.”

  “Mrs. Sargent.” Edith’s smile widened with ease. “Addie cleared up the mishap about her family.” Edith laid a gentle, reassuring hand upon Mrs. Sargent’s arm. “She explained what happened. There’s no need to upset yourself over that.”

  “That’s not what troubles me,” Mrs. Sargent admitted further. “There’s talk in town. Talk about why Miss Grey was sent to Europe. The gossip wagging on all the tongues casts her in an unfavorable light. In fact, it gives one cause for concern,” Mrs. Sargent paused, swallowing hard before continuing. “Harriet Carson’s family comes from near Maidensgrove. Her niece, Ursula, was employed by Mrs. Grey’s aunt before she died. From what Harriet says, nothing was left of the old woman’s estate when she passed. The estate and all its property had to be sold and all money went to pay off her considerable debts. They didn’t even have enough to bury the women in her own family cemetery,” Mrs. Sargent said frankly, truth living in each word. “I even heard a bit of gossip that came from Ursula’s own lips. She whispered of Miss Grey’s indiscretion. Word was that her brothers sent her away…” the older woman’s silver eyebrows raised. “Due to an unfortunate circumstance. That she became in the family way after a dalliance with a married man. Word is that he, along with his wife, died mysteriously just before Miss Grey was sent abroad.” Edith listened patiently while Mrs. Sargent prattled on with what Edith thought was idle gossip. Not suspecting the woman who kept her house to be one for salacious rumor, Edith found herself shocked.

  “Mrs. Sargent,” Edith began. “We can’t rely solely on one woman’s opinion.” Edith added evenly, trying to chastise without being harsh. “We certainly can’t place any stock in village gossip.”

  “Forgive me, my dear,” Mrs. Sargent spoke up. “but you do not know much beyond these walls,” Mrs. Sargent said, not wanting to hurt Edith’s sensitive feelings but was compelled to speak the truth. “Harriet Carson is the most honest woman I know. The Carson’s have always been known for their candor. She’s not afraid to tell the truth, even if it means turning friend to foe. If what she says is true, we should believe it.”

  Edith shook her head, certain that Mrs. Sargent’s apparent dislike for Addie was the fuel behind her attempt to tarnish her character.

  “Mrs. Sargent, even if what this Carson woman says might be true,” Edith said. “Don’t we owe it to Addie as Christians to give her a second chance?” Edith spoke with conviction, even though she’d never been particularly religious or relished in any religious study. The only time she’d picked up a Bible was when she was researching her first novel.

  “Most people deserve a second chance,” Mrs. Sargent said. “But only if they are repentant and if change is the truth of their heart. I do not believe that your friend is either of those things. I only tell you this because I want you to watch yourself. That Ad
die is going to be trouble. You mark my word. All we want to do is to protect you. We all love you, sweet girl. The last thing we want is someone taking advantage of you.”

  Edith’s mouth quirked up with appreciation for the woman who’d always looked after her. “I know that you only want what’s best for me,” Edith said. “And I love you for it. I’ve known Addie since we were children. I promise that she is a sweet, sincere person. If you give her a chance, I know that you will eventually come to see the dear girl as she truly is.”

  Seeing Edith’s refusal to see beyond the limits of her what she knew, Mrs. Sargent got to her feet, announced that dinner would be served at eight. Bidding Edith a good afternoon, she left defeated, upset at Edith’s blind spot where Addie was concerned.

  ************

  “Edith, dear,” Richard Wagner shadowed the doorstep of Blackwell Farm a week later. “How good it is to see you again!” Her advisor beamed, thrilled that Edith herself had been the one to greet him.

  “Mr. Wagner,” Edith opened the door to allow him in. “I hope your journey from London was pleasant.” Edith waited for him to step inside before closing the door. Taking his coat and hat, she hung them on a nearby rack before escorting him into the parlor.

  “Very pleasant indeed.” He smiled, relishing in the welcome that he had received during each visit to the lovely estate from equally lovely young woman. “And I bring good news.” He pulled out several reports from his case and handed them to Edith to peruse. “That investment scheme we gambled upon has proven to be very successful,” he added, proud that he’d personally been responsible for the growth in Edith’s fortune.

  “That is wonderful to hear,” Edith answered, totally ignorant of the scheme he referenced. “I also have news of my own,” she announced as a thrill shot through her. “My dear friend, Adelide Grey, has come to live with me,” she said excitedly. Wagner sat visibly immune to her joy, irritated at being unaware of the change in Edith’s household.

  “You have…a friend,” he attempted to smile but failed. “How quaint,” he added just as Mrs. Sargent brought in the tea service. “I was unaware that you were receiving guests,” he spoke with a fair amount of irritation. A sentiment that Mrs. Sargent equally shared.

  “Oh, yes,” Edith poured two cups and offered Wagner both sugar and cream. “Addie and I were the best of friends as children. Her family moved away after her mother inherited a considerable fortune from an aunt.” Edith filled Wagner on the details while her agent made mental notes to make inquiries. “Her parents sent her to England to go to school and she’s just recently graduated. However, upon her return, she learned that she was penniless. Her parents died when their ship sank on the way to China and both of her brothers became paupers and subsequently died of consumption.” Edith’s sympathy was radiant in her chocolate eyes. Upon seeing it, Wagner detected the stench of a rat.

  “How terrible,” Wagner said out of politeness rather than genuine concern. “And where is this friend of yours now?”

  “Addie should be here shortly. We’ve been taking tea about this time, so how fortuitous it is that you’ve just come. It will give you both time to meet and get to know one another.” Edith bestowed him with a sweet, endearing smile. The kind of smile that pulled at Wagner’s heartstrings and made him want to profess his undying love for her.

  “Oh, we’ve got company.” Addie suddenly appeared, catching both Edith and Wagner by surprise. “I didn’t know that we were expecting guests?” Addie stepped into the parlor, flushed and slightly windswept from being out. Edith bid her a warm welcome. Wagner, however, noticed the scent of sex and cheap perfume lingering in the close air.

  “Addie, we were just talking about you,” Edith said as she motioned Addie to join them. “This is Randall Wagner, my solicitor and advisor.” Edith introduced the man who closely flanked her side. Addie glanced from Edith to Randall and back.

  “How do you do, Mr. Randall,” Addie said sweetly. Too sweetly, Randall thought.

  “It’s Randall Wagner,” he corrected her blatant misstep, instantly disliking the upstart. “And Edith tells me that your last name is Grey?”

  Addie nodded. “It is,” she assented before taking the seat opposite Edith. Right on cue, Mrs. Sargent appeared with a fresh pot and an additional cup for Addie. “And you’re a solicitor?”

  “I am,” Randall said evenly. “I worked for Edith’s father, Barton, and have acted as caretaker for the estate since his death.”

  “Randall has been such a help to me,” Edith said clumsily, sensitive to the tension growing between them.

  “How lucky you are, my dear,” Addie said with a forced smile. “To have someone to rely on. Someone who knows how to build a fortune rather than destroy it.”

  “He will help you, too,” Edith interjected suddenly, sympathetic to Addie’s bitterness over the loss of her own fortune. “Won’t you, Mr. Wagner?”

  “Of course,” he said after a brief, tense pause. “I would do anything for you, Miss Edith.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Wagner,” Edith said with a rush of relief.

  Randall Wagner sat silently throughout the rest of tea, observing as Edith draped a supportive, empathetic arm across Addie’s shoulders. As Edith promised her friend that everything would be all right, he couldn’t help but detect the all-too familiar stench of bullshit. Deep within the marrow of his bones, he knew that something about Adelide Grey’s story didn’t add up and now, she was sponging off the woman who had stolen his heart. Determined to expose her for the fraud she was, Randall would do whatever he could to see Edith protected.

  ************

  “There’s something about her that I don’t trust,” Mrs. Sargent admitted when Mr. Wagner pressed her later that afternoon. “The girl showed up here carrying a load of lies and somehow talked her way into staying.”

  Randall Wagner jotted down a few notes before he looked up to meet Mrs. Sargent’s eye. “And you said that you had heard that the reason why her family left the area was that her father had died?”

  “I heard it from Harriet Carson. The Carson’s are known for their honesty. If they tell you something, you can trust that it’s true,” Mrs. Sargent said with certainty.

  “And what about the mother? What was it that you said?” Randall questioned the housekeeper further, relying on her trustworthiness. After all, Hannah Sargent was an honest woman, too. One who told it like she saw it without embellishment.

  “The mother was killed after moving to town. She was whoring herself out and one of the customers butchered her up,” Mrs. Sargent added before making the sign of the cross. “They were never rich, despite what that Addie says. That girl forgets that this area has a long memory. We might forget the benign, day-to-day things, but we don’t forget when something big happens.” Mrs. Sargent pointed a long wooden spoon at the solicitor, emphasizing her point. “She’d do well to just up and leave because of all the lies she’s told. Miss Grey doesn’t realize that the only one believes her is Edith. Everyone else sees her for the little money-grabber that she is.”

  “Fortunately for Miss Grey, the only one that believes her is the one she has the most to gain from,” Wagner said knowingly, jotting down another note before closing his notepad and tucking it into his coat pocket. “I can assure you that I will get to the bottom of this. I’ll expose Miss Grey for the conniving little liar that she is and see that Edith severs all contact with her,” he promised emphatically, completely unaware that Addie was listening on the opposite side of the door.

  Leaving Mrs. Sargent to continue with dinner, Randall headed outside to stroll through the gardens. Summer was coming to a close as he moved through down the dirt path that led to the back part of the property. The green foliage and multi-colored flower beds had made their last stand and the war they waged was quickly waning. Wagner followed the dirt path until he came to the fork that lead three ways: one to the house, one to the front gardens, and lastly, to the pond. Choosing the pond, he moved slowly
as he contemplated Edith’s current situation.

  “Mr. Wagner?” Addie’s voice called out as he approached Edith’s pond. Turning on his heel, Mr. Wagner looked up to see Addie quickly following behind him. She’d changed and freshened herself up since tea. Dressed in a light blue, long out-of-fashion tea gown, Addie reminded him of a prostitute he’d once passed in the East End of London. A scraggly, sick-looking creature who was far more honest than the creature creeping towards him.

  “Yes?” he replied, not making any attempts to hide his disdain. Two minutes—let alone two hours—in her company had been more than he could stomach. Her never-ending bragging, boasting, and constant fishing for compliments left an acrid taste upon his tongue. From the time she opened her mouth, it was clear that Addie envied Edith’s good fortune. It was also clear that Addie saw Edith as a rival, rather than a cherished childhood friend.

  “Mr. Wagner,” Addie called out again as she came to a full stop just before him. “Why are you questioning Mrs. Sargent about me?” Addie asked boldly without a shred of humility. “And what makes you think that Edith would ever stoop to look twice at a homely, awkward old man who nearly ejaculates in his pants every time she walks into a room?” Addie’s bluntness caused Randall to cough with indignation.

  “How dare you!” he cried as soon as he recovered himself. “I knew you were crude, but I didn’t expect vulgar,” Wagner bit back, embarrassed and angered at Addie’s coarse manner. “That kind of language belongs in an East London alley, not here on this beautiful estate.”

  “I dare, you ancient, creaking bastard! Edith is my friend and she’s been generous enough to allow me to call Blackwood Farm home until I can find my feet again. I heard you and that old hag talking about me in the kitchen! That jealous bitch will stop at nothing to fill people’s ears with lies. She’s a bitter old cunt who has hated my guts since I was a child.”