His Black Wings
Page 4
“Yes, I…yes.” I answered. He turned and was heading out the front door when he stopped again.
“Oh and Miss? There should be a note from Mr. Brighton with your instructions. He is out this morning.”
My heart sank a little. I was looking forward to seeing him again.
“I see, thank you." He left and I walked to the desk to find my note. I found the note on the table in the parlor.
My Dear Miss Cardindale,
Forgive my apparent rudeness for not being here to greet you personally.
Please make yourself comfortable. If you follow the stairs down
the hall, you will see your room is the second on the left.
It would be in your best interest to rest for tonight, we have much work to do tonight. Fredrick
I put the note down and looked around me. I guess I preferred to be left alone when making myself comfortable. I helped Naza up the stairs and found my quarters. The room was of fair size, not as big as my own room in my parents’ house, but larger than what I recently have been accustomed to.
There was a large cherry dresser in one corner of the room, a bed up against one wall and a small vanity table with a looking glass and brush set. Someone had taken the time to place fresh flowers in the room. The darkest roses I had ever seen. I knew flowers were very hard to come by in St. Marhen and generally considered an extravagance for the idle rich. I touched one petal softly and inhaled it’s heady scent. I placed my three outfits in my dresser and noticed that in the corner was a large dog bed covered with a comfy looking quilt. A huge bone lay on top of it. Naza quickly sniffed it out and lay in her new spot chewing happily.
Hot tears sprung into my eyes as I realized I had not been able to buy any treats for my companion.
I immediately pushed my bed up against the window so that when the new moon came around I would see it at night. The bed was heavy and took nearly an hour and a lot of effort to move.
Finally, I had it right up against the window. I looked around my new room. I had put my clothes away, moved my bed and made sure my suitcase was neatly tucked away. I guess I would go downstairs and explore.
I was already familiar with the parlor with its small fireplace and overstuffed chairs. It was only last night I sat in here as a stranger. Now today I stand here as a resident of this house. I still could not believe I attained the job so easily.
I walked into the hall where I noticed there was a coat closet before the kitchen entrance. The kitchen was small but functional. I opened the cupboards and saw that they were all empty. Not even coffee or sugar. No plates or spoons. I wondered where he took his meals. Perhaps he ate out. I didn’t believe that this small town had any restaurants, only pubs and Mr. Brighton hardly looked as though he would ever even consider eating in a pub. I shrugged to myself and went back to the parlor. There was a bookshelf I hadn’t noticed before. I picked up a harmless looking book simply titled, The Journey of Bhagda Meenish. It had a funny little man on the cover that looked like a kappa or river troll. I read for many hours until my eyes began to grow watery and my lids heavy. I set the book on my lap as I yawned.
Perhaps I should go up to my room to rest, were my final thoughts before drifting off to sleep in Mr. Brighton’s chair.
***
I awoke to firelight and crackling logs. I opened my eyes slowly, as if reluctant to leave my dream state. In fact, I was reluctant. I dreamt of a beautiful garden with a clear black pool. I wanted to reach my hand into that pool and feel the coolness of the water. Someone called my name, my real name, Claren, and I looked up still in my dream.
A house stood majestically in the distance. Huge and stately it rose out of the Shangri-la of my sleep. A gray hulking mass peppered with gargoyle rain spouts and countless windows. I knew I would go to that house.
“Lily?”
I opened my eyes and looked into Mr. Brighton’s. He was standing above me looking down. Concern, then amusement, was visible in them.
“You were dreaming.” He stated. I ran my hand over my hair, making sure it was in place.
“I’m sorry Sir, I hadn’t meant to fall asleep. I was reading and just drifted.”
“No harm done.” He smiled warmly and picked up the book I was reading.
“And what’s this?”He looked at the cover, then frowned.
“I hope you don’t mind Sir, I picked it out of your library. I…at first thought it a children’s book, but I see it is for all ages.” He gave me the queerest look.
“I like it very much.” I added somewhat lamely. I did in fact enjoy it and wanted him to hand it back to me. It was a story of a gnome who has to make his way in the world of hostiles. I hadn’t read very much, but wanted to continue it. He replaced it on the book shelf.
“You like it do you?” I nodded.
“Well there will be plenty of time for reading later. That is one of my son’s favorite books you know. If you are going to borrow it, make sure you take care of it.” He looked at me intently for a moment then walked to the other chair to sit. I had the strangest feeling he was testing me. Seeing what I was made of. Trying to crawl inside my mind and find out what I was made out of. I passed his comment off as a joke.
“Oh no, I won’t as much touch it if it means that much to him. I am only sorry I started reading it. I m afraid I’m hooked.” I said smiling even though I didn’t feel like it.
“Read it please, you take me too literally. I am glad to have someone employed that enjoys books as much as we do. I must say that I was astonished to learn you could read. Not many women do nowadays.”
I bristled at that, and he seemed to noticed.
“Not many people in general Sir, seem to read. Especially in this area.”
“Yes, you are quite right. Are you familiar with this area Lily?”
“Yes, I spent a few weeks here last summer with a sick Aunt.”
“Yes, and your Aunt? How is she now?”
“She…passed on. Last summer.” He nodded gravely and turned away. Was it an effect of the firelight, or did I observe the faintest smile on my benefactors lips? His face was turned away now and I had no way of ever knowing.
“What kind of illness was it?” He asked. I thought it an odd question. He did not apologize for her death, just posed another question. Perhaps he was not as well mannered as I at first thought.
“She had always been sickly, but at the end, no doctor could help her.”
“What do you mean sickly? Mental?” He questioned brusquely. I felt myself blush deeply by his guessing something hidden.
“I don t know, my father never really let me visit her. When I was little she almost let me drown. A stranger saved me and since then I wasn’t allowed to go near her.” He nodded his head gravely.
“Do you think she did it on purpose?”
“Oh no! I just don t think she realized I was drowning. She was always very sweet and talkative. When it became apparent she was getting worse, my father granted me permission to take care of her. I didn’t even know she was ill until he told my mother and I.”
“Why did you, a young girl, take care of your Aunt and not your mother?” I felt shame for my mother’s sake and softened the truth.
“My mother was inclined to faint at the sight of blood or sickness. She hardly visited me when I had an ordinary cold. I don t blame her.”
“That is good you are not like her in that way, Lily. You have a strong personality, but are also humble.” I squirmed under his compliments.
“Thank you Sir.” He smiled knowingly.
“Where are your parents now?” I was not prepared for that question and was not further prepared for the huge lump that seemed to be making itself a regular guest in my throat. I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came out. I quickly looked down to hide my quickly misting eyes.
Why now!? Of all times!
I mentally damned myself for letting the dam of tears loose. Tears dripped down my cheeks as quickly as I wiped them away.
“Aye, Missus and Sir, would ya like yer dinner served in ‘ere?”
A small voice asked in a thick accent. I turned to see a waifish looking serving girl no more than fifteen years old.
“Bring out the cart Mary and then you may go home.” Fredrick said casting a furtive glance at me. I managed to control my tears as I excused myself to clean up.
I went up to my bedroom and saw that even Naza had a little dinner brought up to her. A bowl of thick cuts of beef in a gravy sauce and little chunks of potatoes and carrots. She was gulping it down with gusto. I stroked her head and whispered to her a little. She thumped her tail against the backside of her bed.
I heard my name being called from downstairs, so I told Naza good bye and prepared myself for dinner with my new boss.
We ate in the same room, with the exception of “telly trays” as he called them. Little tables used by an individual that were high enough to eat off of while sitting in a chair. I had never seen anything like them before and told him so.
“Yes, they’re quite old but not really stylish. They are made out of a material that has not been manufactured in hundreds of years. Plastic, yes it was called plastic. I use them here because it’s such an informal place as it is.” I nodded and looked down at my plate.
Thin strips of smoky flavored beef dripping in a flavorful sauce were arranged prettily on my plate. It was accompanied by mashed potatoes mixed in with green herbs and butter. On a separate plate, a lush green salad with baby corn, carrots, kidney beans, and croutons were waiting.
“As you can see we do not even have a formal dining room here.” He said.
“Please don’t wait for me Lily, I have never appreciated the ‘waiting for the host’ way of thinking.” I glanced up at him and he merely sipped at his wine.
I began to eat as he told me a little of his own personal history.
He told me he stayed out in Alcott once every 6 months. He let the serving girl, Mary stay here rent free when he was away.
“Where is she now?” I inquired, remembering how he sent her away.
“I rent out a room for her while I am here. I would never kick her out on the street. My one rule while she is here is that she keeps things tidy and does not venture down into the basement. I have personal articles that I do not necessarily want her to view.” I nodded at this as if everyone had secrets in their basements.
He went on to tell me he had been married many years ago but his wife passed away mysteriously. He grieved for many months but it didn’t do anything to convince his wife’s relatives that he wasn’t responsible for her passing. When they began to whisper tales of foul play in the authorities’ ears, he packed his then five year old son and moved to the countryside.
“Her relatives were closed minded, backward beasts.” He peered at me, as if gauging my reaction. I continued to eat the wonderful meal and hardly took notice of his harsh adjectives. I also knew what it’s like to feel strongly about someone so I was in no position to judge.
“When she passed, tongues wagged, eyes pierced and I nearly lost my son. The only thing I had in this world to remind me of Emrah. I took my son and fled. We settled in Hartsford, St. Marhen’s sister city, perhaps you have heard of it?” He looked at me again, seeming to know all. I ignored the question and continued eating.
“Hartsford is a large city, not as large as St. Marhen, but large enough. Our house is very isolated though, in the countryside, the way I prefer it. So now my son and I live in a huge empty house.” He stared off into the firelight, still sipping his wine.
“Is your son in school Sir?”
“Please call me Fredrick, and he is not in school. He was taught at home by his Mother and myself. He has no use for practical schooling any longer.”
“I see.” I sat back from my meal, full and sleepy once more.
“So, now you know about your employer, I would like to know about you. I believe you were telling me about your parents before Mary came in.”
I nodded quietly, not knowing how much truth I should give him.
Something inside warned me not to lie, but I went against it and lied by omission. I would tell him just the things he needed to know, and nothing more. Nothing more that could lead the authorities to me if they searched North Alcott.
“My mother passed on not long ago. My mother was very sickly with an unknown ailment and finally succumbed to it. After she passed on, my father decided to travel abroad. I think he ran away from her death, the memories, the whole thing.”
“And you as well. Tell me, does he write, or contact you in anyway?”
“Only in dreams.” I whispered. He nodded.
“Yes, in dreams. Sometimes dreams are better than the real thing. I am sure you miss your father very much, but he must be battling some very strong demons to keep him away from such a wonderful daughter.”
I said nothing. My father was not battling, he gave in willingly to Death. Shame for my lies forced my lips sealed to the compliment.
“Why is it that no match had been made for you? You look of age, are you?”
My stomach soured. Frantic thoughts crammed their way into my head. Even as I opened my mouth, I was uncertain as to what I was going to answer.
“Yes, I am of age. Right before my mother’s death, I had my eye on a certain gentlemen, but the arrangements were never made. He has since gone off to his second studies after graduation, without any idea that I existed.”
“Tragedy! Such a lovely girl as yourself. My heart goes out to you Lilly. Such tragedy should never visit someone so young or kind. If you grant me the permission, I would be honored to act as the match maker. Just give me the young man’s name and I will have my fastest driver roust him from his school dormitory before the next cock crows.”
Now what was I going to say to that, I wondered. It seemed the more untruths I spoke, the more horse hockey I got myself into. I looked down into my lap as an answer formed in my mind.
“No Sir, I mean Fredrick, I thank you for such a generous offer, but I am ashamed to speak the truth of the matter.”
“Shame? What shame can there be to be young and in love?” I felt frustrated by this conversation and his insistence.
“Not in that, but in the fact that I learned love itself is not fleeting, at the whim of a young person, but everlasting. Love, true love, should last beyond death. I am ashamed to admit I was only infatuated with this young man and would only give him pain if I were to allow him to court me. I realized I never loved him.”
His whole expression changed. He seemed to radiate an inner glow that made his features much more attractive.
“Bravo! Well spoken. It’s such a delight to hear youth speak so. I think you will get along well with my son,” He paused thoughtfully, “providing he lets himself be seen.”
He stood and said his goodnight, leaving me to ponder his remarks.
“Please sleep well and watch for my notes on the hall table. I will from time to time leave you instructions there. Do not be preoccupied if you see more of Mary then you do me. I do expect you to keep our Friday appointments like clockwork though.”
He paused and looked at me intently to make sure I was listening. I nodded.
“Good, and like Mary, I ask you do not go down to the basement. I do all of my work there and do not wish it to be disturbed.”
I nodded again, wondering what kind of work he did. He looked at me and smiled.
“Goodnight Lilly, I hope you are comfortable here and sleep well.”
He ushered me to the stairs while he stood at the foot, looking up at me. I walked up to my room and prepared for bed. Naza opened a sleepy eye and winked at me.
Snuggled down into the incredibly soft bed, I immediately went to sleep.
The weeks that followed were strangely happy. I was alone, or with Naza for the most part. Her limp was not as noticeable as it once was. I would take her for walks or the driver, who seemed to admire her a great deal, would take her for walks after her dinner.
My employer was such a generous man, one day he left me a large amount of money in an envelope. When I left it untouched and wrote back that he already paid me for that week I received the following note.