Henry and Sophie

by Grant Eagar

  He gave her a severe look. “So you’ve been spying on me aswell? Not only do you have a network of informants; you spy on me yourself. How underhanded, but why am I not surprised? And regarding the fine ladies, there appears to be a certain amount of blood required for whatever money you could obtain from them; a gilded cage in no place to live.”

  She gave him a reproachful look. “You’re much too young to be such a cynic. Would it be such a terrible thing if the girl you fell in love with was also rich.”

  CHAPTER 2

  The Manor

  Henry arrived at the manor late and was met at the door by Briggs, their butler. “Henry, it’s good to see you've returned with no wounds or burns. I take it reason has prevailed and you didn’t tinker with your inventions after work. So out with it. Which young lady distracted you from your foolishness?”

  Henry offered an offended look. “Briggs, I would not characterize my inventions as foolishness; not every invention of mine is a disaster. Regarding where I spent the evening; I’ll have you know I visited my mother.”

  Briggs raised an eyebrow. “Pray tell which invention wasn’t a disaster. I’d love to see the miracle.” Then straightening he added, “It was good of you to visit your mother. How is Kathryn?”

  Henry opened a closet and rummaged through it. “I hope she and the Colonel get over their differences soon; their feuding has gone on for far too long.”

  “So she hit you up for a loan again did she?”

  “It’s only considered a loan if they intend to pay you back. She has no qualms about asking me for money, though she wouldn’t accept a shilling from the Colonel. And regarding my inventions, I’ll have you know the military was in my shop today looking at my work; they were quite impressed. By the way, do you know the whereabouts of a spade? I need to transplant the remains of Matilda. There was a bit of a muck up at the shop.”

  The corners of Briggs mouth turned up and he moved aside to hide his face for a moment then turning back he said, “This way Henry I have just what you need. Hurry along; we have dinner waiting for you.”

  Henry planted Matilda under a window inside the Colonel's barn which Henry used as his second workshop. After he had watered her he knelt next to the wilted plant. ‘Matilda, are you still in there? Are you alive or have you left the plant all together?”

  One of the leaves gave a little shudder and as Henry reached to gently stroke it and the plant produced a thorn and pricked him with it.

  Henry pulled back his hand at the prick. “Matilda, it’s good to see you still have some vinegar in you. I’m sorry for Hammond’s conduct and for what you went through today.” The vine grew a little and wrapped about his hand and gently squeezed.

  He rose then went back into the manor for the evening meal. The Colonel sat at the head of a great table with a large chandelier in the center. “Come join me boy and share your goings on. What have you been about?” asked the large, white-haired retired military officer.

  Henry sat down near him and shook out a napkin. “Sophie has a new beau, she seems to go through one every month or so. She wanted me to demonstrate one of my inventions for his amusement.”

  The Colonel raised his eyebrows. “Does a little competition bother you? You appear to have enough young ladies interested in you, jealousy is beneath you.”

  Henry sighed and considered the fish and potatoes. “I don’t mind her having a new beau every week, but why does she have to bring them by the shop and put them right in my face. I really don’t understand what she expects of me. Should I act jealous? Should I be pleasant with them? Should I shine their shoes and polish their brass buttons? I feel I’m part of a game which I don’t quite know the rules to. I have no romantic notions, but oh the belligerent asses she parades in front of me?”

  His grandfather took a bite of potatoes and gravy then glanced at Tilley, the cook. “These potatoes are splendid.” He then turned to Henry. “There are things Sophie does for the war effort which she wouldn’t normally do. Since her father is in parliament there’s a need to maintain certain appearances so show her some patience.” He then handed Henry a newspaper, “it appears the conflict is not going as well as we'd hoped. Count Von-Friedrich has created a super weapon which is supposedly unstoppable. They have given the machine the name of Goliath because of the size of the contraption. There’s a call for some great weapon of our own to counteract the devil, thus the interest in inventors.”

  Henry read for a ways. “I’ve yet to invent anything which can be used in the war.” He then gave a wan smile. “Maybe some of my disasters could be used against the enemy. I’m familiar with how to blow things up, though I haven’t actually blown anything up on purpose.”

  There was a knock at the door and when Briggs answered it there stood one of the servants of Angelica’s father. The man handed Briggs an envelope then bowed. “This is for Mister Henry David; I was instructed I must have his answer before I left.”

  Henry opened the card and read the invitation to meet with Angelica’s father at noon the following day. He scowled and glanced at the Colonel who offered an encouraging smile. Henry sighed and turned to the servant. “I appreciate the honor of this invitation, but-”

  He was interrupted by Tilley who said, “Henry, don’t give up so easily, the hearts of fair maidens are not easily won. Go meet with her father; it will do you good. You need to become comfortable meeting with their parents.”

  He gave her a tormented look. “It’s not like that, this is a different ...” He then sighed and turned to the servant and forced a smile. “I would be honored to speak with your master.”

  THE NEXT MORNING HENRY rode to the shop in a drizzle. Upon arriving in the shopping district he climbed off his horse, Sebastian, and put the tan gelding in the pen with the others. He then made his way down the street full of stores towards Mister Badger’s shop which specialized in fine apparel for gentlemen and ladies. A block from the shop he was accosted by Miles Grubber and his two goons. They were large, ugly brutes which followed the storekeeper wherever he went. Each of them took a hold of one of Henry’s arms and led him along. Grubber said, “Henry my boy, you are looking well. Have you considered my offer of employment?”

  Henry gasped as he felt his arms being crushed. Taking a calming breath he squeaked out, “No Mister Grubber, I’ll not be working for you.” The pain increased and Henry gasped. “Though I’m well aware of the honor of your generous offer. I realize how fortunate I am to have you even consider me.”

  Grubber turned to Henry and offered a tight smile. “I’m sorry son, what did you say?”

  Through gritted teeth Henry said, “No ... never!”

  The shopkeeper sighed. “Oh well, go ahead and release the whelp. Henry it’ll only be a matter of time before you’re working for me.”

  Henry straightened his jacket. “Mister Grubber, if you lose the riff raff,” he glanced at the two glowering goons, “no offense intended, maybe someone will want to come into your shop.”

  “No, I’ve tried dressing them up, putting lipstick on pigs doesn’t work. You have that certain gravity which draws the young ladies. They actually feel they have a chance of catching you. My clerks couldn’t entice a starving cat with gallon of milk. You are what I refer to as live bait. Well I’ll have you yet.” He then gestured towards a garbage bin. Henry was summarily picked up and dumped inside.

  He sat up and removed a cabbage leaf from his hair. At least this time the bin had been full of cabbage, it could have been much worse. He wrinkled his nose. Even though the garbage smelled, at least it felt soft. He leaned back, I could take a nap in here, this is not bad. Mister Badger would never know.

  He looked up and noticed Sophie peering over the edge of the bin at him. “What is the world coming to? Look, someone has thrown away a perfectly good boy.” She glanced at the departing men and added, “I noticed you’re quite popular with the neighbors.”

  He said, “Oh them, we had an interview and discussed employment opp
ortunities.” He then extended his hand. “Miss Sophie could you give me a hand up my dear?”

  She wrinkled her nose at the smell. “Now you’re being nice. I remember a certain pin in the behind. Though ‘My dear’ is a nice place to start, but-”

  She was interrupted by Mister Badger who glanced into the bin as well and said, “There you are Henry, stop lolling about. We have a line of customers waiting for you already this morning. I’m amazed at the extent you’ll go to get out of work.” He then glanced at Sophie and tipped his hat. “Good morning Miss Thomas, I think your dress is ready. May I accompany you to the shop?”

  She glanced at Henry with her eyes twinkling with mischief then nodded her assent and they walked away arm in arm.

  After several tries he climbed out of the bin and then removed the debris from his jacket and trousers. Upon entering the shop he quickly went into the back room to change. After he closed the door and lit a lamp he was accosted by a man wearing the clothes of a dock worker.

  A thick man with greasy black hair, missing two fingers on his right hand held a long jagged knife in his good hand. “Be ye Henry David? Now tell me true or things’ll go badly for ye.”

  Henry regarded the much bigger man. “I’m Henry; so what are you in need of which requires you to wait in the dark with a knife?”

  “I was sent here to get a certain plant with magical properties. If you'll hand it over, I’ll be on my way.”

  Henry’s forbearance was at a low ebb. He glanced at a Christmas tree decorating machine next to the man. Sir, I put the plant in the box there if you want me to I’ll fetch it for you.”

  “I can open the box myself. You just hold still and keep quiet or I'll peg you.” He opened the door and a great pair of tongs grabbed him, lifted him upside down and thrust him onto a stand which spun and decorated him with strands of beads, mistletoe, stale popcorn, ribbons, paper chains, and paper snowflakes.

  The man screamed in consternation and valiantly struggled to break free. Henry opened a double window with a view to the alleyway then counted out the number of steps from the spinning, thrashing man to the window. He adjusted the machine and aimed the upside down man in the general direction. “It’s great to see this invention is good for something. Fare thee well my foul black guard.” He pulled a lever and the man was ejected out of the machine and sailed across the room and out the window. There was a scream, a crash, several curses and then the sound of someone staggering down the alleyway.

  Henry closed and locked the window, changed his clothes then went into the shop and reported to Mister Badger. “What was the screaming I heard? That ruckus is not fitting for my establishment, so keep the noise down.”

  “All is well sir. I was just seeing an unsavory fellow to the door. I’m now ready to begin my duties.”

  “Well boy, like I said there’s already a line waiting for you and Miss Sophie wants to show you the dress she purchased. I don't understand how you hope to impress the customers hanging out in garbage bins and skulking in back rooms, now hurry along.”

  Henry walked up to Sophie who examined herself in a mirror. The corners of her mouth turned up and she said, “So, what do you think? Do I not look lovely? I’m sure Captain Hammond will be tempted to propose to me the instant he sees this.” Henry reddened and he suppressed an oath. She continued, “Well, am I not the vision of perfection?”

  At this point his mood had continued to sour. He glanced at the dress and said, “You appear tolerable mostly, considering.”

  Her eyes widened and she leaned forward. “Tolerable-considering? Considering what? Pray tell, what is your meaning?”

  He tugged at some pleats in her dress. “I’m sorry, but the pleat is not quite right and the seam is a crooked. I feel the dress still needs a bit of work.”

  Sophie smirked. “I think the work is lovely and flawless.” A mischievous smile played across her lips. “Unless of course you enjoy my company so much you want me to come back. I do have some time today, so go ahead and fix the dress while I wait.”

  Flustered he said, “If you could step behind the divider and remove the dress, I’ll have it repaired.”

  “No, no, I think I’ll keep the dress on, I’ve changed enough today. I’ll lie on this table while you mend the seams personally. No use getting the seamstresses mad at me. As you know I rely on their good will.”

  Henry looked heavenward and sighed. “Oh all right, lie here on your stomach and I’ll fix the bustle.” He went and retrieved a cushion for her to lie upon.

  He took a thread cutter and released several pleats. As he worked on a seam, she whispered, “Do I not have a glorious arse?”

  “I have a large needle and am sewing my dear, please to not disturb my concentration. I would not want to poke your glorious arse.”

  “So you do feel it’s glorious. Why thank you.”

  He glanced at her backside then stepped back and thought, I fear I am going to get myself into trouble here. He said, “Hold still for a moment and I’ll be right back, this is getting a bit out of hand.” He returned with Gloria, one of the seamstresses. “Gloria, could you assist me by providing a chaperone. Miss Thomas prefers I finish her dress while she is wearing it. I feel another lady should be present.”

  Gloria, a large raw bonded redheaded girl smirked. “Don’t worry Henry; I know how to deal with this sort of precious princesses.” She walked over to the table, grabbed Sophie by the hair and administered a half dozen swats on Sophie’s ‘glorious arse’ then turned to leave. “If she wants a chaperone she can bring her governess; I have work to do.” She then strode away.

  Sophie squealed and kicked her feet then sat up with a flushed face and a crooked smile. She rubbed her backside and said, “She’s in a foul mood, thank goodness for a thick bustle.”

  He looked at her intently. “You appear to be in quite the state today, I feel I know what you are looking for.” He leaned over with his lips mere inches from hers and looked into her bright green eyes and grinned.

  She reached up and put her arms around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. She broke the kiss then offered him a mischievous smile. She lay back down on her belly and asked, “Was that acceptable?”

  He said, “I, err’ that was quite nice.”

  She said, “Nice? It was pleasant enough, though you still need a bit of practice. I don’t feel it’s my place to assist you in this cause since I have a beau and all. That said I do feel helping the unfortunate is part of being a civic minded girl. I may stop by on occasion and continue your training if I’m in a generous mood. The kissing part that is; the spanking bit I could do, well let’s not get into that.”

  He thought of several things to say, all of which would get him in trouble so he focused on repairing her skirt. “I’m glad you liked it.” He now had a mixture of feelings, happiness at the kiss and pain that he’d never have her. He scowled and focused on his work, after ten minutes he sighed and glanced at the line of young ladies. “Miss Sophie our engagement has come to an end. You’ll need to be on your way, I have quite a bit of work to do. I’m also fearful of what the other girls will want now.”

  Sophie took several steps to leave then turning asked, “I heard you have an interview today with Sir Albert. Do you know what the meeting is about?”

  His eyes narrowed. “You women seem to know everything. Are you clairvoyant? Is there no keeping my business to myself? I have no clue what the meeting is about, perhaps it’s a job interview; which would be a wonderful thing. I then wouldn’t be tormented by girls anymore.”

  Sophie’s eyes twinkled. “Is a little torment such a bad thing?” She then turned and walked away.

  After she left he approached the next lady in line. “Next please.”

  The girl with a look of contrition said, “I have been very bad indeed. I require a thorough spanking.” He looked up to heaven for help. Sophie what have you got me into now?

  “Gloria! I’m sorry miss, but you’ll have to get Gloria to admi
nister that, I’m a simple tailor.”

  SOPHIE LEFT THE DOG pound with a half dozen ill tempered brutes on leashes. She had purchased five pounds of raw meat. With a sweet voice and occasional bits of scraps she attempted to keep the pack in some semblance of order. What possessed me to do this? These beasts are a handful. Well I can’t see the way Grubber treated Henry and not respond. Henry may be passive, but I sure as hell am not, though I hope I don’t make it worse for him?

  She made her way to Mister Grubber’s shop and opened the front door while trying to keep the dogs under control. She smirked then threw the meat here and there and yelled, “Compliments of Mister Henry David. Get em boys.” She then released the hounds and added. “Bon appétit!” and slammed the door shut. From inside the shop there was the sound of men screaming and running about, glass breaking, dogs growling, fighting and barking. The corners of her mouth turned up, she pulled out her parasol and sauntered away.

  CHAPTER 3

  A Marriage Proposal of Sorts

  As he rode Sebastian towards the Albert estate he glanced at the card of introduction. Does Angelica seriously expect me to meet with her father? Maybe he has me confused with someone else? He wiped some rain water from his face and glanced up at the sky. This can’t be or can it? She doesn’t expect me to ask her father for her hand in marriage does she? Did my flattery go too far? What possessed me to meet with him today? The card was for a meeting with Sir Albert, Angelica’s father. Sir Albert was a rich baron who lived on the outskirts of London. Angelica had been a frequent customer, frequent because of her keen interest in Henry. With some trepidation he traveled up the cobblestone road to the manor.

  When he arrived he glanced up at the gargoyles which surrounded the roof top. They had the faces of pugs with wings. They looked less than inviting; he scowled and mumbled, “I hope the Earl is more hospitable than the lot of you.” He dismounted and handed the bridle to a groomsman. He was led into a parlor room by the butler. Henry noticed the curt nods and cold stares from the servants. When Angelica appeared she gushed. “Henry, it’s so good of you to come. My father is anxious to speak to you. I’ve told him all about you and he is quite fascinated with your history.”