Chapter Three: The Family
Living in what he perceived to be a house filled with women, Lord James was looking forward to the afternoon’s male visitors with great anticipation. His father the Duke was, of course, the man of the house, and a domineering one at that. He was the alpha male in more ways than one, and he and James were not close, so the idea of proper male companionship and conversation appealed greatly. And today he would be treated to an abundance of it.
He rose from his bed and looked out the window. Another grim autumn day, and yet another reason to be thankful for visitors. He walked to the mirror and looked at his young face, coated in stubble which seemed downright civilized after an incident a few nights before in which he’d shifted into his far more hairy wolf form and stalked a vampire servant to the village.
He occasionally did such things purely to entertain himself; the vampires he pursued may or may not have been aware of his presence. If they were, they were too polite and submissive to let him know. He didn’t much care; ultimately he enjoyed the art of the pursuit and to see if he could manage without being noticed. His father, he knew, would disapprove of the risk-taking.
Over the centuries, locals had occasionally reported sightings of wolves and giant hounds roaming the moors, and his Lordship did what he could to quell the rumours. “Myths,” he told anyone who mentioned them. “Legends conjured by bored old women and men to pass the time.”
James, like his sister, had light blue eyes surrounded by dark lashes. His hair was dark, as was his fur when he changed. Their family was often referred to in the village as the “blues” for their piercing eyes, though the villagers didn’t realize that the bond between them was more than pure human genetics.
Most of James’s more enjoyable talks, when there were no guests about, tended to be with Mr. Cameron, the butler, or Edmund, the young footman. Both were pleasant enough but it was impossible, when talking to staff, to know if they were being sincere or simply kissing up, particularly with those damn shifty vampires. There was always an air of secrecy about them, ironic though it was that they were less likely to discuss their lives than the werewolves upstairs, who were much more in the public eye; more at risk of losing their reputations.
Lord James’s bedroom door opened just as he was inspecting a ripped waistcoat which he’d forgotten about, and Mr. Morgan, the valet, walked in.
“Ah, Mr. Morgan, you’re just in time. I went and tore this a few days ago, and was wondering of you could see to its mending.”
“Very good, my lord,” said Morgan, eyeing the giant rip in the garment’s rear seam.
“I know what you’re thinking,” laughed James. “Yes, I got a little excited and shifted before I was suitably unclothed.”
“It’s all right, my lord; it is no business of mine,” said Morgan, maintaining his serious demeanour. He never cracked a smile, not a real one, thought James.
“Still, you must find these things all a little funny, don’t you? You’d think we’d learn by now not to destroy our pretty things by being overzealous with our werewolf habits.”
“A little funny, sir.” Still, Mr. Morgan didn’t allow his facial muscles to betray any amusement whatsoever.
“Cheer up, Morgan,” James said, slapping the valet on the back. “Things could be worse.”
“Yes, my lord.” With that, Mr. Morgan left the room.
A few moments later, James left and jogged down the stairs to have breakfast with his family. His mother, Lady Downing, and sister, Lady Victoria, were at the table when he arrived.
“Where are the others?” asked James.
“Being lazy,” answered Victoria. “Which is a poor idea, today of all days.”
“I imagine,” said Lady Downing reproachfully,” that they’re taking extra care in getting ready before the arrival of our guests.”
“Yes, Anne does like to look pretty if there are likely to be young men about,” said James. “Not like smelly old Victoria here.”
His sister couldn’t help but grin and reply, “If I could, I’d hit you, you know.”
“I am well aware. Good job your arms are short. And so? What about Elizabeth? She’s too young to care about the arrival of men, surely,” continued James.
“Fifteen is not too young. Women used to get married by that age,” said his mother.
“Well, I’d jolly well say it’s too young for these men,” answered James, a little horrified at the thought of any man ogling his baby sister.
Just then the door opened and Elizabeth walked in, looking very grown up in a new dress.
“Don’t you look lovely, dear,” said Lady Downing.
“Thank you, mama.”
“Now, Elizabeth, don’t go charming our friends today. You’re far too young to look so much like an adult,” said James.
“I have little doubt that your friends will ignore me like everyone else does,” said Elizabeth, betraying her childish side.
“That’s the spirit,” said Victoria, who, at twenty, hated the idea of her sister attracting more attention than her. She should, after all, be married first. Of course, logistics concerning the marriage of werewolves to humans were a whole other topic of conversation.
“You just don’t want me married before you,” said Elizabeth, a scoffing tone in her voice.
“Naturally I don’t. Oh, don’t take it personally, you silly little wolf. It’s simply a question of social propriety. What would it look like, after all, if you found yourself a husband before I did? I have no desire to be a spinster.”
“And nor should you. Horrid thought,” said James, his mouth full of pastry.
“And why would I?” asked Victoria. “Am I so hideous?”
“You know you’re not, and seeking compliments does not become you, dear,” replied her mother. “I have no doubt that you’ll be receiving your fair share of attention when the young gentlemen arrive.”
“Well, I certainly hope so. I do so love attention.”
“Just don’t keep them all to yourself,” said James. “It’s high time I had some male companionship. I’m sick and tired of you women, prattling on like a bunch of hens about corsets and lemons and tea. Honestly.”
“We talk about plenty of things other than that,” said Elizabeth.
“Yes, we do. For instance, we enjoy discussing lace and hairstyles,” said Victoria. “Not to mention stockings, wedding dresses and truffles.”
James rolled his eyes. “Dear God, you are such a bore.”
“And you love it,” laughed his sister.
“Will the men go hunting?” asked Elizabeth. “I’d love to ride along and watch.”
“We’ll see,” said James. “Perhaps we will.”
“Seems barbaric to hunt foxes when we’re wolves,” said Victoria. “Cannibalistic, really.”
“Oh, get off your high horse. You know they smell us coming a mile away and we never catch a thing. It’s all for show.”
“Still, the idea of it.”
“Now, dear, we must keep up appearances. It would be shocking if we were the only aristocratic family about who didn’t hunt,” said her mother.
“I suppose that’s true.”
The door opened and Anne walked in, wearing a pale pink dress.
“Well, I certainly have three lovely daughters,” said Lady Downing.
“And I have three lovely sisters,” beamed James. “I must say, Harrington will enjoy himself.”
“Tell us about him,” said Anne, seating herself at the table.
“He’s a good sort. A little quiet at times, but extremely intelligent. His mind never stops, even when his mouth is inert. His friend, though, Mr. Thornton: I don’t know a thing about him. I believe one of the ladies is Mr. Harrington’s sister, whom I met in London, and the other is a friend, though the nature of the friendship is unknown to me. Papa will be able to tell us more, as it’s he who invited them.”
“Where is papa?” asked Elizabeth.
“Did I hear my name?�
� asked their father, entering the room with his usual assured gait. “I’ve been busy making last-minute arrangements.”
“You know that’s my job,” said Lady Downing. “You’re meant to be reading the newspaper and telling us fascinating tales about the goings-on in London.”
“Am I now? It’s high time I figured out what I’m good for.” He sat in his chair at the head of the table and pulled out the paper. “Bah. Something about an apparatus by a fellow called Maxim. They’re calling it a ‘machine gun.’ Wonderful; more ways to kill one another. Other than that, scandals and more scandals. It would be superb, I think, if some real news were to occur. I do get tired of reading about people’s poor behaviour.”
“Ah, but without it, what would there be to talk about?” said Anne. “Surely we cannot talk about ourselves.”
“And yet we must, before our guests arrive,” said Lord Downing. He looked at his four offspring, seated around the table. “I expect you four to be on your best behaviour. And by that I mean no shifting at inopportune moments, no pursuing our staff into the villages---yes, James, I know very well that you do it, so don’t deny it---and no behaviour unbecoming to a lady from any of you, my daughters.”
“You mean to say,” said Victoria, “that I mustn’t bite the guests?”
“You certainly mustn’t.”
“Well then, I suppose I shall have to control myself.”
Elizabeth let out a giggle.
“There will be no full moon until after our guests have gone, so I do not wish to hear that you were unable to control your lupine sides, you four.”
“Yes, papa,” said Anne.
“You are so characteristically obedient, Anne,” moaned Victoria.
“Well, someone has to be,” said Anne, her upper lip curling back in a snarl. Victoria did have a way of bringing out her aggressive side, and knew exactly how to do so.
“Why,” began Elizabeth, sensing that a fight was about to break out, “are these people coming anyhow, papa? Who are they?”
“Goodness, what an interrogator you’re becoming,” said her father. “Mr. Harrington, as you know, is an old friend of James’s. But in addition to that, he has recently come into a rather large fortune.”
“I see, so you mean to pawn him off on one of us?” said Victoria, a sulky tone infiltrating her voice.
“Possibly. If you will have him. It’s all well and good that James is my heir, but money will be needed if the manor is to be kept in its present state. There is, of course, no harm in marrying into wealth.”
“But Mr. Harrington’s money should go to fund his own home, should it not?” asked Anne.
“Of course. However, I know that whichever of you ladies manages to secure his affections will be able to convince him to invest a little in this place. It is, after all, of rather great historical significance. At least to me, even if you lot don’t care a bit about it.”
Chapter Four: The Guests
The family went out to greet the guests when they arrived. Her Ladyship the Duchess and the Duke were charming as always, asking after Mr. and Miss Harrington’s parents, and expressing sympathy at how tired their visitors must be.
“You poor things,” said her Ladyship. “Do come in. The servants will show you to your rooms and we’ll have some tea ready for you in the parlour.”
“Thank you so much,” said Miss Harrington, who was a pretty, charming thing with an inviting smile. She glanced at the row of male servants waiting to carry their luggage upstairs. Ida, watching from the sidelines, told herself that if she didn’t know better she’d think the young lady was sizing them up for a potential meal later. “If only she knew the truth of the matter,” she thought.
Mr. Harrington greeted James warmly. “It’s been too long, really, James. How are you?”
“I’m well, thank you. I’ve been so looking forward to this.”
“As have I.”
“Edmund will help you with your things.” With that, James signalled the footman, who bowed his head and picked up the young man’s valise.
“Thank you, Edmund,” said Mr. Harrington, who was tall with a thick head of blond hair and green eyes. He had an ease about him and a confidence which rendered him appealing.
“And these must be your sisters,” Harrington said as he ascended the stairs towards the front door.
“They are,” said James. “Lady Victoria, Lady Anne and Lady Elizabeth.”
“A pleasure,” said the attractive guest.
“The pleasure is ours, I assure you,” said Victoria, pleased to find the visiting party so warm and agreeable. When she and her sisters had been introduced to the others, they proceeded inside.
The family sat in the parlour while the guests were escorted to their rooms to relax for a moment after their long coach ride.
“Well, they seem pleasant, don’t they?” said Lady Downing, a soft smile on her lips.
“They do indeed,” said Victoria.
Anne glared at her and said, “What does that mean?”
“It means they’re very pleasant. Honestly Anne, must you read an underlying meaning into everything?”
“With you I must, yes.”
“Well, you’d best put an end to it. I wouldn’t want you straining yourself by over-thinking.”
“There now, girls,” said their father. “Let’s start the week off on the right note, shall we?”
“I liked the look of Mr. Thornton,” said Elizabeth, who’d been quiet up until that moment. “And Miss Harrington does seem lovely, though her friend Miss Ashbury doesn’t say a word.”
“I’m sure we shall find them all excellent company,” said James, “and I’m sure the servants will have a good deal to talk about, won’t they, Cameron?” He eyed the butler, who was standing quietly by a side table.
“Not if I have anything to say about it, my lord,” said the man gruffly. He hated when those under stairs gossiped about guests. Yet he knew perfectly well that there was no helping it; not with so many women down there.
“I can only imagine that the ladies enjoy having fresh blood about, if you’ll forgive the expression,” said Victoria. “You must get tired of seeing the same faces day after day down there.”
“There are plenty to choose from, and we do get our days off to wander into the village and look at other ones, my lady.”
One of the guests walked in then, rubbing his hands together.
“Ah, Thornton,” said James. “Come, sit. Tell us about your journey.”
“There’s nothing to tell, really. The ladies chatted, the gentlemen slept and here we are, far from civilization, and loving it.”
“So you enjoy being in the middle of nowhere then,” laughed Victoria.
“I do when the middle of nowhere is this intoxicating, lady Victoria,” he replied. Victoria thought she detected a softening in his voice as he looked at her.
“Intoxicating is one word for it,” she smiled.
Anne interrupted then, a note of irritation in her voice.
“Tell me, Mr. Thornton, do you enjoy hunting?”
“I don’t have much opportunity to do it, but I enjoy riding very much, so I’m sure that a hunt would be marvelous.”
“Good,” said James. “We’ll look forward to it, then.”
The two ladies came in at once then and the Duchess invited them to sit.
“Where on earth is Harrington?” asked James.
Chapter Five: Mr. Harrington
Edmund preceded Mr. Harrington into his bedroom, carrying his luggage. He would act as the man’s personal valet for the duration of his stay, which meant helping him dress among other things.
“Just leave it there,” said the young man, pointing to an empty corner. “Edmund, is it? Have you worked here long?”
“Not very, sir, not compared to some.”
“Do you enjoy Wolverton?”
“I do sir, very much. His Lordship is an excellent master.”
“And the rest of the family? Do yo
u like them?”
“What a lot of questions,” thought Edmund.
“Very much, sir.”
He opened up Mr. Harrington’s trunk and proceeded to prepare his outfit for that evening’s dinner.
“I should like to change jackets while you’re at it, Edmund,” said the guest.
“Very good sir,” said Edmund, picking out a fresh garment. He laid it on the bed and then turned to Harrington, who was looking at him.
“You’re very tall,” the man said.
“Well, you know how it is with footmen, sir,” said Edmund, smiling. “They say that height is a sign of the prestige of the house.”
“Quite so. And you certainly do this house proud. I always knew that his Lordship enjoyed presenting himself and his family well, but I had no idea that his staff was so….attractive.”
“Thank you, sir.” On hearing the tone in Mr. Harrington’s voice, Edmund felt a warm jolt of electricity shoot from the top of his head down his spine, sensing a profound intimacy in his meaning. But he immediately reminded himself that he knew better than to take a comment like this as a come-on, though; in all likelihood Mr. Harrington sincerely meant that the staff as a whole was appealing. And they were, of course. Beautiful, pale creatures with sculpted features and lithe movements. Who wouldn’t find them lovely?
He helped the gentleman off with his jacket and laid it next to the clean one.
Mr. Harrington stood in front of the mirror as Edmund helped him into the new jacket. The footman peered at the reflection of the other man’s face as he assisted him, eager to read his features. His own inquisitive look was met with a set of staring eyes which seemed to size him up as well. Shivering gently, Edmund felt goose bumps rise on his pale skin as Harrington looked straight at him. A serious expression came across the man’s face and his gaze intensified, as though he were trying to look right through the vampire, to read his mind. To know him inside as well as out.
The Secrets of Wolverton Manor (paranormal shifters and vampires) (Victorian Werewolves and Immortals) Page 2
