The Devil's Workshop

by Donnally Miller

  On the day that had been set for the dance the band arrived and set up at a bandstand at one end of the interior garden. There was a reflecting pool that had stood empty and drained for many years, but was now full of water. Madam Lanchester had hoped to stock it with some decorative fish, but this plan had fallen through at the last moment. There was a large paved area in front of the bandstand suitable for dancing, and the interior of the great hall had been freshened up almost beyond recognition. The hall now held numerous tables and chairs. Buffets and sideboards spread with a variety of food and drink were set along the walls. Katie had spent the afternoon doing some last minute cleaning up and then had bathed and put on her gown. She’d then come down to the main hall where she’d collapsed into one of the chairs, taking the chance for a brief respite before the arrival of the first guests. As she looked around she was struck by how everyone else seemed to know just what they were doing, and seemed so comfortable doing it; how suitable everyone was for their situation. Their placid eyes seemed to look out onto a world that was just what they expected. She, on the other hand, felt herself the victim of an explosive inner turmoil she could neither comprehend nor reckon with, an inner life which she kept hidden from view as she danced through her days, careful never to fall out of step or let drop an unguarded word. And she wondered if this was what all the others were feeling too, if they were likewise looking out from their own emotional foxholes, dazed by their encounters with others, looking at her and seeing just another young woman tidying her hair or drifting insouciant on thoughts of nothing at all, and thinking how fit, how suited she was. And she wondered if everyone wasn’t secretly insane and the whole fabric of social intercourse wasn’t just a sham and a charade being acted out by marionettes whose strings were being pulled by an unseen madman bent on God knows what. A feeling of irrevocable and unconquerable loneliness came over her as she regarded the world in this light, and she unconsciously started stroking her belly as though to comfort the flickering flame of life she bore within.

  “Why so dejected?” Madam Lanchester stood at her shoulder.

  “I’m sorry, Madam. It’s not dejection. Simple fatigue, if you must know.”

  “I know I’ve worked you hard, but try to put that behind you. Perk up. Tonight is a night for gaiety. I hope you’ll enjoy yourself.” Madam Lanchester was attired in a striking green ball gown, with flounces round the waist, and a sweeping train she dragged behind her. Her hair was colored and done up and her face had been beautified with every embellishment of the cosmetician’s art. Tarted up was the epithet Katie’s disrespectful mind supplied.

  “I’m here to serve the food and the wine. I’m sure I’ll be enjoying that.”

  Madam Lanchester took Katie’s face between her hands and stared at her intently. Katie wondered what she was doing, if there was something she was looking for. Her eyes ran all over Katie’s face and then she said, “There’s something missing. I’ll be right back.” With that she left.

  Katie sat for a minute, a bit puzzled by the exchange that had just taken place. She wondered what she was waiting for. She did her best not to revisit the thoughts she’d been harboring just before Madam Lanchester’s arrival. Best just to put one foot in front of the other and keep her mind on the task immediately ahead. There was a desperate problem that was going to be resolved one way or another in the near future, but she’d not think of that. There was a scrub brush left in a corner of one of the window sills. She went to put that away. Just then Madam Lanchester returned with a pair of pendant diamond earrings.

  “Here,” she said. “Put these on.”

  “Oh, Madam, I couldn’t.”

  “Of course you can. You must. It’s a shame to let these gather dust. Pinehurst gave them to me as a birthday gift. But of course tonight I’ve got my sapphires; they go with the gown . . . Please. Wear them.”

  “Madam please, they’ll think me one of the guests the way I’m dressed. I’m only here to serve.”

  “Do it as a favor to me. I’ll brook no denial.” So Katie let her hang the earrings on her ears.

  “Come look.” Madam Lanchester led her to a mirror. She regarded herself in the glass. Her face was drawn and tired. Her eyes were red and held a look of guarded wariness. The diamonds glittered unabashedly on each ear. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” she said. So much for being unobtrusive. I’ll look like a tinseled vixen on the make, she thought to herself. After Madam Lanchester left she stood for some time looking at herself, the forgotten scrub brush still in her hand.

  When the first guests arrived they were met at the door by Tavish in tails and black tie. He took their coats and led them into the main hall of the mansion where they could seat themselves and be helped to food and drink. Agnes, Katie, Fancy and Maria were all decked out in their best and were busily moving from table to sideboard and circulating throughout the hall. The chandeliers were crammed with candles that blanketed the gathering crowd in a gentle glow. When the guests, having fed, wandered into the garden they encountered the moonlight and the euphonious sounds of the band, an ensemble of strings and piano. The weather had cooperated; it was a clear night.

  There had been some disturbances in parts of the city during the day. Packs of boys had been active, throwing rocks and breaking into shops. There had been more of this sort of thing lately, but today’s outburst was the worst yet. This was the topic on most people’s lips as they sipped their wine or danced gravely round the paved area in front of the band. Madam Lanchester was flitting deftly from group to group, making introductions and carrying out the many duties of a hostess. When Father Clumphy, the parish priest, arrived he was greeted in a festive manner by Fancy and Maria, who were two of his most dependable pupils at the scripture readings he gave every Sunday. Ignatius Garner, a banker of some repute, came with his wife and his sons, the eldest of whom, once he’d seen Katie, managed to keep her always in view without ever actually looking at her. They spent some time sampling the buffet and conversing with the local shopkeepers in a corner of the hall. There was a tall, dark-haired lady Katie didn’t recognize who was looking at her from across the hall. Their eyes met and Katie stood silently waiting, perfectly still, till someone beside her said something and the moment passed. General Hobsbawm and Lieutenant Lovejoy, after Tavish had taken their coats, were received gushingly by Madam Lanchester in the great hall. She complimented them on their uniforms, and inquired as to the condition of the streets on their way from the fort.

  “The streets were crowded,” the General replied. “There’s been some looting and one or two of the larger boulevards had to be closed. The constables were out in force, maintaining order.”

  “Who are these gangs doing the looting?”

  “No one seems to know. At first they put it down to a few urchins doing a bit of vandalism. But there seems to be something larger behind it all. These outbursts have the appearance of being coordinated. I’m certain Chief Constable Fragonard will get to the bottom of it.”

  “Well, for tonight put all thoughts of that to one side. I am attempting to revive a custom of my late husband Pinehurst’s. These formal balls were a great success in years gone by.”

  “Yes, so I’ve heard.”

  “I used to enjoy them so much. There was always such a steady flow of conversation, and wine, and dancing, and good times, or so it seemed. Those were different days. Do you know what Pinehurst’s word for me was? Playful. I was his playful young wife. You’d hardly think so now, would you? You can be frank.”

  “Yes, Madam, I – “

  “Well, maybe we can bring back a little of the fun from those days. But you haven’t eaten yet. You must be famished. Here’s Katie Jean. She’ll get you something.” And with that she handed them off to Katie and moved on to another guest.

  “Well, officers, can I get you something to eat?” asked Katie.

  “Nothing for me,” said the General. “Lieutenant?”

  Suddenly there was a loud cras
h from outside. Everyone froze. Then there was shouting and some banging that sounded like it was coming from just outside the mansion’s front door.

  “Tavish,” said Madam Lanchester, “would you be so kind as to go see who’s being murdered at our front door?” She was doing her best to keep up an imaginary reputation for playfulness.

  Tavish looked at her with something of a grim smile, then cast some side glances at the two military men.

  There was a loud knock at the door and Tavish went to answer.

  It was an ensign from the fort. He’d been sent out for General Hobsbawm by a very nervous adjutant shortly after the General had left. He’d been hot on the General’s heels, and would have caught him up sooner except he’d gotten turned around by the General’s tortuous detours. As he’d drawn close to the mansion he’d seen a crowd of ten or twelve, shadowed in hoods, their faces obscured, standing near the door. They’d been shouting and banging sticks on the ground, but they’d disbanded and slipped into the shadows as he approached. He now handed the General a letter. The General excused himself and walked aside with the ensign as he read the contents.

  Lovejoy and Katie looked at one another.

  The Lieutenant smiled. “Did you ask me something?”

  “I was asking if you wanted something to eat, or maybe a drink.”

  “My throat is awfully parched. Is that a flagon of pomegranate juice?”

  “Yes, sir, it is. Can I get you some?”

  “Yes, please. And you needn’t call me sir. My name is Stuart.”

  Handing him the glass, “Yes, Stuart, pleased to meet you.”

  “And you are?”

  “Katie Jean.”

  “What do you suppose that loud crash was?”

  “I was rather hoping you’d know.”

  “I don’t think I’ll go out and look. Not unless the General orders me to.” He gave her a large smile and ate a radish.

  Father Clumphy, as if magnetized, drew near. “I see the General is closeted with one who bears some recent information.”

  “Information has been reaching us at such a rapid pace, it’s a wonder the events don’t trip each others’ heels. The city’s like a pot nearing the boil, each bubble’s burst announces the next.”

  “Prettily said. Are we in any danger?”

  “We are always in danger. If the – “

  “Apart from the accustomed danger which we are always in, is there any new cause for apprehension, any other danger that threatens us?”

  “Yes, I believe there is. It is my personal opinion that these are not just spontaneous eruptions of civil disturbance, but that the city is actually coming under attack from within.”

  “A coordinated attack?”

  “Precisely.”

  “Who would do such a thing?”

  “I’m sure I have no idea.” The Lieutenant gave a sidelong look to Katie as though entreating her somehow to rescue him from this conversation.

  “Father Clumphy,” she said, “how have the scripture lessons been proceeding? Are Fancy and Maria keeping up their schoolwork?”

  “Oh, they are the best students one could ask for. Very attentive they are. Yes indeed. Here’s Fancy now.”

  “Yes, Father,” said Fancy as she approached. “Have you been out to see the dancing?”

  “Not yet. Perhaps you would care to lead me there.”

  “Oh, la, I’m just serving at the tables here. I’ve no feet for dancing.”

  The Lieutenant was keeping an eye on the General, where he still stood deep in conversation with the ensign. Katie thought perhaps Fancy needed a little more encouragement to lead Father Clumphy into the garden, so she said, “The good father’s just been telling us how you’ve profited from your lessons, and the readings from the sacred texts.”

  “Oh yes, that’s true,” said Fancy. “Those sacred texts have struck me sore right to my heart, that they have.” Father Clumphy smiled at this. “Especially the parts where God is smiting them that needs smiting, although there’s not as many of those as you might expect. There’s some chapters in the gospels and the prophets, la, I can’t make heads or tails, but it’s all very instructive, and it’s a blessing to read.”

  The Father asked, “Have you been able to apply your lessons in practical theology, and has that helped you in the avoidance of sin?”

  “The avoidance of what?”

  “The avoidance of sin . . . You do know what I am speaking of?”

  “Oh yes. I avoid it like the plague. It disagrees with my stomach. I’ll have none of that sin.”

  “Sin disagrees with your stomach?”

  “Yes. Especially if I indulge in the evening.”

  The Father gave her a blank look.

  At that moment, breaking away from the adjutant, the General took the Lieutenant’s arm and told him he was sending for reinforcements. “I’m very much afraid we will be targeted for further attacks here, tonight.”

  “So you are responding to the constabulary’s request for assistance?”

  “They’re attacking us. Do you expect me to rely on the local constables for protection?”

  They strode off as the Father was asking Fancy, “Do you know what sin is?”

  “Oh, Father, I should hope we all know what sin is, though some of us think better of ourselves than to speak of it.” She raised an eyebrow in arch amusement and drifted away. Clumphy was mystified as to what to make of this. He’d never known her to take flight on wings of irony, and yet . . . Oh well, she was probably just drunk.

  Katie, finding herself unattended, wandered out to the garden, where there were several couples dancing. The night felt giddy with the moonlight and the music. Her eye was caught once again by the woman she’d noticed earlier, the tall lady with dark hair who held her regard a moment longer than necessary. Some tables had been set up around the grounds and Katie thought to ask those seated if they wanted any food or drink from the hall, so she was moving back and forth in the crowd, but somehow felt the eyes of that woman always on her. Lieutenant Lovejoy swooped in and asked for a dance. She couldn’t turn him down, and she allowed him to hold her in his arms.

  “Well, Stuart, your General seems to have a lot on his hands tonight.”

  “He does indeed, as always. But matters now seem to be coming to a head. And you, Miss,“ he’d observed she wore no wedding ring, “I don’t recall ever seeing you before. Are you an inhabitant of this quarter of the city?”

  “I’m employed by Madam Lanchester. Like Fancy, and the others. We’re here to serve.”

  “Then I hope I have not committed some minor impropriety by dancing with the staff.”

  Katie laughed. “I think dancing with the staff is permitted.”

  The music came to an end. They stood looking at one another, he with one hand still on her shoulder and the other round her waist. “Have you . . .” he said. “I mean you look so . . .”

  “Yes I know.”

  “Elegant,” he said with a smile.

  “Thank you. That was a nice dance.” He bowed. And was that a kiss he placed on her finger?

  They parted, and she looked at the other couples as the music started up again. She was standing idly, enjoying the night and the music.

  “If you have no other partners, maybe you’ll have this dance with me?” Suddenly the woman she’d noticed earlier was at her side.

  “A dance with you? Who would lead?”

  “I will,” and with that the woman took Katie’s hand and led her onto the floor. She was nimble-footed and sure of her steps. She looked Katie square in the eye, and Katie had the feeling she’d been seen through clear to the bottom, and there weren’t any secrets she had, and wasn’t that a strange feeling to have with someone she’d only just met? And this woman said, “I’ve been watching you.”

  Katie’s first thought was to flip that one away, but she said, “I know. I’ve felt your eye upon me.”

  “You’ve the unhappy knack of being the one left out, the on
e left behind, the one that saw where the others were blind, haven’t you?”

  “Is that what you saw?”

  “All that, and a little more.”

  Katie thought she was being joked with. “I’d not have put it that way, but if it’s unhappiness you’re speaking of, I’ve seemed to have my fill.” Now why did she say that?

  They danced some more. Somehow they seemed to know the steps and how to move together. The woman said, “You might be a sister of mine.”

  “I think I might not. I know who my parents were and I’ve no sister at all.”

  “Yet my sisterhood has legions that aren’t sisters by blood. Or not yet. Step right.”

  “What sort of a sisterhood is it you’re speaking of?”

  “I might be speaking of them that are daughters of a mighty wicked man.”

  “Then you may be speaking a great truth, or maybe you’re speaking a terrible lie, but I declare by God’s gospel I’ve no notion of what you’re speaking of.”

  “I think you might know what it is if you were to think of a naked girl in an empty place and wanting to run as far as she can and her father there to watch her. And now step left.”

  “I think you’re speaking by cyphers. I’ve no idea what it is you’re meaning.”

  “I’m meaning we may have more kinship than you know of.”

  “I’m sure we’re all daughters of Eve and so we’ve that kinship that’s common with all and that makes pat that phrase all men are brothers. So also all women may be sisters. But what of that?”

  The woman just looked at her and danced a few more steps. Then she did something surprising. She leaned over and placed her lips next to Katie’s ear. Katie heard her quickly whisper something, but it couldn’t be made out. Then the woman stepped away. “My name is Deirdre,” she said. “We shall meet again.” She turned and was lost in the throng.

  That’s a queer one, thought Katie. She saw there were empty glasses and plates and she went about picking them up till she encountered Madam Lanchester and General Hobsbawm chatting with their heads down.