by A.L. Tyler
On Monday, the guests started arriving. Just after breakfast, when the doorbell rang, Howard hurried to answer it himself. Lena, unsure if she was really in a mood to meet new people, stood in the doorframe between the dining room and entrance hall as a short man in a black waist coat strode through the door. His face was a gleeful bright red, and his hair was the messiest Lena had ever seen on a man in his forties. His boots, a shiny leather brown, made clicking noises on the stone floor. He was followed by another, younger looking version of himself, and two girls. All of them were toting large suitcases.
“Greg! No Serena this time? Eric…girls…” The smile on Howard’s face was contagious.
“No, I’m afraid she couldn’t make it this time. She’s in Malaysia visiting her sister. She sends her best.” There was an oddly recognizable ring to the man's voice…as though he were almost on the verge of chuckling. The two men shared a brief hug and a warm handshake. The young man—Eric—looked tentatively at the expanse around him, and smiled when he saw Lena. He waved. His gaze was quickly followed by that of the older man, who also offered an encouraging smile.
“My niece…” Howard walked over to usher Lena into the entryway. “Lena, this is Mr. Mason, and his children Eric, Daisy, and Rose.”
“Hi.” Lena smiled timidly.
The two men nodded in her direction, while the girls murmured quiet hellos.
“Well, I’ll take you up then.” Howard took the suitcases from the two younger girls and started leading them up the stairs. Mr. Mason offered another smile and waved goodbye as he disappeared after Howard. There was something about his smile that was vaguely familiar to her; it made her think of people shouting at a television screen in a room with a bunch of sports jerseys.
Lena turned back into the dining room, where her mother was still seated.
“Mom, do I know Mr. Mason?”
“I honestly don’t know, but it wouldn’t surprise me. He used to be one of Aaron’s close friends. He used to be friends with a lot of integrationists. A lot of very extreme, very bad people…I don’t know what I was thinking…”
As Ava continued to mumble, Lena went into the living room, where she hoped she was strategically positioned to intercept the family when they came back down from unpacking. Daisy and Rose didn’t take long; they came running down the stairs, and then into the living room, and seemed to be headed toward the greenhouse.
“Girls! Girls!” They stopped and looked over at her. “Come here a minute!”
They were both blonde; one appeared to be ten, with the other a few years younger. The younger one had on a purple skirt, and was apparently trying to hide behind her sister as they approached Lena.
“You’re Daisy. I love your name.” The girl smiled and nodded as Lena tried to make eye contact with the younger sister. “And this little lady must be Rose.” Rose smiled and blushed. “My, what pretty eyes you have. And such a pretty skirt.” The little girl nodded and smiled.
“Are you Uncle Aaron’s little girl?” Rose had a voice as soft as feathers.
“She’s not a little girl, Rosie. She’s older than me, and I’m not a little girl.”
“He used to send us birthday cards and candy.” Rose’s toothy grin spread across her face. It sounded like something the Dad that Lena remembered would have done. She smiled. Lena looked up to see Mr. Mason watching from the living room entrance.
“Girls, why don’t you go and see if the roses are blooming yet.”
Rose jumped up and down excitedly as they ran back off toward the greenhouse, apparently fond of seeing the flower that was her namesake.
Mr. Mason sat down in a chair. “I bet you never knew you had little cousins.”
“Are they my cousins? Really?”
“Well, not exactly. Your dad and me liked to think of ourselves that way, though, so yes. I’d be honored if you’d think of us that way. I know your dad never talked about us with you, but now…” Greg looked out towards to the greenhouse.
Lena nodded. “They’re lively. We should definitely spend some time together.”
Mr. Mason laughed a little. “They seem quite taken with you. You don’t know how happy I am that you turned out okay. You probably don’t remember, but we’ve met before.”
Lena smiled a little. “I thought so. You’re the one with all the rugby stuff in your house.”
He nodded. “You’ve got a good memory—it’s been a long time since your last visit. You would have been…wow, younger than Rosie. I know your dad had his reasons, so we won’t talk about that now. But how have you been? Are you getting on okay with your…transition?”
A light in Lena’s mind was suddenly switched on; she had a book with this man’s name in it. It had been one of her first books at Waldgrave; it dealt with the subject of human-raised Silenti.
“You’re like me, aren’t you?”
Mr. Mason smiled warmly and nodded.
“Well, Mrs. Ralston has been teaching me. Or trying to. I’m not good at it.” Lena shrugged.
“You’re as good at it as you should be. Of course you’re not going to get it all at once—and maybe not at all. It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
They talked for quite a while afterward. Lena decided Howard’s business buddies weren’t as bad as she had initially thought.
As the week wore on, more and more families poured into Waldgrave. Lena had to speculate as to where Howard was putting them all; to her knowledge, there just wasn’t enough room. But they continued to come, and Waldgrave continued to accommodate them, well into twenty families—and then the tents started to go up. Surrounding the house, thirty family-size tents were set up. And they kept coming. The Martins, Riveras, Astleys, Brendons, Bartons, Crittendens, Evans, Perrys, Abbotts…
Most of them came in families. Some came alone, or without children. Many of them kept to themselves, which David claimed was common until after the first dinner after everyone had arrived—a custom involving something about equal political opportunity. So they came, and settled in, and it was good that many had brought extra help for Mrs. Ralston, who would have otherwise been bogged down entirely in the kitchen. And then, on Saturday, a meeting to remember.
The doorbell rang. Mrs. Ralston answered it. Lena had made a habit of being there to see the families as they arrived, and so stationed herself in her usual spot in the dining room door. Two figures walked stiffly into the entrance hall.
“Hesper, stop fooling around. Get in here.” There was no humor in the man’s voice. He had very dark hair, and walked with an air of purpose. The chiseled features of his face left nothing to the imagination of his mood; he was a sour man. There was something vaguely familiar about him, but Lena couldn’t put her finger on it. His arrogance and conceited nature echoed in her mind. He glared down at Mrs. Ralston, who quickly clasped her hands before her as several more figures started carrying in suitcases. And then a girl, perhaps Lena’s age, wandered in.
“Stand up straight.” Her mother chastised. She was the first woman Lena had seen with posture possibly better than Mrs. Ralston’s. The girl complied after a glare from her father.
“Might I inquire as to the whereabouts of the Master?” The man removed his coat and passed it off to one of his servants.
“Master Collins is predisposed at the moment.” Ralston gathered the courage to look him in the eye, but then quickly looked away. The man’s upper lip curled.
“Howard Collins,” he growled, “Is not the man I was seeking.”
The woman moved her hand to touch her husband’s arm.
“What?” He hissed.
It was only then that Lena realized the woman’s eyes were fixed on her. Suddenly, all eyes were fixed on her. The man looked over and smiled amusedly; a gesture which made Lena quite uncomfortable.
“May I show you to your lodging?” Mrs. Ralston muttered.
“Yes…that will do.” He started towards the stairs, with his eyes still on Lena.
“Sir! Sir!” Mrs. Ralston called
after him.
He stopped.
“I’m afraid the only space left is out in the tents.” She explained.
He turned on her. Lena took a step back as he walked toward Mrs. Ralston. For a moment, it looked as though he were going to slap her.
“What?!” He was right in her face. “What did you say?!” A vein popped out on his neck. Much to Lena’s amusement, the daughter was rolling her eyes and sighing heavily at his overreaction.
“Rosaleen…is there a problem?” Howard walked quickly into the entrance hall. He threw a look at Lena and gestured for her to leave. She ducked out of sight, but stayed next to the door where she could hear.
“You expect me to sleep in a tent, with both my wife and my daughter, like any common family? Collins, you’ve let this place go to the dogs!”
Howard’s voice was cool. “It’s first come first serve, Darius, just like always.”
“Not like always! And it’s Master Corbett to you, mutinous filth!” Lena’s interest was piqued. This was by far the most politically outspoken family she had yet encountered. The man scared her in a way that she’d never thought possible. It was clear that his radical views constituted most of his life, and Lena silently thanked Howard for his warning of the existence of such people. The girl, however, seemed remarkably normal. There was an unconcerned confidence about her that Lena found reassuring—she might make a good friend, and the effort was worth a try, anyway. Out in the hall, Lena heard pacing. “I deserve—“
“It’s been first come, first serve, for the last ten years. If you wanted a room, you should have arrived days ago.”
“I will not sleep on the ground, cramped in with both my wife and child!”
“Then you can leave!” Howard snapped.
Lena made an impulsive decision and jumped back into the doorframe. “She can stay with me!”
Everyone stared. The man, Darius, was standing with his face inches from Howard’s.
“It’s not a problem. Us girls can stay in a tent together, and they can have my room! Really, Uncle Howard, it’s not a big deal…” Lena went on.
Master Corbett looked disgusted. Uncle Howard looked amused; strangely, he was actually smiling.
“Well, there you go, Darius. You and your wife can have young Miss Collins’ room, and she and your daughter can sleep outside. I’m sure Master Daray would be very pleased with that arrangement.” He downright smirked. Master Corbett seemed to be thinking it over—clearly this man was one of those under the belief that Daray and his kin were royalty.
“Fine. We will sleep in the tents.” He spat. Then he looked over at Lena. “But not with my daughter.”
“Lena?” Howard looked bemusedly over at her. Lena nodded her approval, and a moment later found herself leading her new friend up to her room. After the family servants had dropped the luggage and left, she looked over at her stunned companion.
“I’m Lena Collins,” she smiled.
“Hesper Corbett.” The girl started walking around, analyzing the room. “Thanks for pulling me out of the cuckoo’s nest, if you catch my drift. They’re really heinous when they have to travel, and we don’t get along well to begin with if you couldn’t tell.”
“It’s not a problem at all. I’ve been very lonely lately, and I’ll appreciate the company. So really, you’re doing me a favor.” Lena hoped she didn’t sound too desperate. She wanted this girl—Hesper—to like her.
“You’re nowhere near as stuck up as I thought you’d be.” Hesper sat down on the edge of the bed and started to take her shoes off. “You’re all I’ve heard about for, like, the past few months. But you’re really nice, you know? I mean, personality wise. I’m not just saying that…”
Lena watched her. She was pleased with herself. In fact, she was more than pleased with herself. Lena was a little concerned that she had been a gossip topic, but Hesper seemed very friendly.
“What? Am I really that special?” Hesper smiled up at Lena as she threw her shoes and socks to one side of the room, and started to rub her feet.
“I don’t get to talk to many people my own age.” Lena smiled and sat down next to her.
“Well, you’re lucky.” Hesper muttered. “Most of them are flaming morons.”
Despite her preppy look, she had real brains and personality. She was cheekier than Lena had expected. She was bold, and independent, and fun. Not at all what she would have expected from parents like the ones she had just seen in the entrance hall.
Hesper went on, as if in response to Lena’s thoughts. “Well, Griffin’s the favorite. He’s done everything, and really I just don’t even try. I’ll never live up to that. Besides, it’s not like I’m going to marry up now, am I? Really takes the pressure off.”
Lena tried not to let her smile slip. “I’m sorry, are you reading my mind?”
Hesper shot a shocked look over at Lena.
You can’t do it?
No…Who’s Griffin?
“Wow.” Hesper looked across the room and into space. She seemed to be thinking.
“I still can’t do it, Hesper…” Lena said quietly.
The guest shook her head and looked back over at Lena. “I’m—sorry. It’s really surprising, that’s all. A lot of people expect you to be, like, really talented, or something. I mean, with a family like yours, and all.”
Lena sighed. “Well, that’s just great...”
Hesper stared at her. Several minutes later, she started to speak again. “You have no idea who he is, do you? Griffin?”
“I will if you tell me…”
“Nope.” Hesper stood up and started walking to her suitcases and pulled them over to the closet.
“Why not?” Lena was almost offended. They’d gotten on so well up to that point.
“It’s not personal. I’m just afraid of hurting you. You know, the whole transition issue.”
“David does it all the time.” Lena got up to help her with her unpacking.
“David?”
“Oh…the yard boy. He’s kind of a friend, I guess.”
“Oh, I see. Well, that’s different. And don’t ask because I can’t say why.”
Lena sighed and silently helped Hesper hang up her clothes. She had a lot of designer clothes, most of which still had store tags on them.
“You bought new stuff just to come here?” Lena finally asked.
“Yeah. I buy new stuff every time I travel.” She was meticulously organized. Every article of clothing had its place, and she organized from shorter blouses and skirts down to pants and dresses.
“I guess you don’t travel a lot then.” Lena pulled out pairs of shoes and passed them to Hesper, who organized them by color. “These look expensive.”
“No, I get out. Not as much as I’d like to, but I got to spend some time around Europe last summer. You’ve really got a thing for dresses.”
Lena cringed as she looked around the closet. “No. They’re my mom’s old ones. I hate wearing dresses.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll take you shopping some time, if you like.”
“That’d be great!” The last time she’d been to buy clothes, she’d been somewhat inebriated, and had bought some things she wished she hadn’t, including a pair of sweats in shocking canary yellow…she couldn’t imagine what she’d been thinking. Before that, she and her father had only bought what was practical. Hesper seemed to have a preternatural sense of fashion, and would probably be more than happy to help.
“What are you wearing for tonight?” Hesper asked, flicking through the cloths in the closet.
“Not makeup.” Lena replied.
Hesper turned on her. “Do you have a social death wish?”
“I’m just not into the whole formal thing.” Lena explained. “And, I told someone I wouldn’t, and I don’t want to seem like a hypocrite…”
“Sweetie, sweetie!” Hesper grabbed her by the shoulders and steered her into the bathroom. Her fingers waved around Lena’s face, indicating each feature
as she mentioned it like a car salesman. “Have you looked at yourself? You’ve got a fabulous figure, and you’d look great in some eyeliner and a pale pink lipstick. I’m thinking high gloss, matching blush, most emphasis on the eyes.”
Three hours later, they were both ready for the big dinner. After having tried on twenty different outfits, Hesper had decided for Lena that she’d be wearing an ankle-length deep green dress from Ava’s collection. It had a low-cut back and embroidery running up and down the length every few inches. Hesper had initially decided to put her in high-heeled shoes, but decided against it when she saw that Lena was hardly able to walk, let alone dance. She did her makeup and hair for her, and generally seemed to enjoy herself during the whole process. Lena enjoyed the company, if not the copious fittings, and they got to know each other very well. Hesper had just turned seventeen the week before, and was surprised to hear that Lena was only about to turn sixteen. She liked makeup, clothes, shopping, and angering her mother. Lena tried to talk about the person named Griffin again, just to make conversation, but Hesper stayed fairly quiet on the subject. She made a vague allusion that he was her brother, and apparently it was a regular practice for ‘high ranking’ wealthy families to hide their sons as a means to prevent assassination. The Silenti were a cutthroat bunch.
Around seven, there was a knock at the door, which Hesper answered. For a moment, she didn’t know exactly what to do. David nodded at her; he looked at her curiously, as though he wasn’t sure why she was there. He looked past Hesper at Lena, and then back.
“You must be David.” Hesper said awkwardly, taking in the plain, though nice, pants and shirt he was wearing.
“I am.” David nodded. “Are you ladies ready to go down? Master Collins sent me to retrieve you.”
As they walked down into the living room, Lena could immediately sense the difference in attitude from previous days. People were smiling, laughing, getting to know one another—groups of adults, groups of teens and children, all talking quite happily. A few glanced over at the group as they descended the stairs, but most kept to their talking. Once they reached the bottom, David excused himself and left Hesper to introduce Lena to the people she knew. She led Lena over to a group of teens.
“Lena, this is Bianca Channing, Martin and Dorian Colburn, Serafina Perry, and Ryan Ashmore. Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce Lena Collins.”
The chatter ended immediately. Lena tried to keep smiling; Bianca, Martin, and…Lena scrambled to try and remember all of the names before they vanished from her mind. Dorian, Serafina, and Ryan. They were staring at her with stunned expressions. Hesper cleared her throat and looked at Bianca.
“Bee, how have you been since last summer? I was just telling Lena earlier about our little trip to Europe.” She raised her eyebrows as Bianca continued to stare.
“I—oh,” Bianca regained her poise. She had unnaturally blond hair and a fake tan; she had a thin but athletic build, green eyes, and a vacant expression. “Yes, it was nice, wasn’t it?”
One of the boys, with lighter hair and a stern looking face, nodded and offered his hand. Lena shook it. He kept watching her until Hesper intervened.
“Out loud, Martin dear.” She said impatiently, and seeming slightly embarrassed.
Serafina’s jaw dropped. Eyes went wide, and Lena had the uncomfortable feeling that they were talking about her in their minds, where she could not participate. Was it really that big a deal that she couldn’t read minds?
Martin looked quickly over at Hesper, and then back at Lena, trying to recover from acting rude. “Martin Colburn. Pleased to meet you.”
There was a moment of silence, during which Hesper gave Bianca a desperate look. Bianca struck up a conversation again, and Lena glanced nervously over at Hesper. Hesper grabbed her hand and dragged her away from the group and into a corner. Lena noticed the other girl, Serafina, was leering after her.
“They don’t like me.” Lena watched as Serafina started flirting with Martin.
“You’re not what they expected.” Hesper explained.
“Why?”
“I told you. You come from a very well-known family—not the Collins, but the Darays.” Hesper smiled and waved in the direction of some other young adults; Eric Mason was the only one Lena recognized.
A man was walking toward them. He stretched out his hand toward Lena as he stopped in front of her. Hesper looked somewhat annoyed; the man glared at her before smiling back over at Lena. He wasn’t as well dressed as most of the other people in the room, and the glare off of his spectacles complemented the gray hairs that were starting to spring up in his dark hair.
“Miss Collins. I’m Warren Astley, a friend of your father’s.” He shot another poisonous look at Hesper. “I’m so sorry about your loss. Sometime, I’d like to get to know you. I think we’ll have a lot to talk about.” Lena hesitated before shaking the man’s hand. Hesper was about to say something, and by the looks of it something impolite, but just then Howard ran up.
“Lena! Good, you’re here. Making friends?”
Mr. Astley walked away. Hesper seemed to be winking at Bianca.
“Not exactly. Well, one.” Lena smiled over at Hesper.
Howard looked like the stress of the busy room was exhausting him. “I’m sure you’ll know everyone here before the month is out. May I escort you two to the dining room?”
Hesper took Howard’s left arm, and Lena took his right. As they walked, Howard dropped a quick warning that her grandfather, Master Daray, would be attending. He then refreshed his caution that he shouldn’t be trusted, and that she should ignore him if he tried to get to her through some sort of manipulation.
As they entered the dining room, Lena noticed that the room had grown significantly. She blinked a few times and looked around. She was almost sure the room was now too big to fit inside the house; the wall that divided the dining room from the entrance hall had jumped nearly thirty feet further out. Several smaller tables now surrounded the large main table, and the entire room had been decorated in silver and gold streamers and banners. Howard seated Lena and Hesper near the head of the main table before excusing himself to find Ava, and asked if either of them had happened to see David in a while. They hadn’t; Lena decided to use the time before the hall filled up as best she knew how.
“What was up with you and Mr. Astley?”
“Oh, he’s a big pain.” Hesper said plainly. “His whole family is.”
Lena frowned. “So you don’t like him, then? I mean, he seemed nice. Maybe a little weird…”
“Ya think? Don’t trust him. He’s a serious manipulator, and his whole family is kind of screwy. His dad is a huge political pain in the butt, and he’s a huge religious pain in the butt, and I’m sure his kids are working on innovative ways of becoming pains in the butt in the future. I’ve never met his kids, by the way. No one has ever seen any of them, which is, well…”
“Really weird.” Lena finished the thought for her.
For such a small group of people, Lena remarked how divided they were. Howard didn’t trust Master Daray, the Corbetts didn’t trust Howard, Hesper didn’t trust Mr. Astley, Hesper’s friends didn’t trust Lena, and Ava didn’t trust anyone. Lena looked over at Hesper.
“Why—“
“Religion, politics, and money.” Hesper responded.
“Well, isn’t that always the case…” Lena thought back to several places she’d been before. “Which religions?”
“Old Faith and New Faith.”
“I haven’t heard of those before…Which are you?”
Hesper shifted uncomfortably, and Lena realized she had been rude to ask. “Old Faith.”
“Oh.” Lena looked around the room as more people filed in and took their seats. She usually made a point of finding out about new religions, but didn’t want to lose Hesper as a friend. Besides, her father had always taught her that money, politics, and religion, while needing to be discussed, were not topics for dinner conversation. Hespe
r sensed her curiosity.
I’ll tell you later, okay?
Okay.
Lena smiled as Ava and Howard walked over to the table. They sat across the table from Lena, and Hesper’s parents were soon seated to their daughter’s left. A few more people Lena didn’t know seated themselves around her, and she would have introduced herself, except that the entire room went silent at that point.
Lena looked in the direction of all the gazing faces, and saw Master Daray. She shivered and turned back to Howard, who met her eyes. The old man was dressed very nicely in a suit, new looking shoes, and had his hair slicked back. He was walking leisurely toward the head of the main table. A man twelve feet down the table from Lena shot up from the table, as if to protest, but Howard waved for him to sit down.
Hesper nudged Lena with her elbow. That’s Master Pain in the Butt, Senior.
Lena looked down the table at the man; sure enough, Mr. Astley was seated next to him. While the father looked enraged by Daray’s presence, the son only looked anxious. His eyes switched very suddenly from Daray to Lena, and she turned to look at Master Daray to avoid eye contact.
Daray smiled and nodded at several families as he walked. When he finally reached his destination, his eyes scanned down the table until his gaze fell upon Lena.
“Good Masters, I welcome you to my house. Before we begin the celebrations, I’d like to introduce my granddaughter, Eden Daray, who has recently been recovered from the unlawful custody exercised by her father.”
Lena’s mouth dropped open. Not only had he just called all the attention in the room to her—he had changed her name and called her father an unlawful guardian. It might have made her angry if she hadn’t been so embarrassed. She tried to slouch down in her chair, but quickly noticed that everyone seemed to know who she was, and was clapping and staring at her. She felt her face go red. Howard had closed his eyes and was silently shaking his head; he seemed to be meditating. Daray went on.
Ignore it, Lena. He’s just an old man trying to find a way to control you. The words were quiet in her head, like a whisper. She nodded gratefully at Howard.
“I have another announcement.”
Howards eyes shot open. He looked over at Daray with a confused expression. Daray smiled serenely.
“After much rumination on the subject, and given my current situation and inadequate family, I have chosen to name an heir outside of my own family.”
There was a silence in the room as Daray’s smile broadened. Howard looked away and back at Lena. His eyes had gone very wide. He wasn’t panicked, but he did look worried. Several people, Hesper included, looked taken off guard by this additional piece of information.
Lena, don’t let it get to you. Howard’s voice was in her head. He’s not in control here, remember that…
“After much thought, and many years of planning, I have discovered a boy of promising talent. It’s my wish that he become the next in my family line. He will be respected as I am—as a member of the House of Daray. Darius, join me at the head of the table.”
Master Corbett rose, walked calmly toward Daray, and bowed before taking his place at the patron’s side. Howard’s hand moved of its own accord to cover his mouth.
We knew it…we don’t know where he hid him, but we knew it would be the Corbett boy…Lena, try to act casual, don’t give him anything that says he’s getting to you…
“My heir, Griffin Corbett…”
Across the room, Lena saw Rosaleen Ralston’s jaw drop. A horrified expression crossed her face, which she attempted to cover with her hands. As Lena’s luck would have it, David had walked into the room at the same time, blocking her view of Daray’s heir. She strained her neck to see around him, but then she realized…He was dressed nicer than Lena had ever seen him—a suit, similar to the one Daray was wearing. David was…Griffin, the heir. The ‘apprentice,’ as he had called himself. She looked back to Howard, whose eyes had narrowed to slits.
*****
