Authors: Astrid Yrigollen
“Then prepare your things and I will be by in the morning to collect you.” He stood up as did I. He opened the front door where a carriage waiting.
“My driver will take you home. Don’t be too impatient with him. He can drive these carriages…rather slow.” He took my hand and helped me into the carriage. Shutting the door, he peered into my eyes.
“Thank you Sir.” Was all I could muster. I was still somewhat shocked that I was able to retain the position.
“Tomorrow…Lilly.” Was all he said.
The driver lightly whipped the horse into action before Fredrick had even moved from his position. I had a feeling that if I turned and looked out the back, he would still be standing there, studying me.
“Where to Miss?” The driver’s rough voice rang out.
“The boarding house Sir.” Arriving within minutes, the driver helped me out and waved goodbye.
That night I thought of Mr. Brighton. As Naza snored lightly, I softly stroked her head. I was happy that I could take her with me. I was eager to start work for Fredrick Brighton. I looked out into the moonless sky that had always made me feel depressed.
Wasn’t this the new life that I wanted?
The new identity I so desperately needed.
With Mr. Brighton I could immerse myself into a new life and leave the past behind. I would not think for one moment about the house or money. I realized that we had not discussed my salary but at this point I was happy to have secured the position. I was sure that Mr. Brighton would fill me in regarding my compensation.
Morning came quickly and I hurriedly washed my face and brushed my teeth. It did not take me long to pack my one suitcase. I folded Naza’s blanket into the smallest square possible and carried it under my arm. I performed a last minute check for any belongings I might have forgotten.
“Well Naza, we have our teapot, suitcase, blanket and bodies packed. Shall we go?” Naza smiled up at me in her canine way. I came down slowly with Naza on her leash, who was now able to limp on her own. She still wore the splint I made up for her and probably would be for awhile. I did not want her putting any weight on that leg.
I went to settle my bill.
“Nay, your bills been taken care of.” Said an elderly man I had not noticed before. He pointed one crooked finger behind me and smiled. I followed his gesture to see Mr. Brighton’s driver sitting in the corner silently.
“Oh! Heavens! You’ve arrived already! I didn’t know…have I kept you waiting?” Before he could answer the old man at the desk piped up.
“Aye! He’s been here since the suns been up. Told me he didn’t want ta disturb you. I offered ya know…ta wake ya, but he wouldn’t hear of it.”
The driver solemnly shook his head in agreement with the old man. He was a short man that was darkly colored, but not an African. He wore clean, woolen pants and shirt. He held his cap in his hand. I could see his balding head.
“That’s right Miss, it was the Master’s orders that I was here early enough for you, but if you weren’t up yet to let you sleep.” I felt awkward by this and let him know.
“That’s silly, I could have walked you know. I also can settle my own bill.” He looked at me surprised, then walked over and grabbed my suitcase. Naza looked at him curiously.
“You won’t be doing that now Miss. Please come with me now.” I looked back at the old man and he shrugged his shoulders.
I followed the driver outside. As Naza allowed herself to be picked up and loaded inside the carriage, I once more spied the little boys from yesterday. Remembering the candy I had purchased the day before, I waved them over.
“All aboard Miss.” The driver said, holding the door open for me. The boys ran up to me as I took the candy out of my purse. I handed each of them their pieces.
The older one looked bewildered which made my heart ache even more.
“What’s this Miss?” The older one inquired.
“Why, it’s candy, for you and your brother.”
They were silent as they turned their individual pieces over in their hands. When they still said nothing, I made to get into the carriage.
“It’s a thank you, for the directions.”
I caught the driver looking at me in the same studious manner as Mr. Brighton had. He realized I was staring back and quickly put on his cap.
I boarded the carriage without further word. When we had arrived at the brownstone, he left my suitcase in the parlor and was about to make his hasty exit.
“Miss?” He said softly.
I turned, surprised that he had not gone yet.
“I doubt that they knew what to do with sweets.”
I looked down, sad, thinking about the boys.
“It was a gesture to do it all the same Miss.” It seemed like he was trying to comfort me. The Grand Council was created so that every person was assured a more prosperous life. These children seemed poor to me in their scruffy clothes and lack of manners. I was beginning to suspect that not all people benefited from the Grand Council’s rulings. The driver was still looking at me waiting for a response.
“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.”