Wuthering Bites (10 page)

‘What do you think of Heathcliff going to Wuthering Heights?' I inquired, giving up all hope of going back to sleep any time soon. ‘I was quite surprised myself, remembering how he and your brother got along.'

‘Heathcliff explained it,' she replied. ‘He said he went to Wuthering Heights to ask about me, and Hindley invited him in. There were some vampires there playing cards with my brother, and Heathcliff joined them. Apparently, my brother lost some money to him, and, finding him plentifully supplied, he requested that Heathcliff return again tonight.'

‘Hoping to win back his money,' I offered.

‘I worry about Hindley. He puts his trust in the wrong people. Look at who he plays cards with. It's a wonder he hasn't been sucked dry. Anyway, I think Heathcliff means to offer liberal payment to lodge at the Heights, and doubtless my brother will accept. I think he's throwing money away with both hands, between the drink and the gambling losses to the vampires.'

‘And you have no fear, the two of them residing under one roof?'

‘None for my friend,' she replied. ‘A little for Hindley, but he can't be made any morally worse than he already is. Don't tell me keeping company with vampires all day, even if they are gentlemen vampires, isn't dangerous to one's soul.'

‘I'm not sure it's my place to say,' I said, but between you and me, Mr. Lockwood, I wondered if Master Hindley's soul had not fled that den of iniquity long ago.

‘Well, I suppose I'll go make my peace with Edgar.' She rose from my bed. ‘Good night! I'm an angel!'

The success of her making up with Mr. Linton was obvious the next day when he made no objection to her taking Isabella with her to Wuthering Heights in the afternoon. She rewarded him with sweetness and affection in return.

Heathcliff—Mr. Heathcliff, I should say in future—visited Thrushcross Grange cautiously, at first. Catherine, also, deemed it judicious not to express too much pleasure in receiving him. He visited more and more often, until his presence was expected.

My master's new source of trouble sprang from Isabella Linton evincing a sudden and irresistible attraction toward the tolerated guest. She was at that time a charming young lady of eighteen, infantile in manners but quite expressive in her emotions. Her brother, who loved her tenderly, was appalled by her infatuation. I think somehow he comprehended Heathcliff's disposition and knew that even though his exterior was altered, his mind was unchangeable, and unchanged.

He would have recoiled had he known that his sister's attachment rose unsolicited, and there was no reciprocation of sentiment. Heathcliff barely tolerated her. I know not what caused my lady Isabella's strange behavior. Perhaps the Lintons had married first cousins too many times, but word among the servants was that Isabella was no better than she should be.

“Twice Cook had caught her playing pinch and tickle with one of the young footmen, and she was wont to linger in the stables with the grooms, if you can believe that, Mr. Lockwood! Once the gardener saw her allowing Doole Flath the huntsman to use his teeth to remove a thorn from her bare foot and he a swarthy, unwashed rogue twice her age with a taste for unnatural pleasures.”

“Unnatural pleasures?” I asked, eager to improve my knowledge of the local inhabitants. “I'm sure a mere huntsman could hardly…”

The good woman leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Oh, yes, sir. Talk was that he would take his ease with anything with four legs or two. He sells his rabbits and deer at more than one kitchen door, but as often at Knevel Hall as any. The vicar said that his housekeeper told him that a two-headed calf was born at Knevel Hall, and that one grotesque head bore the swarthy face and bulging eyes of Doole Flath.”

“I…I'm not certain how…” I began.

Mrs. Dean held up a hand. “I make no judgments, and I'm not one to carry gossip. I only mention the sad case of Doole Flath the huntsman so that you can see how she might be drawn to Master Heathcliff—he himself being of a swarthy nature, but somewhat cleaner. It was said Flath never touched water, not to bathe or drink, and that the only moisture that touched him was the honey-mead he brewed himself of a careless raindrop.” She shook her head. “He did stink awful, sir. When he brought rabbits to the door, Cook wouldn't let him in the kitchen. No, sir. Took too many days to air it out after he was there. I'd not want such a foul creature to nibble my bare foot, not if I'd stepped on a pitchfork.”

“I'm sure you wouldn't,” I agreed. “But of Heathcliff and Isabella, you were saying…”

She sighed. “Aye, sir, I was.”

In time, knowing Heathcliff did not care for her, Isabella became more and more cross, crying and complaining over nothing. The friendship between her and Miss Catherine also began to fade. One day, Isabella accused Catherine of being harsh to her.

‘How can you say I am harsh?' cried the mistress, amazed at the unreasonable assertion. ‘When have I been harsh, tell me?'

‘Yesterday,' sobbed Isabella. ‘And now!'

‘Yesterday?'

‘When we walked along the moor. You told me to go where I pleased, while you sauntered on with Mr. Heathcliff!'

‘And that's your notion of harshness?' Catherine laughed. ‘I thought I was being kind. You would have had no interest in the conversation.'

‘How do you know that?' she pouted.

‘Have you developed an interest in the manner in which we control the vampire population?'

‘Control? There is no controlling them. They should all be killed!' Isabella shook her head. ‘No, you cannot fool me. You didn't want me to walk with you because you know how much I enjoy Mr. Heathcliff's company.'

‘You are an impertinent little monkey!' exclaimed Catherine. ‘You cannot possibly be saying you have feelings for him.'

‘It's true,' said the infatuated girl. ‘I love him more than ever you loved Edgar, and he might love me, if you would let him!'

‘I wouldn't be you for a kingdom, then!' Catherine declared. ‘Nelly, help me to convince her of her madness. Tell her what Heathcliff is: an unreclaimed creature, without refinement, without cultivation. He's the son of a gypsy slayer and only God knows who! Pray, don't imagine that he conceals depths of benevolence and affection beneath a stern exterior! He's not a rough diamond. He's a fierce, pitiless, fiendish man. I know he could never love you, yet he would be quite capable of marrying your fortune. I'm his friend and I tell you the truth.'

Isabella regarded her sister-in-law with indignation. ‘For shame!' she said angrily. ‘You're worse than twenty foes, you poisonous friend!'

‘You think I speak from wicked selfishness?'

‘I'm certain you do,' retorted Isabella. ‘And I shudder at you!'

‘Good!' Catherine said, and she left the room.

‘She uttered falsehoods, didn't she?' Isabella begged, turning to me. ‘Tell me, Nelly. Mr. Heathcliff is not a fiend. He has an honorable soul, and a true one.'

‘Banish him from your thoughts, miss,' I said. ‘He's a bird of bad omen, no mate for you. Much too unrefined, to my notion.'

“Mind you, Mr. Lockwood, I said nothing to Miss Isabella about her own unrefined taste for the hired help. Such is not my place to comment on. Still, I do notice.”

“I'm sure,” I said, motioning her to continue the tale.

“Mrs. Linton spoke strongly, and yet I can't disagree with her. She's better acquainted with his heart than anyone else on God's earth. Ask yourself this, how has he been living? How has he gotten rich? Good men do not hide their deeds. And why is he staying at Wuthering Heights with a man who abhors him? They say Mr. Earnshaw is worse and worse since he came. They sit up all night together continually with the vampire riffraff coming and going, and Hindley has been borrowing money on his land, and does nothing but play cards and drink.'

‘You are leagued with the rest, Nelly!' Miss Linton replied. ‘I'll not listen to your slanders!'

Whether she would have got over her infatuation if left to herself, and taken up with the coachman, or whether she would have persevered in nursing it perpetually, I can't say. She didn't have much time to reflect. The next day, Mr. Heathcliff, aware of Mr. Linton's having gone to town, called rather earlier than usual.

Catherine and Isabella were sitting in the library, hostile, but silent. I was sweeping the hearth when Mr. Heathcliff passed by the window, and I noticed a mischievous smile on Catherine's lips. Isabella, absorbed in a book, remained till the door opened, and then it was too late for her to attempt an escape.

‘Come in!' exclaimed the mistress, gaily, pulling a chair to the fire. ‘Come sit between us and thaw the ice between us. Heathcliff, I'm proud to show you, at last, somebody who dotes on you more than myself. I expect you to feel flattered. My poor little sister-in-law is breaking her heart merely by thinking about how handsome you are, how good-hearted. No, no, Isabella, don't run off,' she continued with feigned playfulness, grasping her wrist so she could not take her leave of the room. ‘We were quarrelling like cats over you, Heathcliff, and I was fairly beaten. I was told that if I would just stand aside, Isabella here would capture your heart for all of eternity. However long that may be, in your case,' she added mysteriously.

‘Catherine!' said Isabella, calling up her dignity. ‘I insist you adhere to the truth and not slander me, even in jest! Mr. Heathcliff, please bid your friend release me.'

‘No, no, you must stay. Heathcliff, why don't you tell us how happy you are to know Isabella's feelings for you. She swears that the love Edgar has for me is nothing compared to the love she holds for you.'

Heathcliff stared hard at Isabella, as one might stare at a strange, repulsive creature like a human infant in its cradle, sprouting vampire fangs.

Isabella couldn't bear his scrutiny, and she grew white and red in rapid succession, tears beading her lashes. She closed her fingernails down on Catherine's hand, trying to force her to let her go.

‘There's a tigress!' exclaimed Catherine, freeing her and shaking her hand with pain. ‘Begone, for God's sake! How foolish to reveal those talons to
him
. Don't you know what conclusions he'll draw? Look, Heathcliff, you must beware of your eyes.'

‘I'd take her hands off, if they ever menaced me,' he answered brutally, when the door had closed after her. ‘But why are you teasing her in such a manner, Cathy? Surely you weren't telling the truth. She hasn't really fallen in love with me.'

‘She's been pining for you for weeks, the foolish jade, raving about you this morning, and pouring abuse on me because I had the nerve to state your failings in a plain light. But don't worry, I like her too well to allow you to seize her and devour her.'

‘And I like her too ill to attempt it,' said he, ‘except in a very ghoulish fashion. That waxen face of hers, she looks like she's already dead. And those eyes, they detestably resemble Linton's.'

‘He says they are doves' eyes—angels'.'

‘But she's her brother's heir, is she not?' Heathcliff asked, after a brief silence.

‘I would hope not. A dozen nephews would erase her title, would they not? But let's not talk about her anymore. Let's just dismiss the subject.'

And they did dismiss it. Catherine, probably, never thought about it again. But Heathcliff, I am certain, continued to contemplate Isabella's position, and I became determined to keep an eye on him. His visits were a continual nightmare to me, and also to my master, I suspected. His presence at the Heights was an oppression past explaining.

At the same time, a nest of particularly vicious bloodsuckers rose from their sleep in the moor and began a war against the righteous, snatching one child after another from Goody Blether's cottage until she had lost some seven or eight of her brood through a broken window that her worthless husband could not bother to repair.

“Shocking,” I said.

“It was most shocking, Mr. Lockwood. When the eighth of her twenty-three was taken, poor Goody made to mend the shutter herself!”

“And did she succeed?”

“Alas, she was found at daybreak with every drop of her blood drained out of her, dead as a coffin nail, and her a decent and hardworking woman.”

“So she tried to mend the shutter after dark?”

“I said she was a good wife and mother, sir, not that she was bright. She had accidentally struck her thumb with the hammer whilst nailing the shutter, made herself bleed, and…” Mrs. Dean shrugged. “Once blood began to flow, the creatures' appetites were whetted.”

“Murdered,” I breathed.

“Not just Goody Blether, but her hapless offspring, her husband, the butcher, a peddler passing through, and three guinea hens. Dead, every one.”

“There's a lesson here, I'm certain of it,” I pronounced, glancing anxiously at the window.

“There is,” she agreed. “Keep your shutters mended and the windows closed at night.”

“I was thinking more of Miss Isabelle and her reckless nature.”

“That, too,” the housekeeper agreed, drawing herself up. “Keep your shoes on whilst walking in the garden.”

W
hile meditating on these things in solitude, I one day became so frightened that I put on my bonnet to go and see how all was at Wuthering Heights. Just before I reached the gates, I spotted a boy seated on the withered turf: his dark, square head bent forward, and his little hand scooping out the earth with a piece of slate. I knew who it was at once, even though he looked quite different than he had when I left him a year before.

‘God bless thee, darling!' I cried, quite relieved to see him. ‘Hareton, it's Nelly! Nelly, your nurse.'

He picked up a large flint.

‘Don't be afraid,' I said, thinking perhaps he didn't remember me. ‘I've come to see your father, Hareton, is all.'

He raised his missile to throw it. I tried to speak to him soothingly, but he hurled the stone anyway. The missile struck my bonnet and was followed by a string of curses from the little fellow. I don't know if he comprehended what he said, but the foul words distorted his baby features into a shocking expression of malignity.

Hareton's actions grieved me more than angered me, and I took an orange from my pocket and offered it to him.

He hesitated, and then snatched it from my hold.

I showed him another, keeping it out of his reach.

‘Who has taught you those fine words, my bairn?' I inquired.

‘Heathcliff.'

I put the orange in his hand, and bid him tell his father that a woman called Nelly Dean was waiting to speak with him, by the garden gate.

He went up the walk and entered the house. I followed but stopped short when I spotted Heathcliff standing in the distance in a circle of vampires. Skin white as death, they had, and fierce, inhuman eyes, fair to make the hair stand on the back of your neck. And here it was broad daylight! My first instinct was to scream and run, but I was so intrigued by the gathering, which seemed so…civilized for a swarm of vampires that I stood my ground. Heathcliff was speaking quietly to them and though I couldn't hear what was being said from my distance, I was intrigued. It was quite obvious that the gypsy boy, now a man, was in full command of the situation. Oh, I heard the occasional hiss or snarl from the beasties, but for the most part they behaved better than most human men I know when gathered with other men. Curious as to what was being said, I crept closer, and hid behind a crumbling stone wall.

‘Are my instructions clear?' Heathcliff demanded.

There were murmurs of agreement and I was surprised by how well spoken the beasties were. When they had first come to these parts, they only spoke Transylvanian blather, but they were indeed becoming fine English gentlemen.

“Well, not exactly English gentlemen, Mr. Lockwood,” Mrs. Dean injected, cutting her eyes at me. “But well spoken, nonetheless.”

“But what did the vampires say?” I begged, rising off my pillow. “Please, Mrs. Dean, do carry on.”

They didn't say much of anything. Only agreed to Heathcliff's instructions, which I had not been able to hear. I tried to move in closer, but as luck had it, the toe of my shoe caught on a rock and in my desire to catch myself before I fell headlong, I made a terrible commotion. Good heavens! Startled by a mere housekeeper, the gentlemen vampires jerked and twisted and bared their fangs. Fortunately for me, Heathcliff recognized me.

‘No,' he ordered, raising his hand. ‘You're dismissed.'

And just like that, they walked off, the whole lot of them. As if they were out for a stroll in the country. Why, one had a walking cane!

I was quite relieved, I must say, for I was not ready to meet my Maker that day, but then Heathcliff turned his gaze on me, his scowl so dark and frightening, his eyes so penetrating, that I turned and ran down the road as hard as ever I could race, making no halt till I reached the gates of the Grange.

Not long after that day, Heathcliff came to the Grange. When he arrived, my young lady Linton chanced to be feeding some pigeons in the court. Heathcliff wasn't in the habit of even speaking to her unless he was forced to, but that day he stopped to watch her. I was standing by the kitchen window, but I drew out of sight. He stepped across the pavement to her and said something. She seemed embarrassed and tried to walk away, but he laid his hand on her arm. She averted her face; he apparently put some question to her which she had no mind to answer. He glanced at the house, checking to see if anyone was watching, I'm sure, and not seeing me, embraced her.

‘Judas! Traitor!' I ejaculated. ‘You are a hypocrite, too, are you?'

‘Who is, Nelly?' said Catherine's voice at my elbow. I'd been so intent on what I was seeing that I had never heard her enter the kitchen.

‘Your worthless friend!' I answered warmly. ‘The sneaking rascal. Ah, now he's caught a glimpse of us. Here he comes. What excuse do you think he'll give for making love to Miss, when he told you he hated her?'

Catherine brought a finger to her lips, warning me to keep quiet as Heathcliff came in through the door. ‘Heathcliff, what are you doing? You had best leave Isabella alone unless you no longer wish to keep my company. Linton will order you off the property if he sees you with her!'

‘God forbid that he should try!' answered the black villain.

‘Hush!' said Catherine, shutting the inner door. ‘Don't vex me. Did she approach you?'

‘What is it to you?' he growled. ‘I have a right to kiss her, if she chooses, and you have no right to object. I'm not your husband; you needn't be jealous of me!'

‘I'm not jealous of you,' replied the mistress; ‘I'm jealous for you. Don't scowl at me! If you like Isabella, you shall marry her. But do you like her? Tell the truth, Heathcliff! I'm certain you don't!'

‘I could do so without his permission. And as to you, my jealous Catherine, if I imagined you really wished me to marry Isabella, I'd cut my throat!'

‘Quarrel with Edgar, if you please, Heathcliff, and deceive his sister. You'll hit on exactly the most efficient method of revenging yourself on me.'

‘It's not you I seek revenge upon.'

With that, the conversation ceased. Mrs. Linton sat down by the fire, while Heathcliff stood on the hearth with folded arms, brooding on his evil thoughts. There I left them to seek the master, who was wondering what kept Catherine below so long.

‘Nelly,' said he, when I entered, ‘have you seen your mistress?'

‘Yes, she's in the kitchen, sir,' I answered. ‘She's sadly put out by Mr. Heathcliff's behavior.' I related the scene in the court, and, as near as I dared, the whole dispute that followed between Catherine and Heathcliff. I was tempted to tell him about the scene I had witnessed a few days before with Heathcliff and the vampires, but unsure what one could have to do with the other, I stopped myself.

‘This is insufferable!' Edgar Linton exclaimed. ‘It is disgraceful that she should call him a friend and force his company on me! Catherine shall linger no longer to argue with the low ruffian—I have humored her enough.'

He walked, followed by me, to the kitchen, where we found that its occupants had recommenced their angry discussion. Catherine was scolding with renewed vigor. Heathcliff had moved to the window and hung his head, somewhat cowed by her violent ranting, apparently, which surprised me. How could a man speak with such self-assurance to a gaggle of vampires and yet be intimidated by a mere woman?

Heathcliff saw the master first, and made a hasty motion to Catherine.

‘What is going on here?' said Linton, sitting and addressing his wife.

‘Have you been listening at the door, Edgar?' asked the mistress, in a tone implying both carelessness and contempt.

Heathcliff gave a sneering laugh, intentionally drawing Mr. Linton's attention to him.

‘I have so far been forbearing with you, sir,' he said quietly, ‘but no longer. Catherine has wished to keep up your acquaintance and I have acquiesced—foolishly. Your presence is a moral poison that would contaminate the most virtuous, and for this reason, I shall deny you hereafter admission into this house.'

Heathcliff measured the height and breadth of the speaker with an eye full of derision. ‘Cathy, this lamb of yours threatens like a bull!' he said. ‘It is in danger of splitting its skull against my knuckles. By God! Mr. Linton, I'm mortally sorry that you are not worth knocking down!'

My master glanced toward the passage, and signed me to fetch the men. He had no intention of putting himself in danger at Heathcliff's hands.

I moved to obey, but when I attempted to call them, Miss Catherine pulled me back, slammed the door to, and locked it.

‘If you have not the courage to attack him,' she ranted, ‘make an apology, or allow yourself to be beaten. Edgar, I was defending you and yours. I wish Heathcliff would flog you sick for daring to think an evil thought of me!'

‘Have no fear, I will not touch him,' Heathcliff said, turning on her. ‘I wish you joy of the coward, Cathy! I compliment you on your taste. I cannot believe you would prefer him over me. Wait, tell me. Is he weeping, or is he going to faint for fear?'

Heathcliff gave the chair Linton rested in a push, and my master quickly sprang up and struck him full on the throat a blow that would have leveled a slighter man.

At that instant what I can only explain as a snarl came out of Heathcliff's mouth, a sound so frightening, so sinister that I fell to my knees and gripped my hands in prayer. I swear, for a blink of an eye, I thought I saw fangs protrude from his mouth. But no one else in the kitchen saw, or maybe cared. Mr. Linton walked out by the back door into the yard, slamming the door hard.

‘There! You've done it now. You'll never be permitted to return,' cried Catherine. ‘You've played me an ill turn, Heathcliff! But, go—make haste!'

‘Do you suppose I would allow him to strike me?' Heathcliff thundered. ‘By hell, no! I'll crush his ribs in like a rotten hazel-nut before I cross the threshold!'

By then, I had risen from my knees and glanced out the window. ‘There's the coachman, and the two gardeners coming, each with a bludgeon.'

‘Please,' Miss Catherine begged him.

With that plea, Heathcliff seized the poker, smashed the lock from the inner door, and made his escape as the men with weapons tramped in.

With Heathcliff gone, Mrs. Linton bid me accompany her upstairs. ‘This is all Isabella's fault, Nelly!' she exclaimed, throwing herself on the sofa. ‘You'd best warn her to stay away from me. And, Nelly, if you see Edgar tonight, tell him I'm in danger of being seriously ill. I hope I do fall ill! He has startled and distressed me shockingly! I want to frighten him. Will you tell him, my good Nelly? You know none of this is my fault. What possessed him to listen in on our conversation? Heathcliff's talk was outrageous after you left us, but I could have convinced him that any intentions he had for Isabella were absurd. Had Edgar never gathered our conversation, he would never have been the worse for it. Well, if I cannot keep Heathcliff for my friend—if Edgar will be mean and jealous, I'll try to break their hearts by breaking my own.'

I said nothing when I met the master coming toward the parlor, but I took the liberty of turning back to listen when he joined my mistress.

‘Remain where you are, Catherine,' he said without any anger in his voice, but with much sorrowful despondency. ‘I shall not stay. I haven't come to fight nor be reconciled. I wish only to learn whether, after this evening's events, you intend to continue your intimacy with—'

‘Oh, for mercy's sake,' interrupted the mistress, stamping her foot. ‘For mercy's sake, let us hear no more of it now! Your cold blood cannot be worked into a fever. Your veins are full of ice water. But mine are boiling, and the sight of such chillness makes them dance.'

‘Answer my question,' persevered Mr. Linton. ‘Will you give up Heathcliff, or will you give up me? It is impossible for you to be my friend and
his
at the same time; and I absolutely
require
to know.'

‘I require to be let alone!' exclaimed Catherine furiously. ‘I demand it!'

She rang the bell and I entered leisurely. It was enough to try the temper of a saint, such senseless, wicked rages! There she lay dashing her head against the arm of the sofa, and grinding her teeth.

Mr. Linton stood looking at her in sudden compunction and fear. He told me to fetch some water. She had no breath for speaking.

I brought a glassful and when she would not drink, I sprinkled it on her face. In a few seconds she stretched herself out stiff.

Linton looked terrified.

‘She has blood on her lips!' he said, shuddering.

‘Never mind!' I answered, tartly. And I told him how she had resolved, previous to his coming, on exhibiting just such a fit so as to frighten him.

I gave the account aloud, and she heard me for she sat up, her hair flying over her shoulders, her eyes flashing, her arms standing out preternaturally. She stared for a moment and then rushed from the room.

The master directed me to follow and I did, but she locked me out of her bedchamber. When she didn't come down for breakfast the next morning, I went up to ask whether she would have some brought to her.

‘No!' she replied.

The same question was repeated at dinner and tea and again the next day. Each time, I received the same answer.

Mr. Linton spent his time in the library, and did not inquire as to how his wife was. Isabella and he talked for an hour, during which he tried to elicit from her some sentiment of horror for Heathcliff's advances. She gave him nothing but short replies. In the end, he responded with a solemn warning that if she were so insane as to encourage that worthless suitor, it would dissolve all bonds of relationship between herself and him forever.