Chapter Six

Gratification

I cupped my mouth, thoroughly ashamed with myself and angered by my fate. As she was so in tune with the house, I imagined Gains’ ears perking up like a rabbit’s; sensing a “disturbance” in the room. All I could do for the moment was keep absolutely still and listen – with mounting horror – to the conversation which was fast unfolding.

“Jules, did you hear something just now?” Jules? I had to suppress a snigger. “It sounded like a squeak – or perhaps a sneeze – coming from my dresser.”

“No, mum. You must be hearing things.” Julian chuckled and added, “And I don’t think dressers can sneeze!”

“You’re right. ‘Twas only my age playing tricks on me…” A tired groan escaped her lips, but she quickly recovered herself. “Well, enough about that. Where’s this gift you’ve promised me?”

“Right there on the table. I certainly hope you like it. It cost me a trip to London – that dreadful town – and a pretty penny on top of that!” I shifted in my hiding place. What’s wrong with London? I suppose, being born and raised there, I held an uncommon pride for the old, foggy friend. Something a country-dweller could never understand.

“Oh, deary, you know you don’t have to spend a single schilling on me! I’m old and humble. Why not save your money for the pretty young ladies? I see you haven’t taken a bride yet.”

“Nonsense! I care about you, Prudence; you hold more value for me than a hundred young ladies. And besides, it’s the bride’s family who pays for the wedding!”

“True, true. My, aren’t you a smart one!”

“I did graduate from the finest schools in this country, and I have you and your husband to thank for that. (Poor old Vincent, bless his soul.)”

“And you sure know how to please a woman – by telling her exactly what she wants to hear! We’ll make a bridegroom of you yet!”

“Frankly, I don’t see why you’re so concerned. I am not old by any measure, and would it kill you if I never married?”

“Not at all. There are plenty of things more likely to kill me before the year’s up – but that’s not why I worry. I’m concerned for your wellbeing! This boring bachelor life you lead – I believe it’s affecting your health.”

“How so?”

“Well, you spend all of your time at the firm surrounded by stiff old men in suits, and none of it with people your own age.”

“That’s because people my own age are reckless and dimwitted! They gallivant about the county at all hours of the day – doing God knows what – and they behave like the monkey-kings of England! I’ve never seen a lot more selfish or more spoiled than the newest generation. They don’t appreciate anything they have, and they refuse for work for their keep. If you need proof, look no further than your three young mistresses!”

–

Julian took a deep, calming breath and let it out in a long hiss. Mrs. Gains did something so unexpected – to me, at least – that I was sure Hell had frozen over: she laughed.

It was the strangest thing my ears had ever heard; like a contradiction in sound form. I expected her to cackle like a witch, but instead her laugh was light and innocent, as an old woman’s should be. This, combined with the homey state of her room, twisted my former perception of her into inconceivable knots. My thoughts tripped over themselves as I tried – with all my might – to reason why anyone so inwardly kind would behave so harshly towards the rest of the world.

But then I remembered, with a sinking despair, that it was not the whole world; only me. It was I, Blythe Porter, who received the sharp end of her spear on a daily basis. That got me wondering what I had ever done to deserve such cruel treatment. I had never spoken a bad word to her in my life; in fact, I hadn’t spoken to her at all since I arrived there five years ago.

“Oh, that must be it!” I realized, with the cheer of a lamp turning on. “She’s only mean to me because I ignore her!” I made a vow that from then on I would always smile at Gains in passing, and strike up little conversations when I could.

“She must be an interesting person,” I thought, “If Mr. Bell is so attracted to her.” The connection between the old hag and the young albino was another mystery to be solved, but alas! My brain was exhausted at the moment. “And I should really be concentrating on getting out of this predicament!”

I could not escape just yet, as the conversation dragged on.

–

“If you’re referring to Lady Derringer’s daughters and their companion, Miss Blythe, then I’m afraid you are mistaken,” spoke the old servant with a glimmer of pride.

“What? Surely you can see how shallow and frivolous they are!”

“The twins are frivolous, but not shallow, and Miss Porter is neither of those things.”

“Perhaps not, but she is a pest. I nearly fell behind in my work because of her! Always asking questions, digging into my business…” The housekeeper laughed again.

“Did you never wonder why?”

“I assumed it was because of my…condition. Freaks excite curiosity in people, especially in rich folk with nothing better to do.”

“Julian! You shouldn’t think like that!”

“Why not? You know it’s the truth. Why else would I be invited to so many parties? As you’ve said yourself, I am boring and unsociable.”

“But I don’t see you as a…a freak!”

“I know you don’t, and God bless you for that, but most in the world are not as kind and open-minded as you. They are rude and prejudiced towards anyone the slightest bit different than them, or worse – insatiably curious!”

“Oh, darling, you really ought to give people a chance! The world’s not as cruel as you picture it. There are plenty of good souls out there who’d be willing to accept you, and one, I believe, who likes you already.”

“You’re joking.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Who is it, then? Tell me this madman of whom you speak.” Mrs. Gains clicked her tongue, as if ashamed of Julian’s inattention.

“Blythe Porter, of course!”

There was a long, empty pause. I could feel the blood rush to my face, and the wardrobe became stiflingly hot.