Perfect Harmony

Chapter 4

Prisca's POV

High- pitched scream has thrown me out of my agony. I was startled for a few seconds. Matthias and the Baroness moved their glares outside of the parlour chamber. They became restless for some reason.

The wail was repeated several times, and someone's yelling continued. Was it coming from upstairs?

“It’s time to take your leave,” Baroness demanded, looking outside of the parlour room.

I rise to my feet quietly, hoping to visit Mr McNeil’s residence. He will be at the house by now. Then I overheard some steps are heading downstairs. Whoever is arriving from upstairs, shouting and cursing at someone.

Someone certainly blessed this house with unnecessary commotions. Rhosyn has passed away in this unpleasant household, still, these people don’t share a bit of sadness. They behave as if they forgot the mourning period.

Before I take my leave, a young lady entered the room. I stood where I was standing since she was blocking my way out. The young woman hasn’t noticed my presence. Even without proper candlelight, I saw her graceful features.

She started panting. Then she pulled something from her left side and threw that thing on the floor hard. A weak sound came from the thing in front of me.

I make a useless attempt to understand what is happening here right now. The thing she pushed on the floor slightly moved, reminding me of an earthworm.

Goodness! This is a child…

“Mother, please do certain to punish this disgusting fopdoodle!!! He ruined my new dress by spilling tea all over in the presence of Mr Crawford,” she cursed and yelled. The little child trembled and raised his head slightly.

“Forgive me, lady, for..gi..ve…,” he weakly mumbled those words when tears start falling from his doe eyes. His tear-stained cheeks give the evidence of he has been crying for a while. My body moved towards him, completely out of my control; like I am possessed.

“Verena, we have a visitor here,” I heard Matthias roar.

I kneeled in front of the little boy and reach out my hands. His sky blue teary eyes met mine. Such beautiful eyes! Short, golden hair attaches a prestigious look to him. Who is this adorable angel?.

I remove my gloves and wipe his cheeks with bare palms. When I touch his face, a soft cry comes out within him. Poor little thing! He smiles at me nervously, showing his gratitude. His smile enlightened my heart with memories of a familiar smile. The way Rhosyn used to beam innocently. Perhaps this child is Rhosyn’s baby; my nephew. The simple thought caused me to shiver because of what I am witnessing now. The way they abuse this small child reminds me of another painful memory.

“You ungrateful brat… go to the kitchen, now!!!” Baroness’s bitter tone again made me shiver. The child tried to lift his body even though he was trembling a lot.

“He was sneaking around and stealing food. When are you going to send him to an orphanage?” Verena complained.

An orphanage!

“Wait a minute, please, are you perhaps, Theodore? Mmm… Theo..?” I held his small hand in a sudden urge and asked desperately. He slowly nodded his head.

He is Rhosyn’s child!! I felt relief first, then anger, and sympathy. Feelings start to overwhelm me. I decided what I must do without thinking twice and stood up, holding his hand. Theo looked at me with eyes that get wider.

“Baroness Lennox, you are…? How? You are treating your own grandson this way!” I screamed, forgetting all manners. No Prisca, they don’t deserve your manners or politeness, my mind whispered.

“How dare you raise your voice!! This lowly born peasant is not my grandson. His ungrateful mother was laying down with a peasant shamelessly, and left this burden here, to us,” Baroness yelled. She grimaced.

I hugged Theon protectively and covered his ears in the middle of the embarrassing argument.

“Rhosyn; that wench ruined our chances to marry a man from a wealthy noble family,” Verena interrupted the baroness. Matthias pulled Verena’s hand tightly, directing a fierce glance.

“Who is this woman?” then she asked Matthias. He whispered something to her. Her eyes widened as if she can’t believe what she is witnessing now…

She was five years old when I left this house, now she became a young maiden… of course, insensitive and rude young maiden. I ignored them and turn towards the baroness.

“Still… He lost his mother recently. You can’t be this petty,” I stated.

“Don’t be ridiculous! I rather wish he died with his mother,” the Baroness hissed. My entire vision became dark for a minute, and I close my eyes, hoping to endure her familiar vicious words.

I will not leave the child with these inhuman people. I couldn’t protect Kenneth, but I will protect Theodore from this cold house and its people.

Now, I perfectly understand why Rhosyn wishes to see my presence here.

“You are a cold-blooded woman, baroness. Indeed, your devilish thoughts and futile, miserable attempt to remain a noble, has created agonies only for innocent people. I am taking Theo with me,” I calmly spoke what I wanted to speak for a long time ago.

Baroness started laughing like a madwoman.

“Do as you please. Remember one thing, don’t let me see his face ever again. Keep this dirty animal with you. I despise it,”

“We won’t give a shilling for him,” Verena cut in.

To my utter surprise, Matthias was silently looking at me and Theo. His forehead creased.

Theo pulled my skirt firmly. Does he want to say something?

“Perhaps, are you aunt Prisca?,” He whispered to me when I bend towards him. How adorable!

“Yes, my dear. I am your aunt Prisca,” I took his face in both hands, and whispered back.

He flashes a warm, innocent smile at me.

“Martha,”

Martha walks inside the room. She bobbed to everyone.

“Martha, would you mind taking Master Theodore outside for a minute,” I asked.

She nodded at me. “We shall take a stroll, my dear,” she held Theo’s hand and took him outside.

I turned towards Baroness and Matthias.

“Where is Theodore’s father?” my question took their attention.

“How are we supposed to know?” Baroness barked at me.

Matthias cleared his throat. “He impregnated her, and ran away… I think,”

So they weren’t married. I sighed.

“I shall take my leave then. Good evening!” I bobbed. There is no use in staying here anymore.

“Good evening!” I heard Matthias’ voice behind me.

……………………………………………………

After visiting Rhosyn’s tomb in the church the following day, we decided to leave Howland with Theo. Mr McNeil wanted us to stay at his house with his family, at least for one more day. I explained to him my doubts about the Baron family’s interruptions. They certainly will create commotions if we stay at Mr McNeil’s place, even for one more day. So, I decided to go to Mondaze and stay there for two or three days until we can have a stagecoach to Sheridan’s. If we are lucky, we can find a mail coach which is faster and less crowded than a stagecoach.

I have originally brought a negligible amount of money because I wasn’t planning to stay at an Inn in Mondaze. Fortunately, Mr McNeil gave me a recommendation letter, easing my worries. He kindly requested his friends who live in Mondaze; Mr Campton and Mrs Campton to make my stay in Mondaze comfortable and safe.

Theo’s condition wasn’t good at all. I found some bruises on his body, which made me want to cry badly for him as well as land facers on Lennox family members. The worst was Theo was starving without food after Rhosyn passed away. Rhosyn was weak after her childbirth, as I’ve heard. Almost every day, her weak body suffers from some kind of illness.

Her condition became severe one year ago. Somehow, Theo was the one who looked after his mother while fulfilling the daily chores of the fallen Baron family. Those are not the responsibilities of a five years old child! How did this small child handle everything by himself so far…!

No one knew who Theon’s father was. The McNeil family told me he was a person who travelled through Howland a couple of times. No one knew his name or anything besides that he is a common merchant who travels around the empire.

What happened to Theo’s father? Theo has never seen his father. Why is he not visiting them?

Rhosyn and Theo’s father were madly in love according to the McNeil family… then why?

What has really happened in Howland?

Why do I feel even McNeil’s are hiding something from me!!! Am I missing something?