The Devil's Incarnate

Discovery

We met as scheduled with Cathy. We ate the pies. I still dreamt of Edward Compton,he was always there taunting me so. I saw his face his features they were more earthly than any other have seen. No eerie light projecting depicting him as a spirit. Yet he was no where to be found. Our search had hit a brick wall. Cathy told me that she had not heard of any other Compton. Thus the more I thought of him the concept of him being a ghost seemed all the more realistic to me.

"there's no Compton in this side. I've heard of another Compton west of England but it's not an Edward Compton. It's Quentin Compton. "

"my theory seems more realistic. The way things are it's sounds more logical. "

"my question is why the romance. Or was it a deprived soul of love. But Mrs Tarantino told us they lived in perfect harmony. He had all he needed. There was no hint of turmoil lurking. "

"I wouldn't know. But you would agree with me Cathy that the affair of a household can be so well concealed. It's only when is installed there that you discover the hypocrisy. "

"have you had any encounter with him?"

"no. I only dream of him. I see him in the ship and we're talking about the stars. "

Talking of him lead us nowhere, the proprietress thought it wise to interrupt our conversation. She preceded to say"

"it's good of you to come here twice. I must be doing something right. "

We told her her pastries were of an exotic taste. Encouraged by this she began questioning us as she had steered clear the first time. It wouldn't elude me that she thought we were strangers on our way. A second meeting to her was indication that we were somewhat familiar in the neighborhood. She was overawed to hear we were governesses in the Markham's and Holt's. I didn't think the profession was of much awe but I knew, a chance to live with the prestigious families in the society was. It got her full attention.

"the Markham's they are still new right. Three generations back. They are more quiet. Nothing peculiar about them. They don't even have mistresses lying about or bastards in every household. They still have a clean slate. "

How deceptive. I thought of Dolche at once. If she hadn't made town gossip then she wasn't as foul as they claimed her to be. As for mistresses,I wasn't too sure. Thomas seemed the type to posses hot blood. He must be quite clever in concealing his affairs. It must be he did it in other towns or during his business trips. It would seem a miracle if he engaged in no affairs. Mrs buttercup had told me they owned three other estates and I understood what Mr Thomas was relaying the other day,that their estates had tripled through marriages. She turned to Cathy. I made a mental note I would try to lure Mrs buttercup in telling me of one of Thomas's escapades. He must have one or two ladies demanding company. No one could point a finger at home after all he had an insufferable wife. "the Holt's well we have known of them forever they are part and parcel of this town. The recent tragedy was terrible. I feel nothing but sympathy for Magdalene. Terrence drove her to the edge. "

I was aware of the story as Cathy had told me. It caught my interest and I noticed it did in Cathy. We wanted to know the town's version of the gossip. Cathy feigned ignorance. It was her secret weapon in encouraging one to tell their tale.

"it was terrible. Those two were so unhappy with each other. At first it was a happy marriage at least . The priest swears they were all smiles on their wedding day. Then Terrence being who he was a run away you might call it. "

"whatsoever do you mean?"

I hid my smile, Cathy was something else altogether when she was hungry for information.

"he didn't want to take responsibility of the castle and the estates of the family. He without flinching handed it over to his cousin. Loft had always wanted the castle but I'm certain it must have put a dent in his pride for him to be handed the castle so easily without a fight. Then Terrence fell in love or so we thought. Marries her. But she was never enough, he ran away again. He wasn't even there when she gave birth to Max. That sweet child, how is he? "

"the wisest child I know. "

"oh I hope he isn't like his father. A bird perching from tree to tree. It's what drove Magdalen to the edge. She went to the bridge between the town and the castle threw herself in the water. She appeared hours after, afloat at the mouth of the river. "

"wasn't she missing for a day? "

Cathy had just let her pretentious ignorance slip.

"so you've heard? "

"only that she was missing a day before she died is it so?"

"it must have taken Time before she reached the bridge and decided what her fate was. "

"didn't anyone see her? "

"no. "

"how strange isn't it Mrs Hamsworth that it was broad daylight and no one saw her until her body was spotted floating?"

Mrs hamsworth nodded shivering a little. It was unsettling to speak of those who committed suicide, she told us.

"Terrence drove her to her own death. Why marry someone and make them so miserable?"

"no one can understand it Mrs hamsworth . " Cathy was hinting at something. I would question her as soon as we were alone. She went on asking questions and we answered them

She told us of tales she heard.

"I wish to see the circuit soon. It was a shame it was closed to the public. You should tell Loft to open it once more. "

"I'm merely a governess,mrs."

I thought how intriguing, she had just quoted me. Satiated with the meal we left and promised to come back soon. Cathy requested we should go to the bridge.

"what on earth for? "

"I haven't seen it. Have you? Of course not then we must see it. "

I held my tongue. I would only ask her once we were there. It was half a mile from the town. It must have taken Magdalene time to walk from the house to get to the bridge. It fit admirably well. Walking for a day or less driven by sorrow and then deciding what to do. He must have vacuumed her soul for her to feel nothing was fulfilling not even her son. Cathy stood there and looked.

"what are you thinking? "

"oh nothing Vicky. "

"you were hinting at something back at the patisserie. "

"was I? I didn't think so. It's nothing really. Just a silly notion I had. What a tremendous sight isn't it Vicky? Look at it. It's not as exciting as the castle but it's well okay for one to rest their eyes on. "

"a simple bridge. "

"certainly so. How unlucky Magdalene was that she took a leap and no one saw her. How unlucky. "

I felt she was hinting something again.

"tell me what are your actual thoughts. "

"absolutely nothing. I'm thinking what a terrible town to live in. You throw yourself and no one comes to your rescue. Have I told you that Terrence is back home. "

"you missed that important point. "

"his home. He has only seen his son once. He hasn't spent a full day in the house comes and goes. "

"so he lives up to the name of a runaway. "

"he doesn't entirely fit the description. "

"what are you saying? "

"that I have found my subject of mystery "

"Terrence?"

"I shan't speak. I will tell you only of my discovery. "

What about Terrence that inspired mystery. I wondered. I wished I could see the runaway for myself. The desire to see the Holt's was quite immense it startled me. Well for Terrence case it was because Cathy had dubbed him the subject of her mystery and it filled me with a desire to see him in person. Conclude on my own, how a man such as he could drive a woman to the edge. So much so as to prefer death than her son or the comfort surrounding her. I wanted to see Loft. Was he a proud master of the castle? A solid figure or a passing wind? Then Max. How was he truly like. A forlorn mite cooped up in his own company or his Nanny's like Susanna. I only knew one facet of each. Loft the king of the castle, Max the forgotten child and Terrence the runaway perhaps also a cruel being.

"I have not made heads or tails yet"

"what? "

"i said I have not made heads or tails yet. The circuit I mean. I'm so close to the end but there's a barrier. Once I get past it I will find my way to the castle in the circuit . I need a hand. "

"how so? "

"once Loft agrees to it you shall come to the castle. I need you to see the castle, it's possible you shall get insight and find a way to the castle. "

All through the week I felt haunted and a deep void. Now with the prospect of seeing the castle I was filled with delight. I secretly wished to bump into Terrence or Loft . The following week promised to be exciting. I would see the castle maybe even Terrence or Loft . And the great Dolche would be arriving a week after. I agreed to this.

"have I told you Victoria that Terrence has some resemblance to someone I know. Or don't. I can't place him. "

"is that your way of saying you have taken a liking to him. "

"no I haven't. "

"doesn't he have remarkable features or impinge on you. "

"he does. But I have not taken a fancy to him. I'm quite sincere. It's though I know him yet I don't. Rather it's just the somewhat similarity between him and Loft. It will come to me eventually "

I shrugged. We shopped not because we needed anything solely because the traders had an interesting window dressing and we had to take a closer look. We parted ways after we made our purchases. I didn't see Mr Thomas that day, he had gone for business. I was curious about his affairs as it hadn't made town gossip yet. Who better than Mrs buttercup to clue me in.

"affairs you ask? "

I gestured. To my utter dismay she imparted nothing. She was elusive on some matters.

"I haven't paid attention. Maybe he does have affairs. Who could blame him with a wife like that? "

Then she turned her attention to the needlework and I noticed anxiety. Why the affairs of Mr Thomas were not to be spoken of I knew not. I felt my ego piqued . I suddenly felt I was acting beneath my status quo by being gossipy. Our conversation ended abruptly and I went on to my room to calm myself from the rising excitement of seeing flemstead castle. The ambience of the house completely shifted to that of calm into a state of frenzy. I felt like I was in a limbo. Waiting for something to happen or rather someone to make her appearance.

Peter brought the letter to me two days later. Mr Loft Holt had accepted. He had even said he would like to welcome the guest and show them the beauty of the castle. He was surely a gallant and I marveled at the discovery of a second trait of his. I saw nothing of Terrence in the letter. Well that could wait if luck was smiling at me I should set my eyes on him. Mrs buttercup was growing more worried as days slipped. A day ending meant the day till Dolche arrived was drawing closer. I attempted to make Susanna open up to me but it fell flat. I noticed her placid manner had also been replaced with anxiousness. She was distracted half of the time. I caught her looking at the window once or twice. What turbulence Dolche's appearance would make, I thought to myself.

I was happy to escape from the Markham's place. Their unease made me uneasy. Mr Will would take me to the Holt's as the driver and Jeremy would serve as the footman . Mr Thomas had graciously allowed me to take the carriage. The carriage was such a spectacle I regarded for it was grand. Two seats at the back and front with a window with cerulean drapes. A majestic padded box. It was too much and I would have been contented with the dog cart. But Mr Thomas insisted

"it will be embarrassing if you arrive there in a dog cart. The Holt's will begin to wonder if the Markham's are an unpleasant lot that they send their governess in a dog cart. Without thought of her comfort. "

I told him there was no need to go to great lengths for my comfort but he insisted. I let him have his way. I thought ruefully, he was not only looking after my comfort but his status. The rich and their ostentatious manner.Before I left the library he had leapt to the door and was there before me. A static moment passed between us or him I wasn't sure. He had a twinkle in his eyes and it crossed my mind that he might be secretly harboring some affection for me.

"allow me, "he said. He opened the door. As I walked to my room I assured myself he was being courteous and there were no feelings for me buried somewhere. Or a secret desire. I shouldn't be as dumb as to make up my own theories. Mr Will made no attempt to talk to me which I thought was incongruous as he was always in the mood. He only pointed out paths to me. I looked out to look at the sceneries. I was impassioned. I couldn't explain it altogether. It was likely Cathy's affection for the castle had rubbed on me. There was something more altogether I couldn't place it. As we were about to reach the two stoned wall aged by time the ivys high and the crevices numerous to count ,our carriage was stopped. I wondered why. I heard horses hooves go past us then Mr Will told me,

"that was Mr Terrence miss. He was eager to move and I had to wait until he was past. "

Almost on impulse, I jerked my head out to catch a glimpse of him but I couldn't see him. All I saw was a white horses galloping away and the rising dust billowing. I was trembling with excitement. It was strange. As we made our way in the beauty overwhelmed. Cathy had a gift to elaborate things to life but in this she had failed miserably. One had to see it for themselves to feel the impact. It was tremendous. I looked at the castle erect and defiant. An impregnable fortress. The east and the west wing octagonal towers. The flag of blue with a black panther on it being blown by the gentle summer wind. I thought I shall only be imperturbable after the Edward Compton incident yet there I was. I felt exultant. Thoughts of Edward that intruded my mind night and day were cast aside. Cathy was already waiting and marvelled at the sight of the carriage.

"you decided to come all out haven't you?"

"it was the insistence of Mr Thomas. "

"then you don't have a miser for a master and that is a bonus. "

"I saw Mr Terrence leave. "

"yes. I must apologise on behalf of Mr Loft he couldn't join us. He had business to take care of. But no need to worry I am here. Tell me your not already taken by it. "

Fate that day was unkind to miss both Holt's at one go.

"I shall only deceive myself if I say it's hasn't. "

"then you understand why I can not bear to part with this place. Only by death. "

"I haven't understood that. I only know it captures your being in an instant. "

"we shall see then. "

She conducted me inside. The hall was vast and I saw the lengthy refectory table and a bench on either side. The tapestry. The day of the walk. The armory. She briefly took me to the east wings. The gallery was all I hoped it to be. As I stood comparing it to the one at Markham's I thought Markham's to be a sorry excuse. The paintings were polished not a grime on them. Cathy had told me they had been recently restored. I walked from one to the other paying each the attention they deserved. I noticed there was this sinister look each Holt ancestor possessed. It was cunning and alluring. I must be delusional, I mused. Yet it was there in each one as I looked into their haughty eyes. Only one had kind eyes an ancestress by the name Gisella. I was completely drawn in. Enthralled even. I moved to another painting I read the inscription below, Dora Holt. A lovely cuddly name but it didn't suit the woman one bit. Looking at her I shuddered. She had a wickedness about her. She reminded me of icebergs. Her eyes were a slitted ice blue and an unsmiling mouth. Her nose neither long nor snub. If Legend had it that she possessed an icicle heart I would believe it. I wasn't in the least surprised when Cathy told me that this was the ancestress who murdered the maiden. It would be incoherent to sympathise with the maiden and the master but I did. Looking at the unsmiling mouth I wondered how she had even warmed to the idea of having a husband and having babes well a babe. For she had one. The things the wealthy do to continue their legacy and ensure their own are secure or rather the prestige is kept. I walked on and kept looking at the portraits . When my eyes came across Magdalene's painting. She was slightly different. She did have the same arrogance and unkindness but beneath the facade one could see the gentle soul that was longing for something or someone. It also occurred to me she had a sense of frivolity carefully concealed with her indulgent smile. I noted the emeralds about her neck. They sparkled. I knew immediately they were an invaluable piece.

"the last mistress of the realm. "

"what a distress she must have been in? '

"yes.. " I noticed the lack of affirmation in Cathy's voice. She was studying Magdalene intently, more so Her emeralds.

"you look as though your coveting the emeralds. Do you wish you possessed them. "

"Victoria they are a lovely piece aren't they? One would be desolate if they lost such. "

"you speak like a fanatic. "

"do I? Then I must suppress it. I'm sure though that you agree with me that they are simply divine. What a loss for them? "

"what do you mean? "

"those emeralds were lost the day she threw herself into the river. I hear she never parted with them and she would wear it in the house often. She couldn't hold her enthusiasm to wear them during grand occasions since they seldom had occasions. "

"are they a Holt heirloom? "

"yes. Though most women of this family preferred the turquoise jewellery over the emeralds. But Magdalene was a clear exception. "

"outrightly so. Have they never found the emeralds? "

"no. "

"what if one of the towns people took it.?'

"you ask the questions I asked. Great minds have the same intellect. No the ones who recovered Magdalene's body were searched. Nothing. If any of the towns people stole it news would have travelled. You know how towns are intimate. Nothing is missed. "

"the water? "

"they searched at the mouth it's the only place that they could easily search but still nothing. "

I felt a sudden wave of alarm. " Cathy are you trying to say-"

"no Victoria. I'm just thinking how sad it is to loose such a fine piece. "

What an obscure way to answer me. She left the gallery and I fell in step averting her eyes from mine. She was onto something. Prithee she didn't put herself in harms way .