The Devil's Incarnate

Mistaken Identity

I was pleased with Susanna's progress. She began to learn the nitty gritty of riding and she grasped all I told her in the schoolroom. Her anxiety was placed with a certain serenity and I was glad to have a hand in it. Mrs buttercup applauded my efforts.

"you must be a saint in form of a governess. "

It fluttered me but it was a good thing that Susanna was a lover of horses and that alone helped her overcome the fear of her sister. Dolche assumed me at first. She was furious I knew, for her father didn't do as she commanded. I wasn't called to dine with the family and it pleased me. Susanna as well didn't make her appearance. I began to wonder why they should shudder at her appearance. Her, a mere girl in her silver age and a complete brute. I should have enjoyed the tranquility while it lasted but I wanted to know the depth of her manners. I was filled with a trepidation which shouldn't have been the case when she began to sought me out. I was in the garden one cool afternoon when she walked up to me.

"lovely afternoon, don't you think miss Vernon? "

I arched my brow. She's discovered my name. Half a clap for Dolche Markham .

I chimed that it was.

"I must apologise for my behavior. "

I looked at her. What oddity. Or perhaps it was her alter ego speaking. I looked at her and she had an innocent face unlike the first time I saw her. Her ponytail was braided and she looked subdued. But she was too opaque to read. Her true emotions hidden. But I did catch a hint of mockery, it couldn't easily evade me. I felt myself shudder at the fact that she might have a set of different facets. Each launched at the time she thought convenient. I wondered what she stood to gain by apologizing.

"oh are you? "

"well of course miss Vernon. I'm here to rectify my wrongs. Will you deny me your pardon? "

Her pitch was highly exaggerated. I decided to go along with it.

"why is it so? "

"kind miss Vernon everyone is fallible isn't it. None of us are immune. "

"is that your excuse?"

"dear Miss Vernon I have erred. Now I stand here begging you to be kind to me to pardon my erroneous ways. "

What an erratic being I thought her to be. It was as though she were disarming me before she struck. What a fanciful way to put it. But it was as so.

"you're pardoned. "

"oh miss Vernon you're kind. I shall forever be in your debt for this reprieve. "

As she had appeared so she disappeared. It's not easy to claw out a snake's fangs . I reminded myself. Whatever games she was up-to I had to be extra vigilant. The earth seemed to share my sentiments for I bent down to pluck a rose and it pricked me to an extent my finger throbbed in pain. The cycle began for she would sort me out and pipe up a conversation. It was either the weather, the roses or a book if she found me in the library. Then she began asking more personal questions and I answered vaguely most of the times. I often found her company depressing for she found a way to chagrin me.

"where do you come from? "

"rowl."

"rowl?"

"yes. "

"dear me miss Vernon but is that a village in some unknown continent? "

"it happens to exist. "

"oh but in what map. "

My defenses would rise against her.

"don't they teach geography in that school. If you can't name towns in your own country what of other countries? "

"they do teach us towns of significance. Worth commemoration. Worth of knowledge. "

My temper flared.

"oh do they? Then I'm worried that it's not the fault of the school but that your dim. "

Then she would reverse the tables.

"oh dear Miss Vernon,your too sharp with your tongue. I was only saying I've never heard of it. Is it morbid to say so? "

She would feign innocence.

"as a tutor I must gauge every student and of course the quality of education. Had it been the fault of the school, I would have counselled your father to take you to another. After all dear Dolche, you'll be mistress of the house soon it's important you know all the graces. Did you know one's geography is included. You shan't want to seem a block head, shall you? "

"I shan't. " I caught the acidity in her pretentious sweetness.

"then it's important to adhere to everything a tutor says. It will be of good use. "

Then I would smile triumphantly at her. Checkmate. Dolche seeing the change would waiver to something else she deemed worthy of discussion . Call me in her feint way, her dear Miss Vernon. How I wanted to tell her to drop the act, it was tiresome. If she thought she would delight at pricking me and having the upper hand, well she didn't know me nor did I . I had to thank her for bringing out this trait in me which I didn't know was within. I had always thought I knew myself but this new discovery made me think I was yet to scratch the surface. It must be so for throngs of masses who haven't even began to examine themselves. I saw nothing to alarm me as yet. Her claws weren't out. Yet I knew I shall find her all the more repugnant when I understood what it is about her that caused the whole household to shiver. In the meantime I enjoyed playing mind games with her. Being spiteful then l*****g the wounds with poison. Susanna steered clear and once Dolche had attempted to make her way to the schoolroom. She opened the door and poor Susanna's breath hitched. Her eyes looked haunted and she was all but ready to throw herself willingly down the latticed windows. I rose up and before she could utter anything I opened the door and gestured for her to leave.

"dear Miss Vernon I'm hear to see my sister. Will you deny me that as well? "

"do you call in on your friends in the middle of their lessons in that school of yours. "

"no but -"

"so they didn't skip that grace I see. I wonder why you're acting oblivious to it, my dear Dolche. "

I said it so icily that I amazed myself. She was ready to protest but she wasn't quick to conjure something up and she left. I shut the door and locked it. Susanna looked at me as though I were Aurora the Roman goddess of dawn.

"Susanna? "

She shook her head. But I knew the look in her eyes were of appreciation. I prided myself. I was scoring with Susanna. But that wasn't my ultimate goal. I would vacate the house soon or later or at whatever time. I was only an acting shield, if I left Susanna would return to her old ways. If I was to part with something it would be my boldness. Susanna needed that in tonnes not pitcher's. How she would gain audaciousness was another matter all on its own.

When Saturday came I was more than glad to get away. A day without Dolche's pesky question was more than welcome. I was about to leave when I noticed Dolche ride away and I was glad I had missed her by a minute. I waited for say ten minutes before I preceded to leave. I tethered my horse and made my way to the patisserie. Cathy was having her seconds .

"you delayed I couldn't wait on you. "

"I see. "

"what kept you? "

"I had to wait for delightful Dolche to leave. "

"so the nuisance is home. "

"calling her a carbuncle would be in order. "

"what sins has she committed?"

"conversations with her are distasteful. Travailing if you might. "

"only that?"

"Cathy if you were to hear how we speak to each other it resembles you and the late Genevieve. "

She laughed aloud. "it's that terrible then,how has the governess handled it? "

"dolche is Genevieve in this case and I happen to be you. Now you be the judge. "

I knew she understood then how grave it was. The late Genevieve and Cathy had the most acidic conversations but amusing all the same. I was reminded of one time. When Genevieve decided to belittle Cathy's gown.

"Catherine Carr my most cherished being. I do say you are as beautiful as always. But oh dear, I fear that gown is failing you. Look how drab it is. It's not complimenting your elaborate features. "

"Genevieve how kind of you to take notice. The world is strange isn't it? The gown is a terrible miscalculation on my part but you must agree my exquisite features enliven the dress. I couldn't help notice dear Genevieve that you make your gown solemn. Dear me, what a disgrace. "

Genevieve was beyond fury for half of the people in the hall caught wind of their conversation. The laughter echoed and Genevieve didn't insist on her stay.

"it seems Catherine that our alliance has brought forth some exchange in traits. "

"Vicky I think it's only because you haven't been so thoroughly provoked before. I should see this nuisance. "

"I warn you she's not as plain as Genevieve. She almost rivals you. "

"if she rivals me then she rivals you. I despise how you ignore your own features. "

"your being a friend. "

"Mr Thomas sees it. "

"I think I could do wine. "

"speaking of wine, you're coming to the ball aren't you?"

"ball? "

"dolche has preoccupied you so much, you hardly remember a thing. "

"she's taken so much of my time engaging in mental tests I haven't been able to concentrate on any other thing. Not even the circuit sadly. "

"never mind it. You must come to the ball. Well balls. It's all sorted. Mr Loft agreed to it and it will be next week. He came two days before. The mock ball then the actual ball. The house is radiant people buzzing about it. Mrs Virginia has already gone through the house arrangements and Mr Andrew is fussing about which of his flowers would do."

"I'll enjoy the mock ball. The actual one I'm not too sure, not with Dolche hovering over me every two minutes. "

"I'll be there. I doubt she can handle the two of us. "

"I tell you the first time I answered back I thought I would be dismissed. I wasn't sorry about it. I was all but ready to pack. Mind you it happened during her welcoming dinner. "

"you couldn't have? "

"I did. Instead of being dismissed I was patted on the back for it by Mr Thomas. Mrs Helena neither bothers nor cares. "

"ah so Mr Thomas agrees to what his beloved is doing to his nuisance. "

"look who is romanticising? That girl missed out on a good trounce in her younger years. "

"how you wish to exercise it?"

"no. She is too old for it. She needs a firm hand however. Yet it doesn't seem like the right thing to do. "

"what do you mean?"

"she baffles me half of the time. She switches into different characters. One minute she's gay another in a sombre mood another gaudy. Her moods fickle. The only thing that is constant is our conversation which alter from sweet to sour. She steps on my heels but something about her calls on sympathy. But at the same time I feel she's dangerous. "

"the governess has assessed her student. She hasn't done something horrid has she? "

"she's done something when I wasn't in that household. It's the reason why Susanna is so frightful of her. I shall never know of it until Susanna tells me. "

"I say prepare to be a fossil then. "

"way things are going Cathy she's becoming dependent on me. But I can't revel in that. "

"what do you want to happen?"

"that she have her own grounds. For how long shall she hide behind the skirts of Mrs buttercup or mine?"

"you're right about that. But you shall know in time. Does Susanna still attend lessons I hope she hasn't chickened her out way of it. "

"I found a way round it. It's a good thing she likes horses otherwise I would have to endure Dolche's presence all day. "

"do you think Susanna is afraid due to the nightmare. Say it were true after all and she was recalling it? "

"it could be. But we must not join dots of our own. When maybe the truth is less morbid. "

"you are getting more involved in the affairs of the family. "

"so are you. I hope you didn't break your promise and make your way to the dungeons. "

"I've been aching to go but my promise echoes every time. Max hasn't found anything new. I think that was the most uneventful week. But the following one is promising. "

"you always demand that your weeks be filled with color."

"it must for that is the very reason for my existence. "

I laughed at that. The proprietress made her way to our table.

"if you come on the fourth I promise you everything is free. "

"then expect us. "

She sat near us. A flibbertigibbet person she was. Eager to wring every bit of information we knew about the families and earnest to tell us of her own tales.

"Dolche is back I reckon. Looks a lot like Helena, doesn't she?"

I said she did.

"terrible accident it was. Mrs Helena. Always had her nose in the air and looked down on us paupers. She liked the air here they say. Reason why she agreed to the marriage that her parents and the Markham's had already conspired. But I think she liked Thomas a bit. "

"you don't say. "

"oh miss, you must have noticed his sonorous manner. You cant lie to this sweet lady you haven't."

I wished I were only lying to myself but my brain could only register a ghost's face. He was there ruling my mind and heart. His effects on me were infinite. How unfortunate it was for I couldn't be inclined to any other. Mr Thomas was impressive but his effects were null on me. I answered.

"I reckon he does make an impression on the ladies here. "

Mrs Harmsworth looked dissatisfied with the answer. She went on.

"I saw miss Dolche ride into town. She sure makes her appearance known. "

I replied I guessed it was so. I had to weigh whatever I told her. For if I slipped and spoke my mind, the town would know of it and it would come back to hit me like a thunderbolt. Mrs Harmsworth directed her attention to Cathy seeing as she wasn't about to milk me of anything worthwhile.

"I hear there's a ball? "

That was a lighter topic and Cathy told her it was so. She let Mrs Harmsworth explain her fascination about the ball. I watched them clasp their hands ooh and aaah, their eyes twinkling. They made the ball seem like a once in a lifetime affair, that determined how much of life one had explored and enjoyed of its goodness.

"now who doesn't like a good ball? The carriages making their way, the disposition of the castle. Mrs Virginia is thorough that I'm aware of. The castle will look magnificent. The blooms will be arranged. Which orchestra will be attending?"

"I don't have the faintest idea. I'll be sure to inform you once I know. "

"I love festivities. But I'll warrant you this, those balls will be exemplary but nothing is worth commemoration like the Town's gatherings. Or festivities done at the comfort of one's home during Christmastide or Easter even. "

I fully agreed with her.

"so your a champion when it comes to those? " she referred the question to me.

"I don't think anyone can beat us as a pair. We excel in them all, John come kiss me, Barley break.. "

"then you know the joy there is. The balls well all one can do is waltz. But the Holt's make them interesting. Will you still play find me not? "

"it's top on the list. I cannot wait to delve into it. "

"I do hope you mean you'll play the game. Find me not is known to be notorious. Secret lovers are determined to remind each to forget each other not that night for there's is an affair not to be discovered. "

"we've been warned. "

"then I hope you shan't fall prey. You shall eat delicacies, well of course not like mine. Have you ever eaten Sturgeon pie?"

"neither of us. "

"I know what I'll fix you the second you come here. As it's not part of the menu, you'll have to inform me when I'll see you next that you shan't find me not equipped. "

"on the third Saturday. "

"what shall you do on the first two? "

"the first will be the ball, the second we'll have to compensate for our waltzing. "

It was an intelligent way to answer I thought. For she shan't pry on matters concerning education. It wasn't her field.

"then you shall be sorely missed. But I'll be ready by then. "

We paid her our compliments, she seemed reluctant to let us go knowing we shan't be there for two Saturday's. But she eventually let us make our way out promising us that the sturgeon would outdo every other meal that would be served at the ball. We knew she was also surreptitiously telling us to be ready to preempt every single detail about the ball. We mounted our horses and decided to ride round town to see if perhaps there was anything worth of interests. The town was packed. Traders advertising their goods, buyers making their way to sample the goods, the poverty stricken beings begging passers by to be kind, the sly foxes luring their victims. Cathy urged me to go with her to check out the fabrics. She wished to add a little detail to her gown.

"Victoria you still posses the two gowns do you? "

I affirmed I did. She gestured and I figured it meant she might have a few ideas on adding a fabric or jewel to the gown. She was bending down looking from one stall to the other and I wasn't paying much attention. I looked at the masses round me when a stalwart figure captured me. He was on a stallion, brown in color. His back faced me. I felt my heart pulsating in unrhythmic tunes. He was making his way out of town. There was no way I had dreamt him. It was him. There was no other explanation for it. I didn't bother Cathy I steered Cecily to follow his direction. Tapped her flank slightly and she eagerly accelerated. He rode swiftly past the town and was making his way to a forest. I didn't dwell on it. I was eager that he shouldn't escape me as he'd done. Cecily gained speed but so did the man. We rode past town and we dived deeper into the forest. For a while he went on in an even speed then as though he sensed me he gained momentum. I tapped Cecily once more and she broke into a canter.

"your not getting away. "

I was determined to get to him and he for some unfathomable he reason was eager to evade me. He made turns and I was glad Cecily was an excellent horse for she kept up. We went on in that vain and I decided to call out his name.

"Edward. "

He didn't look behind, he kept riding.

"Edward Compton."

Still nothing. He kept riding. His horse was of the highest notch, though Cecily was excellent she couldn't catch up. We went on until he prevailed. He took several turns each more confusing than the other. Neither Cecily nor I could keep up. I pulled up my horse. I was sure it was him. I could even swear on it. But I didn't see the hooked earring. Was it a case of mistaken identity? My mind replayed the scenario. The figure of the man on the horse. Had I conjured him to life again? I was comprehending it all when I heard the neighing sound behind me.