The Devil's Incarnate

Demand For New

With the dawn arriving I was taken back to Markham's. Cathy true to her words had only managed to sleep an hour to dawn. I rung for breakfast and bathed after. I bade farewell to a sleepy Cathy. Max was up and running. I bumped into him when I was all but ready to leave. What a a charming fellow he was as he saw me out all the while talking animatedly about the circuit. I was swept with contempt to think that such a dear boy could be shut out by his only father. Humans tend to be selfish beings, I thought to myself. But for some reason I felt the insistence to know Terrence's view. It didn't feel like an open shut case. Or perhaps Loft could shed some light. Yet again I hadn't set my eyes on either. I went back to Markham. I had consented to telling Mr Thomas of Dolche's escapades but that heavily depended on something. I didn't bring it up as I was eager that Cathy should be honest with the lad. He must have felt devastated to discover his only link with his late mother was unjustly taken from him. He would pardon Cathy I knew for he had grown immensely fond of her and her of him. I began to wonder how Susanna was. I hoped she hadn't began to lock herself in her own cocoon while I was away even for a night. For the effort I had put in would be for nothing. I also wondered how the elder child was. If my assumption was right the only thing I would do was insist Mr Thomas tag her along in the second ball. It was best if she was kept within sight than out of sight. Mr Will opened and helped off the carriage. It was eyebrow raising as he had never offered to help me. I wasn't wrong for he was filled with an excitement. He couldn't hold himself he began chattering.

"how should I address you, my lady or miss Vernon. Pray I'm not rude. "

"Mr will I'm miss Vernon. Another reference to me would be miss Landor or miss Victoria. "

"is it? I should think you will be changing names briefly. "

There was a sly twinkle in his smile. He looked at me intently like a cobra assessing it's meal before it chowed it down.

"Mr Will I haven't The faintest idea what you mean. "

He whistled a Merry tune before he went on.

"you found us lacking in enough entertainment now look at you arriving in the Holt's carriage. Their most sacred carriage embedded with their family seal. "

"they have good graces. Upon the request of my friend they willingly came to fetch me and brought me back. "

His smile broadened.

"I see. What an interesting ploy. Your friend works her charm in flemstead and you work yours here. Well I can't scorn you I will applaud you. "

I felt my anger reaching fever pitch.

"do you know miss Vernon, that Mr Thomas has arranged for a ball here in Markham?"

I couldn't bring myself to ask what for. I was boiling in anger at his suggestions. What folly it was to think I had kept myself from the stain. Now I was being likened to a s**t weaving her way out of the brothel to become a glorified queen. My assumption from the start was right. That he was garrulous but he was only generous to give you gossip that involved you the person he was conversing with.

"do you know after that terrible accident Helena had we have never entertained again. It seemed as though we would be rejoicing in her pain. Like we were stepping on it sorely. But now I think there's reason to be so much jolly. "

I fell out of step with him and rushed forward. His decibel rose.

"you know Mr Thomas calls it Thanksgiving ball. It's not even November as yet. What shall you say about that miss Vernon?"

"I need to attend the lessons. "

"there's no true need for that. Another governess shall be brought forth. Thanksgiving ball. What a way to rival the Holt's who are celebrating the breakthrough of their vines. After all Mr Thomas wouldn't want his to be snatched. He kept lamenting last night how the house felt desolate. "

He watched for my reaction but all that was there was anger. Any coloring wasn't a matter of feeling flushed but purely infuriated.

"Do you think there'll be a certain introduction to society?"

"I shall say have a good rest of the day Mr Will . "

"it will be good to see something new. Good day Miss Landor. "

I halted for several seconds at the stairs. He hadn't minced his words and I'm sure I heard them as clear as day. If Dolche would have been responsible for the gossip it would have brought forth disgusting results. Say the detest in the gossipers. But Mr Will had suggested he would be gratified if I took the place of Helena. It was transparent that no one was fond of her not even Ursula. But how could it be proper for me to simply shove her from her position. She was an invalid but she still had breathe in her lungs. It would jab Her like a thousand swords to watch the insult of being cast aside like refuse. It would gnaw my consciousness if I so much as obliged to this arrangement that had suddenly been made in a fraction of quarter a day. My sentiments towards Mr Thomas hadn't changed, I didn't view him as a potential lover. I had a ghost ruling my mind. Even so I knew Dolche would prefer to be rippled by a million bullets than invite me as a stepmother and be ruled beneath me. She had made that much clear by locking me in the basement. I was hesitant to go to the schoolroom but I had to face the matter as it was. I was greeted by a beaming Susanna who was more than eager to see my return. She was energetic throughout the lessons and I agreed reluctantly to take her horse riding though I was weary. I had no wish to see Mr Thomas not after that discovery but I felt eager to leave the house. The secret passage was far more interesting and a better getaway. I called in on Mrs buttercup who was pouring whisky to her tea.

"Mrs buttercup. "

"Miss Vernon. Well I thought you got lost in the delights of the night. "

"I came here to teach and I shan't forget my post. "

"we shall see. "

I acted oblivious. I was already aware of things.

"Mrs buttercup was Dolche seen last night leaving the house. "

"so she made her way to the ball I presume. "

"so she was seen. "

"yes. "

"and you let her be on her way. "

"you already know Dolche. We can't handle. "

Refuse to handle would have been suitable. I declined her ginger tea though I was thirsting for it. I felt the discussion would steer in the same direction. Mr Thomas must have said the words so longingly. But I was sure the house wasn't blind either. A grand house tended to have numerous ears. What was puzzling was everyone was welcoming of the idea. That I should be Mrs Markham. Mr Will was more than eager to see it happen. Mrs buttercup was suggestive it would happen. I tried to discover if Susanna was aware of it as well. I followed her from the back as she rode patty. She was excelling and I had to show my confidence by lingering behind.

"you are becoming exceptional Susanna. You'll rival me. "

"do you think miss?"

"I'm more than convinced. "

She sent me a triumphant look. We kept riding on and I wasn't sure how to commence to the issue at hand when she said.

"it'll be nice to rival you. "

"ah I have won numerous times but we shall see. "

"of course we will. You shall be with us for an eternity. "

"where did you get the impression?"

"oh you will. I shall be happy. Come on miss I'll race you back to the stables. "

I wasn't done ingesting Susanna words when I saw Mr Thomas standing there at the stables awaiting our arrival eagerly. We dismounted and Susanna was swifter. She swept us a look and left chuckling. Mr Thomas greeted me and I inclined my head.

"have they taken your speech? "

All I could think of was to scream at him. I had become the centre of conversation. I was thankful it wasn't as injurious but it was in its own way to other parties and I. Ursula would hear of it and I would have to tolerate Helena. If she was who I thought she was, she will see to it that I left indefinitely. Maybe crude measures would be used for else how did Dolche achieve to have evil streak in her blood. It was either one parent or the other. Dolche would scheme in something ghastly and who knew what good fortune would rescue me from a second ordeal. Poor Susanna had become fond of me and I was glad to be in her circle but I didn't want to be a stepmother. Now her hopes were raised. It was easy for her to accept me as her mother was negligent. Yet how would she feel if I declined. It would almost be like a betrayal. I hated to be in the middle of a paradox that I had not wished to be in.

"I'm weary. But I have to ask for your permission again I am to depart again and will return in the morning. "

"now they are truly a cause of concern. "

"no they aren't. I have to help my friend then I will go for the ball and after that I shan't be asking for permission to leave. "

"so after all that we shall finally gain your attention. We shall have some reserved space perhaps. "

"am I permitted? " I asked impatiently eager to get away.

"well of course you are. I hope they shan't fetch you. You'll become more inclined to their posh carriage. "

"they are all equal. "

"I saw your evident enthusiasm when you rode it. "

"I was equally the same with your carriage. But I shan't leave with either. Allow me to go with Cecily. "

"but the discomfort my dear Victoria. "

"it is well with me. "

"are you annoyed with me. Do you find me peevish? I'm not elegant as your Holt's? "

I diversed to something else altogether.

"Mr Thomas I hope you shall lift the ban as from today. "

"what ban? "

"release Dolche from her cage. Let her attend the ball even. "

"but I have exercised my discipline. I'm sure it's impeccable by a governess standard "

Discipline was a constant affair not a twilight affair.

"it is satisfactory. But now it's time it was lifted. "

"you think so? "

How eager he was to be in my good books I thought. What great pains he must have taken he thought to himself, to attain me. I felt like an item being auctioned to the highest bidder and Mr Thomas was constantly raising the price to his one competitor. The one who didn't bother to make himself known to me.

"I take it you shall take it to consideration. "

I went to the stair stepping on the first stair.

"I would do what pleases my Victoria. "

I made no acknowledgement of his statement and went on ahead. I was reminded of the disagreeable Mrs Eliza back at rowl. When new fashion for the men was wearing the hair longer she would utter outlandish manner. When the women's bodice was low cut she would say again outlandish behavior. When the young vicar opposed a certain sermon by uncle carr she said outlandish yet again. In this case I could echo her words. Outlandish. For a grown man to think exercising discipline was a display of chivalry. Whatever happened to cutting roses or lotus for the humble and presenting it to the lady of your liking. I was in a fix with Susanna. I had to tread carefully. Her feelings could shift the second I said I wasn't inclined to marry or stay in the wretched household. I couldn't leave without seeing Susanna fully blossoming to the person she could be. But I was running against time. The hourglass was quickly emptying it's contents. Mr Thomas if his longing eyes were anything to go by was getting impatient to possess me. Lord knew how long he could restrain himself from the wanting. What would become of me if he grew impatient of watching temptation and not able to indulge. He would sack me I was sure. Then I shall never see Susanna overcome her fear and she shan't wish to confide in me for she was vouching like the rest of my betrothal to Mr Thomas. What idiosyncrasies they had all engaged in. It was as though they had clipped Helena from the whole thing as though she was defunct.

At four pm I was ready to make my way to the Holt's and I noticed Ernest was already saddled. Dolche was anxious to exercise her found freedom. I hid myself in the stables. No one would bother to know where she was headed to but I would make sure to follow her tracks. I gave her a five minute head start. Cecily was far excellent than the stallion. It didn't take me long to catch Dolche in the distance. Horses had their way of making one seem powerful, as Dolche rode Ernest her hair flapping up and down she looked like a lady who could easily conquer the world. I made sure I was out of her hearing range and we rode on till we came to town. I watched her make her way to the postmistress. It was intriguing to discover that Dolche had bosom friends to whom she communicated with. It must have been her cure to escape the loneliness of the house. I felt sympathetic. I stayed on longer to watch her gather an envelope and place it in her riding coat. She went back in the direction of Markham. I didn't feel the need to be nosey. She had a friend and she was safely going back home so I steered Cecily to the forest. I had internalized the direction when we made our way back with Cathy. It was a short path to flemstead she had said. I rode there with a secret hope that I would see Edward Compton. I was first greeted with magnolia and it's sweet smelling flowers. They were luring. I rode further and further. Looking at the towering trees. The sun was leaving us making its faint impression in the forest. The shadows enlarging by the minute. The trees were too close to each other. The leaves from either tree embracing each other. In this thickness it was possible not to see far ahead. But Cathy had chased me closely or so she had said. At the entrance she would have easily seen him. I was tired of the cycle I was in. I felt like a scatter brained being. Slowly loosing touch with reality. It was serene. Only the birds broke the silence every minute or so. Nothing peculiar happened and I was sorely disappointed to reach flemstead without so much as a glance of Edward. Or even a belying silhouette. I had become a frequent Attendant the servants didn't bother to verify my coming or question my business. Mrs Virginia was first to sight me and we exchanged warm pleasantries. She asked of my opinion and I knew she was looking for a compliment. I gave her her dues for she deserved the credit. The night had truly being magnificent if only some incidences hadn't occurred. I asked discreetly if the Holt's were in and was answered that neither was. Cathy was in her room I was told. She was reading the diary when I stepped into her room unannounced. She was about to sweep it under her blankets when she noticed it was I.

"you gave me a fright. "

"so you haven't told Max yet I see? "

"I have. But I'm determined he shan't see it. I will closely guard it. "

"how terrible are the contents. "

She cast the diary a quick solemn look.

"never mind it. What did Mr Thomas say?. "

"I didn't tell him. "

"you trickster. "

I sat by the wooden table as I told her the events of the day. I saw her cunning glances.

"so I'm talking to future Mrs Markham. "

"I can always trust you to make fun of things. "

"oh Vicky, you can see now I wasn't wrong when I told you men were interested. Luckily you haven't scared that one off. "

"I have no idea why I feel it's a great need of his to possess me. "

"so the marriage hints are nothing but scams. "

"I am not sure. "

"do you consider him?"

"how could I with Edward Compton ruling my thoughts. "

She looked at me wistfully

"have you thought of life without Edward? "

"his constantly prying my thoughts. "

"but will you live all your life with a man in your thoughts? You must seek options. "

"I wouldn't call a married man with two kids an option would you? The wife is living and breathing. I can only be a mistress never a Mrs Markham. "

"I see. But I suggest you keep your options open. "

I was the least bit shocked to discover she couldn't give Max his lessons. How fortunate she was there wasn't a single evidence of eye bags or the darkening of circles. We made our plans to head to the scullery past midnight. The moon had made its first appearance. The sky was enlivened and one could see the scenes below. Cathy hid the diary just in time before Max came in. They chatted on end. It was beautiful to watch. Max left us after we dined. The Holt cousins had not appeared and I confess to sitting on the sill watching for either arrival. None did. When I had sat myself on the bed I heard the horse hooves but I wasn't quick enough to see who it was. Cathy had gone to the kitchen to flatter the cook then question in her own way when they would all retire to their beds and if there were rounds made at night. I heard the heavy steps make their way past me. I stood by the door lacking for courage to open the door. When I did I only heard the door snap shut. I couldn't configure whom was whom. Their rooms were adjacent to each other. Cathy came back thirty minutes later. She told me to nap for awhile for she would wake me up when it was time.

I quickly drifted. My sleep peaceful. Then I heard the clopping, the neighing. The crunch of dead leaves. I woke up suddenly. Cathy was looking from her window.

"Cathy?"

"Vicky? "

"who's out there? "

"so you've heard it to. You see I wasn't delusional. "

"can you see anyone?"

"no. That's what bothers me. There's nothing out there. "

"are you sure?"

" I have been sitting here all night. I assure there's no one just this noises. "

"the forest is nearby. It must be the reason. "

"reasonable Victoria. Listen don't sleep. It's almost time we made our way down. It's been an hour since they cleared up and the lights went completely out. Midnight is past us by two hours. "

"fifteen more minutes then. "

"yes. "

I got up and wore my robe joining Cathy to look at the window. No shifting shadows present. Magdalen's room was still as well. What a disadvantage for we couldn't see the circuit from where we stood. The fifteen minutes were up. We lit the candles and made our way out of the room.