The Devil's Incarnate

Strange Happenings

I stood there watching her. She seemed anxious and eager to get away. The first thing that had popped up in my mind was perhaps she had come with full intentions to lung at me. Do what she felt would be a satisfying vengeance. The men and women were gay, I heard their laughter and bellowing fill the room. But it didn't warm the ice in my spine. My mind wandered. Was she looking for me? Even the thought of murder crossed my mind for if she was capable of fratricide, what of homicide? I tried to shake away the absurdity of my thoughts but she had locked me in. Knowing full well what would have happened if I was not to be found in a matter of say a week. It was only a prank a dirty one yes but my absence would have easily been noted and my clothes found. My trunk unpacked then a search party would begin seeking me. My thoughts turned back to Susanna. It was possible Dolche had thrown her sister in an attempt to force her to swim. Then why would she leave her sister to such an ill fate, was she thinking that perhaps her sister would eventually make her way through? What preposterous thoughts I was having. Yet I felt she wasn't present for vengeance but something else altogether. Watching her frail body quiver at the cold wind. Her eyes casting glances side to side. Then she did a more absurd thing for she walked on and I followed her steps. I watched her mount her horse, the brilliant stallion Ernest I noticed and she rode. I couldn't see in what direction. It was too dark and it was the night of the new moon. The stars weren't as powerful to shed light as far beyond. I heard the fainting hooves, it grew fainter as the merriment in the hall grew louder. Sebastian would probably be looking for me but as much as he was delightful he didn't quite impinge on me. I headed to Cathy's room where I would sleep for the night. Cathy had defied protocol of I sleeping in another room and was staunch to us sharing a room like we were five again. We had shared the same bed until seventeen, even then Cathy had created a ruckus when uncle Carr insisted on buying another bed. She only settled when it was agreed we would share the same room. As I walked each step up I pondered deeply. I came to the conclusion, it was most likely Dolche had escaped home to attend the ball. After all, her father had banned her coming. Yet again the Markham's weren't invited to the mock ball, only the actual ball. It may have been the reason why she stood there reluctant. It did fully click as she seemed to be eager to see someone or something. But logic offered it must have been Her eagerness for the ball. To attend the festivities. She must have weighed he'd options and seeing she was at a loosing end considering she was known. Her father would get wind of it and who knows what discipline measures he would install. I wasn't sure if it would be anything drastic or dramatic. Maybe medium, a taste of both to show me his capabilities of being a good father. I was sure he wouldn't have bothered himself if I wasn't around and he was in great earnest to attract my attention. Or was it to get beneath my skirts. I snorted in disgust. As I opened the door to Cathy's room, I recalled Cathy's words. The Holt cousins were at home shut in their rooms. My legs wobbled slightly. I couldn't understand why the mere thought of them made me pulsate in unreasonable beats. I felt the urge to flung open both their doors and feign ignorance of my whereabouts. Say I was looking for Cathy's room. But I knew they wouldn't easily buy it. I would only manage to see one not two. For I was sure if I stepped into Lofts room and my assumption of him being accurate. He the gallant would direct me to Cathy's room. Terrence I wasn't too sure of his reaction. Would he hurl insults at me or simply gesture where Cathy's room was and shut the room before me like a brute. I wished to see both not one and if I should have to wait then I should have to be patient. I got into Cathy's room went and sat at the ledge. I could hear the music it was softened. There was no Dolche, no Ernest, I relaxed. I gathered my shawl tighter round me the wind was quite menacing and I wondered how it was I didn't feel the chill below. Well with the heat from the lighting candles and the people there was no vacuum for chill to be felt. I thought of Dolche who must have reached home and would surreptitiously make her way back to her room. The household was full of either incapable people I wanted to admit at first but recalling how frightful they were, it was either they noticed her leaving, the groom must have saddled her horse without question or she would have rode without anyone raising objections. If Mr Thomas and the cantankerous Helena had instilled good manners she wouldn't have had such churl manners. She made one ill attempt and it was shelved and appraised in its own manner. They feared her and I'm sure it gave Dolche the audaciousness to keep proving her ill ways. It was a good thing that school subdued her but at home clearly evident she was wild. I was busy fathoming Dolche's double standards when I heard footsteps shuffle about outside Cathy's room. My back stiffened suddenly and my lips trembled. I watched as the door opened and sighed in clear relief when Cathy walked in.

"just took Max to his room. His fast asleep. " her eyebrows furrowed slightly. "you look spooked. "

"you've unceremoniously walked in. I thought it was a ghost. "

She chuckled slightly before laying on her bed.

"now you must tell me Vicky. What really spooked you back at the ball? "

I looked back at the window and noticed a small party walking outside they weren't making their way to the carriages but had gone outside to talk. They must have thought the heat inside unbearable for conversing what needed to be discussed. Perhaps it needed some coolness to smoothen. It was a neat illustration of what would happen during find me not only that instead of being in close proxy to the house they would seek dark corners of the house to be with each other. I wouldn't find it odious to find a couple engrossed in each other, but rather disconcerting and I'm sure the couple would color up to be found out. I wasn't sure which mass of heave was predictable chasing a lover, waiting for balls to uncover their fondness or chasing a ghost.

"I thought I saw Edward. "

Cathy clucked.

"what an insolent ghost!" she rebuked. "can't he give you a moment's peace even on a day like this. "

"Cathy this encounter was much stranger than the first two. "

She rose from the bed in haste her eyes curious.

"how so? "

"I followed him. I couldn't contain myself. What alarmed me was he moved about like he knew the house in and out. I found it incongruous. But he had the air of a ghost as no one really approached him or spoke to him but for some reason it was like they paved way for him to move. "

I could read the perplexity she urged me to go on.

"I followed him and it lead me to the kitchen. There was no one there, well obviously as the servants were busy moving about serving. But that was not what really struck me. "

"Vicky I'm getting impatient get on with it. "

"I heard the door click. The sound came from the scullery. I opened the door that held the coats and I remembered your words that there was nothing beyond. But Cathy when you brush aside the coats there's another door. "

She gasped involuntarily.

"where does that door lead? Did you enter? "

"I did and I discovered that it was the secret passage we were looking for. "

Her eyes shone and I knew the words that would follow but a realization hit her.

"what a second. Where did Edward go? Into the secret passage?"

"I have no idea. There was a dimming candle light making its way there but I being at a disadvantage for stepping into the darkness bare couldn't see a thing. Whoever held the candle if it is Edward was Swift in his movement or worse he disappeared. "

Cathy sat herself abruptly.

"it is indeed baffling. But look at the gain. We've found the secret passage. It might betray the way to the castle. It must have something scripted on the walls about how to make their way to the castle. Vicky I hope it shan't be too much but you will escort me down there tonight, shall you? "

"I already knew this would happen and I will. "

"you shan't skedaddle on me shall you? "

"no. I already knew and was prepared. "

Cathy smiled mischievously. Eager I knew to explore.

"can you imagine the nuisance was here?"

"Dolche. "

"yes. "

"what on earth for? "

"I think she longed to mingle. She was banned from coming to the balls. "

"honestly I don't want her here. Who knows what skull-doggery she can come up with if the guests aren't to her liking it .You must be alert at all times. "

"I am. But she is just a lass nothing too big to handle. "

"never underestimate people. "

"I can't fall prey twice. Now I must take a nap I feel somnolent and I know this will be a long night. If I am to give Susanna's lessons I am to at least be present myself. "

"you should have called it a holiday. "

"and have the household note how relaxed I act like I'm queen of the mansion. It would be of no surprise if they were feeble minded and began discussing my ploy to be rid of any obstruction. Then they would treat me with such contempt. No thank you but I won't let them forget that I am a governess and would remain so."

"I figure Mr Thomas has made further advances."

"I shall tell you tomorrow, for now let me sleep. "

I walked round to the other end of the bed and took out my sleeping gown. Cathy moved to the window and told me she would keep watch until it was time to make our way down.

"I'm suffering from insomnia these days. "

"I think you're greatly exaggerating. "

"maybe I am but I'm not able to sleep till its two hours to dawn. I keep hearing sounds from the forest. The most insistent being horse hooves and the rustle of leaves. Maybe you'll be luckier than I. "

"you must reduce your fancies Cathy. Or you'll have eye bags and it will be quite unbecoming. "

"it's a good thing I can adopt for they haven't made an appearance. "

"indeed. "

I got in the bed. What luxury. I could have slept here till days on end. My bed was comfortable but Cathy's was a trifle comfier. What a shame that it didn't serve to quieten her fancies and lull her to sleep. I drifted immediately. No dreams forth coming but I could hear the distant sounds until they faded out and it was still. I must have slept for two or three hours straight until Cathy shook me awake.

"it's time. "

The tire I had felt had been lifted and I grunted for being awoken from such a sweet slumber. I wrapped my dressing gown and went to the window making sure it was indeed safe to make our way. The carriages were long gone that much I could decipher as it was too dark. I nearly declared it was indeed safe when I saw the light shift in Magdalene's room. Was it Edward? I beckoned to Cathy, I had to make sure I wasn't losing my wits.

"someone's in Magdalene's room. "

Cathy confirmed and we watched the light move there and there without an actual sense of direction. The silhouette was too soft to make out who it was.

"we'll have to go to Magdalene's room first. "

"I'm not too sure about it Cathy. "

"Vicky we have to. Who knows it could be we will be in luck again and catch a thief. "

"Theft twice Cathy? Well at least let's carry some metal for some protection. "

"not to worry Vicky we only need our candles. If he or she launches we will be Swift to burn him or her. "

I trembled though she spoke in a sotto voce the mere thought of burning someone alive was too ominous to bear. With our hearts in our mouths we made our way to Magdalene's room which was once the priests room. We passed the cousin's rooms. Fast asleep I assumed they all were. Our steps unheard we kept making our way. I feared what we would find but at the same time I hoped we'd catch the person in time. No servant would be making their rounds for they were too tired following the events of the night. I'm sure they had cleaned immediately after for it was old custom. I reminisced on Magdalene's emerald jewelry. Lost the day she died. Whoever was in her room was probably looking for other jewelry for her emeralds were common knowledge everyone knew they had long been lost. I tried to compose myself as we stood by the door. I could hear Cathy breathe in sharply. We made a count of five before she opened the door.

"Max. "

The poor startled child looked at us ready to scamper away but relaxed when he saw who we were.

"oh Max what on earth are you doing here at this untimely hour. "

"Miss Cathy I was was... "

"yes?"

"I was looking for my mother's diary. "

"your mothers diary. "

"yes. I always come here to read it. It's been missing for more than a week. I came to see if I had misplaced it or something. But it's not here. Someone took it. "

I noticed Cathy biting her lip as she went on ahead to take Max in her arms.

"oh dear child. Worry not I'll help you look in the morning. We shan't stop until we find it. I vow. "

Max was in awe of Cathy, I watched as he embraced her. They seemed almost like mother and child. They had grown too attached. It was significant to see Cathy grounded in one thing. We made our way out of Magdalene's room and we headed to our rooms but there was something uncanny. I felt someone hover about us like we were being watched and assessed. I looked back but there was nothing and Cathy felt the same for almost instantaneously looked back as well. The feeling of being watched was too strong. I followed them to Max's room and made my way to Cathy's room via the schoolroom. Feeling secure the second I was in Cathy's room. I went straight on to the bed and heard footsteps make their way. I assumed it was Cathy but when I listened intently they made their way past the room. It was a peculiar thing. Cathy made her way to the room thirty minutes later and when I asked if she had moved about she said she had stayed by Max's side till he slept. Secondly she heard her no steps. I didn't volume what I heard I only directed back to what had happened in Magdalen's room.

"it was a good thing we found no thief only Max. "

"I was scared stiff. "

"you seemed less frightened than I. "

"it was only because we were two. If I had been alone I wouldn't have the nerve to open that door. "

"you only say so. "

"it is true. "

"now what then? Shall we make our way down there?"

"I don't know Victoria. It's almost dawn. Mrs Virginia wakes up early for her rounds. "

"so we must postpone. "

"I hate to do so. "

"we must. But don't act impetuously by making your way there. "

"can't you stay another day Victoria?"

"what of Susanna? "

"go and come back. "

"we'll see. "

"your considering it thank goodness. "

"I'm curious to fully explore it unfortunately. What an odd thing it is that Magdalene's diary was stolen. "

"mmh. "

"I mean who would steal such an intimate item. "

Cathy bit her lip before making a mmh.

"oh Cathy for pits sake don't tell me you've reverted to larceny. A diary Cathy. "

"I meant no harm. "

"you lied to Max. "

"not entirely for I shall return the diary. I had no idea he read it. "

"he misses his mother. I'm sure he feels he needs to be close to her in some way."

"maybe I should dissuade him from reading it. "

"why on earth would you stop him from exercising his right. "

"he shouldn't be reading such. It's no good for him. "

"why so? "

"I can't explain it. "

"you can hardly explain anything these days Cathy. "

"you shall understand the day I spill it all. Not today. I only have t**s bits. "

"you have made Terrence a center of your subject that you've decided to confiscate his wife's diary to unearth what you want to find. "

"who said Terrence was my subject? "

"you suggested it in some way. "

"his wife is my subject. "

A spell of painful silence engulfed.

"why is she your subject? "

"I can't explain it. "

I grunted. "Have you run out of vocabulaire ? "

"it is so Vicky. I'll explain it all when I can. "

"so where have you hidden the diary?"

She pulled the drawer to the left of her bed chamber. Unwrapped a fine silk and I saw the rusty book. Worn by time and dog eared pages.

"this here is clear proof I'm on the right path. "

"how so Cathy?"

"you remember Vicky I told you I shall only probe if the gods give me a nudge. "

"so they did. "

"yes. I was in Magdalen's room, looking at its vibrant interior. The blue room has always charmed me. Then I noticed this book laying abandoned on the floor. Max must have misplaced it. I read two pages only and I couldn't stop. I had to know more. "

"so you found something worth probing eventually. "

"I shall tell you everything when I'm sure. I can't volume half-baked theories. "

I inclined my head.

"so you will tell Max you have it. "

"if I am to dissuade him then he must know I know of its details. I'm not sure. He's frivolity almost matches mine. If I were to be stopped from reading something you can be sure I will seek it and read it. I am in a dilemma like you are in yours. "

"what dilemma am I facing.? "

"hasnt it occurred to you Vicky that you saw Dolche here and your obligated to tell her parents. Though they are lax."

"but she must be home safe. I'm sure I'm not the only one who saw her. "

"my fellow governess if the child came to harms way and you are the only witness of her whereabouts before ill fell upon her? "

"putting in that way makes it seem an obligation but it isn't. "

"she escaped from home, Victoria. Your obligated to report. The problem you face, is Dolche will have an added reason to dislike you. "

"loathe is suitable in this terms. What will you do with Max?"

"we're both facing a tell or not tell situation. If you do then I shall. If you don't then I won't. "

"but the boy is looking for the book in great earnest. "

"Dolche will one day ride into danger. You say they're all aloof but in the greatest of danger even uncaring parents suddenly turn. "

"I think it's safe I walk about with a sword, I don't want to be murdered unarmed. "

"I'll have to look for a lock for my cabinets. "