Chapter 9
I almost tripped myself on my way to the dining room for I am such in a hurry.
Every single employee here is as busy as a bee.
My arms are already aching from carrying too much luscious dishes for Martha told me guests will be visiting the Bennett household.
I wonder who they might be.
It's been three days since I last saw Miss Dolores, I tried spoking to her but everytime I tried to, she insisted that she is tired or perhaps not in the mood to talk. I have a strong feeling that she's ignoring me.
Could it be because I am not acting like a proper victorian lady that she kept on insisting me to be. And that she grew tired of giving me a hundred lectures about it. Or perhaps because she's hiding something from me.
Or she's simply truly tired. And that I am just a drama queen.
"Don't forget to fetch the chinas with golden linings, sweetie." Martha ordered me as soon as I gently placed the dozens of plates in the side of the table.
I quickly gave her a nod, then proceed to the kitchen where Chef Florentino's angry voice can be heard around the room.
After delivering the chinas which by the way, really are hard to find, Martha once again ordered me head upstairs to clean the guest room in which obviously, where the guest would be staying.
Since I was informed that two guest will be coming, I immediately clean the two guest rooms. One was much bigger than the other, though the bigger one is much dimmer.
It was almost sunset when the guests have arrived. One old man wearing a single glass in an 'O' shaped just right in his eye and a brown tuxedo appeared out of nowhere and scanned the room before introducing the guests.
Tell you what, I didn't pay any attention to what he was saying for my attention is glued to the guests. What are they like? Would they be mean to the point they'll start abusing me like the ones I watch in the movies?
However, judging from their appearance, they seriously look harmless. One was a beautiful and blonde female victorian lady, probably around three years older than me. She kept fanning her face with a yellow lacy fan, almost hiding her face while her other hand is around a man who has a smile plastered on his handsome face. He's wearing the usual wealthy victorian men fashion.
Tell you what, my jaw seriously did dropped as soon as my eyes landed on the female guest's magnificent yellow gown and her matching huge yellow hat with thousands of beads on it.
Oh, how perfectly embroidered the gown is. The patterns are flawless. Jealously did somehow overwhelmed me for a while for I am getting tired wearing this boring maid's uniform of mine.
For once, I want to wear that kind of gown. In which you'll think you're living in a fairy-tale, just few minutes away from meeting your prince charming.
The man meanwhile is probably around his mid-twenties and is wearing a traveling hat which he quickly removed as he scanned around the room and began nodding. I guess being respective is next to godliness.
My thoughts were cut off when the female guest suddenly ran towards me and the next thing I know, her arms are around me.
What?
"I heard what happened to you, Clementine. What were you thinking, you crazy child?" she uttered as soon as her arms are unwrapped around me. Her brows meeting, waiting for my response.
"You can talk to her later, Judy my dear. For now, let us rest." her companion had said, smiling.
"Jacob, hunny, you know the only reason why I came here aside from my cousin is Clementine." she replied as she snaked her hands to my arms. Her grip loose.
I just stood there, completely confused on what's happening.
Heaven knows how much I want to ask them what in the merlin's beard is happening. Who are they, in the first place? But then I remember what Miss Dolores has said that I already made friends here without me knowing it.
Martha then came to the picture, she bowed to the two guest and said, "Mr. Jacob Bennett, your cousin said he won't be joining you for tonight's dinner."
Jacob Bennett? Does this mean he is related to the very conceited employer of mine?
"Well, what can I expect from my dear cousin?" Jacob replied then released a soft chuckle while shaking his head.
"I'll be going upstairs, hunny. Go visit your lonely cousin. I'm sure he's eager to see you." he added, his hands on his pockets.
Judy gave him a shrugged, "i'll pay him a visit tomorrow morning. Talking to him bores me, you know that. I'll just spend my night gossiping with Clementine," then chuckled. Her hands still around my arms.
Up to now, I have no idea what's happening aside from the fact that they are lovers, judging from their endearments. Oh, and that Jacob is Augustus's cousin.
I wonder if Jacob is conceited as well. Hmmm...
"Suit yourself, hunny." then he went straight to Judy and kissed her straight in the lips.
As soon as that happened, people around us gasped at what they saw. As if they just witnessed a crime.
What's wrong? Is it their first time encountering a kissing lovers? Then I remembered that this is victorian era where being meek is a must.
Judy and Jacob's fingers didn't escaped my eyes for I saw a short glimpse of their matching golden rings. Oh, so they're married.
"Forgive my husband, Clementine. He is always sleepy but not when you know," Judy whispered as soon as Joshua and the maids left. Judy still has her hands around my arms, she then released a soft chuckle.
I cannot help myself from dropping my jaw from what just came out from her mouth. My cheeks immediately turned red. I did not see that coming, especially from a genuinely victorian lady like her.
Judy then snatched my hand and began walking really fast but not enough for my hand to start throbbing really hard from pain. Thank goodness she's no amazon.
"W-where are we going?" I asked her. I still haven't toured myself around the whole house, that's why I am a bit afraid of getting lost here.
"The usual," she replied, laughing once again. Don't tell me she just escaped from the asylum and that she forgot to take her daily meds.
And if so, that's fine since I felt really comfortable with her despite the fact that I barely know her.
We then sat in one of the benches outside, just right outside the guest room.
"It's been half a month since I married Jacob and to be honest, it's too good to be true." she said once we sat in the bench, still holding my hand.
"I mean, of course, at first I was completely shy because you know, I can't imagine being naked around him but I quickly learned how to get used to it," Judy added, showcasing her broad smile as she pinched my arm.
It took great effort for me not to shout in pain.
"Thank goodness i've read all about them in romance novels." Judy exclaimed, her smile broad.
On the other hand, I cannot help myself from blushing from what she just said. Am I channeling my inner-victorian woman? It's just that, I am not comfortable in discussing things like this.
"Why are you blushing?" she asked, raising her brow.
"Goodness gracious, Clementine. Don't tell me you still haven't found any potential lover here. What can I expect? This is a boring old town after all." All I can reply is a shrug, hoping she'll drop the topic. My face must've been as red as a tomato right now.
"You remember Raymond? He is the son of the wealthy Bracken family, in case you forgot, dear. I introduced him to you a month ago. Three days after you started working here and being my friend. He kept nagging me all about you. If you happen to be dating someone or what," uhm, who the hell is he?
I don't know what came up to me to say, "Is he handsome?" What was I thinking?
Judy as i've noticed was surprised as well from what I just asked but she let it slide. She perhaps didn't expect me to ask bold questions like this one. "One pretty lad, I tell you." she answered.
"Anyways, don't fret, my dear. I'll widen your selection by asking my husband if he happen to know any handsome bachelors for you to you know, mingle with," she exclaimed. I can sense excitement in her voice.
"After all, you're single and ready to mingle, right?"
"T-thanks but there's no need for that." I replied, really, really hoping she'll drop the topic.
"Oh, hunny, why is that? I'm sure many gentlemen are head-over-heels to you, I mean, look at you, Clementine. I wonder why you kept hiding yourself in this boring house." she then lightly squeezed my hand. As if her squeeze will somehow bless me with great flirting skills.
"Family first?" I reasoned-out. Surely, victorian maids always put their family first above all.
"What are you talking about? The last time I checked, you're an orphan," she stated, her brow raising.
Oh shoot, I forgot what Miss Dolores told me. Like in the present time, I am also a certified orphan here in this era.
"I-i mean, you know, Martha and my other coworkers are pretty much a family to me now," I hope this is a decent excuse.
I'm surprised Judy let that pass for she just gave me a shrugged and said, "speaking of family, how's my cousin? The same as usual?"
Now, it's my turn to give her a what-are-you-talking-about look. And since I don't want her to get suspicious from my lack of knowledge, I just replied, "oh, the same as usual. Always living life to the fullest."
Unfortunately, that didn't worked for Judy for she began laughing really hard. "What are you talking about, Clementine? Never in my life did I thought i'll hear my cousin be paired up with that phrase." she uttered as soon as she stopped laughing hysterically.
"Believe me, your cousin really is living life to the fullest." I insisted since my pride is on stake. Being extra cautious in not using any pronouns.
"If that's true then I am very much happy to hear that. And you know what, for the first time ever since what happened 10 years ago, I am excited to see him. Look, I am no angry at him but what happened that night just pains me. Still, I am happy to have him as my cousin." she said, her eyes everywhere except me. I have a strong feeling that she's close to crying.
Because of that, I decided to cheer her up by saying, "You should've seen him dance like a fool. As if no one is watching him. He even sang on top of his lungs."
Judy then immediately laughed, "Are you serious? God, I can't believe Leo actually did that,"
Wait, what? So her cousin is no other than Leo Finley? The guy who loves faking coughs, sweating like he just came straight from the gym and has an obsession with top hats? And most of all, the guy who acts really awkward. Forget it, he's not living his life to the fullest.
I was about to say another rude thing about him in my mind when I remembered how he drank my tea. Hehe. How dare I disrespect my number one fan when it comes to tea making? Tsk tsk.
Forget what I just said, he truly is living his life to the fullest just by drinking and appreciating my tea.
All hail my tea.
I can tell Judy was about to say something to me when we heard a shout above us which we both look at.
There in the guest room, leaning against the window is Judy's dashing husband slash Augustus' cousin Jacob Bennett. He then brushed his fingers through his blond hair.
That's when I noticed he kinda resembles his cousin. Although I am more drawn to Augustus' shade of hair.
My jaw immediately dropped when Leo Finley's head popped out from the window. I have this urge to start throwing huge rocks at him.
Again, beads of sweats rolled from his temple. I can tell he is holding back the urge to smile. What now?
"Judy and Clementine, kindly lower down your voices. In case you don't know, we heard your conversations." Judy's husband stated, a teasing smile painted on his lips.
"Yep, from the very beginning to end." Jacob added then my mind began thinking about all our exchanges and my face immediately turned red.
Even the embarrassing talk about...? "Don't worry, Clementine. I know a bunch of pretty lads in mind who will surely like you," Jacob said then jokingly winked at me.
My blush deepened. Please open up, land and swallow the hell out of me. This is so humiliating.
"O-oh, th-there's no n-need for that, Mr. Bennett. Really." I exclaimed. My eyes pleading.
My gaze then landed on Leo who as usual is looking at me. His eyes are expressionless although there's a hint of anger in the mouth of his for it formed a thin line.
I think along with me, he is pretty much not comfortable talking about this type of things.
I wonder why, I mean, I think he's now in the perfect age to get married since as far as what I guessed, Leo is in his mid-twenties.
Perhaps, nobody wants to marry a soldier whose other foot is in the grave already. Or perhaps because being a soldier doesn't really give you much wealth?
"Whether you like it or not, my husband and I will surely find a perfect match for you," Judy said, squeezing my hand once again.
"The next thing you know, it's already your wedding day," I almost choked myself to death from what I just heard. Wedding day already? Why don't we take it slow? Let's start with boy meets girl first.
Jacob then turned his attention back to his beautiful wife, "Go meet me in the garden." he said as he wiggled his brows seductively.
Judy's cheeks turned as red as tomato but quickly nod at him.
"Clementine, i'll go ahead. I have some...business to attend to. If you know what I mean." Judy jokingly stated as she wiggled her right brow.
For the nth time, my cheeks once again turned red. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, Leo." Judy hollered at her cousin then gave him a broad smile.
Leo didn't do anything aside from replying a smile and a nod.
And in just one blink, Judy and Jacob are nowhere in sight. So, just Leo and I, huh. Alone.
There was a long pause after that. I am torn between running towards the maid's chambers and pretending in snatching the unwanted grasses with my bare hands in the dark. I must've looked like a real fool when I did one of them especially the last one since gardening is not part of my job.
Leo decided to break the ice by jokingly saying, "As far as I know, never in my life did I 'danced like a fool' around anyone."
"Believe me, Miss Wright. I don't sing either for I sound like a toad." he continued. I don't know why he's explaining when in fact, it should be me explaining things, not him.
I decided to divert my attention to my brown oxford shoes to avoid further humiliation. This is too much.
Silence once again reigned the whole surroundings. Only the sound of the trees brushing against each other can be heard.
"D-don't do it." Leo suddenly blurted out, breaking the deafening silence.
"D-do what?" I asked, not looking at him. My fingers playing with each other.
"Y-you know, meet up with Jacob's friends. I'll give you an advice, they are nothing but womanizers. They are one of the most proud men that ever stepped foot on earth." Okay, what is this guy saying and why does he sound like his life depends on my decision. Like he's really eager in convincing me.
Convincing me to what? Not have any interaction with the other Victorian males when in fact, I really don't have any plans to since it is unrelated to my mission.
"L-look, I am just sparring you from danger. Those men are dangerous, believe me, Clementine."
can someone please hand me a duct-tape for I desperately want to tape his mouth.
I don't know what possessed me for I bent down and began pulling off the unwanted grasses. What the hell did I just did?
Will this work as an escape from unwanted slash awkward conversations?
Oh well, there's no turning back now. Surely, I will look ten times more pathetic if I stop now and ran towards the maid's chambers.
That's why I continued my ridiculous work. My palm began aching for pulling the grasses kinda hurts.
I almost fainted from too much humiliation when Leo said, "Go now to your room, Miss Wright or else your palms will start bleeding."
I didn't listened to him. I remained as hardheaded as ever. I continued with my work as a fake gardener.
"Do you want me to go down there and help you pull those weeds up 'till sunrise or do you prefer me bandaging a cloth around your palms? Your choice."
That monologue was followed by a laugh which almost made me want to stare at him for I have never seen not heard him laugh before.
I firmly shut my eyes, my hands clutching my now dirty white apron and quickly stand up. I can feel Finley's eyes on me, watching every move I make.
Then I quickly went inside, towards the maid's chambers for I know Martha would be worried sick about me.