Back at the house, I apprised her to wait at the entrance stairs and I went to get the money avoiding the curious gaze of Mother and the others. I had no time to answer any questions, I simply walked past them and into my room and then out.
"God bless you, sir, thank you so much, I appreciate your kindness…."She continued to thank me when I placed the coins in her hands.
"It's alright, it is enough now. Let's go."
When we got to the fences I slipped another into her hands. "For your mother and yourself, be sure to make good use of it." She made to kneel but I held her up.
"That's enough."
The compound was as quiet as it can be when I got in. There were no loitering maids anymore. I found her seated on the swing at a corner of the compound under the willow tree.
She was humming to herself silently and once she heard footsteps, she turned about in a rush to stand before us. There were tears in her eyes.
Fake tears!
I urged the maid forward.
"I'm so sorry madame, please do bear and pardon me. I promise not to ever engage in such behavior. I beg you please accept it."
She stalled for minutes looking at the coins in her hands and then she ignored it and turned to me trying to hold me.
"What are you doing?" I held her hands.
"Apologizing. I'm sorry Eugene. Please forgive me. I know you saw me in such a scene but I promise, I've changed, I won't engage in such ever again. I….."
"Answer her first and we will talk."
She refused and tried to hug me.
"Have you no worries about tarnishing your name before you get engaged with someone? Anyone who catches a glimpse of you would spread rumors."
She sniffed. "Fine. I would let you go, but for now." she turned to her and snatched the coins.
She stared at it. "You're persistent with your words." I tilted my head towards her to do the right thing.
"Fine, Marian, I forgive you," she gave only a slight glance before she waved her off. "Go. Do not thank me, thank him and your God." she cut her offer of thanks.
She turned to me with gratitude and with one last bow she ran back inside the house.
"You have to go that far? You came to see me and Instead, you went with the maid."
"To get your precious coins Lily." I completed.
"It costs nothing to be nice. At least in such a situation. You knew you could afford hundreds of it if you wanted but you chose to punish her knowing well enough that if not because of your denial to help her, she wouldn't have done it. She's been here long enough to be treated like a common servant."
She arched her brows in question. "You know her?"
"Of course, isn't she the daughter of your former housekeeper then? The one we played with?"
I said as we walked to the house.
She huffed. "You still remember those things?"
"Now take me to see your father, is Marcus White around?"
"Sure, of course."
The realization seemed to strike her when we got to the stairs.
"You are my guest! You came to visit Eugene! And what was I doing sulking?! I need to prepare!"
She rushed inside the entrance hall calling on her maids and servant men.
Only a shake of the head could I afford in such a scene.
I was ushered into the drawing room by the butler, where I met the squire and his son seated. A very bad setting. I didn't expect to see the son.
"Ah! Eugene Houston! What a surprise. I never expected you to ever visit."
I went ahead to bow to him and he offered a handshake with a large smile on his face.
His son appeared to be absent-minded staring at the fireplace. And when he turned, he began with.
"I never knew you would step foot into our compound after the last evening. Obviously where you and your brother disappeared within a twinkle of an eye."
"That's not the time Marcus." the old man shunned him.
"Come have a seat."
I took one near the fire. That was also when I noticed the bandage on his legs.
"What happened, sir?"
"Ah, I fell off a horse this morning."
"Sorry about your legs."
"Oh, do not worry about that."
Soon, his wife came rushing in.
"You visited, how delightful." she laughed. "Please come on, come and join us at the dining for some tea."
"No, ma'am I'd rather not. I have….."
"You can't say that. Please join us."
The husband urged me.
It wasn't what I expected. I only wanted to spend a little time and leave. But now, going to the dining with them would mean more hours to spend. The woman never slows down in her talking. It will be a miracle if I leave here before evening.
"Alright, madame." I stood. "Lead the way."