The Enigma of Albert Morris by Leo 3
Episode 3
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The mayor left. Albert had a habit to walk in his manor garden at night. So he thought to take a walk of the village. He roamed the streets he heard a woman's loud voice. "Get your things ya'll sleep in the yard." Margaret threw Catherine out of the cottage.''Margaret it's cold she'll freeze to death.'' John stopped her. After thinking a moment she left. ''Get in and lock the door before she comes again.'' John followed her. Catherine began to walk towards the farm. Albert followed her. Catherine was crying due to the pain in her wounds. Margaret had beaten her because she served at the Lord's table. Albert went forward he came across Catherine," May I help you milady?" Catherine was shocked. "No ." She began to walk faster. "I can help you with some medicines." Albert shouted but Catherine was afraid she might get into some trouble. Her face was sore and her eye was swollen. She lit a fire and began to soak her wounds. Albert followed her.
Catherine gasped. ''A lady shouldn't stay without a latch at night specially in such areas.''
''I am afraid you must leave if my aunt sees you here she'll make a hell for me.'' she had tears in her eyes and blood was all over her hand.
''My goodness this should be treated immediately. Come with me I'll call a doctor for you otherwise this will catch an infection.'' he said taking her hand.
Catherine looked at him for the first time. He was not dressed like he was in the morning, neither did he had a hat over his head. He had deep, deep blue piercing eyes. The eyes which were mysterious and yet beautiful enough to drown inside. He himself was looking at her directly. Her swollen eyes were filled with tears, her beautiful face had scars. Her hands were bloody due to the wounds.
''I am used to treating myself. Don't worry and go back to the inn before someone sees you here and thank you for your such concern.'' she took her hand back.
''I still can fix it if you want me to and I promise no one will know about this.'' he was persistent.
''I don't know what to say. First its not right for a lord to be here at this hour, second this is not the first time I'm dealing with all this mess of my life and third, this is my life and my problem. One day's medicine and treatment can't go on forever. I appreciate your concern for a lowly servant. But I insist that you leave.'' she gasped. Albert looked at her directly in her eyes. It was really true. What he had heard and observed was absolutely accurate. She was definitely the blood of lord Robert Ayling and her mother really must have been from a royal family. Her blue blood spoke today in her actions and upright behavior. Her speech was a proper warning and ethical. He wanted to stay. Talk to her and take her away with him immediately but he was a lord. He wished he wasn't a lord for the first time in his life. He turned on his heel and left at once.
In the morning Albert departed for London. Catherine was working in the farm when she heard the women talk "Why te Lord went away tis early?" Another said "No idea. They fancy Lord ain't use to such villages aey?"
Catherine was very curious about Albert's sudden departure. In fact she was worried.
When she went inside John and Anastasia were waiting for her.
''Tis jinx mus ave say somethin, tis why lord went away.'' Margaret brought a broom and began hitting Catherine with it.
''Stop it Margaret. Tis no her fault. She only served them. That too because ya and ya fatty daughter can't do that.'' John held her back.
''Go away from me sight before me kill you .''
Catherine slept in the silo yard today as well. It was cold and she had no warm clothes. She was used to it but she felt strange tonight.
''Hey what are you doing here little one?.'' she said to a little puppy who must have lost his mom.
''Come here its cold and we'll wait till your mother comes back for you.'' she picked him up and made a bed for him on the hay.
''It's hard I know. But don't worry she'll be back soon. At least we have each other.'' In a matter of minutes his mother came and growled at Catherine.
''It's okay he's fine.''
She looked at her sleeping pup and looked back at Catherine with grateful eyes then came near her pup who woke up and followed his mother out of the yard.
''Mothers are really mothers.'' she covered herself with a jute bag and lay straight on the hay.
The next day a letter came to John Simon's cottage. Margaret and John were illiterate they went to the Inn's manager so he could read it to them.
"It says I Victoria Edison Rochester the related far sibling of late Sir Robert Ayling inquire the whereabouts of my niece Catherine Ayling. I want her to be ready as soon as possible. I'll arrive three days from today to this premises to take my niece with me."
Margaret and John were going back Margaret said " Me beat her up tie'em no one wil fin her." John replied "It ain't the easy they big folks gon tak'her."
Margaret didn't withdrew from what she said she tied Catherine up in the silo and went straight to the cottage.
''Don't do this let me out it's so dark in here.'' Catherine pleaded.
''Shoud ave think bout it before tryin to take me daughter's right from er.'' she closed the door.
Catherine cried but to no avail. There was no one who could hear her plead.
When as mentioned in the letter Lady Victoria Rochester arrived she inquired from the mayor about John Simon. The mayor called for him and he was presented. "For the final time I ask you John where is Catherine." "Her ran way."
''He won't open his mouth without a nice whipping on his arse, the poor girl is not even allowed to go to other people's houses and now she ran away. I'm glad if she did.''
After being threatened he came to his senses and spilled the beans.
''She ere and safe, come to me house milady.'' Margaret stepped over John's foot and he could not understand what her plan was about.
''You jus tay quiet and let me handle evrythin, I ave a plan.'' Margaret whispered to him.
Victoria who was about fifty to fifty five years of age and a lady of complete London higher class looked at her guard and then followed them.
She looked out from her carriage's window.
''Send the girl out. I shall leave soon I have a train to catch. Gilbert , bring her to me. She's never to return.''
Gilbert nodded and went inside the cottage with Margaret and John.
Inside Anastasia was introduced as Catherine with all her things packed. Gibson eyed the fat Anastasia from head to toe. Said nothing and went back to Victoria.
''There is this fat tiny girl they are telling as Catherine Ayling, no features of Catherine match her at all. I'm sorry milady but you must come in.''
''You serious Gilbert? Me going inside that cottage. There is no way I am stepping in.''
''But my lady they are treacherous cons. I am afraid they must have done something to that poor girl. This is why it is a must that you come.''
Victoria who was definitely not amateur as John and Margaret suspected such a thing and was not at all astonished by the great plan of theirs.
''This is not Catherine but your child, where is my niece I want to see her at once otherwise you'll face the wrath of me.''
''It's not me fault she did it.'' John pleaded falling down on her feet.
Margaret didn't give in.
''She runs yesterday me lady we jus thinkin tis wil no good to ye, so me brought me daughter.''
"Very well then, I'll search every yard of this village for her." Victoria said,
Victoria nodded to Gilbert and he instructed his men.
Victoria's guards searched John's cottage.
"No one here milady." A guard said. "We'll search his farm too. Everywhere the whole Dover must know the consequences of lying to me." When the guards went to the silo they found a wounded girl tied and a cloth covered her mouth.
"We've found a girl here milady." A guard said. " Bring her." Catherine was presented to Victoria. '' I've found my niece. I won't charge anything against you John. But what you did was malice and that to towards yourself, what have you done to this poor girl.'' Catherine for the first time in her entire life fell ashamed. Ashamed of herself , her current situation.
''Here take this child and wipe your face, we'll be going from this hell now.''
''Who are you and where are you taking me?''
''I am your distant relative. Come now.''
Victoria and Catherine rode away.
John and Margaret stood their cursing them. ''I wis, tis carriage falls an they die.''
"I didn't knew I had an aunt." Catherine was relieved to be away from the Simon's. "I also discovered you only weeks ago. I thought Robert did not have an heir. As being your paternal aunt not close even then you are my ward. I shall look after you my dear after all the horrid you've experienced." She paused for a moment. "I hope you'll forget about the Simon's at my home."
Catherine remained quiet and gazed out of the carriage window, she was deep in thought and the single thought of Victoria's coming here troubled her the most. Not that she wasn't happy that finally her prayers were answered, and she was now away from the hell she's been living in but if she really had an aunt even a distant one, why did she arrive after Albert's departure? She was sure Albert played somewhat role in her relief. That night when he suddenly came in and saw her, pity was visible in his eyes. Even though she remained quiet and didn't say a word.
It was true what Victoria said. Victoria owned a mansion and an estate. She inherited the wealth from her father but never married. Her mansion was enormous, the carriage drove in from miles and miles and right and left was filled with thick trees like a forest. They reached the entrance revolving around a medieval fountain. The mansion stood amidst the trees like a giant guarding it's lair. The exterior was of red bricks. Huge white windows which were infinitesimal, lush green decorations which were covering the bindings around them. Doors made of stained floral glass. The servants were all standing with their heads bowed towards Victoria.
''This is my niece, and you'll admit to her command as you do to mine. Come in girl we have loads of work to do.'' she followed Victoria inside.
The interior resembled her own home. Her mother loved velvet more than anything, the whole home had velvet curtains and bedding's. Over here was the same taste. Huge Isfahan's carpets were seen everywhere, the furniture was pure English the most modest of the eighteenth century.
''Go on Teresa take her to her room, child take a bath and then Teresa will give you the tour of the house and then we'll have lunch. I will do some of my leftovers by then.''
Catherine nodded and followed Teresa who took her upstairs to a fine luxury master room.
''Shall I help you my lady?'' Teresa said opening the tap.
''No thank you I'll do it myself you can go now.'' Catherine looked around, she had nothing to wear. She sat on the soft bed thinking about where her life has brought her by then she saw some maids bringing dresses for her. They stood there waiting for her command.
''What are these?'' she said shocked.
''Lady sent these for you. She said you might need new clothes.'' one of the maids answered.
''Very well place them here and you all can go.'' she needed solace.
She needed time to think and get used to this new environment however she was determined of the person behind this but why? she was very well aware that in this world of need and greed no one helps someone without concern.
There were more destitute girls which were even in more worse situation than she was, then she was helped? Why? Or is it really because I'm the only child of Ayling family? Or is it because of really my distant relation with Victoria. Her father never mentioned Victoria.
She bathed herself and dressed herself in one of the fine evening gowns which were not to heavy as the young ladies would wear heavy dresses extravagantly these days. Then she came downstairs. ''Whatever this is I'll find out about it eventually.'' she said to herself looking in the mirror.
Her scars were bad but after taking a hot bath she felt herself relieved.
She came downstairs and found a woman sitting with Victoria.
''Come my dear.'' she looked at the other woman who was a middle aged woman and looked like a tutor. ''This is my niece. Although she attended school and is very well educated but after the demise of her parents she had to discontinue her studies. I want you to educate her further here at her own home and by education I mean all kinds, like our mothers used to teach us everything. You know even that English customs some times can be really conservative and frustrating but the societal terms should always be learned no matter what.'' she paused and took a sip of her tea and the woman named Charlotte removed her glasses and took a full look at Catherine.
''Miss Charlotte here will take care of everything my dear you do not have to worry about anything and don't frighten yourself that on the first day of your arrival I am being a strict guardian. This will be enjoyable for you. It's dusk already why don't you take a tour of the house and see Miss Charlotte out. You can start from Monday mornings.''
''Very well Madame. Come my dear.'' Charlotte took Catherine who nodded to Victoria.
''Teresa guide Lady Catherine to the tour of the house and tell the maids to prepare a fine table for us.'' Victoria got up and looked out of the window where Charlotte was seen talking to Catherine.
''So you really studied well and are intelligent too. I like my pupils who have a good intellect. My methods are very interesting you won't be bored. Now I shall take your leave.''
''Miss Charlotte were you called today or you were already told to teach me before my arrival.'' Catherine made Charlotte a little uneasy.
''I was called before not today.'' she went away and sat in her carriage.
Catherine toured the entire house which was massive and had so many bedrooms. Yet only Victoria lived in it.
They were at the table. Where many dishes were being served. The table was enough to serve fifty people.
''Did you like the house?'' Victoria stopped the butler from serving her more soup.
''I liked it very much thank you my lady.'' Catherine focused on her plate.
''Then why does it seems to me that you are confused. You have a right to be confused after all. After all these years why didn't I sent for you before? Where I were all these years when you had no one to look after you and you had to live in that hell for all those years. I understand but you must believe me my dear I had no idea that you were alive, I was told that Robert's child died in infancy. I was misinformed.''
she sighed.
''That must be about my older brother, he died in infancy. I believe you.'' Catherine took her hand.
''Oh my what these monster's did to you.'' Victoria looked at the scars on her hand and her palm was swollen.
''It's nothing it will go away eventually don't worry.'' Catherine smiled and ate roasted lamb.
''Come my dear.'' she looked at the other woman who was a middle aged woman and looked like a tutor. ''This is my niece. Although she attended school and is very well educated but after the demise of her parents she had to discontinue her studies. I want you to educate her further here at her own home and by education I mean all kinds, like our mothers used to teach us everything. You know even that English customs some times can be really conservative and frustrating but the societal terms should always be learned no matter what.'' she paused and took a sip of her tea and the woman named Charlotte removed her glasses and took a full look at Catherine.
''Miss Charlotte here will take care of everything my dear you do not have to worry about anything and don't frighten yourself that on the first day of your arrival I am being a strict guardian. This will be enjoyable for you. It's dusk already why don't you take a tour of the house and see Miss Charlotte out. You can start from Monday mornings.''
''Very well Madame. Come my dear.'' Charlotte took Catherine who nodded to Victoria.
''Teresa guide Lady Catherine to the tour of the house and tell the maids to prepare a fine table for us.'' Victoria got up and looked out of the window where Charlotte was seen talking to Catherine.
''So you really studied well and are intelligent too. I like my pupils who have a good intellect. My methods are very interesting you won't be bored. Now I shall take your leave.''
''Miss Charlotte were you called today or you were already told to teach me before my arrival.'' Catherine made Charlotte a little uneasy.
''I was called before not today.'' she went away and sat in her carriage.
Catherine toured the entire house which was massive and had so many bedrooms. Yet only Victoria lived in it.
They were at the table. Where many dishes were being served. The table was enough to serve fifty people.
''Did you like the house?'' Victoria stopped the butler from serving her more soup.
''I liked it very much thank you my lady.'' Catherine focused on her plate.
''Then why does it seems to me that you are confused. You have a right to be confused after all. After all these years why didn't I sent for you before? Where I were all these years when you had no one to look after you and you had to live in that hell for all those years. I understand but you must believe me my dear I had no idea that you were alive, I was told that Robert's child died in infancy. I was misinformed.''
she sighed.
''That must be about my older brother, he died in infancy. I believe you.'' Catherine took her hand.
''Oh my what these monster's did to you.'' Victoria looked at the scars on her hand and her palm was swollen.
''It's nothing it will go away eventually don't worry.'' Catherine smiled and ate roasted lamb.
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