From Salmalin's diary
Saturday, 14 January, 1871
Fortunately the Hall was designed with large families, many guests, and a full retinue of servants in mind. The upper rooms are beginning to fill with prisoners.
Of necessity, I and George needed to take turns guarding Natesh, formerly of the Hand of Kali and now determined to become Edward. I did not know him well in the old organization. I had not seen him in over two years, in fact. He seems adequately trained for his age, though his talents seem to be more in line with Edward's than George's. His facial resemblance to Edward is quite startling. I can see how George was fooled.
Miss Whitnell trimmed his hair, so the rest of the League can more easily tell them apart. He resisted at first, but listened to reason. He claims he wants to leave his old life behind. I hope he speaks truthfully.
Miss Maeve Brody does not require such close guarding, though she has proven herself to be less harmless than she appears. She and Wilhelmina argued for a short time, until Wilhelmina explained who Sir Cosmo's bride-to-be is: the daughter of Rip Chigwidgeon. That frightened Miss Brody from her usual senseless state. She was quite willing to tell Lady Ffolkes absolutely everything she knew about the crimes.
Mr. Thomas Mannering's body was placed in a sick bed. His chakras are in total disarray. His crown chakra is like a dark hole through which the energies of the others are draining, his chest chakra is like an open wound, while his throat chakra is like a festering, gangrenous sore. Mrs. Cuthbert and Nanny Chigwidgeon were able to prevent his body from dying, but only just. His mind and spirit are shattered.
Count Coronini is dead. His man-servant joins the others in the attic, though he has not fully regained consciousness since Mr O'Flaherty punched him. His chakras are relatively healthy. Mrs Cuthbert agrees that it is a non-mortal wound and he will regain his senses within another day.
Mr Hawkesworth requires more delicate handling. He became quite aggitated during questioning this morning. His heart chakra is like a overboiling pot, so much hatred and blame fester there, it spills over into his throat and crown chakra. Sir Cosmo hopes that doctors can help him, but it will be a difficult task.
With all the guests in the house, it has been difficult to fully question any of the prisoners.
I am almost relieved that Mr O'Flaherty decided to take matters into hand Thursday evening, though once we saw how ill-prepared the Count was, one wonders what they were thinking. Either Wilhelmina or Miss Chigwidgeon could have taken them out unassisted, I suspect. The Count may have been a mage, but his confidence clearly outreached his abilities.
The wedding went off without incident, though the same cannot be said for Wilhelmina's fireworks display. That problem essentially solved itself, though it did add to the number of prisoners in the attic. I do not recognize the sorceress. Miss Whitnell believes the sorceress is one of the Widows of the Cobb's old organization. I cannot say. A spell intended to stun or disorient the League was turned back upon her, and she may not recover. Her chakras are not quite as bad as Mr Mannerings, but it is a near thing. Natesh was caught in the spell, and is quite confused. He was so disoriented, that Miss Bertilde gave him her note, and now he sometimes thinks that his name is Emily.
He seemed to be becoming less confused today, so it is hoped he will recover.
While we were packing the last of Sir Cosmo and Lady Cowperthwaite's things for the journey to Lancashire, Sir Cosmo met with members of the League to discuss their activities for the coming months. Edward and George are going with Mr Balderstoke to Scotland, where they will assist in the construction of the bridge, learn more practical engineering, and give Mrs Frazer a much-needed break. Miss Bertilde will return to London with Mrs Whitnell and Miss Betty and look after them. Mrs Whitnell has become more involved with the charity, and is travelling to more diverse neighborhoods of the city, so needs someone to keep her safe. Miss Bertilde will enjoy that, I'm sure, and she will be able to resume teaching her girls there. David and Stuart are also returning with them, and will be in charge of the townhouse until Mr Graves returns. The Frazers will return to London, where Mr Frazer must return to work, and Mrs Frazer will have an opportunity to recuperate from her recent travails with Edward and Wilhelmina. Sir Spencer and Mrs Cuthbert are also returning to London. MacGreggor is remaining in Goxhill to recuperate, then will return to work in London. Henri has urgent business in London. The way he phrased it, I assume that Sir Anthony has him busy pursuing some problem. Mr O'Flaherty plans to return to London to take care of some business.
And then we left. Mr Graves, Tattvick, and myself accompanied the Cowperthwaites to Lancashire. While we were travelling, Mr Graves briefed us concerning Edenfield Court, Sir Cosmo's country home. Part of the discussion involved how we would be addressed. We have had this discussion before, but since there are so many new servants at the country house, it may become confusing.
Properly, since I am a footman, I should be addressed by my Christian name, which I do not technically possess, not being a member of the English Church. The household had been addressing me as "Salmalin" from the beginning, and Sir Cosmo and Lady Cowperthwaite intend to continue doing so. Mr Graves wanted to warn me that, as members of the staff come to realize that Salmalin in my surname, this may cause some friction, particularly with Thomas, the First Footman at Edenfield. When Mr Graves is not on the grounds, Thomas will perform the duties of butler.
Similarly, as a lady's maid, Tattvick ought to be addressed by her family name, rather than her personal name. However, Lady Cowperthwaite prefers the familiarity of the personal name, and quite clearly so does Tattvick. Though they are similar in age, I notice that, in private, Tattvick acts more as an older sister to Lady Cowperthwaite. Of course, she had a similar relationship with Miss Whitnell. Mr Graves has suggested, and Lady Cowperthwaite agreed, that since most English will think that "Tattvick" sounds like a surname, they can continue this way without raising any eyebrows, nor causing Tattvick troubles with the other staff.
We were met at the station in the village of Edenfield by Thomas and the two boys, Harold and James, as well as three coachman. They had brought a grand coach drawn for four houses, plus two wagons for the luggage. We had a difficult time loading all of it. In fact, once the crate with the chair was brought out, Sir Cosmo suggested that we make arrangement to sent the wagons back, or hire a cart.
Eventually we arrived. I was standing on the back of the carriage, and had a good view. It had been raining earlier, so the coachman had opted not be bring the Landau. I could tell that Cosmo was disappointed. It is difficult to point out the beauty of the contryside through the side windows of the carriage.
The gate to the estate is set in an enormous hedge. The gate is large enough for even this grand carriage to fit through, easily. There is a gatehouse at the gate, which is currently occupied by Mr Sharps, the gardener, and Mrs Sharps, the housekeeper.
The house itself is not as grand and imposing as Goxhill Manor, but it is an enormous stone building, nonetheless. It had the usual aura of a house that has seen many generations of inhabitants born, grow, raise children of their own, and die. But there is something else, I don't know how to describe it, but when I looked at the front of the house, I had the distinct impression that it was waiting for something.
Mrs Sharps had the remaining servants lined up at the front of the house, so they might all be introduced to the new Lady of the House. Lady Cowperthwaite endured it quite gracefully.
Once the luggage was unloaded, Harold showed me to my room in the servants area. The Downstairs is nearly as large as that at Goxhill Manor. The house is misleading. The north and south wings extend from the back of the house, and are thus hidden from view from the driveway. My room is too large. How could I ever use such a room?
Young Harold pointed out that part of the reason it is so large is so there will be room for a second bed. Somewhere in the attic is a collection of more of these small frame beds. If the household hosts a large number of guests, it is expected that a certain number of the gentlemen will be accompanied by a manservant, and most of the ladies will be accompanied by maids. Those servants will then "double-up" with us.
Still, all of my possessions did not fill half the drawer space in the chest in my room. I put the pillow She gave me in its own drawer. It seemed appropriate. It will be just as handy when I need it for meditation.
We served the first dinner. Lady Cowperthwaite commented that it seemed so odd to have just the two of them in such a large, empty room. Sir Cosmo suggested that they could dine in the breakfast room until there is more company present.
I spent the rest of the evening getting to know the other servants and the lay of the house. Again, not quite as many servants as Goxhill Manor, but it comes close. The Upstairs Maid, Katherine, is Mrs Sharps' chief deputy. Reporting to her are three Housemaids, one of whom is David and Stuart's sister, Becky. There are also three Undermaids. Mrs Robb is the cook, and currently has two Kitchen Maids and two Scullery Maids. There are also Dairy Maids out at the Dairy, which is some distance from the house.
There are also three coachman, four grooms, and a number of undergardeners and stableboys. Most of the latter do not live on the grounds, but are young sons of some of the tenant farmers.
I can see it will take me a few days to learn all of the names. Sir Cosmo and Lady Cowperthwaite's bedrooms are on the third floor of the main house. The male servant's quarters are in the attic of the north wing. The female in the attic of the south wing. The servant's hall is in the basement of the main house. There are many more hallways and stairways than at Goxhill Manor.
I found an alcove off the main stair that from which I can see the doors of both the master's and lady's bedroom. This may very will become my usual spot to stay on guard in the evening. Mr Graves has completed his circuit of the house and is preparing for bed. Almost all of the other servants are already asleep.
As they were retiring, I heard Sir Cosmo ask his bride if she liked her house. She pronounced it both beautiful and good.
It seemed to me, at that moment, as if the house itself let out a sigh. Perhaps it is just my imagination. I notice that since certain events in Belgium I seem to have more of these fanciful notions, as Mrs Frazer would call them. No matter. To me it seemed at that moment the atmosphere relaxed, and the house welcomed its mistress.
From the diary of Fredderick Hibberd, Earl of Greyminster
Saturday, 14 January, 1871
At last it is done. I wish Constance and Galen had been here to see their son and his new bride. If only Anne had lived to see the day...
They left today for their honeymoon in Lancashire. I'm going to miss having Namaste here about the house, but she wants to see the places where Cosmo spent his childhood. While he passed many a holiday visiting here in Goxhill as a boy, his home was always Edenfield Court. Regardless, she is the mistress of that house now, and it has been too long vacant. I look forward to being their guest one day.
The old business with Dovercourt1 seems to be settled. I should have recognized his hand in all this tangled scheming. He was always selfish, short-sighted, and sloppy.
Still, a letter of condolence to Lady Botherton2 would not be out of line. Perhaps a more suitable tutor can be found for Lord Harry. Fortunately the crazed Italian Count has been removed from the picture. I shall make some inquiries and see that everything is handled.
The house isn't quite desserted, yet. Several of Cosmo's companions have accepted my hospitality for at least a few more days. Insp. MacGreggor will be stay and convalesce for several weeks. It provides a good excuse for Sir Charles to stay while repairs are made to the Grange. Mrs Frazer wishes to interview Humphrey and recommend what his schooling ought to be. That is an awkward situation. I understand why Sir Charles did it, but can't help but think that he has set his son on a most difficult road, indeed.
Footnotes:
1. Henry Garland, Earl of Dovercourt, Baron Botherton, b. 1807, d. 1871. Married 1827 Lady Margaret Erskine (daughter of the Earl of Mar), who bore him six daughters before her death in 1841. Married 1843 Lady Felicia Pultenay (daughter of the Earl of Bath), who bore him one son, Hugh, in 1845 (d. 1869).
2. The Earl of Dovercourt's widowed daughter-in-law, nee the Hon. Florence Miles. After the death of the Earl's only son and heir, Hugh Garland (who was known by the courtesy title of Baron Botherton) she continued to be known as Lady Botherton. Her son, Henry Garland, was known as 'Lord Harry' (a non-standard usage) until the death of his grandfather, when he inherited both titles.
Proceed to A further break from routine
Contents this page copyright 2005 by Gene Breshears. All Rights Reserved.