“The day approaches soon.” Spike was taken away from his
thoughts by Clem’s words.
“What day?” Spike questioned impatiently, positioning his
horse towards the Castle.
“The day we shall enjoy the company of the fair lady
Summerly.”
Spike looked back at Clem sharply, trying to ascertain
whether he was ribbing him or offering a genuine observation.
“Yes, the coach has been instructed to travel to Summerly
Estate this morn,” Spike answered in a seemingly indifferent tone.
Clem’s smile finally gave away his purpose, “I’m sure you
await breathlessly William. Might I suggest a more gentlemanly manner and
friendly conversation might serve better at this meeting with the lovely Lady
Elizabeth.”
Spike grimaced and bore the good natured laughter of his
friend. He knew his behaviour had been the height of rudeness towards the two
ladies. However, there was something in those green eyes that made normal sane
actions impossible. Those emeralds had sparkled occasionally with passionate
hate, and yet, deeper there was something else. The first gaze at something he
had longed for deep inside, yet never knew that it had actually existed outside
his subconscious.
Eerily as if reading his mind, Clem observed, “Perhaps your
mind was more agreeably engaged? Meditating on the very great pleasure
which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow?”
Spike turned back towards home and ignored the correct
speculation of Clem, “I’m sure Lady Summerly with be better taken care of at
Ripper Castle. I won’t be available to welcome our guests as I have urgent business
to attend to in London. You might as well come along too.”
“Spike, you mean to leave the girl to her own devices again?
In this lonely castle?”
“Certainly not,” Spike shot back, “Mother will be more than
qualified to take charge of a young lady such as Lady Summerly.”
“Your Mother!” Clem’s astonished remark again stopped Spike
from his progress.
“I will discuss with her the matter, and she should have no trouble
arranging something for the girl.”
“Now hasten your stead Clem, the hour is getting late.” With
that Spike galloped off leaving Clem to try to rein in a horse more interested
in feeding than travelling.
Spike entered his study and hastened to gather his papers,
ordering his valet to make provisions for their journey. He also asked Woods to
summon his mother. Clem’s reminder about the arrival of their guest had
motivated him to move forward his trip. For some reason he loathed to face
Elizabeth again so soon. Perhaps it had been a long rest, and the time to head
across the Channel was here.
A slight knock was heard and the door opened to reveal his
mother. Despite her advancing years, Lady Drusilla Ripper was still an exotic
beauty. Dark tresses elaborately curled and pinned. Ice blue eyes, exquisite
dress and jewellery, she could have easily been mistaken for his sister.
“My sweet William,” Drusilla cooed, “what is this I hear of
you leaving for town so soon after your return?”
“There is urgent business that cannot be delayed Mother. I
shall be back within a few weeks. In the meantime I have a guest for you to
entertain. A…hmmm friend, Lord Summerly passed away in tragic circumstances and
I was made executor of his will. Along with the Estate, the responsibility of
his young daughter, Lady Summerly also falls to me.”
“Oh how tragic for the poor child. An orphan!” Drusilla
murmured sympathetically.
“I saw her at the Summerly estate and decided that she would
benefit from your companionship. The girl should be mixing with society rather
than being lost in the country.”
“That is true William. You are too kind to such a hapless
girl. Charity is a godly virtue.”
“It is not charity, but responsibility Mother,” Spike
rebutted sharply, still gathering his papers.
“Certainly, William, certainly.”
“She will arrive tomorrow morn, I’m sure you will make her
welcome.” Spike had a faint warning in his tone as he paused from his search on
his desk. He was not entirely oblivious to his mother’s ways. Over the years he
had come to be more aware of the more aggressive aspects of her character.
“I will treat her as if she was my own daughter.”
Spike thought back to his own childhood at this statement.
Years spent in the lonely corridors of the castle pretending to have imaginary
friends. Rare appearances of his mother had brought hopes of an escape, only to
be told that his inadequacies in studies were not befitting someone of his birth.
Spike shook off the maudlin air, remembering that such upbringing was good for
character.
“William there is no need for you to worry,” Drusilla came
around Spike’s desk and placed her hands on his shoulders. Bending down to his
ear, she murmured softly, “and you can be free to take care of your business my
dear.”
Spike tensed and froze his movements. Hurriedly he slammed
his papers shut and turned around.
‘Did she know about his activities?’ He studied her
suspiciously for a few moments. However Drusilla’s innocent gaze revealed
nothing.
‘She couldn’t. The customs officers themselves were without
a clue. He was becoming far too suspicious about his business. The last trip
had been careless on his behalf. This time he was not going to make the same
mistakes.
“Was there anything else William dear?” Lost in his thoughts
Spike paid no further attention to the question.
“No, no, that is all,” taking the sheaf of papers Spike
hurried out of the study.
The pleasant smile on Drusilla’s lips disappeared the
instant the door closed behind William.
"That is all!" Drusilla snarled at the closed
door. "Am I a lowly servant to be commanded at every turn? I will not be
subservient to you William. I have to be shown respect. After all I deserve
it!"
Drusilla smiled evilly, closing her eyes, her arms raised,
she began to spin to unheard music. Round, round, round she spun, a strange
tune emerging from her lips. Lifting her head up still smiling, she finally
paused.
‘She had worked too hard for this position. She was owed the
respect.’
The smile twisted off her face when she thought back to the
past. ‘Born the fourth daughter of an impoverished gentleman. She had always
known she was destined for something greater. The little money her father had
had been dispersed by the marriages of her sisters and their dowries, leaving
nothing for her. She would never forgive her father for such a sin as his
poverty.’
An expression of distaste overcame her face, her arms
lowered and she wrapped them around herself.
‘She had quickly realized that she had to secure her own
future without the help of her family. Choosing carefully until she found her
mark. Sir Ethan Ripper was the spoilt younger brother of Lord Ripper. His
penchant for high living and female flesh was well known in society. She had
succeeded in capturing him where others had failed. A runaway marriage in
drunken glory and she was Lady Ripper. However marriage had not been what she
imagined in her scheming. Ethan frittered away most of his income on more
drunken nights and girls.’
Drusilla still became angry thinking of him. His foolishness
she sneered silently had been his downfall in the end.
‘Arriving home one night drunk as usual, to their inadequate
lodgings, She had launched a diatribe against him. In his intoxication he had
attacked her but Drusilla had escaped his clutches.’
A determined expression showed on her face as she remembered
Ethan’s face as she had pushed his stumbling body down the stairs to his death.
‘Staring down afterwards at his crumpled misshapen body, she had felt no pity
for such a man.’
‘However his death, as welcome as it was, left her an
impoverished widow, with Ethan’s debtors scattered near and far in the county.
A scheme devised, she had left for Ripper castle six and twenty years ago to
what was now her home.’
‘Ethan’s older brother was everything Ethan lacked as a man.
Kind, generous and most importantly deeply attentive to his responsibilities, was Rupert.’
Drusilla smiled as she thought back to her first visit here.
‘Upon hearing that she was expecting the child of his dead brother, Rupert had
not hesitated from his duty to marry her.
They had quickly married and she was firmly ensconced as the
Lady of the castle. Here she had stayed since and nothing could displace her
after all this time.’
‘Certainly not the little chit of a girl that was to arrive.
Oh she had her little birds in society still. She had seen past the little
euphemism of an explanation that William had offered her for the presence of
the girl in her domain. The girl was nothing but a burden to William. However,
bringing her here to Ripper Castle was an unforeseen occurrence. Something
would have to be done about her.’
She walked to the window that looked out to watch William
enter his carriage. They rode away after a moment and Drusilla continued
watching. The same strange tune came to her lips again as she smiled and
watched.
"Yes Anya," Buffy repeated for the tenth time that
morning. Sighing she looked out at the beautiful day outside wishing she could
take one last turn in the gardens where she had spent her childhood.
"Buffy!! You are not listening to me again! Daydreaming
again when this is the last chance we may have to talk ever … again." Anya
broke off and started dabbing her already red eyes with her kerchief again.
Buffy turned with concern for her friend, "Anya, don’t
be silly, of course we will see each other again." Buffy put her arms
around her friend comforting her. She wanted to say more to reassure her but
truth be told Buffy did not know herself whether they would ever meet again.
Her future was in a state of flux. She could not even predict her tomorrow let
alone the next year.
"Well, you must listen to me now Buffy. I’m older and I
have seen more of the world than you have. I understand what is expected of a
young lady. You are a beautiful and intelligent girl Buffy. However, you have
to realize that society values only the beauty alone from a woman.
Our views are not required, only our support and
silence."
Buffy’s brows knitted as she listened, "How can that be
right? I was brought up by Father to understand that I could achieve anything.
How can I do that by remaining silent and immobile?"
"Oh Buffy you are so young!" Anya rose from the
Buffy’s bed and resumed folding the clothing for the luggage.
"We live in a society that does not appreciate the
views of the fairer sex. Even Olav," Anya’s voice suddenly rose to a high
pitch on her departed husband’s name, "god bless his soul," her tone
quieted again at the respectful words, "loved me but he didn’t listen to
my suggestions."
"I have come to realize as you will that a young lady
in society should be seen, not heard. Her recommendations should be her needle
point not the sharp point of her tongue."
"Trust my experience my dear, and heed my advice."
"I trust you Anya, but I cannot believe that all men
think the same way."
"Men! If they were the only problem it might have been
easy, but no, you must watch yourself around Lady Drusilla Ripper too. I have
heard that she is not an easy woman to please. She has been too long the lady
of the manor. She will not take kindly to intrusion on her domain.
You have to show yourself as the sweet, simple girl that you are. No quoting
from your books." Anya said the last word as if it was equivalent to the
deadly plague.
"But what harm can there be from discussing literature,
Anya."
"Because, they show your intelligence, your strengths.
There are situations showing your strengths can be against your
advantage."
Buffy let out a little laugh, "Anya, you are trying to
scare me, you make this seem as if it is a war or battle that I have to
undertake?"
Anya left her task and came in front of Buffy, putting her
hands on her arms and bent down to look at her fully. "But that is what
this is my dear. A battle, a war. We have to wage this war with whatever means
we possess. A sweet smile, a lilting laugh, and false compliment. We have
little rights with which to bless ourselves with. So we have to earn them
through those close to us."
"Buffy you were one of the few lucky ones who had the
background that could guarantee you a place in society and security without any of these
tricks and illusions. However circumstances have changed, and now I am so sorry
to think I did not educate you about this earlier. Now... I will not be able to
protect you and shall suffer because of my incompetence." Anya again began
to sob.
"Anya, please, please don’t cry. I will listen to
anything you say. Please, don’t cry."
"Truly?" Anya looked up with large salty eyes.
"Yes truly," Buffy smiled.
Anya hugged her young charge and smiled happily.
"Now when you are asked your opinion, don’t give it
freely. Smile depreciatingly and say that you do not think you can comment
intelligently on such a matter"
"And always smile at Lord Ripper! If you are very good
and follow all my instructions maybe he will choose you as his bride."
"But I don’t love him Anya!" Buffy cried out in
outrage unable to agree to this even for her dear friend. "I don’t think I
could ever love such a haughty and difficult man."
"Buffy dear, they are all difficult men. There is no
respite from that malady. The key is to look beyond that to remember the
advantages to being his bride."
"What advantages could there be to being chained to
such a man?"
"The power, the influence, the enormous wealth. Lord
Ripper is one of the richest men in the country my dear. This wealth includes a
fine collection of jewels. I am told that will all be yours one day. Rubies,
emeralds, pearls, diamonds……."
"Anya, but I don’t care about such things. I want to
marry a man that I love." Buffy interrupted Anya’s smiling daydream.
"Love? Love will come eventually. Such was the case
with Olav and me too." Anya said to Buffy unemotionally. "I didn’t
always love him, but I came to love him eventually."
Buffy sat silently as Anya’s voice droned on in the
background, contemplating all her friend’s advice. It depressed her that this
was to be her fate. Trapped in a loveless marriage at best, struck dumb from
using her mind by social conventions, and away from all those she knew and
loved.