Cursed (24 page)

Once I pushed her back to break her hold on me, my vision started to clear and knew she had put a spell on me somehow.

“Selena, are you mad?
This is most inappropriate and my heart belongs to another.”

“Catherine?” She spit out.
“Your feelings are not returned, nor could they be with your station in life. Catherine will soon find a suitable gentleman and become betrothed but you and I are perfect together. We are both orphans, alone in this world, and would make a handsome couple.”

“I love Catherine and believe she feels the same.
I have been saving my wages and will soon have enough to offer her a decent life as my wife.”

Selena’s head fell back and she openly, heartily laughed, a most unnatural sound, and it gave me chills.
She pointed her finger, stabbing me in the chest to make her point, smiling that wicked smile with the curled up corners of her mouth. “You will never have Catherine, I guarantee it. No man has ever denied me and I have been biding my time waiting for you, but I have waited long enough.”

She was quick, and my reactions were still slowed from whatever spell she had over me.
Her hand reached out and wrapped around the back of my neck, drawing us perilously close again. Roughly I removed her hand and pushed her away. Falling back, she landed on the bed in a sitting position and her face, that strikingly beautiful face had evil lurking just below the surface.

Her eyes became slits and her mouth turned down in the corners.
Selena’s eyebrows, typically a graceful arch, seemed to meet in a deep furrow between her eyes as she looked up from the bed. Her arms spread to the side to support her in that position and her nails dug into the coverlet. I will admit I had never been so scared in my life and I wondered if I was truly in the presence of a demon. My stomach turned cold and a sweat broke out all over my body.

“You will rue the day you refused me and change your mind.
I will make sure of it.”

While she had been staring at me I had backed up and I finally hit the wall.
She did not move from the bed and the look on her face had some insanity in it that made me feel uncomfortable and anxious of what she could be truly capable of. I felt behind myself with my hand and found the door. Letting myself out without turning my back to her I returned to my room and locked the door, placing the chair under the knob as an extra precaution.

The following week was difficult.
Selena would not let up, finding excuses to be around more and sneaking looks my way that made me remember that night and feel uncomfortable. Although not a superstitious person by nature, I did take one of the used horse shoes and hung it, open side down, over the stable door. If she was a witch as Anna and Mrs. Burke had insisted over this last year, it would keep her out of my area.

Catherine could sense something was wrong.
One morning while heading out to school, Catherine brought a finished work out to the carriage. I helped her in and when I saw the painting I told her how much I admired it. Her face lit up with joy that I not only liked her painting but that my spirits were higher.

“Catherine, this is spectacular!” I exclaimed, holding the canvas while she sat on the cushion in the back of the carriage.
I held if for a moment longer looking at the colors and painterly strokes.

“You really think so?
I am bringing it in today as I heard Mr. Hunt will be at class.”

“I am sure he will have words of praise.”
I handed it in to her and she set it on the facing seat.

“Perhaps you might like it for yourself?
Hang it in your room . . . just if you want to decorate, I mean.” Catherine pulled on her ear with her white gloved hand and then adjusted her hat in a nervous gesture.

“It would be my pleasure to display your artwork, Miss Todd.”
I bowed before closing the door and climbing up to my seat. The entire way to Copley Square I had a smile on my face I could not remove. I felt that perhaps Catherine could be as interested in me as I was in her. Maybe I should see the O’Malley’s tomorrow night instead and ask Catherine to take a stroll tonight after dinner. That way she will know my intentions.

We arrived at the
Museum School and I hopped down to help Catherine out. She stepped down carefully and straightened her folds and bustle, pulling on the bottom of her fitted jacket. I reached in to retrieve the painting and handed it to her carefully.

She smiled up at me, her porcelain complexion and blond hair looking so light and bright compared to the dark gray outfit.
Fluttering her eyelids in a demure way, she finally locked eyes with me and smiled, thanking me for the ride. The beat of my heart echoed in my ears and the palms of my hands broke out in a sweat as I stammered that it would be a mild evening and perhaps we could take a walk after dinner. I told her I wanted to hear more about the process she used to paint the picture. She tried to cover the smile on her face with her gloved hand and finally said that she was looking forward to it.

The rest of the day dragged by until I was ready to pick Catherine up from
Copley Square. Penny had been studying all day with Selena and by mid-afternoon she came out to the stable.

“Hello Aiden.
Is it time to leave yet?”

“Almost.”
I was brushing down Raindrop and didn’t look up.

“We thought we would go with you.
Selena said flowers are starting to come out in the public gardens and I wanted to go for a ride to see them.”

I looked up and saw the darkened shape of Selena standing in the opening and for a moment I wondered if the horseshoe was actually preventing her from entering.
If this was true, and she was a witch, what was she really capable of?

“Of course, Penny.
We can take a ride through the Gardens.” Penny skipped out to the doorway to let Selena know and I felt trapped.

A short while later, as we rode up
Huntington Ave, the horses clip-clopping on the cobblestones and me lost in thought, I realized that if I knew she was a witch, then she must know that I realized this. That could be very dangerous. I was still thinking about this as I pulled up in front of the massive building that housed the school and I saw Catherine part from a group of women and start walking our way. I jumped down and looked into the back. Penny watching her sister out the window with a smile, and Selena further back, watching me. I wasn’t sure, but it looked like her lips were slightly parted and I thought I saw just a glimpse of her tongue run along her lips. A fleeting thought of that night in her room and my momentary weakness was interrupted by Catherine.

“This is a pleasant surprise.” Catherine beamed at her baby sister.

“We’re going to see the gardens, Catherine. Selena said the flowers are starting to bloom.”

“’Tis the plan, Miss.” I smiled and held out my hand to help her in.
Returning to my seat up front, I grabbed the reins and gave a quick shake to let the horses know we were leaving. I worried about Selena and Catherine in the carriage but knew Penny was there as a buffer. Besides, I didn’t think either would be rushing to tell the other of recent events – Selena of the one kiss and her advancement that I turned down, or Catherine’s agreement to take a walk with me alone after dinner which was essentially a first date. The clip-clop rhythm was calming and I finally relaxed as we entered the Public Garden and further to the Common.

We picked up Mr. Todd at his office and he joined the women in the back.
Heading back to the South End, my thoughts turned again to Selena. I felt like she was entering my thoughts more and more since that evening.

I turned the horses into the alley and further into where the court yard opened up behind the house.
I stopped the horses and jumped down to open the door. Catherine and Penny stepped out, followed by Selena and lastly by Mr. Todd. As Mr. Todd stepped down from the carriage I saw fear and caution register on his face as he peered at Selena. Selena went stomping away with obvious dissatisfaction and I wondered what happened during the ride back. I didn’t need to wait long to find out.

Mr. Todd turned to me when the women were out of earshot.
“My daughter informed me of your intentions to take her for a walk after dinner. I believe my wife and I will also be taking a stroll since it’s such a nice evening.”

“Sir, if there is a problem . . .” I shifted on my feet and shoved my hands deep into my pants pockets.

Mr. Todd cleared his throat, interrupting me, and then pulled out his pocket watch. “Seven thirty then?”

I nodded
agreement – surprised that had gone so well. It also explained Selena’s huff as she had stomped away to the house. Having heard the conversation in the back of the carriage, she must have realized I stood more of a chance with Catherine than she had thought.

I put away the carriage feeling exhilarated and looking forward to seven thirty.
With the horses settled in their stalls I checked their water and feed. The harnesses were wrapped and hung and I stood in the middle of the stable and looked around as I did at the end of every day. All was in its place and clean and I decided to go wash up and have dinner in the kitchen with the other help.

Eating quickly, I noticed Selena had taken her plate down to her room.
Anna and Mrs. Burke were just finishing eating when I came in and Mrs. Burke put a plate down for me.

“Sit – I saved you a plate.”

“Thank you.” I realized I was ravenous.

Mrs. Burke leaned way in with a twinkle in her eye and whispered, “You need your energy for the long walk you are going to take.” Anna was giggling as she cleaned the dishes.

“You might want to change your shirt.” Mrs. Burke snapped her towel at me as she returned to the sink to clean up.

“Aye, dontcha be worrying about my shirt.
I plan to clean myself up a bit.”

“A shave would be nice, too,” Anna added
from the sink.

“Yes, Anna.”

I finished my meal quickly and walked Mrs. Burke out as she left to go home for the night. I then brought some water to my room to shave and took out a nice shirt to wear. I had just a few minutes to wait and had been pacing. Lying down on my bed to calm myself, I closed my eyes and thought of Catherine and the different things to ask her about during our evening promenade. Silently the doorknob turned across the room.

She entered without a sound and was next to my bed before I realized it. There had not been a footstep or a sound.
Startled, I started to sit up but she grabbed my wrist and I felt the same draining feeling as if I was going into a trance. She was stronger this time and with her free hand she pushed me back on the bed. With one quick move, she placed one knee on the bed next to me and swung her other leg over me like she was mounting a horse.

She grabbed my other wrist and I felt myself sink deeper in the bed.
I was unable to speak and my mind clouded. I felt like I was spinning and falling at the same time. Dark thoughts raged in my head and I fought to retain control. Opening my mouth to try to tell her to stop, she immediately covered my lips with her own. I could smell her skin and it was repulsive; a sweet fragrance covering a deeper layer, smelling of something immoral, something wicked. She sucked at my mouth, at my breath, at my soul.

Letting go of my right wrist, she reached down and started adjusting the profuse skirt material until she could sit directly on me.
She was distracted for a moment, pulling at her skirt and I pulled my head to the side, getting a glimpse out the window. It had turned dark, darker than I would have expected, and although I thought she had only been there a matter of moments, I knew it must have been longer. I had been fighting her, pushing back with my arms and legs to cast her off me and I knew if I didn’t do it soon, she would indeed sap me dry of my life. What gave me the strength was thinking of Catherine waiting for me.

With all the power I could muster, I rolled to the side, throwing her off balance and sending her against the wall.
It was enough for me to jump up and as I did I spat on her. Wiping my forearm across my mouth I found blood from my lips smeared on my arm.

“You filthy, unholy wretch!” I screamed.

Selena was furious. I thought she was scary the last time she tried to advance on me, but this time she was absolutely incensed. I smelled smoke and looked around to see if the lantern had been knocked over in the shuffle.

“You bastard!”
There was venom in that voice as she advanced on me. My knees were still weak but I stood my ground, shoulders back and looking as fiercely as I could even with the fog lingering in my mind. I thought I heard bells in the distance.

“No man turns me away!
Ever! I am a beautiful, desirable woman and once a man has tasted my lips he comes back for more and more.”

“I told you, I love Catherine.
It’s plain to see and that love is unwavering. Even with your bold moves and scandalous behavior, I see you as nothing more than a cheap tart and would never want a woman like you.”

“There is no Catherine.
Not anymore. She’s gone.”