Fragile Blossoms (24 page)

‘Oh that’ll be father and ducks on the pond at Bentham.’

Hugh blinked. ‘The ducks on the pond?’

‘When I was girl we had ducks that though male cared for one another and were keen to show it. I asked father why. He said the Lord God liked variety.’

Hugh hooted. ‘You’re pulling my leg.’

‘Truly he did say that. My sisters are farmer’s wives. I was often there as a girl and saw that animals don’t always follow rules as laid down by Adam and Eve.’

‘My goodness, Mrs Dryden, you are a chameleon. Just when I think I know who you are you slip into another colour.’

‘Don’t be silly, of course you know me. But getting back to Daniel why can’t we be friends?’

‘Because you can’t be and look as you do, simmering passion and Venus rising from the waves. Any man would see it as a waste, unless he’s another like me or dead from the waist down his Jolly Roger shot off at Spion Kop!’

‘Hugh!’

‘Well you’re asking the impossible, especially of that man. We’re talking of one who squares his shoulders and strides from the crotch, who exudes passion and warm beer, and who turns his bewitching eyes on the world and the world weeps. Oh! ‘Hugh shuddered. ‘I could do much for a man like that.’

‘It’s as well Daniel can’t hear.’

Hugh shrugged. ‘He wouldn’t care. He’s a Yankee and a modern man. Anyway who says I was talking of Daniel? I might have another in mind.’

‘Who?’

‘Who?’ He rolled his eyes. ‘Gossip is right about you. You are like Tennyson’s
Maud
, a block of ice, ‘
icily regular, and splendidly null.
’’

‘Am I really?’

‘So I’ve been told.’

‘By whom?’

‘I can think of several hatchet wielders, your butterfly friend, my Goddaughter, Eve Carrington for one. She’s not above lobbing the odd dagger.’

‘And her brother, does he also lob a dagger?’

‘I should say not! The dear boy doesn’t know how.’

‘You’re right. He doesn’t. I like Freddie.’

‘Everybody likes Freddie. It’s a shame Freddie doesn’t like Freddie.’

‘Yes why is that? He was born into a good family. He has talent, is a wonderful painter. Why is he not happy?’

‘He has history, my dear, and a bad case of not owning his blood.’

‘What does that mean?’

Hugh was silent and then he said, ‘I saw the portrait he did of you’

‘If you mean the
White Lady
he destroyed it.’

‘Freddie destroys everything that means anything. With both Freddie and Evie it’s a case of those whom the Gods love they first maltreat. But I’ll say no more about that. I’m Godfather to both and know them wounded. Evie is clever at a time when it’s not good for women to be clever. Freddie is beautiful and so the ugly tear him apart. You should know about that. Your name is thrown back and forth without impunity.’

‘I know.’

‘And doesn’t that worry you?’

‘I used to worry but not now. I have learned things are never as they seem and that it is best to stay on the fringe and feel nothing.’

‘There speaks an adult!’ Hugh stared. ‘What happened in Egypt? You went away a child and came back a woman.’

‘You’re exaggerating.’

‘Yes a little but you are different and I am sad about it.’

‘As am I.’

‘Oh this is no good! We can’t be miserable! I’ll tell you the latest gossip and give you a smile. It is said you are a saintly icon to be sighed over while humping a Lady of the Bedchamber, and though saintly not averse to giving Bertie the occasional thrill but always from a distance and wearing gloves.’

‘That is so silly!’

Hugh laughed. ‘I know but you have to laugh or you’d go crazy. And so back to our dark-eyed Adonis, you really don’t know to whom I refer?’

‘How can I know when according to you I am splendidly null?’

‘Touché, my dear, but it won’t do. You know as does everyone in Society that Evie’s gypsy lover only has eyes for Ju-ju Dryden.’

‘Oh don’t call me that! I hate the name and the association.’

Hugh patted her arm. ‘Now, now, my dear, don’t get upset.’

‘I can’t help it. I am changed and it hurts.’

‘It happens when one is near a fire. I’ve been where you are and know sooner or later you have to make a choice, this feeble glow, the reflection of Princes, or real love. Meanwhile if you want to know about Freddie see his painting currently under review at the National. That’s the real Freddie. Then again you could always ask him yourself. He’ll be there tonight with Eve. They’re bringing their tame fortune-teller.’

*

Freddie sank down in the chair beside Julia. ‘Evening, Ju-ju.’

‘Hello, Freddie.’

‘My God-Pa not with you?’

‘No he’s away teasing another poor soul. How are you?’

He rolled his shoulders. ‘I’m managing.’

He’s not managing, thought Julia. He looks dreadful. ‘What’s happening? You look to be losing weight.’

‘Oh don’t you start!’ he said wearily. ‘I’ve had enough from the others. I’m perfectly fine! I’ve been running full tilt trying to finish my showing.’

‘Ah yes, the painting. I’m told it’s good. I won’t say clever.’

Freddie grinned ruefully. ‘I am sorry about that. What an idiot to throw such tantrums. I do so regret spoiling
White Lady
.’

‘Are you happy with your new work?’

‘I think it the best I’ll ever do. They won’t hang it. The National is chary of male nudes. You have to be dead a thousand years before they consider you and your subject monstrous with dimpled thighs. I don’t put my brush to anything ugly and the subject in question couldn’t be anything other than divine.’

‘You’re speaking of Luke?’

‘Who else.’

‘Is he well?’

‘He seems well enough though awful busy, everybody wanting him to resurrect their country pile.’

‘I heard you were in Italy.’

‘And you in Egypt. How was Egypt?’

‘Hot. How was Italy?’

‘Stormy. Most days I was with Johnny Sargent. He and Hellue had portrait business there. I paddled along and sat in sunlight drinking ver’ good wine and painting ver’ bad pics. I couldn’t say what the others were doing. Much the same as me I imagine but with amorous overtones.’

Amorous overtones, Julia closed her eyes but couldn’t stop the visions those words conjured.

‘I wonder does sunshine bring out the lover.’ Freddie gnawed on the handle of his cane. ‘I am an affectionate sort of fellow, don’t you know, but in the main keep my secrets secret. Evie is a clutching sort. Always has been. In Rome she quite overstepped the boundaries. I was mortified, wanted to bag her up and toss her in the Canal. It’s him bringin’ out the beast in people, though a one-sided beast as Evie’s things so often are.’

As though to point the conversation there was a sudden hush. Evie and Luke were in the doorway, she in lilac silk with amethysts in her ears and about her throat, and he elegant in black tailcoat.

‘Here they are Romeo and his aging Juliet!’ Freddie leaned forward. ‘He doesn’t look especially pleased to be here, does he? If he could cut and run he would but good country manners and bad sultry nights prevent him.’

The company seated a harp was produced and Adelina Patti began to sing. Her first song was from Bizet’s
Carmen
, an aria of passion and of jealousy.

Gaze fixed across the room Freddie sank down into the chair. ‘You know what this song is about, don’t you,’ he muttered. ‘It’s about people takin’ what is not theirs to take. It’s about envy. I know about those things. Evie is always collectin’ things I want and stealin’ ‘em away.’

Freddie was drunk. Julia tried not to listen. She was fighting her own battles and didn’t want to know about his. The room was a sea of dark tail coats and nodding fans. Luke was taking Evie’s shawl his hand brushing her shoulder, a hand Julia remembers. This hand has a ring on little finger of the left hand, a gold ring with a black stone. It is not a big ring and yet it was enormous eclipsing all else, the sun, the moon and the stars.

Why is it there? Did she give it him? Does it mean something?

Freddie shifted in his seat. Arms folded and legs stuck out he brooded on the same two people. ‘It’s always been the same. Evie can’t bear me to have friends of my own. She’s always borrowin’. She did it with chaps at school and at Cambridge, takin’ fellows out to lunch and buyin’ affection. They thought she was wonderful, the glorious Evelyn Carrington. She did it with Johnny Sargent. She tried to do it with Danny Masson. She did it with Bella.’

‘Bella? Do you mean Susan Dudley?’

‘Yes Susan. I was fond of Susan. We had plans.’

‘Plans?’ Julia stared at him. ‘What do you mean plans?’

‘What? Oh some foolish idea. Forget it. It’s done now, old news. I’m off after this song to the Blue Salon and the séance. I tried for the first sittin’ but they only take a few at a time so I’m in the second. Are you comin’?’

A séance after a visit to the Great Pyramid and Owen? ‘I don’t think so. My father would say the dead should be left in peace.’

‘And what if they’re not in peace?’

‘Surely that’s the need of a priest. What can we mortals do?’

Freddie shrugged. ‘We could tell them we love and miss them.’

‘You believe in this then, table rapping et cetera?’

‘I don’t know that I believe in anythin’ but I’m willin’ to give it a go. Wouldn’t you like to hear from a loved one?’

Again Julia remembered Egypt and light flickering over an empty tomb.

‘Not if it’s Tennyson quoting his wretched
Maud.
I’ve heard enough of that particular lady to last a lifetime.’

Freddie frowned. ‘You’re changed, Julianna. You’re nasty now, sharp as glass.’

‘I don’t mean to be. It’s this world. Things don’t seem to work out. Is there someone you’d like to hear from?’

He was silent and then nodded. ‘Yes and then I might get some rest.’

The music done he ambled away. Hugh returned. ‘What’s wrong, my dear, you look a little pale. Was Adelina Patti’s singing not to your liking?’

‘I thought her very good.’

‘Me too! Her voice is light and pleasant. One doesn’t feel as though sound is being stuffed down one’s throat. Come!’ He took Julia’s arm. ‘We’ll take a glass of wine and smile and be gay even though our hearts are breaking.’

As usual with such meetings when not with Daniel Julia sat among the ladies and gentlemen of the Court. They laughed and gossiped and were amused. She wanted to laugh with them but her thoughts were with Susan Dudley. What plans could the Honourable Freddie have had with a maid?

‘Ah, there you are, Julianna!’ Gown swirling, Evie is coming at a rush. ‘I’ve been looking for you everywhere.’

‘I have been here.’

‘I know but as usual the centre of an adoring crush and thus not easy to prize away.’ Evie smiled at Hugh. ‘May I steal her from you, Dear Godfather? She is wanted in the Blue Room.’

Hugh bared his teeth. ‘And does Julianna want to be wanted?’

‘I don’t know but she must come.’

‘Is there not someone else, Evie?’ Julia is reluctant. ‘There must be scores of people anxious to sit.’

‘Apparently it has to be you.’ Evie took her arm Julia rising to her feet as though on the end of a piece of elastic. ‘A message has come through, she’s to come to the table or Madame can’t conjure the right spirits.’

‘Nonsense!’ said Hugh. ‘It’s all rubbish.’

‘Rubbish or not, Godfather, she’ll be among friends. There’s Freddie, and Luke Roberts, who I’m sure she remembers, and there’s the Jersey Lily. Julianna will like Mrs Langtry, they have much in common.’

They are taking their places at a table.

Madame Leonora gestured. ‘And you, Senor Roberts, the chair in which you are seated is known as the North Gate or the Gate of Denial.’

Luke stretched his back. He’s been sitting too long. ‘And what am I denying?’

‘Those that would impede our progress. You have bright energy, sir. It will repel negative energy.’

‘Negative energy?’ Lillie Langtry frowned. ‘Is such a thing likely to bother us?’

‘Mrs Langtry, you are as safe as the need that brought you. We draw to ourselves a mirror image, like attracting like.’

‘I say do we really?’ Freddie grimaced. ‘I’m not sure I like the sound of that. I’m an awful fellow, don’t you know, a truly dreadful chap. If what you say is true what can I draw to myself but awfulness.’

There was laughter about the table, Freddie laughed too but his eyes were empty. ‘Truly,’ he protested. ‘I am lame creature and while not quite a coward would beg my friend Luke to sharpen his claws. I’m at the National tomorrow before the hangin’ committee. If I am to go to Hell I’d sooner it be
after
they agree to show my work.’

Madame Leonora smiled. ‘I am sure Senor Roberts will stand fast. We must all stand fast. If among you there is one who would fail, it’s best they leave now. Once the circle is made we must try not to break it.’

‘Why, what will happen?’

‘Nothing if we remember our manners. One does not invite friends to the dinner table only to eject them mid meal. Once started a guest must be allowed to finish. Tonight let us extend the same courtesy to those we call to our table. Now with that in mind let us bend our heads awhile and invite the Lord God’s mercy and kindness upon all here tonight.’

All was softly said but Luke remained sceptical. He didn’t like being referred to as senor. It smacked of Eve once again deriding his Italian connection.

Eve and her obsessions! Three hours they’ve been at this place and Eve a fevered creature talking, talking and never saying anything. Now there’s this, sitting with strangers about to converse with ghosts.

Candlelight flickered. Luke remained watchful. Eve asked him to accompany her here tonight, a rarity given that despite an avowed need of him they rarely attend public events together. In Italy where nobody knows or cares who is with whom he could accompany her anywhere, in England his role is more the servant passing Milady’s fan and opening doors. It’s about acceptability and the line society draws between amused tolerance and outright scorn. Milady observes the line. Even so she pressed him to come and because of the weather they took rooms at the Swan Hotel in Sudbury.

She said it would be fun. A conversation overheard between her and Stefan Adelman’s housekeeper suggested otherwise.

Sunday it happened. He was still abed. Last night Eve suffered a headache and was, she said, unable to breathe. Seven am, pale haunches gleaming in the early sun she dragged herself out of bed to her sitting room. Unshaven chin, eyes heavy from last night’s wine, he lay observing his reflection in the ceiling mirror until unable to bear it hauled away to the adjoining bathroom.

That’s when he heard her.

The name, Adelman, leapt out. Who can tell, so much in her head, such darkness, she may have meant Luke to hear. ‘
Thank you for the letter,’
she was saying. ‘
I was concerned for Doctor Adelman and his wife. A dreadful business locked away in an asylum. How on earth does she bear
it?’

Luke should’ve kept walking then he wouldn’t be here with this nonsense but a tone in her voice, mischief and Cambridge and Bakers End, kept him listening. It soon became clear she had written to Adelman’s housekeeper enquiring of Julianna. ‘
So
Mrs Dryden stays overnight? Many hearing of this would take it ill, wife incapacitated and him alone, but not you and I, Mrs Carstairs. We know that in times of need friends make the difference and that no harm is done whatever the situation. ....No of course not! No one else shall know. I promise you the moment I put down the phone I’ll destroy your letter
.’

Seeing him at the door she’d dropped the phone. He asked what she was doing. She said she was offering Stefan help and that Julianna’s name was mentioned. He didn’t believe her and said so. ‘I don’t know what you’re doing,’ he told her, ‘but if you’re considering mischief let me warn you, do anything to hurt her and the people she loves and you’ll not see me again.’

Enraged she’d snapped her teeth. He’d waited for her to rush at him instead she tore the letter strip-by- strip and lifting her arms tossed the pieces into the air. ‘There,’ she’d said. ‘I kept my promise! Now it never was and never will be!’ Her robe had followed peach silk settling on the floor amid tattered threats. Luke’s resistance settled with it. Good sense and pride sank down on the lime-wood floor, good wood when stained and polished, malleable much like his will.

Madame opened the séance with an explanation of the seating, the ying and yang, she called it, the fire and ice, and why chairs were so arranged.

‘Mrs Langtry being an artistic soul will sit south thus reflecting warmth. The Honourable Freddie occupies the West Door in place of the setting sun. Lady Carrington the East and rebirth and Senor Roberts is for the North Gate. The rest of the group are seated accordingly about these four main gateways.’

There was some discussion about positions, Freddie acting the fool, saying, he wasn’t keen on this life so could he switch with his sister.

Things settled down, a prayer was said and letters of the alphabet spread clockwise about the table and a glass tumbler upended in the middle.

‘A tooth mug and a child’s ABC?’ A man laughed. ‘I don’t know what I expected but this is not it.’

‘Nor I,’ said Lillie Langtry. ‘I had in mind bells and priestly vestments.’

‘Or one of those Ouija Boards,’ said Freddie.

Madame smiled. ‘Ouija Boards are unreliable. Available to anyone they are prey to all manner of waif and strays. A glass is steadier, place a finger on top and go where it takes you.’

So they did as she bid. Everyone in place it wasn’t long before the glass began to tremble and to move in a lazy circle.

Freddie was agitated. ‘Surely it’s us moving it?’

‘It is you and yet not.’ Madame sat with her hands in her lap. ‘Think of it as vital energy, an engine in need of cranking or a telephone in need of a line.’

Freddie shrugged. ‘Alright I’ll crank and I’ll dial. Just make sure you have the right number when the phone is picked up.’

After a slow start the tumbler began rushing about the table Evie calling out letters and a lady amanuensis copying them down. The first communication was for Mrs Langtry. It was regarding her house in Norfolk Street and a Cartier necklace previously thought stolen. The glass told her to telephone Dominique, her maid, and ‘
look in the stuffed bear’s head and do it now without delay, the head sold and due to be shipped out the following day
.’

There followed a brief pause, the glass idling in the centre while a manservant made a call, Mrs Langtry, known for always being in debt, sitting on tenterhooks. The manservant returned to the table and whispered in Mrs Langtry’s ear, and she, red-cheeked and triumphant, said the necklace was found. The glass then picked up speed. It spelled out that it was ‘
Kismet’s fault,’
a pet monkey that had once belonged to Mrs Langtry’s maid hid the necklace in the bear’s head.

The tone of the evening set there was now much anticipation. A second message was for a nervous lady on Evie’s left. She was not worry about Dear George of the Sussex Regiment. He felt no pain when he passed at Khartoum; ‘
he went to sleep and is now reunited with Barbara and Little Basil
.’

Similar messages followed and all accepted with joy and some with tears. The glass then screeched to a halt and was silent. Madame Leonora ordered the table to be cleared. The sitters were then asked to lay their hands palm down on the table and form a circle, little finger connected to little finger.

That was half an hour ago, the candles burn lower, light recedes and Madame, chin on chest, appears to be asleep.

Julia dared not move. Luke was on her immediate right his finger aligned with hers. Such a feeling, almost painful, the need to pull away was so strong her arms quivered. The seating plan is meant; it is Evie’s idea, the printed cards on the chairs in her familiar hand, Evie, who throughout earlier musical interludes never once glanced Julia’s way now fixed her with basilisk gaze.

Minutes ticked by. People were nervous. They sat joined together like a row of shiny conkers on a string waiting the first blow. Outside the Blue Room the soiree continued, people talking and laughing. Then a piano began to play and Adelina Patti to sing. Words floated through the air mingling with incense and smoke from the candles. She sang an aria from Butterfly, Cho-Cho-San telling of the day Lieutenant Pinkerton will return to Japan.

Julia listened and remembered her visit to the Opera House.

‘
One fine day we’ll notice a thread of smoke arising on the sea in the far horizon, and then a ship appearing. The trim white vessel glides into the harbour...He is coming! I know. He will return
!’

Such exquisite tenderness she felt it deeply as did Luke Roberts. She knew this even though he didn’t so much as move a muscle, she felt empathy pulsating through his finger. It was all shadows, his face a pale blur, yet she knew when he smiled. His finger crept over hers holding and gently rocking. Happiness filled her heart. Then Madame Leonora began to speak, or someone spoke through her, a melodious voice instantly recognised as from a dream, and happiness died.

‘
I’m afraid the Professor is busy. May I take a message
?’

‘Oh!’ Julia’s first instinct was to fly but the finger binding hers stayed firm.

It came again. ‘
The Professor is busy. May I take a message
?’

Evie took charge. She must have seen the Medium at work before and knew what to do. ‘Thank you, Bright Spirit, for heeding our call,’ she said. ‘As yet we have no message for you. Do you have one for us?’

There was a hushed pause, every heart beating madly. When the voice spoke again it was Luke who would bolt and Julia’s finger that held him steady.

‘
Your mother saw in pounds and pence, it’s how she was bred. Your Papa saw sunshine and sin and that in his stead. Take of your mother’s kin but only as you need. The rest seek of your homeland, my son, and you’ll be content indeed
.’

‘Dear God!’

Luke was shaken to the core. The verse he knew so well had been changed, two words inserted and a message given so many years ago subtly altered.

He struggled with it. He hadn’t bargained for this. He came this evening certain the séance would be some kind of fraud and though earlier messages had been met with joy he’d thought them prearranged. Now this, his world is turned upside down and any faith he had, or did not have, rearranged.

He didn’t know what to think. The message was given when he was a lad. It was accompanied by a silver sixpence. No one knew of it then. He told no one, not his mother, nor Eve. No one! Only one person knew, Justine Newman, and if this is to be believed she is the angelic messenger.

Julia gentled Luke’s finger. She had no idea what the message meant but knew it was for him and felt him tremble. Then Madame spoke again.

‘
I’m afraid the Professor is busy. May I take a message
?’

Again Evie took up the lead. ‘Thank you, Bright Spirit. We have no message to give you as yet. Do you have another for a member of our party?’

This time there was a longer silence and then the voice, the same musical voice, spoke. ‘....
ich muss gehen! Dieses Leben ist mir...!

Freddie, hoarse and fearful, broke in. ‘What is it German now? Are we to have Chinese next and hear from Confucius next, or maybe Socrates, or even the Lord Jesus Christ! Should I call for a translator?’

‘Be quiet, Freddie!’ snapped Evie. ‘You must not interrupt. Please, Bright Spirit, continue.’ Again there was a pause and then the voice started up.

Julia was waiting
.
She knew this message. She had heard it before. It was Karoline Adelman‘s plea for release.
‘Ich muss gehen. Dieses Leben ist mir und den Mieinen zu toten. Hilf mir, nehmen Sie diese Last von mir, und ich werde dich fur immer segnen...immer segnen.

The voice trailed away. For a while all was silent. Then Evie spoke.

‘Well come on! This is meant for someone at this table. It needs answering!’

‘I think it may be for me,’ said Julia.

‘For you?’

‘Yes.’

‘ And who is communicating?’

‘I’m afraid I can’t say.’

‘Why can’t you?’

‘It’s a private matter.’

‘And yet someone must respond! ’ said Lillie Langtry, greatly disturbed. ‘If my understanding of this is correct the communicator begs release from hell!’

Evie leaned forward. ‘When did this soul pass over?’

Julianna shook her head. ‘To my knowledge the person is still alive.’

‘Still alive!’

There was a buzz about the table. With no notion of what to do Julia could only sit. This is Karoline’s pain. She can’t lay it open before strangers. Then she began to wonder if Karoline had died and Stefan alone and grieving.

The voice spoke again pleading softly. ‘
Julianna, wenden Sie sich bitte am Dienstag kommen! Kommen Sie, bringen Sie ihre Freundlich un Warme, und dann konnen wir uns endlisch verabschieden.’

Again silence. Evie was furious. ‘Well?’

‘I’m sorry. I have no real idea what is being said.’

‘I think I know,’ said Lillie Langtry. ‘Born in Jersey I often visit Germany. You are being asked to visit, to go Tuesday to say goodbye.’

‘Goodbye?’

‘Yes and to bring kindness and warmth with you.’

‘Thank you, Mrs Langtry.’

‘Not at all. This is clearly an important issue and one I shall think much about. Perhaps one day you’ll let me know the outcome.’