Chapter two – Sebastian's return
Steam and smoke bellowed upwards from the cooling engine of the train. Straightening his tie the noble butler Sebastian stepped through the doorway of the passenger carriage and landed solidly onto the stone platform.
Turning back towards the train car he extended his hand to assist a young lady out of the car. Lifting her skirt with one hand she took Sebastian's in her other.
Upon landing on solid earth the young lady let go of her skirt and brought her hand towards her mouth, as she did so her grip of Sebastian's hand waned and the butler raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
"Are you quite alright Miss?"
The lady adjusted her hat and swallowed her obvious discomfort. She nodded before leveling her eyes at the butler.
"Yes, motion sickness you see. It is always at its worst when I get in and out of carriages, or on and off of horses."
She offered an assuring laugh to add credence to familiarity of the sudden malady and though it would have worked on most any other man; Sebastian was not one so easily fooled and was keenly aware of her true condition since the moment he had met her acquaintance in London the previous evening.
"That seems a most inconvenient condition, if I may say."
She smiled awkwardly, as she agreed. "It is, truly. Though I am quite recovered,"
Sebastian and the young miss began walking down the platform towards the waiting line of coaches and open top carriages before she continued, "Shall we make for the estate?"
Opening his mouth to respond Sebastian was cut off by a high pitched loud yell.
"Sebastian! Over 'ere!"
Nearly every head at the station turned towards the young man who had yelled and was now frantically waving his arms above his head.
The young miss brought her hand to cover her mouth and became struck with genuine laughter.
Turning his attention towards the colourful chap who had called his name he saw Finnian standing on the Phantomhive carriage. As he returned a slight wave Sebastian remarked that Finny's smile had always struck him as being too earnest.
Finnian laughed heartily as he jumped from the driver's seat and moved through the horses to make his way towards his waiting passengers.
"How was the train Sebastian?" He spoke in his characteristically oblivious manner. Sebastian gave a displeased huff.
"Lady Heathcliffe, this is our head gardener and groundskeeper of the Phantomhive estate, Finnian."
The young lady nodded and extended her hand towards Finny.
"How do you do Finnian?" She said earnestly, curiously taken by the handsome young man.
Finnian regarded her extended gloved hand with a large degree of discomfort; one this was the first time a Lady, and a noble lady at that, had extended her hand to him and two he grew worried at the expectation of what he had to do next.
His eyes grew wide as beads of sweat were forming on the back of his neck under his straw hat.
I… I'll crush her hand! I-I'm sure of it! He thought.
To Lady Heathcliffe she began holding back an involuntary giggle at the comical expression before her.
"I… uh..." Finny began before Sebastian interrupted.
"Finnian's hands are at present quite dirty I should expect, you wouldn't want your white silk to be soiled would you my lady?"
Finny breathed a sigh of relief at his rescue, and Lady Heathcliffe reluctantly withdrew her hand in such a way so as to avoid any appearance of awkwardness to an onlooker. She looked at Sebastian and nodded.
"Quite, I do thank you Mr. Michaelis. And I must apologise to you Finnian, I hate to have made such an imposition on you."
She laughed to alleviate the mood.
Finny rubbed the back of his head as he laughed as well, relief flooding his chest. Regaining himself now he looked towards Sebastian and the Lady's feet for any luggage he might carry for them before remarking with surprise.
"No bags Sebastian?"
Sebastian shook his head.
"We do not, now can we make it to the estate as quickly as possible?"
Finny nodded and vocalized his affirmation, "Mhmm, right!" before withdrawing back to the driver's seat. Turning back towards his passenger, he spoke.
"Shall I assist you into the carriage my Lady?"
As her eyes followed Finny, Lady Heathcliffe seemed to have ignored Sebastian's words. Leaning towards her shoulder Sebastian spoke again, "My Lady?"
"Is he an Irishman?" she said suddenly.
"Finnian, Uh," Sebastian had to admit he was taken aback by the question, "I can't say I know his background enough." he lied.
After Sebastian spoke the Lady nodded positively before answering his earlier question, doing so without missing a beat.
"I'm quite well now; I expect I can manage the carriage on my own."
Sebastian nodded, "Very good my Lady."
The odd couple then made their way from the platform towards the waiting carriage and entered on either side of the passenger's cabin. From the station it was a conveniently short trip to reach the estate, of which Sebastian was always thankful when he had to move as if he were human.
When obligated to fulfill the role of a mortal being it always jarred Sebastian at how few things he was permitted to do; cooking, cleaning, even traveling was made all the more tedious and annoying by the added stress of having to appear 'normal' before an almost ever present audience.
Though in the grand scheme, it's not too much of an imposition on my time. He thought whilst he took his seat opposite Lady Heathcliffe.
"All in and settled?" Finnian asked through the small window in the roof of the carriage, Sebastian looked towards the young miss before answering. She nodded and Sebastian replied,
"We are. Now make it to the estate hastily, but do try to avoid the larger lumps in the road."
Finny nodded before shutting the window pane and setting them on their way, the horses whinnied and began their clopping down the lane.
Sebastian offered an assuring smile, "Finny is very good with animals; the horses respond quite well to his piloting. We'll arrive shortly."
Lady Heathcliffe brought a fan out from her handbag and eagerly began fanning her neck as she took several deep breaths.
"That is well. I shan't be comfortable inside a carriage for much longer."
Sebastian nodded and opened both side windows, a welcomed breeze soon passed through the stuffy cabin and one could hear the shouts of labourers working in the nearby barley fields.
"Oh, heavens that is delightful… Thank you sir." Ceasing her fanning Lady Heathcliffe allowed herself a slight breech in etiquette and leaned backwards allowing her back to enjoy the soft cushion of the seat.
"I must remark to your master that you have been the absolute pinnacle of a conscientious servant"
Sebastian smiled and placed a hand across his chest, "Please you're too kind. I am simply, one hell of a butler."
After his breakfast Ciel made his way to the drawing room to await the arrival of both Sebastian and the representative from Funtom.
Which would be first however gave him a slight case of unease, the meeting with the solicitor was of course a trifle, something that wasn't exactly a pressing engagement, but the arrival of Sebastian was much more important. There was the secret guest accompanying him, one whom demanded to meet Ciel in person, who had information for him pertaining to the recent disappearance of a prominent Lord.
Who this person was of course would be a secret even to Ciel, until they arrived alongside Sebastian their identity could be anyone.
This was all to say that Ciel was mulling over and fretting at this case of terrible timing, as Elizabeth had been invited to luncheon and there was definitely no time to write her a valid, or believable, excuse. He felt entirely on the left foot without his butler to assure and to alleviate.
Though with Sebastian in Ciel's service he doubted that there was going to be much of an issue with the timing, but even with the unlikeliness of failure Ciel did not like uncertainty anywhere close where Lizzy was involved.
As he sat and lounged in his favourite chair Ciel lost himself into thinking, options, and inventing different possible scenarios before eventually making his decision.
Grabbing hold of the nearby servant bell rope he rang for Tanaka.
It was less than two minutes before there was a knock at the door and the aged butler appeared.
"My lord you rang?"
Nodding Ciel then spoke, "I did." He took a breath before continuing, "When the Funtom representative arrives can you take care of the particulars? I'm sure the green sitting room will suit to meet with him. Make the pertinent excuses for me."
"It is not your intention to receive him then?"
A curt "No." was all Ciel had left to say. His lazy and disinterested gaze indicated that he had nothing else to ask of Tanaka, and therefore defeated the necessity for the elder butler to enquire.
"Very good sir." Tanaka nodded and bowed before exiting the room.
On the side table adjacent to Ciel's chair was his chess set, the pieces all aligned and waiting for a game to begin. Out of habit, and to a lesser degree, boredom, Ciel took up a piece from the side facing him; it was the black knight. A slight smirk began to form in the corner of Ciel's mouth.
Sebastian.
A peculiar feeling came over Ciel, as his servant's name ran through his mind. Looking upwards from the board and towards the great bay window of the drawing room Ciel was surprised to see two carriages making their way down the lane of the estate's grounds. The front carriage was being driven by Finny, and the other by a local man whom the solicitor must have hired at the train station.
Hastily Ciel replaced the piece on the edge of the board and stood from his chair before making his way closer towards the window.
"Speak of the devil…" he thought aloud.
"Though I suppose think of the devil is more accurate…" He continued to himself.
What are the odds that they were all on the same train? He thought. Regardless, I am quite eager to see just who this secret guest is.
From where he stood he had a wide view of the front courtyard and watched as Tanaka made his way from the front staircase across the gravel towards the slowing carriages. Finny began waving as soon as he saw Tanaka appear; Ciel imagined that he also began yelling hello to him as well.
Out of the first carriage exited the familiar, tall and handsome frame of Sebastian, clad in his ebony tailcoat. He was accompanied by a figure that Ciel most certainly did not expect. At first his mind wanted to exclaim 'Lizzy' but his reason quickly dismissed such a possibility.
Though the young lady certainly did bear a close resemblance to Elizabeth in terms of her complexion, hair colour, and similarity of hair style; her height, size, and unique poise most certainly distinguished her as a separate person. This is to say nothing of the colour of her attire.
While she carried herself and appeared to an onlooker as a quintessential member of the fairer side of the aristocracy, the colour of her frock, hat, and travelling coat were peculiarly plain in Ciel's opinion. An indicator, to him at least, that she dressed so as to appear inconspicuous on both short notice, and without a professional's advice. To anyone who may have been looking for her, it was her obvious desire to not be noticed which quickly made Ciel take notice.
Tanaka had made his way to stand closer to the solicitor's carriage, speaking to the local man who was driving, giving him permission and instruction no doubt, to park the carriage at the side of the manor, near the stables and the servant's entrance.
The young lawyer who exited the cabin looked eagerly at Tanaka and removed his hat before closing the distance between them as he spoke.
By this time Sebastian had made his way alongside the young lady to begin ascending the front stairs.
Turning away from the window and back towards the room Ciel walked across the parquet floor to resume his place in his chair. He eyed the doors to the drawing room intently, waiting impatiently for his lady guest and faithful butler.
The ticking of the clock on the wall opposite him gave Ciel's already thin patience extra testing, as he began switching his eye from staring the clock down to observing the white ornate doorway.
The ticking grew in intensity yet further in pace as the seconds drew ever more painfully on, till finally Ciel received reprieve when there was a strong knock upon the wood. Taking a breath he switched strides and took on his 'mature' voice, invoking, as best he could remember, the professionalism and command of his father.
"Yes, come in." he managed to call out confidently.
The doors opened gracefully and Sebastian presented himself through the threshold to announce the entrance of Ciel's new guest.
"I present the daughter of the right honourable Baron Heathcliffe of Dorset, my lord."
Upon bowing his head Sebastian stepped to the side and the young lady entered, she was quite beautiful and her hair was even more like Elizabeth's then Ciel previously thought. After taking a few steps past Sebastian into the room, the young Miss Heathcliffe dispelled any comparison to Elizabeth by curtsying to her noble superior before offering her hand.
Ciel stood up from his seat and softly took her hand into his; he leaned forward and lightly pressed his lips to her knuckles before bowing his head at the neck in response and acknowledgement of her curtsy.
"I am absolutely pleased to make your acquaintance Miss Heathcliffe." He said, turning his youthful charm as high as he could before it became comedic.
She smiled as she reciprocated the pleasantry, "As am I, lord Phantomhive."
Looking upwards in order to match her gaze an unfortunate fact dawned on Ciel. Standing at the average height of a young woman, Miss Heathcliffe was several inches taller than Ciel, and his previous attempt to assert a confident command of the room was, in him at least, rebuffed.
As if he could read his thoughts Sebastian stifled a smile. The whole situation was not helped by Miss Heathcliffe's exclamation.
"My lord, forgive me but… You're so much smaller than I expected!"
Ciel's eyes widened in surprise as he struggled to find his voice, he was so surprised that he slightly staggered a half step backwards.
"I… I regret disappointing you." He said, struggling to hold back his anger and maintain decorum.
Sensing she had quite plainly agitated a sore point the young lady immediately set herself to salvaging her blunder.
"T-that is to say, I. well… from what I have heard of your reputation, I- expected someone, tall- older! I said older!"
Sebastian audibly laughed and immediately brought his hands to cover his mouth.
For a split second master and servant locked gazes and the intense glare in Ciel's eye caused Sebastian to immediately swallow his laughter and recompose himself.
Regaining his role as a host Ciel spoke in his practiced tone cultivated to diffuse such tensions as this, "That issue aside, do please sit down my lady."
Extending his hand, palm upwards, towards a couch Miss Heathcliffe daintily adjusted the frills of her skirt before sitting down. After she had made herself comfortable Ciel spoke again.
"Sebastian would you serve us some tea?"
Sebastian bowed his head and spoke, "Certainly sir."
Turning back towards the young lady in front of him Ciel continued,
"Or perhaps you would prefer something else? I am sure you are famished from your journey."
"Please, you are too kind my lord."
"Sebastian can assemble most anything I assure you. In any case you will join us for luncheon I'm sure?"
Taken aback Miss Heathcliff struggled to respond,
"I would not wish to impose my lord!"
"Nonsense. Sebastian, inform Baldroy to prepare enough for another guest"
Sebastian bowed his head again and echoed his previous statement, "Very good sir."
Meanwhile a slight cloud of black smoke was rising from the kitchen.
"You're burning those!" Snake announced, punctuating the exclamation by indicating which of his companions had hissed the remark, "Says Gothe".
Baldroy wiped the sweat from his brow and attempted to move the side of cod which had begun to fuse itself to the bottom of the cast iron pan.
"Oi! That's enough out of you! D'you and those vile creatures wanna try cooking?!"
"It's not as if we'd do a worse job. … Says Oscar…"
Turning from the stove Baldroy raised his spatula and angrily pointed at Snake.
"And stop doing that! Snakes can't bloody talk!"
Snake furrowed his brow and his companions adorning his shoulders began hissing at Baldroy.
"We most certainly can! … Says Wordsworth…"
Upon opening the kitchen door Sebastian audibly sighed and brought his palm to his face.
"Why must I always pull you two away from each other's throats… Baldroy have you burned yet another side of fish?"
Baldroy began struggling to find his words, "Uh, heh, well I was tryin' to just sear it ya see."
Sebastian began walking towards the stove, shaking his head and removing his tailcoat.
"Did you even remove the scales as I had indicated in my note?"
Bard became more flustered and dropped the spatula before stepping away from the stove.
"Naturally, I leave for one evening and things fall to pieces…"
After unbuttoning his cuffs and rolling up his shirt sleeves, Sebastian took up Bard's previous position and began his attempt to salvage the entrée of the luncheon. Behind him Snake and his pets began hissing and giggling in laughter at Baldroy's expense.
"Hey that's enough out'ah you!" Bard roared in response, cigarette smoke circling his head.
Without averting his eyes from the pan Sebastian called towards Snake, "As the Phantomhive footman I should expect you, Snake, to offer our Lord and his guests ample refreshment as I do battle with this…" Huffing in frustration "…monstrosity."
Snake nodded and located the kettle on the counter adjacent the steel kitchen washbasin. After filling the large copper kettle he apprehensively stepped beside Sebastian and placed the heavy, slushing, orange container on the long black stovetop.
Nodding in approval Sebastian watched out of the corner of his eyes as Snake began going about the kitchen doing his best to remember where the tea tins were kept and which set of china was appropriate. Without error Snake appeared to have remembered everything that Sebastian had taught him after they had returned from their recent, ill-fated, ocean trip.
"Baldroy how is it that after two months of service here Snake knows the layout of your kitchen better than you?"
Bard became even more flustered and his cigarette dropped from his lips as he began his response.
"HEY!"
Before continuing Sebastian raised a hand and cut him off, "That was a rhetorical tease, it requires no response Bard."
Furrowing his brow and crossing his arms Baldroy started pouting like a scolded child.
"Come here Baldroy, I believe I've repaired the worst of the cod."
Peering over Sebastian's shoulder Bard's jaw dropped as he saw what became of his previously charred side of fish.
"W-what? How'd ya bloody do that Sebastian!?"
The side of meat in the pan had been inexplicably transformed from a charred, dried out, husk, into a tantalizingly appealing cut of quality meat.
Turning to face Bard, Sebastian punctuated the action with an eerily calm smile.
"If I couldn't salvage a side of cod and rescue a simple luncheon, well… What kind of butler would I be?"