The horses seemed to gallop towards Jekyll manor, for Lucy was jostled about inside the large carriage. What could he possibly be wanting from her?
There was only one thing she knew that she could give to a man; it lay between her legs. She had grown to believe it was the only thing she had to offer. Her self worth was the size of a mustard seed. Was that what Henry Jekyll wanted from her?
There was something about him which disquieted her. He did seem to have his own demons, but what bothered her was how she felt around him. When she was in Dr. Jekyll's company, she almost felt as if she was being courted. He treated her with such kindness, and did not ask anything in return. It was very foreign to her to not owe someone something. And there was something more. There was an attraction between them. She could tell he felt it too. They were both very drawn to the other, sexually, for whatever reason, but it was there. She could almost watch Henry's conscience displayed on his face when he kissed her. She could tell he wanted her, but also wanted to do the gentlemanly thing. He was conflicted, in that sense. Like two separate persons.
He was engaged, she knew that much. Could he need her to satiate his desires? Was that it? He couldn't touch his fiancé, but he could not give up the flesh?
She chided herself for thinking these thoughts, for deep down she somehow knew he was not calling on her for her womanly favours, but for something else. Perhaps she wanted him to have called her for those reasons, but she did not believe so.
The carriage came to an abrupt stop, and Jekyll's man reached out a hand for her, guiding her gently from the carriage. Lucy looked up at the massive structure again.
'I wonder what will happen inside this time…', she thought.
She had barely lifted the heavy knocker when she was again greeted by the face of his manservant. Poole was his name, she thought she remembered.
"Right this way, miss. Doctor Jekyll is urgently awaiting you."
The man had a quickness in his step which had not been present the other day. Lucy took note, and followed just as quickly. She was again led into the same study. As she crossed the threshold of the room, she suppressed a shiver. This is where Jekyll had assaulted her the other day. She did not have time to dwell on it, for she heard a voice from behind her.
"Lucy-," he spoke, in that deep voice she adored.
Lucy turned slowly, almost afraid that she would see him angry and cruel. Instead, his face looked tired, and perhaps a bit sad.
"Miss Lucy….do sit down."
Henry strode to the wheeled service table Poole must have brought earlier. "Tea," he asked.
Lucy smiled weakly. "Yes, please."
Henry set about to make the tea, adding extra sugar. "Lucy, first and foremost, I want to offer you my sincerest apologies for our last meeting. I want to explain-,"
"You don't 'ave to explain, 'enry. I'm used to it," she said, looking at the floor.
He continued. "No, that's just it, Lucy." He turned, deep in thought, as if he were trying to find words.
"Lucy, I have been conducting the most groundbreaking experiments lately, and have had to resort to using additional help."
She made a movement to speak but he held up a hand, silencing her.
"Please let me get through this; it is most difficult. I have tried to differentiate the good from the evil in a man, but I fear I have tampered with a force I cannot control."
He walked away from her, to the fireplace where he rested his hand on the mantel. "Edward Hyde, who gave you those bruises, he….he is a colleague of mine….a….partner of sorts."
Henry looked at her, trying to gauge her reaction.
"Lucy, I need someone here I can trust. I need someone to acquire certain medical supplies, and be a sort of laboratory assistant, if you will."
"What about Mr. Hyde?"
"That's just it, Lucy. He comes and goes of his own these days, and I need someone far more reliable. I am offering you sixty pence a week for your services. In addition, you will take your meals here, and you will board here. Please consider it quickly; I feel like I am losing precious time."
She thought about it, then spoke. "And what of Mr. Hyde? I have to tell ya, I don't wan'ta run into him ever again, Doctor Jekyll."
He considered her response, then spoke. "I wish I could promise you that, Lucy, but I cannot. I can try my best to keep him away from you. I promise to try the best I can."
"An' what of my duties? What exactly will those be?"
"Well, the most demanding would be the travel to and from town to obtain supplies; other than that, helping keep the laboratory clean and organized, and assisting me, when necessary in the experiments themselves."
He looked at her, then added, "they will be long days, I will not lie to you about that. But, it would perhaps afford you to pursue….other options in your life."
Her cheeks blushed as she looked at the floor. The silence was unbearably uncomfortable. He knew it. He knew she did what she did with all those men. She herself tried to forget a hundred times, but it never worked. She would always remember.
Henry spoke softly, as if reading her thoughts. "Lucy, I know that it wasn't your choice. I do not presume to judge you. I know you weren't granted a choice of your own."
He had understood. She felt almost….forgiven. He was not judging her. He knew that she didn't want to….all the time.
What she wanted to do was cry. She wanted to run into his arms and cry and tell him how she was forced. Tell him how she detested the men that lay between her legs. She wanted to sob and have him kiss her tears away. She wanted so much, and she feared she never would have it.
She also spoke, her voice no more than a whisper. "Thank you, Doctor Jekyll. I will accept your offer of employment, and start immediately."
She looked up at him, but he was beaming. He seemed to move about the room with a bounce in his step.
"Oh, Lucy, thank you so much! We will be a wonderful team, you and I! Oh, now you must go up to your room and get situated!"
"But, I have no clothes…I didn't bring nothin' with me."
He turned towards her. "Then, you shall buy some new clothes!"
She began to protest, but he held up his hand. "I insist, Lucy. Consider it a sign-on bonus!"
He laughed, and the corners of his eyes crinkled.
"Now, you must go, but please return for supper, we have much work to do this evening."
She turned, ready to run out the door and jump for joy. Remembering something, she turned back to him.
"Thank you, Doctor Jekyll. For everything."
