Chapter 11

Romance in the Mansion

"'Arriving in south New Orleans in four days – visit Blair's Continental Carnival,'" Phineas read aloud from the newspaper the next morning. "See a fire-eater from France, a medium from Montmartre, a snake-charmer from Siam…'"

"I bet it's al a bunch'a hooey," Ezra said dismissively. Everyone else at the table – Mary, George, Phineas, Gus – all looked up at him in surprise.

"Why would you say that?" George asked.

"Oh…well, you know carnival people. Probably try to con their way into getting what they want," Ezra said craftily.

George cleared his throat loudly. "Not unlike some people," he said, alluding as nonchalantly as he could.

"Quite frankly, young man," Ezra suddenly said in a stiff British accent, lowering his eyes and putting his fingertips together, "I haven't the faintest idea of what you're talking about,"

"Enough silly banter. It should be interesting," George said turning to Mary. She nodded silently in agreement.

"Will ya bring me a balloon?" Gus asked, full of innocence.

"Why?" George asked, surprised.

"Just b'cuz," the tiny man shrugged his shoulders. George could just roll his eyes.

A week later, George was acting almost suspiciously cheerful. His behavior was so unusual, in fact, that many of the servants he passed in the hallway turned to stare and watch him.

"Morning!" he said when he sat down to breakfast. Mary arched her eyebrows and looked up from her tea. Phineas stopped peeling his orange with his fingernails. Ezra just looked up.

"My, you're a cheerful ray of sunshine," Mary said in a tone dripping with cynicism.

"Good morning, mother!" George just said cheerfully. He took a peach and began slicing it.

"And is said knight off to win the hand of yon fair lady on this glorious summer day?" Ezra asked, tilting his head.

"Yes, actually," George said, ignoring the mockery.

Gus peeked his head up from over the edge of the table curiously, looked around and sniffed, and vanished again. Nobody seemed to notice.

After breakfast, George set out by carriage for the station, arriving just in time to meet the eleven o'four. Thankfully, the crowd was much thinner today, so he sifted through the crowds with ease to reach the platforms. People of all types strolled around him – wealthy old ladies with their henpecked husbands and maidservants, happy young newlyweds, collected-looking businessmen. Bits of sunshine filtered through the frosted glass of the roof, making some of the dull trains look almost shiny and new.

A very large and very long black train finally chugged into the station, giving a loud whistle as it came to a near stop. George's eyes darted, looking worriedly from car to car, anxiously looking for the young woman. After what felt like an eternity (though it was only a few minutes), a young woman with auburn hair gracefully stepped out of the third car, being helped out by some tall figure that'd preceded her. She looked around anxiously, as well, but smiled with relief when she saw the young man leaning against a pillar.

"Good morning, Mr. Gracey," she said once she'd reached him. She kissed him on both cheeks, acting fully aware her father was standing right behind her carrying her luggage. "I suppose I should introduce you to my father…Mr. Gracey, this Mr. Richard O'Malley; Mr. O'Malley, this is Mr. George Gracey, and…" she trailed off, mumbling a little.

George could just tell she was more nervous than she'd ever been; he could tell why. Her father was at least a half-head taller than himself, with not brown, but bright red hair jutting out from a black cap. His ruffled moustache almost buried his mouth, and his eyebrows couldn't hide his strict, chastising eyes.

He nodded politely and held his hand out. "Pleasure to meet you Mr. Gracey. My daughter's told me a lot about you."

George shook it hesitantly. "Really? Well, I wouldn't blame her." He pretended to brush his fingernails on his coat and admire them.

Mr. O'Malley chuckled. "Now, the reason I'm here: I think you're a very fine and upstanding young man, Mr. Gracey, but I want to be assured my daughter is in good hands. I don't want my daughter to be the subject of a scandal all over New Orleans."

George felt a little taken aback. "Mr. O'Malley, on my word as a gentleman, I swear I shall treat Ms. O'Malley with the utmost courtesy and respect. I t wouldn't even cross my mind to violate her or disrespect her. You have my word, sir."

There was a relative silence as Mr. O'Malley seemed to calculate this. "Oh, hell – I liked you the minute I saw you," he said, suddenly smiling warmly. "Yeah; I think my daughter's in good hands with you." He turned to her as if he'd just noticed she was standing next to them. "Good-day, Lilly." He embraced her tightly.

"Good-day, father," Lilly said, smiling as cheerfully as he was. "I'll write to you as soon as I can."

"Something to look forward to when I get back home," he said, taking out a small watch from his pocket. "Now, I have to hurry, or else I'll miss my train back!"

Lilly gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. He waved to the couple as he backed into the crowd and vanished. "He seems, uh…very kind," George said after searching for the right words.

"Oh, he can be," Lilly said with a half-smile. The couple navigated their way back toward the front doors, across the large courtyard and out toward George's carriage. He helped her in, handed the driver her luggage, and climbed in himself. Slowly, the carriage headed town the cobble street path back home.

Lilly brushed a little piece of hair out of her face and peered through the windows, watching the buildings, businesses and apartments flicker past. She turned to George, who sat next to her, and kissed him on the cheek.

"What was that for?" he asked, touching his cheek.

"Nothing," Lilly put her head on his shoulder. "I've always wanted to visit New Orleans, that's all. Father said we could, but…we never got the chance."

"I do hope you like it," George smiled. "There's so much I want to show you."

"Like those three fellows you told me about?" she asked wryly.

"Oh, of course. They're so excited to meet you. They were just begging me to let them come see you today."

"My. They sound like such gentlemen." She giggled.

After a while of silence, George finally said, "If I may ask…how is your father's circus doing?"

"Just fine. He was kind enough to take out my act, but he told me everyone would miss me terribly."

Well, at least you'll have terrific stories to tell them," George smirked.

Lilly laughed. "Yes, that's true."

Over the next three-quarters of an hour the couple talked about everything from the weather to the landscape to Lilly's shoes until a familiar white house loomed over some familiar green hills.

Lilly gasped. "Your house is…is so beautiful!"

"Yes; I suppose it is," George said, smiling.

Lilly turned to him and gave him her look. "Don't you ever just agree with me?" she asked chidingly.

"Hey! I respect your opinion as much as the next person!" George responded in the same manner.

"Yet, somehow, we're never able to see eye to eye on anything."

"You forget, my dear, that it's difference of opinion that makes this tiny world go 'round." Giving up, both of them laughed.

The carriage pulled up to the front steps and two familiar-looking figures jumped off the steps and bounded over to meet them. The carriage driver opened the door, acting indifferent to the over-eager tall figure peering over his shoulder.

"Hey there!" he exclaimed before George even had a foot out, his skeletal face quite frightening with a big grin on it.

"Uh…hello," George replied, a bit miffed. He helped Lilly out of the carriage as Ezra and Phineas stared in awe. They stared at her as if she was some kind of angel. Gus sat on the steps, sucking his thumb.

"Good-morning," said Lilly, looking rather frightened as Ezra got down on one knee and dramatically kissed her hand. The carriage driver handed George Lilly's luggage, tipped his hat and gave a polite "g'day, sir," before taking the carriage and horses back to the stables.

"Georgie!" Ezra exclaimed, "Did you know such a divine beauty has graced our presence on this glorious summer day?" He was still down on one knee, holding Lilly's hand as Phineas looked on.

George looked at him, and then at Lilly, who was giving a "save me!!" look. "Um, well…I certainly did!" he said. "And now I think I'll take this beauty inside." Lilly pried her hand and took George's offered arm.

"Um…good-day, Mr.…"

"Dobbins, madam," Ezra bowed flamboyantly, his wispy brown hair flying wildly. "Ezra Dobbins."

"A-and I'm Phineas Queeg!" Phineas interjected, "but you can just call me Phineas!"

"Very well, Mr. Queeg," Lilly nodded. George opened the front door and led Lilly inside.

"Ezra, would you mind carrying Ms. O'Malley's suitcases inside?" George asked. Ezra perked up.

"Certainly, sir!" he grabbed the two suitcases and hatbox and ran right inside.

"He's-he's strong coffee," George said almost apologetically. He followed Ezra through the next set of doors and into the hallway. Lilly's eyes lit up just as the Trio's had. She gasped, walking hurriedly down the hallway and glancing through each room. Suddenly, she turned back around and walked more reservedly back to the door.

George smiled. "What's wrong?"

Lilly blushed. "I'm not really used to being around such luxury; forgive me. This house is-is more lavish than I'm used to." George almost laughed, but reminded himself that Lilly had spent almost her whole life in a traveling circus and had never gotten a chance correlate herself with the South's upper-class society. Inside, she relished this opportunity.

"Well, here's your room," George finally said after what seemed like an endless hallway of doors. "I hope it's all right. Ms. Peterson should be able to help you if you have any trouble."

"With what?" Lilly asked.

"How should I know? You might need help with…lady-ish things."

Lilly laughed. "So polite!" She walked into the room; a little taken aback that this was "hers". The room had a large canopy bed branching out from the right wall with a hope chest at the foot. Ezra had already left her commodities on the chest. A large, square window, adorned with velvet drapes, took up most of the right window. A little birdcage, surrounded by some ferns, stood to one side, the little bird sleeping. There was a large closet opposite the bed, and next to that, a discreet-looking door.

"What do you think?" George asked, watching her examine the room.

"It's beautiful," she said, taking a seat in the chair next to the bed. "Thank you so much."

"I-I just hope you enjoy your stay," George shrugged, leaning against the doorway. "Now…um, I know this may not be the perfect time…but I was just wondering: do you want to go to a carnival on Saturday?"Stupid, stupid idiot! he screamed in his head. But Lilly just nodded benignly.

"Yes." She got up and went to her suitcases, beginning to take out dresses and put them in the closet.

"Well, that's…terrific!" said George excitedly. "I'll just call Ms. Peterson in to help you, then…" He started down the hallway.

"Will your friends be coming with us?" Lilly asked. He turned around.

"Who? Theo, Levi and Rustin?"

"No! Those wise guys downstairs."

George shrugged again. "I guess so, if they want to." His spirit began to sink. He'd hoped it would be just he and Lilly.

"All right, then. I was just wondering," she said, but there was a hint of wryness in the way she said it.

George tilted his head. He glanced around the room. "Oh; before I forget, could you please come downstairs later? I'd like you to meet my mother."

"All right. When I'm finished," Lilly told him. He just nodded, turned on his heel, and walked his fastest down the hallway to call for Ms. Peterson.

Mary sat, impatiently hemming, in the parlor. George sat next to her, avoiding drumming his fingers on his knee. He glanced at the tall grandfather clock – it had been nearly half an hour that Lilly had been in her room. He could tell his mother was shooting impatient glances at the hallway. Her son had only been in the room three minutes and he was already uncomfortable.

"She certainly takes her time," Mary muttered. There was a tiny knock on the doorway, and someone poked their head around the white molding. George sprang up from his seat, recognizing her at once. Mary looked up as well, setting the seemingly unshapely pile of fabric to her side.

"I'm sorry if I kept you too long," Lilly said. George took her hand and led her to the couch next to Mary.

"Of course not, dear," Mary said, waving the air dismissively.

"Mother, I'd like you to meet Lillian O'Malley; Lilly, this is my mother, Mrs. Mary Gilbert Gracey," said George. He was beginning to understand how uncomfortable Lilly had felt at the train station. Mary was already looking the young lady over with her disciplinary eye.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. O'Malley," Mary said a bit coldly. "My son has told me quite a bit about you."

Where have I heard this before? George thought. "I'm pleased to meet you as well, Mrs. Gracey," Lilly said graciously.

"Now, if you ladies will pardon my discourtesy, I'll leave you both to get more acquainted," George said, bowing out of the room. Both ladies nodded, acknowledging him as he left.

Just as he turned around, he heard Lilly say, "Oh, Mrs. Gracey, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's death…It must have been horrible for you!"

Mr. Later,

I regret to tell you, as well as Mr. Tation and Mr. Peece, that I will not be attending the Atencio Academy in the coming autumn due to my mother's wishes that I be tutored at home. I wish you all well, and will keep in contact as best I can. I will miss you all very, very much and I hope we shall meet again in the future.

--George Gracey, Jr.

George folded the piece of paper, addressed the envelope, collected the two other letters, and left his study. If he could, he decided, he'd mail them this afternoon when he and Lilly left for the carnival. Putting the letters in his breast pocket, he hurried down the spiral staircase at the end of the hall.

"Morning, early bird!" Ezra said from the long table as George entered the Dining Hall. He, Phineas and Gus were all sitting in a row, helping themselves to breakfast.

The young man looked at him questioningly. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Ezra took another spoonful of whatever he was eating. "We could all hear you pacing around this morning!" he said. "You workin' on something?"

"Er—sort of," said George, taking a seat opposite him. "But maybe I'm not up early. Maybe you're just a late sleeper."

The lanky man eyed the chandelier. "That is certainly a possibility, my friend. But, back to the conversation: what were you doing this morning that made you get up so early?"

"If you three have to know: I wrote some letters of apology to my friends from the university."

"You mean, the stickler, the tubby one and the sulky one?" Phineas asked.

"Apologize? Apologize for what?" Ezra asked.

"For not going back to school this fall."

"You skippin' school, boy?" Ezra asked in a faux-angry voice.

"Why not?" Gus asked.

"No, and my mother's organized private tutors for me so I could…take care of the house after she passes." George replied.

"Oh-h," all three of his counterparts said.

"Sometimes it feels like I have to go over everything twice with you three!" George exclaimed.

"Sorry; what was that?" Phineas asked, pretending to clean out his ear with his pinky.

George huffed and rolled his eyes. "Is Lilly awake yet?"

"Don't think so," Ezra said, looking preoccupied with his spoon. "But we haven't seen her come through yet."

"Ah, " George said. A maid came from the kitchen and put a plate of sole fillets in front of him. He gave her a quick smirk.

"So what're you two lovey-birds planning to do at the carnival today?" Phineas asked, leaning forward.

"W-ell…I was sort of hoping to visit the medium. That's what really interested me." George explained. "But we'll probably just look through some exhibits or whatever they have, I suppose."

"Like I said before, keep an eye out for those carnie folk," Ezra said, still admiring himself in his spoon. "They're a crafty lot."

"How? Do you know from experience?" George raised his eyebrow, smirking.

"Uh, no," Ezra looked around shiftily. "I-I just know these things." George glanced at Phineas, who looked almost as clueless as Gus did. Ezra suddenly looked very relaxed. "I have my ways."

"Uh…huh," George nodded slowly. He took a bite of his breakfast and shifted uneasily in his chair.

Later that morning, after everyone had had a chance to eat, George led Lilly out to the carriage yet again after double-checking the address. It wasn't too far from home – a couple of miles. And, as expected, it really wasn't that long of a carriage ride.

When the young couple arrived at the carnival, the air was practically buzzing. Young children as well as adults flocked from tent to booth to tent, taking in the many wonders, as advertised on the posters outside and the articles. The different voices advertising the different booths' little curios had melded into one constant roar of noise.

George suddenly noticed that Lilly had been squinting and shading her face with her arm. "What's wrong?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Oh…I forgot my bonnet in my room. I'm sorry," she said.

"It's all right," he said, smiling pitifully. "I'll buy you a parasol, if you'd like." He'd spied a small parasol stand on the way in.

Lilly smiled. "I'd like that very much. Thank you."

"Well, I don't want your fair skin getting burned."

Lilly blushed again. "You know, you're too gentlemanly sometimes."

George chuckled. He started heading toward the parasol stand, but stopped. Someone had been watching them from the nearest tent.

A/N: Hello again! I'm really sorry this one took so long, as usual…I've been going through a ton recently (and a lot of self-help). But I will hopefully update this sooner with the next chapter. As in, not six months later.

Anyway, thank you very much to all the wonderful reviews I've gotten. :) Criticism is welcome, as usual.

Also, sorry I couldn't come up with a better chapter title. :P