Thus, starting with a couple of meetings, Sir Niccals developed the habit of spending some of his nights in Miss Pot's bedroom, to the mutual pleasure of both. But time passed and Murdoc's vacation was coming to an end. Soon he had to go to the city in order to be in time at the beginning of the entrance tests.
Of course, everyone in the house knew about this, including Miss Pot, however, despite this, during the last meeting, neither she nor Murdoc discussed it. Between them, everything went the same as usual. Unless Murdoc, feeling overly sentimental, tried to be especially gentle and stayed a little longer than usual. But in the morning he went to his room, as it happened earlier.
The next day was Sunday. All household members were to attend church. Miss Pot, claiming to be sick, stayed at home. Murdoc, who had no particular liking for religious rituals, also stayed, preferring to prepare for his departure.
After lunch, he went in search of Miss Pot, and he found her in the servants' quarters.
"I need to talk to you," he said.
"I am listening to you," replied Miss Pot, looking at him affably.
"I want you to come with me," he said immediately and directly.
Stuart's face took on an expression of thoughtful puzzlement.
"I'm not insisting on anything," Murdoc continued cheerfully. "But the valet is leaving today, and it will look like you left with him. Nobody would even think that there could be anything else here. My brother will have a new governor by the end of the summer. You, of course, will find work in the house after that, but if you want to leave, no one will detain you. Now there is almost no one in the house, no one will see us. We can pack our things, take the train and be in the city in the evening. Mrs. Niccals will probably be outraged to learn that I left without saying goodbye, but she will handle it. I must also inform you I rented rooms that await us in the city. More modest than the mansion, but there is another separate bedroom. I'm not going to leave addresses, so none of my family will disturb us.
Stu said nothing to this, continuing to be thoughtful.
"It sounds like a gamble," Murdoc continued, "but I have to say that I love you, I'm not hiding it, and this is really important to me. And if you agree to go with me, it'll make me the happiest person in the world.
Having fully laid out his plan, Murdoc felt his breath twitch. If at the beginning of his speech it seemed to him that he was offering an excellent option, then, after finishing his speech, he suddenly felt how much the proposed by him, in fact, seemed to be a dubious undertaking.
"I ... Anyway, I invite you with me, as my friend," he muttered. "And I promise you will not owe me anything if something goes wrong..".
"Wait a little," Stu said. "I need to think."
"Yes," Murdoc said, shrugging his shoulders and growing nervous against his will. "I know, it's sudden ... I just suggested ... as an opportunity not to part ... If you have any feelings for me."
"I can tell you so," Stu said as if he hadn't heard Murdoc's final rhetoric. "You can go to the station," he decided. "I will stay here alone for a while, think it over carefully and decide what to do."
"But if you do decide to go," Murdoc said, smiling tightly, "I'd really like us to leave the house together."
"I understand that," Stuart agreed. "But I must still be alone to think."
Murdoc made an almost painful grimace.
"For some reason it seems to me that if I leave you, you'll change your mind," he said, trying to smile. "That you want to get rid of me this way."
"It's not," Stu said calmly. - I'll say something else. But please promise after that we will do as it should be done. How I ask you."
Murdoc threw up his hands, not knowing what else he could do.
"Okay," he said hopelessly.
"So," Stuart said carefully. "If I decide to change everything, I'll come for you at any time, in any place, and I'll find you, wherever you are. And if I decide to stay, then no matter what you do, I will still return."
"Those are very rash words," Murdoc said dryly. "But, in that case, I'll leave now, and you do as you please."
"Thank you," Stu said, ignoring Sir Niccals's annoyed tone. "And no matter how it ends, I believe you know how much you mean to me."
"Yes," Murdoc gasped skeptically. "I see it."
Saying that and listening to nothing more, Murdoc went to his room. He ordered to immediately transfer his things to the carriage in order to go to the station.
Arriving there earlier than he should have, he wandered aimlessly around the station, sighed, walking along the trees, listening to the rustle of branches, and, replaying the conversation with Stuart in his head over and over again, made a million assumptions about exactly he wanted to say and what his words might indicate which of the two options he leaned more towards. At first, every suggestion of Murdoc seemed justified to him, after which he remembered another part of the conversation and changed his mind to the opposite.
Time was running out, but Miss Pot didn't appear at the station. The train arrived. Murdoc reluctantly went about his things. He examined the station through the window all this time, went out to the platform again, came back again, and when the train was about to start, he looked out for the last time. The doors closed.
Murdoc tried to think about those words of Stuart, where he said he didn't want to get rid of his master at all and that he would find him if he saw fit. They were impudent, almost boorish words, but they held the hope of a reunion.
Frustrated, Murdoc made his way down the hallway to his compartment. He looked up and saw Stuart at the end of the train carriage. Frozen in place, Murdoc watched as he, trying to gently shake off the dust-stained sleeve, carried a small suitcase and looked around.
Finally, he spotted Murdoc and breathed a sigh of relief. Niccals threw off his torpor and went to meet them, they stopped near Murdoc's compartment.
"My ticket… Not to first grade," Pot said quietly, exhaling through his nose from the tension caused by carrying the suitcase. "Perhaps I should return to my place."
Murdoc opened the door to his compartment.
"Please," he said, looking at Stu with loving eyes.
"Thank you," he thanked. "I can do it on my own…" he murmured, noticing Murdoc trying to help with the suitcase. "I just… really… should I wait for the next station and get off the train or…"
He put his suitcase down on the sofa and began to straighten his hatband.
"Or do you still need me?" he finished his question.
"Like air," Murdoc said, not holding back the surging feelings of tender gratitude. "I almost believed that you wouldn't come."
"How could this have happened?.." asked Pot. "I needed to collect my thoughts and tell myself exactly what to do. But you are smarter than me, you should have been clear from the very beginning what conclusion I would come to. Could I refuse you?"
Murdoc shook his head, fascinated.
"No," he said.
Despite the fact that there was a touch of blatant flattery in what Stuart said, Murdoc was pleased with his words.
"You shouldn't have worried," Stuart added quietly. "Whatever it is, today is definitely a wonderful day.
"I will make tomorrow's wonderful too," Murdoc said.
A little embarrassed, Pot smiled.
"Well, where can I put my suitcase?.. Can I stay with you?" he caught himself.
Niccals, a little annoyed by convention, wrapped his arms around Stuart's waist and hugged him.
"I love you," he whispered, almost burying his nose in the brim of Stuart's hat.
"Apparently... I can," Stuart muttered, embarrassed.
"Apparently yes," Murdoc chuckled. - Yes, yes. Yes.
When it came time to check the tickets, Murdoc had to explain to the guide about Steuart's ticket and with the help of a small amount of money and the invention that Steuart was his cousin, the matter was settled.
"I think the person thought the wrong thing," Stuart remarked as the inspection conductor left.
"We'll never see him again," Murdoc said. "Let him think whatever."
Stuart shook his head vaguely. Out of habit, he asked permission to take off his hat and began to straighten his hair, styled into his hairstyle. Looking in the small mirror, he noticed Murdoc was looking at him intently.
"I still can't believe you're here," he admitted. "You look so adorable now. And you are here with me."
Lowering his eyelashes, Stuart paused and said:
"Just imagine what is going on inside me now."
"Tempest," Murdoc said.
"Indeed it is," Stuart said.
"Do you think I'm reckless? Spoiled, smug, perhaps?" Murdoc asked. "The dreamer who came up with this, arranged everything suddenly, without discussing it with you. I called you, almost made you follow me, promising ephemeral happiness, not backed by anything but my words.
"You give me food for thought I don't need," Stuart said. "This is my decision, and I'm a reckless person. At this moment, one look of yours is enough for me, not even supported by words. Moreover, not supported, because words can deceive, but not a glance."
"That was your secret plan," Murdoc said. "Confess."
"What to?.."
"To instill those ideals that are close to you."
"If I understood you correctly," Stuart said, "this plan was never secret. I was paid a salary for this work.
"Oh, lord," Murdoc chuckled. "How did I not notice all this in you before? I looked at you every day and didn't see your eyes. Just like I haven't seen how elegant your answers to seemingly simple questions can be."
"I'll reassure you in kind," said Pot. "Until you returned to the mansion, it never occurred to me that someday I'd look at you the way I do now. The thing is that you are there right now, this spring, and it just so happened that we saw each other."
"I think with horror what would have happened… Or rather, about what couldn't have happened if I had stayed in the city," Murdoc said.
"Your spring would have happened anyway," Pot said.
"No, if not for you, this year there would be no spring," - decided Murdoc.
He suddenly felt such delight at the realization of these words, not knowing where to throw it out, he exclaimed:
"Do you want some coffee? Let's go get some coffee?"
"I'd rather stay in the compartment if possible," Stuart smiled wearily.
"Okay, then I'll ask you to bring it here."
"Okay, okay," Stuart said, taking out his wallet.
"Please," Murdoc smiled, stopping him.
"I prefer to drink coffee at my own expense as long as I can afford it," Stuart said.
Murdoc realized that he would have to come to terms with that as well.
"As you wish," he said.
Some time later they arrived in the city, got to the apartment there, and when they entered, they were greeted by two people.
"Meet," Murdoc said. "This is our manager and cook. This is Miss Pot."
"Very nice," - barely breathing, shocked Stuart nodded, trying to keep his face. "I'm pleased to meet you. And what is my task? What will I need to do?.." he asked.
Murdoc was silent for a moment, then invited Stuart to come with him into the living room, leaving the people in the hallway.
"What do you want to do?" He asked as they entered the room.
"As far as you may know, I can cook, serve at the table, do the cleaning and take care of clothes," Stuart said slightly confused but clearly.
"You probably don't fully understand," Murdoc stopped him. "These are your servants now, you don't have to do the housework yourself. Well, unless you want it.
"Oh, fine," Stu said, trying to get it into his head.
Murdoc led him to a sofa in the center of the room and sat him down beside him.
"Finally, we're home," he said.
He glanced at Stuart.
"Are you alright?" He asked excitedly. "You suddenly turned so pale…"
"It's all right," Pot assured, trying in vain to calm down.
"I can see it's not alright," Murdoc said, gingerly grabbing his arm. "You are literally shaking. What's the matter?"
"I'm sorry… I just fully realized where I am," Stuart admitted. "I am in the city, I left the mansion and I will never be able to return there…"
"Take a deep breath," Murdoc recommended. "All right."
Stuart obediently inhaled, closing his eyes and exhaling slowly, touching his hand with trembling fingers.
"Until now, it seemed to me that this trip was no different from any other," he said. "But now I understand that it is not so."
"Look at me: I'm with you," Murdoc said in a calm voice.
"Yes. Yes…"
"Nothing bad happened," Murdoc continued.
"But I can go back," Stuart shuddered. - "I can still. Would you agree to let me go?"
"Of course, I agree. But would you like to try at least being here a little?.."
"I would… Oh no! If it's possible ... I wouldn't want to.
"Well, fine," Murdoc replied warily, not understanding what had happened and how he should deal with it.
"I have to go back to the station right now!" Stuart muttered in dismay. "Right now. If I leave this second, I will return to the mansion without anyone knowing about it. I will somehow explain my absence, I will think of something ... Will you let me go? Please. I want to go home. May I? I definitely need to get there. Otherwise, I will not be able to calm down.
"Of course…" Murdoc said, embarrassed. "Of course, if necessary. I'm not going to hold you against your will. You can leave at any time."
"Yes, I want to leave," Stuart repeated, almost jumping off the couch.
"Fine," Murdoc said, standing up behind him, holding his hand and trying to stroke his cheek. "Don't worry…"
"I'm sorry," Stuart muttered. "So sorry," he said, turning away from Murdoc's palm.
He hurried to the exit of the room, but paused, lost in thought, then looked back at the bewildered Sir Niccals as if he remembered something. Throwing the folds of his skirt over to the other side so that they did not interfere, he returned and, taking Murdoc's hand, neatly buttoned the cuffs of his shirt, which, as he just noticed, had inadvertently unbuttoned. As he did so, he dropped his tense shoulders.
"What happened to me just now?" He asked quietly, frightened by his own impulse.
"Anxiety, I think," Murdoc suggested. "Do you feel better?"
"Yes," Stu said. "So suddenly... But yes."
"Truth? Is it better? Do you need anything? Water?"
"No," Pot shook his head. "Everything really seems to be in order."
"And you, perhaps, will stay?" Murdoc asked with timid hope.
"By your leave," Stuart nodded. "Yes. Of course I will stay. It was a momentary weakness. I didn't feel like myself, but everything passed in an instant. If you decide to let me stay, we will forget about it."
"Lately, it seems to me that I'm not making much of a decision here," Murdoc said. "But I like it."
Stuart looked down at the floor, accepting this gentle rebuke and maintaining a state of affairs in which Sir Niccals could not control him.
"I promise it won't happen again," Stuart said.
"I don't accept any promises," Murdoc said softly. "Please, be yourself and don't be ashamed of your feelings. I am learning to understand you little by little."
"Understand me?"
"If you hadn't come with me, nothing would have changed on my part," Murdoc said. "I would think about you, I knew you are far away and waiting for me, it means that we both exist. I brought you here because it will be more comfortable for both of us. Not to condemn you to hopeless love without a way out."
"You said it beautiful," Stuart said.
"I told you your own words," Murdoc reminded him.
"Retelling it much more beautifully than I could have."
"Your one true word is worth a billion of my beautiful ones," said Sir Niccals reverently. "However, I probably got carried away. You need to rest, do things and stuff, but I keep holding you back."
"You're my main interest," Stuart said. "Things are just things."
"But nevertheless…" Murdoc said. "You need to... change clothes? Or…"
"Oh, yes, if the conversation is over, of course I'll take care of it."
"I'm not trying to chase you away," Niccals muttered. "I just don't want to sound too annoying."
"You don't," Stuart said. - Can I go?"
"Yes…"
Stuart paused for a moment.
"No one will come in here, will they?"
"No, it's ours…" Murdoc began.
Pot silenced him by kissing him on the lips. He drew back and said softly:
"I'll leave you, sir."
Murdoc nodded, letting Miss Pot go into her room and exhaled as she left the living room. Things didn't go as smoothly and serenely as he had imagined, but Murdoc found considerable comfort in the thought that in that moment he had achieved each of his goals.