The journey back to Harker Hall was cold and long. On the second day, it began to snow, slowing their journey. Lord Pembridge did not speak to Mai once. She had used the paper wrapping to fashion a dust jacket for the book Berkeley had given her so that she could read it on the journey without Lord Pembridge knowing what it was — not that the cover gave much detail anyway. That did not stop him glaring at it every now and then.
Harker Hall was a sight to behold when covered in snow. Mai gasped audibly and mumbled about its beauty to herself.
They were greeted by Lin and the footmen, all dressed in black.
"Where are their uniforms…?" Mai asked as her companion helped her down from the carriage.
"Something has happened," Lord Pembridge stated. He strode forward and called out, "Why are these men not in uniform, Lin? What has happened?"
"Perhaps you should come inside, my Lord."
A cold wind caused Mai to shiver.
Lord Pembridge and Lin disappeared as soon as they entered the house. Madoka met Mai and led her away.
"What has happened, Miss Mori? Why is everyone—"
"Come, let's get you to your quarters. The men will bring in the luggage."
"Miss Mori, what—"
"Not here, my Lady. Please, let's go somewhere more private. Dinner will be brought to us."
Mai frowned, but complied with Madoka's wishes. Once in her rooms, Mai deposited her book and turned to Madoka once more.
"One of the maids has died."
"Oh."
"Her name was Honora Jones, I think you knew her as—"
"Nora? But how?"
"Mr Lin told us that she went into the West Wing. I think something crushed her. They covered her body but I saw more than I ought to have done; she did not look in a good way."
Mai sat and put her head in her hands.
"Why did she go in there?"
"No one knows. It was at night."
"Why was the Wing not locked?"
"It was," Madoka said, "that is why Mr Lin is so angry. She must have stolen his keys to get in there. He was the only one with keys apart from Lord Pembridge."
"Oh and to think I have been having a delightful time in London."
"It only happened a few days ago, hence why no letter was written."
Dinner was brought to them, and though they ate, neither felt much like talking further.
"When is the funeral?"
"Tomorrow."
"I am going to attend."
"Lady Astley, you ought not to go. It is not proper—"
"I will pay my respects. I will not embarrass anyone with my attendance."
Madoka argued no further. She bid Mai goodnight and left.
Mai readied for bed and curled up under the blankets with the book. She held it, but had no wish to read. In the light of Nora's death, the book of mythical creatures was no longer the object of fun it had been.
She could not bring herself to sleep. She knew that somewhere in the house, Nora's body would be resting, laid out for mourners. Who washed the body, she wondered. Did Lin call for an undertaker? Did a mere maid deserve such a thing?
Who watched the body now?
Madoka had described the body as not in a good way...
Knowing that her actions would only draw Lord Pembridge's ire, she climbed out of bed and pulled a dressing gown around her body. She lit a candle and left her bedchamber.
The most obvious place to Mai for them to have placed the body would be the empty Housekeeper's quarters. She tiptoed down the stairs and towards the servant's quarters.
She had guessed correctly.
Nora lay bound in white cloth, only her face visible. Mai presumed this had been done to hide any visible damage to her body.
"What are you doing here?"
Mai jumped and clutched at her chest. Lord Pembridge sat in the corner, dressed only in a shirt and trousers. His skin was paler than it had been while in London, though, Mai supposed, it may be due to the limited light.
"I wanted to pay my respects."
"In your night things?"
"I could not sleep. I could not wait until the morrow. I did not think anyone would be here."
"Someone always remains with the body, until it is buried."
"Yes, Miss Mori told me the funeral is tomorrow. I will attend."
Surprisingly, Lord Pembridge did not argue.
"Miss Mori implied she had been crushed by something?"
"No one knows for sure. Mr Lin woke to find his keys missing and the door open. He alone found her and pulled her out. He was so distraught that he found his memories confused."
"He is well?"
"As well as can be expected."
"Why are you here?" she asked him.
"Someone always remains with the body until it is buried."
"No, but why you? Why not her family or one of the servants?"
"Her family is gone and the servants have been taking turns for days. This is my household. I am responsible."
"This is penance for you?"
"A chance to reflect. Did you know her?"
"A little. She is the one that helped me when you fell ill. She was one of the few maids I recognised and knew the name of… I struggle with a fair few, I am sure their mothers conspired to call them all Mary or Jane or the like."
"Yes, and half of the stable boys are all called James or John."
"I will do better. I will learn them all."
They remained in silence for some time.
"You ought to sleep," Lord Pembridge said eventually. "It is late."
"And you? Will you sleep?"
"After the funeral, perhaps."
Mai turned to leave, but paused.
"Why… Why were you so upset by Berkeley giving me a book?"
"I had had thoughts of… It is of no matter now. Nothing can become of it. If you value your friendship with him, then by all means accept his gifts. Goodnight, Lady Astley."
"Goodnight, Lord Pembridge."
Lord Pembridge never failed to be cryptic with me. What had he had thoughts of? And why was it no longer a matter now? Why would nothing come of it, whatever it may have been?
Nora's funeral was a solemn affair. Though many of the servants had taken to drink, they did not voice their woes. Lord Pembridge gave them all the rest of the day off, bar the cooking staff, who were to provide the simplest meals so that they may also rest.
Mr Brown was especially kind after the service. He offered company and while I had thought of accepting it, I am glad I did not. We returned to Harker Hall in the freshly lain snow. He would have struggled to make the return journey.
I remember thinking that I would take efforts to visit him once the weather was more suitable for travel. Only, by the time the roads were cleared, visiting was the least of my worries…
The week before Christmas saw life at Harker Hall slowly return to normal. One or two of the maids were prone to bursting into noisy tears at any given moment, but as they were only ever seen by Mai — and no guests — she forgave them their emotion and bid them to take the day off. It was not as if the household would fall apart with fewer maids for a couple of days. If Lin knew of her actions, he did not protest it.
The night before the Sakauchi's ball found Mai sat by the fire in her room, once again perusing Berkeley's book. The passage she read went as follows:
The hydra was a fearsome beast, a snake-like being with many heads. The magic imbued in its veins allows two heads to grow for everyone one slain from its body.
"Lady Astley? It is late?"
Mai looked up.
"Miss Mori, I am sorry. You are excused."
"Thank you, goodnight."
Mai yawned and closed her book. She made to close the curtains, but—
"There is a light! Miss Mori!"
Madoka's head poked around the door.
"Yes, my Lady?"
"Come here, do you see it?"
"What?"
Mai pointed.
"There is light on the other side of the house."
Mai stepped aside so that Madoka could look.
"I do not see anything, my Lady? Perhaps a trick of the light. The fire reflecting upon the glass?"
"What? But I saw it!" Mai looked again, but sure enough, the West Wing was devoid of life.
"It is late, you are tired."
"Yes… Yes, of course. I am sorry. Goodnight."
Mai did not sleep straight away. She remained by the window, watching and waiting. And yet, as she found she could not keep her eyes open another second, something waved to her as sleep took her.
Author's note: I was back at work today after the holidays and let me tell you, 6am starts are not fun after several weeks of late nights and even later mornings... Hope the new year is going well for you all and thank you all so much for your reviews :)