"Cain, wonderful news!" Merryweather bound into the room to grab her
brother's hand, "Riff took me to town, to go shopping, and I overheard two
whores gossiping about rumors of murder!"
Cain stared at his sister, and then his butler. His eye twitched slightly. In a deadly quiet voice, he asked, "Exactly what kind of stores were you taking her to. Riff?" The valet winced at his master's tone. "And you, Merry," Cain continued. "What influence could have possibly taught you such foul, inappropriate language?"
Merry blinked at her brother, and his incomprehensible behavior. "Improper? Brother, you can be so silly sometimes! Mother and I used to tell them all their fortunes, to pass the time when there were no customers around." The little girl frowned, "I always feel sorry for them. They have such sad lives. I remember, mother used to change her readings, so they would always have happy fortunes. At least the two we saw today seemed perfectly happy!"
Cain sighed, "Well then. Merry, why don't we leave the gossip for dinner, and right now you can go get what you bought, and show it to me. Since you had to go all over town to find it."
Disappointment at being forced to delay her news warred with the need to show off her new posessions. She thought briefly about arguing with her brother's plan, but the large, pink box left forgotten in the entry called her name, and Merryweather quickly bounced out the room to rescue it.
Barely had the door swung shut, than Riff moved to apologize, "Sir Cain, I am deeply sorry for my error. Miss Merryweather was most insistant on visiting this particular store, and I am afraid I let her enthusiasm overwhelm my sense of judgment. Not that the area around the town was really bad. I would never take her near someplace like that. The street was merely a little questionable, and I must admit I turned a blind eye, to keep Miss Merryweather happy. However, that is no excuse, and I leave myself open to whatever punishment you see fit, Master Cain," he stood, head bowed down, braced for whatever his master would say.
Cain said nothing. After a few moments, the valet lifted his head, and caught sight of his Count, sitting with his hands pressed firmly over his mouth, his hair framing the merriment in his eyes. Utterly confused by Cain's sudden shift in mood, which left him expressing more emotion in the last minute than Riff had seen since their return from the countryside. At the look on his friend's face, Cain couldn't hold in his laughter any longer.
"My dear Riff. How could I ever hope to be worthy of a servant like you? Please, stop worrying. I am sure that Merryweather will survive this experience just fine. She just... surprised me, that's all."
The butler relaxed visibly, and even smiled, "No, Sir. How could I ever be worthy of serving one such as you."
Gold-green eyes darkened slightly, "Riff..."
"Brother! What do you think? Isn't it beautiful? I can wear it to the party at the Mansfield home next week!" Merryweather had returned, and pirouetted, showing off her new dress as her brother looked over.
Cain's eyes widened, "How do you know about that?"
"Oh! Riff told me, while we were out."
The valet raised a hand to his face guiltily, "It was a slip of the tongue, sir."
"I'm sure," Cain replied dryly. "And Merry, are you positive you want to go to this. It will be very dull. We could stay home, play cards or something. Did I ever teach you piquet?"(1)
Merryweather shot a look to her brother, "No. But I think it'll be more fun if we get out of the house for once. Besides, I thought you didn't like playing cards."
The siblings stared at each other, until Cain finally gave in, "Very well. I suppose we could go for one evening."
Later, when Riff went to inform the Hargreaves siblings of their dinner being ready, he found Merryweather still in her room, idly fingering some of the ribbons and trinkets before her, looking utterly miserable. Upon the sight of the valet, the girl's eyes grew even more meloncholy, and her lower lip began to tremble. Worried, Riff inquired if there was anything troubling her.
Merryweather sniffed, and ran across the room to cling to the tall man. Burying her face in his coat, she snuffled, "Riff, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I'm such a bad girl."
This sudden apology took the butler by complete surprise, "What on earth do you mean? You were perfectly behaved today, Miss Merry."
"No, no!" she pulled away to look earnestly into confused blue eyes, "I'm a bad girl, because today, when brother got mad at you, and it was really all my fault, it made me happy. I was so happy I didn't try to stop him or anything."
The depth of the girl's worry was touching, both in regard to her transgression against Riff, and for her brother, who had been unnaturally reserved and emotionless since their return from the countryside. Seeing an obvious mirror to his own fears in Merryweather's troubled eyes, Riff tried to calm the girl, "It is truly okay, Miss Merry. You have no need to worry at all. Master Cain's anger made me happy, too. It has been too long since Master Cain showed such emotion, don't you agree?" Especially in my presence. The thought surfaced so suddenly it shocked the stoic butler. He tried to shake it off as quickly as he could, naming it the accidental result of the stress which his constant worry must have unknowingly placed on his own mind. "And so, Miss Merry, please do not allow such thoughts to trouble you anymore, for they certainly do not trouble me."
The girl beamed, "Okay! Thank-you, Riff!" Fears allayed, Merryweather moved her focus to the news of dinner, and energetically grabbed Riff's hand, pulling him out the door and towards the dining room.
Dinner was relatively simple, as the siblings found only a soup and roasted chicken placed upon the table. As she buttered a bun, Merryweather began to apply to Riff in hopes of cajoling a promise of his scones, in recompense for the small meal. The butler merely smiled, and assured her they would see, as he suruptitiously slipped some vegetables onto the girl's plate.
In an effort to head off the imminent complaints upon the newest addition to her meal, Cain asked, "Now, Merry, it's dinnertime. What is this rumor of murder you overheard?"
Eyes widened as Merryweather remembered her news, "Oh, yes! I'm sorry that I forgot for a moment. Well, we overheard the... women discussing how lately people had been disappearing. As of yet, none of the victims have been anyone of consequence, so the newspapers and police have taken no notice, yet."
"I thought you said it was gossip of murder, not a few women disappearing," Cain reminded his sister gently.
Merry huffed, "I was getting there. And it's men, not women, so far. And it turns out that one of the women had been staying in this certain inn, and just that morning there was a body found there, in a closet, and you'll never guess who it was!" too excited to give anyone even a chance, she rushed on, "it was the body of the first man, who went missing almost a full week ago."
Cain had stopped eating completely, "And so, there is no link between the missing men at all?"
"Just that none of them have been of much social importance. Oh!" Merryweather suddenly brightened as she remembered, "and they were all last seen as they left some pub or other..."
The Count smiled as he returned once more to the meal before him. "Well, I do believe I shall go visit that store tomorrow. Perhaps those women shall once again be there. You know, Merry, I think this may be the best shopping trip you have ever had." His sister looked over to her friend and smiled, silently joining in celebration of the animation which had so long been missing from her brother's movements. "Oh, and Riff," Cain continued, oblivious, "this meal is truly excellent. Could you please remind me to compliment the cook?"
Riff bowed his head to obscure the flush which creeped across his cheeks, "Actually, Sir Cain, Cook Hastings was forced to take a leave of absence this afternoon. Her daughter had just given birth to her first grandchild."
"Really? then where did this wonderful meal come from?"
"Ah, well Sir. I prepared this, after returning with Miss Merry this afternoon."
Cain looked at his butler incredulously, and blurted, "Oh, Riff! Whatever would I do without you?"
A small smile, "As I intend never to leave Sir, we shall never be forced to discover."
Cain smiled faintly and turned back to his plate. However, he passed the rest of the meal in a troubled silence.
After dinner, Merryweather surprised everyone as she declared herself exhausted from the day's activities, and that she wanted to withdraw for bed as soon as possible. In the silent room she left behind her, Cain sat staring pensivly into the fire, while Riff began to prepare his master's tea.
As his servant was about to remove himself to the kitchen, to boil the water, Cain spoke, "That won't be necessary tonight, Riff."
Surprised, Riff ventured to question his master, "I'm sorry, sir? You do not wish for your evening tea?"
"You are to have the night off. And do not worry, I am sure I shall manage to pour my own tea for once."
Riff's brow creased in confusion, "Off, sir? I'm afraid I don't understand."
"It's not that complicated, dear Riff. Tonight we Hargreaves are not your concern. Pay a visit to an old friend. Meet someone new. Whatever you wish." Seeing him about to protest, Cain quickly continued, "Really, Riff. It's far past time for you to have some time that is your own. All the other staff take a day, or evening out of every week where they do as they please. You should too." His face darkened, "After all, your life cannot possibly be complete babysitting a worthless fool such as myself."
"Sir! How could you say such a thing? It has always been my greatest pleasure to serve you. You are my world."
Cain's fists tightened. "No, Riff! I will not accept that. I don't deserve that. I could never live with myself... knowingly, selfishly stealing what future you may have, as I did the past," he stood, and drew himself to his full height. "Riff, from now on you will take time off every week. I am still to selfish to be capable of offering you a return to medicine... but I cannot allow myself keeping everything from you."
Struck dumb by his master's impassioned speech, Riff could only stand, unable to alleviate the misery which radiated from the count.
Cain took a deep breath, and finally looked up from the fire to face his silent companion, and tried to smile, "This will be good for you. Maybe you'll even meet a girl... fall in love," he sighed. "Now go. I won't let you tell me you'd rather spend your evening here, or anything like that."
Riff bowed his head, unable to argue his master's wishes, "As you wish." Nothing like that would ever happen, his traitorous mind continued on, this house has become my world, you have become my world, and I can imagine no woman, no matter how perfect, could hope to change that.
Cain sat once more, staring into the fire, not looking up as Riff moved to the door. Not looking up as he left the study. Not listening to the retreating footsteps. Not listening to the rustle of cloth as Riff was undoubtably pulling on his coat. Not listening as the dorr creaked open, ash his friend slipped out into the world.
Cain sat. Not looking, not listening, trying desperatly not to think. He merely sat, chin resting in his cupped palm, cursed eyes gazing into the fire. Trying to lose himself int he shifting, glowing dance before him.
The room had grown cold. Cain became aware of this gradually. The fire before him was nothing more than a small collection of embers, barely retaining any colour, cold and dying. Cain han't moved. Still not listening, still fighting against any thought. He wasn't thinking about the time, or the light which was creeping through the window. He wasn't thinking about the other entrances to the house, which were certainly beyond his hearing. He certainly wasn't worrying.
As the last tiny ember darkened to black, Cain stood up. Seeing folly in attempting sleep, the young Count Hargreaves moved to his poisions, deciding to occupy his mind and hands until the household awoke, as he didn't wait for sign of his friend's return.
~*~*~*~*~
A/N: um.. well, what do you think..? ;_; I'm very sorry this wasn't up earlier... but my computer spontaneously, well, decided to be a brat. But all is good now, and I want to get the next chapter out... after I sleep... mmm.. sleep. Oh! in case you didn't catch it, this is set between volumes 5 and 6 of the manga (since I've now read all that Sakura-Crisis has scanned, and it seemed like a good place. whee!). And most importantly of all, I want to thank all you reveiweres! ^.^ you put me in the wonderfully good mood that got me all inspired about the plot and sitting down to write!
footeynote: (1) "A card game played by two persons with a pack of thirty-two cards." Or so the footnote in Pride and Prejudice tells me. *^.^* it's an authentic victorian card game! I'm too easily amused...
Cain stared at his sister, and then his butler. His eye twitched slightly. In a deadly quiet voice, he asked, "Exactly what kind of stores were you taking her to. Riff?" The valet winced at his master's tone. "And you, Merry," Cain continued. "What influence could have possibly taught you such foul, inappropriate language?"
Merry blinked at her brother, and his incomprehensible behavior. "Improper? Brother, you can be so silly sometimes! Mother and I used to tell them all their fortunes, to pass the time when there were no customers around." The little girl frowned, "I always feel sorry for them. They have such sad lives. I remember, mother used to change her readings, so they would always have happy fortunes. At least the two we saw today seemed perfectly happy!"
Cain sighed, "Well then. Merry, why don't we leave the gossip for dinner, and right now you can go get what you bought, and show it to me. Since you had to go all over town to find it."
Disappointment at being forced to delay her news warred with the need to show off her new posessions. She thought briefly about arguing with her brother's plan, but the large, pink box left forgotten in the entry called her name, and Merryweather quickly bounced out the room to rescue it.
Barely had the door swung shut, than Riff moved to apologize, "Sir Cain, I am deeply sorry for my error. Miss Merryweather was most insistant on visiting this particular store, and I am afraid I let her enthusiasm overwhelm my sense of judgment. Not that the area around the town was really bad. I would never take her near someplace like that. The street was merely a little questionable, and I must admit I turned a blind eye, to keep Miss Merryweather happy. However, that is no excuse, and I leave myself open to whatever punishment you see fit, Master Cain," he stood, head bowed down, braced for whatever his master would say.
Cain said nothing. After a few moments, the valet lifted his head, and caught sight of his Count, sitting with his hands pressed firmly over his mouth, his hair framing the merriment in his eyes. Utterly confused by Cain's sudden shift in mood, which left him expressing more emotion in the last minute than Riff had seen since their return from the countryside. At the look on his friend's face, Cain couldn't hold in his laughter any longer.
"My dear Riff. How could I ever hope to be worthy of a servant like you? Please, stop worrying. I am sure that Merryweather will survive this experience just fine. She just... surprised me, that's all."
The butler relaxed visibly, and even smiled, "No, Sir. How could I ever be worthy of serving one such as you."
Gold-green eyes darkened slightly, "Riff..."
"Brother! What do you think? Isn't it beautiful? I can wear it to the party at the Mansfield home next week!" Merryweather had returned, and pirouetted, showing off her new dress as her brother looked over.
Cain's eyes widened, "How do you know about that?"
"Oh! Riff told me, while we were out."
The valet raised a hand to his face guiltily, "It was a slip of the tongue, sir."
"I'm sure," Cain replied dryly. "And Merry, are you positive you want to go to this. It will be very dull. We could stay home, play cards or something. Did I ever teach you piquet?"(1)
Merryweather shot a look to her brother, "No. But I think it'll be more fun if we get out of the house for once. Besides, I thought you didn't like playing cards."
The siblings stared at each other, until Cain finally gave in, "Very well. I suppose we could go for one evening."
Later, when Riff went to inform the Hargreaves siblings of their dinner being ready, he found Merryweather still in her room, idly fingering some of the ribbons and trinkets before her, looking utterly miserable. Upon the sight of the valet, the girl's eyes grew even more meloncholy, and her lower lip began to tremble. Worried, Riff inquired if there was anything troubling her.
Merryweather sniffed, and ran across the room to cling to the tall man. Burying her face in his coat, she snuffled, "Riff, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I'm such a bad girl."
This sudden apology took the butler by complete surprise, "What on earth do you mean? You were perfectly behaved today, Miss Merry."
"No, no!" she pulled away to look earnestly into confused blue eyes, "I'm a bad girl, because today, when brother got mad at you, and it was really all my fault, it made me happy. I was so happy I didn't try to stop him or anything."
The depth of the girl's worry was touching, both in regard to her transgression against Riff, and for her brother, who had been unnaturally reserved and emotionless since their return from the countryside. Seeing an obvious mirror to his own fears in Merryweather's troubled eyes, Riff tried to calm the girl, "It is truly okay, Miss Merry. You have no need to worry at all. Master Cain's anger made me happy, too. It has been too long since Master Cain showed such emotion, don't you agree?" Especially in my presence. The thought surfaced so suddenly it shocked the stoic butler. He tried to shake it off as quickly as he could, naming it the accidental result of the stress which his constant worry must have unknowingly placed on his own mind. "And so, Miss Merry, please do not allow such thoughts to trouble you anymore, for they certainly do not trouble me."
The girl beamed, "Okay! Thank-you, Riff!" Fears allayed, Merryweather moved her focus to the news of dinner, and energetically grabbed Riff's hand, pulling him out the door and towards the dining room.
Dinner was relatively simple, as the siblings found only a soup and roasted chicken placed upon the table. As she buttered a bun, Merryweather began to apply to Riff in hopes of cajoling a promise of his scones, in recompense for the small meal. The butler merely smiled, and assured her they would see, as he suruptitiously slipped some vegetables onto the girl's plate.
In an effort to head off the imminent complaints upon the newest addition to her meal, Cain asked, "Now, Merry, it's dinnertime. What is this rumor of murder you overheard?"
Eyes widened as Merryweather remembered her news, "Oh, yes! I'm sorry that I forgot for a moment. Well, we overheard the... women discussing how lately people had been disappearing. As of yet, none of the victims have been anyone of consequence, so the newspapers and police have taken no notice, yet."
"I thought you said it was gossip of murder, not a few women disappearing," Cain reminded his sister gently.
Merry huffed, "I was getting there. And it's men, not women, so far. And it turns out that one of the women had been staying in this certain inn, and just that morning there was a body found there, in a closet, and you'll never guess who it was!" too excited to give anyone even a chance, she rushed on, "it was the body of the first man, who went missing almost a full week ago."
Cain had stopped eating completely, "And so, there is no link between the missing men at all?"
"Just that none of them have been of much social importance. Oh!" Merryweather suddenly brightened as she remembered, "and they were all last seen as they left some pub or other..."
The Count smiled as he returned once more to the meal before him. "Well, I do believe I shall go visit that store tomorrow. Perhaps those women shall once again be there. You know, Merry, I think this may be the best shopping trip you have ever had." His sister looked over to her friend and smiled, silently joining in celebration of the animation which had so long been missing from her brother's movements. "Oh, and Riff," Cain continued, oblivious, "this meal is truly excellent. Could you please remind me to compliment the cook?"
Riff bowed his head to obscure the flush which creeped across his cheeks, "Actually, Sir Cain, Cook Hastings was forced to take a leave of absence this afternoon. Her daughter had just given birth to her first grandchild."
"Really? then where did this wonderful meal come from?"
"Ah, well Sir. I prepared this, after returning with Miss Merry this afternoon."
Cain looked at his butler incredulously, and blurted, "Oh, Riff! Whatever would I do without you?"
A small smile, "As I intend never to leave Sir, we shall never be forced to discover."
Cain smiled faintly and turned back to his plate. However, he passed the rest of the meal in a troubled silence.
After dinner, Merryweather surprised everyone as she declared herself exhausted from the day's activities, and that she wanted to withdraw for bed as soon as possible. In the silent room she left behind her, Cain sat staring pensivly into the fire, while Riff began to prepare his master's tea.
As his servant was about to remove himself to the kitchen, to boil the water, Cain spoke, "That won't be necessary tonight, Riff."
Surprised, Riff ventured to question his master, "I'm sorry, sir? You do not wish for your evening tea?"
"You are to have the night off. And do not worry, I am sure I shall manage to pour my own tea for once."
Riff's brow creased in confusion, "Off, sir? I'm afraid I don't understand."
"It's not that complicated, dear Riff. Tonight we Hargreaves are not your concern. Pay a visit to an old friend. Meet someone new. Whatever you wish." Seeing him about to protest, Cain quickly continued, "Really, Riff. It's far past time for you to have some time that is your own. All the other staff take a day, or evening out of every week where they do as they please. You should too." His face darkened, "After all, your life cannot possibly be complete babysitting a worthless fool such as myself."
"Sir! How could you say such a thing? It has always been my greatest pleasure to serve you. You are my world."
Cain's fists tightened. "No, Riff! I will not accept that. I don't deserve that. I could never live with myself... knowingly, selfishly stealing what future you may have, as I did the past," he stood, and drew himself to his full height. "Riff, from now on you will take time off every week. I am still to selfish to be capable of offering you a return to medicine... but I cannot allow myself keeping everything from you."
Struck dumb by his master's impassioned speech, Riff could only stand, unable to alleviate the misery which radiated from the count.
Cain took a deep breath, and finally looked up from the fire to face his silent companion, and tried to smile, "This will be good for you. Maybe you'll even meet a girl... fall in love," he sighed. "Now go. I won't let you tell me you'd rather spend your evening here, or anything like that."
Riff bowed his head, unable to argue his master's wishes, "As you wish." Nothing like that would ever happen, his traitorous mind continued on, this house has become my world, you have become my world, and I can imagine no woman, no matter how perfect, could hope to change that.
Cain sat once more, staring into the fire, not looking up as Riff moved to the door. Not looking up as he left the study. Not listening to the retreating footsteps. Not listening to the rustle of cloth as Riff was undoubtably pulling on his coat. Not listening as the dorr creaked open, ash his friend slipped out into the world.
Cain sat. Not looking, not listening, trying desperatly not to think. He merely sat, chin resting in his cupped palm, cursed eyes gazing into the fire. Trying to lose himself int he shifting, glowing dance before him.
The room had grown cold. Cain became aware of this gradually. The fire before him was nothing more than a small collection of embers, barely retaining any colour, cold and dying. Cain han't moved. Still not listening, still fighting against any thought. He wasn't thinking about the time, or the light which was creeping through the window. He wasn't thinking about the other entrances to the house, which were certainly beyond his hearing. He certainly wasn't worrying.
As the last tiny ember darkened to black, Cain stood up. Seeing folly in attempting sleep, the young Count Hargreaves moved to his poisions, deciding to occupy his mind and hands until the household awoke, as he didn't wait for sign of his friend's return.
~*~*~*~*~
A/N: um.. well, what do you think..? ;_; I'm very sorry this wasn't up earlier... but my computer spontaneously, well, decided to be a brat. But all is good now, and I want to get the next chapter out... after I sleep... mmm.. sleep. Oh! in case you didn't catch it, this is set between volumes 5 and 6 of the manga (since I've now read all that Sakura-Crisis has scanned, and it seemed like a good place. whee!). And most importantly of all, I want to thank all you reveiweres! ^.^ you put me in the wonderfully good mood that got me all inspired about the plot and sitting down to write!
footeynote: (1) "A card game played by two persons with a pack of thirty-two cards." Or so the footnote in Pride and Prejudice tells me. *^.^* it's an authentic victorian card game! I'm too easily amused...