Lonely Boy
Right from the start you were a thief and stole my heart
"This is ridiculous Frank, you know I'm better than that!" Matthew complained to Frank as they packed up their battered suitcases. Throwing in his medical books and shirt, he lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, letting it hang from the corner of his mouth. Frank slowly folded his shirt and straightened up before turning to face him. His face showed no emotion as always, a trait Matthew was not particularly fond of.
"Stop bitchin' Matthew, this is an easy job and we aren't exactly pushed for work. All you have to do it watch over some tail for six months." Frank said in his dangerously low tone that meant there was no arguing and Matthew wasn't stupid enough to try. Rolling his eyes, Matthew turned back to his bags and carried on packing, being vaguely aware with a smirk that Thomas and Joseph were hurriedly packing quietly.
The job was easy enough. Theodore paid the group half upon arrival at the house and paid the other half upon his return. Frank and William would do his very particular errands and collect debts, armed at all times. Thomas and Joseph would take turns guarding inside and outside the house making sure the right people came and went. Matthew would watch over Caitlin and do whatever he had to do to make sure she was safe and her virginity protected.
After a long journey down the dusty paths from their make shift camp to the bustling streets of Chicargo, the carriage finally began to slow outside a fantastically huge white mansion. The American flag hung limply in the heat, the pillars glistened and the windows were all slightly ajar letting whatever breeze possible in to the rooms. There were no houses on this street except for this one, Saffron House. The drive way took them round back, into an imposing ground surrounded by lush green grass obviously well maintained and large glossy trees outlining the way. Standing in a gazebo with a glass of freshly made lemonade, Theodore smiled to himself watching the men's faces as they took in their new surroundings. He knew his mansion was impressive and took pride in it being so white. He turned to his pride and joy, Caitlin, watching her face as the carriage pulled to a halt. Her fair blond hair was pulled into a French plait with a delicate white blossom placed delicately to the side. Her bright green eyes flashed and her mouth slightly tightened, for as far as she was concerned these men bought nothing but imprisonment with them. She wore a simple white lace dress and a tight white bodice that pronounced her womanly features. She wore little white lace gloves and cooled herself with a beautiful peacock fan her father had brought home from one of his business trips. To be honest, this Judge fellow who her father had chosen to 'protect' her intrigued Caitlin. Protect her from what she did not know. Squinting in the light, she watched the baggage being removed from the roof of the carriage by their other servants as the men emerged. The second Matthew stepped out of the carriage, she knew who he was. He looked like a rouge with his finely coloured trousers, his oiled jacket and well kept whiskers. The way he stepped out, lit up a cigarette and shoved his hands in his pocket was all very deceptive Caitlin could see. Though he appeared calm and casual, she watched closely his eyes that flittered about taking in the surrounds. Such a pinkerton, constantly looking for means of ground advantage if the need ever arose. Not that it mattered, she had outwitted smarter men. Putting on her most demure smile, she delicately held out her hand for her father to take. Theodore kissed the back of her hand and winked, then walked her towards the approaching horde.
"Ah yes, I hope your journey has been comfortable. Welcome to Saffron House gentlemen, my staff will take your luggage and place it in your rooms. But first, let me introduce my daughter Caitlin." Theodore announced proudly and introduced them all. The men all removed their hats in respect and nodded to her, muttering 'mam' and what not. She smiled and nodded to each in turn, taking in their reactions of her. Frank looked untouched in any sense, William blushed and looked down at his feet, Thomas stared her straight in the eye unblinking and Joseph seemed to look right through her. Matthew smiled, his cigarette somehow staying on his lips and shoved a hand in his pocket. Yet seemed completely unfazed. Interesting. Soon Theodore had his staff show the men to their rooms and invited them to join him and Caitlin for dinner. Once the men begun moving towards to the house and out of ear shot, Caitlin spun round to her father with her eyes blazing.
"And what exactly do you hope to achieve by inviting these vagabond thieves into our home? I hope you have hidden the good china." Caitlin spat out, her anger as always getting the better of her. Theodore sighed and sat down heavily in his wicker garden chair.
"My dear Caitlin, these men are Pinkerton's and are here to protect you."
"Pinkerton's? Men whose honour are bought by a coin?" Caitlin cried out, throwing her arms in the air. Theodore looked up at her with weary eyes. He was tired, tired of many things.
"Men who have honour and will keep you safe. They will be here during my voyage and they will be looking after my investments." Theodore instantly regretted that sentence, watching Caitlin's lips tighten so they were almost invisible. The surest sign of her anger.
"Investments? Investments? I am not one of your investments father. You only see me worthy of being married off to the highest bidder, but I will have a say in my future." She stopped herself saying a few choice words and closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths to stop her voice ringing across the garden.
"Please excuse me father, I must go and change for dinner. The dust from the heat is agitating me." Before Theodore could reply, Caitlin picked up her full length skirt and marched back into the house, a servant running to catch up and hold an umbrella out over her head.
Sighing, Matthew pushed back the net curtain on his window. He faced the garden and had been privy to Caitlin's outburst. Turning round, he carelessly flung open to the top of his case that had been placed on the bed. A large double four poster bed with canopy's hung up. The room was white with blue and gold detailing, a cream day lounger sat in one corner of the room and around the wall sat proudly filled bookcases, mostly medical he had noted. There was a big heavy wooden writing desk at the other end by the window with a tub chair. Shelves lined the wall and a basin was in the corner by the bed. The nicest lodgings he had been given to his knowledge. Sensing someone watching him, he looked up to find Frank leaning against the door frame, arms crossed in his customary manner.
"That was an interesting show." Frank commented, nodding towards the window. His room was further down the corridor but faced the same way. Matthew put his hands behind his head and sank into the tub chair.
"Interesting would be a word. I believe that show was intended for us as well." He said, peering at the titles on the bookcases. Frank straightened up and took a few steps inside.
"For us?" Matthew turned to look at Frank.
"Of course. She is not stupid, she knew here our rooms are and where they wuld be facing. It was a warning." Frank smirked and placed a hand down on Matthew's shoulder.
"It was a warning for you. Do not take her lightly. She is a pretty face." He squeezed Matthew's shoulder and turned to walk out. Matthew stretched and lent back in the chair.
"She is a good breed. And what do owner's do with pure good breeds? They sell them to continue making a good class of breed. Breeding, messy business." Matthew said, watching Frank pause. Turning his head slightly to the side, Frank smiled.
"Breeding is only profitable if they breed with the right type." Frank said and walked out of Matthew's room. Rolling his eyes, Matthew lit a cigarette and placed his feet on top of the desk. He had a feeling Caitlin was not a dame to go quietly.
The scene has now been set! I hope you are all still enjoying this, and I can promise you things are going to start getting heated up in the next chapter! Let me know what you think!