A Hole in the River

Chapter Twelve:

Compromise

Author's Note: Thanks once again to Jacqueline Viana! I warn you, readers, I was listening to alot of Fleetwood Mac when I wrote this.

Freddy Eynsford-Hill loved his mother dearly. He had barely known his father, who had died quite unexpectedly when the boy was three years old, and the man had left the family with considerable debt. The whole ordeal of William Eynsford-Hill's passing had been very trying to Eulalie, who - once out of proper mourning- decided that she was also very put out. Freddy was therefore conditioned at an early age to resent the memory of his father, and to associate the word 'Father' with the phrase ' Your father, that useless bounder'. Fathers had no place in Freddy's young life at all... but his mother was the center of his very universe. Mother had all the answers, she knew what was right.

At the moment, what was 'right' for Mother was Freddy marrying the very rich, Eliza Doolittle, and as Freddy also naturally wanted this, it was Mother who would tell him how to obtain his lofty goal.

It was not proving to be easy. That Professor Higgins was constantly at her side, especially now that end of the month was fast approaching. It had been explained to Eulalie, that Henry had been Eliza's tutor for a number of years, and that Eliza - upon receiving her invitation to the Ambassador's country home - had panicked, and requested Professor Higgins's help to make sure that she would not make a blunder. Once one thought it over, it was not really a lie at all, merely a glossing over.

"Her family is obscure, but her prospects are remarkable." Eulalie remarked. The two of them were discussing the great matter in the private sitting room attached to Eulalie's suite of room the morning after Freddy's disastrous attempt at wooing in the gardens. "If your father were alive, you would never have to settle for 'new money' - but, as it is, he is not, and we are practically destitute. Her fine looks help, I suppose."

"I do not know what I am doing wrong."

"Perhaps she is a bit of a cold thing... however, she did honor your gift with that exquisite ensemble, and that is very encouraging."

"I would shoot myself for her, if it would please her."

Eulalie rolled her eyes. "Don't be so melodramatic, really! Have you considered writing her poetry?"

"I have another composition ready for her as we speak."

"Where is it?"

"In my breast pocket."

Eulalie extended a palm towards her son, and he dutifully produced the letter. After a few moments of reading the missive, Eulalie wrinkled her nose, and handed it back to him. "It's dreadful. I apologize, my love, but you've never been very talented at that sort of thing. I advise that you stop at once, and never let anyone else see this poem."

Freddy was wounded, but refused to show it. His hurt would distress his mother, greatly, and he endeavoured that she always be happy. Instead, he nodded and inquired what she suggested.

Eulalie pressed her lips into a thin line as she contemplated her son's options. She was no fool; it was quite apparent to her that Professor Higgins was purposefully sabatoging her son's courtship, and even more apparent that Eliza fostered very few romantic feelings for Freddy. As a mother, that fact pricked her pride, but it did not dampen her determination for the prize. Love comes softly, as they say. But how to ensnare Miss Doolittle immediately, without having to wait for the development of her regard?

"For shame, Eulalie Eynsford-Hill," she muttered to herself.

"What is it, Mother?"

Now she had him. "Oh, no, dear, it is too desperate."

"I am desperate."

Eulalie searched her son's face. Yes, he was quite desperate. He had never been good at keeping his emotions hidden. "It is risky... but if it works, it would ensure my health and happiness, and you would have Miss Doolittle."

"Please, do tell!"

Eulalie took a deep breath. Deep down, she was still a lady, and the idea did scandalize her... even if it was a very good one. "Compromise her."

"Mother!"

"Now, Freddy, it's not as bad as it sounds. Just be a touch indiscreet with your affection."

Freddy sputtered, struggling with a response.

"Corner her in the library, or something of the sort. Just make sure that someone is there to witness. There might be a bit of a to-do from the household, but hardly a pistols-at-dawn sort of situation. Miss Doolittle will have to risk gossip, or marry you."

"Absolutely not, Mother!"

Eulalie had a feeling her honorable son would react in such a way, and therefore, had a back-up plan.

"Oh, what's to become of our family!" She wailed.

Freddy was aghast. "Oh please, don't cry, Mother. I-I'll think of something... I will. I just don't think-" Freddy embraced his mother, who continued to sob. "Come now, I will succeed, I will. I've just overwhelmed her, that's all."

"I pray you do, son."

Once Eulalie made a show of composing herself, the pair headed downstairs for breakfast.

Freddy greet Eliza warmly, who responded in turn. Once settled in, Freddy began to take note of the odd silence between Professor Higgins and Eliza. It was as if the pair were actively trying to avoid eye contact with the other, and Eliza's cheeks seemed to be constantly tinged with a lovely shade of pink. If Freddy was not entirely convinced of the woman she was, he would have guessed she had employed rouge. Suddenly, Eliza raised her eyes to Professor Higgins and granted him a shy smile, and then man appeared to grow flustered at the look.

What on earth was going on? Freddy studied Eliza, searching for any outward clue to solve the mystery eluding him. His eyes settled on a pearl ring that he had not noticed Eliza wearing before. His heart pounded when he realized that it was on the third finger of her left hand. He stood up abruptly, unable to control the emotion coursing through him.

"I believe congratulations are in order." Freddy's voice cracked slightly, and had a bit of a hysterical edge to it.

"I beg your pardon?"

Freddy looked down pointedly at the ring, and Eliza's pink cheeks deepened to a blazing crimson. "Oh! I hadn't realized that I put it on that finger. No, Freddy, I haven't accepted any other offers. I had misplaced this ring ages ago, and Professor Higgins was so kind to locate it for me." She smiled at Professor Higgins. "It was very dear to me, and I was foolish to misplace it so casually."

"I was quite put out when she confessed. I had purchased the thing in Brighton for her. A small trinket, but not inexpensive."

Somehow, this made Freddy feel worse. Who was this old man to shower his Eliza with gifts, and what kind of woman was Eliza to accept them?

Freddy spent the remainder of breakfast, sullenly picking at his food. Dark thoughts continued to plague him, and he could barely muster the strength to calmly respond to Eliza's polite conversation. It seemed any time that he would glance over at the insufferable, ancient, Professor Higgins, the old goat would have his eyes on Eliza, although it seemed he was trying very hard not to be caught doing so. Nasty old man.

That afternoon, Freddy borrowed a motorcar, and headed into the village, intent on getting completely, and embarassingly drunk. He succeeded, of course. The patrons of the pub were friendly, and the barmaids were flirty and quite pretty, in a country sort of way. When night fell, Freddy seriously considered staying in one of the rooms above the pub, and sharing his bed with the buxom, and flirtatious Leah. On his way to send the driver home with the car, Freddy thought the better of it. His mother was probably beside herself with worry, and turning to a woman who was not his sublime Eliza seemed sacrilege.

Freddy stumbled in to find the house dark. It was nearly eleven, and Freddy had been drinking since three. It was a known fact that he was not accustomed to drinking in such quantities, but his spirits had been low and the company had been exceedingly good. He laboriously climbed the stairs, and then headed down the corridor to his room. However, the sight of Eliza's bedroom door distracted him and he took pause. This was the room where his beloved was slumbering. Freddy stared at the door, thinking on his mother's words from earlier.

"Not a pistols-at-dawn society at all, anymore," he drawled. On an impulse, he turned the door knob, and pushed. The door opened easily. Foolishly, he entered the room, drawn to the solitary figure that was sound asleep on the bed.