Not Worth It
Chapter 11
The Squire's Son
Merope gasped as the car pulled up in front of the Riddle manor. When Kevin parked the car and let her out, she had forgotten how to move. It was so big and gorgeous. If she did everything right, this could be her new home. She wouldn't have to live in the small, filthy and old cottage with her brother and father anymore. She'd become one of the Riddles.
"Merope," said Kevin, shaking her shoulder a bit. "Merope, you all right?"
"Hmm?" Merope mumbled. She blinked.
Kevin sighed. "Are you nervous? Look, it's okay if you don't want to go inside. We can go for a drive or something."
"No, no, I'm all right," Merope said. "Let's go!"
Merope drew herself up and marched onto the front door. Not seeing the steps, she tripped. Kevin tried not to laugh as he helped her to her feet and knocked on the door. The butler, a man not much older than Kevin or Tom, answered the door.
"Ah, welcome, Mr. Hale," he said, gesturing for them to come in. When they entered, Merope was nearly blown away by the grandeur of the entry hall. Exquisite paintings. Marble staircase. A chandelier. "Right this way," said the butler.
He led them to the dining room where a group of people were standing around and talking, including Tom and Cecelia. If it were even possible, Tom looked more handsome than ever in a crisp and extravagant tuxedo. Cecelia was on his arm in a fancy red blouse and short skirt that had rufles. Her flawless long legs wore black stockings. Her light blond hair had curls and it was pulled up, ringlets hanging down on the left side of her face. She wore a red hairband with a bow. Black gloves on her hands and black shoes. The girl was just perfect.
"Kevin Hale has arrived, sir," the butler announced.
"Yes, very well, Roger," said Tom airily.
The butler exited the room and Kevin sighed. "Let's get this over with." He said under his breath. He approached Tom with a fake smile. "Hello Tom, thank you for inviting me."
"My pleasure," said Tom with a smile of equal honesty. "And you've brought a guest. I'm Tom Riddle. Might I know your name, madam?"
Merope flinched. Tom was standing a foot away from her, asking for her name. He didn't remember her. She couldn't speak. All she could do was stare.
"Oh I'm sure you already know Merope Gaunt, Tom," Kevin said.
"Merope...Gaunt?" Tom said, his smile faltering. "The—the tramp's daughter?"
Now Tom could see it. The heavy face and the eyes that looked in different directions. The low life was in his own house!
Cecelia gasped. "That little waif that can't even curtsy?"
"Kevin, you dare bring the tramp's daughter to my birthday party? She's probably covered in lice and ridden with disease! How dare you!"
His outburst caused his guests to stop their conversations and stare in his direction. The landlord's son walked over, sneering.
"Merope is quite clean, as you can see," said Kevin, trying ever so hard to remain polite. "My mother has given her a makeover."
"Well your mother must be a gifted cosmetologist," said Cecelia, "if she could turn this peasant into a lady."
"You have no idea," Kevin said through clenched teeth.
"Your father told you to bring this filthy tramp girl, Kevin?" said the pub owner's son.
Merope gasped. He was so cruel to her earlier that day when he refused to give her a job. She didn't know he'd be here.
"At least I've brought a girl, Lloyd," Kevin blurted.
Lloyd turned red.
"But looks can be deceiving, you know," said Cecelia, leaning toward Merope. "Tell me girl, you know anything about etiquette?"
"Well, I-," said Merope.
"I doubt it," Lloyd laughed. "This morning she came into The Hanged Man asking for a job!"
The room howled with laughter. Merope couldn't look at them. She stared at the pristine floor. What was she thinking? She could get a makeover and etiquette lessons, but she'd never, ever fit in.
"What's all this?" said deep alto voice. "Tom, dear?"
"Mother!" Tom let go of Cecelia and marched to Mrs. Riddle. "Kevin Hale brought the tramp's daughter to my party!"
Kevin tried not to laugh. Though Tom was turning twenty today, he was acting like he was turning two.
"Is that so?" Mrs. Riddle, dressed in fine red silk turned to Kevin who nodded. She looked at them for a minute. "So your father must have asked to keep an 'eye' on her after what happened with the rest of her lot. Smart. We can't have her at home alone...up to no good."
"Mrs. Riddle, despite what her father and brother might have done, I assure you, Merope's no criminal," Kevin said desperately.
"Your mother does good work, I must say," said Mrs. Riddle, squinting at Merope. "I wouldn't have recognized her unless you said something...or if I just got a closer look at her. Well, then, I suppose you and your 'guest' may stay but..." Mrs. Riddle leaned forward to Kevin and lowered her voice. "Mark my words, boy, if anything from my house goes missing, if she breaks anything, or does anything to ruin the party, I'm holding you accountable."
"Understood," Kevin said. Mrs. Riddle looked at her son and nodded, squeezing his shoulder gently. Tom groaned.
After several more people arrived, the party officially started with dinner. Kevin helped Merope sit in her seat. She looked down at her plate setting and looked at Kevin with a look of utter confusion. "Kevin...so many forks and spoons."
The others laughed and rolled their eyes. Kevin did his best to ignore them. "Just watch me, Merope, all right?"
Merope nodded and he took his seat.
"Oh, never mind that, Kevin," said Tom. "She'll just eat out of the bowl like a dog!"
The others howled with laughter. Kevin cleared his throat. "She knows how to eat like a human. I've seen it."
"Yes, we'll see about that," Tom sneered.
A few maids brought in the soup with bread. She looked at Kevin, waiting for instruction.
"We got to let Tom eat first," he whispered to her. She nodded in understanding. She looked at Tom watchfully. He took the large, flat spoon from his far right and dipped in near the end of his bowl and wiped the bottom of his spoon on the edge. He brought his spoon to his mouth and blew on it before tilting it in his mouth. Merope looked up and down the table and everyone else ate his or her soup in the same manner. Merope never ate soup like that before and felt that this was a very awkward way to eat it. But this was the proper way to do it so she picked up her soup spoon and followed suit. It was difficult to do. Some people taunted her for trying to eat like a "real person" and she tried to ignore them. The soup tasted so good at times she found herself eating too quickly and people only taunted her more.
After the soup there was a salad and there was a specific fork to use and a manner to follow as well. It too tasted delicious and then finally came the main course: Smoked salmon, potatoes and asparagus. Kevin gasped when he looked at the steamy pink fish on his plate.
"Salmon!" he whispered to her. "I love salmon."
After taking a bite, Merope saw why he did. Everything was delicious. She ate a little faster than she should have and again, people joked about her.
"Only salmon you'll ever have," muttered Lloyd.
Feeling thirsty, she reached for her glass of red wine and she took a sip before Kevin could warn her. "Merope—wait!"
The alcohol burned her mouth and throat and she choked on it. It spilled from her mouth onto her plate, her blouse and the tablecloth.
"That's wine," Kevin mumbled, grabbing his napkin and handing it to her. The whole table roared with laughter.
"What a waste of fine wine," said Cecelia sitting up straight.
"I disagree," said one woman. "It was rather funny."
"So-so sorry," Merope squeaked.
Kevin gestured to her water goblet. "Drink that one, Merope. That's your water. The other one is white wine."
"Yes, please don't waste that one, it's Chardonnay," said Tom, taking a swig from his own glass.
Merope drained her water. It helped with the burn a little. She looked at her chest and lap,seeing the dark spots.
"Kevin, I'm sorry—your sister's blouse—your mother's skirt-," she said with her voice breaking.
"Don't worry about it," he said.
Again more laughter. "I knew she didn't own those clothes! She had to borrow from your family so she could come?"
"That's enough!" Kevin shouted at them, rising to his feet.
Merope flinched at him raising his voice. Kevin hardly yelled. He wasn't a tall man, but he looked a little taller just now. It wasn't scary. She was surprised, and a little impressed. Why was he doing this for her?
Kevin and Tom glared at each other. Kevin went to Merope's side. "Merope, let's go."
"What?"
"This was a bad idea," he said.
People snickered up and down the table. Merope swallowed and tried to remain brave.
"No, it's all right. I still have to give Tom his present."
Tom chuckled in his wine glass.
Kevin leaned in. "Merope, if you don't feel comfortable here..."
"A little longer, please," she said. "I'll go to the restroom and freshen up."
Kevin sighed and looked at Tom. "May Merope use your loo?"
"Fine," Tom snapped his fingers and a maid came to him.
"Mr. Riddle, sir," she said.
"Take the tramp girl to the bathroom...and be sure she doesn't take anything she shouldn't."
"Right away, sir," the maid curtsied and went to Merope. "This way, miss."
The halls were gorgeous. Merope knew if she went to find the restroom herself she'd never find it. The maid stopped at a door and opened it to reveal a large restroom.
"I'll be right here," she said.
Merope nodded and stepped inside to use the toilet and shed a few tears. It was all so frustrating trying to be like the others. The was no way she could get through the night without Kevin helping her. After dinner she'd give Tom her present and then they'd leave, even though she'd love to stay. She didn't want to be a burden on Kevin any more than she already was. She washed her hands and then pointed her wand to the stains on her borrowed outfit. "Scourgify," she whispered and the stains were gone. When she came out the maid was surprised to see the stains were gone.
"How did you get those out? That was red wine! It's almost impossible to get out red wine!"
"Er, I just scrubbed," Merope mumbled. She got the impression that the maid spent most of her career getting stains out of laundry and carpet.
"With what?" the maid stepped inside the bathroom. "Our hand soap?"
Merope bit her lip. She didn't know what to say. If she took her wand out and told the maid she used a magic spell to do it, what would the maid say?
"An old family secret," Merope invented.
"Please, can you tell me?"
"I can't...not now, but," said Merope thinking hard. Maybe there was a potion she could give the girl. There had to be a cleaning solution of some kind. "But I might be able to have something at home you can try."
"I'd pay you for your trouble," said the maid.
Merope nodded. "I should have something in two days. You can come pick it up or I can drop it off."
"Oh I can get it, miss," she said. "I have to go in town for the masters' shopping."
The maid thanked her and then showed her back to the dining room. Most of the table didn't even notice her.
"Merope, the stains are gone," said Kevin. "How'd you get them out?"
"Well I-," she mumbled.
"Magic?" he joked.
Magic?" Merope mumbled. Did he know she was a witch? He chuckled and then she realized he was just teasing. She smiled.
The meal ended with a delicious red velvet cake and then once the table was cleared Tom opened everyone's presents. Everything was expensive and exquisite. From Cecelia he received a pair of ruby cufflinks. Finally he got to Merope's present. He frowned and opened it. He cocked an eyebrow.
"What is this, cologne?" he asked.
"Yes," Merope said.
"How did you get enough money to buy cologne?"
"I-I made it," Merope admitted.
"You probably shouldn't wear it, Tom," said Cecelia. "She must've urinated in it!"
To this everyone laughed. The humiliation was too much for Merope to bear. Before she could stop herself she raised her voice.
"I did not!"
The wine glass Cecelia was about to take a sip out of shattered. The glass cut her lip and face.
"Cecelia!" Tom gasped, nearly flying over the table to examine her. She tried to cover her face with her napkin.
"Don't look at it Tom!"
People crowded around Cecelia. Merope sat still in her seat. Did her anger cause that? Merope didn't want her to get hurt. She was just angry. What if she blinded her?
"I'll see to her, sir," Roger the butler said, taking Cecelia by the arm. "I've studied medicine."
"Medicine—medicine isn't going to fix this!" Tom said. "She may need stitches!"
"Which I can do, too," insisted Roger. "I'll fix her up, no worries. You stay here and enjoy yourself, sir."
Roger led the crying and bleeding Cecelia away. Tom returned to his seat while people whispered about the condition of the glassware and didn't drink from them. Tom looked at Merope.
"Tramp girl," he said and Merope flinched.
"Her name's Merope," Kevin muttered.
Merope tried to keep a straight face. Did he know she caused Cecelia to get hurt? "Y—yes, Tom?"
Tom picked up the bottle and raised an eyebrow. "You didn't pee in this, did you?"
"Of course not!" Kevin shouted as Merope said, "No, Tom. I didn't."
Tom sniffed the bottle. "Smells different than other cologne I've worn. What's it called?"
"Vita-," Merope began and then stopped herself. The cologne was actually a potion called Vitamix Elixer but she couldn't tell him that. She closed her mouth, trying to think of a name.
"Vita—like vitamins, or vitality?" said Tom.
"Er, yes," said Merope. "It's supposed to make you feel energized. You can drink it too."
"Drinkable cologne, really?" Kevin said, impressed. "Can I have some?"
Tom chuckled. "You are so gullible, Kevin! Honestly, cologne you can drink? You even know what cologne is made out of?"
"If Merope says you can drink it than you can drink it!" Kevin hissed.
"You actually believe her?" said Tom.
"Yes I do!" Kevin declared. "If you're too afraid to use that cologne Merope worked so hard to make for you, then I'll test it myself!"
"No you fool, this is my present," Tom said, looking the bottle over. "You'll have to ask her to make you one.
So...this stuff's actually drinkable, right?" said Tom. "It's not going to make me sick or anything?"
"No, like I said, it gives you energy," insisted Merope. "
"What's in it?"
"Wormwood," began Merope and Tom flinched.
"Wormwood? That stuff's bitter! It's to keep fleas away—you think I have fleas?"
"No—no, it just has a little bit in it," Meorpe inisted. "It also has asphodel and Monkswood."
"Monkswood—that's wolfsbane," Tom mumbled. "I think it's toxic."
"Only the leaves. I've used the root in it. I've also added ginger root and juice from oranges and other fruit."
"Hmm, yes, explains the orange color," he took another sniff. "Oh what the hell." Tom sipped the potion and let it sit in his mouth like one does when testing wine. He swallowed.
"It's—it's not bad," Tom told his guests. He went for another swig and soon enough, he drained the whole bottle.
"Wait—you're only supposed to take a little!" Merope said, but it was too late. He emptied the bottle and set it down.
"I—I can't believe I'm saying this, but I like it," said Tom, licking his lips. "You should put it on the market. It's better than coffee."
"No," said some people down the table.
Tom's started scratching his hands. "I'm a little itchy however, that normal?"
"You drank too much," said Merope. "You should not take more than three table spoons at a time! You'll need to drink some water right away!"
"Oh nonsense," said Tom. "I think it's the energy. I—I feel like dancing, actually. I got to get the energy out, as all. Where's Cecelia?"
"She cut herself," said Lloyd. "Your butler is tending to her."
"Oh right, of course," said Tom. To Merope's surprise, he stood up and took her by the hand. "Dance with me, tramp girl."
"Her name is Merope!" Kevin shouted after them. He glared at him and then smiled when he saw how happy Merope was once the music started playing and the pair were dancing.
"Come on, everyone what's wrong with you?" Tom said to his befuddled guests. "Dance! The band isn't that bad!"
The musicians rolled their eyes at each other but they continued playing.
His guests, besides Lloyd and Kevin went to the dance floor and started dancing. Tom was doing some boisterous, energetic moves that Merope was having trouble keeping up with. Remembering that his sister asked for pictures, Kevin reached for Merope's satchel and pulled out his sister's camera. He snapped a few pictures of the dancing guests.
"What are you doing, Hale?" Lloyd demanded.
"What's it look like?" Kevin said. "Smile!" He took a candid shot of Lloyd's scowling face.
"Why did you bring the tramp's daughter to this?" said Lloyd. "She's ruining the party."
"Actually, I think it's going well," said Kevin paused from taking pictures. "I'm glad I brought her. It would have been dull otherwise."
Lloyd scoffed. "Please."
"Look everyone is dancing, and Tom is making a total ass of himself out there. I guess the man really is human. Not as pompous as I thought."
Tom shouted at his band a few times to play faster. He twirled Merope around like a top. The guests went from waltzing to swinging.
"Must be whatever that 'cologne' he drank," Lloyd said. "Her family are so strange. Her filthy brother spoke in some made up language and her father would call people muggle at my father's pub"
"Muggle?" Kevin murmured. He remembered talking to Merope about that. He thought it was a weird Morfin made up.
"Family's not right in the head. I can't believe my father even let her work at our pub. Don't know what she did to get rid of the rats. She had no poison or traps with her. Wouldn't let us watch her work either...very secretive. That family's up to something. Never did find out what."
"Marada was just trying to send Merope to school," said Kevin.
"And what headmaster in their right mind would let her go to school?" Lloyd laughed. "She probably can't count, or read."
"She can, I've seen it," said Kevin.
"If you say so," sighed Lloyd. "But you should think twice the next time you bring her to a party. She's so..."
"Why didn't you bring anyone with you?" Kevin demanded, changing the subject. "There are plenty of girls missing out on the fun.
"Even if I brought a girl with me," said Lloyd, "it wouldn't be me she'd be paying attention to. It'd be Tom Riddle."
"It is his party," Kevin pointed out.
"More to it than that mate," Lloyd snickered, pointing to each girl on the dance floor. "They're all looking at Tom Riddle. They hardly paid any attention to their dates. They talked to him throughout dinner. They're all competing with Cecelia. They all want to be Mrs. Tom Riddle, and your pathetic friend is no exception. I just came to keep up appearances. I didn't need to bring a woman on my arm if she's going to have eyes on Tom all day."
Lloyd walked off, grabbing a wine glass and left Kevin alone. Kevin raised his sister's camera to Merope and Tom and took a picture. Merope really was staring at Tom the whole time, trying to keep up with his speed and keep a conversation going at the same time. It didn't matter really, did it? Merope deserved a chance to be Cinderella for a night. His mother was the fairy godmother and Tom Riddle was Prince Charming. The birthday party was a ball. Though Kevin couldn't help wondering, if Merope was Cinderella, what did that make him? The footman?
Tom and Merope stopped dancing and then Merope limped over to her seat.
"Merope, are you all right?" he asked, standing up and helping her sit down.
"Yes," she gasped. "My feet just hurt."
"You didn't sprain an ankle or anything?" he asked.
"No, I'm fine," said Merope. "Just fine."
She saw the camera on the table. "You took pictures?"
"Yeah, got a couple of you dancing," Kevin answered.
"With Tom?" she gasped.
"Well I didn't notice you dance with anyone else," said Kevin.
"Can—can I have one?" Merope asked.
"Of course," said Kevin. "It's getting late, you want to go home?"
Merope looked at Tom. She wanted a chance to dance with him one more time but she did feel tired. Tom kept on dancing by himself. One man was dancing slowly and Tom cut in and started dancing with the man's date. Kevin laughed at the utter shock of the man and he went and sat down.
"I'm too tired to dance anyway," the man said. "I might need some of that stuff myself."
"Get in line, mate," said Kevin. "I reckon everyone in the party will want some of it. What'd you say it was again, Merope? Vita what?"
"I'm still working on a name," admitted Merope.
"Vitality works," Kevin said. "Does give Tom much vitality, no?"
"Kevin, I think I'm ready to go home now," said Merope.
"All right," said Kevin. "Let's get you home before you turn into a pumpkin."
"I just want to thank Tom first," Merope said. She stood up and walked to Tom just as he spun his date and almost got hit in the process.
"Tom, thank you the party and dinner and the dance—thank you."
"Eh, what, yes, you're welcome, look out!" He spun his partner again and Merope was knocked to the ground.
"Nice going, Tom!" Kevin came over to help Merope to his feet. "Come on, Merope. I'll take you home."
He handed her purse to her and then he led her out of the mansion. Kevin took one more glance back at Tom Riddle. Maybe Merope was just like the rest of the girls. She wanted to come to the party badly and even though everyone was making her feel like an outcast, she insisted to stay. She looked elated when Tom pulled her to the dance floor and she asked for a picture of her dancing with Tom. Lloyd was right. Merope didn't come to be with Kevin. She came to be with Tom Riddle. He wasn't sure what to think about that. It wasn't' like he was was courting Merope or anything. They were just friends. Playmates as children. But didn't Merope know that there was no chance of her ending up with Tom Riddle, the Squire's son? She was a nice girl, but she had no money, no prestige. He had a noble background. Merope would just end up getting her heart broken if she pursued it any further. When they got in the car, Kevin didn't start it right away. He didn't want Merope to get hurt. He didn't know if it was his place to tell her to leave him alone or just let it play out. Maybe he should get the facts first. He took her by the hand, which caught her by surprise.
"Merope, why did you want to come to this party?" said Kevin. "Was it just to get out of the house, or was it to be near Tom Riddle?"
Merope gasped. Why was he asking her this? What did he mean? Of course it was to be with Tom. She paused for a moment and then nodded. "Yes, I wanted to see Tom."
"Do you want to be with him?"
Merope nodded again. "I love him."
Kevin sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Great, she was in love with him? It was worse than he thought. "Merope, you know he's courting Cecelia Roberts and there's plenty of girls that want to marry him."
"I want to marry him too," said Merope. "I've always loved him. I need to be with him."
"Need to, why?" Kevin asked.
"I just need to," said Merope. "I have to."
"But I really don't think he wants to be with you, Merope," said Kevin. "He almost thew us out this evening."
"I know," said Merope. "It doesn't matter. I'll be with him."
"How?"
"I have a plan," said Merope.
"What's that?"
Merope groaned. "I can't talk about it."
Kevin sighed. That was just it then. "Well, it's your choice, Merope. But you pursue Tom Riddle, you'll just end up with a broken heart."
"I know," said Merope. "But I don't care. I have to be with him."
Kevin shook his head and he started the car. He had seen the way Tom treated girls before. Make them fall in love with him and then he'd throw them out like yesterday's garbage. He hated that. He didn't want Merope to end up the same way. But maybe it was the only way to get Merope to understand that the squire's son wasn't all he appeared to be. In Kevin's opinion, Tom was even lower than Merope's own brother, and Morfin was in prison.
When Merope got home the first thing she did was make more love potion. The other girls in the village might have brains and beauty and money, but Merope had something they didn't. Magic. That set her part from all of them and with that magic, she'd use it to her advantage. While the potion matured would work the old fashioned way to get Tom's attention. She already got to dance with him and she didn't need the love potion, just an energy potion. With the right kind of potion, Merope could have anything. She'd get Tom's heart, one way or the other.
TO BE CONTINUED