| The Circus |
Augustine had sent a coach to pick up her grandchildren, along with a driver that was the utmost example of refinement. Star felt uncomfortable enough, forced to wear a long woolen dress that ran down near her ankles, chafing her all over. George seemed to be equally uncomfortable, even if his outfit was indeed more befitting of a lord. The circus had a large collection of clothes for dressing up, and it had come in handy. Star pulled at her collar with one finger, casting a worried look behind her. Joker seemed to be in a pensive mood, and he hadn't wanted to talk to her about what was troubling him. Instead he had pressed a kiss on her forehead, telling her not to worry. She had had to bite the inside of her cheek just then, to not snap at him that his worries were now hers as well.
Inside the coach George looked about the landscape in an interested manner, leaving Star alone with her thoughts. Augustine would probably want the two of them to remain with her. It would be the smarter choice too, providing the two orphans with shelter, food and education. Something with which the circus had also been providing them. What the circus could not provide them with however was a way to claim Star and George's rightful place in society. As far as people knew George was her brother and therefore also her father's heir. He would inherit lands, stocks and other valuables. George would become one of the prominents in the high society, well-educated and having a say in how the country ought to be run. If he worked hard he might be invited at the palace, to speak with the Queen, to offer Her his services as well. He might open several ventures in foreign countries and have his name known all over the world.
And as for her? If they went back to their old life, she would have to say goodbye to everyone; Joker, Doll, Dagger and everybody else. She wouldn't have to get up early in the morning anymore, taking baths in freezing water before getting out on stage or on the road, risking an accident every day. Instead she would sleep in every day, and have no worry at all in her life. Food wouldn't be a problem. She wouldn't even have to dress herself anymore. Servants would do everything short of chewing her food for her. If she was lucky, she would be married, but that was a long shot. She was already approaching the age of twenty, and very few men would be prepared to marry her. A fate as a spinster would be more likely, unless Augustine was prepared to pay a ridiculous dowry. Star didn't doubt for a second that the old woman would indeed be prepared to pay up.
And in return for that cozy life, where the only thing expected of her would be to look pretty and pop out heirs, she would be required to give up Joker. And the only reason for that would be that he was beneath her station. He would be beneath her, and the only way she would be able to see him would be as a paramour, who traveled the country. She would be lucky if she saw him for three evenings every two years. And something like that was beneath the both of them. Joker would fight for her, and she for him.
She clenched her teeth together, making her look far more grim than any amount of make-up would ever have achieved. If Augustine had seen her, the woman would again have remarked that she had every bit the demeanor of her father. Star wondered not for the first time who her mother had been, and who had been George's father.
The ride had progressed more rapidly than expected, as they soon pulled up at the manor. As the coach stopped, the doors were pulled open and a hand was trust towards her, to help her out of the carriage. Star accepted, and soon she and George were guided inside. Inside servants rushed to their sides, ready to take on coats, gloves and other items that she might be wanting to discard during her visit. When they discovered that neither Star nor George had such items, they retreated with a sullen look. George clung to her side, reaching for her hand. She squeezed it and looked in his eyes for a second. He was worried, and alarmed at all of this. She wasn't that surprised. He had been so young when they had fled their home, it wasn't a wonder he remembered so few. For a young Lord, he was nowhere near educated enough.
Cold sweat started to trickle down her back as the thought occurred to her. She had been teaching George a few things, like calculus and writing, but nothing of how to manage a household. Why should she have, when she never even had considered the option of the two of them ever having the chance of returning to their stations? For a second she had to choke away the fear that she had failed him, but after a few swallows that fear had passed. As they walked to the hallways, George didn't let go of her hand for a second. He was a smart boy, and he knew how to survive. She had made sure of that, even if his condition had at times been impeding her in her movements of taking care of them both. He knew more than all the young little lordlings combined in the country, she was sure of that. Practical knowledge was knowledge too, after all.
They were led to a dining room, where the light came in through the big windows on the side of the garden. Augustine was waiting for them, sipping tea with her pink held high, as a proper lady. Star could feel her heart beating rapidly in anticipation. This was it, after all. They were going to have a talk here that would have an impact on the rest of her life. A well-to do lady or spinster, never having to worry about anything in her life? Or rather a traveling performer, living a life for which she never had been born? The woman in front of her would be partly deciding about that. The loss of control was staggering for Star. She had been responsible for her own life for all these years, and now it was gone. She could do nothing but hold on and hope for the best.
Augustine rose up, after gently placing her cup on the table. She was wearing a dress in the latest fashion, in a dark grey that matched her unyielding eyes. Unyielding, but fair, at least that was what Star hoped. She and George walked towards her, through the long dining room. The thing had no right to be so long when her legs felt like rubber, she though annoyed.
"So this is young George." Augustine said, looked at the young boy with a smile. She held out a hand, but instead of kissing it, George hid behind his sister, peeking out at the elderly lady who he only vaguely remembered. One of the shadows of an early childhood that had nothing to do with his current life. Augustine sighed, straightening herself a bit and casting Star a reproachful look that suggested this little event was completely her doing. Star straightened too, and noticed for the first time she was taller than the old lady. Then she looked down at George, communicating in a way that only siblings can. George sighed, coming out of his hiding place.
"It is nice to meet you, grandmother. How do you fare on this day?" his voice sounded pitched as if it got stuck halfway his throat, and he failed to put in the proper sentiment. His monotonous way of saying it sounded like an actor who had only had a few minutes to read a script, and then was cast out to perform. Yet Augustine smiled when she heard it. Clearly George had redeemed himself in her eyes.
"I fare quite well, young man. I do thank you for asking." Her eyes shot in Star's general direction, before she motioned to the table. "Would the two of you care for some tea? We're having Darjeeling today, and I must say it's simply marvelous. Not to mention the scones that have been freshly baked, just for the two of you."
The two siblings sat down, on opposite sides from each other, the matron in the middle at the head of the table. Servants poured them tea, and added lemon, sugar and cream without any prior order given. When they left, Star gingerly took the cup, having a small sip. It had been ages since she had had proper tea. Real tea. The kind that costs tons of money, because you only buy it in tiny, tiny packages because it's so much more prestigious. George in the meanwhile took a scone, in the same way as his sister had touched her tea. Slowly, so he wouldn't start something off that couldn't be undone.
After a few minutes of silences Augustine broke the silence. Star and George immediately looked at her.
"So…" she paused, looking at the both of them. Her eyes lingered longer on George. Longer than Star liked.
"I found the two of you. Finally. It has taken me quite a while to find the two of you. After that tragic accident where your home burned down, I tried everything to track the two of you down. There weren't any bodies found that matched your description, so of course I held hope. I never once wavered. But to think that you would turn up in a circus of all places. How long?"
"How long what?" Star asked, keeping her eyes fixed on her tea.
"How long have the two of you been working there?"
"First of all, I work there. George practices a bit, but mostly he gets lessons from the doctor, and other people at the circus. I think we have been there… half a year, perhaps more.''
Augustine snorted at the mention of lessons, and continued her questionnaire. "And before that?"
"We lived in the city of Bath. We survived by pawning of the jewelry I had taken with me."
"Nothing else?"
Star looked up. The woman was asking her if she had prostituted herself. In her darkest hours she had considered it, but one look at the women had been enough to make her turn from the thought. They got beaten, caught diseases and in general didn't last long. Not to mention that pregnancy was a real danger, and the last thing she had needed was another mouth to feed. But she couldn't well confess the stealing either. It would reflect badly on George, even if he had never had any part in it.
"I never did anything else, apart from trying to get a job at a bakery or the like." That part was true enough. The work never lasted more than a few days, either because the men couldn't keep their hand of her, their wives didn't want her there, and then there was the reason that she had never worked a day in her entire life before. More often than not the reason had simply been that she destroyed more things than the people were paying her for her work.
The older woman remained silent, sizing her up and determining if she was speaking the truth. Finally she nodded, believing her. Or at least, giving her the benefit of doubt. She turned to George next, asking him questions. Had he been taught calculus? What about geography? How much did he know about the family business?
Star had two more cups of tea before Augustine had finally finished inquisition, before the woman clapped her hands, summoning a maid and a butler.
"Very well then, I'll just have these people escort you two to your rooms. Tomorrow begins some serious work, I can assure you tha-"
"No."
Augustine looked at Star in surprise. "No? what do you mean, no?"
"I thought my grandmother would be able to derive such a simple word. There was no question posed as to if we wish to stay her or not. My friends will come and pick us up in a matter of an hour or so. As was agreed yesterday."
"But… after this talk… surely you agree that this is a much better environment for you little brother?"
"Perhaps it is. But as I said, you have left me entirely under the illusion that we would both be allowed to go back to the circus. I have arranged for us to be picked up by then."
"I have had rooms prepared. Clothes tailored, for the two of you. There's a big feast that I'm planning in merely three days from now, to welcome you back into our society. Providence has led the two of you back to me, so I can only take it as a hint that I must be the one to help George reclaim his birthright."
"I… a party? Clothes and rooms? Grandmother, aren't you moving too fast?"
"I can't move fast enough. You and George have been without a proper education for too long. Sure, there shall be some laughter and whispering at both your expenses, but I am sure that if we shine enough, the two of you shall yet become jewels in our society. As for George, I've considered asking the young Earl Phantomhive about his teachers. That boys manages more than well enough, and in cases like these it's certainly a lot that comes from noble breading, but also from teachers. Something which George desperately needs."
"I do?" George asked, raising an eyebrow. If he needed proper teachers, this was the first he heard about it. After all, he knew how to write and things like that, and Joker had though him to juggle with five balls already. That was one more than his sister knew how to handle. As for living here, he didn't quite see why he should. As far as he was concerned, his place was with his sister. And her place was with Joker, at the circus.
"You do." His grandmother assured him. "And as for Valentine, I have also arranged some plans to ensure that she also lands properly on her feet."
"Star. My name is Star now."
Augustine scoffed. "What for a name is Star? I can't believe you would allow yourself to be called that."
"It's the name Joker gave me, on the first day I started there."
"A name given to you by common rabble. Believe me girl, a name is everything in our world. And a name like 'Star' will only make you the laughing stock of society."
"Joker is not common rabble. He's the kindest, sincerest and bravest man I have ever laid eyes on. I'm certain there' s a ton of gentlemen in high society that could take a lesson in chivalry from him." Star replied with such chill it could rival the coldest winter day.
Augustine's eyes narrowed. "I assume that 'Joker' would be the name of that fellow you were so amicable with. The name on its own says enough about his trustworthiness. I shall arrange a meeting with a doctor for you, to make sure that your little escapade with that man hasn't left any fruits that might embarrass you later on in life."
"Embarrass? If you are insinuating that I would let any child of me and Joker die, you are way of the mark!"
"This folly has gone on long enough, young lady! The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree indeed. Your father also displayed such common tastes, and I shan't allow you to bring further shame to this family. You are to break off any and all relations with the people from that circus, and especially that Joker!"
"Joker is a good man!" Star yelled back at the woman, fuming in rage. George looked from his sister to his grandmother, fervently wishing that he was invisible.
"A good man! There are tons of good men out there, and chivalrous to boot. But the thing to which it will come down at the end of the day, my dear, is whether that chivalrous man can provide for you. If I let you continue now, you will be wishing I had forced you to obey me in five years from now!"
"Never!" Star yelled back. Any tarnish to Joker's name she considered a personal attack. Even if Joker hadn't touched her in a way that would cause 'embarrassments', her grandmother could guess all she wanted. She would not give up Joker.
The servants looked shocked. George looked shocked. Augustine on the other hand regained her composure quickly, and gave Star the kind of smile one would give a slightly deranged smile.
"As you want. If you are so convinced of this man's worth, why not bring him with you to the party? A man as trustworthy, chivalrous and benign won't have any trouble conversing with some of London's finest, now will he."
Before Star could open her mouth, George replied. "That sounds like an excellent idea. I'm sure Joker will do great! There's no way he can do otherwise!"
Those were the words of a child who idolized a hero. He didn't see Joker through the sudden gleam of reality that Star was forced to look through. Augustine would make a laughing stock of Joker at the party, in one way or another. She would find a way to force Star to stay, if she could. Unless she could convince her that Joker had any quality the old woman looked for in a gentleman. And she had three days to prep Joker for that role. She hoped he would be able to live up to George's expectations and Augustine's demands. It was the only way that she would be able to remain with the circus in a relatively decent and uneventful manner. And if he didn't?
They would just have another row then, wouldn't they?