Another chapter of the tale of mystery.
FAMILY SECRETS
A HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE FANFIC
Chapter 4
I tried to get Howl's help several times over the next few days. He simply dismissed me each time. He insisted that either it was nothing to worry about or that he was taking care of it. Not only did it not reassure me it actually made me worry more. I tried to ignore it. To just go about my business, but I couldn't escape it. Something told me that this letter really was sent to me by my father. That he was asking for help. I wondered if he was still alive. It might possible. Even though the chances were slim. I had to do something! So, I did the only thing that I could think of. I went to see my stepmother, Fanny.
So, I packed up Arthur and headed out to where she now lived. It was long journey without Howl's assistance, but I hoped that it would be worth it. I hoped that she could shed some light on the letter and father's last days. For she was the only one who was there when father died. Maybe she would have an idea what was this was all about.
Her new home was called Vale End. It was the estate owned by Mr. Sacheverell Smith. A man that I am afraid that I do not know well. I do know that he has been kind to my stepmother and taken good care of her. I did not know much more than that. It was mistake that I hope to rectify soon. He is part of my family now. I should get to know him. It is only right.
Vale End was a beautiful stately manor. One benefiting my stepmother. I could see countless fancy parties with carriages arriving ones everyday. There they would have tea and caviar and dance for hours. In other words, a place that I would never really want to visit. I don't fit into this fancy world. Just as Fanny didn't fit into father's. She tried, but father wasn't as wealthy or flamboyant as she wanted. She loved him, but she always wanted more. Now, she had it. I was happy for her. Truly I was. I just didn't really want to visit that big house. I wasn't the right kind of guest. And I would never be one either.
It took some time to convince the staff that I really was Fanny's stepdaughter. They simply didn't believe it. They knew that Fanny had been married before, but they didn't believe me. They thought that I was some ruffian asking for money. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Howl and I made more than enough more to support ourselves. We had no need of Mr. Smith's money. I was not interested in it. I just wanted to speak to my stepmother. That's all. Yet, they wouldn't believe me! Only when Mr. Smith came in did they give way. He recognized me instantly. Even though we had only met once before at my wedding. He ordered them to let me in. They reluctantly let me in as they summoned the Lady of the House.
As I entered the house something stank. I barely knew Mr. Smith yet he seemed so familiar. Call it an instinct but something was off with that man. I was certain that we knew each other well. It was the way he looked at me that got me. There was a warmth there that I did not expect. If I didn't know any better I would have thought that he was attracted to me! Which was totally inappropriate! I was his daughter-in-law, after all! It didn't seem right. I suspected that Mr. Smith wasn't actually Mr. Smith. I wondered if he might be . . .
"Da Da!"
My son cheered. His face lit up and he reached out for Mr. Smith. That proved it. Mr. Smith wasn't actually Mr. Smith. He was Howl 'Jenkins' Pendragon, my husband.
"You might as well drop that disguise, Howl. Your cover is blown."
Mr. Smith smiled then bowed slightly. "It seems that the jig is up. Should have known that my own son would turn against me."
"Howl, stop being dramatic. He's only six months old."
"True, True, but that makes the betrayal all that much worse." He tickled his son's belly. Arthur giggled in response. "To think that my son would do this. Unthinkable!"
"Howl . . ." I warned. "Drop the disguise, now."
Howl sighed then dropped the illusion. He whispered, "Killjoy."
I ignored his comment. Instead, I simply thanked him as I would thank some petulant child. Which actually might describe my husband fairly well. He was childish. Alas, he was my husband and I loved him. Nothing I could about that. Even if he did have that annoying habit of following me around. I didn't ask him to come. I didn't need his help to see my stepmother. There was nothing that I could do about it right now. He was here now. I might as well let him stay. I had come here for a reason. It was best that I got to it. There were many questions that I had about father. Fanny might have some of the answers. She might know a thing or two about this letter. It seemed like the best place to get started.
I just hoped that I was right.
Next Chapter coming up!