Throughout his 31 years, Caledon had seen many staff members come and go with no significant impact on the household. In a well-run home, that was by design. Established and gilded by the "old ways," the ecosystem of servant and master worked in harmony with one another without ever intersecting. The introduction of a governess, however, changed that.
For one thing, Ms. Kruger wasn't a servant, she was an employee who lived and worked in his home. As such, she didn't reside downstairs with the rest of the staff but had a room of her own on the same floor as the nursery. Which meant more frequent and sometimes unexpected interactions.
That first morning, Cal experienced quite the shock when came to collect Evelyn for breakfast, opened the door to her room and came face to face with Ms. Kruger. The young woman's eyes widened slightly but otherwise she appeared very cool about nearly running into her employer while in his pajamas and bathrobe. Cal on the other hand, not fully awake and nursing a hangover, very clearly jumped. His hand that flew to his chest revealed his embarrassment as he quickly pulled his dressing gown closer around himself.
Ms. Kruger respectfully averted her gaze and stepped aside, opening the door wider so he could enter if he wished.
"Good morning, Mr. Hockley. Evelyn and I were just about to go downstairs for breakfast." She explained. Cal felt a familiar thud as Evelyn collided with his legs, hugging him tightly. He hardly had the chance to embrace her before she pulled away and gave a little twirl.
"Look, Papa, look!" she said happily, her little hands excitedly patting her hair which had been arranged in an intricate plait.
"Very nice." Cal said, blinking the sleep from his eyes as the reality of this new situation settled around him. Ms. Kruger had already gotten Evelyn washed and dressed, and a glance over her shoulder revealed that the nursery had even been put in order. Cal felt like a roadblock to their morning momentum. Going to breakfast in his pajamas, like he normally would, now felt inappropriate and he was eager to return to his room to freshen up.
"Is there anything you need, Mr. Hockley?" Ms. Kruger asked kindly.
"No." Cal answered, almost too quickly. "I just, wanted to make sure you were settling in, and clearly you are so, I'll just, finish getting ready. Excuse me." And he gladly took his leave.
"Papa! Breakfast?" Evelyn called, halting his retreat.
"I'll be down in a moment, Sweet Pea. Start without me." Cal gave her a reassuring smile and though she looked hesitant, Evelyn nodded. With the pair out of sight, Cal's expression fell as his hands rubbed across his weary face. Prior to Ms. Kruger's arrival, he and Evelyn had formed a morning routine that, though unconventional for families of their status, had become familiar. Clearly, that had to change with Ms. Kruger here. Of course, she should be the one to collect Evelyn, that was her job after all. Cora had even cautioned Cal that his coddling was making Evelyn too dependent on him. Begrudgingly, he supposed she was right, and a little less involvement was probably for the best. But as he returned to his bedroom and picked out his clothes, Cal wondered how great the shift in their daily lives would be.
One week in and the changes that Ms. Kruger brought to their home were starting to settle. There was a brief rocky period of transitioning responsibilities with Evelyn's care, but by the time their second Monday came around, a different rhythm was taking shape.
Cal would dress before leaving his room. Ms. Kruger would see that Evelyn was ready for the day and then he and Evelyn would take breakfast together before he left for the office. While he was gone, Ms. Kruger would see to Evelyn's education and activities which, according to the Housekeeper Mrs. Henry's reports, appeared to be, "well-run and stimulating for the child." After he returned home, Cal and his daughter would share dinner, and he'd typically end their night with a story or a walk in the garden before delivering Evelyn back into Ms. Kruger's care so she could be put to bed.
With Ms. Kruger's absence during the weekend, and the steady routine that was taking shape, it seemed the new tempo of their lives had been set and everyone was once again moving in synch.
What a shame, that all it took was a headline, to throw everything off kilter.
The doors to Nathan Hockley's office swung open as his son stormed into the room, slamming a crumpled newspaper on his desk with an infuriated bang.
"What the hell is this?!"
Nathan, still reclined in his leather chair, looked wholly unfazed by Cal's outburst as he calmly replied, "Honestly, Caledon, with how blatantly proud you were about your new acquisition, I'm surprised that announcing her adoption slipped your mind. Though I suppose, grief could be attributed to your absentmindedness. Nevertheless, I simply took care of it for you. As per-usual."
"I told you the press was to be kept out of this, you bastard! It's not even the society pages, it's the fucking-front-page!"
The commotion and cursing quickly drew Anne to the scene, her concerned crystal eyes jumping fretfully between her husband and son. "For heaven's sake, what's going on?"
"Watch your language around your mother, Caledon," Nathan warned, giving his son the look that could melt stone.
"Father leaked Evelyn's adoption to the Gazette. The Times will have this tomorrow, if they don't already, and then we'll never have peace."
"I've ensured all the major papers have it." Nathan said over his tea cup, slipping back into a state of nonchalance, "You'll be a national hero by Monday."
"Nathan," Anne breathed, taking in the shockingly large lettering that read, TITANIC: Hockley Saves Orphan From Sinking Ship, Adopts Fellow Survivor. "Why would you do this?"
"For security." Nathan answered harshly, his green eyes fixed on Cal. "You think bribing foremen will buy you loyalty? Workers are hungry, greedy, idiots, and they'll sell a lie for a dime. My men have already intercepted countless Titanic-related claims from ex-Hockley employees that if printed would tarnish our name and instigate a federal indictment." Seeing the shocked look on his wife's face, Nathan calmly added. "None of it is true, of course. But disaster inspires desperation and people want someone to blame. They also want heroes, so I gave them one. And for all your insufferable ingratitude, it's far more than you deserve."
"I've been your scapegoat before -use my life to distract from your scandals- fine! I'm used to that by now. But I can't believe you would throw a four-year-old girl to the wolves to save your own skin. Do you have any idea the effect this level of invasion will have on Evelyn?! She was just starting to come out of her shell -but now… I dread the toll your decision will take on her."
"Perhaps you should have considered her delicate nature before bringing her into this family. You knew the obligations that come with this name. Don't blame me for your negligence."
Cal was seeing red. He'd never wanted to strike his father more than he did in this moment. Practically quivering with rage, Cal stared Nathan down as the older Hockley slowly rose from his chair.
"You want that girl to be one of us? Fine. Then she'll play her part just like everyone else."
"Nathan-" Anne tried to interject, a look of horror on her face, but he silenced her with a raise of his hand.
"This is our narrative: She's the frightened angel that you plucked from the sea. You weren't a coward, taking up room on a lifeboat where you didn't belong, you were her savior. You had to leave the ship, to keep her alive. And in honor of all the lives tragically lost, including that of your bride, you swore you'd go on saving her, raising her as your own. You're a beacon of hope, strength and security, backed by a name the nation can trust. One week with that story in circulation and we're untouchable. Go with this, Caledon, and you have my blessing as her grandfather. Refute it, and I'll make you wish you never came home."
"He doesn't mean that!" Anne insisted, trying to reassure herself as much as her son. But Cal didn't need comforting for his father's hateful remarks. He needed to remove himself from a situation that was about to end in violence. No matter how good it might feel to break his father's nose, Cal wouldn't expose his mother to further misery.
It took a great deal of control for Cal to unclench his shaking fist and point a warning finger at his father. "After this, you leave us alone. I won't let you use her like you used me."
"One week of coverage and I won't have to. Her security, and ours will be ensured."
"Fuck you." Cal said and exited the room.
"What did I say about language!" Nathan bellowed after him, losing his cool for the first time since Cal arrived. Stepping around the desk, Nathan had every intention to catch his son and drag him back, but Anne's hand on his chest slowed his pursuit. He looked down at her, the utter sorrow in her eyes stopping him completely. For a moment she looked as if she would say something, and Nathan braced himself for her stinging remarks. He really wished she hadn't seen this. Nathan hated letting her down. But after a gut-wrenching moment, she simply covered her mouth with hands, squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head in despair.
"Sweetheart, it's for the best-" He started, but now it was her turn to command his silence.
"No, just…no." And when her eyes met his again it was like an arrow went straight through his heart. Pushing her hands away in a sweeping motion, Anne held back her judgment and simply left the room, leaving Nathan alone with the consequences of his actions.
