Friday, December 27, 2024

The Viscount of La Soutain (14)

14

Samh 9.15.1342 3:00

 

Beritha was with her mistress at three in the morning, still listening to the tirades of a night gone horribly wrong when, late—or rather early—as it was, Jeanilotta begged admission to her mother’s dressing room. Mrs. Gillfillian went from unbearably upset to consoling.

“Is it to be endured?” Jeanilotta demanded impatiently, her eyes flashing a fire not customarily seen there. “Is it to be endured?” she repeated petulantly.

“Tush! He’s a viscount. Men like him will do what they please in spite of us. But listen—being angry is useless; we must transact our affairs more intensely. I know that Abaledina is planning to refuse your brother. I presume she performed her antics tonight because she intends to captivate Viscount Elwynalam. Can we allow this to happen?”

“No!” Jeanilotta answered vehemently.

“No, indeed. Your brother will be ruined if she marries another because we can’t survive without her money. If Viscount Elwynalam stands in the way of our success, we must put our entire faith in you. You are the only one with the power to remove that obstacle.”

“Me!” exclaimed the passionate girl. “How? He barely glanced at me this evening!”

For a moment, the vindictive mother scanned her daughter’s face. Then, with a voice and manner that plainly showed the deep waters of affection had never rippled over her heart, she said, “Can you renounce your love of Theodomani?”

“He loves me, and he’s rich! Viscount Elwynalam paid me no mind this evening. You ask me to give up what is certain for that which may not be attainable. Never—never!”

“But the circumstances, my child—consider them well,” she allowed her voice to drop for a calculated minute. “Of course, you are free to choose your own path.”

“Mother! Mother! How could I do this?” Beritha watched as her mistress’ daughter pressed her hands to her head as if to repress its wild, unnatural thoughts.

“Think calmly, my dear. Have you no ambition for a title? No desire for the boundless wealth the viscount is said to possess? In short, Jeanilotta, could you not forget Theodomani Montrevor, the plain entertainer’s son who lacks a government position, if you were the bride of Viscount Elwynalam, the noble doctor?”

“And what of Theodomani?” gulped the girl.

“Do you believe that because Theodomani declares he couldn’t live without you, he’s in earnest?" her mother asked with a chuckle and a slight sneer that defeated her object at once. Even Beritha knew nothing aroused Jeanilotta’s sense of righteousness except contempt or opposition.

 “He has been loving and faithful to me. There isn’t the risk of rejection that I would have if I tried for the viscount. No—I cannot—I will not give him up.”

“Well then—the effect of all this romancing is upon your head. Just don’t come crying to me when Abaledina's fortune is united to Viscount Elwynalam’s and she’s the viscountess of his splendid mansion. Understand that I am giving you that choice right now, but you have refused—so good night. I wish you joy of your decision.” With that, Beritha followed the matron into her sleeping apartment.

As soon as the panel closed with the daughter on the other side, Beritha’s mistress predictably began plotting.

“You know what you must do,” she quietly told Beritha. “As soon as she’s asleep, read the diary, and tell me how things lay.”

“Aye, madam.”

It had been a sultry autumnal day, and the air of the house was heavy with the perfume of an immense quantity of flowers scattered in every direction for the ball. To Beritha, it was oppressive. She threw open a window in her room and stepped onto the balcony with her com-tab to cool down in the night breeze while hacking her way into Jeanilotta’s diary.

Once she had finished her task, she was relieved to see her mistress would be pleased:

 

9.16.1342
Dearest,

It is all true. I, who have been idolized for years by Theodomani, could not suffer to see her take precedence. I have loved her as if she were my blood sister—it is true. When her gentle eyes are upon me and I feel how pure her spirit is, there’s a momentary wish to be like her—but no! Impossible! This night has called forth my evil nature. From this day forward, I must speak only honeyed words so none suspect the revenge and hatred in my heart. Tonight, he chose to linger at her side. I can’t allow that to happen again. But Theodomani—ah, well, let the future decide. Perhaps my rejection of you won’t have you stray too far. If things with the viscount do not work out in my favor, I can retrieve you. As for me, I will mold my future to my will. But Abaledina—Abaledina—beware how you cross my path!

 

Beritha leaned back into her chair and considered her own path. She had initially judged correctly: Abaledina had caught the viscount’s eye. If Abaledina failed to marry Eriath, her years of work would be unpaid. Jeanilotta was willing to risk her happiness to try to catch the viscount’s eye, but Beritha knew men like him. They might amuse themselves with someone as poor and low-class as Jeanilotta, but they could smell money and high-class from a mile away. Men like the viscount did not marry outside the expected hierarchy.

Beritha snorted. If she had the choice between the two girls, she most definitely would choose Abaledina.

With her mind made up on the path she would take, all she had to do now was figure out how to get off her mistress’ side without arousing suspicion and how to best get onto Abaledina’s side. 

The full ebook is available HERE or check back tomorrow for the next chapter.

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