The Viscount of La Soutain (8)

8

Samh 9.10.1342 10:00

On the sixth morning after his arrival home, the doors of Viscount Elwynalam's library were thrown open, and Mr. Theodomani Montrevor was announced. With his usual dignity and grace, Geodor cordially greeted the stranger for whom he had risked his own life. There was no idle speech between them, though. He felt this was the beginning of a true and sincere friendship. 

Theodomani repeatedly expressed his gratitude during their discussion, and Geodor brushed them off with a variety of questions he had wanted to ask his visitor. They were so involved in good conversation that time glided imperceptibly by until dinner was announced. Geodor insisted his new friend stay, and so their conversation continued into the dining room although at that point it turned to opinions on marriage. Here, Theodomani began to speak of his relationship with a woman named Jeanilotta. 

Scarcely had Geodor dismissed the servants who had waited on them while they ate and was just beginning a discussion on some of the imported fruits used to make the dessert, when the doorbell rang repeatedly and violently. Soon the sounds of an angry altercation reached them. 

“Listen,” he said, “and you will hear how my servants refuse to disobey me.” The voices became louder, and the usually suppressed and monotonous replies of Lobo grew more and more distinct until the conversation was heard without effort.

“I tell you,” said a voice Geodor did not recognize, “that we have come on a visit to your master! Show us in at once.”

“I will not—your names are not on the list, and no others are to be admitted. This is Lord Elwynalam’s command.”

“Do you know who we are? We are doing him a favor by taking time out of our day to visit him.”

“Doubtless, sirs.”

“Then show us in—why delay?”

"I dare not disobey orders.”

"Do as we wish, and we will take your consequences for you."

"I cannot.”

"You must."

“I will not." 

“Here is a fifty-note for your trouble.” 

“Even if you offered me a thousand-note, I would not allow you entrance to my master,” the calm voice responded, and Geodor smiled, proud of his servant’s loyalty.

The smile was quickly replaced with a frown as they directly heard the sound of a scuffle. Geodor placed his hand upon the button to summon someone to Lobo’s aid, but before he pressed it, two men in plain black suits entered indiscriminately. Through the door, another two continued struggling in the hallway with Lobo, who got free, rushed into the dining room, and bowed to his master.

"Please pardon me, my lord. I did all I could," he said, then rose and awaited further orders. 

Meanwhile, Geodor and Theodomani had both risen and bowed stiffly but ceremoniously to the intruders. Geodor motioned for Theodomani to sit again. 

“I wonder what emergency has caused these gentleman to honor me with their intrusion upon a private party.” Geodor stated to Theodomani. Then turning to the interlopers, he asked, “Is there some emergency at the hospital and all forms of traditional communication were unavailable for whatever reason?” 

The men, at the sight of Geodor in person, had entirely changed their domineering boldness for an aspect of cringing servility and forgot to reply immediately. Instead, they stared at him with distended eyes and impertinent curiosity as if to inhale in one breath a full dose of his nobility. 

“I am awaiting your answer,” he prompted impatiently.

"Why do you keep such an unmannerly servant at your door?” one replied vehemently, rubbing a bruised hand and pointing to Lobo, “I told him that we came to call upon you, but he refused to admit us. We are not accustomed to be so treated." 

“One would think, then, that you are only accustomed to dealing with awful servants. He obeyed his orders, sirs," Geodor replied with lofty contempt, “and will do so again. Lobo, show these gentlemen out. If need be, ring for assistance." 

Then motioning to Theodomani, Geodor passed with him into another apartment as Lobo tossed open the door and bowed slightly, clearly expecting the intruders to leave straightaway. 

As soon as Geodor and his friend had entered the adjoining room, however, the sound of the alarm rang out and five or six trained servants appeared to lend their aid to the situation. The visitors rushed into the apartment where Theodomani and he had retired while the servants rushed after them. 

“Silence!” exclaimed Geodor pulling an automatic rifle off the wall and aiming it at the intruders. “Mr. Montrevor, my friend, does your acquaintance extend to these gentlemen?”

“Not my acquaintance," replied Theodomani incredulously, “but I believe I recognize their faces and can inform your lordship of their names."

"My servant should have that from the security cameras and be able to fill out the report," said Viscount Elwynalam. "Lobo. Marcellus."

"Excuse us, sir,—I mean, my lord,” the man who had spoken earlier blubbered. “I didn’t mean to insist upon an conference, but we have not yet obeyed our instructions. There is to be a ball, and we were sent—" 

“Sir, you remain here at risk of your own life," Geodor interrupted. "This is my home, and it is my choice to allow entry only to those whom I please. You have forced your way into it, assaulted my servants, and generally destroyed my evening. Take that response back to whomever sent you, but do it quickly because your behavior is being reported to the authorities as we speak, and your freedom will not last much longer. Further, if you take one more step toward me or my guest, I will be forced to believe you mean us bodily harm and take the appropriate action against you.”

With a glance of icy coldness and withering hauteur, he retreated with Theodomani to his private apartments, maintaining the rifle sights upon the man nearest to them. Once inside, he double locked the door to effectually secure them.

“Ah," said Theodomani, blushing for the men’s poor behavior, "La Soutain has many noble souls, but for every man who has money, it seems only half have the manners that should go with it!”

“Don’t worry, my new friend," replied the host with great kindness. "It seems everywhere there are men with so much time on their hands, that they don’t feel the least hesitation about making the most unjustifiable demands upon others’ time. La Soutain is not alone in the possession of such individuals." 

Lobo’s face appeared on Geodor’s com-tab.

“They have gone, and peace has returned to the house,” he said with his unruffled demeanor. 

“Bring the rest of our dessert in here lest another committee appear and attempt to gain audience with me.”

“As you desire,” Lobo stated. 

After finishing dessert uninterrupted, they agreed that they should visit Theodomani’s fiancée that night.

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