Sunday, January 5, 2025

The Viscount of La Soutain (23)

 23

Samh 11.05.1342 15:26

 

To his delight, the lieutenant occasionally sent Geodor to his private residence during the day on confidential business. He had managed to get a note to Abaledina and had informed her that the viscount would not be making appearances for a while with a request to keep this knowledge to herself. However, he was not fool enough to share his disguise or present occupation with her. Instead, he contented himself by observing her and giving her a pleasant smile when he caught her eye as De Montfort.

One day, he was waiting in the front hall of the lieutenant's residence when he overheard the two cousins.

“There’s Viscount Elwynalam’s landcraft,” Jeanilotta exclaimed with high glee. “He’s come at last! I wish papa would send away that man in the hall. I don’t want his lordship to see such vulgar people about the house.”

“Hush! He will hear you, and his feelings will be hurt,” replied Abaledina with a voice so low that it scarcely reached Geodor. “Your father says that young gentleman is his new brokerage clerk, and he respects—"

“Tsk! It isn’t Viscount Elwynalam after all,” interrupted Jeanilotta, disappointed. “But it looks as if the messenger has a note. I wish that clerk would go! I dislike to have even the viscount’s servant see him here.”

Geodor stood, passive as a machine. As he watched the proud girl receive the note from the hands of his servant, his only worry was that Marcellus might recognize him. She pressed the note first to her lips and then eagerly perused it with flashing eyes. He knew it announced his return and requested permission to visit her. He was uncertain how he would juggle being two people at once. However, he longed to spend more time with Abaledina and saw this as the only way to do it.

“Say to Viscount Elwynalam that I am at home this evening,” she told the servant, who bowed and departed. As Jeanilotta rushed upstairs past him, presumably to tell her mother, Geodor relaxed. No flicker of recognition had passed in his servant’s eye.

Almost as soon as Jeanilotta had disappeared, Abaledina entered the hallway.

“Would you like to join me in the parlor,” she asked politely. “You must be very fatigued standing here so long.”

“Thank you, Lady,” he said in his low, melodious voice—forgetting to add the accent. She glanced at him, and his heart beat quickly with the thought she had discovered him. Then she frowned, shook her head, and continued leading him into the parlor.

“I believe you are Mr. De Montfort?” she asked, her natural kindness radiating from her. “I’ve heard my uncle speak very highly of you many times.”

Geodor bowed.

“What an honor,” he replied with a bow. “I hadn’t anticipated receiving his praises, but to hear those praises echoed by the fair lips of his beautiful niece gives me much happiness.”

“You know me then?” she asked, drawing her worktable toward her, entirely at ease with him.

“Only as the beautiful and the good are always known,” he replied, letting his brilliant blue eyes fall upon her with a joyous expression. “Last night, I heard Miss Abaledina Gillfillian’s name repeated with tears of gratitude. You had brought food to one of the families who is ill at the War Infirmary.”

Abaledina blushed.

“You must also visit the suffering or my deed would remain unknown,” she replied. Geodor paused before nodding. After all, he reasoned, anyone can visit those who are sick. He felt an invisible bond between them over their sympathy for the less fortunate. One topic led to another, and Geodor found in his humble attire that they were drawn toward each other as before. As himself, he had only been able to speak with her at the ball and at the museum. On all other occasions, Jeanilotta always dominated their conversation.

Several minutes later, he regretted seeing the servant approach with the box of records he was to return to Lieutenant Gillfillian’s place of business. Geodor arose, and Abaledina arose with him.

“With your permission, I will ask my uncle if I may invite you to share with us now and then when it is convenient for you. I enjoyed our conversation today.”

“Certainly, whenever you wish. I would welcome the change from my rather mundane life.” He smiled to see the pleasure sparkling in her fine eyes. “Time in conversation with you will be the happiest hours of my life.” 

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