VII
Calm of the twilight was hindered by a distant sound of crickets accompanied by throbbing of hooves as horses pulled a carriage towards the Elysium. Willow was trying to help Mary relax, though the latter kept pressing she didn't need such thing. The dance of nerves that was spurring butterflies in Mary's stomach and her constant checking through the window was enough for the most dent person to understand what she was feeling, let along Willow that bragged about her people reading skills.
Something was twisting Willow's insides as well. Her reason was very far from Mary's, but the dinner party they were about the attend made her feel antsy. Etiquette she used at the table was most certainly very different that 19th century people did, and topics that ruled over their dinners were not something Willow could contribute to.
-"At last," - Mary exclaimed, snapping Willow out of her worried state. As soon as the carriage halted, Mary haphazardly got out not even waiting for footman to help her, and Willow giggled as she followed her. Straightening her dress that was part of her "Visionary collection" she took in the estate they were in.
It was breathtaking. Huge stone building looked like a castle, standing proud with its tree floors and large number of windows Willow had trouble counting. Its gray color made it look regal and fresh, but also unapproachable in certain way. Two sets of staircases lead to huge, oak double doors that overlooked perfectly manicured grass which reached a size of a park, and reminded of one especially with circular fountain set in the middle of it.
Willow frowned. There was something so familiar about this place, like a deja vu but it was too vague for her to put her finger on it. She frantically searched her brain, remembering that the last time she visited Britain was a month before the accident when her cousin married. Their wedding was held in a similar castle-like building, but Willow was sure she wouldn't forget such a breathing place like Elysium.
Mary tugged on her hand, making Willow drop the subject in her mind and they walked towards the entrance. A Butler welcomed them at the door and lead them through marvelous hall towards the living room. All Willow could do was stare, her mouth half opened and eyes wide. The hallway looked like a part of museum, every spot on the walls was covered in painting and statues that looked very expensive.
They went up the small staircase that were carpeted in deep, rich purple and Willow's hand itched to grip onto golden looking fence but she refrained. She felt like she was in museum, like if she would break something just by breathing faster than she was supposed to, or a security guard was to scold her for touching something.
-"Miss Mary Ashford and Miss Willow Blackwood," - Butler's voice roared, bringing the attention of all the guests that were chatting to the door. Mary and Willow passed through the door and stood i the middle of the room and Willow had to keep her mind at bay for she didn't want a dislocated jaw. The room was definitely gaping-worth.
-"Ah, Miss Ashford, Miss Willow," - Lord Richmond exclaimed, strolling towards them and nodding at them in respect. Mary mimicked him, but Willow needed few minutes to compose herself and remember that stretching a hand for a shake is not proper form of greeting. Her feet shot up behind her, and she bowed dramatically spreading her arms wide like she was on a stage. She had to bit her lip to stop the giggle that wanted to burst out.
Willow felt ridiculous.
And when she raised her head up to see the reaction, like a domino effect all guest's faces frowned and they were frozen in bafflement. It took a moment for them to recover, but then as a second part of chain reaction whisperings started.
-"Lord Richmond, do allow us to offer our sincere apologies for our tardiness," - Mary said, keeping her low in shame, and Willow felt sorry for her.
-"Yes, it was my fault," - Willow explained, grinning cheekily at old man, my he disregarded their words by a casual wave of hand.
-"Nonsense, it is well known that the fate of gentlemen is to accept that a lady is always fashionably late," - he laughed, sincerely and his old eyes twinkled in joy.
-"However," - a woman's voice was heard and its owner emerged behind Lord Richmond's towering figure. She was a woman in her mid forties, but still rather beautiful with copper hair and deep blue eyes. Still, there was something in the way she looked down on them and arrogance in those sapphires that made Willow think of her as repulsive and pretentious. -"It is also well known that depriving gentlemen from dinner is quite impolite."
Mary instantly bowed to the newcomer, but Willow's head rose a few inches and her spine straightened in spite. It was against her being to bow to someone who didn't deserve, and she allowed herself to hold some prejudices to this woman that was smiling cynically at her.
-"Miss Willow, allow me to introduce my daughter Lady Amelia Collins," - Lord Richmond introduced and two ladies exchanged few spiteful glances and fake smiles. Negative energy that flew between them didn't miss Lord Richmond's eye and he haphazardly urged all the guests to the dinning room.
Willow was sat in between Mary and a young girl that introduced herself as certain Miss Cynthia Jones whose family was dear friends with Richmonds and she was here by special invitation from Lady Collins. Willow sent her a look of pity, being any close to that woman must be a torture.
There were in total seven people present at the huge dining table, but Willow noticed that there was another table service set out in front of her, though one to whom it was intended was absent. Lord Richmond was seated at the head, ladies on his right and gentlemen on his left side. Willow recognized Mr. Edmund Collins and sent him a smile in acknowledgment when their eyes met, but she didn't know two other men.
The older one looked like he was in his fifties and was sat across of Lady Collins. He was perhaps considered as handsome man, but Willow failed to grasp that belief because for her he looked too yellow. His hair was dirty blonde - such color that made Willow wonder whether it is actually dirty, and light from the numerous candles form the large chandeliers above them reflected in it in greasy way. His smile was sinister and gaze disturbing as it roamed around Willow's attire longer than she could be comfortable with.
He was creepy.
Other man, however, looked maybe few years older than Willow and he was indeed handsome. His hair was chocolate brown and eyes chartreuse green and vivid, but what caused Willow's breath to hitch was charming smile that stretched onto his full lips and revealed pearly teeth. There was a cloud of confidence around him, he was a man aware of his good look and its impact on women.
-"Miss Blackwood," - the older man addressed her, smile plastered on his face that made Willow narrow her eyes, -"I must express my thrill to make your acquaintance."
-"You too, Mr. ...?" - Willow inquired, leaving her sentence hanging for him to fill in.
-"Wittenberg," - he nodded in acknowledgment, and raised his hand a little to his right, -"This is my nephew, Mr. Lloyd."
Mentioned gentleman bowed his head a little, a Willow responded with a sincere smile. There was too much new things penetrating her brain and she had to put extra effort to grasp everything. However, there was something rather refreshing about the way these people conversed, the language they used and gracious movements of their bodies Willow was not accustomed to.
-"Miss Blackwood, I was intending to introduce you to my eldest grandson today, but I'm afraid that intent must be postponed to another occasion," - Lord Richmond said, his eyes flying to the empty space in front of Willow and his tone held a weight of disappointment.
-"It's okay Lord Richmond, at least now we have an excuse to meet another time," - Willow retorted, eager to lift his spirits and was happy to find that - to some extend - she has succeeded, for sincere smile reigned over his lips.
Her eyes scanned over the table that was filled with various meals she couldn't even name and her mouth watered at the sight. Servants were standing behind the tables, prepared to assist when need arises and Willow felt uncomfortable, not used to being served. She wanted to jump on her feet and offer her seat to one of them, wanting to treat them with a chance that once they are the ones being served.
Nonetheless, she doubted there's much difference she could do at that point, as a mere guest and observer of the system that was established years before and would - unfortunately - last for many more years.
Conversation started slowly, but shortly reigned over the table and topics flew with the speed Willow didn't even bothered to follow. Every guest but her engaged in the conversation, even Mary who tended to be quite in crowds and Willow winced few times when her next neighbor let out a shrill laughter.
Damn, Cynthia Jones has got some lungs.
However,to avoid looking rude in front of her hosts, Willow decided to at least tune in in the chatter.
-"Miss Ashfrod, how is your father?" - Lord Richmond addressed, soft smile flew on his lips but his eyes showed boredom Willow too felt. -"I was unhappy to find him absent yesterday when we visited your house."
-"My father sends kind regards, Lord Richmond. He too was distressed that you missed one another, but I'm afraid he had some business to attend to in the city," - Mary retorted. -"He told me to inform You that he has found the book you were discussing about."
-"Ah, that adroit man," - Lord Richmond laughed uproariously and shook his head, -"his capability never cease to amaze me. Though, we have marvelous library here in Elysium its quantity is the only advantage we have over Mr. Ashford. I tell you, if he wasn't a dear friend, I would despise him for it."
Laughter shared by everyone at the table reverberated off the walls and Willow couldn't help but join in. She liked Lord Richmond, there was an aura of familiarity and warmth around him that reminded her of her late grandfather, whom she loved very dearly. Solemn thoughts that she shoved in the back of her mind sensed the sorrow that timidly revived in her heart, and like vulture jumped out of their hiding spot.
Shaking her head, she decided to fight them and enjoy this moment.
*************
-"Miss Blackwood, you would do us great honor if you would play for us," - Lady Collins said, pointing towards the pianoforte with an elegant movement of her hand. After the dinner, all guests moved into the sitting room for a couple of tea or lemonade. Mr. Wittenberg, his nephew and Mr. Richmond were playing a game of cards in the corner, and the ladies along with Lord Richmond were sat on the sofas and chairs that were scattered around the room.
-"Who, me?" - Willow questioned, perplexed. Her eyes widened in surprise and head vigorously shook left and right to point out the absurdity of the idea Lady Collins proposed. -"Trust me, it's better if I don't play."
She rolled her eyes playfully as a form of showing them her playing is terrible, but none of the people around her would have such thing. And before she could think of a good excuse to save herself from embarrassment, she was face to face with black and white keys of the piano.
Willow knew only one song to play on piano, and she learned it with Emma and Sarah for fun. Prepared to be ridiculed by the choice of song, she laid her hands on top of the keys and took a deep sigh.
GERONIMO!
-"Sweet dreams are made of this, who am I to disagree? I travel the world and the seven seas. Everybody's looking for something."
Willow could feel everybody's penetrating gaze on her and she felt like on fire. Never much fan of a spotlight, the enormity of her situation was doubled by the song she chose. She kept her eyes glued to her fingers that trembled as they dances across black and white playground, but she didn't need to raise them to know the expression on everybody's face.
-"Some of them want to use you, some of the want to be used by you. Some of them want to abuse you, some of them want to be abused."
By the time she had to repeat the first verse, Willow reconciled with the situation that she consciously exposed herself to ridicule and decided to enjoy it as it last. Her singing wasn't great, but not bad enough to make one's ears bleed, though she decided to push it to the end when she raised her voice during course, just a notch or two below common yelling.
The song ended and silence replaced Willow's oh-so-divine song. Froze in shock, everyone kept staring at Willow who was panting in the aftermath of her performance. Just as she was about to excuse herself and found a way to flee this nightmare, loud clapping filled the room.
It belonged to single person and it got louder as the person approached from the doors. Willow's head shot up to appreciate the only audience that gave her ovation, but when she did her jaw disconnected from her head and jumped to the floor.
IMPOSSIBLE!
ns 15.158.61.20da2
