Chapter 5
Cécille strolled by her lonesome in the enormous gardens of the Avalon estate. Her dress swished softly around her as she mindlessly followed along a paved pathway. As her rhythmic steps lulled her, her thoughts went back to the elusive Clementine.
She still has yet to meet her.
Earlier in the evening, His Grace had asked the servants to look for his daughter, but she could not be found.
If Cécille had not stopped him, Duke Avalon would have gone to look for her himself. Fortunately, she had convinced him that she would definitely be venturing to the gardens later and that she could introduce herself if they ever crossed roads.
Far from her to interrupt Lady Clementine's time with her friends.
She had taken the chance to discreetly excuse herself when her father had distracted him and had swiftly fled to the dance floor.
And what a wonderful time she had! ....Maybe a little bit too much even.
A sigh of contentment left her as the cool air of the night caressed her sweaty body.
The drying sweat left behind an uncomfortable, tacky sensation that grossed her out but a quick wipe down should remedy that later.
While mentally adding to her to-do list, Cécille's eyes absently traced the extensive pathways that serpentined their way around and intersected at random points.
It would be a wonder if I really stumble upon Lady Clementine during my walk....
Her gaze briefly switched to the guests that were enjoying the fresh air in scattered groups. Their chatter and laughter echoed delightfully in the night as the torches and lamps illuminated the garden in a warm glow, providing a cosy atmosphere.
She fixed her eyes back on her chosen pathway and continued along while humming a random song. 10 minutes later, her footsteps halted when the noise from the other guests became faint.
"I am really doubting that we will meet on this day..... This garden is quite extensive." Cécille muttered to herself.
She squinted, vainly trying to peer into the distance.
Should she continue or not?
The pathway ahead was much darker and she was not familiar with this garden.
"Let us not tempt fate. If I do not meet her tonight, I can still send a letter of invitation for tea."
Cécille resolutely turned around and strolled back towards the festivities via an alternate pathway. To her great delight, this pathway had many exotic flowers blooming vividly, providing a feast for the eyes and greatly extended her walk.
"This view would be even more stunning in daylight." Cécille mumbled, " maybe I will be invited again in the near future?"
She stumbled out of her thoughts as the pathway split up before her.
With nary a glance at both, she randomly chose one. The pathways were destined to merge back at one point and led to the same destination, so it didn't really matter.
This walk made her thirsty and peckish so she wanted to get back quickly. The buffet she had ignored earlier now taunted her mind. The bubbly champagne with condensation, the petits fours, the fruit juices and crystal clear water.
She dryly swallowed and quickened her pace.
She should have filled her stomach before venturing into the gardens.
Well, lesson learnt.
Her self-reflection was disrupted as muffled voices ahead reached her. She slowed to a stop and perked her ears.
Had other guests ventured so far into the garden too?
She glanced back and hesitated on whether to continue on the same path when a thought occured to her.
Could this be Lady Clementine and her friends?
Should I check it out, just in case?
This part of the garden was as quiet as a grave so the voices carried quite far, no matter how hushed they were trying to be.
It seemed to be coming from a groove of trees off the pathway.
Cécille stilled her breath and creeped closer. She had assured His Grace that she would introduce herself if the occasion presented itself and now she could follow through with her words.
But first, better to make sure that the Lady in question was present.
"Where on earth is Clementine?" One voice enquired.
"Are you daft? Did you not hear earlier when a guest said that His Grace was looking for her?" A grating voice snapped.
"Yes but it has been a while now." Another voice riposted.
Well, that answered her question.
Better turn back and continue another way.
"Hey, till when do we have to cosy up to her?" The first voice asked.
Cécille stilled abruptly. Her neck creaked as she turned to fix the spot where the voice came from incredulously.
.....Had she heard wrong?
"Have you gone out of your mind?! Mind your words outside!" The second voice screeched.
"Relax, I checked around earlier and there was no one around. "
"This groove is quite hidden and not so frequented so we should be okay." The third voice soothed.
"Silence the both of you! Have you never heard the saying 'walls have ears'?!"
" There are no walls here. Only trees." The first voice muttered.
" I do not care! Do you think I do not want to complain too? That little spoiled orange is so annoying! Each time we meet I have to grovel and cater to her whims and watch her prance around in her expensive dresses! Her persistent showing off too! 'Daddy bought me this, daddy bought me that' ! As if I care! If it were not because our parents, I would have ignored her altogether!" The second voice echoed.
"Hmph! Hypocrite! Do not act as if you do not enjoy the gifts and privileges she gives you!"
"Who would reject free gifts and opportunities?! That is one thing, her character is another!" The second voice defended.
The third voice scoffed, " anyone with eyes can see that you are just jealous! Clementine is not that bad."
"Oh? Defending her now, are you? Has the prickly little pickle grown fond of the little orange?" The second voice mocked.
"So what if I did? She is much better company than you. In fact, she is better than you on every level! And believe me, that level is ground low!"
"Shut up, Melinoe! You are not one to talk!"
"Okay, now you two really have to calm down! You are literally broadcasting your thoughts! It is one thing to talk quietly but no shouting! Clementine could be back at any moment."
The brief tensed silence was broken by the one called Melinoe.
"You are right. Thank you.... I am going to take a walk around just to make sure."
Cécille unfroze at the sounds of approaching footsteps and silently dashed behind a tree a few meters away.
Thank the Lord for those gigantic trees or she would have been a beacon with her cream dress in this darkness.
She rigidly held her breath and waited for the person to walk away.
Behind her closed eyelids her thoughts spiralled.
WHAT. HAD . SHE . JUST . HEARD?!
Why did she have to come down that pathway? She should have chosen the other one!
This evening has been so wonderful but now her stomach was rolling with unease.
And what should she do? Should she keep quiet?
Should she go hunt Lady Clementine to tell her?
Her parents? Would they even believe her?
Crouched in an anxious ball, Cécille attempted to calm the heavy breaths that heaved through her chest. She angrily wiped away the tears falling down her face but they were quickly replaced, making a right mess of her sleeves. Even pressing her trembling palms to her eyelids did nothing to stop them.
"Is this a cruel joke?" Cécille whispered.
The hem of her cream dress frolling the ground was a horrendous sight to behold but, right now, she just did not care.
She stayed in the same position until she regained her composure. With the support of the tree, she stood back up on weak legs and nervously peered around to make sure that the way was clear.
This part of the garden was bathed in darkness and, all around, the silhouettes of trees loomed creating a mild feeling of claustrophobia.
The silence was even more poignant now that those wicked things had stopped their chatter.
Cécille heaved in a breath of strength and took the chance to slip away as quietly as a mouse. She did not want to stay here one second more!
As soon as she was a fair distance away, she lifted her skirts and took to a run.
If only her étiquette teacher could see her now. She would faint at the sight!
She quickly reached the populated area, huffing and puffing. Casually, she switched to a quick walk and brusquely made her way back inside.
Thankfully, most of the guests were enjoying themselves too much to pay any attention to her. She lowered her head, her hair falling forward like a shield against a few prying eyes as she ghosted along the perimeter where the shadows were darker.
Hugging the wall, she furtively located a maid and discretely approached her.
The poor soul startled badly at the sight of her and looked as if a rare species of shrew had appeared in front of her.
Dear soul, just how horrendous must I look right now to get that kind of reaction?
"Excuse me. Could I trouble you to direct me to the water closet?" Cécille puffed out as her heart rate gradually calmed down.
The maid spluttered for a bit before answering, "of course Milady! Please follow me!"
With every few steps, as Cécille quietly followed behind her, the maid would peer back cautiously before quickly looking away. After catching her for the fourth time, Cécille tiredly asked, "do you have something to say to me Miss? You can talk freely."
The maid anxiously fiddled with her hands before quickly spewing out, " um..Milady, if you are in need of any help please do not hesitate to ask! If someone has wronged you, you can tell me and I can let Her Grace know! Her Grace is really kind and will not hesitate to punish those who have done wrong!"
Cécille was startled for a bit before a small smile formed, unbidden, on her face, "thank you very much for your kindness Miss - Ah, may I have your name?"
"Oh? Oh! Yes, of course! I am Lea, Milady."
"Lea. A really beautiful name for a beautiful soul. Thank you for your kindness Lea. I really appreciate it. I do indeed need a little help; but not the kind that would require Her Grace's help. As you can see, I am far from presentable right now. Could I trouble you to help me freshen up?"
Lea vehemently shook her head, " oh! It is no trouble at all Milady! None at all!" Then with red cheeks, she quickly whispered, " and thank you for the compliment Milady."
" You are quite welcome, Lea." Cécille said warmly.
Lea directed a wide smile at her before coming to a stop.
" We have arrived, Milady." She said as she pushed a door open and stepped to the side.
Cécille thanked her and entered.
The water closet was as opulent as the rest of the mansion with a really wide mirror panning the wall. The golden water outlets gleamed under the light and the potpourris diffused different scents in the air.
The door to the loo was unobtrusively closed and matched the cream wallpaper.
Lea followed her inside and made a beeline to the shelf containing a plethora of hand towels.
She picked two and gave one of them to Cécille.
"My Lady, use this to freshen yourself. I will try my best to clean the hem of your dress to make it presentable and redo your hair."
Cécille grimaced at her reflection.
Red eyes, blotchy face with a layer of perspiration and oil, sweaty armpits, disarrayed hair wetly sticking to her face and a snotty nose....
" Dear Lord! I look horrible!"
"Something must have upset you greatly Milady." Lea muttered whilst trying to pat away the soil and twigs clinging to her hem.
Cécille vigorously washed her face with cold water and cleaned her bangs as best as she could. She took her time squeezing out the water out of her hair and then patted herself dry with the towel, "yes....I heard some upsetting things."
She pursed her lips and stared hesitatingly at Lea.
Should she ask or not?
She pondered briefly before letting out a breath.
"Lea, do you know Lady Clementine's friends? I think one of them is called Melinoe?"
Lea startled a bit before answering, " ah yes, I know of her. Oh, there are two other young ladies too. Those three are most of the time hanging out together. The other two are Miss Verna and Miss Cathy."
"It may seem nosy and, you absolutely can abstain from answering, but, would you say that their friendship towards Lady Clementine is genuine?"
Lea stopped her cleaning and stood up. She discarded the soiled towel in the laundry basket then turned to face Cécille with a pinched face, " let me put it this way; none of the servants like them."
Cécille sighed with an 'as expected' expression.
"Those three are really adept at changing faces. In front of Lady Clementine they are sweet and kind but behind her back their real faces show. Their attitude are not the worst of what we servants have seen but still....." Lea trailed off sadly.
"It doesn't matter that theirs are not the worst. One should never have to use a scale to grade the tolerable amount of mistreatment directed towards them.
Someone can be either a decent human being who knows how to treat those around them even if dismissively, a poser who projects the illusion of being one or trash whose self-worth is only found in oppressing others.
'Every human being has the right to a degree of respect and decency'; that is what my father told me as soon as I could understand the meaning of words. It made sense to a toddler and should be common sense to others; unfortunately it is not." Cécille intoned.
Lea looked at her with wide eyes. An unwelcomed, foreign feeling started to swell up inside her as the words echoed in her mind. She bit her trembling lips and blinked rapidly to try to stop the tears brimming in her eyes. A sob wanted to burst out of her throat but she stubbornly stifled it. She didn't even know why she was so affected. The servants here were well treated and most of the guests knew better than to abuse those serving under The Duke.
But some had made abuse into an art form. A simple sentence hiding vitriol, a subtle rake of the nails when being handed tea or purposefully giving difficult or wrong orders. She had seen it all.
They couldn't report every little ill-treatment done to them. It simply would have no end to it. And even if they did, it would be their word against the guests'. One had to have proof. After all, anyone could just invent something out of bottled resentment, envy, plain malice or just to get back at someone.
In some cases The Duke and Duchess could only give a warning that lead to more passive-aggressiveness from the party.
And some servants were simply afraid. Afraid of losing such a good job with great pay and a good employer. So they would rather stay silent and endure than risk it.
She was always enduring too. Have been enduring like her mother and those before her did. Thought she would just have to will herself as a flimsy speck of dust floating around and erase her existence to the bone just like her mama did.
'Keep your head down, dear and be just like the dust in the air.' Those were the words her mama always parroted to her.
The words she has been trying to live by, all this time.
She thought she would go to her grave as an unacknowledged existence. Just an unimportant speck finally being, silently and anonymously, recycled to the earth.
Just like her dear mother.
That was what she thought.
Until now.
This Noble Lady, with just a few words, had validated her existence as a human being.
For once, she felt truly seen.
With trembling shoulders and a heaving chest, she bowed deeply and, with the most gratitude she had ever felt, she thanked her.
Cécille could only look at her sadly. She was lucky to have been born privileged. It came with its own set of problems too but, the opportunities and treatment that came with it offset them.
Just as she was about to comfort Lea, the door to the loo that had been closed since they entered was swiftly opened.
Out came a young Lady in an exquisite yellow dress with golden trims. The tip of her nose and eyes were red; it was obvious that she had been crying.
Lea paled and quickly rushed to her, " Lady Clementine! What is the matter?! Who upset you so much?!"
Cécille blinked in shock.
This was Lady Clementine?! And she was here all this time ?! Then - !
The contrast between both Ladies was hilarious.
One looked as beautiful as a flower even after crying and the other looked like a right mess.
One was boldly colourful and one was subtle in elegance.
One was like her namesake's tree, full of ripe fruits with a potent citrusy scent and the other was like small flowers surrounding a still lake.
They contrasted each other but, oddly, they also complimented each other.
Cécille stared at her in wonder. One glance at the voluminous orange locks and dark brown eyes and Cécille was sold.
"Well met Lady Cécille."
"Well met Lady Clementine."
A first meeting in a water closet, three upset women and a heavy atmosphere.
But you know what?
It was one that was vividly emblazoned in their mind and, in the future, one they would look back on fondly.
As the Ladies say: 'The greatest friendships start in water closets'.
Right?
A.N: If you liked my story, please to not hesitate to share and follow me. The follow button is in the side bar. Thank you. Cheers!
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