Henry and Sophie Read online

  He bowed and said, “I'm honored by the invitation, though I’m a bit curious about the reason for the meeting.”

  Angelica smiled, raised her eye brows, and opened her mouth to speak when her mother interrupted her. “Young man, you should be honored to speak with Sir Albert; though it's an honor you don't deserve. The only reason he agreed to meet with you was because of the constant wheedling of Angelica.” Then turning to her daughter she said, “Now Angelica, if you'll wait in the parlor. I'll take the boy upstairs to see your father.”

  Angelica colored and said, “Henry, thank you for coming, I hope to see you before you leave.” She once again raised her eyebrows and offered him an encouraging smile.

  Henry's eyes widened. This certainly is perplexing; the wooing has definitely gotten out of hand. He walked alongside her mother in icy silence until she showed him into the study and left. Sir Albert was a large man who sat behind a colossal mahogany desk in a red leather chair. He had his arms folded and studied Henry with narrowed eyes. Henry extended his hand and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you sir.”

  Sir Albert did not respond, but continued to fix Henry with a cold stare. After half a minute Henry withdrew his hand and stood awkwardly for several minutes.

  The gentleman finally pointed at a hard wooden chair and said, “Have a seat son.”

  This whole charade is to make me feel ill at ease. So is this how the damned souls in hell feel while they are waiting for a pronouncement from Lucifer regarding their eternal punishment. Is it to be boiling lava or having to marry the devils daughter? Since this is all going to end badly, I just as well be comfortable. He rose and took a softer chair by a window. He sat back in the chair and gazed out the window at the manicured lawns and shrubbery.

  He glanced at the gentleman, who now regarded him with narrowed eyes and was busily preparing a cigar for smoking.

  Henry stretched, pulled out a notepad, and made a sketch of his latest invention, a modification to one of his grandfather’s old airships.

  After several minutes he turned to Sir Albert, glanced at the grounds and said,” You have quite the extensive property here. It’s impressive. I daresay whoever marries Angelica will be a fortunate man; fortunate indeed.” He fought to conceal a smile. I don’t think this helped matters, but at least it’ll get the ball rolling.

  Sir Albert reddened and struggling to maintain his composure. “You’re correct; whoever marries Angelica will be quite fortunate indeed. In fact she has several suitors from the nobility of England and Ireland ... you however are not to be one of them. I have made inquiries into your situation, your disposition, your family connections, and have discovered the nature of your character. Your mother was cut off from the family after marrying your father; she then became pregnant and was abandoned by the scoundrel when he realized she had been cut off without a shilling. She lived on the streets and finally become a show girl. You were raised by your grandfather, a Colonel Scott. He has some redeeming qualities, but insufficient. Worst of all you are a tinker, a tailor and a bit of a playboy. Do you deny these charges?”

  Henry looked at him steadily and then raised an eyebrow. If he had been truly in love with Angelica he would have challenged the slander, but he let it pass. “I feel your portrait of me while unkind is not wholly inaccurate.”

  The gentleman stood and paced. “I realize this is the nineteenth century, but we have our limits and I won't have Angelica throwing her life away on a mere tailor. Sometimes it’s a father's duty to dissuade those suitors who are unworthy of their daughter. Now I have a question for you. Do you have any interest in joining the war effort? At least that would be a redeeming quality.”

  “Not at present, sir; I’m allergic to bullets and misery.”

  “Not only are you a reprobate, but a coward as well; just as I expected.”

  Henry pursed his lips. He wasn't in love with Angelica, but he did have his pride and he did consider her a friend. If she hadn't been he never would have come to the estate. He struggled to find words then decided a leap from the precipice of reason was in order. “Sir, I understand your meaning perfectly - therefore I would like to ask you a few questions.”

  Sir Albert offered a curt nod.

  “What will Angelica’s living allowance be when she is married and what exactly is her fortune?” He then gestured at the extensive grounds. “How much of this estate will be mine?”

  Sir Albert placed both hands on the table with a face which resembled the gargoyles on the eves of the roof; though he was a darker shade of purple. “That information you’ll never learn, because you’ll no longer be courting my daughter. You’re beneath her and can only bring her misery and sorrow. Therefore, I must insist you cease all communication with her.”

  Henry considered him for a moment. “Sir, this is all heavy handed. You expect me to give up my pursuit of your daughter with a bit of bullying. I do have my pride after all.”

  Sir Albert gave him a cold glare and went to a safe and removed a stack of bank notes. These he handed to Henry. “Here is for your pride, now, take leave without another word to my daughter.”

  Henry thumbed through the bills. “I now realize sir that I should consider Angelica's good name and her honor being the lowest sort myself.” He reached out to shake Sir Albert’s hand but was ignored. Henry rubbed his hands together and strode from the office. He walked down the hall, down the stairs and looked for a side entrance, but was accosted by Angelica, who was waiting for him.

  “How did your meeting with papa go?” she asked with wide expectant eyes.

  Henry felt like he had been given the task of clubbing a puppy. Avoiding eye contact and offering a pained expression, he said, “Angelica, I'm sorry but our love was never meant to be. I therefore encourage you to open up your heart to the many honorable men whom your father has aligned you with. I’m unworthy of your charms.”

  Her countenance fell and her eyes glistened then she covered her face with her hands. After half a minute she lowered her hands and her eyes narrowed. She walked up to him. “How much did my father offer to pay you?”

  “It was just a trifle, honestly my dear.”

  Her face flushed. “And you accepted the money?!”

  “Well inventors need to eat too; I'm a practical sort, not totally ruled by romantic notions.” He braced for the blow. Okay her slap should be coming about now. It will hurt, but it will be well worth the money her father paid me. To his surprise it wasn’t a slap, but a punch instead.

  A few minutes later he opened his eyes and gazed upward into the blurry face of someone licking him. He blinked several time with bells going off in his head, is this Angelica? Her complexion is a bit strange? I’ve never been licked by a girl before. His mind and vision cleared then he realized he was staring up at a bull dog. He winced in pain and felt his eye where she had hit him and the back of his head where he had hit the tile floor. Her parents stood over him with smirks on their faces. She paced the room wringing her hands. Another vote against honesty. Of course what have I said or done that was honest? I definitely need to get another job before I get myself killed. Offer the ladies a bit of encouragement – what a load of crap. Now how to escape with a particle of my pride intact?

  He wiped the slobber from his face and sat up then staggered to his feet. First, I must give her something to remember me by. Bells continued to go off in his head and he felt like he made his way across the deck of a ship. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. He offered an awkward bow to her parents, approached the girl, and gave her a long kiss full on the mouth.

  “Best wishes my dear, and all that.” He staggered backward then walked through the entryway and out to where his horse had been brought around. He mounted the animal with some help then looked down at her parents who berated him. Angelica had her hand to her mouth, smiled, and blushed. All is as it should be, he thought. He gave a wave and nudged the horse into a gentle walk while he held onto the saddle horn for stability.

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nbsp; After he had ridden for a ways he felt his breast pocket and removed his billfold and looked inside. It was empty. God, why must justice be so swift and violent, would it hurt to allow me to wallow in a bit of wickedness before the retribution? Most likely the bills are stuffed inside her petticoats. So I now have the reputation as a gold digger and she now has abundant spending money. How contrary the winds of fortune have blown today.

  CHAPTER 4

  Matilda

  Henry returned home feeling foolish and embarrassed. He touched his swollen eye and considered his job and the need to sport with the affections of young women. What possessed him to hint to Angelica about marriage? It was not worth the trouble, well the kiss was nice, but he could live without the punch. He would consider finding another job, but Mister Badger counted on him and had given him a job when others wouldn't because of the reputation of his father and mother.

  He was met at the door by the Colonel. He winked at Henry. “So young man, how did the meeting with Sir Albert go? Did he want to speak with you about his daughter Angelica?” He raised his great white bushy eyebrows in a knowing manner. “So did he give you his permission? I would have hoped you’d consult with me before asking a young lady to marry you. I never knew you felt this way about this Angelica girl?” He then paused and took hold of Henry’s cheeks and examined his eye. “Did the brute hit you? Your eye is bruising up something awful; it's going to be a dandy.” He then turned and yelled into the kitchen, “Tilley, fetch a steak, Henry’s been assaulted!” He then turned back to Henry and tousled his hair. “Don't fret my boy; it’s all part of the price one pays for love. Sometimes it takes a bit of work to win over the parents in these situations. I can speak from experience; your father tried and tried to get on my good side. Well now I think of the situation; the black guard never did win me over. Where is he now? Oh I remember, the vermin ran off to the states to get away from his responsibilities.”

  Henry gave his grandfather a frustrated look. “Sir, if you’ll let me speak I’ll explain. The conflict wasn't with the father, but rather it was the daughter who was the black hearted villain.” He then explained the whole event and the Colonel laughed till his eyes watered. Henry however, was still struggling to find amusement in the whole affair. The tale was repeated to Tilley and Briggs, who both laughed much harder than Henry thought proper.

  That night he returned to his workshop and checked the recovery of Matilda, the ivy. Henry took out a watering can, watered Matilda then sat down next to the plant and stroked its leaves. “Matilda, it's good to see you've recovered: I was worried about you.” The ivy gently wrapped around his wrist. The plant had put on some bright green leaves and appeared to be making a full recovery, more than making up for what it had lost.

  The plant had been his first experiment with dark energy two years earlier. He had mixed the dark blue jell into the plant’s soil and thought to transfer some human qualities into the plant. After several months of failures he gave up on the project and forgot about it.

  A months later he was volunteering at an infirmary for the dying when he was fascinated with Matilda, a prostitute, who was dying of syphilis. The woman in her late twenties had lost her sight, most of her hair, and was in a state of mental delirium. He had occasionally brought books in and read to her as well as to other patients. He brought her some flowers and the plant to cheer her up. A month later she passed on. Later when he once again volunteered the nun told him of Matilda’s passing and asked him to take his things with him.

  He brought the plant, which was wilted and splotchy to the shop and placed it in a window and watered it and the vine wrapped around his hand and a thorn pricked him. He then suspected Matilda’s essence had been captured by the energy in the plant. He spoke to the plant and it responded to him.

  He stared up at the full moon through the window and touched his head again where he had been hit. “What is the issue with women? If they don't get what they want they’re prone to violence. The plant uncurled and moved away from him. “Okay this one girl is prone to, but let me explain. I'm paid to flatter ladies to obtain business. Is it my fault there are women who actually believe me.” The plant moved farther away from him. “You think I’m lying?”

  The plant moved a large flower head up and down like it nodded in agreement.

  “Well if we’re going to be friends you’ll need to learn how to put up with a few lies from time to time.” He wrinkled his brow. “I guess I over did it, playing with her affections and all; so you think I got what I deserved? So is that enough honesty? Are you happy now?” The plant gently touched his wrist and the flower nodded.

  He then stood up and said, “Matilda, I’m sure you get bored in here by yourself, do you think you can hold a wrench?” The flower head nodded enthusiastically. He approached the workbench and resumed the repair of the Colonel’s flying machine which Henry had crashed into a tree ... again. Luckily for him his grandfather never flew the small airship, but traveled instead in a larger more elegant airship. While he worked, Matilda would hold the canvas taught as he cut strips to fill the holes in the wing.

  AN HOUR INTO HIS WORK the plant tapped him on the shoulder and gestured toward the door. He turned around and there stood Sophie dressed in a long black leather cloak and black riding pants and leather boots which came up her knees. She led a black horse.

  “Hello Henry, I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop in,” she said with a wry smile.

  He pushed a needle through the fabric and pulled the thread tight, then glanced sideways at her. “Good evening Sophie, I’m surprised to see you. Surprised to see you dressed like some kind of burglar. What are you up to? Did you come from a costume party?”

  She shyly intertwined her fingers and said, “I've been out and about. Do I need a reason to visit my good friend Henry David? Anyway, I think now would be a good time for you to apologize.”

  He then turned back to his work. Apologize about what? What have I done now? Taking a strut he fed it into the wing fabric and commenced sewing it into place. After she cleared her throat he said, “I’m sorry; I promise you I’ll never do it again.”

  “How can you say you’re sorry when you don’t even know why you’re in trouble?”

  He glanced at her and went back to his work. “I’m usually in trouble for something. I just figured I’d get ahead of the situation.”

  “How can I know you’re sincere if you don’t know why you’re apologizing?”

  He motioned for Matilda to stretch the material, and then asked, “Is this some ploy to get more kisses?”

  She harrumphed then knelt down next to Matilda and stroked its leaves. “It is good to see you’ve recovered. I feared you’d been destroyed, I’m sorry about the unpleasantness.” She then stood and examined the wings. “So you’re rebuilding a ship? This doesn’t resemble any flying machine I've ever seen.”

  “Could you please hold the cloth while I slide in the stiffening ribs?” She raised an eyebrow and he added, “So why did you really come to visit me?”

  After helping with the installation of several ribs she said, “I thought you’d be kind enough to tell me what the outcome was with your meeting with Sir Albert today. The reason you’re in trouble if you must know is that you lied to me. You told me you didn’t know what the meeting was about while the whole time you planned on asking for Angelica’s hand in marriage.” She then touched her lips. “And you kissed me. It wasn’t a great kiss, but still not the sort of kiss you should be offering on the day you planned on proposing to a different girl. How could you?”

  He was silent for several minutes and she asked, “Well did you?”

  He laid the wing on a table then asked, “Did I what?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Did you ask for her hand in marriage?”

  “Since you have sources everywhere, what did they tell you was the outcome of my visit?”

  Sophie picked up a stiffener and taped her hand with it. “I heard things did not go well fo
r you. I hope your heart is not too broken with her refusal.”

  Henry snipped a thread. “No, things did not go well, is putting too good a shine on it. I was driven off like a stray dog.” He pointed at his black eye.

  She winced at the sight of his eye and said, “I never heard you were attached to a girl. What possessed you to rush over there and make her an offer of marriage? I think the whole business smacks of desperation. Just because you’ll never have me; doesn't mean you should just throw yourself at any girl who happens along.”

  He folded his arms across his chest and grinned. “You’re jealous of her; you have feelings for me so you came here in the cover of night cloaked in black to profess your deep love for me. I like it, carry on with the professions of deep and abiding love.”

  She gasped, and made a fist. “I-I can see why Angelica hit you, you do provoke a girl so. Now stop playing with me and tell me what the whole business was about?”

  Henry sighed and began putting tools away. “Let it suffice my part of the business was shameful. I have through flattery created romantic feelings in several young ladies in order to sell merchandise.” He then turned to face her. “You did notice the line of girls waiting for me to assist them didn’t you.”

  She grinned and said, “I don't believe you, you always flatter me and I have no romantic feelings for you. Carry on, now what happened next?”

  “Shame on you, you’re enjoying this way too much. What a cold-hearted minx you are. Well I was given a card of introduction and asked to come and meet with her father. He was not pleased with me at all. He had this notion that I’m mad for his daughter Angelica. He thought me to be the lowest sort and paid me to leave her alone. I thought things had gone quite well and I would have some spending cash and all I would suffer for my trouble was some harsh words and possibly a slap. Instead she gave me a right cross. When I awoke she had taken the money her father had given me. She is a vicious little thing.”