Revelations in Letters: Part One

Hugh left their library and headed up the staircase. He went directly to their rooms. Matilda was not there. That caused him to stop, then stare at the empty unmade bed. "Oh, she must still be in the bath," he mumbled, not planning to check.

Hugh opened the door to the large dressing room that adjoined their bedrooms. The long, narrow room served them both. A glass divider of an oriental influence partitioned the room, allowing for modesty. Matilda had personally selected the divider, along with other furnishings for the manor, on a shopping trip to the city after he had procured the place. He smiled, recalling his wife's delight with all the "treasures" she found.

Hugh opened the decorative pine doors of his closet and quickly removed a white button-down shirt and collar, a black suit jacket, and black pin-stripped trousers. Once he was officially dressed, he walked out into the hallway where his butler patiently waited to adjust his attire. He affixed Hugh's collar and tie, inserted studs and added his cuff links.

Then Locksley followed behind him with the clothes brush to complete his state of dress. When Hugh descended the stairs, he looked perfect.

Muffled voices permeated the air downstairs. Hugh recognized one of them as his wife. They seemed to emanate from the parlor. He spotted Matilda and Clementine firmly positioned together, engrossed in an intense conversation. And he caught the fearful looks Clementine kept casting at Matilda.

"Humph," Hugh cleared his throat. Both of the startled ladies immediately turned their attention to him. "May I ask what is causing such a commotion so early in the day?"

Matilda glanced to Clementine who nodded. "Letters, Sir."

"Hmm, letters you say. So you received a letter, also? When did you receive it?"

"I first noticed the envelope yesterday afternoon, around three I believe. I thought it was from my father until I saw the seal. My father always leaves me notes on my study desk," Clementine explained, nervously biting her lip.

Hugh nodded as he entered the parlor, "the blue room" he like to call it because of all the monochrome blue décor. He casually removed his jacket and took a chair next to the small blue settee that the ladies occupied.

"Is that where you found it? "Matilda asked, cocking her head and wanting to hasten the questioning.

Clementine nodded, pulling out a handkerchief. "I apologize for being so rude, but may I?" Clementine held out her handkerchief in front of her person.

Matilda nodded.

Clementine turned around until she faced the door and blew her nose.

The butler quickly grabbed a silver tray that sat on a stand by the door. He held it out to Clementine and Matilda assured her, "Do not worry, it will be laundered and promptly returned to you tomorrow."

A red-faced Clementine nodded, dropping the handkerchief onto the tray. At the same time, Locksley heard a maid's footsteps nearby. Without speaking, he tapped the maid gently on the arm and handed her the tray. She quickly took it and headed away.

Clementine glanced curiously at the butler.

Locksley looked to Hugh, who offered an explanation. "Allow me to apologize if that was odd to witness. You see, Bernice, the maid who just walked by, is deaf." Hugh finished speaking and Locksley resumed his position standing at the door to assist if needed.

Clementine nodded.

Matilda and Hugh waited patiently for her to compose herself.

Hugh was prepared to ask a few questions of Clementine. When she finally turned around, he studied her before speaking. He took in the young girl's appearance, from her messy blonde curls to her modest gray dress. Her baby blue eyes were lovely, but not enhanced by her thin pale lips or the frown engulfing them. He compared them to Matilda's beautiful smile, her tiny lips pink and full . . . Hugh snapped out of that train of thought to focus on his questions. "You said a wax seal? Do you remember what shape it was?"

"Yes, I remember sourly thinking that in the envelope was probably a note from my father, telling me what to study next, along with a small incentive.

Father likes to give me a gift related to my studies as encouragement. Remember, when I studied the Chinese dynasties, he gave me my jade bracelet.

"When I picked up the envelope, I saw the strangeness of it. There was my name in Copperplate. I flipped it around and observed a red wax seal of a lion. Curiosity got the better of me." Clementine momentarily took a breath. "I wish it had not." Her eyes filled with tears.