Chapter 19: Chapter 19

The guests were expected to be arriving soon.

Thomas had checked if everyone else had changed into their new clothes as well, even though a very small number of the numerous staff members were going to be seen during the ball.

The manor was unrecognizable- waltz was expected to be the main dance of the night and everything in the ball hall was prepared.

Oliver was with the rest of the servants, and there was still no trace of Callum.

"You look fancy, " Jenny teased him. "Almost like a lord, too."

"He's always handsome," Adelia said ."He still isn't here, is he?"

Oliver shook his head.

"Come here, young man. Let me fix your tie. "

She propped herself on her tiptoes so that she could reach him "I always forget how tall you are. There. "

Adelia fixed the small, black bow tie and took a step back

"Perfect, now."

Oliver was wearing the required black coat with a black low-cut vest, shawl lapels as per the latest fashion.

"I'll call Della." Jenny joked.

"Jen, don't." He said.

"I'm only messing with you. Don't worry. But you're handsome. " she teased.

An hour later music sounded from the ballroom and the manor was buzzing with excitement and talks.

Women were dressed in any possible combination of colors - as long as it was considered appropriate by the advised norm.

Some men had decided to strictly follow the black and white recommendation of attire, others were wearing their royal military uniforms, adjourned with golden medals.

Oliver joined the other servants downstairs, stealing occasional glances at the guests in the ballroom whenever he could.

The staff members were constantly going in and out, carrying trays of drinks, and everything the guests might need.

"Is the main course ready?" someone called.

"I have to bring more plates."

"More wine and champagne !" came in a different voice.

"Would you help me take more bottles upstairs? It'll be quicker. ' Jenny asked him. "They will have the dinner after the dances are over, so we still have time to move unnoticed. "

Oliver was just about to get up and follow her when Thomas appeared. Angry.

"Thomas?"

"Mr. Abram."

"What did I do this time?" Oliver asked amused and Thomas exhaled audibly.

"Forgive me, but I'm in no state of mind of being polite. I am busy as it is. "

Oliver and Jenny exchanged a look

"There's a boy, I hope to God he's not one of your family members, standing at the staff's entrance."

"No, it can't be. What boy?" Oliver asked.

"I can't say, but he insists he can only speak to you. I have no idea how he's made it that far in the property, but please, make sure you've settled the matter as quickly as possible. I'd hate for something like this to cause distress, even among my personnel."

"Do you want me to come with you, " Jenny asked concerned.

"No, I'll be here quickly, I'm sure it's some misunderstanding."

Oliver hurried to the entrance, still not knowing what any of this was about.

And then he saw it.

It was the boy from the inn, the one Callum had asked to buy the game from the strangers.

"Mr. Abram!"

The boy came closer and Oliver urged him out.

"I don't remember giving you my name. "

"You didn't."

he took out a letter from his dirty, shabby coat and passed it to Oliver

"Here. I was instructed to give it only to you and no one else."

Oliver accepted the latter and quickly hid in the secret pocket of his coat.

"For master." The boy fixed his hat and turned to leave. "Right. Goodbye, Sir."

"Hey, hey," Oliver called after and the kid stopped, a puzzled look on his face.

"What is it, Sir?"

"Who is it from?"

"I don't know, " he shrugged.

"You don't know? What did he look like?"

"Not from here. But he spoke, like,  proper English. Sir."

Xiao, Oliver thought.

"Right. "

He searched his pocket for money to give the boy, but the kid only said

"No, no. Mr. Abram. I already got paid. Goodbye, now."

The boy grinned and disappeared into the night.

Oliver stood there, staring into the darkness.

On his way inside, he heard the maids whispering.

He followed their eyes to the object of their discussions.

And that was a pretty lady, walking up the stairs to the hall, accompanied by two more ladies.

She was dressed in a long, creamy- colored dress with matching long gloves, standing at the main entrance, greeting politely everyone and smiling back to people bowing at her.

She was like a beautiful creature from another world, the gorgeous manor only a background to her incomparable grace.

If some women seemed dull, the over-splendor of the Fernsby riches shining brighter than their jewels, that was not the case with that woman.

"Did you see her- she really is so lovely."

"Oh, my..."

The ribbon on her corset was in a pastel-green color, matching the bracelet on her right wrist.

Oliver paused.

He then leaned towards Della, whose eyes were glittering with awe and whispered to her.

"Who is this?"

"It's Lady Henriette."

"I wish I had her life for at least one day," one of the girls said.

"Everyone does," another added.

"This s Henriette?" Oliver asked stupidly.

He tried to hide the surprise from his voice, because this was not the same woman he'd seen in the countryside.

This was not the woman Callum had said he was looking forward to seeing at the ball.

"Yes, she's..."Henriette - Elizabeth Cavendish is the Mistress of the robes, Victoria's first attendant and a very close friend."

Thomas intruded.

"Victoria? You mean as the...old Countess?"Oliver asked.

Thomas closed his eyes, then rubbed his forehead.

"Victoria as the Queen. Mr. Abram, the Countess does not have a Mistress of the robes."

Oliver stared. "Right."

"You really have to knowledge of any of this, My God. "

Oliver looked back at the woman, stealing another glance at her hand.

The jewel was the bracelet Callum had stolen from, what Oliver later had learned, his mother's room the first night they went to the brothel.

Something was going on and Oliver wasn't sure he followed correctly what it was.

Jenny grabbed him by the hand, pulling him out of his trance, and said,

"I need your help, remember? Come on, up we go."

He followed, blindly.

The letter was heavy in his pocket.

Oliver continued tracing his eyes over the place; the ballroom, the richly decorated rooms, opened for guests, the dining room, decorated with orchids, specially brought for the occasion. Silverware was already arranged on the table; the crystal glasses were reflecting the light of the numerous candles and paraffin lamps were additionally lit in the rooms.

He'd heard recently paraffin was introduced, but, naturally, it was used only among the people who could afford it.

The ornamented chandeliers were hanging from the high ceilings and Oliver felt like he was in another world.

Everything was on its right, perfect place, just like Thomas had ordered it to be.

Everything.

Except for Oliver.

He would never really feel like he belonged there and the crippling feeling that had begun growing in him that he might perhaps one day be seemed absolutely ludicrous now.

He helped Jenny bring everything needed.

She stayed behind, talking to one of the other maids and he headed to the kitchens.

Oliver was passing the candlelit hallway, facing the ballroom.

And then he saw him.

Callum was standing at the entrance, talking to his brother and a few more men Oliver didn't know.

He was dressed in an impeccable black tailcoat with a perfectly arranged set of a black vest and black trousers.

His shirtfront was white and plain.

The lord's hair was cut, neatly put back, contrasting to his dark clothes; it was contrasting to all the colourful, blazing mass, surrounding him.

He was perfect and Oliver's heart stuttered painfully in his chest.

Callum was smiling politely at his companion, when he lifted his eyes, meeting Oliver's.

And Oliver was trapped.

He felt like a wolf, who'd belatedly realized he'd stepped directly in the open trap, prepared for him by the hunter.

The hunter he should've expected to show up eventually.

They held each other's gaze for the briefest moments, yet it was everything.

Oliver felt like all his other senses had singled out, he was seeing only the Lord.

And there was nothing else in the entire world at that moment. It lasted for only a second before someone asked Callum a question.

The Lord looked away and resumed talking to his companions.

Oliver hadn't realized he'd stopped until Jenny showed up from behind him.

"Come on, Oliver."

She looked at the group of lords, then back at Oliver and took a step back.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes," Oliver said shortly. "Yes. Let's go. "

****

The guests were settled and it was the time when the servants could take a small break, before having to go back to their duties.

Oliver escaped from all the buzz and went out on one of the balconies, which was facing the dark black forest ahead.

He saw Cian's white shadow running after something invisible in the distance.

It was starting to get cold, and he wrapped himself tighter in his coat, which wasn't much of a help against the wind now, when he heard footsteps from behind.

A second later Callum was standing next to him, leaning over the marble railing.

"Hello, Oliver. "

Oliver looked at him, at his perfect profile, the way moonlight was reflecting in his bright blue eyes.

The mischievous spark Oliver had so grown to like back there.

"What is it?" the Lord asked and Oliver looked away.

"I wasn't sure it's you."

Callum laughed and took a sip from his drink "You are terrible at this."

"At what?"

"Oh, pardon me. I assumed you were attempting at a compliment. "

"You just look different. "

"I look like a footman. One with more money, but has fewer manners. "

"Aren't you supposed to be dancing inside?"

"To waltz?" Callum glanced back to the big hall.

People were dancing, perfectly moving in circlers "I have a problem steering away from the furniture, I thought you've noticed by now. And I'm afraid I'm already dizzy enough." He smiled at his glass.

Oliver moved closer and said

"And the hair?"

"Oh, my previous longer hair destroys the shape of the physiognomy and it's vulgar, my dear valet."

"If I knew what that means, I'd agree with you. "

Callum snorted. He was resting one of his hands on the rail and Oliver put his hand next to his. White gloves were a compulsory part of the gentleman's wear for a ball, but Oliver's was bare. He wasn't a gentleman, after all.

"You'll stain the cloth."

"I would risk it. "

Oliver moved his hand even closer. They both stood silent, neither of them daring to look up or make a move- any move- when Callum whispered.

"You kissed his hand."

"What?"

"You kissed his hand. Ophelia's. And he's just a... He's not even..."

"Cal? I thought you're friends, and maybe it was expected?"

"Any normal man would just either hit him or call the police. Anything but what you did."

Oliver turned to the Lord.

"Why are you telling me all of this?"

Callum tightened his hold around the rail, still avoiding Oliver's eyes.

"Do you like him? I mean, her? Is this something you fancy?"

" No, I....don't know. I've never been in a situation to consider it."

"But you were. Would you? Maybe in different circumstances?"

"Cal, I don't like him."

Oliver didn’t know what had led to the conversation, but knew he wanted to take Callum in his hands and prove to the Lord he wanted something entirely different.

Someone else.

Oliver was aware where they were and any physical acting upon his desires would be unthinkable.

It was then he took the decision that he knew might cost him. It was already costing him, and he said.

"By the way, the boy from the tavern brought a letter. "

He pushed his hand in the inside pocket of his coat and passed it to the lord.

Callum took it and smiled.

"But you already knew about it, didn't you?"

" I did."

"You weren't only sure if I'd open it."

Callum didn't respond.

"Maybe you should stop testing me. "

Oliver pushed away from the railing and said  "Enjoy the rest of your evening, Lord Callum. Send my regards to Henriette."

He strode off, resisting the urge to turn around.