The Curious Swan

by Kenzie Hart

  “Of course! I couldn’t believe it. It was a close call,” Mr. Welland says, taking a sip of his white wine.

  “That it was.” Eddie laughs.

  “Are you any good at football?” Mr. Welland asks curiously.

  “He’s an amazing player!” Klara smiles between the two of them. “Or so I’ve been told,” she adds with a light blush.

  “I’m good, yeah. Best on the team.”

  “And, Edward, you have another year before university?” Mr. Welland questions.

  “That’s right. Though university isn’t something I have really considered,” Eddie replies, feeling a little awkward.

  “Why is that?” Mr. Welland responds, furrowing his brows at Eddie.

  “My father owns a landscaping business that he wants me to eventually take over, and university isn’t necessary for that. I’ve been working for him over the past few summer holidays, and I will continue to take over more.”

  “Let’s pretend you did plan to attend, would you want to study business then?” Mr. Welland asks.

  Klara connects the dots to what Mr. Welland is getting at, and she isn’t sure how Edward is going to react.

  “Actually, no,” Eddie says, slightly dropping his eyes, but he might as well be honest. “If I were going to attend university, I think I would want to study ecology. It’s what I’m most interested in. But, to be honest, I’m not sure I have the marks to attend a prestigious university.” Eddie isn’t sure why he is sharing this with a complete stranger. Especially since it is something he hasn’t even shared with Klara yet. But all of this talk is hypothetical, right?

  “You know, the School of the Biological Sciences is one of our top programs,” Mr. Welland adds.

  “I actually did know that. I just read one of the books published by Professor Williams. I believe he works in that department,” Eddie says, feeling his stomach fluttering.

  “We also have a football club that could use a good forward. I think, if you could rectify your marks, we could use someone like you. Make sure you get your application ready this fall, and if you do decide to submit it, send me an email. I’ll get it into the right hands,” Mr. Welland says, taking a bite of his asparagus.

  “Wow, thank you, sir. I’m flattered,” Eddie says, feeling as though he can hardly breathe, just thinking about the opportunity.

  “I’m sure we will be seeing one another often. And anything I can do to convince this bright girl to attend my school, the better,” Mr. Welland says, lightly placing his palm on Klara’s cheek.

  Eddie wonders how many people Klara actually knows. And knows well. When he first met her, he thought she was all alone. And so she seems to be. Yet there is this whole other side of her that has friends and family beyond this estate.

  “Wouldn’t that just be amazing?” Klara smiles. “I could be sitting under the large oaks, reading while watching Edward practice.” The idea of her and Edward both attending the same university flutters into Klara’s mind. It’s quite a while away, but the picture in her head is as clear as if it were occurring now.

  Eddie’s eyes widen. He barely plans for the next week, let alone the following year. But he has to admit, he could picture himself hand in hand with Klara, walking around such a distinguished university. But that is all that it is. A dream. An image in his head. It isn’t a reality. Even if he got into a university like that, he could never afford it.

  “Come on, Eddie,” Charles says, placing his arm around Eddie’s shoulders. William is beside him with a grin on his face as they make their way out of the dining room. “The men are going to retire to my study for some cigars and drinks while the women play a few hands of cards.”

  Charles is feeling a light buzz from the wine served during dinner and decides the best route is to embrace Eddie. He already has enough to argue about with his mother; he doesn’t need another woman in this household upset with him. And, as an added bonus, as long as Eddie is with him, Charles can keep an eye on him.

  “Have you smoked your first cigar yet?” Charles asks, looking down at Eddie.

  “I don’t smoke,” Eddie replies, not sure if he is being asked a trick question.

  “Ah, your first cigar. It’s a rite of passage,” William chimes in. “I remember my first cigar. My father sat me down and told me on my sixteenth birthday that, to become a man, I needed to smoke my first full cigar.”

  Charles laughs out. “I think I remember you telling me this story once.”

  “What my father hadn’t told me was that you shouldn’t inhale a cigar. So, of course, he started me out with one of the strongest ones, and I didn’t make it halfway through before losing my stomach.”

  “We won’t be so deceiving with you,” Charles says, still walking toward the study with Eddie under his arm.

  “I appreciate that,” Eddie says, laughing with them.

  He is enjoying their conversation. It seems they have already had a few drinks and have quite loosened up since cocktails were just being served.

  “Father,” Klara says, catching up to the three men walking side by side. “And just where are you headed?” She crosses her arms while trying to keep a straight face, but a smile comes to her lips. She raises an eyebrow at Charles all the same.

  “I’m taking the men to retire in my study for cigars and scotch,” he replies.

  “Your father’s trying to talk Eddie into his first cigar,” William says with a laugh and turns to Charles.

  “Father!” Klara scolds, but she feels a tingle of happiness within her at the fact that they all seem to be getting on so well.

  Charles and William, followed by the rest of the men from dinner, trickle their way into the study. The one where they were kissing just a few hours before.

  “Are you all right with this?” Klara asks Eddie.

  He looks back at her with bright eyes. “Of course. I mean, I would rather be with you,” he says, placing a kiss on her forehead, “but I suppose it will be good for me to get to know your father more.” Eddie wraps his arms around Klara’s waist and pulls her against his lips. Their kiss is soft and sweet. “Plus, I don’t think he will put up too much of a fuss about me. He and William both have to be a few glasses in already,” Eddie says with a laugh.

  “All right.” Klara smiles at him. “I will go play a round of cards with Grandmother and then come rescue you. Sound all right?”

  “Sounds perfect,” Eddie says, smiling back at her.

  “Yes!” Klara yells out.

  She places her cards down onto the table, and all the women around her moan out.

  “I think I taught you too well,” Grandmother says to Klara, her eyes narrowing in on her from over her reading glasses.

  “That you did, Grandmother. I thought you’d be proud,” Klara says, getting up to place a kiss on her forehead.

  “Oh, child,” Cordelia says, shaking her head. “I am, of course, because being a good card player is one of the most fundamental social graces all young women should be taught. But I failed to teach you that it is rude to win against a group of old women. You must cater to our age,” Cordelia teases with a twinkle in her eye.

  For as many crazy days as her Grandmother has, she is also as sharp as a knife and can be quite witty.

  “Oh, Grandmother. I couldn’t do such a thing.” Klara laughs out. “You know I have to play my very best and hardest to compete with you. I’m going to say good night to Edward and then retire to my room, if that is all right.”

  “You young people these days! Where is your fire? If I were your age, I’d be up, dancing till dawn with that boy,” one of the women at the table says.

  Cordelia can’t help the laughter that escapes her mouth. “Of course that is all right, dear. Good night.”

  “Good night, Grandmother. Don’t get into too much trouble,” Klara says, turning to point at her grandmother as she leaves the room.

  “You know I will!” Cordelia calls out. Klara can hear her Grandmother say to one of the women, “Of cour
se, we had to send the photographer away before the real fun began.”

  Klara walks back to her father’s study. The door is closed, but she can hear the bellowed laughter and smell of cigars from well down the hallway. She cracks the door open, peeking her head inside. Men are seated on the leather couches and varying chairs throughout the room. She spots Eddie on one of the sofas, wedged between her father and Mr. Welland. Edward has a cigar in one hand, a crystal glass in the other, and a smile upon his face.

  Eddie instantly catches Klara’s eyes, and he leans closer to Charles, saying something into his ear and then putting his cigar out in the ashtray.

  “Gentlemen, it was a pleasure,” he says, walking around and shaking the hands of the men on the couches close to him.

  Mr. Welland holds his handshake for a moment, and Klara notices them talking for a few seconds before Eddie meets her at the door.

  “Hi,” he greets her with a smile, one that reaches his sparkling eyes as he grabs ahold of her hand.

  “Do you want to take a quick stroll before you have to head home?” Klara asks, wanting some fresh air. She loves parties, but she much prefers being outdoors.

  Eddie nods at her, and they walk through the varying rooms to the entryway and out through the front door.

  “I’m so thrilled you came tonight.” Klara grins at him. “You made the night one I will always remember.”

  “It was the most unique dinner party I’ve ever been to,” Eddie says with a laugh. He pushes his hand through his hair, causing his perfectly parted hair to look a little disheveled and loosens his bow tie as they walk. “How was playing cards?”

  “I won! Grandmother wasn’t pleased, but she knows I always try my best, so when she does beat me—and she does quite often—she knows she won fairly.”

  “I can’t imagine Cordelia liking to lose at anything.”

  “Oh, she doesn’t,” Klara says, stopping in front of a bench. Roses surround it, and she bends down, taking in their delightful scent.

  “Want to know a secret?” he asks, sitting down on the bench.

  “Of course!” Klara replies, bringing her eyes to his.

  “When I think of you … well, of the way you smell, I always think of roses,” he says with a light blush.

  Klara moves to sit beside him. “They’re my favorite. All of my bath soaps are infused with roses from our gardens.”

  Eddie moves his hand along the back of Klara’s head, running his fingers through her hair. It feels silky against his skin. Klara places her hands on his cheeks, pulling him to her lips.

  “You taste like scotch and tobacco.” Klara laughs against Edward’s lips.

  Eddie instantly pulls back. “I’m sorry.”

  “No,” she quickly adds, moving back against his face. Their noses are touching, and her lips are brushing against his with each word. “It’s just new. But don’t stop.”

  She places her lips back on his. Eddie continues to run his hands through her hair, and Klara opens her mouth, taking in the new tastes and warmth. They stay seated, kissing for a long time before Eddie slowly pulls away.

  “You know how you saw me talking to Mr. Welland when I was saying good-bye to everyone?” Eddie says, resting his forehead against Klara’s.

  “Mmhmm,” she replies, keeping her eyes open while looking at Edward’s face. She notices the creases he gets around his mouth when he smiles.

  “Well, he told me that they offer athletic scholarships. And he gave me his card.”

  Klara takes a moment before responding, “Do you remember, the other day, when I asked you to think about what would make you happy?”

  “I do,” he says, still keeping his face against hers.

  Klara pulls back, so she can look him in the eyes. “You need to do what will make you happy regardless of anyone else. If that is not going to university and working with your dad, then do that. But, if you want to attend university, you should. You have a full year to think about it.”

  “But applications are due after the summer holiday,” Eddie replies, which means he would have to decide this fall if he even should apply.

  “My advice would be, if you’re even considering university, apply. Just because you get accepted doesn’t mean you have to attend if it isn’t what you want.”

  “And what about you?” Eddie asks.

  “I’m going to apply to places farther away, including Cambridge, but I feel my place is being close to Grandmother,” Klara replies honestly.

  Eddie wonders if it is though. Should Klara have to give up on something she wants just to stay here and take care of Cordelia? Surely, they could afford to hire someone to care for her. So, why does Klara feel she has to do it? Eddie starts to wonder if her excuse of staying at home because of her grandmother is just that—an excuse.

  “Klara?” Charles says, lightly knocking on her bedroom door. He stands in the doorway, peeking into her room.

  Klara rolls onto her side and sits up, propping herself onto her elbows.

  “Father,” Klara says, wiping the sleep away from her eyes. She notices the clock on her nightstand reads half past one.

  “I just wanted to come up and tell you good night,” Charles says, moving beside Klara’s bed and taking a seat on the chair in the corner. His blue eyes look dimmer, compared to how bright they were that evening, and Klara notices the lines on her father’s forehead. “Tuck you in properly,” he says with a sad smile.

  “You haven’t tucked me in properly in a long time,” Klara replies seriously, her heavy eyes starting to waken slightly.

  “I know I haven’t. And I’m sorry for that. I also came to tell you that I have to return to London early in the morning. I’ve got a patient who needs to see me right away.”

  “It’s already morning, Father.”

  “That you are right about, dear,” he says, unsure of what he even came up to tell his daughter. He supposes he just wanted to see her before he had to leave.

  “You know, Father,” she says, sitting up a little more, “you smell like cigars.”

  Charles laughs easily. His chest feels like it has a little more room in it to breathe, the weight he normally carries in his heart lifting for just a moment.

  “Anytime I smell a cigar, I instantly think of you,” Klara says with a smile. Her blonde hair is falling over her shoulders, and she is wearing a white cotton nightgown.

  “And anytime you smell scotch?” he questions.

  “I think of Grandmother, of course.” She laughs out. “Father, will you be able to return for my birthday party this summer? You know I will be seventeen this year.”

  “I’ll try my best to be here. You know I love you very much.”

  “I know you do, Father,” she says, lying back down.

  “You looked just like your mother tonight.”

  “Really?” she replies, smiling brightly.

  “It’s as though, anytime you’re in the room, so is she,” he breathes out.

  Klara notices her father’s shoulders droop slightly as a frown forms on his face.

  “Is that a good thing?” she says softly, the words barely leaving her lips.

  “Of course,” Charles says, placing a kiss on Klara’s forehead. But he isn’t sure if that is actually true.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “Eddie, you’d better hurry up,” Rose calls out from the kitchen. She has just finished cleaning the dishes from breakfast. “Of all the things that boy is, the one thing he isn’t, is punctual.”

  “You are right about that,” Doyle says, finishing his coffee at the table. He made sure he had the morning off to watch Eddie’s match.

  “All right, I’ll see you there, yeah?” Eddie says to his parents as he jogs out of his room. He has on his blue-and-white jersey, knee-high socks, and sneakers. His cleats are placed in a small duffel hanging off his shoulder, and he has a ball in his hand. He places a kiss on his mom’s forehead as he leaves.

  “We will be there, dear,” Rose says as her son make
s his way to the front door.

  “Don’t forget, Klara is coming to watch,” Eddie says with a grin. He looks specifically at his dad when he says the comment, and Rose notices.

  “We couldn’t forget, sweetie.” Rose smiles at Eddie, and Doyle nods his head.

  As Eddie walks out the front door, Rose thinks back to how many times he kindly reminded them that Klara would be at the match and coming over after for lunch. At first, she just thought he was nervous, but it wasn’t his usual demeanor to be odd about such things.

  “Doyle, what was that look for?” Rose asks, crossing her arms as she leans against the island.

  “It’s nothing, dear,” Doyle says, rubbing his finger against his temple. He knows, if anything, getting into a fight with Rose is the last thing he wants to do.

  “Explain yourself right now. Why is Eddie making such a point about Klara being there today?” Rose moves, so she’s standing in front of her husband.

  “Look, I told Eddie I didn’t think he should get involved with Klara. That the Kentwoods are—I mean, honestly, Rose. We both know the family’s past. About how her father is never around. It’s not normal.”

  Rose gets a look of determination in her eye. “Regardless of her family, Klara is a delightful girl. And Eddie is lucky to have someone who truly cares for him. Today, at the match, you will make it abundantly clear that we like Klara and support our son. Is that understood?”

  Doyle stands, looking his wife in the eyes. “I understand,” he says, breathing out a heavy sigh while placing his arms around his wife. “I just don’t want to see Eddie get mixed up with them. There are so many unanswered questions about how Klara’s mother died.”

  “Eddie is a smart boy. We have to trust that we’ve raised him well,” Rose says.

  “I know Rose. But he is just that, a boy,” Doyle replies.

  “Good warm-up, guys,” Eddie says to his teammates, feeling loosened up and ready for the match.

  “You looked good out there,” Mattie says, coming up alongside him.