by O. M. Grey
“Like I said, I noticed nothing amiss,” I replied politely.
“What of the victim?” said Lady Hamilton.
“Oh, Hazel. Had you not met the woman?” questioned Lady Pearson in a scandalous lilt.
“She was quite the harlot. Did you see what she was wearing last night? Scarlet, of all colors.
Actually suited her quite well. Got what she deserved, if you ask me. ”
“Eliza!” gasped Lady Hamilton. How cute. She was genuinely offended. Flustered, she opened her fan and began fanning herself rather rapidly.
“Don’t act so surprised, Hazel,” said Lady Bainbridge. “She was quite the talk of the ladies.
Always dressing so drearily and flamboyantly at the same time. Wild fashions in such dark colors, no matter if it was summer, autumn, or winter. It was disgraceful.”
“Indeed. But does anyone truly deserve such a fate?” I asked innocently.
“Well, I suppose she didn’t deserve it. That was an unfortunate word to choose,” Lady Pearson said, fanning her face lazily. “Perhaps I should have said that we couldn’t be surprised that this happened to her. Had you known her, Arthur?”
“I hadn’t the pleasure of making her acquaintance.”
“Pity. She would have amused you,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. She knew me too well. “Still, horrible business, this,” she added and then closed her fan. She looked away from us, out across the still, blue water of The Serpentine. Perhaps she had to gather her composure. After all, she wasn’t the savage among us.
“Yes. Vampire attack. I mean, how monstrous,” I said in an appalled tone even I almost believed.
“Yes. Monstrous and shocking, indeed,” added Lady Hamilton, fanning herself even more rapidly than before. I could see that this was upsetting the poor lady. She wasn’t used to such frank conversation. I found it quite endearing and decided I definitely wanted to break her of this innocence.
“Let us talk of more pleasant things,” I suggested. “Certainly you lovely ladies are attending the airship gala this evening?”
“Oh yes!” Lady Hamilton said, clapping her hands together rapidly, her eyes wide with innocent excitement. “I’ve always wanted to go up in an airship, but my husband says that it’s all balderdash. He grudgingly agreed to go to this party, the ol’ fuddy duddy, after I convinced him that everyone who is anyone will be there tonight.” She giggled in delight.
“Quite,” I said keeping my eyes on Lady Hamilton, who had regained her composure with a deep blush. So she was capable of excitement, although it was plain she didn’t allow herself the luxury too often.
“I do hope they’ll be scrubbing it down after all the commoners upon it today,” Lady Pearson said with a scowl. She snapped her own fan open again and began waving it with an elitist air.
She recovered nicely.
I forced myself not to laugh.
“My husband still refuses to go, the old gammy,” Lady Bainbridge said, looking over in the direction of the dirigible suspended over the tree tops. “I, of course, would be loathe to turn up alone, and I wouldn’t miss this gala for all the tea of the crown.”
“Whomever will you bring?” asked Lady Pearson.
“I believe I’ll bring my spinster niece, if we can find a suitable gown for her. The woman needs to get out more anyway.”
“Avalon?” Lady Pearson said with some degree of shock that caused her to freeze momentarily in mid-fan.
“Yes, I know. It is not ideal, but one does have a duty to one’s family.”
This was the best and worst part of London High Society, listening to women prattle on about seemingly nothing all while appearing to be captivated by their charms. Best when I was in the mood for amusement. Today, it was amusing.
“Are you ashamed of this niece?” I queried, feigning interest quite convincingly.
“But of course,” Lady Bainbridge said in a rather condescending manner. “She cares nothing about fashion, often dressing more like a man than a woman. She rarely wears her hair styled, but I have made an agreement with her tonight. She does have a weakness for modern technology, so she has agreed to dress properly in exchange for admittance onto the airship.” She looked extremely pleased with herself, as if she had won a long-lasting battle with the upper hand.
“Ho, ho! Arthur!” a voice broke my attention away from the ladies. I looked up to see a young man about twenty. It was my mate Nicholas Stanton striding towards us, a young woman on each arm, of course. Each girl, identical in looks and dressed in matching white lace, carried a white parasol in the hand that wasn’t attached to Nick. Their white frills twirled over the girls’
shoulders almost in unison, framing Nick in his dark suit. Appropriate, that. As it was this darkness that would no doubt soon put a blight upon their virginal purity. They wouldn’t be wearing white for long.
“Nick, ol’ chap. Enjoying this fine day, I see.”
“Always, Arthur. Always.” He turned to each girl on his arm, as he said, “Ladies, may I present Lord Arthur York.”
“Pleasure,” they said at the same time.
“This is Miss Constance Fitzpatrick,” he said indicating the one on his right. She curtsied quickly. “And Miss Celeste Fitzpatrick,” he said indicating the one on his left, who curtsied as well. They were pretty girls, but I must emphasize that they were indeed girls. Barely sixteen, I would gather. They each had a ringlets of strawberry hair coming out from under their lace bonnets and a sweetness about them that was hard to describe.
“Ladies, I trust you know Lord Stanton,” I said to my, more mature, companions.
“Quite well,” Lady Bainbridge said with a smile. She sat up a little straighter and arched her back, emphasizing her breasts. She was not one to be shown up by younger women.
Nick smiled wide, letting the twinkle settle in his sky blue eyes. “Lady Bainbridge,” he said.
“What a pleasure to see you again.”
“Lord Stanton,” Lady Bainbridge said, “This is Lady Hamilton.”
“How do you do,” Lady Hamilton said quietly.
“Quite well, now that I’ve beheld your beauty,” Nick said with a slight bow. He pulled out of Constance’s grasp just long enough to kiss Lady Hamilton’s hand.
Lady Hamilton blushed and hid behind her fan.
“And of course you know Lady Pearson,” Lady Bainbridge continued.
“Of course, Lord Stanton,” Lady Pearson said quickly, not allowing Nick to answer first.
“What a pleasant surprise. Won’t you join us?” Her voice was flat, as if the invitation was just for social etiquette rather than sincerity.
“Oh how I would love to, dear lady, but I’ve got business to attend to,” he said, subtly indicating the young ladies on his arms. Looking back to me, he said, “Arthur. Tea? Tomorrow?”
“Indeed.”
“Lovely. At yours, I believe. Five o’clock?”
“Five it is.”
“Nicky,” Constance said with a pout perfected by the spoiled. “I want to go feed the ducks.
You said we could.”
“Yes, Nicky,” Celeste added, “let’s.”
“Of course my dears. Did you bring your crusts of bread?” he asked in almost a sing-song way, as if talking to someone much younger than she.
The ladies both nodded, synchronized, and each held up a small satin pouch.
“Splendid. Ladies,” he said bowing to my companions. “Pleasure, as always.”
He turned back toward The Serpentine and began telling a story to his escorts. As he walked away, I heard him begin, “Would you like to hear about my safari in Africa last year, ladies?”
They giggled their excited affirmation. “Well, it was just me and my mate in the wilds an African savannah when we came upon a sleeping lion!” No doubt he would draw out the suspense to increase the impact of the story.
“Interesting chap,” I said, turning my attention back to the ladies, who were still watching Nick walk away. He did have
a way with the ladies, but then, so did I.
“Yes. Quite,” Lady Bainbridge said, turning back to me with a smile.
Without warning, it started to rain, cutting any further conversation short. With a squeal from the ladies, they all jumped up grabbing their parasols, fumbled them open, and then huddled beneath them, closer to the trunk of the great oak behind us.
I just laughed, taking off my hat and letting the cool water hit my face. No chance of sun now. The young ladies with Nick were trying to pull away from him to seek cover themselves, but he wouldn’t let them go until they were all three drenched, laughing, and splashing in the quickly forming puddles.
Carriages were swiftly coming up and stopping at various points along the shores of The Serpentine. All the people who had been enjoying their day were now gathered in tight clusters beneath the trees, trying to keep their fine clothes dry. As their rides approached, they began to trot over in small groups to their respective carriages. Even Nick and his lady friends stepped into his carriage. He would no doubt have them out of their wet clothes within the hour. Lady Bainbridge’s brougham stopped near us, and she scurried towards it after a quick goodbye. The two ladies followed; Lady Bainbridge turned back to me just before she stepped into the carriage and winked.
Too soon to feed again on such a high profile woman, but I could certainly amuse myself in the mean time.
Tonight, no doubt, would be most amusing.
Chapter 3
“That Emily is ripe,” I said to Cecil as he tied my white bow tie. As I mentioned, the current fashion for men of my stature was modest for the most part, but I did look smart in my white tie and black tail coat. Thankful for the trend of black, white, and grey, I certainly did not miss the dandy days of yesteryear.
“Indeed, m’lord,” Cecil replied, brushing off my silk facings.
“Although Hazel would certainly be more of a challenge. She would require a long seduction. Then again, extending the seduction of Emily would be a challenge in and of itself.
She was practically begging for it in the park.”
“How interesting, m’lord,” Cecil replied dryly. He didn’t get involved in my affairs unless some cover-up proved necessary. How could he? There were far too many of which to keep track. Of course I didn’t kill most of them. Just fed from them and altered their memory. Very little cover-up was needed.
“I haven’t done a long seduction in quite a while.”
“They are infinitely more risky, m’lord.”
“Therein lays the fun, Cecil!”
“Of course, m’lord,” Cecil said, brushing off my shoulders.
Cecil stepped back allowing me to regard myself in the mirror. Vampires did have a reflection after all, but it was faint, almost like one was fading away. I had noticed that I got more transparent in the looking glass as the centuries progressed. Or perhaps it was just in my memory that I used to be clearer than my current form. Still, it was ever so convenient to have some reflection with the popularity of mirrors everywhere. One couldn’t be a part of society and completely avoid mirrors! People did like to look at themselves in all their finery. A faint reflection could be explained by a trick of the light, if necessary, but it usually wasn’t. After all, everyone was too busy looking at themselves. The vanity of others was a great advantage to one steering attention away from oneself.
“Yes,” I said to Cecil, indicating my approval. I looked quite smart, indeed. Black tails with a black on black pinstriped waistcoat made from the finest Chinese silk, as all my waistcoats were.
Its notched lapels peeked out from under my tail coat, creating striking lines down the front. The tails were fastened together with a single black silk-covered button, allowing the bottom of the waistcoat to show through. It also gave me easy access to my silver pocket watch, which was kept in one of the small waistcoat’s pockets and secured with a silver chain. Silver complemented black so much better than gold. Even the tail coat had ornate silver buttons, three on each side, that followed the lines of the silk facings. Although I was rather shorter than I appeared, risers in my shoes gave the illusion of more height. I don’t miss the heels of the last century either, however. They had made me taller, but they made everyone else taller as well.
Now, I have had Italy’s finest cobbler make my shoes. They gave the appearance of normal shoes, but along with an extra-long trouser leg, hid the fact that they made me stand a few inches taller. I only had to be careful when I sat down, but I didn’t sit much at parties, and that was all that mattered. Fortunately, women were mostly smaller than I, so they didn’t seem to care much, especially the older ones. The ones whose beauty was said to have started fading. For me, they were still young and succulent. Worked well for all concerned.
“I’m off then, Cecil. Is the carriage ready?” I asked, trotting down the stairs to the main floor.
Cecil followed closely behind.
“I have sent word to Thomas.”
“Excellent. Wish me luck.”
“Oh, m’lord. You don’t need luck,” he replied, then took my overcoat off the rack near the front door.
“That’s true,” I said as Cecil helped me into my coat. I popped on my finest top hat, complete with a black sash tied at the back. A nice pair of black leather gloves and a black scarf completed the outfit. I wore gloves whenever possible, as it masked the deathly coldness of my hands.
Outside, Thomas was waiting patiently on the stoop as Cecil opened the door for me. Thomas was a good man as well. It wasn’t easy finding such quality help, and I had certainly been through problems with staff in the past. Dozens of men over the past century alone. When I found the right man for the job, I paid him very well for his loyalty and discretion, assuring they’d be with me for life. Their life, anyway. It was quite inconvenient that they were mortal, having to start the search all over again. Thomas was no exception to such excellence. In fact, he had significantly raised my expectations for his eventual successor. He was loyal from the beginning, even during the trial period in which I fed from them and wiped their memories to test their resilience. Yes, Thomas had never been a problem. He was taller than both me and Cecil.
Lanky, too. Long nose. Long face. Long arms and legs. I believe he was especially grateful I had his clothes tailored specifically for him, as any regular sizes would have had his arms and legs sticking out the ends. Good ol’ gangly Thom. Over the years Cecil had become more relaxed with me. Sometimes I need to remind him his place, but I’ve never had that problem with Thomas. Polite and proper to the last.
“Shall we, Thomas?”
“Of course, m’lord.” Thomas stepped to the curb quickly and opened the brougham door for me. I climbed in, sitting nearer the window now that there was no fear of sunlight. The sky had cleared after the afternoon rain, and one could now see the stars and the moon. It would be a lovely evening on the dirigible. One didn’t get many firsts anymore, after having lived for so long, but a ride on an airship would certainly be one. I found myself uncommonly excited at the prospect. Well, that and the excitement of a new seduction project. Yes. Emily Bainbridge would do just fine, although Hazel Hamilton would be more of a challenge, and I did so want to make her blush. Perhaps I could manage both at once, without knowledge of the other of course. An additional challenge since they were such close friends. Oh yes. I was indeed excited about the possibilities of the evening.
Thomas pulled the carriage up behind a line of other carriages. The airship was in the large clearing to the north of The Serpentine. It was indeed massive and wondrous. I had never seen anything even remotely like it. I had, after all, seen it in the air, but at such a distance, one doesn’t gain the proper perspective. The sheer size of it was astounding. It was nearly as long as Buckingham Palace and half as high: a grand site sitting in the middle of Hyde Park.
I could feel the excitement in the air. Even for those who had been on an airship before, it was still quite the experience. I stepped out of my carriage and turned to Thomas, who
sat with his mouth gaping open in disbelief as he beheld the colossal ship.
“Jealous?” I said up to him still perched on the coachman’s seat. His feet propped upon the footboard made his gangling legs bend at a comical angle. His knees seemed as high as his own shoulders.
“Not at all, m’lord. It’s unnatural, it is. To go up in that thing? Unnatural.” He let his pointy chin relax again in astonishment. No matter how ‘unnatural’ he thought it was, he couldn’t take his eyes off of the immense thing.
“Quite true, Thomas. However, I do know something about the unnatural.”
“Of course, m’lord,” Thomas replied, remembering himself.
“Return for me by 10 o’clock. We should be landing around then."
“Very good, m’lord.”
I turned toward the great vessel and started towards it. I hadn’t felt this excited since my Spring-Heeled Jack days. It was what they called me back then. I had taken delight, for a few years, showing my true form and frightening villagers in Sheffield, Liverpool, and even parts of Scotland. Some I’d kill, but some I’d leave alive to tell the tale. When a decree came down to shoot Spring-Heeled Jack on site, I had figured it was time for a change. I had started to lay low in 1872, revising my routine, as I did every few decades just to avoid death by boredom. In fact, last night’s act of luscious debauchery was the most conspicuous I’d been since then. Loved to see that the papers reported ‘vampire’ instead of some other silly explanation like a phantom monster who could leap onto high buildings and over fences, although I can. I just had gotten too excited last night, as it was quite obvious from the tooth marks I left. What other conclusion but
‘vampire’ could they make?
Yes. I definitely had to be more careful for awhile. After all, it was quite the hassle to move to another country, and I quite like this one. Perhaps I should turn to prostitutes and such for a bit. Still, the long seduction that I begin tonight will be well worth another high-profile kill. Will it be Emily or Hazel? Ah, the unknown. I should just let nature take its course and see what opportunity best presented itself.