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by Robin Jeffrey

  The solution broke upon me like a ray of heaven’s light. I opened my eyes and managed a smile. Of course – a kindred spirit was just the thing to draw her out into the open. Besides, it was as good a time as any to get a second opinion on my lady of the evening.

  The antique house phone rested on its charger outside the dining room. I picked it up, said his name aloud, and waited impatiently as it dialed, smoking my nix one handed.

  “Hello?”

  “Henry!” I pressed the phone to my ear with my shoulder, leaning against the wall. “Love of my life, how are you?”

  “Just fine, Chance.” The clacking on the other end of the line was a sure sign that I had interrupted him during one of his little pieces. “You?”

  “Positively glowing, dear boy. Come up to the house, I have a surprise for you.”

  The clacking ceased. “A surprise?” Henry’s beat up desk chair creaked as he leaned back from his keyboard, matching pitch with his quiet groan. “I hate surprises.”

  “No, you don’t, you just say that because you’re a wet blanket.” I strolled into the dining room, heading for the wide double doors at the far end that opened out onto the patio. “Deep down, you love them.”

  He gave a derisive snort and the typing resumed. “We’ll all be over later for the party. Why do you want me to come over now?”

  “I said it’s a surprise.” I pushed the doors open, looking towards the faraway clump of trees that marked the boundary between our land and the Davers’.

  “Yours is a capricious nature, isn’t it?”

  My smirk widened. “Keeps your life exciting, doesn’t it?”

  “I’ll be round soon as I can. Thirty minutes?”

  “Make it ten.”

  3

  Chapter 3

  Disinclined to sit within the stuffy confines of the manor, I had the servants assemble a table for afternoon tea out on the veranda and waited there for Henry to arrive. Henry Davers and I had been friends since our school days and though Henry was my absolute opposite in body and soul, my reliance on him was complete. The moment my father’s manservant showed him out onto the patio, I jumped to my feet and pulled the man into a warm embrace, which he returned without a moment’s hesitation.

  “Henry!” I slung my arm around his shoulders, leading him over to the impromptu table. “Did I tear you away from some terribly important studies?”

  “Of course you did.” He grinned, settling his tall, thin body down into a plush lawn chair as one of the kitchen girls wheeled out a cart with our repast upon it.

  “Good!”

  He peered at me from behind the maid, frowning. “I have never known you to be so cheerful on the eve of one of your family’s dreary parties, Chance. What’s going on?”

  I could never keep Henry in the dark for long. Highly intelligent, my dear friend was lauded as one of the great philosophers of our time, his scholarly papers published in the top academic journals on the sphere before he’d finished school. His real talent was kept a fiercely guarded secret of course, by him and me alone; his soaring poetical verses appeared in various avant-garde pamphlets under a pseudonym known only to me.

  My greatest, and in fact, only confidant, his opinion of Cadence was of the utmost importance to me. If Henry implored me to do so, I would cast her out without a second thought.

  I waited until the serving girl had finished placing the tea things on the table before answering, with a twinkle in my eye, “I have found a most pleasurable way to pass the evening,” I leaned over to my friend and squeezed his knee, “and I desperately want you to meet her.”

  “Chance,” Henry sat back, wide eyes fixed on my face, “you didn’t.”

  A raise of my brows was my answer.

  He shook his head, lifting his cup of tea to his lips. “Your father will kill you.”

  “We’ve had our customary fight for the day, and I have emerged relatively unscathed.” I accepted my tea with a soft ‘thank you’.

  The maid trundled back inside with the cart. Henry sipped at his tea, well aware that it was still too hot to drink. “Where did you find this one?”

  “The Mawson Docks.”

  His hand froze halfway across the table from where his favorite chocolate covered cookie sat. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. “Does she even speak Common Tongue?”

  “Quite well, actually; she’s from Paraesepe.”

  Henry completed his motion and popped the cookie into his mouth, brow furrowing as he chewed. “What compelled her to make the trip all the way out here?”

  “I did ask, but she didn’t say.”

  Henry stopped chewing and stared at me, jaw clenching.

  I waved away his concern. “What does it matter? She’s here, she’ll warm my bed for a while, and then she’ll be elsewhere.”

  Brushing some crumbs off his lapel, Henry sighed. “I have never understood your cavalier attitude towards the opposite sex, Chance.”

  “You just need to get out with them more.” I slid down in my seat, grinning as I ran my finger around the lip of my cup. “Or into them more, as the case may be.”

  “Charming.”

  I watched my old friend as he reached for another sugary pastry, noting his tired eyes and tense shoulders. “You alright, Henry?”

  “Father’s in a mood.” He grimaced, stirring his tea with the cookie. “Seems that your father has vetoed yet another one of his proposals.”

  “Well, you can’t expect Felix Hale to know a good idea when he hears one.”

  “Yes, but…” Henry glanced around the veranda as he set down his cup. “Mother thinks Felix is going to fire him.” He wrung his hands as if they were a sodden towel. “You know how much she cares about his career, his reputation. Our reputation.”

  I reached across the table and clasped his shoulder, shaking him. “Come now, I wouldn’t waste energy worrying about it. Your father’s been with the company almost as long as mine’s been running it. I doubt he’d fire him on a whim.”

  “Tell that to my mother, would you? She’s been obsessing over it for weeks now. It can’t be good for her, not in her condition.”

  “Yes, I’d heard that the doctor had been round to your place. What is it now?”

  “It was hepatic flu, but the medicine Dr. Merton prescribed seems to be working.” Henry munched at his cookie. “It’s a liquid and powder solution, the absolute devil to mix up. It’s been giving me no end of trouble.”

  “You should ask Aunt Be for some tips while she’s here.” I slid my empty cup onto the table. “She handled all my mother’s medications for months. I’m sure she could help.”

  Henry murmured a half-hearted assent.

  I nibbled the side of my mouth, resting my fingers against my temple. “Of course, it didn’t help–”

  The patio door swung open behind me, and I shot up from my seat, grabbing at the doorknob. “Ah, there you are, darling!”

  Hovering in the doorway, Cadence looked just as she had before she went upstairs, except her black hair was now damper and loose around her shoulders. I proffered my hand around the portal and led her onto the porch, the scent of my soap on her skin an intimate touch that made me shiver.

  “Feeling better?”

  “Yes, thank you.” She stared at Henry with the intensity of a deer watching a hunter.

  Henry rose and extended a hand while I made the introductions.

  “This is my oldest friend, Henry Davers.” I smiled and stepped back so that the two could have an unobstructed view of each other. “Henry, this is the delightful creature I’ve been telling you about, Miss Cadence Turing of Paraesepe.”

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Henry.” Cadence bent forward and gave his hand a firm shake, eyes wandering over him.

  Color flushed my friend’s pale cheeks and he stuttered out, “Y-yes, indeed. Cadence.”

  “Henry will be staying over this weekend for the party,” I gestured to a seat behind Cadence and took up my own, the tip
of my tongue caught between my teeth as I smiled, “but he couldn’t wait to come over after he heard my description of you.”

  Henry said nothing in response to my provoking comments, still blushing crimson, his gaze intent upon my guest.

  Cadence sat on the outermost edge of the last empty chair, crossing her legs and folding her hands over her knee. “Party?”

  “Yes, my father’s putting on a small to-do tonight.” I sighed, shifting against the lumpy cushions behind me. “Just friends of the family in attendance, but he’s a stickler for formality. I’m sure you have some charming little dress or something you can wear, yes?”

  Cadence blinked as if I’d flicked water into her eyes. “I’m afraid not.” Bands of red formed around the places her fingers interlaced. “Actually, these clothes are the only ones I have.”

  Henry’s cup clattered onto the table. His fingers stuttered around the edges of the porcelain and his tongue flicked out to wet his bottom lip.

  Cadence pushed out her chin, meeting our eyes boldly. “I like to travel light.”

  We both heard the lie and we both let it pass without comment, neither of us willing to confront her with our understanding. Could that small sack she had been carrying represent the totality of her possessions in this life?

  Henry squirmed in his seat. “I…I think some of my mother’s old dresses might fit you.” He cleared his throat, blush spreading down his neck as he met Cadence’s stare. “I’d be happy to have one brought over for you, if–if that sounds alright.”

  Cadence jerked back, mouth falling open. I was quite certain that Henry had once again overplayed the kind, considerate card and offended my guest when Cadence did something that cleared all other thoughts from my mind.

  She smiled.

  It was the first time I had ever seen her smile and it undid me. The edges of her pink lips skyrocketed upward in an energetic movement of unadulterated joy. She let out a hushed gasp, and her dark eyes sparkled like summer sun reflecting off still water

  “Oh, yes! Yes, thank you!” She held her clasped hands to her chest. “That’s so very kind of you. I promise to return it!”

  “It never occurred to me that you wouldn’t,” Henry laughed, drawing his hand down his jaw and looking at me, the beginning of a grin quirking his lips. “We do have some time before the party; if it suits you, I could have a PT drive us back to the house and you could pick out the dress you liked best.”

  “I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you–”

  “It’s no inconvenience at all,” Henry stood. “My house is only a few minutes away.”

  Things had gotten away from me here. I had expected Henry to be taken with my creature. She was his usual type: tall, brunette, reserved to the point of coldness. But I had no reason to think that she would react to him any differently than she had to me: standoffish at worse, courteous at best. Her obvious enjoyment of him was troubling and more than a little hurtful.

  I stood as well, rubbing the back of my neck and avoiding looking her full in the face. “Why don’t you go wait out front while Henry calls for the PT? It should be here in a few minutes.”

  Cadence nodded, saving the last glimmer of her smile for Henry, who returned it in kind. I waited until the sounds of her footsteps faded before turning on my friend.

  “You bastard.”

  “Spoiled sport.” Henry rocked back on his heels, smile widening into a full-blown smirk. “You know if you keep scowling, your face will stick that way.”

  I shook my shoulders as if to break from the foul mood that had shifted from Henry to me. “I suppose I can trust you with her for an hour or so, yes? During which time, you will extol all my good qualities?”

  “Always.” Henry’s smile softened and he threw his arm around me, patting my shoulder. “I do understand the attraction, Chance; she’s quite striking. And I can tell she’s fond of you already.”

  “You’re not as funny as you think you are, chum.” I dragged him into a parting embrace, slapping him hard on the back. “Don’t do anything that I would do. Remember, you’re the gentleman.”

  I lingered outside for the next hour after they left, contemplating the course of the evening, and thinking about Cadence’s smile; the inhuman brightness of it, its vivacity, the way the memory of it alone left me breathless, a pleasurable ache low in my belly. I lit a nix and sucked at it, the argument with my father throbbing at the back of my mind like a persistent headache.

  I didn’t take notice of the various servants and staff working around me, transforming the veranda with stringed lights and streamers for the party to come. Tables and chairs encroached on the lawn, looking like large white mushrooms in a sea of green, their lace tablecloths flapping in the breeze.

  Henry and Cadence returned to find me right where they had left me, reclined in a chair, smoking my third nix down to the filter. The pair cut through the bustle of bodies with ease. Cadence had a long black bag draped over her arm, the opaqueness of it making it impossible for me to see what kind of outfit she had chosen for the evening.

  Henry mounted the veranda steps with a spring in his step. “Still here?”

  “I think I’ll always be here.” I exhaled a last mouthful of smoke before snuffing out my nix in the ashtray some thoughtful soul had put beside me. “I’ll be here till I rot.”

  “Well, at least I’ll know where to find you when I want to bother someone.”

  I gave a tense smile despite myself. “Happy to help.” I pushed myself on to my feet. “Did Henry get you fixed up with something suitable, love?”

  “Yes, he was very helpful.” Cadence examined her bundle with a furrowed brow. “I think I might have some trouble getting into it though. I’m used to wearing simpler things.”

  “I’m sure we can find someone to help you with that.” I glared over the top of her head. “Unless Henry has already graciously volunteered.”

  “Envy doesn’t suit you, Chance.” Henry adjusted his bow tie, smiling. “Green has never been your color.”

  “Sir,” I turned to see the head manservant bowing at me from inside the patio doors. “Miss Gad has just arrived.”

  “Oh good!” I rubbed my hands together, leaning over to Cadence. “Here’s someone who might be able to help with that dress.”

  We weaved through the dining room, ignoring and being ignored by the servants, who were arranging the antique plates, crystal goblets, and burnished silverware around the table. Victoria stood waiting in the entryway, looking as radiant as ever, her blonde hair glowing like a warm halo as it caught the light of the setting sun.

  She had chosen an emerald frock for the party tonight, all too aware of the way the sharp cut of the dress showed off her sculpted ankles and calves. There were many things Victoria knew nothing about: politics, finance, literature; but if there was one thing she did know, it was how to present herself to her best advantage.

  I walked towards her with open arms. “Darling, you look positively ravishing.”

  “I know.” She leaned forward and we exchanged polite kisses on the cheek. “I worked particularly hard at it tonight, too.”

  “Not that you needed to.”

  “Not that I needed to.” Victoria pulled away with a suppressed smirk.

  I turned to stand beside her, revealing the rest of my entourage. At the sight of our mutual childhood friend, her lips pulled back over her teeth, but she managed to wrestle the sneer into a smile. “Hello, Henry. You’re looking as brooding and pedantic as ever, I see.”

  Henry gave a bow. “I can’t say that I’ve ever worked particularly hard at that, Victoria; especially not for you.”

  “Would someone care to introduce me to our guest?” Victoria’s gaze fell onto Cadence with the same coolness she reserved for all my female friends.

  Victoria would make a fine wife someday. She was the kind of woman who was certain that men would always come back to her, no matter how far they strayed; the more adventurous they were, the more liberties she cou
ld allow herself.

  I walked over to Cadence and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, leading her forward. “Cadence, I’d like you to meet Victoria Gad. Victoria, darling, this is Miss Cadence Turing, recently on-planet from Paraesepe.” I smiled down at my dark-eyed dove, squeezing her to my side. “We met on the AN-GRAV, and I just had to invite her to the party tonight. I’m sure you’ll be fast friends.”

  “Oh, I’m sure.” Victoria offered her dainty hand, a smile stretched over her heart-shaped face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Turing. I’ve always envied women who can stay so pale. Or have you been ill?”

  I cleared my throat and crossed back to Victoria while looking Cadence up and down. “Cadence needs some help with her ensemble tonight, Vicky. It seems she doesn’t have much experience dressing for formal occasions.”

  “You know, I could tell that straight off.” Victoria nodded and began circling my prize, appraising her like a farmer with livestock that needed slaughtering. “Where did you say you were from?”

  “Paraesepe,” I answered for her.

  “Hmm. This is the fashion on Paraesepe, is it?” She giggled, picking at Cadence’s sheer white shirt with her long fingernails. “Are they suffering from a textile shortage?”

  “Vicky,” I came up behind Victoria, slinging my arms around her hips and kissing the top of her shoulder, “be nice.”

  “Oh, Chance!” Victoria threw her head back in a laugh, batting away my hands. “You really know nothing about women, do you?” She stood next to Cadence, wrapping an arm around her waist. “I was just teasing; it’s how us girls bond. Isn’t it, dear?”