by Lynn Ricci
“Selena happened.” Mason’s voice took on bitterness she had not heard from him before. Mason rubbed his hands on the top of his jeans as he sat there, obviously irritated, about to unfold the end of his story. He looked at Sarah and gave her a tentative smile, feeling both sides of his mouth spread and form a real smile instead of the grotesque sneer he usually made. The curse is breaking.
He cleared his throat before starting. “Catherine was an incredible artist. Although her father was not fond of the idea of her attending art school, thinking it was a little too progressive for a woman to continue her education, no one could deny her talent and how it had improved with the cultivation that the Museum of Fine Arts School offered. Although she enjoyed painting outside during the summer months, Mr. Todd had agreed to set up a small studio up here on the third floor. He had these tall windows installed to maximize the light.”
Sarah looked around at the room like she had not seen it before, wondering what it could have been like 150 years ago.
“By that spring, the house was settled into a routine. Mrs. Todd had it decorated to her liking and Mrs. Burke was happy to have a full family to cook and bake for. The housekeeper's brother and I had struck up a friendship and spent a considerable amount of time playing cards to get through the long winter. Penny was doing well with her studies and Selena, luckily, kept to herself.
Catherine painted throughout the winter so I paths didn’t cross as much. I would cherish the moments it did or when I would deliver her to school by carriage. Sometimes when we returned to the house she would come around back to the stables to check the horses and we would talk for a while. One day in the early spring I told her the story of the fire and my parents . . .”
Sarah interrupted, speaking softly but not looking as glazed over and lost as her first memory, “there were tears and a gentle hug for condolence, and then Aiden and Catherine shared their first kiss.” Sarah surprised herself by adding to the story and blushed at the memory. She quickly looked away and fidgeted.
“That they did.”
“They did? I wasn’t making up my own story?”
“You were not making it up. It must be a memory, triggered by my talking about it.” Mason became worried. “Sarah, if you are having some flashback as I tell you about events in the past, some of what I might say next . . .”
“It’s okay, Mason.” She put her hand on his arm for reassurance and left it there. “I’ll be fine.” He looked down at his own arm and realized how smooth it now was with all the lumps and welts subsided.
“After we kissed, it changed things. I was totally infatuated and couldn’t think of anything but Catherine. Mrs. Burke tried to warn me and even Delia was trying to get me to look at other girls. They both tried to remind me that I was twenty and should be finding a wife, and that Catherine Todd would not be allowed to marry the stable boy. She came from a wealthy family, and I was an orphan.
One afternoon Mrs. Todd, Penny and Selena joined me to pick up Catherine. The plan was to visit the new store that just opened on Winter Street called Filene’s Sons & Company. On the way over, Mrs. Todd bubbled about looking forward to seeing the large department store and having heard you could buy clothes as well as items for the home all in one place.
“May I be able to get new shoes?” Penny asked.
“Of course, dearest. And I need a new shall. I am sure Catherine will want to start looking at dresses for the Ball.”
I heard this and although I could not see them sitting in the carriage behind me, I could feel Selena’s evil smile directed at the back of my head.
We picked up Catherine and I remember she was quite giddy with the appearance of William Morris Hunt, a noted artist and teacher who was one of the first to offer classes to women in Boston at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts just a few years before. Catherine excitedly talked about how he had made comments about her work and suggested even that she look him up at his studio on Summer Street where he could introduce her to another female artist that he thought could help mentor her.
We pulled up in front of the department store and I waited out front, standing by the horses and carriages and chatting up the other coach drivers as the Todd clan and Selena strolled inside. It was still chilly and I was surprised and a bit uncomfortable when I saw Selena return.
“I’ve returned early,” She stated boldly, drawing the attention of the other grooms with her incredible beauty and uncharacteristic self-assuredness. She smiled at the group of fellows, and I felt myself bristle with the thought she would just as soon devour them, sucking all energy and growing stronger and more attractive.
I opened the door to the carriage and she waited for me to offer my hand to assist her climb into the back. Instead, I formally offered up my arm, elbow bent, for her to use as leverage. Blue eyes narrowing, I think she suspected I knew her trick of seeking out a man’s wrist vein in order to draw on his life force.
Selena stepped on board without using my arm but before I closed the door, she merrily said, “The dress Catherine is selecting is magnificent. She should not have any problem with eligible suitors once she is introduced at the ball.”
After that, Selena used any bit of information she could to upset me. She started attending dinner with us in the kitchen at night, listening to our conversation and sometimes accidentally bumping into me under the table or grazing my hand while passing a dish. She would always add tidbits she had overheard from Penny or Mrs. Todd about the young men in Boston, the good families, and the upcoming spring balls.
One night, I heard a slight knock on my door and there was Selena. Although Anna, Selena and I were all on the ground floor, we kept our distance and decorum so this visit was surprising and troublesome.
“What’s the matter, Selena?”
“I think there is a mouse in my room. Can you come catch it?”
“Isn’t that why you have a cat?” It was common knowledge that Selena had a black cat although we never saw it during the day and we believe it stayed in her room.
“I am sure Anna is making that up. There is no cat and I need your help.”
My intuition was to stay far away and not be alone with her, especially after the incident at the end of the summer, but I could not leave her in distress and knew Anna would be of no help. I closed the door behind me and followed her up the hallway to her room.
When I entered, it was not what I expected. The room was elaborately decorated, not like my bare room, and lit with one gas lamp that gave off a low glow. A rich, Persian rug covered the wood floor and there were dark wood dressers that appeared to be intricately carved and expensive. Not the quality I was provided but I justified that she was a woman and they fancy this type of furniture more than I would care for.
My eyes adjusting a little more to the dimness, I noticed dresses hung on hooks along the back wall and there were shelves lined with glass jars and a small bookcase with old leather bound books.
The agarwood incense was overwhelming and as I stood there looking around, she grabbed me by the wrist to pull me into the room and shut the door. I had a strange sensation invade my body originating from where her hand touched my wrist and a pounding in my ears. Dizziness set in and I had trouble forming thoughts and words. Suddenly I remembered what Mrs. Burke had said about not letting her touch me and turn me into a mindless puddle like she had Mr. Todd before and I quickly shook my hand free. Unfortunately, it was a little late and my reactions had slowed.
Selena pointed at the corner by her bed.
“I heard scratching, over there, in the corner.”
I looked at her and felt my eyes trying to focus. There was a buzzing in my ears and there was no escape from that damned agarwood scent. Her hair was black and shone with a blue highlight. Her skin was like a porcelain doll and her eyes were fringed with the longest black eyelashes and on closer inspection appeared to be rimmed in black kohl. But it was her mouth, with those plump lips that curled in the corners that I found myself staring at
.
In those days I was very strong physically, but at that moment I felt weak in body and spirit. I tore my gaze away and trudged sleepily towards the corner she had pointed to inspect for mice. I felt her hand on my back and although my mind screamed run I knew she had already dragged me too far into her sticky web. Turning around to tell her I was going to leave, her mouth locked on mine, hungrily covering my lips. She pushed her body against mine, from chest to toe and although I tried to grab her forearms too pull her away I was weakened and it took all my might to do so. But not before I felt her tongue dart into my mouth and seek out mine, a dark vision filling my head. Truth be told, the passion and obvious skill of those lips caused just a moment of hesitancy as a wave of passion rose within me, almost drowning out the urgency of the situation and rendering me useless. I had never experienced anything like that kiss.
Once I pushed her back to break her hold on me, my vision started to clear and knew she had put a spell on me somehow.
“Selena, are you mad? This is most inappropriate and my heart belongs to another.”
“Catherine?” She spit out. “Your feelings are not returned, nor could they be with your station in life. Catherine will soon find a suitable gentleman and become betrothed but you and I are perfect together. We are both orphans, alone in this world, and would make a handsome couple.”
“I love Catherine and believe she feels the same. I have been saving my wages and will soon have enough to offer her a decent life as my wife.”
Selena’s head fell back and she openly, heartily laughed, a most unnatural sound, and it gave me chills. She pointed her finger, stabbing me in the chest to make her point, smiling that wicked smile with the curled up corners of her mouth. “You will never have Catherine, I guarantee it. No man has ever denied me and I have been biding my time waiting for you, but I have waited long enough.”
She was quick, and my reactions were still slowed from whatever spell she had over me. Her hand reached out and wrapped around the back of my neck, drawing us perilously close again. Roughly I removed her hand and pushed her away. Falling back, she landed on the bed in a sitting position and her face, that strikingly beautiful face had evil lurking just below the surface.
Her eyes became slits and her mouth turned down in the corners. Selena’s eyebrows, typically a graceful arch, seemed to meet in a deep furrow between her eyes as she looked up from the bed. Her arms spread to the side to support her in that position and her nails dug into the coverlet. I will admit I had never been so scared in my life and I wondered if I was truly in the presence of a demon. My stomach turned cold and a sweat broke out all over my body.
“You will rue the day you refused me and change your mind. I will make sure of it.”
While she had been staring at me I had backed up and I finally hit the wall. She did not move from the bed and the look on her face had some insanity in it that made me feel uncomfortable and anxious of what she could be truly capable of. I felt behind myself with my hand and found the door. Letting myself out without turning my back to her I returned to my room and locked the door, placing the chair under the knob as an extra precaution.
The following week was difficult. Selena would not let up, finding excuses to be around more and sneaking looks my way that made me remember that night and feel uncomfortable. Although not a superstitious person by nature, I did take one of the used horse shoes and hung it, open side down, over the stable door. If she was a witch as Anna and Mrs. Burke had insisted over this last year, it would keep her out of my area.
Catherine could sense something was wrong. One morning while heading out to school, Catherine brought a finished work out to the carriage. I helped her in and when I saw the painting I told her how much I admired it. Her face lit up with joy that I not only liked her painting but that my spirits were higher.
“Catherine, this is spectacular!” I exclaimed, holding the canvas while she sat on the cushion in the back of the carriage. I held if for a moment longer looking at the colors and painterly strokes.
“You really think so? I am bringing it in today as I heard Mr. Hunt will be at class.”
“I am sure he will have words of praise.” I handed it in to her and she set it on the facing seat.
“Perhaps you might like it for yourself? Hang it in your room . . . just if you want to decorate, I mean.” Catherine pulled on her ear with her white gloved hand and then adjusted her hat in a nervous gesture.
“It would be my pleasure to display your artwork, Miss Todd.” I bowed before closing the door and climbing up to my seat. The entire way to Copley Square I had a smile on my face I could not remove. I felt that perhaps Catherine could be as interested in me as I was in her. Maybe I should see the O’Malley’s tomorrow night instead and ask Catherine to take a stroll tonight after dinner. That way she will know my intentions.
We arrived at the Museum School and I hopped down to help Catherine out. She stepped down carefully and straightened her folds and bustle, pulling on the bottom of her fitted jacket. I reached in to retrieve the painting and handed it to her carefully.
She smiled up at me, her porcelain complexion and blond hair looking so light and bright compared to the dark gray outfit. Fluttering her eyelids in a demure way, she finally locked eyes with me and smiled, thanking me for the ride. The beat of my heart echoed in my ears and the palms of my hands broke out in a sweat as I stammered that it would be a mild evening and perhaps we could take a walk after dinner. I told her I wanted to hear more about the process she used to paint the picture. She tried to cover the smile on her face with her gloved hand and finally said that she was looking forward to it.
The rest of the day dragged by until I was ready to pick Catherine up from Copley Square. Penny had been studying all day with Selena and by mid-afternoon she came out to the stable.
“Hello Aiden. Is it time to leave yet?”
“Almost.” I was brushing down Raindrop and didn’t look up.
“We thought we would go with you. Selena said flowers are starting to come out in the public gardens and I wanted to go for a ride to see them.”
I looked up and saw the darkened shape of Selena standing in the opening and for a moment I wondered if the horseshoe was actually preventing her from entering. If this was true, and she was a witch, what was she really capable of?
“Of course, Penny. We can take a ride through the Gardens.” Penny skipped out to the doorway to let Selena know and I felt trapped.
A short while later, as we rode up Huntington Ave, the horses clip-clopping on the cobblestones and me lost in thought, I realized that if I knew she was a witch, then she must know that I realized this. That could be very dangerous. I was still thinking about this as I pulled up in front of the massive building that housed the school and I saw Catherine part from a group of women and start walking our way. I jumped down and looked into the back. Penny watching her sister out the window with a smile, and Selena further back, watching me. I wasn’t sure, but it looked like her lips were slightly parted and I thought I saw just a glimpse of her tongue run along her lips. A fleeting thought of that night in her room and my momentary weakness was interrupted by Catherine.
“This is a pleasant surprise.” Catherine beamed at her baby sister.
“We’re going to see the gardens, Catherine. Selena said the flowers are starting to bloom.”
“’Tis the plan, Miss.” I smiled and held out my hand to help her in. Returning to my seat up front, I grabbed the reins and gave a quick shake to let the horses know we were leaving. I worried about Selena and Catherine in the carriage but knew Penny was there as a buffer. Besides, I didn’t think either would be rushing to tell the other of recent events – Selena of the one kiss and her advancement that I turned down, or Catherine’s agreement to take a walk with me alone after dinner which was essentially a first date. The clip-clop rhythm was calming and I finally relaxed as we entered the Public Garden and further to the Common.
We picked up Mr. Todd at h
is office and he joined the women in the back. Heading back to the South End, my thoughts turned again to Selena. I felt like she was entering my thoughts more and more since that evening.
I turned the horses into the alley and further into where the court yard opened up behind the house. I stopped the horses and jumped down to open the door. Catherine and Penny stepped out, followed by Selena and lastly by Mr. Todd. As Mr. Todd stepped down from the carriage I saw fear and caution register on his face as he peered at Selena. Selena went stomping away with obvious dissatisfaction and I wondered what happened during the ride back. I didn’t need to wait long to find out.
Mr. Todd turned to me when the women were out of earshot. “My daughter informed me of your intentions to take her for a walk after dinner. I believe my wife and I will also be taking a stroll since it’s such a nice evening.”
“Sir, if there is a problem . . .” I shifted on my feet and shoved my hands deep into my pants pockets.
Mr. Todd cleared his throat, interrupting me, and then pulled out his pocket watch. “Seven thirty then?”
I nodded agreement – surprised that had gone so well. It also explained Selena’s huff as she had stomped away to the house. Having heard the conversation in the back of the carriage, she must have realized I stood more of a chance with Catherine than she had thought.
I put away the carriage feeling exhilarated and looking forward to seven thirty. With the horses settled in their stalls I checked their water and feed. The harnesses were wrapped and hung and I stood in the middle of the stable and looked around as I did at the end of every day. All was in its place and clean and I decided to go wash up and have dinner in the kitchen with the other help.
Eating quickly, I noticed Selena had taken her plate down to her room. Anna and Mrs. Burke were just finishing eating when I came in and Mrs. Burke put a plate down for me.
“Sit – I saved you a plate.”