The Triple Goddess

by Stephanie Hudson

  “Turtle Dove,” he whispered and Pip beamed up at him before the social expectancy won over the situation.

  “Excuse me, Sir?” She said and if I ever doubted it was Pip that lay under the man, then her well known sing song voice cleared up any doubt. The man seemed to shake himself out of his surreal trance and raised himself up to try and regain some decency to the scene that everyone was staring at.

  “Madame, please forgive me, are you well?” The man said offering her his hand and when Pip placed a gloved hand in his he helped her rise. It was now that I could see that the man was actually a very different Adam. So this was how they met, he saved her life, or so he thought.

  “I am quite well Sir, I assure you, thanks to you of course. I am greatly indebted to you.” Adam actually blushed but it remained hidden as he bowed in front of her.

  “Not at all my Lady, my happiness lies in knowing you are well and unharmed in this matter but… where is your escort?” He looked round and found no one stepping in to claim Pip and nor would he.

  “I am afraid you find me quite alone, Sir. I have lost my way and along with it my escort.” Sneaky little Imp. It was at this moment that I had not a shred of doubt that she had orchestrated this whole thing.

  “Your husband must not be so lax in his duties, my Lady and I feel, as a gentleman, I must have his name to rectify this matter and inform him at once, for a Lady of your great beauty is not safe alone, least of all on the streets of town.” Adam sounded really upset at the idea and Pip…well Pip just looked thrilled and was looking at Adam as if she had waited all her life to find him, which I knew to be true.

  “I have no husband, Sir for in which to beseech.” At hearing this Adam’s head snapped back to Pip and looked down at her with nothing short of hope.

  “A Fiancé then?” Adam asked, losing all subtlety.

  “Alas no, Sir.” Again his hope seemed to soar higher.

  “Not even betrothed?” His last question and only one answer away from what was sure to be a marriage proposal, he came across as that eager.

  “No Sir!” She said and wait…was that a blush…on Pip?! Adam also took note of her skin and acted stunned at the sight. He even raised his hand but caught himself last minute and held back from touching her. It looked painful.

  “In that case, please allow me to escort you home, my Lady.” He held out his arm for her to rest her hand upon and the way he said ‘my lady’ felt thick with untamed possession. Oh yes, there was no doubt that he wanted her.

  “May I be so bold as to enquire after your name My Lady?” I heard him ask and Pip smiled up at him with eyes that were slowly undressing him, I think I heard him gulp from where I stood.

  “Certainly Sir, I am Miss Winifred Ambrogetti and you Sir, pray, what would you have me call you?” She said then licked her lips making it impossible for poor Adam to do anything but stare.

  “Umm…oh, Yes…forgive me, what was your question?” Pip laughed once, knowing exactly where his thoughts had headed and the little minx sucked on her bottom lip once more causing his breath to stutter. I laughed knowing no one would hear me and I shook my head,

  “Poor bastard, you didn’t have a chance did you?” I said out loud.

  “Your name, Sir?” Pip said after letting her lip go with a pop.

  “Ah but of course, how rude of me. I am Mr Adam Fitzwilliam of Westenbury at your service Miss Winifred.” They walked off together arm in arm as soul mates reunited and I smiled as I heard Adam saying,

  “Ambrogetti? That is the most unusual name.”

  “It’s Greek, Sir and I believe it means ‘Immortal’.” I didn’t see his reaction as they both had their backs to me but if it was anything like mine then he would no doubt be catching flies. Her name meant Immortal in Greek! Couldn’t really get more fitting than that!

  They just went out of sight and I thought that was the end when I was then plunged into another part of history. All I was missing was the Doc, a Delorean and Marty Mcfly’s red body warmer!

  This time I was inside a stately town house, that I could be sure of. With its high molded ceilings and rich furnishing it wasn’t a hard guess that whoever owned this house was a very rich man. I was stood in a grand hallway and could make out some people speaking in the room to the right but just before I went in to investigate I heard the voices get louder to indicate someone was coming this way.

  “Mrs Fitzwilliam, Mr Fitzwilliam it was a pleasure, but we must now take our leave, good day to you both.” Wait was that…no, it couldn’t be…Lucius?

  “No, no please don’t trouble yourselves, we know the way and will let ourselves out. Miss Winifred if you please.” There was no mistaking Lucius’ deep voice strum though the spacious room and I watched as Pip came through the door followed by Lucius, with Adam in the background looking after Pip like a lost puppy.

  Lucius closed the door behind them both and seeing Lucius in his elegant 17th century dress was a jaw dropper. I would have liked to have said it was funny to see a man dressed in a poncey long coat, curly black wig and frilly cravat but on Lucius it even managed to make him handsome and commandingly manly.

  His rich burgundy coat hung past his knees along with a waistcoat that was a contrasting gold to the embroidery of his lapels and larger upturned cuffs. The ruffled long sleeves of his white shirt remained seen at his hands and this matched his tied cravat. He even carried a hat with a wide brim, folded at one side with a large black feather attached. He reminded me of a musketeer, especially with a sword hanger worn across one shoulder that, if I remembered my grandfather’s history in the weapons he used to collect, was called a baldric. It had been my mother’s side of Grandparents that lived in Cornwall, who I had received my love of history from, having a library full of books from the Ancient Pyramids of Egypt to the world’s greatest conquerors and looking at Lucius dressed like this, it was easy to see him as one.

  His boots tapped across the marble flooring and Pip walked by his side in such a beautiful mint green dress that corseted at the back with elbow-length cuffed sleeves over a chemise with lace flounces at the elbow, opera-length gloves, and pearls on her ears and neck. Her gorgeous red hair was in curls over her temple with longer curls hanging down on her shoulders. She was stunning and the two figures together looked a perfect combination of beauty and wealth.

  “I anticipate problems little Imp.” Lucius said without looking at Pip.

  “My Lord?” She said cocking her head to one side and Lucius stopped and looked back at the closed door. Pip followed his gaze and a smile that went deeper than being merely mischievous spread out on her porcelain perfect face.

  “Ah…the mother. She did make it quite clear didn’t she and I think the comment she made about sin wasn’t directed at just me?” At this Lucius looked down at her and I could see his fangs catch in the candle light off the candelabra.

  “Then she has more sense than I gave the old crone credit for. Take heed of my warning little Demon, she will try and take him from you,” he said quietly.

  “Have no fear my Lord, if she does, then he is not the man I was searching for.” She looked sad even saying it but I understood what she meant. She needed a strong character of heart and mind to be able to take on what Pip had described about Abaddon earlier.

  “Agreed but do not forget the power needed that the comet brings. You have until November 14th and that is but a month away.” This was the last thing said before the butler appeared with a cloak for Pip and then he opened the door for them both to walk out into the evening.

  I waited for this vision to end but it didn’t and just left me more confused, what was all that about a comet? I decided since I was still here I would try and get in the room that Adam was still in but how was I supposed to open doors without a body…? man this whole projection thing was beyond me. In the end I didn’t need to as the door swung open with a bit too much force to be done unintentionally.

  “Adam, you are not to see Miss Ambrogetti again, do I ma
ke myself clear?” A shrewish voice spoke from around the corner, where I couldn’t see. It sounded high pitched and old. Lucius was right, she even sounded like an old crone.

  “But mother…”

  “No buts Adam, it does not become you. The girl does not hold the adequate birth rights and is not of high enough nobility for our family. No, you will marry cousin Mary as your father and I discussed.”

  “Yes Mother!” Adam said lowering his head in defeat. It looked like Lucius was right, the mother was going to be a problem. I was just about to slip past him and take a look at this mother for myself when the candle lights started to flicker and when I blinked I realised I was yet again at another place in time.

  This time it was bright sunshine so I doubted very much that I would be seeing Lucius at this point. I looked around and saw we were in a park and wasn’t surprised to see Pip in full dress with layer upon layer of exquisite material. She was walking towards a man with his eyes focused elsewhere and Pip walked straight into him, knowing full well she would bump directly into her target. Adam’s arms shot out and held on to Pip before she could fall back and she placed her hands on his chest as he pulled her nearer. It looked like pure instinct and once he took in the situation he stepped back but his eyes spoke volumes. He wanted her and the torment was as clear as this part of history’s cold winter day.

  “Miss Winifred, I beg of your forgiveness, I was not looking where I was headed and therefore the fault is mine.”

  “Mr Fitzwilliam, you are far too hard upon yourself, I fear my mind was elsewhere also and I find it strange that it walked me straight into the path of the root of those thoughts.” He looked stunned.

  “You were thinking of me, my lady?”

  “Always.” She said lowering her eyes and then raising them again causing Adam to gasp.

  They stood staring at each other and it was quite obvious that Adam didn’t know how to respond in the right manner to Pip’s confession.

  “Will you take a turn with me, Mr Fitzwilliam?” Adam looked around like he was half expecting his bloody mother to be hiding in the hedged borders.

  “It would be my pleasure, Miss Winifred.” He offered her his arm and she took it gladly. I felt like the shittiest spy in the world walking beside them on clear day not even trying to hide myself. I think I could have started dancing the funky chicken in front of them without anyone batting an eyelid. The thought made me smile but it didn’t fully stop me from feeling like an intruder.

  “Do you come to Green Park often and without an escort, I might add?” Adam asked her and she gave him one of her trade mark musical giggles.

  “Are you worried about me Sir?”

  “Yes. I think your Uncle should be more careful with your safety.” Ah, so Lucius was masquerading as her uncle, well that made sense I guessed.

  “Have no fear dear Fitzwilliam, I have a loyal foot servant who keeps watch for me but has the good sense as to when he is really needed.”

  “Very good then.” He seemed relieved and I thought it was sweet how protective he was over her. Oh yeah…he had it bad!

  “Did you know it was Charles II, who made the bulk of this land into a Royal Park it is known today, being that of upper St James's Park. He had it designed, laying out the park's main walks and he even had built an icehouse here to supply him with ice for cooling drinks in summer. Have you seen it?” Adam sounded nervous and I think he was rambling on, desperate to keep his eyes from her ample cleavage, thanks to one hell of a corseted dress.

  “An ice house? I can imagine given this weather it to be full indeed.” He laughed and seemed to relax a little. He was dressed in the same style as Lucius, only with the addition of another coat, styled like a cape with slits for the arms.

  “Tell me, do you enjoy the play house?” Adam asked her after a thoughtful minute.

  “I do Sir.”

  “Have you yet seen Nathaniel Lee's Theodosius at Dorset Garden?”

  “I can’t say I have but I would very much like to.” He smiled down at her and I saw him cover the small gloved hand on his arm with his own.

  “I thought you might, given the origins of the play.”

  “Given by God.” Pip replied thoughtfully, tapping one finger to her lip.

  “My lady?” Adam looked confused and they both stopped walking to face each other. I could see Pip’s breath in the frosty day as she answered him in cryptic tones.

  “Yes it is quite fitting don’t you think?”

  “I am afraid I do not follow my lady.” Pip seemed to scan her mind for the start of the conversation and when she found the missing piece her eyes lit up.

  “Theodosius, it is Greek and it means ‘Given by God’, which makes it a perfect play to watch together as our time is given by the Gods is it not?”

  “Perfectly put my dear.” He lifted a hand up to his mouth and kissed the back without taking his eyes from her for a second. It was so touching to witness the coming together of two souls that, in this case, really were meant for each other.

  They started walking again after that but I didn’t follow. I didn’t need to intrude on their stolen time together anymore. But I had to laugh as the last question I heard from Pip.

  “Pray tell me, does Mrs Fitzwilliam like the theatre?”

  “No, my mother does not approve and therefore is never seen at the play house.” Pip next comment made me smile as I started to fade from the park.

  “Perfect” she said.

  Next I appeared to be back in Adam’s home but this time I seemed to be centre stage to witness the disagreement between Adam and the old crone. Only now Adam seemed to have grown a pair as he wasn’t just laying down and saying ‘Yes mother’, oh no…now he was fighting for his love.

  “I will not allow you to speak of Miss Ambrogetti in such a manner!”

  “Miss Ambrogetti, what manner of name is that! Adam she is a foreigner for starts but there is something more.” I saw a woman rise from the high winged chair that was hiding her form. She had a face like a chewed up mussel. She had wrinkle upon wrinkle and it was amazing that she was still alive given the amount of white paste on her face that I think they classed as make up. Wasn’t that crap white lead paint? Well it wasn’t working in making her look more youthful that was for sure and with that permanent scowl she reminded me of a pit bull with a clothes hanger wedged in its mouth. I guessed Adam got his good looks from his father.

  “Oh, not this again mother!”

  “I am telling you my child, that girl has the Devil in her!” Adam threw up his hands in a dramatic fashion and I started choking on a swallow at what she had guessed. Maybe she was a witch, she looked the part that’s for sure!

  Adam walked over to a decanter of wine and poured himself a hearty glass and chugged it in one, much to his mother’s horror.

  “This is ridiculous!” He said to himself and filled the glass again.

  “Look what she is doing to you, she has already turned you to drink.”

  “No mother, you have!” He shouted at her and I wanted to start doing cartwheels and cheerleading cheers for him. Ok, a little over the top but Pip would approve.

  “I am going to marry Winifred Ambrogetti with or without your blessing.”

  “No you will not! I forbid it, your alliance would be a disgrace to the Fitzwilliam name!” Adam turned round to face his mother and his usual calm was now replaced with certain rage.

  “Then you can keep it! I am in love with her!” He shouted out, arms outstretched at his sides, as if it had just freed his soul and he was rejoicing in its glory.

  “Pfft, love means nothing in your duty to your family. This is your heritage Adam and you throw it aside for this folly.”

  “So my happiness in life is not in question?” He confronted his mother once again and even I wanted to call her a bitch.

  “Love is just a word and we, that are of Nobility, rise above the sins of the flesh.” Yeah, maybe if you were married to this ugly old trout, I wanted to add i
n Adam’s defence.

  “You think Love is to be classed thus as ‘sins of the flesh’, you say Love is a sin of men, then if that be rightly so you can condemn me with your judgement as you see fit but you will not stop me from marrying Miss Winifred!” He crossed his arms over his chest but his mother just gave him a creepy smile that was right up there with the demon that bit my hands and made me fall.

  “If you think I will condone your disgrace you are mistaken, I will see you cut off, penniless and in a poor house before I allow my second heir to marry a Devil’s whore!” At this Adam was furious and threw his glass down making his mother jump at the smashing of glass.

  “You dare talk about my future wife with such disdain and contempt!”

  “I do and I will! I am ashamed of you and you cannot be at a loss as to know why! She has poisoned your mind with her evil.” Adam had quite obviously had enough and turned his back to his mother. She may be a finely dressed as a lady but a lady she was not!

  “And with this evil, Mother, what should we do as great nobility?” He asked sarcastically. His mother took a deep breath as if she had reached to him on some level, ignoring the bite of his sarcasm.

  “We search deep inside ourselves and we tear that evil out.” She said but it was in vain as Adam gave her one last look and made his way to the door. He opened it and stood staring out into the hallway before making his last decision known. He turned slowly and looked at his mother for what seemed like the last time.

  “Then tear deeper mother for you will never release me of this feeling you call evil, the very same feeling I call love. You would do better to kill me first for as long as there is breath in my body I will be with Miss Winifred!”

  “Death would be better for you if it would rid you of the sinful girl that infects your soul like the plague!” I gasped at the sound of a mother wishing death on her child.

  “You’re mistaken Mother, death would only rid me of you and this name you find all life is worth living for, but death would not rid me of the love I feel for this girl, who you deem a spawn of Hell, whether it be truth or falsehood, I just simply could not care, for our love knows no bounds and that, my dear Mother, includes you! So I say goodbye Mother, I shall take my leave of you for the last time.” And with that beautiful parting speech he left and walked away without looking back, even when the witch starting shouting after him. I closed my eyes at the old woman’s rantings about nobility and when her voiced finally died, I knew I was at my last place. I don’t know how I knew what was next but it felt like the end of my journey.