by A. R. Rend
They were considerably more warm with him now. Both his day guard, and night guard.
“I would have said yes,” said one of the other guards. “Even if I had to tie Milly up to get it done.”
All the guards laughed at that, including Phillip.
Their humor had become more open and bawdy as well. Which suited Phillip just fine. He’d grown up in a military family, despite his grandmother’s best to curb him away from it.
“Ah shit, bitch-mother is waiting for us,” grumbled one of his guards. He couldn’t tell who’d said it, but they were right.
“Right. Tighten it up,” Mildred said.
As one, his guards put their real personalities they had back away. They weren’t expected to be people amongst nobility, but belongings.
Phillip’s family was a little different in that regard, but only mostly due to the fact that his mother was who she was and lived a soldier’s life.
“Ah, there you are, Phillip,” Matilda said as they approached the home. “Would you be so kind as to join me? I have some dispatches for you. I also received a letter from your mother and I wanted to share the contents with you.”
Warmed at the gesture, Phillip bowed his head to the older woman.
“Thank you, Mother. I would be grateful and pleased to attend you. Would you like me to host this or leave it to the servants? I don’t mind,” Phillip offered.
As far as he was concerned, Matilda had acted in good faith, treated him kindly, if neutrally, and generally had done right by him.
Matilda paused, then smiled at him with a shake of her head.
“There’s no need for you to host. We’re family,” Matilda declined, gesturing toward the door behind her. “My personal study would be ideal.”
Phillip saw no reason to disagree with her.
Heading into the house, he let his feet carry him to the stated location. He was rather excited about getting letters from his mother.
He hadn’t heard too much from her but he did know she was actively fighting at the moment. That her army was engaged in a constant struggle with her opponent.
In fact, he knew there were even two other armies in the field, one on her side and one opposing.
The whole of the country was rapidly falling into the conflict.
Taking a step to the side of Matilda’s study after he entered, he waited quietly for the older woman to return. It was the polite thing to do, regardless of how she felt about him.
“Oh, well thank you for waiting,” Matilda said, entering her study. She gave him a smile and then closed the door. “Go have a seat on the sofa, dearie, I’ll bring your letters over.”
Doing as instructed, Phillip sat himself down and got comfortable.
“So, how are things? I haven’t seen you much as of late,” Matilda murmured, flipping through a stack of sealed and unsealed letters.
“Quite well, thank you for asking. I’ve been working with Lenore and M-Sophia lately,” Phillip said with a nod of his head. “We’re doing quite well in our endeavors.”
“So I’ve heard, actually. Lenore and I were just going over some of your joint investments this morning. It’s… I’m honestly impressed,” Matilda said, her head slowly nodding as she spoke. Her hands were moving through the papers, sorting them out quickly and with only a second spent on each. “As to Sophia… her mother is quite… surprised. It’s so unlike her that she’s starting to wonder if her daughter was replaced with a mirror-double.”
Phillip raised his eyebrows at that.
“Sophia had no interest in men before this. Wouldn’t even consider anyone her mother put in front of her. The poor woman was starting to worry she’d never have grand-children and her daughter more akin to a nun.
“She’s the only girl, you realize. Somehow she ended up with all boys other than Sophia,” Matilda explained, clearly picking up on Phillip’s curiosity. “From lazy, direction-less, hopeless, uninterested in men, to suddenly producing a considerable amount of wealth and buying a manor home. And from what I hear, a lot of that has to do with meeting you.”
“She just needed a clear goal that she set for herself,” countered Phillip. He was beginning to truly understand Mim.
A lot of her aggressive and forward nature was bravado and bluster. He didn’t call her out on it very often, as he rather liked her personality. He did find that she was a white-water-rapids at the surface, though as deep as a soup bowl if you looked.
It was all surface things with her. What was really going on deeper in her mind was quite different.
“They were all delivered at the same time. I do believe the war is making letter-carrying a dangerous profession,” Matilda said as she set down the last of the papers she’d been shuffling through. Turning toward Phillip, she came over to him and held a stack of paper out to him. “As to a goal, that makes sense. Like perhaps a man?”
“Most certainly a man,” Phillip admitted as he took the letters. He had no shame about what Mim was doing.
While he’d come close to doing something dishonorable with Mim, he hadn’t in the end. He was never actually alone with Mim since then either, as his guards were always with him.
That didn’t stop her from making mind-numbingly brazen offers, suggestions, or otherwise. But it did stop them from getting themselves in trouble.
“I’m honestly flattered at her desire to acquire me,” added Phillip, looking to the letters in his hand. The first two were from his mother. “It’s good to be desired.”
Glancing up to Matilda, he found she had a somewhat sour and wry look on her face.
“And Lenore?” Matilda asked, seating herself in a chair nearby the sofa.
“What about her? She’s a lovely, intelligent, and forthright woman,” Phillip stated, watching the older woman. “If you’re asking am I aware of her pursuit, yes. She told me of it.”
“And… what is your response to that? Or Sophia’s?” Matilda asked, folding one leg over the other and then resting her palm in her hand.
“My response,” Phillip repeated, thinking on how to phrase this.
Chewing on his thoughts, and his lower lip, Phillip let out a breath and gave up.
“I’d sign a contract to become a bought husband to either one of them if they were offered,” Phillip said finally, turning his gaze back to Matilda. “It wouldn’t even be a question. I would happily accept either of them.”
Matilda winced at that and then closed her eyes.
“Could… you tell me exactly what Alice did? I have my suspicions and what she admits to but… I imagine she doesn’t quite get it,” admitted Matilda, opening her eyes and putting them to Phillip again. “If you don’t mind, Phil. I’d understand if you didn’t want to talk about it.”
“I mean, it’s rather simple,” Phillip said with a chuckle. “In the end, she made it clear and apparent she wanted nothing to do with me. She’d rather be alone with Jay, go to work, or work at home. Rather than do anything with me. Lunch, dinner, just talking, or spending time together. She wanted none of it. The one time she did talk to me in a loving manner, it was as if it were a different person. I’m fairly certain she was coached on that one.”
Phillip didn’t come out and accuse Matilda of being the coach, but there was certainly an underlying statement in his words.
Matilda had the grace to have a faint blush in her cheeks. Or so Phillip believed.
“And the few times I forced myself into the situation, I was dismissed. Even if all I did was attempt to host for her and perhaps ask a few questions. Which turned out to be rather amusing considering she nearly lost money on that one. Sophia listened to me though and got out. She kept her money.”
Sighing, Phillip held up his hands at his sides in an “I give up” sort of gesture.
“And so… I am dismissed. I’ll uphold my contract to the best of my ability, but it’s now apparent I am but a political piece to her,” said Phillip.
Matilda’s face screwed up in anger as soon as Phillip ha
d mentioned Jay’s name.
“Alone with James?” Matilda prompted.
“Twice, actually. The first time I only found out because Sophia told me. Alice met him without a chaperon. Privately. I was not aware of it at the time, as I stated,” explained Phillip. “The second time they were in the south study, by themselves. I walked in on them cuddling on a couch. Alice… Alice fondling his face. I fled as soon as I realized I might end up being cuckolded right then and there.
“And so… not only am I dismissed but dishonored. Twice as badly when I consider that she only began trying to get my attention after I imagine she found out Sophia and Lenore were earnestly pursuing me.”
Matilda’s eyes closed once again. Her face was a deep and dark red in what Phillip personally believed was embarrassment.
Taking in a short breath, she held it. Her head tilted to one side, and her mouth hung open.
“And when I asked Sophia and Alice to join me, Sophia ran off with you, while Alice came running to work,” Matilda said, still with her eyes closed.
“Indeed. It was a very lovely lunch we had together. Followed by planning out her yard and gardens,” offered Phillip.
“And now you’re working with Lenore on what I suspect will be a life-altering business transaction, while Alice barely treads water, struggling with partners I believe you would have cautioned her against,” Matilda finished.
“If it was the same deals Sophia discussed with me that she and Alice had considered together, then yes. I did caution Sophia against them. She didn’t invest.”
Lifting her hands up, Matilda put them over her face.
This was the most human-like Phillip had ever seen from Matilda.
“Have you told your mother any of this?” asked the older woman.
“Of course not. I’ve reported only what would be dutiful or expected in case my letters were read by others,” assured Phillip.
“Knowing your mother as I do, the fact that you aren’t writing positive flowery speeches, much like your father did in our youth, she will assume Alice has rebuffed your attempts. Or worse.”
“Most likely. Mother always knew us very well. Sometimes too well,” grumbled Phillip.
“I’ll thank you formally for not humiliating my daughter,” Matilda said, letting her hands fall back into her lap. “For adhering to your duty and honor. For not publicly making a mockery of her. And more so for helping Lenore. I’m a debtor to your courtesy.”
“It’s my duty, honor, and privilege. As a son of the house of Curis, I must uphold my family’s prestige. Besides, it’s a pleasure to assist Lenore. She’s an amazing, bright, and forthright young woman. I’m impressed by her.”
“I had wanted to talk more with you, Phil, but I think I need to go bury my head in the sand,” Matilda said, giving him a tired and worn smile. “Would you please forgive me for leaving?”
“Of course, Mother. I understand completely. In fact, I’ll leave you to your study. I’ll read these back in my room,” Phillip said and stood up. “Good day.”
Fifteen
Feeling far more excited then he probably should be, Phillip entered Madeline’s workshop.
It’d been two weeks since they’d talked about his one-wheeled cart idea.
Madeline was being paid and compensated for building the item in addition to her spinning-wheel, the building quickly becoming more of her shop and home.
They agreed to sell the building to Madeline and were taking small amounts from her wages directly. By her own suggestion no less.
Walking up to the back door, he noticed there was a lot more traffic on the street. There were also people who were clearly interested in the building.
“Milly?” Phillip asked, pausing at the front door.
“Yes, Phil?” she responded.
The other guards settled in around him. They didn’t make fun of Mildred anymore for his pet name for her, because he had actually started giving them their own nicknames.
“Do you know any mercenaries?” Phillip asked, watching the street. “Because I think we need to hire some people to be here. I’m getting a weird feeling.”
“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right, boss,” said Frances, who Phillip called Frankie. “People watching. What do you think, Dread?”
Second time someone has called Milly, Dread.
That moniker of hers stuck around harder than I thought.
“Agreed. I’ll get on it, Phil,” Mildred said with a nod of her head. “I know just who to talk to.”
“Great, thanks. Frankie, Vinnie, could you stay out here?” Phillip asked. “I’ll take Bobbie and Tonie.”
“Yeah. You sure can take me. Take me as much as you want,” replied Bobbie, a rather forward red-head with green eyes.
“Are you serious, Bobbie?” Phillip asked with a chuckle. He didn’t find her insulting in the least like most men probably would. He thought it was funny.
But his sister had also made stupid and horrible jokes like that with other soldiers.
“Sure, right here if you want. I’m not bashful at all,” Bobbie tacked on, making her previous declaration worse. “Or at least not if you’re involved. You’re way worth letting people watch me get it from you.”
“Really, Bobbie? Really?” Tonie asked. A blonde with more than a few soldier stories and had been on the front-lines with Mildred. Tonie’s blue eyes certainly reflected that she’d been on the line perhaps a bit too long. All of his guards seemed to share that experience.
She was quick to share those stories with Phillip at a moment’s notice. He had found them entertaining and fascinating in equal measure.
“What?” Bobbie asked.
“You hit on him constantly. Besides, would you really want him to? Right here? I’d at least prefer a bed,” Tonie threw out as if it needed to be said.
“We’re fine, Phil,” Frankie said, turning to meet his eyes. She gave him a smirk, her black hair peeking out from inside her helmet. Her brown eyes were clear and amused.
“Yeah. We’re fine. You could take me anyways though. After Bobbie if that’s how it has to be,” Vinnie added, turning to look at him as well. Her dark-brown eyes and dark-brown hair made her pale skin whiter.
“You’re all terrible,” Phillip said, laughing harder now. “Thank you, you two.”
Opening the door, Phillip walked onto the shop floor. The ground floor had no windows, only one door, and was where all the work was being done. The second floor was reserved for Madeline and her family.
“Good morning, master Rias,” said one of Madeline’s cousins. They were diligently turning out legs for the spindle-wheel. Not far away was a large pile of the one-wheeled cart’s arms as well.
“Good morning. How goes the work? You seem like you’re moving along quickly,” Phillip said, smiling at the young woman. Walking over to her work-desk, he picked up a spindle-wheel leg and looked it over.
“Very good! Thank you for asking. And… thank you, by the way, master Rias. I never thought the family would have its own business. Let alone a mercantile sponsor we’re working for,” said the woman with a wide smile for him.
“Oh, mistress Madeline presented a strong case for herself. You should be thanking her,” Phillip said as Bobbie and Tonie trooped into the office space. They were likely going to go hang out in the “break area” as Madeline had called it.
Phillip only needed Mildred at the moment.
“I… Aunt Madeline said that you were the reason mistress Rias agreed to this,” said the young woman, her face taking on a somewhat nervous look. “That if you weren’t there, mistress Rias would have said no.”
Phillip decided that just wouldn’t do as a belief. He smiled and shook his head.
“Mistress Rias was the one who decided to go in on this. Not I. Keep up the good work,” said Phillip, wandering back into the office as well.
If he wasn’t careful, Lenore might end up looking like a lesser partner. That would likely bode poorly for her prestige.
It’s a woman’s world. She needs to look like the majority partner.
As soon as he turned the corner, he was assaulted.
Mim snatched him up in a fierce embrace and pulled his face into her neck.
“Oh! My future husband!” cried Mim, hanging onto him. “It’s so lovely to see you. So, so, lovely. It’s been far too long.”
Truth be told he hadn’t actually seen very much of Mim.
At all, in fact.
She pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth in a kiss then moved her mouth to his ear.
“I can’t get close to you while Alice is gone. Auntie Til asked me in the nicest and most adult way. Like I was an equal. Pretty sure she asked Lenore to calm down as well,” Mim whispered into his ear, rocking him slowly back and forth. “This is allowed though because it’s semi-public, and business.”
Easing him away from herself, Mim gave him a full once-over.
“You look as handsome as ever, if I may say so,” Mim said, smashing him once more with her full beautiful smile.
“Soph. Come on already,” Lenore said from where she was sitting on a sofa. She was in the aforementioned break room. Along with Bobbie and Tonie.
“You get to see him every day without meaning to, I have to stay away,” Mim said bitterly. “Alright. Come on, Phil. You can sit in my lap.”
Not fighting her, because he actually couldn’t, Phillip was dragged over to the sofa across from Lenore. Mim was just stronger than he was.
Wrangling him over to the sofa, Phillip didn’t resist until she was seated.
Doing his best, Phillip put all his might into getting away from her, to sit down on the sofa by himself.
She overpowered him easily and dropped him right into her lap.
Trying to stand up, Phillip managed to get to an almost crouching position, before Mim forced him back down. Resting against the tops of her thighs.
Realizing he couldn’t force his way out of this, he sat there, glaring at Mim.
“What? I haven’t seen you in a week. The last time I saw you was when Lenore, you, and I met to discuss me joining in on this deal,” said Mim, defending her actions. “I missed you. I’m not hurting you or anything.”