Kaleidoscopic

Anna comes down the stairs nervously, one slow step at a time, her hand **** the banister. But she breathes a little easier when she sees there’s nothing to show Robert’s been down here - or anyone for that matter. The house is eerily still and silent.

The further down she goes she begins to hear voices, Mr. Marriott’s to be exact, deep and... hesitant. She desperately needs to know what’s happening within this house, not to mention what’s known among the staff and her employer.

Creeping as quietly as her shoes on the hard wood will allow her, she stands beside Marriott’s study doors, listening to the voices within.

“-expect you to come yourself.”

“You said my husband was ill, of course I came.” Anna recognizes Hester’s smoky voice, and she leans in a bit closer.

“I sent that letter yesterday. How the devil did it reach you so quickly, not to mention the time it’d take you to come here?”

It’s silent for a moment, neither Marriott nor Hester speaking, and even though there’s a solid door between Anna and the study, she can almost feel the uncomfortable atmosphere within the room.

“I’m a fast rider,” Hester says in explanation, with a mocking tone.

“Indeed.” She hears the rustle of fabric followed by a few muffled steps. “I remember how much you enjoy... riding. But it’s almost as if you were nearby - waiting.”

Another stretch of taut silence. “Now why would I do that?”

“Hester, I don’t know what you and Hall are doing, or planning, but I’m finished. I’ve tried to help your husband. I have held out an olive branch to you both-“

“Oh, how kind,” she interrupts, mocking him once again.

More footsteps, this time coming harder than before. “No more, do you hear me. I’m done trying to be a friend.”

Hester sighs, long and dramatic. “That is a pity. As I considered you to be among my finest of friends. I suppose I will have get on without you.”

“Yes, you will,” Marriott snaps back. “You can continue to drive your reputation into the ground, and Robert can continue to drown in his self-pity. But I’m finished with both of you. As soon as he is able, I want you both gone.”

Anna breathes softly, her curiosity clambering to understand.

“May I at least see the children before I go?”

Marriott drops heavily into his chair, sighing tiredly. “Do you think that’s wise? You won’t be seeing them again. What would be the point, Hester?”

“It’s the closest I can come to seeing Eliza,” she responds, a sad ache coming from her words.

“Yes, fine,” he gives in. “But not alone. Their governess will be with them, understood?”

“Of course.”

“You’ve met her, their governess?”

Anna holds her breath.

“I have,” Hester answers simply.

Anna expects more, the conversation seeming to have stalled, but it remains quiet until Hester stands, saying her goodbyes in her sardonic way she seems to always address Marriott.

Anna hurries away, only making it two steps up before the doors open.

“Oh, Miss Smith,” Hester calls with an unexpected excitement at having found her. “Exactly who I wish to speak with.”

Anna turns, taking a step down, eyeing the other woman warily. Like Mr. Marriott and Robert, she too seems to be part of this mysterious web. And Anna’s not sure if she’s to be trusted any more than either man. “How fortuitous then that you should catch me.”

The corner of Hester’s mouth turns up, reminding Anna of Robert. But instead of an intoxicatingly dangerous air, Hester seems... fun.

After a handful of steps to the stairs, Hester stands just before her. And with her step up, Anna is afforded a bit of height so that they stand eye to eye.

“Indeed.” The other woman’s blue eyes are daring, and the tilt of her head, playful. Standing this close with the bright sunshine gleaming through the windows, Anna notices gold strands hidden within her fiery hair.

“What did you need me for,” she asks, trying not to sound as affected as she’s become by this woman’s stirring presence.

“Are you feeling any better?”

The question takes Anna off guard, not expecting it. “I am,” she answers honestly.

“Good. I would hate to see a beautiful girl such as yourself, be made low by my blackguard of a husband.” She leans in, teasingly conspiratorial. “He’s not worth it.”

Anna’s not sure how to respond to that, opting to say nothing at all.

“The children,” Hester suddenly says with a smile. “I require you to introduce me to them.”

Anna frowns. “You don’t know them?”

“Why would I?”

“I don’t know, I just- Well after I saw you with Mrs. Flynn, I assumed you were no stranger here.”

Hester nods. “Yes well, that was before their time.”

She gestures up up the stairs, beyond Anna. “I follow you, Miss Smith.”

Once they reach the landing, Hester comes up beside her, arm wrapping around Anna’s as if they were old friends.

“So tell me, what are they like,” Hester asks.

Anna is in a constant state of off balance around this woman. “Um, they are... strong-willed, I suppose. The only way to truly get them to listen is to appeal to their better nature.”

Hester snorts at that. “Do they have one?”

“Why wouldn’t they?”

“Well, with their sire such as he is-“

Anna stops, Hester turning to look at her. “Mr. Marriott is a rather congenial man.” She’s not sure why she feels the need to defend her employer, but remembering the respect that he’s treated her with all these years probably has much to do with it.

Hester raises her brows, eyeing Anna with a frustrating look that makes her think she missing something.

“Yes, he appears so, doesn’t he?”

Shaking her head Anna continues on, Hester on her heels, no doubt watching her with that infernal smirk. “I’ve been with him for a few years now, he’s been a good master.”

“Hmm, I’m assuming that means you’ve been a good little servant.”

Once outside the school room, Anna turns to face her. “I won’t have you talking ill of their father in front of them. Whatever it is between you, your husband, and Mr. Marriott has nothing to do with the children.”

A gravity seems to come over her, her normally glib manner becoming serious. “You don’t know me at all, Miss Smith. I’d never do such a thing.”

—————

The introductions are simple enough, both John and Mary greeting Hester kindly, if shyly. But when it comes time for Anna to introduce Hester, she’s at a loss for more than just, ‘Mrs. Hall’.

Hunkering down in front of them, Hester smiles warm and bright at the interested children before her. “It is very nice to finally meet the both of you.”

“Finally,” questions John.

Hester nods. “Yes,” she giggles, “I am your aunt.”