Chapter Five #3
When she was younger, she did not understand some of the manipulations he practiced.
In those days, he also used them against Caroline, but to a lesser extent, likely because Caroline succumbed quicker to her father’s wishes than had Audrey.
Certain phrases were used often—phrases she could hear ringing in her head, even now.
“I do not have time to listen to your nonsense. You make little sense, girl.”
Or…
“We spoke of this previously. You never recall our conversations. Sometimes I wonder about your intelligence.”
Or, he would accuse Audrey of confusing his promises.
“Of what do you speak? I never promised you a new book if you would reorganize the attic. Moreover, why must I bribe you to do the right thing for the family which rescued you when no one else cared whether you lived or died?”
Or…
“What an avid imagination you possess. It is a sorry fate you suffer, for, obviously, you cannot tolerate living in the reality of the home I have provided you. You are an ungrateful being, but what should I have expected from the likes of your father and mother, who never truly cared what torment they caused the rest of the family?”
Sometimes when Caroline displeased him, Uncle Jacobi would place the blame on Audrey’s shoulders.
“You must surely be aware, Caroline, how taking Audrey’s advice in such matters displays a weakness in your personality.
You should not permit your cousin sway over you.
Audrey always leads you astray. A daughter of mine should have a better head on her shoulders than the daughter of Darwood Lisey. ”
Upon occasion, he would encourage Caroline to join him in trivializing Audrey’s arguments. More than once, her cousin had berated Audrey with phrases such as…
“Why must you always be so sensitive? You must know by now how my father only speaks to your faults so you might better yourself. Your father was a thief and perhaps a… Well, we assuredly do not know the extent of your father’s sins, but my father only wants the best for your future.”
“I am equally as loyal to you as is Mr. Stark,” Audrey said dutifully.
“Such is yet to be determined,” her uncle stated, with a sniff of disapproval.
Squaring her shoulders, Audrey said, “What do you require of me, Uncle?”
“As I said previously, the servants who arrived with us in England will return to France while Caroline and I are away. I have provided Mrs. Sable and Clara with half wages for the month and provided them time to spend with their families.”
Audrey thought the housekeeper and maid would prefer to have full wages, but she did not speak those words aloud.
Instead, she ventured, “I thought you would wish both to see to a thorough cleaning of the house in your absence. Caroline mentioned, upon your return, you wish her to choose a match from among her suitors. I assumed you would prefer that the house receive a thorough cleaning. Naturally, I planned to assist them.”
“I am pleased to hear of your willingness to tend to the house to make a better impression on your cousin’s suitors, for I wish you to execute the various necessary tasks in our absence.
After all, you will have no other duties.
Four to six weeks should provide you plenty of time to complete the thorough cleaning I will outline for you. ”
“You wish for me to live the role of a maid?” she asked in disbelief.
Her uncle’s ire returned quickly. “Are you above serving this family’s needs?”
“I swear, I do not think of myself as above performing the necessary duties,” she declared. “I just did not…”
“Did not what, Audrey? Did not believe you owed this family for saving you from a lifetime of scrubbing floors on your hands and knees?” Audrey wondered if her uncle had saved her from the bayman and colonial administrator because he required a well-groomed servant of his own.
She had not forgotten how her uncle had come looking for her mother, not her.
Caroline had once told Audrey of how Jacobi Moreau had thought to have a mother for his child.
It was only after Caroline had begged for a playmate did Uncle Jacobi bargain with the bayman to permit Audrey to travel with them.
“I know gratitude for your kindness.” She repeated the necessary phrases.
“Then you will perform as I have asked?” he questioned.
“I shall do my best to earn your respect, sir.”
“Such will be a pleasant surprise for our return. Lord Amgen did not leave the house in the best repair. With your diligence, we will prove ourselves superior to his lordship.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I should explain Cook will also be performing on half wages. She will only call in every other day.”
Audrey swallowed her response. She did not wish to be accused again of worrying only for herself.
Yet, her abandonment was all of which she could think.
She would be expected to remain in a house alone, with not even a servant for company, for a month, at a minimum.
She wondered if she could tolerate the solitude or whether it would drive her mad.
“I will comply with your plans,” she murmured.
“And, after we leave, remove the knocker. The Moreaus are not receiving company. I want no one to know of my true destination. I have told all who care to listen of my investments in Scotland, which will keep me away from the social gatherings for the next several weeks.”
“Everything shall be as you wish, Uncle,” she said simply.
Her uncle clapped his hands together in a gesture of ending their conversation. Therefore, Audrey nodded her head in respect and stood slowly. “With your permission, sir, I wish to spend some time with Caroline before you depart for the Continent.”
“No troubling my daughter with our arrangement,” her uncle warned. “I do not wish Caroline to be in a fit of worry for you while we are away, and I am confident you do not wish such ill feelings upon your cousin.”
In truth, Audrey had briefly entertained the idea of begging Caroline to change her father’s mind, but she quickly had surmised this conjured assignment was to be some sort of test, and she was determined to prove her worth once and for all.
“I most assuredly shall not trouble Caroline with my pleas. Instead, I mean to consider this an adventure.”
“I must caution you not to become too adventurous, my child. You are still, as yet, untested. Simply follow my instructions, and I will know contentment. It would cause me great disappointment to learn you have again disobeyed.”
Audrey wished to argue on how she rarely disobeyed Uncle Jacobi, but she swallowed the words rushing to her lips. “Permit me to assist Caroline with her packing. I long to spend what time remains before your departure being of service to my cousin.”
“I do not wish to be separated from you for so long,” Caroline declared. “I could speak to my father about my remaining behind also.”
Audrey had already assured her cousin five times on how she anticipated the joy of the solitude being presented to her.
Caroline’s lips took on a pout. “Do you cherish your privacy more than my company?”
“I assure you, such is not my desire, but it is Uncle’s wish, and I would regret bringing a frown to your father’s forehead again.”
“Will you stay with me tonight?” her cousin asked.
“Just as we were known to do when we were children. I shall ask Cook to send our meals to my quarters. I have it on good report, she made those lemon cakes you so adore. We shall fill our stomachs with sweets and tell stories and put on gowns and dance about my quarters just as we did when we were children.”
Audrey smiled easily. “I would enjoy recreating our youthful fantasies very much. We shall be as we always were: two friends who cherish each other.”