28. Zeth
Zeth
When the Somerset estate came into sight Sunday night, I took in the clean white siding and spotless windows all glowing orange with the setting sun.
Everything hinged on tonight. We needed to secure Amby’s relations with his family.
My handsome, artistic, smart boy was being held down by his dad and all of the man’s expectations.
Despite Amby’s wealth and privilege, he lived in the same cage as a poor boy like me.
I would do anything to free us and make our dreams come true. Anything. And where there’s a Washer, there’s a way. Thanks Mum.
Instinct had me walking off to the garden path, but I veered back to leap up the front porch steps, taking them two at a time with excitement. It was hard to believe that tonight was the night I would finally tell Mr. Somerset that I wanted a future with his son.
“Zeth, hey,” came from the shadows of the porch, and I jumped out of my skin. How was I so lost in dreams that I didn’t see the very object of my obsessions standing against a pillar?
Amby’s relaxed, long-sleeved shirt, cotton vest, and casual pants were unexpected for dinner, but the outfit fit him. It was something he’d wear to work in the barn, which was probably exactly what he wanted to do. I preferred this casual look on him to his usual fancy suits for the bank.
I made my way over to quickly peck his cheek. “Hey there handsome, you been waiting for me long?”
“Not too long. Only about an hour or so.” Amby poked my ribs lightly in jest, making me step back. I didn’t like how Amby put space between us, but I understood. His dad might be watching, and we needed to wait.
I clasped my hands behind my back and asked, “What did you do yesterday? Go to Chapel?”
“No, I worked in the barn most of the morning. And what about you? Did you get some more things done around the laundry?”
“Yes, I chipped paint off the door. It’s almost respectable looking again.”
“Oh, I loved the colorful door,” Amby sulked.
I refrained from kissing those pouty lips. “Then you can help me repaint it. Any color you wish.”
“Yeah? Maybe pink, then.”
“That will certainly attract attention to the building,” I chuckled, rather liking Amby’s idea. “Speaking of doors, will you acquaint me with yours?”
“With pleasure. Have you truly never been through it?” Amby made for the door and opened it, then put his hand out for me to go first.
When I walked in, Hattie descended the main stairs in a lilac evening gown that appeared far fancier than dinner at home deserved. It certainly outdid my brown jacket and old cap.
“Zeth!” she cried, coming right toward me and hugging me. I felt like an honored guest and family all at the same time. I hugged her back as I would my own sister, but without the tight squeeze.
“Hattie, let the man get his jacket off first,” Amby chided.
“Oh, I’m sure he doesn’t mind.” She pulled away. “I’m happy to see you back in our home. I’ve missed you being here with us.”
“You just miss me pushing you in the swing until your toes hit the clouds. Do you ever sit in that now?”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, I would if Father hadn’t taken it down for being unsafe .”
“It was rickety,” I admitted. “I found that rope in a muddy back alley, and the seat came from an old carriage that got junked. Your dad was right to remove it.”
“Oh, pish posh.” Hattie waved me off, giggling as she made her way into the parlor.
When I offered my arm to Amby, he hesitated. “Let’s take this first part slow, is that alright?”
“Of course. I’m sorry.”
“It’s me, Zeth. I just need to relax. Here, give me your jacket and I’ll hang it up. And your cap.”
I did as he asked, trying to fight off a rising nervousness before it got the better of me. Standing in the foyer of Amby’s house in my shirt, vest, and ascot seemed so informal. Suddenly, dinner with the Somersets felt real.
And why was it so quiet? I expected twenty servants, as Anna had in her place, but the main entrance was empty.
It displayed less wealth too. The decor was traditional and simple.
The rug under my shoes was of quality, but not new.
Maybe the Somersets put their money into investments and property instead of vases and matching tea sets.
When Amby returned, I quipped, “What, no butler to take my jacket?”
“Our housemaid usually does that, but you’re a special guest tonight. I wanted to serve you myself.” When he bowed gracefully, an urge came over me to push him against the wall and have my way with him. Seeing my wanton stare, Amby stifled a laugh as he said, “Besides, Father is somewhat frugal.”
“The best businessmen and women usually are,” I agreed, eyeing him with a sultry gaze before clearing my throat. “It’s better to put something to good use and make it grow than ignore it for safekeeping.”
“A fine statement,” came Mr. Somerset’s voice from the doorway of the parlor. He regarded me with a nod of his head. “I’d love to hear more. Shall we have an aperitif?”
I barely knew the man meant a drink. Shaking his offered hand, I pushed back a million polite replies and decided on the truth. “No, thank you, Mr. Somerset. As Amby can tell you, I don’t hold my liquor very well. Dinner will be over before we start.”
“Oh, I know too well,” Amby said. “I believe Arthur was responsible for getting you drunk once.”
Smiling, I said, “I remember. He stole a jug of moonshine from his dad and met us behind the Everdeen Oak. And he got so drunk, we couldn’t walk him home.”
“Yes, and we didn’t know what to do being drunk ourselves, so we just covered him with leaves and left.” Amby’s cheeks dimpled adorably as we indulged in a laugh, and he put a hand on my shoulder. “I can’t believe we left him there all night. He was like a walking corpse the next day.”
I snorted at how wrong that was, now that I looked back. We teased Arthur for weeks, and he loved it. Maybe he did need some friends back then. Probably better ones, but we were only teens.
When I caught Amby’s dad’s raised brow, I straightened and said seriously, “But I’ve certainly moved on from such shenanigans, Mr. Somerset. I’m sure Amby has too.”
Mr. Somerset chuckled and waved us off. “You two got into plenty of trouble, some of which I did not know of, clearly. But I recall doing the same things when I was younger. And Zeth, call me Walter.”
“Walter,” I repeated, rather stunned. When I shot a sideways look at Amby, he lifted his eyebrows in surprise. I didn’t expect to be on a first-name basis with his dad already. We didn’t even leave the front hall yet. Amby’s advice to me about being myself was clearly working.
My spirit was soaring as Walter turned and led us into the dining room.
Amby joined me, moving to the right side of the table with two settings, so I quickly followed, glad we could sit next to each other.
Hattie stood against a window and claimed the chair facing us, while Walter moved to the head of the table, as was proper.
In the City, it was traditional for a first son to sit next to the head of the house, so I left the chair next to Walter for Amby.
As I claimed the other, Amby floundered, and Walter gave me the oddest look.
Did he want me closer to chat business at the table?
I would never try to replace the man’s son. That seemed oddly rude to me.
Yet, Walter didn’t say anything. He quietly settled in and then nodded at us all. I was unsure what was happening when Amby and Walter bowed their heads. When Amby nudged my knee with his, I looked up to see him smiling and silently mouthing for me to bow my head too.
I did so, feeling awkward, and cut my eyes over at Walter as he said a short prayer over the food.
Then everyone began passing dishes of lamb with assortments of veggies.
The food was well-made and nicely plated on large platters.
It was just the atmosphere that was lacking.
No one talked as Amby passed me each item.
I scooped out a sampling before handing them over to Hattie.
At least they both smiled at me each time.
Once the food went around, Hattie started chatting about the upcoming Founders Day Festival while Amby quietly nibbled his greens. When Walter asked me about Port Winchester, I answered his questions as best I could until he appeared satisfied and the room relaxed.
“How do you like the food?” Amby asked me as Hattie talked about school.
I blinked at him, realizing I only had a few bites left of mashed potatoes and green beans, and that made me wonder when I stopped tasting my food and considered it sustenance.
Maybe when sustenance became nothing more than beans, bread, cheese, and jerky.
Amby’s question had me curious now, so I took my time to stab a few green beans with my fork and plowed them through the creamy potatoes.
That bite was juicy and fresh with some salt and buttery goodness.
Maybe I liked vegetables too, in addition to fruit.
Making sure to chew and swallow before speaking, I answered Amby honestly, “It’s delicious.”
He flashed me a dazzling grin, and I didn’t realize how perfect his teeth were until that moment.
Wanting to please him even more, I shifted the conversation to the City’s art museum and watched as Amby lit up with questions.
When Hattie joined in too, I told her about the science museum and the massive medical school.
At the head of the table, Walter listened and watched his children with sharp attention, but I didn’t understand why he wasn’t engaging with Amby. It was like something wedged between those two so long ago that no one knew how to remove the obstacle.
So, I started pushing, “Walter, do you enjoy art?”
“Yes, I have several paintings,” he replied, wiping his mouth with a cloth napkin. “Most of them were acquired by Eleanor.”
“Your wife, I remember her beauty and kindness. I also remember how she fussed when we trampled mud into the kitchen.”