May You Bloom and Grow

Camellia led us from communal spaces to corridors surrounding the great spiraling stairs. “May I tell you of a gossip, Mistress? You did say you wanted me to enlighten you of subjects whispered.”

Curious if this gossip the maid spoke of related in some way to the mystery of the cylinders, or even the shadowy passing by of Joram and the others, I gave a nod. 

A glinting smile danced over the woman’s features. “With the Master of Yarrow Hart returned, there are more entertainments than typical. The Hart is playing host to a small concert this evening. Following dinner there will be a greater number of Hadowen among us.”

“And of this greater number will I be graced by this elusive Master Haowen’s  presence?” As we coursed the maze of halls a greater hum of energy  murmured behind the closed doors.

“Though the Master has returned, he has much business to attend to.” 

“Yes, it seems so much awaits everyone here. Even my cousins have little time for dallying. Yet here I find my time consumed by time among books grown dusty from neglect.” The boldness of my tone was unintended.

Camellia faltered her step, lost for a moment for a response. “It is your first season here. Study is wise, and few expected you, fewer still are aware of your arrival.” 

“And there, another question. How is that so, that so few were aware of my arrival, when it seemed such an extraordinary event. At least by the expressions of those I’ve thus far met.” 

“You will find you are not as extraordinary creature in a place as grand as Yarrow Hart and among company as adept as those who dwell within.” The sudden announcement of Madame Elestren’s presence stilled me to silence. 

The woman appeared as if an apparition barring us further passage down the hall. Were we so close to her offices? 

“Madame Elestren.” Camellia cut a brief curtsy to the woman. “I was unaware you would be in our wing this afternoon.”

“You are aware of the arrival of Lady Edelweiss.” Elestren offered a curt nod to the door at her shoulder. 

The door she must have passed through before our meeting. 

“Has she arrived so soon?” Camellia’s eyes danced with wonder. 

“Only just now. Thus I nor Master Hadowen have time nor patience to meet less familiar members at their fancy.” Her gaze pinned me where I stood. “You will meet Master Hadowen when the time is right. For him.”

“Yes, Madame Elestren.” Camellia’s response took the place of my own, for the best. 

Stilling inquiry and retort remained a skill I required practice in.

“You might however be pleased to know Master Hadwen mentioned a strong interest in meeting you.” This confession shook me. 

A dark glint leapt from Elestren to Camellia. My words and mettle faltered at the sight of this exchange. “I am, of course, honored.”

“Camellia, there is a dress I intend for Mistress Magareen, I trust, Camellia, you will take care with it.” 

A nod dismissed us from Madame Elestren’s thrall. Camellia dallied yet as Elestren turned the corner.

“Would you like to meet her?” Camellia took a conspiratorial stance. 

“Forgive me?” My brow knit.

“The Lady Edelweiss.” The maid’s expression burbled to one of mischief and glee.

I could not deny her in what seemed a small adventure.

Before I could voice protest or affirmation Camellia was on her heel and turning for the door nearmost where we stood. 

Two sharp knocks announced our waiting.

“You don’t have a key?” I mused.

The look I received was a blend of horror and guilt I had no time to further study as it mellowed the moment the door opened to us.

I was struck instead with a woman who might have been my sister, so close were we in appearance. Certainly I could count her more my kin than any Hadowen thus far encountered.

“Oh! Camellia!” The woman at the door gushed as she embraced the maid. 

Again a shock as this show of affection had thus far been only attributed to Calix, and then only with dark intent. This woman’s joy and charm seemed genuine in it’s warmth.

“Dear Camellia, I am so happy to see you, Madame Elestren left me in such discontent when she said you were indisposed with other guests.” 

At this Camellia broke the embrace to offer a somber smile to the woman. “I beg your pardon my Lady, but Madame was not incorrect in her statement.”

Camellia stepped aside as means to offer introduction. “This is Mistress Magareen.” 

At the mention of my name, Lady Edelweiss’s eyes widened. The energy in the hallway was sucked away. 

“Magareen.” All cheer evaporated in a cloud of confusion. “Why. I never thought we would see you at Yarrow Hart.” 

“But it seems you have heard enough to know of me. As seems the case with so many. And here you have me at a disadvantage.” I offered a hand and a nod in greeting.

The gesture lifted the woman’s spirits, though not to the degree she passed to Camellia.

“Oh. Of course. But, I am failing as a hostess as much as a friend.” Edelweiss gripped my fingers in trembling palms, then released me as quickly. “Please.” She waved us into her apartments.

It should have shocked me not at all that the rooms were similarly adorned as the rest of the house as I had seen thus far. 

A multitude of great gold framed mirrors echoed our reflections to a dream like cacophony of images. 

“I seem vain, I know.” Edelweiss offered an apologetic grin as we traversed to a twin set of couches near a grand fireplace. “But it's all for my nerves, you see. As much as I love to sing, the audience always puts me in such a state. If I practice in a room of faces, even echoes of my own, I can calm my silly fears.”

Even her tittering was a song. 

I settled with my back to as many of the reflections as I could while Camellia tasked herself with acquisition of drinks for the both the Lady and I. She returned with a pair of crystal glasses filled with water from a pitcher. I eyed the rose petals floating in the shimmering liquid. 

“I only drink rose water before a performance. I hope you don’t mind the lack of other beverages. It is simply too tempting to even have tea or champagne available.” Again Lady Edelweiss’s whimsy shadowed as her eyes passed over me. 

“So you are the performance Camellia mentioned earlier.” I offered as conversation. 

“Oh! Yes.” She paused. “Will you be in attendance?” 

“It seems required.” The words fell before I recognized their weight. “I meant no offense to your talents, Lady Edelweiss. I.” 

The Lady cut short my apology with a wave. “No. I understand. It is the way of the Hart. So many rules and commitments. As much as the Master means well, we are all left to wonder if any truly pay attention during display of our talents.”

Perhaps this was the shadow all along in Edelweiss’s expression. 

I set my glass, untouched, on the table between us. “Well, then, perhaps you would offer me-” I slipped a glance to Camellia, “Us, a small display. One which you will be certain is appreciated.”

It was a ploy to endear myself to one more member of this estranged clan, but one not bereft of heart. Equally, it seemed to work.

The Lady smiled, genuinely. “Would you truly enjoy that? I do need to run a few scales and the like. It wouldn’t be anything astounding, but I would welcome the company and the smaller audience.”

Even as Edelweiss diminished her talents I sensed the joy and pride in posture and voice. She sipped of her glass, gargled the potion and spit it into an urn of flowers by the fire. 

For a moment the woman sought the room before slipping to stand between the couches, the nearmost mirror at her back. Her shoulders rolled and relaxed, torso extending. The grace of her form though shrouded by the dressing gown, conveyed acumen and habitude.

Though I watched the woman’s breath steady the first note sent a start through my core, so clear and sudden was the sound. An audile cascade flowed like a fount from Edelweiss’s lips. Her soul pressed forth on a ladder of notes. My heart climbed in her wake to a state of awe. The phonograph exploded into my thoughts. Edelweiss stood as the living vessel for those carried from the cylinder. Every note a perfection of body and breath. It was different too, this song lacked the shackles haunting the layers of machine and time. These notes were free. No one owned the power of Lady Edelweiss and her song; even I, and Camellia, and the Lady herself, held these auditory moments like smoke through fingers.

I lost all trace of Camellia, the room, the world, as Edelweiss remained, echoed in myriad as her song shivered the mirrored glass. 

“Well?” A breath passed before I awakened to the woman’s question. 

“Perfection.” Awe sighed the word to life.

An honest blush bloomed on Edelweiss’s cheeks. “The concert itself will be better. The acoustics of these rooms are….” She made a weary wave of her hands. 

“I can hardly imagine anything more beautiful. But I can promise you my attention at least will be rapt and attentive. I will be in attendance because my heart wills it mandatory, not the Hadowen Hart.”

Camellia emerged from behind one of the reflections. “If that is to remain true, we must be on our way, Mistress.” To Edelweiss she curtsied. “I can return during dinner to assist you in your raiment.”

“That would be wonderful, Camellia dear. Would you? And Mistress Magareen would you be opposed?”

Still lost in the music I simply nodded. 

“Oh thank you so much, Mistress Magareen. You are a gem and nothing like-” She stopped short to encircle me in an embrace.