Chapter 12: Chapter 12 – Is this really how a male lead should act?

Because of Edmund Cornell's much-talked-about financial problems, Oscar assumed when he mentioned he might have found a job at the Seymour household, the master would be happy to be relieved of another financial burden. He did not expect that, after telling him, the boss would congratulate him effusively, wishing him the best of futures. Going to the point of adding he could return to visit his uncles whenever he wanted... And he wished he didn't want to too many times because, without a doubt, in a mansion as huge as the Seymour's there would be a lot to do!

Oscar took only a few seconds to process and remember. Ah, it was true. Mr. Cornell had been stupid enough to tell him he was sleeping with the governess and, after behaving like an expert Casanova, telling him not to tell his wife about it, spending the next few days with an attitude of a coward.

It wasn't that he refrained from greeting when they met or that he barely looked at him. No, he was literally running away as soon as he saw him appear! Whether inside the house, at the gardens or stables. Even if Oscar had something to say to the master about his job, having forgotten about the affair: As soon as Cornell saw him, he ran away.

The only reason he finally managed to talk to him about his job offer was because he used his uncle and Patrick Seymour himself to intercede.

Now, the only one who noticed this strange behavior was the smartest maid in the place, who could not be other than Mallory. She was the same one who, after observing a couple of times how Mr. Cornell held his pants with both hands while he trotted in the opposite direction every time he spotted Oscar, she went to talk to the latter to ask him.

"Isn't it enough for you to bitch the daughter that now you´re also harassing the father?" She had asked something like that.

Although Oscar hadn't explained anything. The fact that Cornell was cheating on her wife was too powerful a trump to blurt out on anyone. And, considering how nervous the guy had been since he was caught, it was obvious he was avoiding him to avoid possible blackmail that he couldn't take care of. It was really lucky that Oscar could be hired elsewhere so soon! Otherwise, surely with Cornell's lack of conceit, even the less savvy person at Rose Cottage would have realized something was wrong.

So Monday arrived. And, with it, the time to show up at Lilac Hall.

He believed he would have to go on foot, since the stable boy was not allowed to use the horses. But the boss must have been so desperate to see him happy and disappeared from his property that that day Oscar didn't even have to ask, Uncle Rob already confirmed to him first thing in the morning he could borrow the masters' carriage.

Once again, Oscar decided to attribute this to the undying generosity of the Cornells -even if they were more scratchy than stone- to prevent his family or the rest of the service from asking questions. Although, for sure, doubts would continue to appear because they were not stupid.

When Oscar finally arrived at Lilac Hall, they were already waiting for him.

They didn´t make him go through the service door, but he was received at the main entrance, as if he were a great gentleman on a social visit and not just another employee in someone else's home. Then, having gazed at the grandeur of the corridors of a mansion that had nothing to do with the simplicity of Rose Cottage, he was ushered into an office.

Oscar believed the butler who accompanied him would make him wait two or three hours in the anteroom before going to it, since Patrick was not an early riser and the hours of his appointments always had to be reinterpreted -unless it was a woman he required at his bedchamber, there he was punctual as clockwork-. But this was not the case. Oscar was able to go directly to the office, where Patrick was already waiting for him in a suit too stunning for the occasion and looking very animated. As if he had just come to one of the dances that he loved so much.

It almost seemed that Oscar had been in the wrong house.

"I see you've arrived ten minutes early," Patrick commented, in excellent humor. That's good, this tells me you´re a committed person and meticulous with his work. I think we'll get along. Ah, but don't stand still, go ahead, sit down”

Such kindness was suspicious. After reading the novel, it had become clear to Oscar that Patrick was the type of person who may not remember your name on a Tuesday and congratulate you on your birthday the following Friday. But, anyway, he did not dare to disobey. He took a seat where indicated, on a sofa in the center of the room, in front of a small table where a tea set rested. Patrick sat right across from him as he offered him something to eat and drink.

Since Oscar agreed, Patrick urged his butler to serve the tea himself and move the plate full of pastries from the tray to the table. In truth, Oscar didn't want to take anything, he just wanted to see who ended up serving things. And, with this, he verified what he already assumed.

This was a facade of hospitality on Patrick's part. Despite receiving him as a guest of honor, he had not dispensed with service even for the simplest thing. At least, Oscar thought, the Cornells weren't so finicky and could shift their drinks from kettle to cup without having to call for help.

But hey, those extravagant habits shouldn't be any of his business. Not yet.

“Mr. Seymour,” Oscar began after a while, having blurted out the usual polite remarks about how well-maintained the building was, "without sounding impatient, I've come here to discuss the terms of my contract. It would be very helpful if we could begin to discuss the matter now as, although I have already informed my employer of my intentions, I am still employed at Rose Cottage until the date on which I should move here is decided. And therefore I must continue to fulfill my obligations there without delay”

The truth is that between the tea, the compliments to his new palace, and the random anecdotes Patrick had started to narrate without being asked to, this already seemed like an informal meeting instead of a job interview.

"Oh, that…" Patrick began, as if he had just remembered something. “Right, would you accept a gardener position? I don't think it´s too different from the job you did at Rose Cottage. I already have two more of those, but our farms are so spacious around here…! Also, my father is a freak of order, everything has to be perfect in his symmetry”

"I'll know how to handle it, if I get the chance."

“You will work from Monday to Sunday (although Sunday afternoon will be free, unless there are visitors), under the command of Mr. Moore, who has been working for us as a gardener for more than thirty years. He will know how to instruct you.”

"I hope to learn from him, then."

"Also, when do you say you can move here? In the west wing of the ground floor are the servants' rooms. You will be assigned a room, although I advise you you´ll have to share it. Anyway, I'm sure the room will be a bit bigger and less stuffy than wherever the Cornells put you to sleep”

"The gesture is appreciated, although I can really adapt to whatever it is. Regarding the deadline to install me, Mr. Cornell has no intention of delaying my plans. When it seems appropriate to you, I can come”

“Tomorrow then! Regarding the salary, is two pounds a week okay?”

That was almost a pound less than what he was getting at Rose Cottage, but it was all to get away from the Cornells and their sorrowful fate. He did not object. He would later have a chance to move up the social ladder and thus get a better deal.

"Good, then it´s settled, yes…" After a little pause, Patrick added, completely changing the subject. “Since we are here, and I´ve been kind enough to grant you the long-awaited job, perhaps you could do something for me”

"If it's in my power, I'll do my best."

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Oscar said that in a calm voice, without losing his composure, Even though in his mind he was insulting the greedy Patrick and his entire family of dickheads who only looked after their own well-being. He knew something was going to be asked of him!

"You see, the other day, at Rose Cottage... How do I put it? A spark was lit when I saw one of the girls, I still don't know how to explain it, but it was as if I had known her forever. At that moment I thought, “That woman is perfect, and for that she has to become my wife!”

Not this shit again, please, Oscar thought. But as long as he had practiced putting a good face on Madeleine's ravings, as shocked as he was to hear that, he could make his face remain impassive.

"Who do you mean, sir? I think I remember you met two of the Cornell girls in London”

“Did I? It´s true you mentioned something the other day, but I don't remember it. Those kinds of events in London are hell, I have to cater to so many people…! At the end of the day it's amazing enough that I still remember who works for me”

"It was Beverley, who I think you gave more than one dance," Oscar continued. “And there was Madeleine too, although I don't think you spoke to her”

“I see…”

Did he see? What the hell was he going to see! He had no reaction when he heard the names. Either he didn't recognize the Cornells when he visited, or his attention would have been taken by Eleonore, who was the only missing gold digger in the collection.

"I have no interest in them," said the protagonist, making Oscar feel secretly relieved to think that by rejecting her like this, Madeleine would have fewer opportunities to get hold of Lilac Hall and therefore continue to boss him around, "they are all too talkative, narcissistic and selfish. I don´t like them!”

Did he just describe himself? Oscar wondered.

"On the other hand, there´s one that has earned my respect," he continued. “I can't remember her name, because the rest of the witches kept me almost tied to the chair, bombarding me with absurd questions and the most banal gossip. But she was so beautiful…! And she barely said a word after greeting me, she just stayed at a secluded table, reading a book, not disturbing me or being disturbed. You could really see she has a tender and docile character, that's why I wish I could take the time to get to know her better!”

At this point, Oscar had to abandon his impassiveness. Was he talking about Theresa? Yes, definitely. None of the other Cornells matched that description of her actions, although that of tender and docile... Oscar was convinced if he proposed to Theresa some indecency, she would send him to hell without any fuss. Because she was quiet and introverted, but that did not take away her character and her desire for independence.

After all, Theresa's biggest dream was to be able to study and make a living for herself. The thing about having a husband and children… It wasn´t like she was not interested, it´s that she didn´t see it as a priority at all.

In any case, what had made Oscar uncomfortable was not that cliché by which opposites attract. Not even the fact that Patrick had asked him for help getting closer to Theresa. No. What particularly bothered Oscar was the age difference! And is that while Theresa was barely fourteen years old, Patrick must have been about twenty-three or twenty-four at that point in the story.

He was a fucking pedophile!

This was new even for Oscar; in the novel, Patrick had been so dazed with Madeleine he hadn't taken the time to look at any of the other sisters. But it seemed that once the original timeline was spoiled, one could only hope for an even bigger disaster.

"How am I supposed to help?" Oscar asked calmly, trying not to show how disgusted he was.

"Well, other than a servant, weren't you friends with the Cornells?” he asked, confirming he could remember things when it suited him. “You could speak well of me to…”

"Theresa."

"Yes, Theresa, it was. What a beautiful name, very appropriate! I´m telling you, you could take advantage of this remaining day at Rose Cottage to convince her the two of us should try going out together”

"Sir, maybe I shouldn't put my opinion on this, but… She is the youngest of the sisters. She still hasn't even made her debut in society. It may not be appropriate for her to hang out alone with you”

"You're right," agreed Patrick, but before the other could breathe a sigh of relief, he continued. "You shouldn't have said that, your opinion is none of my business. I haven't even asked you! If you want to have a pleasant stay at Lilac Hall, you'd better abide by my rules without question… and without giving me unwanted piece of mind!”

Oscar nodded obediently, although that screwed him up well.

"I was thinking, for that purpose," he continued in his delirium, "of giving a ball. It would be next month, because although the season is over, I´ve heard this is the charm of these small country villages. You can organize dances whenever you want to, it doesn't have to be anything flashy and you don't have to invite people from London's high society. No, a few neighbors and friends in and around Snodland will suffice. What do you think? Do you think Theresa will be excited?” Realizing that he had Oscar tied up on his feet and less before that question, he urged him. “Oh, now you can comment”

"To be honest, Theresa has always been the most introverted of her sisters. Of course, she attends events, but she doesn't usually enjoy herself in crowded spaces. Especially if there is a lot of noise and movement. Nor is she too attracted to luxuries and material possessions”

"And a fair? I´ve heard that´s fashionable in rural areas. We can hire an orchestra, the neighbors could collaborate, we could even donate some of what we collect to the church... That would seem more humble, right? And also we wouldn´t all be crammed in one room”

Oscar almost got a sarcastic laugh when he heard that. The Seymour´s  livingroom was almost as large as the entire Rose Cottage.

"Maybe the idea of ​​a fair isn't so bad."

It wasn't too bad because Theresa would have more ground to escape and evade this baleful protagonist in an open space. Well, she would have a better chance of getting rid of him, and Oscar could watch over her without anyone suspecting. And is that, since Patrick mentioned he was interested in the girl, he had been worried that something bad could happen to her. So in the worst case scenario, if Patrick tried to get too out of hand with her, he would come out to her rescue.

He hoped he didn't have to go to such lengths, but with this protagonist who seemed to get more and more stupid with each passing chapter, he never knew.

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