Chapter 43: Chapter 43 – The private invitation

Despite the fact that, more for pretending to be pious people than for true faith, their masters never missed the mass that was organized on Sundays, since he began working for the Seymours it wasn´t usual for Oscar to go to the parish. He never had the need to. There were other employees in the stables who would accompany them for him. Driving a carriage was no task for a gardener.

Or well, it wasn't until the need was pressing.

On Christmas Eve there was going to be a massive ball in Lilac Hall and, from noon when a lunch would be organized for the protagonist's relatives and friends, the house was going to be filled with people. Since many of those who came to celebrate Christmas lived in or around the village, and might not have a means of transportation to drop them off at the Seymour property, Patrick had made use of all the carriages he owned, adding people from his staff to act as drivers, since he didn´t have enough drivers to handle so many vehicles.

Although this might seem complicated, knowing that this morning they were going to have to take care of at least fifty people and that, once the afternoon arrived, that number could even triple, it was simpler than it seemed.

Seymour employees only had to go to church, where Patrick had agreed to meet his friends — something new for him, too, since everyone who knew him a little knew that he preferred to meet his friends in other settings—. They would attend morning mass, along with the rest of the neighbors, and then they would take the carriages to resume the road to Lilac Hall.

It was that simple. Once the ball was over, late at night, each one would return home on their own feet. After all, those who had no means of transportation, it was because they lived nearby. So close that they could have walked from their homes to Lilac Hall without feeling like they had made the pilgrimage of the year. But then again, that car issue was an attention Patrick wanted to give his friends. Perhaps as a way of redeeming himself, or thanking them, for being with him on his drunkenness or covering for his father when he escaped to the betting houses.

Be that as it may, this was why Oscar stood on the side of the road, between one of his patron's carriages and the parish church. Luckily, this time he hadn't had to drive, but it did take more than one person to drive those cars. Well, while one held the reins, the other had to help the guests up. It was a mere formality, but everything was well planned.

Perhaps it was because word had spread through the village that there would be a party in Lilac Hall, but the square where the church was located was packed with people and carriages. It had been months since Oscar had been there during liturgical hours, and it must also have been the first time he had come on a holiday like Christmas Eve, but it was incredible that such a small village could house so many people. And it is that there were still more than fifteen minutes for the mass to begin, but there were already so many inhabitants gathered that it was hard to believe that they could fit inside the church! Oscar was unable to tell, but he estimated the number to be over a hundred.

It was fortunate the employees had no obligation to enter the parish, for Oscar hated small, crowded places. That is why he took advantage of staying outside to take a walk around that square, without getting too close to the people, using this as a method both to kill time and to warm up. And it is that, despite the fact that there were some clouds in the sky and the sun appeared from time to time, the cold that he made was one that soaked to the bone. Forcing those who remained in the open to try to find any corner where sunlight reached them, in order not to end up freezing in the place.

Oscar stayed there for a while, first exchanging a couple of sentences with other servants who also had to obey orders to remain guarding the horses and, later, staying on his own without straying too far from the carriage.

He didn´t get to start a conversation with any of the town's neighbors, much less with the protagonist's acquaintances. This was, at least, until he spotted the Northrops from afar.

He knew he couldn't just get closer, since they were surrounded by neighbors and friends, in all likelihood being busy congratulating each other on Christmas and the New Year or even, in the case of old Northrop, catching up on the latest happenings in the village.

And so, Oscar only dared to take a few steps in the direction of where these people were before he considered it better and stopped.

That social status thing was such a troublesome business...! If he were still in his day, he would have ventured into the crowd and struck up a conversation with whoever he pleased. Here, on the other hand, he had to be careful not to commit any act that could be described as rude in the eyes of the upper classes. Here, especially older people, were not used to socializing with the service, or seeing how their peers did.

If it had been any other day, Oscar would have dared to behave as he did in his century of origin. Well, you just had to see it, in Snodland most of the inhabitants belonged to the middle class. He was his equal and, apart from that, he had been working for one of the most beloved families in the village for many years. So he didn't think there was any downside. But that morning there were also many strangers, people from high places who only saw him as a humble servant. So what else could he do but hold back and act meek?

Because of this, Oscar just stood there, getting bored and cursing his losing streak for the thousandth time that year.

He must have spent around five minutes alone, observing the tumult of people who were slowly leaving the cobbled streets to enter the parish, until someone noticed him. And Oscar, realizing who it was, chose to ignore all those social norms that told him it wasn´t good to approach unless they called for him.

He didn´t care if rumors could arise about being alone with a young lady or that some individuals in suits gave him a bad look. No one would dare bother him for what he had just done.

"We can finally see each other, it seems like a century has passed! It's taken so long for winter to come…” Oscar had said in a good mood, shortly after reaching Letitia, who had already been pushing her chair towards him and had chosen to rush to her side, so that she wouldn´t have to exert a greater effort. “How have you been? Has the new course treated you well?”

"It was great, as always. But these months have flown by for me!” She replied, until a few moments ago she had been talking to some girls but, before going with Oscar, she had briefly said goodbye to both of them to come alone. “I don't know if it's because I've gotten used to the way things are done at Cheltenham or because this year's subjects were simple and I was comfortable in school, but I have the feeling that I started the semester just a few days ago...”

"I envy you, who could have fun like that in boarding school! Or come on, in any school”

“It's very easy to have fun, didn't you like going to school? Ah, although I don't know if you've been, maybe you just studied a little with the Cornell daughters” Letitia spoke these sentences halfway between affirmation and doubt and, seeing that Oscar confirmed it, she continued. “Either way, I think it's fun to learn. Even more so if you have good teachers and classmates around”

"It has to be like that, yes," Oscar confirmed, but without much conviction.

It´s not that in his own lifetime he hadn´t had fun in his schools, it is that thinking about the life that his original character led, it was very evident why he didn´t develop a taste for intellectual matters. It was likely that, during the childhood of the original Oscar, what little he had learned would have done thanks to the scarce two or three years that he attended a school.

"At least if your time has passed quickly," Oscar continued, eager to change the subject and thus ensure that Letitia didn´t inquire further about his academic life, "you won't have had many opportunities to miss your home ... Or have you?"

“Impossible! Do you remember there were visiting days? Well, between my father and my brother they covered them all. Note that I barely had a chance to spend a weekend picnic with a friend's family because one of those two, especially Albert, always showed up. I don't know what they´re going to do it when I graduate! Because when I get to work, or even if I want to get into an academy for higher education, those things I don't think are well viewed”

"I thought that once you became an adult, you'd have more freedom when it came to visitation," Oscar laughed. “Who´s going to see it bad? No one will be aware of who you share your time with”

"I'll see it badly! And don't tell my brother that I told you but… it's very suffocating to be with him. I know that he has good intentions and that´s why I have not said anything to him so as not to hurt his feelings, but I am no longer such a child as not to be able to fend for myself. I cannot, nor do I want to, always be depending on him”

"Don't worry, I won't tell him anything. But, if I may leave some advice, that should be done by you. And, if possible, before you finish your studies at the boarding school. It´s not to rush, but if you don´t clarify that kind of thing with your family, I don´t think that in the future you´ll be able to live as you want”

"Taking into account that sometimes I think that Albert has me in a glass urn, sometimes I doubt that talking to him about it will solve anything. Although I agree that this issue will have to be brought up eventually and the sooner I do it the better”

"Do you think your brother would be angry?"

"Eh? By this, you mean?" Letitia didn't think about it long before answering. “Even if he got mad, he wouldn't show it. I don't remember a single time when Albert yelled at me when he was angry. Given the case, he would be more likely to be saddened, and you don't know how I hate to see him like that!”

“Perhaps talking first with your father or with a friend who is on your side and can help you ...”

"I'll think of something, yes. But it better be after Christmas, I don´t want to go and give my family a disgust at this time with my desire for independence”

Oscar was going to say that there was nothing wrong with wanting to be independent, that she had every right to say what she wanted about her own existence, no matter what others thought. But he realized that would sound too selfish and insensitive for the moment and, furthermore, Letitia had already started to say:

"How are you doing at Lilac Hall?"

"Terrible, I was considering suicide or a job change. And in the end, then change of jobs has won, just because they pay me so little that I can't even afford a few bullets”

Letitia laughed at hearing this, although she immediately apologized, thinking that perhaps it had been impolite of her to laugh at the miseries of others. Oscar didn't care; he had put things that way so they could both laugh at the situation.

"Seriously now," he said, trying to get serious again. “I have spoken with Mr. Seymour and this month will be the last that I´m at his service. I was going to say that on New Year´s I will be free, but the reality is that from the thirty-first I won´t even be here”

"Oh, so you already have another job?"

“Yes, although it is only part-time, I have to find something that covers the rest of the hours or else my savings will fly faster than I expected”

"May I ask where it is? I guess you'll have to move too. It must be annoying for you to have to leave a house like Lilac Hall, even if the terms weren´t quite what you expected”

 “No way, I'm so happy to go! Let's not talk about the tiny room they gave me, but you don't know how I miss having a whole room all to myself" Before Letitia could inquire about his trauma caused by having to share a bunk, he added. “I'll be staying at the inn for a while. I got an acquaintance there who promised to get me a cheap room”

‘I had to threaten her to help, but ...’

"Well, I don't know what that job will be, but I'm glad you don't have to leave Snodland. Lately there are so many who go to the cities in search of a better future... And that's fine, but it seems that those of us who stay in the village are somewhat isolated from progress and friendships”

"That can be easily remedied, if you visit the capital from time to time it would be enough. Although, again, it must be a pain to have to travel so many miles just to meet one person. I, at least, wouldn´t do it unless I had a force majeure reason to do so”

Perhaps Oscar must have said something inconvenient, because Letitia looked at him strangely. And he was going to ask what was going on, to apologize if he had said something to offend her, even though he wasn't thinking of anyone in particular. But Letitia immediately recovered her usual cheerful expression and, as if nothing had happened, she said:

"Right, I wanted to ask you if you´d like to come to our New Years dinner. Since you said the thirty-one you have nothing to do”

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"But would I be allowed to go? It isn´t that I want to reject the invitation, but I don´t want to bother you at this time”

Oscar said this because he knew that on that day, as in many other homes, families would come together to welcome the New Year. And while he wasn't lying about wanting to be a guest at Thornfield for an evening, the last thing he wanted to do was get in the way of a family gathering. Well, just as Christmas was spent with friends and relatives, New Year's Eve should be reserved only for the latter.

"But, Oscar, you never bother! What's more, it surprises me that I´m the one who had to bring up on the subject. I thought Albert would, because the idea of ​​inviting you was his”

“Seriously? He didn't say anything to me”.

Thinking about it again, after this revelation from Letitia, wouldn't this be what Albert wanted to say the other day, when he got nervous and words didn't come out anymore?

"I know, I know, he can be so coward sometimes... I don't know what he'll do when he finds a woman he likes because, as he is, I find him very capable of sitting around waiting for her to take the first step"

"It may be difficult for him to invite a friend to a dinner where his relatives will be," Oscar supposed, although Letitia's last comment had managed to leave him blank for a few seconds: It seemed that she had no idea about her brother´s preferences.

"Well, it's hard for Albert to invite anyone to an event," Letitia admitted, laughing. “Perhaps that´s why father has no objection to accepting anyone that my brother proposes to attend one of our dinners. Because Albert hardly ever invites anyone”

“Not even friends from the capital?”

"Oh, did he tell you about them?"

"Not much, he just mentioned them. But having made some friends from his school days, it seemed natural to me they would meet from time to time, inviting each other to their respective homes”

"No, Albert has been invited often. The strange thing is that he wants to go. With how much of an introvert he is and the little pleasure he gets from parties, he only usually goes out of obligation when the celebration is for something important or unavoidable. In case it isn´t, he prefers to make the usual visit to have tea and present his apologies for not being able to attend the dinner, the ball or whatever is being celebrated" After noting this, Letitia sentenced. “But, leaving aside my dear brother's lack of desire to socialize, can you come? Don't think there´ll be so many of us, only our uncles and cousins ​​will come. Oh, and our grandmother. We´ll be about fifteen people, if you dare to go”

‘What the hell with everything? They invite only relatives and no friends, I being the exception. Do they think I'm part of their family or what?’ Oscar wondered.

Searching in the crowd outside the church, it didn't take Oscar too long to spot the villain. Albert was still talking to a couple. Although his expression seemed to indicate he was following their conversation, displaying his usual consideration and interest in what they were saying, his legs seemed to want to leave as soon as possible. And it is that, during the minutes in which Oscar remained there with Letitia, he had already caught Albert looking at them on more than one occasion.

Considering how the villain was like, Oscar was sure that he´d have liked to leave these people and go to them. But of course, that couldn´t be done immediately. Not when Albert was too polite to break the conversation abruptly without good reason.

"If it's true that you don't mind, I'd like to go" Oscar murmured.

After all, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get to know the Northrop better.

Letitia seemed satisfied with that answer, one could almost say she was expecting it, even. She thanked Oscar for having accepted and indicated to him what time he could come, even offering him a carriage so that it could take him to Thornfield and not have to walk the entire journey. Everything seemed reasonable and perfect, until Oscar realized something important.

"Wait," he said suddenly, "that day I don't know if I'll be able to go. My uncles want us to have dinner together, as my cousin has arrived from Oxford for the first time in a long time and…”

And Oscar didn't feel like meeting these three, especially Thomas. But his uncles had been so good to him during his stay in that novel that, despite the fact they weren´t related, he felt indebted. He had visited them just enough in those months and, now that special dates were approaching, he didn´t think he had the ability to refuse a dinner with them.

"No problem, then," Letitia said, without abandoning her good humor. “Tell them to come, too”

“You don´t mind?”

"It's okay to put three more plates. Besides, maybe you´ll also feel more at home that way. Surely Albert hasn't thought about this, but it must be overwhelming for you to find yourself in a room full of strangers. Even though my brother and I are present”

Oscar agreed with her even though, to be honest, he had spent so much time with her and, above all, with the villain, that he felt more comfortable with them than with his own relatives. He could have perfectly dined in the company of the Northrop without feeling that he was out of place, but the fact that his uncles came from him was also satisfying. That would be like killing two birds with one stone: He could spend the day in the company of his relatives, and he wouldn't have to give up a dinner at Thornfield either.

He was considering how to bring up his aunt and uncle, brooding over the possibility that Thomas had the nerve to come up with an excuse to decline the party just to screw him over, when he saw the female protagonist heading towards them.

No, not only Madeleine was coming but also three other girls. The first two couldn´t be other than the Tanner daughters: Sophia and Rowena. Oscar never had much contact with either of them, but he knew they were both harpies.

The one that remained, as expected, was the author.

"Letitia, can I ask you how you're getting along with Madeleine and company?" Oscar hastened to inquire under his breath, before the troupe of witches caught up with them.

"With Madeleine? Well, I couldn't tell you, we haven't talked in years. I haven't even had the chance to greet her despite the fact that we live door to door” Seeing the effusiveness with which they approached, gesturing and talking between laughter, she added. “With the rest of her sisters and with the Tanner daughters the same. The only one I've been interacting with lately is Theresa. I like her. We hadn't been able to see each other since shortly after the fair, but we´ve been writing each other”

"In that case, and if you'll allow me some advice, try not to give Madeleine wings at anything she says to you." Before she could ask what he was referring to, he continued. “I have a feeling they just want to talk to you about your brother”

If she had had the chance, Letitia would have wanted to know what Madeleine had to do with her brother. Being that, although she herself had little relationship with the Cornells, Albert had still been seen less in their presence, behaving like a true hermit. But Madeleine was already before them with her hypocritical smile and her kind comments of a suspicious nature.

Dianne looked suspiciously at Oscar, as if warning him that he should withdraw, since they only wanted to talk to Letitia. But Oscar didn´t move from where he was. He wasn't going to leave the girl alone with such company.

"Isn't it too cold in here?" Madeleine had asked after a curt greeting. “We should go into the church, or the best places will be taken from us!”

"Maybe Letitia wants to join us, she might not find a place if she takes too long to go in" Rowena pointed out.

"I don´t think so, I always find a place," Letitia commented. “People tend to get out of my way when they see I´m going in my wheelchair, either out of respect or to avoid being run over”

Madeleine and the Tanner girls laughed so falsely that Oscar was nauseous. Dianne just smiled, uncomfortable, and she tried to mediate:

"How have you been at boarding school? Madeleine told me you were studying in one and I was always curious to know what life would be like there. Unfortunately, I was only able to go to public schools during my time, so I´m not very aware of how things will work in those places”

"Public schools, she says," Oscar scoffed, remembering how not a month ago Dianne had been showing off all the riches she had enjoyed in her century.

“You shut up!” The author snarled at him, immediately returning to her friendly side to Letitia. “I really just wanted to meet you, boarding school was a bit of an excuse. But if we bother you, nothing happens, we can leave”

The other girls would have liked to protest, claiming they would insist until Letitia Northrop agreed to go with them to church. While Oscar was tempted, upon hearing the offer from the writer, to blurt out a not at all subtle: ‘Go away, then!’

But Letitia was ahead of everyone saying:

“If it's a matter of talking for a while with people related to my interests, I'll go. There aren´t many people in Snodland who know about education at these centers, or that have the fondness to discuss it. So it´ll be a pleasure to talk about it with you”

Madeleine's eyes lit up when she heard that, and she hurried to stand behind the wheelchair, her hands already on the handle, ready to push Letitia to the parish. Within seconds, a lively conversation began to take place between the girls.

Oscar wanted to accompany them to church, but Dianne stopped him. That was not among his duties, no matter how well he got along with Letitia's family.

So he had to stay where he was, frustrated that he couldn't even escort her to the entrance, where he knew the rest of the Northrop remained. At least, Letitia didn't look bored or upset that those stupid women had kidnapped her out of nowhere. Despite being warned of what might happen, when she left she seemed content. It really did seem like she fit into that little group of friends.

Although that illusion only lasted a moment. She soon faded from Oscar's mind as the church bells rang and he remembered what had brought them here.

This was going to be a long day.

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