Chapter 44: Chapter 44 – The Christmas ball

It was getting dark when they commissioned him to approach the stables, since it was there that they had enabled a dry corner to house all the firewood collected during the months in which the weather was still favorable. Oscar had to go there and grab a couple of logs, enough so that one of the ovens in the kitchen could stay on for another hour, so that the cooks would have time to finish preparing dinner. And so, while he would take care of collecting the necessary wood, others would carry out the maintenance of said furnaces and chimneys.

Oscar was glad that this time he too had been recruited to work as a waiter. Well, having dressed in an impeccable suit the master had provided to those who would serve in the public eye - and which, surely, they would have to return once the festivities were finished - it wasn´t a plan to get stained when having work among rubble and pieces of coal.

Hence, he came to the stables in a fairly neutral frame of mind. The waiter job was stressful, yes, but he preferred it to burning his head over the conspiracies the author or Madeleine came up with to hunt down some wealthy man.

He ignored all the tumult of people coming and going, in their respective chores, and once he had reached the barn, he went directly to the area where the wood logs were stacked. He picked up three of them, choosing them carefully, but at the same time trying to hurry. He didn´t like to stay in a place where there was so much bustle of cars and employees, because the ball had started and hence the place was hosting more cars and horses than usual.

Oscar took the firewood and proceeded to leave, back to the main house. Or well, that's what he tried, because something caught his attention when he passed the part of the stables where dozens of well-stacked straw bales were accumulating, forming several mountains that even covered almost the entirety of one of the walls of the construction. And it is that there, in front of all that pile of straw, three people remained. The three of them were staring at the mountain in front of them, not moving a muscle, but talking to each other in a quiet voice, as if something was making them uneasy.

And they must have been worried about something, without a doubt, because a couple of meters behind where they were there was a small table. Table on which you could see the remains of an apple and a couple of half-finished sandwiches. What could be so urgent as to pause your dinner on a busy day like this? Oscar was curious and that´s why he approached.

He stood next to those boys without making a sound and tried to look in the same direction as them, but he didn't see anything. Before him loomed only the same mountain of straw he had already seen from afar, without any variation.

"Can you tell me what the hell you're looking at?" he asked at last, startling Kenneth and making the other two look back at him as well, as if asking where he had come from.

"Ah, Oscar! When have you arrived?” Kenneth tried to recover from the shock of that minor question, though it was clear that his legs were still shaking. “No, wait, don't get any closer. There's a huge rat in here!”

“Is that so?”

It wasn´t uncommon to find rats in places like this. Oscar was aware of it. When he was employed by the Cornells, more than once he had seen rodents roaming the shelves of their stables or roaming the space between two rafters. He didn´t like rats, but they must have been even more afraid of him, so they didn´t approach him. Therefore, Oscar learned to live with them in harmony, hardly noticing their presence.

If he could bear the presence of a couple of rats and came from a city where public health was well established in the homes, it sounded absurd that a couple of men used to work in the rural areas were so restless.

"You don't understand, this isn't just any rat! It´s a huge one! It must be two meters tall, at least”

Oscar was tempted to ask Kenneth if he was stupid or thought that of others, but one of the waiters who was with him commented, with all the seriousness the other lacked in his speech:

"I can swear it's the biggest rat I've ever seen. I only caught a glimpse of it for an instant, but it was enough” Before Oscar could ask for details, he ventured to explain. “It was black, completely gross. It must have slipped between the straw bales and, with it, all those piles moved as if it were an earthquake. It almost looks like he has the strength of five men!”

"I think it's going to bite if we try to grab him", the remaining individual pointed out.

"I think so too. We were going to take a rake and make it come out. But what if he gets on us? Maybe we should go ask Mr. Kilduff if he could lend us a shotgun”

"Listen, it's growling! Do you hear it?!”

In fact, yes, he was a perfect listener. When Kenneth mentioned it, everyone fell silent and three of the four people there took a step back.

Yes, there was something about that mountain of hay. The thing started with a low growl, but soon it spread to the sound of feet scrabbling somewhere, very close to where they were. There came a time when the straw began to move through certain places, indicating that the animal was moving with some speed. And it was then that Oscar decided to go ahead: He had seen a rope protrude that was lost inside a part of that mountain, where the straw was not well collected and should be the temporary refuge of that being that was tormenting the employees of the stables.

“What are you doing!?” Kenneth was alarmed, though far from trying to stop him, both he and his friends had already taken another six or seven steps back. “Stop it! He´s going to eat you!”

But Oscar ignored him and with his free hand picked up the rope and pulled it.

He didn´t have to use too much force for an animal of considerable dimensions to jump out of that amount, making those who remained watching stifle a cry of fear at the abruptness with which it appeared. Although, after that initial scare, two of those three individuals recovered right away. Clearing their throats and removing fear from their eyes, they approached Oscar to take the rope he handed them.

"B-but… why was a dog there?" Kenneth asked, moving closer as well, when his poor legs were finally convinced there was no danger and that the animal in question had no intention of biting anyone.

"It's from the Davises," replied the boy, who had taken a rope, the other end of which, now clearly visible, was tied to the dog's neck, acting as a rough leash. “They´re staying with relatives in the village and since they all came to the ball, they had no one to leave it with”

"They should have locked him up at home!"

"They´re staying in a small apartment, it wasn´t convenient to leave it unguarded."

Oscar could well understand this method of reasoning, since the said animal was of a large breed. A Saint Bernard, to be specific. If the apartment wasn´t enabled to have pets and, above all, no one was there to take care of a dog used to running free in the field, it was normal they would have brought it. He was better off in Patrick's stables than bothering the neighbors on some downtown street in Snodland.

“And what's his name?”

“The name of what?”

“That thing! He must have a name!”

"I think I heard them calling him Lord Percival."

"Hey, Kenneth," the remaining footman laughed, nudging the aforementioned, "how does it feel to know that 'it' has a more majestic name than ours?"

"Horrible, if only it were a bird...! But you´ll tell me what is so majestic about this animal, if it doesn´t even have beautiful feathers!”

Perhaps, with what happened next, those three could come to think that the dog could understand them. And that, in a fit of pure indignation for having insulted him, he had decided to take revenge by throwing himself on his attacker. Because that's what happened. Without warning, Lord Percival lunged at an unsuspecting Kenneth, who fell to the ground, crushed under the weight of the not-so-majestic animal.

Kenneth's friends tried to remove the dog, but it was proving to be an arduous task, as it stuck to its prey like a limpet, refusing to let go of its shirt, using its paws to prevent it from running away and licking anywhere that skin peeked out from under his clothes.

Oscar stood there for a moment, enjoying the show. Then, lowering his goodbyes and not making sure anyone had heard him, he turned toward the mansion without looking back.

He didn´t help them, nor was he afraid of the animal from the beginning, because in the original novel Lord Percival was already mentioned as a hyperactive but affectionate dog, perhaps with a somewhat worrying taste for trying to get on top of people, without taking into account his own size. That dog wasn´t a puppy, but he did behave like one. And it is that, if someone was to his liking, he would go after him without any qualms. In truth, the Davises had him so badly trained…!

But hey, since this was not an aggressive animal either, Oscar had nothing else to do there. Others would take care of locking up the furry lord somewhere before he ate Kenneth.

For his part, Oscar just returned home, handed over the firewood, and summarized his activities as a waiter without devoting a single thought to what he had just seen in the stables.

Inside Lilac Hall the atmosphere was warm and relaxed. Just as the protagonist's father planned (for he was the one who had the idea to organize the event and, in fact, made the trip to Snodland with his wife just for this), hundreds of invitations had been distributed among the villagers.

Without making distinctions between rich and poor, the neighbors put on their best clothes to go to the house of the one who had so generously opened the doors of his home. This was a unique occasion that few missed. And is that, when were they going to have another opportunity to enter that palace without first having the approval of the gentleman? Hence, the corridors were crowded with people, to the point that not even the great room where the tables were arranged was able to contain this crowd.

Between employees and guests, there must have been at least three hundred people inside.

Some were already sitting at the tables, tasting drinks or having a snack before dinner was served. Others remained chatting with their relatives, in debates that were lost under the melody of a piano that never, since the rooms began to fill up, had stopped playing. And it was still early, but some people were already making their way into what seemed to be an improvised dance floor, in a space where there was no furniture to get in the way, and interpreting the songs that were playing in pairs or in small groups.

The place was very lively. And the decoration, in short, helped put people in situation.

While a Christmas wreath hung on each of the exterior doors, thus welcoming newcomers, dozens of garlands had been placed on shelves and railings. To one side of the room stood an imposing tree, three to four meters high, decorated with a multitude of red ribbons and balls of a brilliant golden color that would attract the attention of all who passed by. On the tables, in the center of them, several bouquets of poinsettias had also been placed along with so many candles they would be able to illuminate the entirety of a cemetery during the darkest night of the year.

With that extra light provided by the candles, and since the floor and furniture had been thoroughly cleaned in the previous days, everything in that room shone.

Those in charge of tidying up the place for the event had been so careful that they didn´t even forget to place the mistletoe Madeleine wanted in one of the corridors on the ground floor, where there wasn´t too much traffic of the staff. Also, in a corner through which the guests would have to pass if they wanted to go to the billiard room, to another room that was clearer or simply to the services.

When Oscar entered the room he was carrying a tray with some glasses of champagne and was doing what others of his coworkers were doing; walking among the guests in case anyone wanted a snack. This work allowed him to make a better visual review of the people who were gathered there and, therefore, he soon found himself looking for well-known characters in a crowd in which he went unnoticed.

His uncles were there, chatting with some friends. The abnormal of Thomas was also nearby, only instead of chatting with the same neighbors his parents entertained themselves with, he seemed to be trying to hook up with a small group of young girls who, judging by their faces, were simply listening to him and laugh at his occurrences out of mere education.

If the Stevens were present, it was only natural their masters were too. Oscar didn´t get to see them all, from afar he only saw Mrs. Cornell in the company of her friends, and Theresa, who was sitting at a table with Letitia and three other young people her age, who must have belonged to the Northrop family given the familiarity with which they were dealing. Eleonore and Beverley stood to one side, whispering to other girls and stealing brief glances to the male guests who passed by. Then, regarding Mr. Cornell… That man seemed finished. Unlike his wife and daughters, who seemed spirited enough to engage in purposeful conversation with the neighbors, he had slumped into an armchair with some weariness. As if, even though he hadn't been in Lilac Hall for more than half an hour, he already felt the walls coming down on him.

Oscar could see how there were several who tried to get a conversation out of him, but the guy was so dead he just couldn´t make a coherent answer. Of course, he gave the impression of being more focused on the half-empty glass in his hands.

Madeleine was the only one in that family not in sight. Although, well, Oscar didn't think she was very far away: he had caught a glimpse of the Tanners and, considering that she had been at church in their company during the morning, he assumed she wasn´t hiding very far. Perhaps, at this hour, she was making one of her infallible plans to hunt down a husband, aided by one of her henchmen.

Unlike the protagonist, Patrick was easy to spot. The aforementioned was deeply involved in the role of host, talking with the most important guests of the evening. And also, flirting openly with the beautiful daughters of the officers who were friends of his father.

To such an extent, it wasn't like it mattered that the male lead had a mistress. Or, at least judging by how calm he was being away from the aforementioned, it did not seem to cause him any negative emotions to remain separated from her.

But, leaving the guesswork and going back to what could be found in that room, there was something that Oscar found curious.

Or rather, someone.

In one of his tours with the tray already half empty of snacks, he could see the villain in a corner, along with other people that weren´t known to him. Albert looked uncomfortable, standing there with his arms crossed, with all his muscles tense and without speaking to anyone, limiting himself to observe the couples in front of him who had begun to dance a couple of pieces. He really wasn't lying when he said he wasn't cut out for those kind of events!

Oscar wondered if it would be good to take the opportunity to go to him, not to offer him a drink, but rather to try to have a brief conversation using that excuse. He wasn´t allowed to speak to guests, or at least not like someone who spoke to an old acquaintance. It was not, in this case, for a question of status but for work. With so many people gathered, there was no shortage of chores and they were already short on staff. So he couldn't allow himself to stop for too long to socialize.

Anyway, he thought, he would approach him. Despite the fact that his masters were in the environment, they all remained busy with their things. Nor would they say anything to him for being idle for five minutes. Besides, in what he stood thinking about whether to approach or not, Albert had seen him. He couldn't back down anymore! He only had to smile professionally, as if he were performing his duty and didn´t behave like that out of mere preference, walking towards that part of the room.

"Please get a room!", exclaimed an annoyed voice next to him, removing a glass from the tray and taking a sip.

"Dianne..." Oscar began, without denying that a few seconds ago his and the villain's gaze met and that he certainly wished he hadn't been working so that he could spend more time with him, "do you have a problem?"

"Not really, as I told you the other day, it's not in my interest that he and Madeleine end up together. For me, as if you invite him to a hostel and do with him all the depravities that you can think of... Ah, but not where I´m staying! Have the decency at least to spare me the show”

"Do you think either of us is into exhibitionism?”

 "No, but the walls are thin and… why am I talking about this? I didn't come near to make recommendations about your sex life” Before Oscar had a chance to ask, she continued. “Listen, I just wanted to warn you that my plan to bring the protagonists together is already underway. Now you can go cajole Albert if you want, I don't care. But, listen, it is very important that you don´t go to the third room in the west corridor, the one that faces the gardens”

"Why? Are you going to gather the main characters there to do their thing?"

"Something like that, yes. I'm going to take care of luring them there myself, as I promised. You don't need to do anything. I just wanted to warn you not to enter that room because, with that jinx aura that you always carry, I see you very capable of involuntarily sending my whole idea to hell”

"How nice that you at least think I'm not doing it on purpose!"

"Anyway, I'm leaving you to keep thinking about your perversions."

And with that, she vanished into the crowd, not willing to listen to any of Oscar's protests. Why, whatever happened, did he always look bad to the people he knew in that damn novel?

At least, he told himself, this time she had kept her word that she wouldn´t ad him to the plan: The writer never explained it, rightly thinking that it wouldn´t interest him, so that little warning should have been enough.

Now, free from Dianne's clutches, Oscar was finally able to go to the villain. Who was still in the same place as before, without having moved, much less done to try to converse with the people he had around him.

You are reading story How to survive the worst novel ever written at novel35.com

"Who was that person?" Albert had asked as soon as Oscar was close enough to hear him, against all odds, referring to the author.

Albert must have noticed how the two of them addressed each other more than a couple of sentences, and it must have aroused his curiosity, assuming they would both know each other. Something that had to be strange, not only for the villain but for anyone who knew Oscar. Well, Oscar, the original at least, was never one from having many friends in someone else's home. Even less women.

“Her name is Dianne Warren and she works as a companion for Mrs. Ryan. Or she worked, I should say”

‘I don't know if her shitty nature hasn't already kicked her out…’ he was tempted to add. But, on the contrary, he ended up saying:

"Since I was looking for a place to stay, now that my contract with the Seymours is ending, I ended up going to the only inn in this village. Inn where this woman is staying and, in fact, that is where I found her”

“Oh, I see. So are you friends?”

"No, no, acquaintances at best!" Oscar laughed just thinking of the bad taste one might have if one wanted a friend like Dianne. “She´s a writer and was trying to get a job at the newspaper. She knew that I liked to read, so she handed me one of her most recent texts for me to read and express my opinion in the form of criticism. But, do you know what happened when I finally did it?”

"You probably said something you shouldn't have."

"I just pointed out her flaws, like she asked! But she got mad at me, as if I had told her that it was all so badly done that the best thing would be for her to throw everything away and start over from scratch”

"I'm sure you didn't tell her that, but…" Albert hesitated for a moment, before continuing. “Admittedly, you have a somewhat brusque way of saying things. And that may not sit well with some people”

"That may be true, but why ask for criticism anyway if they have no intention of accepting what they are told?"

"I suppose that just as you have the freedom to express your opinion in any way you please, others have the power to decide how much of that criticism they are willing to take into consideration. Even if you've taken the time to help them, that doesn't mean they have an obligation to thank you. They should, yes, as it would be polite. But they don't have to”

Oscar couldn't argue with that. Although he didn´t like the author's manners, he knew that Albert, who had not taken a position on either side, was right. On the other hand, and although he would like to continue complaining about Dianne, it isn´t that he could say much more about her. When the villain asked, he had chosen carefully the data to reveal, omitting that she was a good friend of Madeleine.

"I wonder how you would have thought, if you had been in my shoes," Oscar murmured, thinking that this individual was no less direct than himself when he wanted to. “But let's put my own problems aside, I haven't asked you if you want a drink yet and that's what I was supposed to be employed for today”

"Speaking of which, the uniform looks good on you."

"Don't tell me you like waiter's clothes!"

Oscar laughed and that served to make Albert feel more embarrassed by the comment. No, it was obvious that he was not talking about the waiter's outfit in general, but about how it fit on a specific person.

"I-it´s not that." Trying to regain his composure, the villain changed the subject. “I… would rather he not drink”

"May I ask why?"

"Oh, I just don't like alcohol that much. I can drink it, but… I only do it on special occasions, when it's time to toast and I have no choice. In this type of ball, I prefer not to have anything until after dinner”

Oscar nodded in understanding, though it was the first time he'd ever seen a clichéd youth novel antagonist be a closet teetotaler, which was unusual, but not bad. Would the rest of the guests who knew him know about this taste of his or...? No, perhaps only those closest to him knew about it. At such events it was an inconvenience to refuse to taste the wine, almost as an affront to the hosts.

Of course, on the other hand, who was not tempted to make the Seymours look ugly?

"Then I'll retire and we'll talk later, okay?" Oscar declared; he would have liked to inquire as to why he was not with his relatives or trying to get along with the neighbors, but he felt it wouldn´t be appropriate to ask. In how his superiors could see him stopping with the room this full, he would fall the anger of the year.

But Oscar didn´t withdraw. He couldn't do it.

Albert had grabbed his free arm, with the result that the tray rocked to one side, without actually tipping over with all its contents, thanks to Oscar's excellent reflexes. Who, already used to being a waiter, took just a couple of seconds to regain his balance and stop, turning back to the villain with an inquisitive air.

Albert apologized, aware that he narrowly caused an accident. He released his wrist hastily, still nervous, before saying no without some effort:

"I wanted to ask you if on the thirty-first... Eh... If you would like to say goodbye to the year at my house"

“It´s too late”.

“What?”

"I say it's too late, Letitia was ahead of you and asked for it in your place." Since Albert seemed confused about what he had just heard, perhaps because his sister hadn´t commented on this invitation, Oscar added in a reassuring tone. “I´d love to go, but that day I was meeting my uncles for dinner and I still haven't had time to comment them this. So, for my part it´s a yes, but I have yet to confirm it with them”

"In that case, I'll wait." Albert said this with relief, without stammering, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders by making that request of the other. “Even if you can't confirm it before the date, nothing happens. If you show up in Thornfield with your people that day, you´ll be greeted. So hopefully you can...”

Albert didn´t have the opportunity to complete the sentence, because at that moment he was approached by a couple consisting of an older man, dressed in a military suit, and a woman in her twenties, with their respective gala dress. They both greeted him, completely ignoring Oscar's presence, and began a conversation whereby it was clear what the man was trying to do was urge the villain to grant his daughter a dance.

Anyway, by the face that Albert made and the quiet excuses he murmured, it made it quite clear that he wasn´t for the job. Although this man was persistent and, for a change, he must also be someone important, judging by the medals he wore on his chest. So what could be done?

‘I'm sorry, I'll abandon ship,’ Oscar had thought, saying goodbye to a villain who was still watching him as he walked away as if he were asking for help so that those humans wouldn´t drag him into the depths of the ocean.

Not that Oscar was displaying unusual cruelty in choosing to step aside, although if asked, he would say he was enjoying seeing Albert being forcibly pulled out of his comfort zone. What was happening was that he, in his position as waiter, he didn´t have the authority to save anyone from a social compromise. If he had gotten into the conversation, even considering that those two didn't even glance at him before approaching Albert, they wouldn't have taken him seriously. They would have dismissed him, asking him to meddle in his affairs and, if he had been too insistent, they would have complained to his superiors.

Hence, Oscar left, regretting that he couldn´t even stay to watch.

About half an hour later, dinner was served and this made the living room become a little more orderly, with all the diners already seated at their respective tables, ready to taste the food that had been preparing in the kitchens since early in the morning. Having opened some corridors between the tables, through which it was possible to pass, the waiters came and went with trays that they deposited before the guests.

The music ceased, and once it was served, the faint murmur of yesteryear was replaced by a much more obvious hubbub. Throughout the room, the conversations between the guests seemed to increase in volume, since there was no melody that covered them. The sound of cutlery being used was also evident, in some cases, and the waiters remained in the loop, pacing between the tables. Bringing and taking trays from the kitchen to the living room and vice versa. Serving those people the best they could.

It was grueling work that lasted about two hours, until the last of the desserts was served and Oscar was able to take advantage of his own lunch break. He couldn't stop too long, since he had to go back to the ballroom to take up his duties; Although there were several servants who took turns to fulfill what was expected of them, it was difficult to coordinate everything. And it was the first time in a decade, according to former employees of the Seymour, that so many people attended a dance organized by this family.

By the time Oscar returned to the living room, after a less abundant dinner than he would have liked and just twenty minutes away, the music was playing again. The piano had been joined by a pair of violins, and together they played a happy melody that invited dancing. The tables, by the way, were already being cleared and many of the guests were already on their feet and trying to drag their respective partners onto the dance floor.

Despite the reigning merriment, everything was so quiet…! Oscar helped clear the dishes and wipe the tablecloths, continuing to browse what was presented to him. He soon found out why everything seemed so quiet to him: The protagonist hadn't made any of her triumphant introductions! In fact, he had only seen her in the company of her family and the Tanners at dinner. And she was behaving with astonishing normality, not causing a stir or doing anything outlandish.

He didn't see her approach Patrick all evening, but she didn't come to where Albert was either. It was so weird! But, from what he had ascertained, the talk with Letitia must have served a purpose. He still didn´t know if for her to stop cajoling one or the other but, for now, it seemed that it did serve her to behave as someone normal for a few hours.

Once the dinner was over, the dances began, Oscar's attention turned to a dance floor where several couples approached to inaugurate the first waltz of the night.

There were several familiar faces among that small crowd of men and women who wanted to have a good time, showing off their dancing skills to the rest of the world. Beverley and Eleonore were there, with a couple of unidentified boys from the town. Albert too. Despite the fact that several times in the past he pointed out that he hated this activity, it seemed that the officer from before had convinced him to grant his daughter a dance. And boy did he agree! He must have had no other choice, and when the tune changed and the group of dancers began to move, it was too late to back down.

Oscar found it extremely entertaining to see this, even though he was not a fan of dance either. Albert was an agile dancer, he guided his partner with little effort and his movements were in perfect harmony with the music, without a single mistake. But, despite having this talent, his expression always remained serious, with no hint that he was capable of making a more cheerful face. Nothing to do with that of his partner, who had not stopped smiling since they came out on the track. It seemed like the villain was hating every second but, with so many people watching and clapping, he had no choice rather than keep moving.

"What, admiring some beautiful lady?" Someone asked, putting a hand on Oscar´s shoulder momentarily, to make himself noticed.

It wasn't until Willie Sayer suddenly appeared, cutting off his train of thought, that Oscar hadn't realized he had been grinning like an idiot as he stared at where the guests were dancing.

"Not exactly," Oscar put in, not letting go of his good humor. “You were able to come to the ball, then. Does that mean you are done with all the pending work in the office?”

"Who do you take me for?" The other replied, halfway between outrage and mockery. “We are at Christmas, a time when you have to be three times as efficient if you want to deliver all the letters on time... Of course I'm not done! On the twenty-sixth I will continue.”

"The twenty-sixth?"

"There's nothing to do now, I've already put myself into party mode. Now I can't go back to work, not until the holidays are over”

"You don't know how much I'd like to imitate you!"

“Yes, right? Although not everything has gone as he wanted. I mean, I knew I had no chance with Madeleine. To be able to ask her to a dance, I mean. So I came with all the intention of sitting down to see how she danced, but you´ll tell me! What a surprise it was when I saw she wasn´t there. I thought she would go with her boyfriend (although they are saying that it is nothing hers anymore), but it seems that not the case”

It was at that moment that Oscar realized it. He had become so absorbed in staring at Albert that he hadn't realized that the protagonist was not giving Patrick that regulation first dance. Although Patrick was among the dancers, only holding hands with a girl unknown to Oscar.

"What the hell is wrong with that guy?" Oscar asked in a very impolite manner, forgetting that until the thirty-first, the aforementioned was still his employer and therefore he owed him respect. “Didn't he ask his partner to dance?”

"Oh no, it seems he did mean to. I think it was more because of her mother's coercion than anything else, but from what they told me, Madeleine rejected him.”

"Are we talking about the same Madeleine?"

"It surprises me too, they used to look very close! But she claimed that she was waiting for something, I don't know what, and she rejected it. Well, not just him, but any man who dared invite her” After a pause in which Sayer must have come up with something, he asked. “You don´t believe that she has given him up to become a nun?”

“Why would she do that? With how little devoted she is...”

“Because she's rejecting people, I thought… But it's good to know that I still have a chance!”

Certainly the village postman was happy with that. Not that he had too many expectations, but he didn't completely give up either. And although Oscar had recommended that he stay away from Madeleine once or twice, he had no intention of repeating her advice. In the end, they were all old enough to decide how to ruin their own existence.

With renewed spirits, Sayer approached the dance floor, ready to wait for the current couples to finish dancing and he would have the opportunity to invite someone to another dance. Whether it was the protagonist or any other woman willing to give him the ten minutes he needed.

Meanwhile, Oscar continued his business. With people more focused on dancing and chatting, his work dwindled to the point that, after four or five pieces, all he had to do was patrol the room, waiting for someone to call him if they needed anything from the service. And it was just as he was pacing between the tables that he tripped over something, inevitably falling flat on the floor.

Luckily, at that moment he wasn´t carrying anything on his tray. And he also did not land on any object that could cause greater damage, so, in that sense, there was nothing to regret. Or well, nothing about the Seymour property. Because Oscar was very embarrassed by the guests who were nearby and who saw, in the first row, that action of such a clumsy waiter. And, drawing the wrong conclusion, many couldn't help but laugh indiscreetly.

"Cousin, you should be more careful," Thomas advised, appearing beside him. “You don't want to expose my parents, do you?”

Thomas had offered his hand, but Oscar ignored him, getting up on his own accord and walking away without saying a word. As if nothing had just happened. What was this false kindness about? As if he hadn't realized that it was Thomas himself who tripped him!

‘When this is all over, I'm going to beat up that conceited man,’ thought Oscar, trying to calm his irreverent fury. ‘And I don't care if he's related to the original character! As soon as the festivities are over, I'll kick him so hard I'll send him flying all the way to Oxford. And he won't want to go back to Snodland!’

With the goal in mind of putting up with Thomas for another week, before breaking ties with him, he was able to take a deep breath and compose herself.

It was then, already in a secluded place in the room where there was not so much traffic, that he realized: Madeleine was about fifty feet from him, chatting with Albert. From where he was, he couldn't see the villain's expression, but he looked happy and… Why the hell would they keep talking? Taking into account that those two didn´t get along, even less after the episodes of crazy stalking by the protagonist, it was suspicious that they remained talking for so long. If it had been like when Oscar was convalescing, she would have been a long time if Albert had sent her for a walk.

But no, that did not happen. In fact, before Oscar could process what was happening, those two were displaced. Madeleine led the villain through one of the side corridors, until they disappeared from his field of vision.

What the hell…? That way they went to where one of the mistletoe branches was hanging.

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