Everlast

CHAPTER FIVE

"Are you listening Miss Everlast?"

A week had gone by and Miss Everlast received no complaints from her other workers about John Clare. It seemed like the new worker had found his place.

Monica Everlast scribbled the last word in her notebook before closing the pen lid and faced her cousin. Every day a new complaint would rise, not from her workers, but from him.

"The people of this town have complained to me about the type of workers you have graciously bestowed upon us. Do you not divulge into their previous employment?" George Castle shifted in his seat, craning his neck over her notebook. "Some of the towns' folk have complained about Mr Clare."

"Has he harmed anyone?" She bluntly asked. "Or interfered in any manner?"

"No," he stretched the word, shaking his head, "but his face, it's –"

"I don't care about my worker's past or their appearance. As long as the work is done and they are justly paid then that is all that counts." Monica sipped on her Darjeeling chai and glared at her cousin. "And in future I expect you not to barge in here and poke your nose into my business affairs but as far as I can tell you it is running smoothly."

His eyes twitched as he heaved himself, balancing with his silver lion cane.

"Miss Everlast, I am only looking out for you. It is not wise to behave in such a manner."

Monica clenched her jaw and shook the hand bell for a couple of rings. Dot, the house maid, opened the door and stood by obediently.

"You can show Mr Castle out."

George looked to the door and then at her. "We are not finished."

"I say we are. Have a good day." She waved her hands to dismiss him before returning to her book. George limped away. Dot moved to the side.

She heard the door close, sighed, slammed the notary book and massaged her temples. Glancing up she saw Dot, hands behind her back, rocking on her heels. "Oh Dot. Please don't–"

"Miss Everlast, I won't say a word."

Monica half smiled, standing up and walked towards the opened French windows. She admired the sun rays radiantly on her land. Dot picked up the used tea set.

"Dot, I need you to gather everyone at the barn after their lunch. And call Mr Clare here."

"Yes Miss Everlast." She left the room.

Monica leaned against the window pane, lips pursed and watched her people work on her farm, Obsidian Estate, handed from her distant uncle Lionel Everlast. Of course George was jealous but he had arrived before the court late to prove he was Lionel's estranged nephew. Lionel had no heir and no siblings to give his hard earned legacy to. After searching for someone to claim his land he found Monica, his cousin's illegitimate child. He took her in, raised her, and taught her the business of the farm and leadership.

She took over after he left this world. That's how she made her foot into society. And that's what bugged her cousin George. She received everything from Obsidian Estates and George was left with a small role in finance management.

He also hated her luck, her sex and the colour of her skin. Her olive complexion, her dark features from her Spanish pirate father stood out from the pale skinned society. She never burned in the sun but tanned gracefully.

A knock on the door awoke Monica from her past thoughts. She wiped her face and turned.

"Come in."

Words cannot describe the true nature of John Clare's scars upon his pale death complexion or his sharp yellow eyes behind his greasy raven hair. Society dubbed him as a monster, a story you would tell to misbehaving children to mend their ways.