The Ruby in the Storm

Chapter 25: Whispers of the Mind

        

Chapter 25: Whispers of the Mind 

Edward Worthington watched Leila wander about the house like a ghost. She was pale, shivering, sweating randomly, and clearly not sleeping. She looked either troubled, lost, or simply irritated and jittery, even when she was supposed to be acting as the lady of the house. Edward was no stranger to her affliction, just unsure of how to handle it, as Samuel had never told him about his wife's situation.

But, then again, had Samuel known himself?

Opium was a strong drug. Edward had known its effects when he was recovering from a deadly wound after a duel many, many years ago. It helped relieve the pain and ease his mind during nights when he felt he couldn't sleep. However, the physician had urged him to take it in moderation, otherwise he would need to find a way to cure himself of the very thing that was meant to cure him! Edward thought he had listened enough to know his limits, but he had not, and he found himself taking the drug long after he had healed. Eventually his family took the drug away from him to force him off of it... Was that what he had to do with Leila?

If she is acting the way she is, then she probably does not have the drug anymore. Calling for servants that don't exist, having loud conversations with herself, picking at her skin, shivering...

Who was this Oliver? Edward had not been told of a footman that went by that name since he arrived at Roseway, and no one mentioned him. The footmen working now were fairly young, so if there had been an Oliver, perhaps one of the older servants knew.

During the afternoon hours, when Edward had seen that Leila was safely secured in her room, away from prying eyes, he summoned the head house maid, Catherine. If anyone knew about former servants it was her, according to Samuel. Edward wanted to get to the bottom of Leila's affliction and her obsession with the non-existent footman.

Catherine was let into the drawing room where Edward was sitting, staring contemplatively into the fireplace. He at first did not hear her enter but, when she cleared her throat, he looked up and was humbled by the disapproving look of impatience on her aged face.

"Catherine, good afternoon," Edward stood and gestured to the seat in front of him. "Please, sit down."

"Thank you, sir," Catherine said tersely before taking the seat. She settled in like a proper lady, despite her low standing, and folded her hands on her lap. The impatient look never left her eyes and she stared Edward down like a hunter stalking its prey.

"I do apologize for taking up your time, I am sure you have a very busy work schedule today."

"I am the head housemaid, Mr. Worthington," Catherine replied stiffly, "I always have a busy work schedule even after the day is done."

"Of course," Edward nodded. "Again, my apologies."

"Noted."

"I was told that you were the one to go to for information regarding former servants of this house," Edward explained, sitting forward. "Is that true?"

"Mr. Worthington, I have lived and worked in Roseway Cove since I were thirteen years old," Catherine said. "I am now fifty-four. I have seen generations of Worthingtons come and go from this house, and the same goes for the servants."

Edward took that as a 'yes' and pressed on. "Mrs. Worthington was speaking about a footman a few nights ago, a lad named Oliver, do you know of him?"

Catherine raised an eyebrow. "I do that. Oliver was a footman that worked here until about last summer."

"I see..." Edward frowned. "Did he do anything significant in his time here?"

"How do you mean?"