The Twilight Garden

10

The morning sun poured through the windows and cast elegant shadows over the parlour floor. Lorrena instructed one of the attending servants to pour the tea, and once the girl stepped away from the table, kettle still in hand, she lifted her cup with a shaking hand. Porter Keane sat across from her, his face stern. She hadn't wanted to entertain him, not with Leland and Josephine gone off to wherever they had disappeared to, leaving her with only the servants to bare witness to any misdeed he may have planned.

'Lorrena, what is the relationship between Dr Scott and Josephine?' Porter asked before taking a sip of his tea. 'They seem rather close for a purely professional association.'

'I promise you, Porter, there is nothing more between them than a typical doctor and patient bond. There is a level of confidentiality, you know, and I do not have access to all of their sessions or the treatment.'

'Perhaps you should consider hiring another psychologist, for a second opinion? It seems that this doctor has further intentions, other than treating our dear Josephine.' The seeds of doubt planted, Porter pulled out a card and handed it to Lorrena. She received the card and placed it on the table, taking note of the name and telephone number before returning her attention to Porter.'Dr Kaylock is a clinical psychologist, and is very well versed in illnesses of the mind.'

'I appreciate your concern, Porter, but I do not believe a second opinion is necessary at this time. Dr Scott is working quite diligently to ensure that Josephine is in the utmost mental health. '

'While I am confident in his skill as a doctor, Lorrena, I have my doubts about his relationship with my intended. You will do well to heed my wishes and contact Dr Kaylock, as soon as possible. In fact, my dear Lorrena, invite Dr Kaylock to dine with us this evening.' His voice was low, commanding, and it sent a reverberation chill down her spine. 'Now, Lorrena, I must be going—my mother is out of sorts recently, and I need to prepare her for dinner this evening. We will arrive about six o'clock?'

'Of course. Again, thank you for your concern and we will see you this evening.' Lorrena said. She saw Porter out and closed the door once she was sure he had no further need of her. 'Myra,' she called down the hall, her voice shaking, 'begin preparation for dinner. Expect six diners this evening.'

'Yes, mum.' The call came back from the kitchen. Lorrena turned back to the parlour and picked up the receiver on the old rotary phone near the entrance, and dialled the number on the small card.

'Yes, hello, is Dr Kaylock available?' She asked into the receiver. 'Of course, I will hold.'

'Leland, we should return to the house lest my mother begin to worry.' Josephine whispered, her face buried against his chest. He nodded against the top of her head and pulled away, leaving her chilled by the fog that had rolled through the garden.

'Of course, yes.' He straightened himself and turned away from Josephine. She watched as he struggled with what he had seen in the garden, and perhaps even what had passed between them after. There was a warmth in her chest that she hadn't felt for some time—admiration, and dare she say, the beginnings of love? She couldn't be falling in love with him! She had too much to do, and, though he had clearly seen Octavia in the garden, and had witnessed the terror that was the stone altar, there was the small fact that he had been hired to diagnose and treat her supposed mental illnesses; there was no room for the warmth she felt.

She could sense his eyes on her as she walked passed him, though his gaze did not feel predatory (as it always had with Porter); no, it felt protective. She turned to see if he was following behind, but he seemed rooted to his spot. His face betrayed the conflict within him, and though she noticed his desire to follow, he remained there, near the gate.

'I will return first, then. Explain that I was in the garden, collecting my thoughts.' She stated, turning away once more.

'Yes. That would be best.' Came his reply, strained. She left him by the garden gate, and fought herself to look back at him until she could no longer see his figure through the trees, despite her ardent gaze.