He was instructed to use the servants' entrance, which was to the side. An old man in an impeccable black suit with the traditional white shirt and a white bow tie greeted him.
He was most likely the manager of the Household Servants.
"Pleased to meet you, Sir. I'm Oliver Abram- Lord Tennyson's new valet." He outstretched his hand, but the man didn't return the greeting.
Oliver took his hand back and the other man seized him up and down.
"You must have a very good recommendation to be hired for work in the household, especially dressed like that. "
Oliver knew that even though he was wearing his best clothes, they were of much lower quality than the ones even the cleaning staff wore.
The butler didn't wait for Oliver's response and said
"This way, and try not to ask too many questions. Lord Tennyson hates them and he never wants to talk to valets personally. I will assume you're only going to get briefly acquainted with your duties. My name is Thomas and you will be reporting to me mainly."
The man was giving his instructions as they were walking up the big stairs.
Oliver tried not to stare too much.
The walls were covered in portraits- previous lords and nobility from the family, he guessed. Crystal polileums were hanging from the high ceilings and the heavily decorated oak tables in the lounge were covered with souvenirs, golden statues, and small figures made of ebony and ivory with gold.
Oliver could sell a single piece of those and feed an entire family for a whole year.
"Do not gossip, do not touch the other maids." Thomas was still speaking as they approached a big, heavily ornamented door.
Oliver's feet were sinking in the soft, richly decorated carpet and he was starting to forget what he was here for.
"Don't answer unless you're asked, and don't do anything inappropriate. This is probably the first and last time you'll speak to the Lord directly, so don't embarrass yourself. And me, respectively. As I said - I'm your direct superior. " Thomas stopped and turned abruptly towards Oliver. The younger man almost flinched.
"Are we clear, boy?"
"Yes, Sir. Clear. "
"Good." The butler checked his silver pocket watch " 10 seconds to ten. Ideal."
The older man was clearly more controlling than Olived had first thought.
Thomas opened the door and announced
"Oliver Abram, Lord Tennyson. He's here for the position of the new valet. "
Thomas urged him in and Oliver saw a man of the age of around fifty, staring out the big French window.
His hands were clasped behind his back and he was wearing a dark suit with a black cravat. The garments were beautifully decorated and he was wearing rich jacquard in deep red- the only bold stroke to the overall dark attire.
He was impeccable, even dressed for his home.
The man turned slowly and smiled. He was tall, but not as tall as Oliver; although - not many men were as tall as he was, he remembered.
"Very well, Thomas. Thank you and close the door on your way out. " The butler looked between the two of them and only nodded.
"Yes, Sir. Please, ring the bell for me if you need anything."
Lord Tennyson wasn't in the habit of meeting servants, Oliver remembered.
Thomas must've been shocked by all that and probably thought Oliver might steal or do something inappropriate was Oliver left alone with the lord.
Once Thomas had left the room, Lord Tennyson pulled out a cigarette from a tabaquera with the family crest made of gold on it.
Oliver had noticed the symbol on the front gate and on a few more places - red, gold, and black with the name of the family on it.
Fernsby- one of the oldest royal families connected by blood to the Queen.
"Cigarette?" The lord's voice travelled in the big study.
"No, thank you, Your Lordship. "
The cigarettes were most likely imported from the U.S, the kind only the rich could afford. He almost regretted not accepting one.
The lord smiled briefly. "Sit down, young man. We both know why you are here."
****
"Lord Charles is a very, I must assure you - a very good friend of mine, and I can honestly say this is the only reason why I agreed to have you here."
"Yes, Sir."
Oliver was offered to sit in the big armchair in front of the heavy mahogany desk. He refused it, besides the older lord didn't take a step towards his seat either.
Tennyson was walking around the room, with his air of indifference to Oliver and cigarette in his hand.
And despite that, the man was the epitome of power and influence. It was like the furniture was making space for him.
He was more than intimidating, Oliver thought, but couldn't find a better word to describe him.
The Lord's deep voice traveled the room.
"My dear friend vouched for you and said you'd worked for his household. "
"Indeed, Lord Tennyson."
Thomas had said Oliver shouldn't provide for information he wasn't asked for, so he was trying to stick to what he was told.
"I suspect he cannot pick up his entire household when traveling to China. Although I'm a very good employer and insist on the goodwill of the people working for me, I'm about to entrust you with a task. Keep in mind it won't be an easy one." He paused, then added, "I presume you follow the papers?"
"I do, Sir. "
"Then you must know my political position."
"Yes, I am well aware."
The Fernsby’s had always been part of the Parliament.
Lord Tennyson's party had won the elections earlier this year in July and as a minister, Tennyson was now trying to establish a more serious presence in the decision making about trade.
The party was also supporting the old tax system.
Yet, the more money one had, the more they wanted, Oliver thought and those changes were aiming at profits for the rich.
It meant even more power and influence, which was rapidly spreading not only on the Island but over the trade with East and the trade routes. Besides, the Crown seemed to be trying for a different establishment in the distribution of seats.
"Then you must also know I have a son who..." The Lord gestured vaguely and made another pause. Oliver feigned failing to understand, although he knew perfectly well who the man was talking about.
"I'm afraid I don't, Sir. Forgive me."
"I know you're trying not to be offensive; you don't have to. Not on my account, especially considering the circumstances and what I'm about to ask of you. "
He exhaled and Oliver decided to remain quiet.
"My youngest son has developed the habit of not attending events where he is supposed to be. Regardless of what he might be doing in his spare time, it provides for...God, I hate this word, only women should use it. " He rubbed his temples. "It provides for gossip. I'm afraid no decent lady would consider him for a match, despite what family he comes from. Especially if he continues with his... let's say adventures.
"I understand well, yes."
Oliver had the vague feeling he sounded like a parrot, just standing there, repeating assurances and confirmations.
The family could probably afford one of those birds, though.
"I don't know what he does in detail, or why. " The lord was saying. "I don't have any interest in digging deeper, but I need you to report to me. " Where he goes, the people he meets. Everything. “
Tennyson stubbed his cigarette in a magnificently beautiful porcelain ashtray - Oliver had seen almost the same one in Charles' manor.
"I can't appoint the task to someone else from the household," his employer continued, " because my son knows who my trusted people are. It also can't be anyone from outside the manor, because the person will quickly become a suspect and my son can easily avoid him. Or worse- that person will start spreading rumors, too."
"Yes, Sir."
Tennyson turned directly to him then.
"I'll be clear in my instruction- win his trust. I don't give a bloody damn how you'd do it. " Lord Tennyson's blue eyes had a threatening glimmer and held Olivers' warm hazel ones for a second. For the first time since he'd come here, Oliver had the need to run away and never come back; that this whole thing was one grand mistake.
Tennyson's voice quickly pulled him back to reality "And I expect you to be successful. I don't forgive failure. Even from my closest entrusted men. Have I made myself clear?"
Oliver acknowledged his words with a curt nod.
"I'm glad we are both on the same page. I very much respect discretion. Of course, you'll be very well awarded for your services. "
"Thank you."
"And Mister Abram?"
"Yes, My Lord?"
"Don't let my son fool you, he can be very charming, and he knows it."
Callum had the worst hangover he'd had in a while.And that said a lot, considering he had a pretty solid experience with port and whisky.He looked around the dark room and saw his clothes from last night all over the floor.Callum had no memory of how he'd gotten back to the mansion, but at least he was in his nightgown.He got dressed. By himself. He'd had a valet only once years ago and never allowed a servant to help him get dressed from then on.Callum was just finishing the tying of his black cravat.It was in very strong contrast with his white shirt, but when he added the black coat he decided it wasn't shockingly bad or dark enough.There was a knock on the door as he was trying to put his hair in order. It had overgrown a bit and he knew how inappropriate that was, so decided to just leave it the way it was."Yes?" he called. It was Thomas.
The next day something similar happened and Oliver was beginning to worry he might never actually do any work. He was occasionally helping the maids or the men in the yard, but that was pretty much all he did.He was given the black uniform of the valet, but he found himself rarely wearing it while he was outside with the man-servants.Something that got him the constant disapproving eyes of the butler.That, Oliver was really trying not to poke Thomas's eyes with his constant idleness and obvious not involvement in the way Callum's clothing or appearance were tended.He just didn't see the Lord anywhere.The maids were saying he was often gone for more than even one night, so Oliver could only guess where he went. After all, the old Lord had warned him about his master himself.On the third day, Oliver got up, looked for the Lord, but he was informed that Callum had already gone out, so he headed for Tennyson's study.
“How has the manor been treating you, Mr. Abram?”Tennyson said. He was keeping himself quite level, although it seemed like it was forced and something wasn’t quite right. It most likely wasn’t, since Oliver had been called here, and he was definitely one of the numerous things the Minister had to deal with. And of course, Oliver’s never failing sixth sense was a good way to judge the situation.“I am getting used to everything. Thank you. ““Do you have everything you need?”“I do, yes. As I’ve mentioned, everyone’s been very helpful. ““Indeed, they all are.“Except for you, Oliver almost heard it behind the Lord’s look.Tennyson crossed his arms.“I’ll be direct, because I am quite occupied as it is. I don’t see you doing what you’ve been hired for. “Oliver wanted to protest, or try
He was walking outside in the sunny garden. An orange-yellow cat was lazily sleeping by a nicely cut bush and the furry ball registered his presence by only moving an ear.Oliver searched his pockets for a cigarette, although he wasn't sure if it would be appropriate to light one here.He didn’t see anyone around, so he decided it was safe enough and he could afford it.Oliver was just taking a cigarette out when he heard someone come. And he always heard when someone was coming his way.He turned and saw it was the girl he'd meet the other day- Della. She was carrying something in her hands, coming his way.The girl glanced at the cigarette in his hand and Oliver said"Sorry, I just...""Oh, no, please, don’t mind me. "He put the roll back in his pocket, hoping he won’t crash it and h
"And then the prince stabbed the big monster!" The child exclaimed, full of wonder and Jenny laughed."Percy, you are the monster my nephew's talking about? ""You ain't funny, Jenny. "Percy made a face at her and she pretended she didn’t see it and ignored him. Oliver hadn’t told anyone he’d seen them in the study, but he’d spent the day with Percy and the kid again, so he’d hinted they should probably be more careful. He’d saved the details around the fact he wasn’t the only one who had seen them that day.Obviously, the Lord didn’t care in any way for any of this, but Oliver suspected Thomas wouldn’t be so indifferent if he found out. And if the butler didn’t like something, that meant trouble for all of them.Oliver got up and said "Thank you for the dinner, Adelia. I'll be heading up. "
They played a few rounds during which Callum was winning to Zhi's increasing annoyance. Oliver's head was starting to spin, even though he hadn't drunk that much.Callum, on the other hand, seemed perfectly sober, even though he was much ahead with his brandy compared to the others. They were given new pairs of cards when Xiao grunted. ."Go to Hell, you Red devil." The man threw his cards and slammed a first on the table. "Enough."He got up abruptly and told Callum it's time to go."Wait for me with the girls, or wherever you see fit and I'll be back in an hour. "His master instructed. The four men got up, leaving all the money on the table and headed towards the back room.No one tried to take whatever they had left, and Oliver decided those people were more dangerous than they seemed and no one would risk taking anything from them.One of the girls climbed on top of the other, still on the floor and Oliver got up.
"I will need you to escort me to a place. We have to get a present for a lady." Callum was saying while putting his hat on.Oliver eyed him and the Lord said "A real one, not like the ones you met the other night."Oliver tried not to linger too much on the we part. He had thought way too much of him and Callum together anyway.The carriage took them to Savile road.Callum was greeting everyone on his way, smiling politely and Oliver had to admit- the man seemed to fit everywhere.Despite his scandalous behavior and cheating on cards, he looked like a real gentleman when he wanted to.The tailor took his measures and they arranged to meet later next week for final preparations. Normally, noblemen had the tail
Oliver hadn't seen Callum in the past few days as he and Liam had had to leave for Winchester to settle family matters.Oliver wasn't provided any further details and Callum had told him to use the time as he pleased. He wrote a letter to his sister and put it in an envelope. He was planning on giving it to his friend when they met the following week.It was past eight and the dinner was over, so Oliver was sitting in his usual company in the kitchen, the white Irish hound playing with something he'd found on the ground."This wretched ball coming has us all working our butts off." Jenny said and poured tea for each of them."And it takes ages to prepare everything, My God. ""I won't tolerate such language, even in the kitchens."Adelia scolded her.From the time Oliver had spent here, he'd gathered Adelia seemed harsh at first glance, but the woman was much softer on the inside once a man got to know her. Thomas was a different matter, though."Sorry, madam. Bu