Catherine slammed the front door of the Blackwood Estate behind her. She'd had quite the ordeal, dealing with Elise all day.
The pesky Wright girl played things passive-aggressively, hoarding Alice all to herself and cutting in anytime Catherine tried to get a word in edgewise.
Elise was trying to push Catherine's buttons until the noble snapped. Fortunately, she played it cool, but not without a great exertion of effort on her part.
Catherine had to excuse herself for lunch, trying to stomach a meal with the Wright girl by her side was unappealing, to say the least. Consequently, she was extremely hungry, not having eaten anything since breakfast.
She knew skipping meals wasn't exactly a sustainable proposition and she'd have to get used to Elise's presence eventually, but it was a Friday so Catherine decided it would be ok to "indulge" herself just this once.
She'd exited the school premises almost immediately, much to her chagrin. She wanted to pal around with Alice as she'd been for the past couple of days, but having to put up with Elise for another would've no doubt ended in disaster.
The whole situation was a ticking time bomb. Elise thought Catherine to be an evil miser that was setting up Alice for a fall.
Through her constant pushing and prodding she'd make the"'Blackwood tyrant" show her true colors.
Catherine had to admit it was an excellent gambit, the temper she'd inherited was itching to give Elise Wright a good smack. Unfortunately, if the young Blackwood noble exploded on Elise with Alice present, it could spell the end of their relationship.
Attacking Wright without Alice present was the obvious solution, but it also wasn't without risk. It would be Catherine's word against Elise's, and Alice was far more likely to side with her childhood friend.
Catherine either had to get Alice on her side, or get the Wright girl out of the picture entirely.
A part of her just wanted to go straight up to Silas and have him fake an 'incident' to get her expelled.
It would certainly be the simpler option, but it was rather cruel.
First off she didn't want to do that for Alice's sake, ripping away her friend certainly gave Catherine pause.
Secondly, she could recognize that Elise Wright wasn't exactly in a privileged position in life, and her family had put up an awful lot of money for her to attend the Academy.
So for the time being Cathrine was willing to put up with Elise, that being said it was only day one and the Wright girl was already driving her up a wall–Elise's chances of coming out of this unscathed were most likely slim.
"Consider yourself lucky that I'm giving you a chance at all," thought Catherine "My counterpart wouldn't have hesitated to go after you."
As Cathrine made her way to the kitchen to request something to soothe her aching stomach, she reflected on the events of the day realizing she had accomplished very little.
"Met Silas–didn't nail any specifics, oh and I made a fool of myself in the courtyard. That's about it."
Catherine needed to steel herself for the future if her entire day could be completely derailed by having to be nice to a single pest of a woman.
She decided to banish any further thoughts of the Wright girl, there were some people she needed to talk to.
***
"Edgar dear, do you have a moment?"
The stable master spun around. He thought his ears had deceived him, but sure enough, it was the lady of the household addressing him.
He set the bale of hay down that had been slung over a large shoulder.
"Yes ma'am, what can I do for you?"
He couldn't remember if Lady Blackwood had ever spoken to him before, if she had it would've been brief. Frankly, there was no reason to, she had no interest in horses–not much cause to be in a horse stable other than being around the beasts.
So it was curious that she was here at all, curiouser still the young lady needed something from him. Surely one of the other staff would be better suited to help.
"Are you busy this evening?" Catherine asked.
"Not particularly," he stroked his mustache, curious as to what the young lady could want. "Nothing I can't shove onto one of them stable boys."
Catherine smiled, clearly liking the answer.
"Would you mind accompanying me this evening?"
That was not the query he'd expected.
The large man scratched the back of his head, trying to figure out the best way to turn her down without offense.
Edgar had heard it through the grapevine that the young lady was behaving far more cordially to the staff. The fact that she was inviting him out was proof of that.
Still, her past behavior wasn't far from anyone's mind–and he valued his job. Even still, a request such as this must be crossing a line.
He was aware that the young noble had been going out on the town with her personal maid Elizabeth. But it was one thing to doll up a younger woman, passing her off as someone higher in status.
Edgar was getting up there in years and was a laborer through and through–his gruff exterior painted the picture far better than words ever could. Trying to make him look proper would've been akin to putting lipstick on a pig.
On top of that, he didn't know how appropriate it was for him to accompany a young lady in public, especially one slated to be married, regardless if others were invited.
"Sorry Lady Blackwood." Edgar strained his voice to sound as regretful as possible, but the effect was mostly lost due to his naturally husky tone. "I'm flattered, but I stand out like a sore thumb in cordial situations, best take someone else."
Catherine didn't drop the pleasant look from her face at the denial of her request.
"Now Mr.Lee, it appears you're assuming things about my request," responded Cathrine.
Edgar was simultaneously taken aback that the young lady knew his full name, and embarrassed that he'd jumped the gun on what she wanted from him.
Catherine continued.
"You can always say no, of course, I won't hold it against you, but why don't you hear me out first?"
" Alright–go on then," responded Edgar.
"I'd like it if you accompanied me to Natalia Ave."
Edgar's brow furrowed. Now he was even more confused.
"Madam I won't go as far as to say that the area of town is "crime-riddled" There are plenty of agreeable denizens no doubt, but it's hardly a place for a young lady such as yourself."
"I'm well aware of that," responded Catherine. "That's why I need you to come with me. I know better of course, but to the average person you cast a rather imposing figure."
"I don't disagree on that end madam, but what's on Natalia that's worth the risk?"
"A new bookstore opened there recently, and I wanted to examine it for myself."
Books, Edgar didn't see much use for the things. He thought getting wrapped up in a fantasy was nothing but a waste of time, he figured reading ought to be for utilitarian use and nothing more.
"Surely there's a bookshop in a nicer part of town." Questioned Edgar.
"Of course there is," responded Cathriene curtly.
"Why not just go to one of 'em?"
"Believe me I have, they only stock the most popular books. There isn't much in the way of variety–on the other hand, I've found these little hole-in-the-wall shops often contain overlooked treasures."
Even if you're a fanatic, this is going awfully far, isn't it? Thought Edgar.
"If you wanted my two cents I'd say it ain't worth it for a couple ole' silly books, but I can tell your mind's already made up."
Edgar resumed stroking his mustache, still looking upon the girl with skepticism.
"Can't say I understand why you need me–don't your father employ some guards? Surely they'd be better suited to your whims?"
It was true that the Blackwood estate did employ some protection, but Catherine didn't want to elicit their help for several reasons. The most pertinent was the fact that they reported directly to her father.
Catherine didn't want to tell Edgar that, so she went with some of the other reasons.
"Oh they won't do at all," Catherine said sternly. "They're employed to merely check a box, have you seen them? I doubt they're good for much."
Edgar was impressed, the young woman had a better eye for things than he would've suspected.
"I can't argue with you there Miss. I've seen the fellows, and it's as you say."
"Maybe if I were going out in more affluent neighborhoods they'd serve well as accessories, but I do not need ornaments." Catherine pointed at Edgar. "That's why you're perfect for the job."
"How so?"
"Well, you said it yourself you stick out like a sore thumb in cordial environments, but your presence wouldn't raise an eyebrow in a poorer neighborhood…no offense."
Edgar waved his hand at the remark.
"None taken Miss, but I can't help but notice there's a crease in your plans."
"Whatever could that be Edgar?"
"Being an affluent young lady won't you stick out?"
"Ha, not to worry Mr.Lee I've already planned for that. I've already had Elizabeth visit some second-hand shops with my measurements in tow."
Edgar was starting to understand what the young lady was getting at.
She continued.
"Of course, she hasn't a clue why–I just told her it was for an experiment," Catherine said, chuckling to herself. "She's bound to have a fit when I tell her what's planned, I was hoping you could come along to help convince her."
Edgar shook his head and sighed. This whole thing seemed rather hair-brained, but he felt it was his duty to keep the young lady out of trouble.
"Alright, ma'am I'll do as ya ask."
"I knew I could count on you, Edgar."
With that, the pair departed to meet Elizabeth.
***
"No Miss, absolutely not! If I knew this was your plan I wouldn't have purchased the clothes in the first place!"
Elizabeth was nearly hysterical at the young lady's proposition.
"Oh come now Elizabeth, what could possibly happen?" Quired Cathirene.
"How about mugging, bodily harm…or both!" Elizabeth was practically shouting
"In a bookstore?" retorted Catherine.
Elizabeth flung her arms up in the air.
"I'm not worried about the bookstore, it's the area that's the issue!"
"Elizabeth calm down please, we're not shipping off to war. It's not even the nastiest place in the city, not by a long shot–and I won't be targeted in the first place, I'll be in disguise! "
"But Ma'am I must protest, there's too much risk!"
Catherine patted the shoulder of the tall man next to her to emphasize her next point.
"We'll have Edgar with us, anyone would think twice about messing with him"
Elizabeth couldn't deny that Edgar Lee's presence alone would deter most would-be attackers, especially if they merely wanted to perform a quick snatch and grab."
"Ma'am I know you adore your out-of-the-way book shops, but surely we can skip just this one."
Catherine crossed her arms, resolute in the matter.
"You can't leave one stone unturned when it comes to finding hidden treasures, Elizabeth."
Catherine closed the distance between them and took Elizabeth's up hands.
"Elizabeth won't you please help? I promise it's not as dangerous as you think, it'll only be the one time I promise–I'm just immensely curious, and I've been looking forward to going since last night."
Elizabeth sighed.
"I hope you know this is highly irregular behavior for a lady."
Catherine grinned
"Wouldn't you say I've been highly irregular most of my life?"
A small smirk crossed Elizabeth's face for a moment before she reapplied her stern look.
"I swear girl, you're going to get in serious trouble one of these days, and I suppose you want to keep this secret from your father as well?"
"You're already one step ahead of me Elizabeth."
In the past, Elizabeth would've been appalled at keeping anything from the Senior Blackwood, but Cathriene had slowly but surely been eroding her maid's allegiance to her father.
Catherine showered Elizabeth with warmth and affection almost every day. While her father barely acknowledged the faithful maid's presence, let alone her hard work.
Combining that with Elizabeth's motherly affection, it was only natural that her soft spot for the young girl would continue to grow.
"You know I don't like to go behind your father's back," Elizabeth faltered. "But I'd rather not let him find out I let you do this either."
"That's the spirit Elizabeth," Catherine exclaimed jubilantly. "What he doesn't know won't hurt him!"
"Not that I care what hurts him." Thought Catherine. "But it's simpler when he's out of the way."
"Now Elizabeth I need your help in making me look like a proper commoner."
"It would be best if we did it here in my quarters so as not to attract attention from any of the other staff." Elizabeth posited.
"Good Idea, Edgar, would you be a dear and step out for a moment?"
"Of course ma'am."
Edgar promptly left the room.
"Alright, let's get you into these raggedy things," Elizabeth said with slight disgust, as she set about her task.