Considering events of the past, I find it difficult to ask you to do this. I know you are moved only by incentives. A handsome amount will be offered annually to ensure your loyalty and comfort, but most especially for the safety, comfort and education of my child.
Make no mistake – a supporter will be appointed to monitor my baby’s progress, so think carefully before you accept. You will be monitored.
If you agree, we must move swiftly to prepare for the baby’s arrival and subsequent journey. There are a number of things you will need to do, not least of these is to begin the facade of your pregnancy. This you must do. No questions must be raised.
As you know, the yearly postal boat arrives in Iceland from Denmark in late October. So more expedient means of communicating must be employed. A messenger will call on you in two days to collect your reply.
Again, think carefully on this. Once the child is with you there is no undoing this agreement.
Elísabet
‘Damn you, damn Elísabet, damn me and damn God,’ Finn roars.
Clovis sits down beside him and rests her hand on the meat of his upper thigh.
‘Aren’t you just a little intrigued by this, Finn?’
‘No, fuck no.’
‘The money. Think of the money. It must be a large sum.’
‘There’s something not right about this. Elísabet’s not the kind to give up her baby. Especially after … And good Christ, you a mother? I hate to think.’
She is not stung. There are already three children under this roof, she says to herself. Her thoughts keep turning, turning. There must be some scandal, or some deeply foreign secret that has created this chain of events. A smile begins to form because she knows she is right. She can feel it.
‘We will be rich, Finn.’
‘Your sister is not rich, and now that she’s lost her husband she has nothing. She is trying to unload that child on us, Clovis.’ He raises his voice again. ‘Our pockets are not going to be lined with gold, you stupid, stupid woman.’
Clovis stands perfectly still with her eyes tamed on Finn. And when she is certain that his full attention is turned upon her, after he has licked away the remainder of the pie, she speaks.
‘I think we both know that I am not stupid. See me here, Finn Fowler. I live in the greatest city in the world, in my own house with two servants. One day you will remember this moment when I say this child will make us rich. You will never call me stupid again. Things are going to change in this house. Hear me well: I would rather kill you than allow you to endanger what is to come.’
She has gone cold. A woman does not like to be used.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The exchange with Finn has left her feeling restless. She waits until he sleeps before she prepares the parlour. When everything is in place she summons Willa.
‘I am ready for you.’
‘Yes, mistress.’
Willa sits and immediately thrusts her hand into her pocket to clasp her tokens of comfort.
Clovis studies the porcelain head that sits on a pedestal, its mysteries mapped out in shiny lines and sections. Her finger traces the black marking of the line from the centre of the forehead, all the way to the top of the head where she stops at the benevolence organ. She calculates and memorizes the trajectory, mentally tracing it on the head of her servant who sits nervously in the chair.
Willa fingers a miniature heart-shaped pin cushion in her right hand. The soft, blue velvet calms her. What will Mistress make her do this time? She wonders as she traces the threads of the embroidered horseshoe in the centre of the cushion that she stitched in so expert a fashion.
‘Close your eyes.’ Clovis instructs.
Willa obeys, and after a moment’s pause Clovis passes her hands over the girl’s head.
The fire needs stoking, but neither of them will attend it now. There is a pause in the bustle of commerce outside in the street. Clovis chooses the quiet of this moment to apply firm pressure to the end of Willa’s little finger, progressing slowly to the root of her nail. This she does patiently, methodically with each of the girl’s fingers.
The amulet falls from Willa’s other hand, her head lolls. Clovis stifles a gasp. She has commanded a hypnotic state in a few efficient movements. But now she must recall exactly what she witnessed on the stage and also the instructions in the pamphlet.
‘Willa.’ Clovis uses an unhesitating and positive tone. ‘Remain asleep. Lift your head, keep your eyes closed.’
The girl slowly raises her head. She appears comfortable, calm and restful.
Clovis begins the next procedure. It is her first effort to test her ability to affect the organs of the brain. Calling upon her excellent memory she imagines her idol in her mind’s eye. She sees the great mesmerist before her and the way in which he magnetized the entire lecture hall. She glances once more at the porcelain head gleaming in the darkening room that grows colder by the minute.
Clovis locates the spot easily enough and wills herself to feel supreme confidence as she places her finger on the organ of benevolence on Willa’s head. After a short time, the girl’s face undergoes a remarkable change. Her sleepy expression transforms to one of such intense pity that Clovis takes a step back.
Willa still sleeps, and apparently with no awareness of the continued pressure of Clovis’s finger, she reaches into her pockets and produces an array of amulets and charms, bits of
