angelic_gabe (angelic_gabe) wrote in shadowlands_ic, @ 2018-02-10 08:51:00 |
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Entry tags: | gabriel allen, leah allen |
Who: Gabriel Allen, Leah Allen, Lydia(NPC) and Georgie(NPC)
What: A disturbing letter with terrible implications
Where: The Allen Home, Miss Lydia's
When: 1 February, 1889 [Backdated]
Rating: PG-13
The letter was short, and to the point.
It arrived in a plain envelope, delivered (apparently) by courier -- there was no address to speak of -- and it nestled at the top of the stack of morning mail.
(Later, when questioned, the butler said he didn’t recall whether it’d been on the stack from the start, or had been added after the fact. Gabriel supposed it didn’t terribly matter, and added him to the list of suspects as a precaution.)
It was written in a disguised hand -- blocky, crude lettering, the ink heavy on the cheap paper.
MR ALLEN --
YOU ARE A SODOMITE AND A PIMP AND YOUR DAUGHTER IS A WHORE. I KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT YOU. YOU CANNOT HIDE YOUR NATURE FROM ME. PAY ME £200, OR I SHALL GO TO THE AUTHORITIES AND TELL THEM ALL I KNOW. I HAVE PROOF.
The rest of the letter was inconsequential -- instructions for where and when to drop off the money -- and he sat there, looking at it for a good long while before clearing his throat and turning to his daughter.
“Leah,” he said, his voice thick in his throat, “...I do believe we may have an issue.”
Leah lowered the newspaper she’d been perusing (knowledge was power, especially the knowledge in the gossip columns) on the couch and looked up at her father. There was something in his voice and the stricken expression on her face that caused her to put the paper aside and give him her full attention.
“What is it? Has someone died?”
Gabriel paused, and stood, closing the short distance to where his daughter sat on the couch, passing her the letter.
A few months ago, he would’ve been far more likely to keep the letter to himself, but his daughter had been taking steps towards greater independence, and greater control over her own future -- he’d given her a share of Miss Lydia’s as a Christmas gift for a reason, after all, and he’d very nearly put her in harm’s way by keeping his ordeal with Biddie to himself.
If she was to be successful, if she was to survive, this was something she’d have to face, and he wasn’t going to make the mistake of keeping his tongue this time around.
“The latter charges are quite unfortunate, and most troublesome” he said, quietly, “a possible client, perhaps. But the first accusation…” he frowned. “That’s ten years hard labor.”
“Well then we’ll just have to make certain our mysterious accuser never has the opportunity to put those claims somewhere they can be investigated by the authorities.” Leah’s tone was light but the look in her eyes suggested something else.
“I can deal with him.” There wasn’t a man alive she wasn’t confident she could seduce given sufficient motivation, assuming they didn’t prefer other men exclusively. “But it would be helpful if we can learn more about him and any associates he might have enlisted.”
“I’m certain you could,” he replied, frowning, “but while seducing our accuser to ply him for information is all well and good, I’d not have you take it to… extremes lightly.” He looked over at her, a frown growing on his face. “It takes a toll,” he added, quietly. “At the very least, it’s deeply unpleasant. We might think through alternatives. I could take it in hand, if it comes to it. But yes, before we get to that point, we’ll have to see who all is involved, and how.”
He felt a heavy weight on his chest. “...And what sort of evidence he has,” he added, with a harsh twist of his mouth.
He ran a hand over his face. “If all else fails, we can take off for America,” he said, quietly.
“I’ll not be run out of my home by some...some coward who won’t dare show his face and make his demands in person.” Leah responded, eyes flashing. Her father was a tender soul, and Leah thought that, perhaps, she was more ruthless than he in temperment.
“I don’t intend to do anything lightly. But if it comes to that, it’s a price I’m willing to pay to protect our family and the people we care about. If we’re ruined than those who depend on us are as well, and I am not going to let that happen.” Miss Lydia’s was a refuge and she would be damned if she let it fall without a fight.
“Indeed,” Gabriel replied, quietly. “I’ll do my best to curtail my usual rounds for the time being, so as to minimize the possible collateral damage, under the assumption I’m being watched. I should hate to lead him to others he may blackmail in turn. But we must…” he frowned. “We must find out what he knows, and destroy all the evidence he has.”
He looked over at his daughter, his frown deepening. “He’ll be expecting me to be at the drop off site on the day in question. I suppose we have some time to attempt to narrow our list as to who it might be…” he paused. “...I would enlist Lydia, to help us, if you’re amenable,” he added, raising an eyebrow. “She may be able to identify the hand, or at least who we might be suspicious of.”
Leah also had the ring Una had given her that allowed her to alter her appearance somewhat, so that would help her come and go, and possibly escape detection. So there was that.
She nodded slowly at his words. “I think that would be a good idea, but I think this calls for more help as well. If our mysterious coward knows that I’ve been working at Miss Lydia’s then he probably has seen me there,” she allowed an unladylike snort. “He even could’ve been a client! I think enlisting one of the girls might be a good idea, someone who can keep a lookout on the ‘shop floor’ so to speak.”
She’d been contemplating talking to Georgie for some time now, revealing who and what she really was to the other girl. The ‘musician’ had been there for her from the beginning and had become as close to a friend as it was possible to be without Leah telling her the truth.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow, and considered it.
“I trust your judgement, kitten,” he finally said. “Carefully done, but the girls have a stake in the matter as well, and I believe whoever you bring into the fold would be willing to help.” He nodded his head. “And yes, he could be someone who was kicked out of the Academy, or otherwise was jilted and is seeking revenge, or may simply be hard up for money -- we might come up with a list. I doubt he’s a former lover of mine, as he’d be in a similarly challenging legal position, but he has to have found out about my predilections somehow.”
He frowned, thinking, then, of the other lives who could stand to be ruined beyond the daughter he’d do anything to keep safe -- Lydia and the musicians would be utterly bereft, Cas and Bertie were in danger of facing charges depending on the evidence, Merrick could be at risk despite their capacity to shift forms, even Keira would be potentially impacted by scandal.
It was a heavy thing, one that caused a sick twist in his stomach.
“Don’t worry papa, we’ll get through this.” Leah stood and kissed her father on the cheek, seeing his expression. “I was going to go to the Academy tomorrow anyway, I’m getting a bit peckish and I wanted to go over the accounts for last month with Lydia before I took a shift. I’ll simply let the accounts go for a while and we can discuss this situation instead.”
He nodded, and then pulled her into an embrace with a sigh. “Yes, that does sound like a good next step.” He kissed her temple. “Thank you, darling girl. You are my pride and joy, and have a good head on your shoulders,” he said, “and I will do anything -- and I do mean anything -- to keep you out of harm’s way.”
His hands rested on her shoulders. “We’ll get through this,” he echoed.
The next morning, Miss Lydia greeted her with a pleased smile and a bob of her head, and had the young Miss Allen installed in the offices with a tea tray with a quick, smart efficiency that the diminutive Madame was known for.
“And what can I be helping you with today, ma’am?” Lydia asked her mistress as she settled into her own chair.
Leah thought the madam could start by not calling her ma’am, it didn’t feel right for someone so much older to be calling her ma’am. But considering their positions it was probably too much to ask for. As long as nobody got mixed up whenever she was being ‘Vickie’ then she supposed there was no harm in it.
“I was going to ask to go over the accounts with you before my shift later today,” something that had already been scheduled. Despite cutting back, she hadn’t stopped her work amongst the musicians. While she was making progress in no longer needing it, she didn’t want to suddenly disappear or transition overnight to management. Not only would it raise too many questions she felt a responsibility to the other girls and felt it was a way to truly understand their needs.
“Unfortunately something unexpected has come up.” She removed the note from her purse and handed it to the other woman. “Someone seems to have made the connection between the family and the academy.”
Lydia read the note, her face draining of color as she did so, and she set it down, her eyes flashing, as she looked over at Leah.
“I see,” she said, her back ramrod straight. “I shall, of course, do whatever would be necessary to provide assistance in this matter.” Her mouth thinned. “How dare he,” she added, with a burst of heat before getting up out of her chair and fetching the guestbook -- no-one provided their legal names, but it was a way to maintain and track records of sorts, especially of repeat guests. “I shall see if the handwriting looks familiar at all,” she said, stoutly, “although it does look as though an attempt was made to disguise it, with those blocky letters, which tells me he was concerned we’d be able to recognize it. Bastard,” she said, vehemently, before flushing and looking over at Leah contritely. “Beg pardon,” she added.
“You aren’t saying anything I haven’t thought, Lydia.” Leah waved a hand in dismissal of the other woman’s words. “He’s the worst sort of coward. I think it likely he’s a former client but we won’t know for sure until we actually make contact. One way or the other we will deal with him and make sure he doesn’t come back for another bite of the apple.” If she had to take him out of the equation permanently then that was what she’d do, even if her father didn’t want that for her.
“I wanted to get your opinion on something, partially related to the topic at hand.” She put her hands together and tried to quell the butterflies in her stomach, what she was proposing was a risk but if she was right then it wasn’t a large one. “I’ve been thinking about having a private talk with Georgie, you know we’ve been close since you assigned her to be my teacher when I started. I’m considering letting her know just who and what I really am. Father trusts my judgement but I wanted to get your opinion before I did anything, as you would know her better than he.”
Lydia nodded grimly. “I’ll pull the trigger myself if necessary,” she replied, and the set in her chin and determined look in her eye made it clear she meant it.
Upon mention of Georgie, Lydia paused in thought.
“She’s a good girl,” she replied, considering. “She’s bright enough to know when to hold her tongue despite her outgoing nature, and I don’t believe she’d hold your keeping secrets from her against you. She’s...” Lydia frowned a bit. “She’s had her share of a difficult life, as most of the musicians have, but she’s not the opportunistic sort. I do not believe she’ll take undue advantage of your friendship, nor your trust.”
Leah absorbed the words and nodded thoughtfully. She remained quiet for a several heartbeats after the other woman finished talking, rolling the potential risks and benefits to revealing herself to her friend around in her head. Finally she came to a decision and nodded. “I’ll tell her tonight then, toward the end once things have started to wind down and we can have some time to speak in private. Thank you for your advice, Lydia. I appreciate it and everything you’ve done for my family more than I can say.”
Lydia folded her hands in front of her, and nodded. “It has been my honour and privilege,” she said, quietly. “I had my share as well, before I met your father,” she added, tilting her chin proudly. “I owe him my life, and more. He is the best of men,” she said, stoutly, “and if you’ll pardon my being too forward, you are cut from the same cloth, and I am glad I know you.”
Leah blushed at the compliment. “High praise indeed,” she managed. Her father was her hero, so any favorable comparison was welcome. “I hope to live up to it, thank you Lydia.”
When ‘Vicky’ came into Georgie’s room, the girl immediately gave her an enthusiastic greeting, and made as if to begin fixing her friend’s hair (a favorite past-time), but was stilled by a shake of Vicky’s head, and a gesture to sit, which she did with a frown.
“You alright then?” She asked. “You aren’t leaving for good, are you? Cos that’d be a shame.”
“No, I’m not leaving for good.” Leah shook her head again and sat down beside her friend. She couldn’t help the nervous feeling in her gut as she went through with her plan.
“I need to tell you something. Something about me that nobody else here knows, except Miss Lydia.”
Georgie’s eyes were as round as dinner plates. “You aren’t in a family way, are you?” She blurted out. “Cos that witch’d be able to set you right, if you were. I can take you.” She paused, and shook her head, and bit her lip. “It isn’t that, though, is it?” She continued, taking her friend’s hands in hers. “Whatever it is, it’ll be alright, I promise.”
Leah couldn’t help but laugh a little at Georgie’s question and earnest assurance of help, and shook her head. “No, no it isn’t that.” She took a deep breath and met her friend’s eyes. “You know my name isn’t really Vickie, right? That is, it isn’t the name I normally go by ‘outside’.” She suspected her friend was well aware of the fact, but wanted to establish it before continuing on.
Georgie looked at her, biting her lip.
“Yeah,” she said, nodding her head. “I figured as much. Aren’t many use their Christian names here. And…” she shifted on the bed, a quick flash of a smile on her face, with a slight tease. “You took a bit t’ respond to someone calling your name, those first couple of days.”
“That’s true.” Leah grinned ruefully, remembering the first few days she spent at the Academy.
She took a deep breath. “How familiar are you with tales about people that aren’t quite like everyone else? Who have different needs than most to stay alive or stronger and faster, or both?” She felt like she was making a hash of this and they’d only just started, but she wanted to understand what Georgie might already know so she could explain it properly.
Georgie tipped her head. “Wot, like vampires? Miheala has a regular lady, who nibbles on her, says she’s ever so strong, even though she doesn’t look it. And she’s not the only one who has a client with… with different sort of tastes, like.” She tipped her head. “I mean, we all talk, course we do, about the odd ones here and there, and we get more’n most, seems like. But it’s just part of the scene, yeah? And we don’t blab,” she added, “not with other people. Outside.”
Leah had thought as much, but she hadn’t run into that particular bit of gossip in her time at the Academy. “I’m one of those types, Georgie. I’m a ‘demon’, what some might call a succubus, or an incubus if I were a boy. Like a vampire has to feed off of blood we feed off of energy, sexual energy.”
In for a penny in for a pound. “It doesn’t start with us until we’re nearly grown. I’ve needed to for a few years now and was making do with taking tumbles with servants, stable boys mostly, while I finished my education. But I almost killed one and my father put his foot down, which is how I came here.”
“Oh,” Georgie replied easily enough, her expression clearing, “you’re one of them. You aren’t the only one here, you know -- I think Sukie and Lucy are too, and I’m pretty sure so’s Alex, the bloke who comes in monthly. I probably could’ve guessed,” she added, grinning. “You are so very pretty after all. It’s ridiculous, really.” She frowned. “I am sorry to hear about your dad, though. He kick you out, then?” She asked, sympathetic. “Not like you could’ve helped it none.”
“No no, my father is like me.” Leah hurried to explain. “I inherited it from him actually, my mother was human and died when I was very young. No, he didn’t kick me out, but it’s much easier for the man to go out and about and have affairs, especially if you’re wealthy, isn’t it?” She shared a look with the other woman about the hypocrisy of it all before continuing. “I couldn’t keep feeding off servants, and unmarried women of my station simply cannot be caught having an affair or our reputations are ruined. So that left Miss Lydia’s.”
Fortunately she knew the owner.
Georgie’s eyebrows raised a little. “Your… station?” She said, a little uncertain. She exhaled. “I can see how’d be a tight spot, if it was something you needed, like. It really isn’t fair, is it?” She shrugged. “Sukie talks about it every now and again. About how hungry she could get, before she got a regular gig, how… how she had to do no end of awful things to keep alive. It weren’t safe, not in the least.” She shuddered a bit, frowning. “I’m glad you found your way here,” she added, quietly. “I”ve been other places. This one’s the best by far.”
“So I’ve heard from talking with the other girls.” Leah responded quietly. “And I do understand how hungry Sukie could get, it’s what got me in trouble in the first place.”
She shook her head. “But that’s neither here nor there. It’s past time we were properly introduced. At Miss Lydia’s I’ll always be ‘Vickie’, but my name is Leah, Leah...Allen.” She was taking an awful risk in this, but Georgie deserved to know the truth.
It took a beat for the news to fully sink in, and Georgie brought a hand to her mouth. “Oh, Lord,” she said, a bit horrified. “Well, I’m glad I didn’t go off about your… about your dad, just then,” she said in a rush. “Oh, Lord,” she blurted out, “I haven’t said anything awful about him before, have I?” she shook her head, giggling, a little uncertain. “I’m sorry if I have. Truly?” She exclaimed, before schooling her features to something more serious. “I swear, on my soul, I’ll never tell anybody,” she added, looking over at Leah sincerely.
Leah drew back slightly at Georgie’s reaction, not expecting the other girl to connect all the dots. Frankly she hadn't intended to reveal her father's name but done was done. “I didn't realize you knew his last name.” She told her. “But no you never said anything that was untrue, no apology necessary.”
At Georgie’s oath she shook her head. “Lydia knows, you can talk to her if you need to. No one else. You see we’re having a bit of trouble... “ She explained about the note and what it represented.
Georgie listened, white faced and still. “That’s not on,” she said, quietly, her earlier nervousness and giggles replaced with a serious look. “That’s not on at all.” She reached for Leah’s hand once more and squeezed it. “What do you need?” She asked, her voice low. “Anything. Anything I can do. You let me know, yeah?” She shook her head. “Not just cause I owe Mr Gabriel, or because he’s my boss, but because we’re mates, you and me.”
Leah gave into the impulse and threw her arms around the other girl, hugging her tightly. “Thank you. Just be yourself and keep your eyes and ears open, it had to be a client of one kind or another. If you hear something let me know, or let Miss Lydia know if I’m not here.”
“And Georgie? Thank you for being my friend. I don’t have many real ones.”