Lineage

Dust and Cobwebs



When Lord Henry Blackwood died, and Katherine became head of the order a lot of the practices and rituals that had become common place were ended and once again forbidden. The books that were outlawed were once again sealed away in a secret place known only to the head of the order. Those books were in the custody of the order to be protected and kept from the rest of the world, not to be used. But Blackwood wanted their power, and disregarded all warnings and rules were they were concerned.



Carrying a lit torch, Henrietta slowly made her way down the winding stone stairwell. It had been sometime since this passage had been used and the numerous amounts of cobwebs were testament to that. When she came to the bottom of the stairs, she reached in her skirts and took out a key. Blowing the dust from the lock, she pushed it inside and turned it until she heard the click. Then, using all her strength she leaned against the door forcing it open. The hinges hadn’t been oiled in a long time.



Stepping inside, she found two more torches on opposite sides of the door and reached up with hers lighting them, the flames chasing the dark shadows away. Moving to the center of the circular room were an alter was centered, she lit the fires on the pillar surrounding it before putting her torch in a holder that was on the alter itself.



She stood before the alter for several moments, before she reached up and threw off the dust covered cloth. The instruments that were used for the rituals that had been performed were still here, and even some of the bones that were left as part of a spell as well. Starring at the stone table for another moment, as though listening to some unheard or unseen voice, she walked around behind it kneeled down and pushed three stones that to the naked eye were quite solid. When all three were pressed in, a stone in the wall moved like the door of a safe popping open.



Walking over she opened it finding it quite heavy and looked inside. A crimson velvet cloth wrapped around the chest and she reached inside taking it out, carrying it over to the stone alter and setting it down.



The cloth was fastened with a familiar seal, one that she was quite accustomed to. It was the Blackwood family crest. She picked up the atheme on the stone alter and cut it open unfolding the cloth. The chest, of course, was locked as well but she’d come prepared for that.



Reaching behind her neck she unhooked the clasp taking off her necklace. In the pendant, she pulled a small secret key that snapped into place and unlocked the chest. There was no way she could possibly know any of this, as Katherine had locked them away by herself in secret. It was her intention to take such secrets to the grave, which she successfully accomplished, until now.



Henrietta opened the box and saw the books. There were four, and each one wrapped in a black velvet cloth and sealed in the same fashion the chest itself had been. Her eyes lit up and she smiled seeing her prize that she had dreamed about all these months. It was wonderful to know she wasn’t completely crazy and everything she saw was real and in its place.



“Look, Father.” She whispered reaching in the bag that she had carried with her taking out the sealed steel canister she’d taken from the study. “It’s all here, just as you said it would be.”













Breakfast



“Isn’t Roslyn coming down?” Michael asked Gabriel when they began to eat breakfast and her chair was empty.



“She wasn’t feeling very well this morning, I thought it best if she sleep in a bit. I’ll take something up for her in an hour or two.” He said.



“Any news from Lady Coward? If she’ll be back before the baby arrives?” Michael asked as it had been a point of concern for a while. Particularly with Roslyn who was a bit nervous about it, as it was their first child.



“The theory is that she will be, I know she’s going to make every effort to return before then. I honestly wish she’d been able to put off her trip for a year or two so she could be here to help.” Gabriel said.



“I can help her if she wants.” Alice said speaking up. “I’m the oldest of my siblings, and helped mother whenever I could.” She offered.



Gabriel smiled, “I’m sure she’d like that.”



Michael saw Katie poking around at her food, and pushing it from one side of the plate to the other. “Sweetheart, don’t play.” He said, “eat your breakfast.”



With a soft sigh, Katie picked up her fork and took a very small bite of eggs to comply with her father’s wishes but her heart definitely wasn’t in it. Michael noted that her appetite hadn’t been what it was, and she had lost weight since her mother passed away. He didn’t know how to get her to eat more when she had no desire to eat. She was still grieving for their loss, and being an only child didn’t really have anyone to share it with.



Just then the door of the dining room opened and Henrietta stepped inside with a smile, “Sorry about being late.” She said moving around the table to take her seat. “Overslept a little.” Sitting down she put her napkin across her lap as she was served.



“Did you sleep well?” David asked.



“Extremely so, it was nice to sleep in my own room again. I missed how quiet and cozy it is.” She took a bite of sausage, before reaching for her orange juice.



“Henrietta,” Alice said, “Roslyn and I wanted to take you into town today, go on a little shopping spree for your birthday?” She asked.



“That would be wonderful; I wanted to go into town for a bit while I was here.” She said with a smile.



Alice turned her attention back to Gabriel for a moment, “Do you think Roslyn will be feeling well enough to go with us?” She asked.



“I’m sure she will. Her illness passes once she’s been up and about a while. The doctor said it goes with the pregnancy.” He said. Alice already knew about morning sickness, but she just gave a smile and nod not wanting to sound like a know-it-all.



“The anniversary of Father’s death is on Monday.” Henrietta said out of the blue. “Will we be commemorating it this year? Or do we not do that anymore now that mother has passed?” Everyone at the table fell silent at the out of the blue comment and looked and Henrietta. She was a little impressed with the shocked response she received. “Should I not have brought it up?” She questioned.



“I hadn’t even thought about it.” David said looking at Gabriel, Caleb and Michael. “Have you?”



“Not in a long time, I never even considered that we would continue to do it. The only one he really meant anything to was mother, we were all too young to really know him when he died.” Michael said.



“Wouldn’t mother want us to continue?” She asked. The boys looked at each other feeling a bit uncomfortable with this line of conversation. While they were growing up they had heard countless stories, and rumors, and watched the way their mother, although strong willed herself, seemed to be under his thumb 20 years after he had died. Personally, they had no desire to continue with the ritual, and had only done so in the previous years for their mothers sake.



“You can do what you like,” Gabriel said stepping in. “But I don’t think that we feel any special need or duty to remember him, Henrietta.” He was serious, as he was the only one out of the five who could even remember what he looked like. The only clear memory he had of Lord Henry Blackwood, was actually seeing him physically hurt Katherine one day in the study when they didn’t know he was there. He never cared for the man, and to be honest, he had always harbored a secret distain and hate for him.



Henrietta looked a bit surprised by how forceful Gabriel spoke, and the passion in his eyes. She could see that he felt strongly about it, and decided perhaps it was best not to push the issue. Giving a quiet nod she went back to eating her breakfast.













Girls Day Out



The three girls had left the estate shortly after brunch, deciding to simply eat their afternoon meal in town. Much to Michael’s surprise, when Katie was asked if she would like to accompany them, she hesitated for only a moment before accepting the invitation. It seemed, she was very interested in her Aunt Henrietta, and although she didn’t say anything to anyone it was quite obvious in her manner.



“So what shall we do first?” Alice asked excitedly, “There’s a dress shop in town that carries all the latest fashions, direct from Paris France.” She said.



“Is that Mr. Sans shop?” Henrietta asked.



“I believe it is, I think it’s his name.” Alice said not quite being able to remember. She had wanted to go in and look about before, but didn’t feel as though she had a right too, or was worthy enough to do so coming from a poor family. But with Roslyn and Henrietta it felt as though they would be able to and no one would think twice about it.



“I think that sounds wonderful.” Roslyn said with a smile. She held her hand over her stomach for a moment closing her eyes, then regained her smile.



“Are you alright Roslyn?” Alice asked putting her hand on her shoulder. “Perhaps we should have waited.”



“No, no we only have Henrietta home for the weekend. Besides, this silly sickness comes and goes.” She said with a soft sigh. “The perils of child birth I suppose.”



Katie was admiring the bracelet that was on Henrietta’s wrist in silence, but Henrietta had noticed her eye on it. She smiled a little and held it up for Katie to see. “Do you like it?” She asked.



The little girl looked embarrassed that she’d been caught and shied away slightly but Henrietta smiled and reached up loosening the tie on her wrist. Reaching over, she took Katie’s hand and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist before adjusting it to fit her. “There we are.” Katie’s eyes lit up as she looked at her wrist before back up at her aunt in awe. Henrietta just smiled seeing the brightness in the child’s face at the gift she’d just been given.



Roslyn and Alice watched the exchange in silence, a bit surprised at what they had just witnessed. The girl that had been described to them, didn’t seem to exist in Henrietta. How could her brothers get her so entirely wrong?













Luncheon



“I hope Gabriel won’t be cross with us.” Roslyn said worriedly as she and Alice sat at the table in the restaurant with Katie waiting.



“She’s a big girl, Roslyn.” Alice said a little nervous that David was going to be mad at them as well but doing her best to hide it. “She said she had an errand to run and she would meet us here at 1.” She looked at the clock near the entrance of the dining hall, and it was nearly 1:15. “It’s not as if we could have told her not to go.”



“We should have gone with her instead of letting her go off alone.” Roslyn said. “What if she doesn’t come back? How are we going to explain it?”



“Explain what?” All three turned to see Henrietta walking towards the table with a smile before sitting down in the empty chair. “I apologize for my lateness, I took a wrong turn. It seems a few things have changed since I was last in town.” She admitted. Roslyn and Alice glanced at each other embarrassed that she might have heard what they’d been saying. If she did, she paid it no mind.



“We were just worried when you hadn’t arrived yet.” Alice said with a soft smile.



“No need to worry, I would have found my way back to the manor if all else failed.” She said spreading her napkin on her lap.



“Did you find everything alright?” Roslyn asked.



“Yes, but that had moved as well. I would have gotten here before you if it weren’t for a few minor setbacks.” The waiter had seen the last person of the group arrive and immediately went to work bringing food to the table to serve them. It seemed as though the two women wanted to know more about where she had gone and what she had done, but the food being served seemed to end the conversation.













Evenings



Henrietta sat on her bed in her room with Katie, fixing her hair beautifully as the young girl watched in the mirror completely mesmerized. It was quite plain that she did in fact like her aunt very much, even if she didn’t quite understand why she had been away or why she would be leaving again in just a day or two.



“There.” Henrietta said as she finished tying the last bow in the child’s hair and looked in the mirror with a smile. “Absolutely lovely.” She said rubbing the child’s back slightly. “Come on, we don’t want to be late for dinner. Your father will be worried.”



Katie smiled and hopped down off the bed hurrying over to the mirror and looking at herself turning from one side then to the other. With her hair done up so pretty, and her brand new dress she giggled a bit excited.



Going over and checking her own hair in the vanity, Henrietta turned and headed for the door. “Katie.” She called and the girl hurried to catch up with her aunt.



When they arrived downstairs in the dining hall, they were the last to come to dinner and Katie walked in before Henrietta. Michael was a bit surprised to see the bright smile on the child’s face and how she seemed to glow. She ran over to her father and he caught her picking her up. “Whose this?” He said playfully. “You look absolutely beautiful, honey.” He said kissing her cheek. She grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck hugging him. Michael couldn’t help but hug her back tight, not having seen her so happy in a while. His eyes opened as he looked up seeing Henrietta, as he mouthed a silent ‘thank you’ to her for spending time with his little one. She just smiled and made her way over to the table.



Once dinner began, there wasn’t much conversation. It had been a long day and everyone was hungry. Then, out of nowhere, it was Henrietta who broke the silence. “James will be coming to the party tomorrow evening.”All three brothers froze in place as an uneasy silence filled the room. Exactly what Michael had been afraid of, and why he warned Caleb not to say anything. “I hope you don’t mind, but we crossed paths in town today and I invited him.”



“Of course, it’s your birthday party.” Gabriel said. It was done now, there was no need for her brothers to condemn what had been done or make their feelings on the subject known. “How is James these days?”



“Quite well. He’s traveled quite extensively in the past few years. He said he has a few gifts he has brought home for me, and I thought tomorrow would be the perfect opportunity.” She explained taking a drink from the glass.



Michael and Gabriel glanced at each other, not certain if this was going to be a good idea or not. Henrietta’s emotions tended to run high when James was about, and although she’d been quite level and normal since she’d returned home, his being around again might upset that balance.



It didn’t take a clairvoyant to know what they were thinking and feeling, but Henrietta simply paid it no mind and continued on with dinner.













Rituals



Deep in the stone caverns below the house that had been closed off for years, candles where lit, and a single voice echoed off the stone walls. Henrietta stood over the alter that was now clean and had fresh ingredients place about the sacred circle. It was the errand that she had to run in town earlier in the day when she separated from the other women.



Taking the lid off a silver container, she took a few spoonfuls of ash and stirred them into the wine glass before putting down the spoon. She held it up before the sacred ox emblem and other symbols of the order reciting the incantations from the books she had uncovered. Then, she closed her eyes and drained the glass dry, sure to get every last drop before replacing the cup on the altar.



Several moments of silence passed, as she could feel the strong wine moving through her body. When it finally settled, she opened her eyes and put the lid back on the silver container before looking towards the sacred ox head again. “He’ll be here tomorrow night, it’s all arranged.” She said softly. “He still likes his wine, he’s always had a taste for it. After dinner, he won’t even realize what he’s drinking, as long as it’s spirits.” She said softly placing her hand over the silver container filled with ash. She smiled again, “Soon, you’ll be flesh again Father, and you’ll continue the work that you began so many years ago.”



As she spoke she could feel that warmth deep inside her start to stir a little, making her feel a little light headed and dizzy. It was as if her words made the drink she’d taken come alive and move.













Parties and Seductions



The group of family sat in the parlor exchanging stories from when they were children, and the halls were filled with laughter. Michael watched quietly as his young daughter sat next to her Aunt Henrietta on the sofa, beaming with a grin as she listened to her aunt, holding her hand. She hadn’t taken the bracelet off that she’d been given, and there was a good chance she wouldn’t for a very long time. It was amazing, that in just a few days the little girl seemed to come alive again, and find happiness where it had been lost.



“It’s hard to believe isn’t it Katie? That your father was such a devil when he was your age?” She said. The young girl giggled having heard about her father’s escapades that didn’t always end as well as they had began.



“I’m pretty sure the only reason I was caught, was because my plan was sabotaged by a young girl I know.” He said remembering the incident quite well, and how Henrietta had been the one to foil the plot.



“It didn’t save that pair of britches though, did it.” She answered playfully.



“Madam?” The maid said from the doorway, “A master O’Malley has arrived.”



Henrietta smiled, “Bring him in please.” She indicated as the maid gave a small curtsey and disappeared for a moment, before the doors reopened and James was shown in.



He was a handsome young man, two years older than Henrietta. He had jet black hair, emerald green eyes, and was quite tall compared to Henrietta at 6’2. With a large smile he walked towards her and she held out her hands. He immediately took them “There’s a sight for sore eyes.” He said before taking her hand and kissing the back of her knuckles with his suave manner. “Seems like forever since I’ve seen those beautiful eyes.”



“A lifetime, at least.” Henrietta said smiling brightly. Turning she showed him the rest of the way into the room. “Of course you know my brothers, Gabriel, Michael, David, and Caleb.” She said. Gabriel and David were the closest and they shook his hand greeting him. “This is Roslyn, Gabriel’s wife, and Alice, David’s fiancé, and this charming creature here, is my niece, Katie. Michaels daughter.”



“Good lord, I must have been away much longer then I thought. Your family certainly has grown hasn’t it.” He said still keeping his smiling demeanor.



“Yes, and it continues to.” Henrietta said indicating towards Gabriel and Roslyn.



“Congratulations on your good fortune.” James said. Now that it seemed the introductions were over, they began to mingle somewhat with each other. Yet it wasn’t long before dinner was announced and they all moved to the dining room and took their seats.













Late Night



After desert, there was brandy in the parlor, and of course all the presents for Henrietta were opened it was nearly midnight. Things seemed to wind down, and Henrietta scurried off somewhere on the grounds with James.



Michael came down from having put Katie to bed and found David sitting in the study. “It was a good party, I think. Henrietta seemed very pleased with everything.” He said pouring himself a drink before sitting down next to his brother.



“It’s scary, isn’t it?” David commented having apparently had something on his mind for a little while. His attention was focused on the large painting above the mantel and the silver urn that rested below it.



“What’s that?” Michael asked.



“How much Henrietta looks like him? I think out of all of us, she resembles him the most.” David took a sip of his own drink as Michael paused studying the figure.



“I have only vague memories of the man. Mother was always the one who spent the most time with us, and cared for us even when we had our own nanny. For a man who wanted sons, he certainly didn’t think it necessary to interact with them.” Michael and Gabriel both had the same vague memories. He simply didn’t mean anything to either of them, but all of them knew how much he meant to Katherine when she was still alive.



“Do you suppose we’re like him.” David asked a bit grim at the possibility. “That we have the same characteristics or personality.”



“No. From everything we’ve been told of him, outside of mother I mean, I can’t imagine that we’re anything like that sadist. I would never have treated my wife like he treated mother, and I know that you would never treat Alice in such a way. The same with Gabriel. I think if anything, we’re like mother.” Michael admitted. A moment passed before David said what he’d been considering.



“And Henrietta.” David added. “Even though she’s the only one out of all of us who never saw him, never met him . . . . that the reason for her illness is because of him?” He asked.



Michael sighed, “It’s crossed my mind as well.” Neither of the men had an answer for that question, and they loved their sister. They didn’t want to even imagine they were anything like that monster that loomed over the fireplace. “Once Henrietta’s gone back to the hospital, I think I’m going to talk to Gabriel about removing the paintings and getting rid of his ashes. He meant nothing to any of us, and mothers gone.”



“I’ve never liked his paintings. I always felt as though the eyes were following me about.” David admitted.



“Henrietta’s been fascinated with him since she was little. Mother always thought that perhaps it was because she never knew him. I think it might be a good thing to remove any influence that was left of him from the grounds. But we’ll wait until she’s gone, I wouldn’t want to upset her.” David nodded agreeing with the plan completely.













Morning



The next morning, Henrietta hadn’t come down for breakfast and it was soon approaching lunch. Michael and Caleb were sitting in the parlor when they heard footsteps coming down the staircase and looked up, just in time to see James passing in the hall and hurrying out the door. The two men looked at each other in surprise.



“Did he stay the night?” Caleb asked.



“I don’t know.” Michael said closing his book and putting it aside. “He must have . . .” It was an awkward moment, and it was a little unnerving neither knowing how they should react. If they should call attention to it or ignore it completely.



“Do we . . .” Caleb started to say but stopped not even knowing where he was going with that question.



“Nothing.” Michael said just wanting to forget what they’d learned. “Let’s just . . . pretend we never saw him. Henrietta leaves to go back in the morning . . . let’s not . . .upset things. It’s been a pleasant weekend for all of us.”



“But if James took advantage of her . . .” He began.



“Then there is nothing we can do about it now, and all it’s going to do is upset everyone. “ Michael warned. “I would hope that he was a gentlemen and would respect Henrietta not to do such a thing . . . . I just don’t know.” Michael didn’t want to talk about it anymore and just shook his head. Their sister was an adult now, and it was true. Whatever was done, was done and if Henrietta didn’t want it addressed, if she wasn’t upset by it there was no reason to call further inquiry into it.













Distressing News



The post came a bit late that day, and Gabriel was sitting at his desk looking over the books of their accounts. He sat back in his chair and went through the letters, stopping when he came to one that was addressed from the asylum where Henrietta was a patient. He thought it odd, considering her stipend was already paid that month. Always on the first, like clockwork.



Opening the letter he began to read. His eyes went wide and he leaned forward rereading the last paragraph before finishing. “Oh my God.” He said.













Family Meeting



“What?” Caleb was the first to break the silence after Gabriel had read the letter and given his brothers the news from the Asylum.



“I’m . . . at a loss.” Gabriel said still in shock. “I don’t understand how this could have come about?”



Michael was sitting with his hand covering his eyes, a dreadful realization accompanied by a headache was making his ears pound. “James, that bastard.” He said. The others looked at him hearing the comment, “He stayed the night with Henrietta on her birthday. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t think to much of it at the time. I never even considered this possibility.”



“You’re joking, tell me you’re joking.” Gabriel said, “He’s just left the country, going abroad again for only God knows how long.”



“Are they certain? Can they be certain?” Caleb said.



“They’re doctors, Caleb. They know, they’ve done tests and they’ve seen her every day. They would notice changes and symptoms.” Michael said. “Well what do they say? What’s to be done?” He asked wanting to know why they sounded so annoyed in their letter.



“They want to know if she’s to be kept at the asylum, or if we want to bring her home until the baby is born.” Gabriel said not having read that part of the letter aloud. “Given our families station they’re keeping it quiet, seeing as how she is unmarried.”



“You know, somehow that hadn’t even crossed my mind when hearing that our little sister is pregnant.” David said a bit annoyed that it was assumed she was going to be an outcast or that her own family was going to be ashamed of her. “Of course, we must bring her home, at once.” Caleb nodded in immediate agreement.



“We can see that she has the best care, and it is far more comfortable here then it would be there. You said yourself that Roslyn has had a tough time of it, and she’s due within a month.” Caleb said.



Gabriel looked at Michael who hadn’t said his feeling on the matter yet. As the two oldest brothers they did have some age difference between the rest of the family and they often seemed to share council on the major decisions that had to be made. “We’re not going to treat her like a leper, Gabriel. Being unmarried they aren’t going to be very kind to her.”



The oldest brother gave a nod knowing that was going to be true. What was best for her, now was to come home and be with people who loved her and weren’t going to treat her like scum because of her condition. “I’ll consult with her doctors, and see how soon we can have her discharged.”





To Be Continued . . . . .









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