The Merry Gathering at Wilford Manor - Chapter 3

             Chapter 3: The Manor and Mrs. Steinberg

One look at the massive gardens and driveway and the guests from New York knew immediately why the Steinberg’s hadn’t grumbled too much about the move. The home itself sat directly in the middle of the immense lot brooding and glorious and tinkling from the addition of thousands of cream colored lights. Tasteful decorations dotted the landscape in the forms of lit deer and hidden Christmas trees. Sparkling stars hung from the trees overhead guiding the way to the valet. Carolers were waiting to serenade the new arrivals and it was easy for the guests to spot the people working the event – Mrs. Steinberg had all of them wear authentic Victorian garb and the effect was breathtaking. For most of the guests it was like they had wandered back in time and Mrs. Steinberg was very pleased to hear the effect had been successful.

The party began when the sun had set and she had expected her son and husband to be present to welcome the guests with her or at least to be sulking in a corner downstairs but her husband hadn’t appeared until hours later and Gabe hadn’t appeared at all. Julie wondered if she should go off and find him, Lord knew what he was doing, but she had guests to attend to. Debra Ellison wanted to know every detail about the manor, whether or not it had been updated using recyclable materials or if she had gone the extra mile to take it back to original. So of course Julie had to take Debra and some of the other ladies on a tour of the first and second floors to show them just how carefully the renovation had gone but around every corner she couldn’t keep from searching for Gabe. She calmed a little as she wandered the halls; the house always seemed to have that effect on her. It was almost like she could forget everything and just wander enjoying the beauty of her new home.

“What were the original colors down these halls? And when are the permanent rugs getting in?”

“The original color on the walls was a dark green, almost a hunter green, and the rug you’re walking on was left right where I found it.” That should shut the old bat up she thought. After going to all of the trouble to put this party on Julie found herself wishing she had skipped the charade and made new terrible friends in Brenneville.

But nothing shut Debra up. She babbled with every step tearing down the magnificence of Julie’s house with every withered glance and snide comment while the other women seemed content to nose around and hold their tongues. Julie knew Debra was jealous, it was plain as day. The thought almost made Julie smile but Debra was busy commenting on how cheap the sconces looked and how bad the electrician must have been that the lights were gently flickering.

Leave her behind.

Julie Steinberg heard the voice clear as crystal and when she paused to see which of the ladies had said it they asked her what was wrong. Apparently none of them heard anything. Maybe she had had too much champagne? It was possible considering she knew she would be listening to Debra Ellison all night. But that wasn’t it – she had heard something, it left her warm and fluttering on the inside – and then she heard it again.

Leave her behind. Leave her to us.

A slow smile spread across her flushed face. Yes, what a grand idea! Who better to take the garbage out than the servants? It seemed so easy that all she had to do was say yes and this horrible woman would be gone. Farther down the hallway she saw a subtle shimmer of color and light lean against a narrow door then disappear. Julie knew what she needed to do if she wanted to protect the house. After all, that was her job now, to protect the home and to keep it filled just as it would protect her.

She clapped her hands together and picked up her pace. “This way ladies. I want to show you one of the servant’s hallways that we can take back to the party downstairs. It’s a little narrow but it will be quicker than turning around.”

Debra snorted and the other ladies seemed miffed at having to take the servant’s quarters but they followed nonetheless. Julie opened the smaller door, the handle was warm and the stairway had been lit without her having to turn on the lights.

She hurried the ladies in and following closely behind called, “Debra, would you mind closing the door behind you? The house looks neater when all of the doors are shut.”

As the women below her hurried to get back to the party and to be free of the incredibly narrow passage way Julie lingered a few steps behind. It wasn’t until she heard a muffled scream and a thud that she followed the women out and back into the fray. Debra was gone and no one would ever find her. Julie’s home would make sure of that. And she wasn’t sure how she knew it but she knew for a fact that the house was pleased, satiated even, for the time being. Secure and full just as it should be – just as it would always be as long as Julie Steinberg lived there.   

Look for Chapter 4 this Thursday