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Hallo there.
Here's a fic, but it requires a spot of explanation. Please read this before plunging ahead.
Some of you may remember a series of short little fics, mostly conversations, between Bertie, Jeeves, and Aunt Dahlia called 'What Aunt Dahlia Saw'. It was back in the New Year.
Well, I said back then that I was planning on writing another chapter, and maybe a prequel. Well, two more short chapters are just about done, and a very long prequel is about 70% complete also.
So, I'm posting Chapter 5 here, with Chapter 6 following in about a day or so, in the hope that this will get me fired up to get that prequel all finished and ready to post as well!
Even if you vaguely remember the series, you probably won't remember much of the details. This chapter isn't going to be one of those things that reminds the reader where they last left off, so if you don't want to be scratching your heads in bewilderment I strongly recommend reading Chapters One - Four first. I very recently edited some of those chapters slightly, tightening them up here and there, as it were, so even if you've read them before the chances are they'll be a bit different.
Here they are:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
And here is Chapter Five.
What Aunt Dahlia Saw: Chapter Five
Dinner at Brinkley Court
Bertie was not very gregarious at dinner; in fact, for most of the meal he said virtually nothing at all. Jeeves performed his butlering duties without betraying a hint that he harboured a secret love for someone in the room, but Dahlia thought Bertie looked tense and strained. He wouldn’t meet anyone’s eye, even when he was talking to them. She supposed he was afraid of what might be read in his face, but the down-turned visage didn’t help much. It gave him the air of a man with a secret sorrow.
But just when Dahlia began to doubt he would utter more than three words for the whole of dinner, Tuppy and Angela succeeded in rousing his impatience. Tuppy had just attempted to eat too large a forkful of pie, and temporarily given himself lockjaw, and as he pressed his hand to his cheek yelping in pain, Angela rolled her eyes. He asked her what the bally hell she was rolling her eyes at now; she retorted that until she had met him, she had not thought it possible to sustain a physical injury whilst in pursuit of one’s dinner, at least, not since the days in which men chased after their prey with spears, but now, she realised that she had been in error. Tuppy began what promised to be a very personal and cutting counter-attack, when Bertie suddenly lent voice to his anger and blurted out, ‘For Heaven’s sake, shut up!’
Silence fell like a pall. Dahlia glanced at Jeeves and saw him directing his gaze discreetly ceiling-wards. Everyone else stared at Bertie, open-mouthed.
‘You two are always at each other’s throats,’ Bertie went on, ‘it’s making me sick. Why don’t you just-get married, or call it all off, or-or do whatever it is you need to do to resolve all this dashed squabbling.’
Bertie’s Uncle Tom broke the silence. ‘Hear, hear.’
‘Bertie dear, are you all right?’ Bobbie asked.
‘Yes, I’m fine.’ He calmed down, and gave an embarrassed cough. ‘Fine. I say, I’m sorry, everyone.’
‘Don’t mention it, m’boy,’ responded Uncle Tom. ‘It’s about time someone spoke up. I can’t concentrate on dinner with all this bickering going on.’
‘…a bit tired,’ Bertie mumbled. ‘Sorry, Angela. Sorry, Tuppy, old man.’
‘No-no, don’t mention it,’ said Tuppy, who was still looking rather taken aback.
Bertie smiled apologetically, poked at his dinner with his fork, then started violently, upsetting the pepper pot, as Jeeves stepped in behind him to refresh his wine.
As soon as dinner was over Bertie muttered something about getting an early night and left the room along with the ladies. As soon as he’d detached himself from Angela, who was expressing a maternal anxiety about his health, he gave his aunt an apologetic smile and made a dash upstairs.
-o-o-o-
‘Excuse me, madam,’ Jeeves’s voice floated into the drawing room where the ladies were assembled. ‘Might I have a word?’
‘Certainly, Jeeves,’ Dahlia replied. She excused herself and exited the room, meeting Jeeves outside in the hall.
‘Jeeves,’ she hissed, beckoning him to follow. She led him into her sitting-room.
‘What’s going on?’ she inquired once she had shut the door behind them. ‘Is Bertie all right?’
Jeeves coughed. ‘My official reason for disturbing you, madam, is that I suspect Mr. Wooster is likely to be suffering from a headache, and I hoped you might assist me in procuring him some aspirin.’
Dahlia frowned. ‘And what was your unofficial reason?’
Jeeves spoke in a lower voice.
‘I know not whether Mr. Wooster’s behaviour at dinner has been much discussed, madam-’
‘You could say it has been mentioned, Jeeves. Miss Wickham-Mrs. Herring, I should say-thought it very odd, and she and my daughter are already forming their theories as to what might be on the poor reptile’s mind. Oh,’ she added, briefly touching Jeeves’s arm. ‘Sorry, I hope you don’t mind me referring to my nephew as a reptile.’
Jeeves offered a faint smile. ‘Not at all, madam.’
‘What’s got into the silly blighter? You haven’t had some kind of tiff since I spoke with the both of you, have you?’
Jeeves seemed distressed by this idea.
‘Oh, no, madam, not at all. But Mr. Wooster has been growing increasingly frustrated with his-with our current situation, I fear. As I have said, he is not at ease with secrecy and concealment. If I guess his mind correctly, I believe he has become somewhat envious of the freedoms his friends enjoy that he cannot. I am certain that was part of the reason for his outburst this evening.’
‘Well, I’m sure you’re right, Jeeves, but it wasn’t just his snapping at young Glossop and Angela that is causing comment, you know. He barely spoke a word all evening, just sat there looking like something on a slab.’
Jeeves coughed. ‘If I might speak plainly, madam, I believe the real difficulty is simply that there has thus far been very little relief from that pretense that he so dislikes. No sooner had the understanding transpired, in fact, when we found ourselves suddenly much engaged with Mrs. Gregson, and with a young gentleman whom she desired us to accommodate. This situation continued for the remainder of our residence in New York before our journeying here for Christmas.’
‘Oh, crumbs. I bet that put a damper on things.’
‘Precisely, madam; Mr. Wooster has been compelled, almost from the beginning, to expend all his energy on what it is most against his nature to do-to hide his feelings beneath a facade.’
‘I see,’ said Dahlia. ‘Yes, I do see, Jeeves. Though I don’t suppose it’s so very easy for you, either, having to stand about looking all aloof.’
She saw Jeeves swallow, but he shook his head. ‘I am more accustomed to restraining my feelings, madam. My concern is for Mr. Wooster. He has had very little opportunity to adjust to the change in our situation.’
‘My concern is for the both of you,’ said Dahlia. ‘I imagine there’s been little opportunity for much of anything.’
Jeeves coughed, flushing slightly.
‘I hadn’t realised how stifling things had been for you both. It’s not healthy,’ she added. ‘When Tom and I were first married-well, the point is, people have honeymoons for a reason, Jeeves. I don’t see why the same wouldn’t be true in your situation. You need a honeymoon. Get away from everyone and all this tip-toeing around and-well-do what people do on honeymoons.’
She was speaking softly out of precaution, but it lent her voice an uncharacteristic gentleness. Jeeves dropped his gaze to the floor.
‘Are you all right?’
He gave a faint nod. He seemed to be temporarily speechless.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I didn’t mean to be-’
‘Not at all, madam,’ Jeeves interrupted huskily, shaking his head. ‘No.’ He had to clear his throat before he could speak again.
‘I am deeply grateful for your understanding words, madam.’
‘Nonsense.’
‘And for your kindness. Mr. Wooster is the most generous-hearted gentleman I have ever known, madam; if I might take the liberty of saying so, I should have anticipated encountering same generosity from his aunt.’
Dahlia felt peculiarly flattered at these words. She had always had rather a soft spot for Jeeves. ‘Well,’ she smiled, turning a bit pink, ‘these things don’t always run in families, Jeeves. You won’t find the same giving spirit in my sister, for instance.’
Jeeves’s mouth quirked slightly. ‘I confess, madam, that when these new circumstances came about I did not expect to find acceptance within Mr. Wooster’s family. In truth, I did not hope to find it anywhere.’
‘Does anyone else know at all?’
‘No.’
Dahlia patted his arm, feeling a pang of sympathy. ‘I suppose you can’t count on anyone to take a piece of news like that sitting down. It must be pretty rotten. Bertie’s got quite a few friends, but I suppose now he won’t feel like he can really trust them any more, not knowing how they’d react, and everything.’
‘Precisely, madam. It will create something of a gulf, I suspect, at least temporarily.’
Dahlia fiddled with a bit of silk on her evening dress. ‘I should tell you, Jeeves, I wasn’t too thrilled at first myself. I mentioned as much to Bertie. I’m really quite delighted about it now, but it did take me a few days to feel all right about it.’
‘I quite understand, madam.’
‘So I think caution is probably wise. What can I do to help right now?’
‘Well, madam, although I am reluctant to ask anything more of you, when you have already shown so much kindness, I was hoping that you might assist in dispelling any rumours that may currently be circulating.’
‘I’m sure no-one has guessed what’s on his mind, Jeeves.’
‘I am also sure, madam, but it is unwise to allow speculation to run unchecked. A gentleman will always be talked about so long as there are questions about him unanswered, and furthermore, I suspect Mr. Wooster’s friends are not accustomed to seeing him in so mysterious a light. If I might suggest it, I believe it would be judicious to offer some plausible explanation for his unusual attitude.’
‘You’d like me to put about some sort of story to explain it all away, you mean?’
‘That is precisely what I hoped to ask of you madam, if you will pardon the liberty.’
‘Jeeves, you’re practically my nephew, now, for heaven’s sake. There are no liberties you can’t take, as far as I am concerned. Not anymore. Everything’s different now. So, what do you suggest?’
‘I believe the best solution, madam, would be to reveal to one of the female members of the party that Mr. Wooster confessed privately to you of a serious amour that took place while he resided in New York. A love affair that ended tragically. Indeed, I have already hinted as much when questioned about Mr. Wooster’s health in the servant’s hall.’
Dahlia beamed. ‘You’re a marvel, Jeeves. A very bright notion. How tragic, do you think? Should a death be involved?’
‘I think it would be unwise to be overly dramatic, madam. Perhaps a heart-breaking rejection that has left him temporarily desolate. He has been endeavoring to hide his unhappiness, not wishing to cast a gloom over the season’s festivities.’
‘Positively bright, Jeeves. All right, I’m mention it to Angela, and perhaps to Bobbie if the subject is still being discussed.’
‘Very good, madam. I am most grateful for your assistance, madam.’
‘Don’t be an ass, Jeeves.’
‘Very good, madam.’
‘You’ll look after Bertie, won’t you?’
Jeeves nodded. ‘At all times, madam.’
‘And yourself, too. Don’t worry about everyone here at Brinkley, I’ll square it with everyone. Just get out of here. Go and be alone.’
‘We will be leaving for the Continent tomorrow morning, madam. Mr. Wooster plans to spend some weeks there.’
‘Jolly good. All right, I’ll let you get on. Are you going up to him now? Or are you still busy?’
‘I have explained to the staff that Mr. Wooster is feeling unwell, madam, and asked the under-butler, William, to take charge for the rest of the evening. I hope this is agreeable to you.’
‘Absolutely. You-’
But at the moment the door opened, and Bertie appeared.
‘Oh,’ he said, looking slightly white, ‘here you are.’
‘Hallo, young Bertie,’ his aunt said kindly.
‘Hallo. I say, do either of you have aspirin?’
‘Oh,’ Dahlia said. ‘You really do have a headache.’
Bertie frowned, blinking tiredly. ‘Eh?’
Jeeves gave a brief smile. ‘I have aspirin, sir.’
‘Oh, good.’
‘I will return with the medicaments in a moment.’
‘All right.’
Jeeves drifted from the room.
‘Bertie,’ said his aunt, frowning sympathetically. ‘I didn’t realise you and Jeeves had been so plagued by aunts ever since you came together. I’m so sorry.’
‘Oh. Yes, well. You and Jeeves have been chatting, eh?’
‘He was just explaining why you’re a little bit tense at the moment, that’s all.’
‘Oh, I see. Yes, I’m sorry I was a bit out of sorts at dinner.’
Dahlia shook her head. ‘Never mind. Honestly, if I’d known that you and Jeeves had been getting so little time to yourselves, I’d have-well, if I had been you, I’d have just gone straight off to some foreign clime and given Christmas with Auntie Dahlia a miss.’
‘Well,’ said Bertie, flopping into a chair, ‘Jeeves thought it would be unwise to suddenly change our plans.’
‘Are you all right? You look awful.’
Bertie sighed, closing his eyes. ‘Just a bit fed up, don’t you know. Awfully glad to have spent the Yule-Tide season with you, and all that, but I can’t deny I’m pretty eager to be off.’
‘Jeeves thinks that carrying this big secret around is starting to wear on you.’
Bertie laughed somewhat ruefully. ‘Does he? I suppose I’ll get used to it in time. It’s just particularly difficult right now, having barely had a blasted hour to ourselves since all this began. It’s the sort of thing that ages a fellow.’
‘Have you at least-I mean, while you’ve been staying here, does Jeeves sleep-I mean, do you and Jeeves-’
Bertie’s puzzled face cleared as he understood what his aunt was getting at. ‘No, no, no. Not right now. No. Jeeves is spending the nights up in the servant’s quarters. He says we might arouse comment otherwise.’
‘That’s what I thought.’
Bertie looked at her, then away.
‘I can’t sleep,’ he admitted at last. ‘It sounds loony, I know-I’ve had Jeeves around for I don’t know how many years, but now I can hardly bear to be apart from him. Not even for half an hour.’
‘I know.’
‘Dash it, I’m sorry, Aunt Dahlia. It’s decent of you to be an audience to all this. It’s actually quite a weight off my mind, don’t you know, knowing that you know about it, and all that. One person I don’t have to lie to, I mean.’
His aunt smiled. ‘You and Jeeves have done many a good turn for Auntie over the years. I’m not going to stand shaking my head when you need a spot of help from me, am I? Don’t worry about anything, just get out of here. And if you want my advice, I should make it a long stay in the south of France. Take time to get that loony newly-wed stuff out of your system.’
A smile of warm embarrassment broke through Bertie’s headache-strained face. ‘I’m not a newly-wed.’
‘Come, come. It comes to the same thing.’
‘Well, as if happens, Jeeves feels the same way. He said as much last night when he tentatively suggested that we stay a full month in France.’
‘Jeeves and I seem to see eye to eye on a lot of things lately. Still, I’d make it two months, if I were you.’
‘Two?’
‘Yes! Get out and see the world.’
‘Hm. Two months. I’ll ask Jeeves what he thinks.’
A dazed sort of look came into his eyes and he looked towards the door. A few moments later, Jeeves floated back into the room with a glass on a tray.
‘Oh,’ said Aunt Dahlia, ‘Jeeves. We were just talking about you.’
Jeeves raised an eyebrow. ‘Indeed, madam?’
Bertie had risen to his feet almost before Jeeves was fully in their midst, and now stood looking awkward.
‘If you would drink this, sir.’ Jeeves’s voice had that gentle, conspiratorial tone that she had noticed him use with Bertie before.
‘Oh, ah. Thank you, Jeeves.’ He reached for the glass and swallowed the contents, pulling a face.
‘Thank you, Jeeves, that was perfectly foul.’
‘I am certain it will soon have a positive effect, sir.’
‘It takes about twenty minutes, for me,’ Aunt Dahlia offered. She should get back to the drawing room, she knew-but she was rather enjoying watching them, and neither of them seemed especially eager for her to leave.
Bertie placed the glass back on the tray that Jeeves was holding. He was looking pensive.
‘Why the tray, Jeeves?’
‘Sir?’
‘Why do you always bring me my drinks and telegrams and whatnot on a tray?’
Jeeves raised an eyebrow. ‘It is customary, sir, to use a tray when passing items to one’s employer.’
‘Yes, yes, but why, though? How did this tray motif get started? It seems a bit pointless.’
Jeeves smiled faintly. ‘It serves to create an illusion of distance, sir, between a gentleman and his staff, reinforcing the different ranks. It would not be appropriate to have an item pass directly from the hands of an attendant to those of his employer.’
‘Well, it’s bally silly. I don’t know why this has never occurred to me before. It’s dashed silly. It’s not as if you haven’t touched the thing. How would you have got it onto the tray otherwise?’
‘Very true, sir.’
Bertie picked up the glass from the tray again and studied it. ‘Distance,’ he muttered with distaste. ‘Holding a glass that you at some point touched in some other room. That’s as close as I’m supposed to get to you, isn’t it.’
Dahlia picked up a book and pretended to glance at it.
Jeeves was looking at his master. ‘I have the reservations in place for the journey tomorrow, sir,’ he said gently.
Bertie reached out without looking at him and touched Jeeves’s sleeve, nodding. A few seconds later he whispered ‘oh, damn,’ and pulled Jeeves into his arms.
Jeeves shot Dahlia a glance, but he put his arms around Bertie, a little stiffly, one hand still holding the tray, the other patting his shoulder. Bertie had his arms wrapped around Jeeves tightly, clutching the aspirin glass. All in all, not a passionate embrace-but it was simple, comforting, and tender in its own fashion. Dahlia wasn’t sure whether to be disappointed or relieved.
‘I don’t want any distance between us,’ she heard Bertie mutter.
‘I know, sir.’
‘I don’t want any more blasted trays and white gloves and you hovering in the background as if you don’t matter. As if you don’t mean the world to me.’
‘I know.’
Bertie sighed. ‘Will it get easier?’
‘Yes.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, sir, in time.’
Bertie turned away from him, running a hand through his hair and giving himself a shake. Jeeves resumed his usual straight posture, balancing the small tray on his fingers.
‘I owe you another apology, Aunt Dahlia,’ Bertie said.
‘Don’t be an ass.’
She stopped pretending to read, and Bertie placed his glass carefully back on Jeeves’s tray.
‘There we are.’
‘Thank you, sir.’
‘And now,’ said Bertie, ‘I think I’ll go and lie down before I collapse in a heap. I’m all in.’
‘You look foul,’ his aunt said kindly. ‘Go and get some shut-eye.’
‘All right.’ He glanced at Jeeves, blushing faintly. ‘Can-can you come up for a little while?’
Jeeves nodded. ‘I was hoping to complete our packing tonight for the journey tomorrow, sir.’
‘Oh, fine. So you’ll be coming up to pack, then, and so on.’
‘Very good, sir.’
‘Well. I’ll see you in a few minutes, then.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Good-night, Aunt Dahlia.’
‘Good-night. Sleep well.’
Bertie left the room.
‘You don’t have more work to do, do you, Jeeves?’ Dahlia asked.
‘No, madam.’
‘Then go after him, for heaven’s sake. Look,’ she added, in a low voice, ‘why don’t you spend the night up there? I don’t mind. You have the hostess’s permission.’
Jeeves smiled somewhat shyly. ‘You are most generous, madam, but I believe it would be more prudent for me to retire to the servant’s quarters as usual.’
‘No-one will notice.’
‘Possibly not, madam, but there is always a danger, and it would be well not to become complacent.’
‘Hm. I suppose you know best. Well-that will be all then, Jeeves, except for me to thank you for your stellar efforts over the holidays. We should never have managed without you.’
‘I am gratified to hear it, madam.’
‘Don’t mention it. Well-go on, get out of here.’
‘Very good, madam. Thank you, madam.’
And with a bow, Jeeves departed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter Six this way...
Not a particularly eventful chapter, I know, but it's a bridge to more stuff that will be coming soon. There will be a part two to this chapter, then a sort of prequel in two or three chapters, and a sort of finale(?) that will occur after all this. And maybe a sequel after that, but I haven't thought into that much yet.
By the way, I can't, of course, apologise enough for the enormous amount of time it's taken to get to this point! Please forgive me. Please comment!
Here's a fic, but it requires a spot of explanation. Please read this before plunging ahead.
Some of you may remember a series of short little fics, mostly conversations, between Bertie, Jeeves, and Aunt Dahlia called 'What Aunt Dahlia Saw'. It was back in the New Year.
Well, I said back then that I was planning on writing another chapter, and maybe a prequel. Well, two more short chapters are just about done, and a very long prequel is about 70% complete also.
So, I'm posting Chapter 5 here, with Chapter 6 following in about a day or so, in the hope that this will get me fired up to get that prequel all finished and ready to post as well!
Even if you vaguely remember the series, you probably won't remember much of the details. This chapter isn't going to be one of those things that reminds the reader where they last left off, so if you don't want to be scratching your heads in bewilderment I strongly recommend reading Chapters One - Four first. I very recently edited some of those chapters slightly, tightening them up here and there, as it were, so even if you've read them before the chances are they'll be a bit different.
Here they are:
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
And here is Chapter Five.
What Aunt Dahlia Saw: Chapter Five
Dinner at Brinkley Court
Bertie was not very gregarious at dinner; in fact, for most of the meal he said virtually nothing at all. Jeeves performed his butlering duties without betraying a hint that he harboured a secret love for someone in the room, but Dahlia thought Bertie looked tense and strained. He wouldn’t meet anyone’s eye, even when he was talking to them. She supposed he was afraid of what might be read in his face, but the down-turned visage didn’t help much. It gave him the air of a man with a secret sorrow.
But just when Dahlia began to doubt he would utter more than three words for the whole of dinner, Tuppy and Angela succeeded in rousing his impatience. Tuppy had just attempted to eat too large a forkful of pie, and temporarily given himself lockjaw, and as he pressed his hand to his cheek yelping in pain, Angela rolled her eyes. He asked her what the bally hell she was rolling her eyes at now; she retorted that until she had met him, she had not thought it possible to sustain a physical injury whilst in pursuit of one’s dinner, at least, not since the days in which men chased after their prey with spears, but now, she realised that she had been in error. Tuppy began what promised to be a very personal and cutting counter-attack, when Bertie suddenly lent voice to his anger and blurted out, ‘For Heaven’s sake, shut up!’
Silence fell like a pall. Dahlia glanced at Jeeves and saw him directing his gaze discreetly ceiling-wards. Everyone else stared at Bertie, open-mouthed.
‘You two are always at each other’s throats,’ Bertie went on, ‘it’s making me sick. Why don’t you just-get married, or call it all off, or-or do whatever it is you need to do to resolve all this dashed squabbling.’
Bertie’s Uncle Tom broke the silence. ‘Hear, hear.’
‘Bertie dear, are you all right?’ Bobbie asked.
‘Yes, I’m fine.’ He calmed down, and gave an embarrassed cough. ‘Fine. I say, I’m sorry, everyone.’
‘Don’t mention it, m’boy,’ responded Uncle Tom. ‘It’s about time someone spoke up. I can’t concentrate on dinner with all this bickering going on.’
‘…a bit tired,’ Bertie mumbled. ‘Sorry, Angela. Sorry, Tuppy, old man.’
‘No-no, don’t mention it,’ said Tuppy, who was still looking rather taken aback.
Bertie smiled apologetically, poked at his dinner with his fork, then started violently, upsetting the pepper pot, as Jeeves stepped in behind him to refresh his wine.
As soon as dinner was over Bertie muttered something about getting an early night and left the room along with the ladies. As soon as he’d detached himself from Angela, who was expressing a maternal anxiety about his health, he gave his aunt an apologetic smile and made a dash upstairs.
-o-o-o-
‘Excuse me, madam,’ Jeeves’s voice floated into the drawing room where the ladies were assembled. ‘Might I have a word?’
‘Certainly, Jeeves,’ Dahlia replied. She excused herself and exited the room, meeting Jeeves outside in the hall.
‘Jeeves,’ she hissed, beckoning him to follow. She led him into her sitting-room.
‘What’s going on?’ she inquired once she had shut the door behind them. ‘Is Bertie all right?’
Jeeves coughed. ‘My official reason for disturbing you, madam, is that I suspect Mr. Wooster is likely to be suffering from a headache, and I hoped you might assist me in procuring him some aspirin.’
Dahlia frowned. ‘And what was your unofficial reason?’
Jeeves spoke in a lower voice.
‘I know not whether Mr. Wooster’s behaviour at dinner has been much discussed, madam-’
‘You could say it has been mentioned, Jeeves. Miss Wickham-Mrs. Herring, I should say-thought it very odd, and she and my daughter are already forming their theories as to what might be on the poor reptile’s mind. Oh,’ she added, briefly touching Jeeves’s arm. ‘Sorry, I hope you don’t mind me referring to my nephew as a reptile.’
Jeeves offered a faint smile. ‘Not at all, madam.’
‘What’s got into the silly blighter? You haven’t had some kind of tiff since I spoke with the both of you, have you?’
Jeeves seemed distressed by this idea.
‘Oh, no, madam, not at all. But Mr. Wooster has been growing increasingly frustrated with his-with our current situation, I fear. As I have said, he is not at ease with secrecy and concealment. If I guess his mind correctly, I believe he has become somewhat envious of the freedoms his friends enjoy that he cannot. I am certain that was part of the reason for his outburst this evening.’
‘Well, I’m sure you’re right, Jeeves, but it wasn’t just his snapping at young Glossop and Angela that is causing comment, you know. He barely spoke a word all evening, just sat there looking like something on a slab.’
Jeeves coughed. ‘If I might speak plainly, madam, I believe the real difficulty is simply that there has thus far been very little relief from that pretense that he so dislikes. No sooner had the understanding transpired, in fact, when we found ourselves suddenly much engaged with Mrs. Gregson, and with a young gentleman whom she desired us to accommodate. This situation continued for the remainder of our residence in New York before our journeying here for Christmas.’
‘Oh, crumbs. I bet that put a damper on things.’
‘Precisely, madam; Mr. Wooster has been compelled, almost from the beginning, to expend all his energy on what it is most against his nature to do-to hide his feelings beneath a facade.’
‘I see,’ said Dahlia. ‘Yes, I do see, Jeeves. Though I don’t suppose it’s so very easy for you, either, having to stand about looking all aloof.’
She saw Jeeves swallow, but he shook his head. ‘I am more accustomed to restraining my feelings, madam. My concern is for Mr. Wooster. He has had very little opportunity to adjust to the change in our situation.’
‘My concern is for the both of you,’ said Dahlia. ‘I imagine there’s been little opportunity for much of anything.’
Jeeves coughed, flushing slightly.
‘I hadn’t realised how stifling things had been for you both. It’s not healthy,’ she added. ‘When Tom and I were first married-well, the point is, people have honeymoons for a reason, Jeeves. I don’t see why the same wouldn’t be true in your situation. You need a honeymoon. Get away from everyone and all this tip-toeing around and-well-do what people do on honeymoons.’
She was speaking softly out of precaution, but it lent her voice an uncharacteristic gentleness. Jeeves dropped his gaze to the floor.
‘Are you all right?’
He gave a faint nod. He seemed to be temporarily speechless.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I didn’t mean to be-’
‘Not at all, madam,’ Jeeves interrupted huskily, shaking his head. ‘No.’ He had to clear his throat before he could speak again.
‘I am deeply grateful for your understanding words, madam.’
‘Nonsense.’
‘And for your kindness. Mr. Wooster is the most generous-hearted gentleman I have ever known, madam; if I might take the liberty of saying so, I should have anticipated encountering same generosity from his aunt.’
Dahlia felt peculiarly flattered at these words. She had always had rather a soft spot for Jeeves. ‘Well,’ she smiled, turning a bit pink, ‘these things don’t always run in families, Jeeves. You won’t find the same giving spirit in my sister, for instance.’
Jeeves’s mouth quirked slightly. ‘I confess, madam, that when these new circumstances came about I did not expect to find acceptance within Mr. Wooster’s family. In truth, I did not hope to find it anywhere.’
‘Does anyone else know at all?’
‘No.’
Dahlia patted his arm, feeling a pang of sympathy. ‘I suppose you can’t count on anyone to take a piece of news like that sitting down. It must be pretty rotten. Bertie’s got quite a few friends, but I suppose now he won’t feel like he can really trust them any more, not knowing how they’d react, and everything.’
‘Precisely, madam. It will create something of a gulf, I suspect, at least temporarily.’
Dahlia fiddled with a bit of silk on her evening dress. ‘I should tell you, Jeeves, I wasn’t too thrilled at first myself. I mentioned as much to Bertie. I’m really quite delighted about it now, but it did take me a few days to feel all right about it.’
‘I quite understand, madam.’
‘So I think caution is probably wise. What can I do to help right now?’
‘Well, madam, although I am reluctant to ask anything more of you, when you have already shown so much kindness, I was hoping that you might assist in dispelling any rumours that may currently be circulating.’
‘I’m sure no-one has guessed what’s on his mind, Jeeves.’
‘I am also sure, madam, but it is unwise to allow speculation to run unchecked. A gentleman will always be talked about so long as there are questions about him unanswered, and furthermore, I suspect Mr. Wooster’s friends are not accustomed to seeing him in so mysterious a light. If I might suggest it, I believe it would be judicious to offer some plausible explanation for his unusual attitude.’
‘You’d like me to put about some sort of story to explain it all away, you mean?’
‘That is precisely what I hoped to ask of you madam, if you will pardon the liberty.’
‘Jeeves, you’re practically my nephew, now, for heaven’s sake. There are no liberties you can’t take, as far as I am concerned. Not anymore. Everything’s different now. So, what do you suggest?’
‘I believe the best solution, madam, would be to reveal to one of the female members of the party that Mr. Wooster confessed privately to you of a serious amour that took place while he resided in New York. A love affair that ended tragically. Indeed, I have already hinted as much when questioned about Mr. Wooster’s health in the servant’s hall.’
Dahlia beamed. ‘You’re a marvel, Jeeves. A very bright notion. How tragic, do you think? Should a death be involved?’
‘I think it would be unwise to be overly dramatic, madam. Perhaps a heart-breaking rejection that has left him temporarily desolate. He has been endeavoring to hide his unhappiness, not wishing to cast a gloom over the season’s festivities.’
‘Positively bright, Jeeves. All right, I’m mention it to Angela, and perhaps to Bobbie if the subject is still being discussed.’
‘Very good, madam. I am most grateful for your assistance, madam.’
‘Don’t be an ass, Jeeves.’
‘Very good, madam.’
‘You’ll look after Bertie, won’t you?’
Jeeves nodded. ‘At all times, madam.’
‘And yourself, too. Don’t worry about everyone here at Brinkley, I’ll square it with everyone. Just get out of here. Go and be alone.’
‘We will be leaving for the Continent tomorrow morning, madam. Mr. Wooster plans to spend some weeks there.’
‘Jolly good. All right, I’ll let you get on. Are you going up to him now? Or are you still busy?’
‘I have explained to the staff that Mr. Wooster is feeling unwell, madam, and asked the under-butler, William, to take charge for the rest of the evening. I hope this is agreeable to you.’
‘Absolutely. You-’
But at the moment the door opened, and Bertie appeared.
‘Oh,’ he said, looking slightly white, ‘here you are.’
‘Hallo, young Bertie,’ his aunt said kindly.
‘Hallo. I say, do either of you have aspirin?’
‘Oh,’ Dahlia said. ‘You really do have a headache.’
Bertie frowned, blinking tiredly. ‘Eh?’
Jeeves gave a brief smile. ‘I have aspirin, sir.’
‘Oh, good.’
‘I will return with the medicaments in a moment.’
‘All right.’
Jeeves drifted from the room.
‘Bertie,’ said his aunt, frowning sympathetically. ‘I didn’t realise you and Jeeves had been so plagued by aunts ever since you came together. I’m so sorry.’
‘Oh. Yes, well. You and Jeeves have been chatting, eh?’
‘He was just explaining why you’re a little bit tense at the moment, that’s all.’
‘Oh, I see. Yes, I’m sorry I was a bit out of sorts at dinner.’
Dahlia shook her head. ‘Never mind. Honestly, if I’d known that you and Jeeves had been getting so little time to yourselves, I’d have-well, if I had been you, I’d have just gone straight off to some foreign clime and given Christmas with Auntie Dahlia a miss.’
‘Well,’ said Bertie, flopping into a chair, ‘Jeeves thought it would be unwise to suddenly change our plans.’
‘Are you all right? You look awful.’
Bertie sighed, closing his eyes. ‘Just a bit fed up, don’t you know. Awfully glad to have spent the Yule-Tide season with you, and all that, but I can’t deny I’m pretty eager to be off.’
‘Jeeves thinks that carrying this big secret around is starting to wear on you.’
Bertie laughed somewhat ruefully. ‘Does he? I suppose I’ll get used to it in time. It’s just particularly difficult right now, having barely had a blasted hour to ourselves since all this began. It’s the sort of thing that ages a fellow.’
‘Have you at least-I mean, while you’ve been staying here, does Jeeves sleep-I mean, do you and Jeeves-’
Bertie’s puzzled face cleared as he understood what his aunt was getting at. ‘No, no, no. Not right now. No. Jeeves is spending the nights up in the servant’s quarters. He says we might arouse comment otherwise.’
‘That’s what I thought.’
Bertie looked at her, then away.
‘I can’t sleep,’ he admitted at last. ‘It sounds loony, I know-I’ve had Jeeves around for I don’t know how many years, but now I can hardly bear to be apart from him. Not even for half an hour.’
‘I know.’
‘Dash it, I’m sorry, Aunt Dahlia. It’s decent of you to be an audience to all this. It’s actually quite a weight off my mind, don’t you know, knowing that you know about it, and all that. One person I don’t have to lie to, I mean.’
His aunt smiled. ‘You and Jeeves have done many a good turn for Auntie over the years. I’m not going to stand shaking my head when you need a spot of help from me, am I? Don’t worry about anything, just get out of here. And if you want my advice, I should make it a long stay in the south of France. Take time to get that loony newly-wed stuff out of your system.’
A smile of warm embarrassment broke through Bertie’s headache-strained face. ‘I’m not a newly-wed.’
‘Come, come. It comes to the same thing.’
‘Well, as if happens, Jeeves feels the same way. He said as much last night when he tentatively suggested that we stay a full month in France.’
‘Jeeves and I seem to see eye to eye on a lot of things lately. Still, I’d make it two months, if I were you.’
‘Two?’
‘Yes! Get out and see the world.’
‘Hm. Two months. I’ll ask Jeeves what he thinks.’
A dazed sort of look came into his eyes and he looked towards the door. A few moments later, Jeeves floated back into the room with a glass on a tray.
‘Oh,’ said Aunt Dahlia, ‘Jeeves. We were just talking about you.’
Jeeves raised an eyebrow. ‘Indeed, madam?’
Bertie had risen to his feet almost before Jeeves was fully in their midst, and now stood looking awkward.
‘If you would drink this, sir.’ Jeeves’s voice had that gentle, conspiratorial tone that she had noticed him use with Bertie before.
‘Oh, ah. Thank you, Jeeves.’ He reached for the glass and swallowed the contents, pulling a face.
‘Thank you, Jeeves, that was perfectly foul.’
‘I am certain it will soon have a positive effect, sir.’
‘It takes about twenty minutes, for me,’ Aunt Dahlia offered. She should get back to the drawing room, she knew-but she was rather enjoying watching them, and neither of them seemed especially eager for her to leave.
Bertie placed the glass back on the tray that Jeeves was holding. He was looking pensive.
‘Why the tray, Jeeves?’
‘Sir?’
‘Why do you always bring me my drinks and telegrams and whatnot on a tray?’
Jeeves raised an eyebrow. ‘It is customary, sir, to use a tray when passing items to one’s employer.’
‘Yes, yes, but why, though? How did this tray motif get started? It seems a bit pointless.’
Jeeves smiled faintly. ‘It serves to create an illusion of distance, sir, between a gentleman and his staff, reinforcing the different ranks. It would not be appropriate to have an item pass directly from the hands of an attendant to those of his employer.’
‘Well, it’s bally silly. I don’t know why this has never occurred to me before. It’s dashed silly. It’s not as if you haven’t touched the thing. How would you have got it onto the tray otherwise?’
‘Very true, sir.’
Bertie picked up the glass from the tray again and studied it. ‘Distance,’ he muttered with distaste. ‘Holding a glass that you at some point touched in some other room. That’s as close as I’m supposed to get to you, isn’t it.’
Dahlia picked up a book and pretended to glance at it.
Jeeves was looking at his master. ‘I have the reservations in place for the journey tomorrow, sir,’ he said gently.
Bertie reached out without looking at him and touched Jeeves’s sleeve, nodding. A few seconds later he whispered ‘oh, damn,’ and pulled Jeeves into his arms.
Jeeves shot Dahlia a glance, but he put his arms around Bertie, a little stiffly, one hand still holding the tray, the other patting his shoulder. Bertie had his arms wrapped around Jeeves tightly, clutching the aspirin glass. All in all, not a passionate embrace-but it was simple, comforting, and tender in its own fashion. Dahlia wasn’t sure whether to be disappointed or relieved.
‘I don’t want any distance between us,’ she heard Bertie mutter.
‘I know, sir.’
‘I don’t want any more blasted trays and white gloves and you hovering in the background as if you don’t matter. As if you don’t mean the world to me.’
‘I know.’
Bertie sighed. ‘Will it get easier?’
‘Yes.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, sir, in time.’
Bertie turned away from him, running a hand through his hair and giving himself a shake. Jeeves resumed his usual straight posture, balancing the small tray on his fingers.
‘I owe you another apology, Aunt Dahlia,’ Bertie said.
‘Don’t be an ass.’
She stopped pretending to read, and Bertie placed his glass carefully back on Jeeves’s tray.
‘There we are.’
‘Thank you, sir.’
‘And now,’ said Bertie, ‘I think I’ll go and lie down before I collapse in a heap. I’m all in.’
‘You look foul,’ his aunt said kindly. ‘Go and get some shut-eye.’
‘All right.’ He glanced at Jeeves, blushing faintly. ‘Can-can you come up for a little while?’
Jeeves nodded. ‘I was hoping to complete our packing tonight for the journey tomorrow, sir.’
‘Oh, fine. So you’ll be coming up to pack, then, and so on.’
‘Very good, sir.’
‘Well. I’ll see you in a few minutes, then.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Good-night, Aunt Dahlia.’
‘Good-night. Sleep well.’
Bertie left the room.
‘You don’t have more work to do, do you, Jeeves?’ Dahlia asked.
‘No, madam.’
‘Then go after him, for heaven’s sake. Look,’ she added, in a low voice, ‘why don’t you spend the night up there? I don’t mind. You have the hostess’s permission.’
Jeeves smiled somewhat shyly. ‘You are most generous, madam, but I believe it would be more prudent for me to retire to the servant’s quarters as usual.’
‘No-one will notice.’
‘Possibly not, madam, but there is always a danger, and it would be well not to become complacent.’
‘Hm. I suppose you know best. Well-that will be all then, Jeeves, except for me to thank you for your stellar efforts over the holidays. We should never have managed without you.’
‘I am gratified to hear it, madam.’
‘Don’t mention it. Well-go on, get out of here.’
‘Very good, madam. Thank you, madam.’
And with a bow, Jeeves departed.
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Chapter Six this way...
Not a particularly eventful chapter, I know, but it's a bridge to more stuff that will be coming soon. There will be a part two to this chapter, then a sort of prequel in two or three chapters, and a sort of finale(?) that will occur after all this. And maybe a sequel after that, but I haven't thought into that much yet.
By the way, I can't, of course, apologise enough for the enormous amount of time it's taken to get to this point! Please forgive me. Please comment!