Lilith
We watched as a hard-faced woman in her early forties, head-to-toe in Chanel, stepped from the little boat.
‘Tonight’s guest,’ Finn explained. ‘Laura Fenworth. Some investment banker or other. Two and a half million a year before the bonuses, houses in London and Provence, and as miserable as sin. The cat’s-arse mouth of a reluctant divorcee if ever I saw one, and just desperate to take it out on someone.’
‘What, are you going all psychic on me now?’
‘Nah. It says so in her letter.’
‘Her what?’
Finn gave a rueful smile. ‘Ah shit, you won’t know about that, will you? If a guest’s booked in for the full works, they get asked to write a letter. A few intimate details so Blaine can set things up exactly to their liking. It also lets her set her trap just right, the devious old cow. If she’s in a good mood, I get to have a look.’
‘Bloody hell. I never got to write a letter,’ I complained, mock-indignant.
‘Yeah, and look at the problems that caused. She won’t be making that mistake again. She really thought she had your measure – reckoned she knew just how to play you, then you went and fucked it up from your very first night. Didn’t get pissed, didn’t want to play.’
Across the lawn, Henry struggled up to Albermarle under the weight of Laura Fenworth’s designer luggage.
‘I really didn’t join in her game at all, did I?’
‘Nope. And you’re still not playing. No-one’s ever come this far and said ‘no’. Believe me, if you get out of here unscathed, it’ll be something to be proud of for the rest of your life.’
He stood and brushed grass from his jeans. ‘Ah well, better go and get ready for the nightshift.’
I watched the light in his eyes fade like a sunset. ‘Is it likely to be bad?’ I asked.
‘Blaine needs a new tame financial advisor because the last one dropped dead on a squash court last month. Lucky bastard.’ Finn suddenly looked weary, and ten years older. ‘So if it was just a good seein’ to she was after, Blaine would send her down to the place in London. But that divorce thing? A bit of persuasion from her ladyship about getting it out of her system, and a tenner says Miss Fenworth there’ll have the skin off my back by midnight.’ He gave a dry laugh. ‘A couple of decent shots of my client in action that just might end up in the vice president’s inbox first thing Monday, and Blaine gets a new pet for her collection.’
Without any words that might fit, I impulsively reached up to rest my fingers on his arm. Finn recoiled as if stung.
‘Don’t.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Fuck it, it’s not you. But I need to start to go somewhere else, you know? Places to go, people to be.’ He hugged his arms across his chest and tucked his scarred hands into his armpits. ‘And to be perfectly honest, it’s somewhere I don’t want you anywhere near.’ With a soft whistle he summoned Bran to his side. As he got to the rise he turned back and added, ‘I meant to say – thank you. For this afternoon. It’s been pretty cool. Normal, you know?’ With a last brief, shy smile he disappeared before I could return the thanks.
I looked down at my sketch book and closed it, already knowing that I’d done enough for the day.
*****
I was back in my studio, idly flicking through one of Henry’s vast collection of men’s style magazines when Blaine paid me a visit. Without a word, she picked up the drawing from that morning and held it up to the window to examine it. Finally, she passed her verdict.
‘This is beautiful, Lilith. Look how you’ve got those amazing eyes of his.’ She traced a finger along Finn’s sketched profile. ‘Just his face, though. Did you decide against my proposal? Or did he refuse?’
I was ready for this. ‘Neither. Asthma attack, I’m afraid. A big one. Last thing I wanted was to be cooped up inside, so I suggested we spend some time in the gardens – that way I’d make sure the day wasn’t totally wasted.’ I gave what I hoped was a rueful smile. ‘Even I wouldn’t force someone to spend a Northumbrian afternoon outdoors, stark naked.’
‘You don’t need to be so defensive: my input this morning was a suggestion, nothing more, and I certainly don’t want any part of this process to damage your health. I’m sure the end result’s bound to be spectacular.’
‘It will be,’ I said, thrown by her apparent compliance.
‘While I’m here, I should say – I’d rather like you to observe some of this evening’s proceedings,’ Blaine announced.
‘No. I don’t think so.’ I didn’t even bother to look up.
‘But it’s an essential part of Albermarle. How can you expect to capture my home’s spirit without experiencing all of it?’
I slapped my magazine shut. ‘Blaine, I am not sitting there whilst two people fuck in front of me.’
‘Why ever not? From what I can see, you’ve made quite a career from it.’
‘That’s different. Those sittings – they were my friends, happy to have me there. Tonight one would be a complete stranger, and the other one -’
‘- Is a professional who’d perform at the Albert Hall if I told him to. For God’s sake, Lilith, Finn’s been part of my after-dinner entertainment at more gatherings than I could count. ’
I was still adamant. ‘I really have no desire to sit there while some uptight ball-breaker finds a new way to work out her issues.’
Blaine laughed. ‘You and Finn have been having an interesting chat, haven’t you? If it’s any consolation, the first time at least is likely to be pure vanilla – there’s no specialist request that I’m aware of. And I’ll make sure you’re tucked away in the viewing room for the act itself.’
‘Viewing room?’
‘A private chamber, connected by two-way mirror to Ms Fenworth’s room,’ Blaine explained, as if she was describing an ensuite bathroom. ‘My great-grandfather had it built – he had rather voyeuristic tendencies, by all accounts. He used to hold the most amazingly libertine parties then retire to his viewing room to observe the aftermath. It’s a comfortable little place, with plenty of room for you to set out your things. Then you can make further sketches of Finn without the problems that seem to have arisen this morning.’
‘Look, Blaine, this really isn’t how I work.’ I was pleased with my pitch. Reasonable. Final. ‘Trust me. I’m sure you’ll be more than happy with the final piece.’
‘I understand your brother goes swimming on Thursdays. According to his teachers, he becomes a different boy when he’s in the water.’ Blaine returned her gaze to admire my sketch of Finn. ‘You know, you’ve really caught that peculiar waif-like look my guests seem to find so attractive.’ She reverentially placed the book on the table. ‘I suppose you can only pray that these trips are adequately chaperoned, can’t you? It’s amazing the harm that can befall a child when one’s back is turned.’
The vice tightened around my chest once more as she strolled from the room. ‘I’ll expect to see the finished sketches from this evening at our breakfast meeting tomorrow, shall I?’
As she left I reached for my inhaler once more.