Caththreie tugged on the handle of the classroom door.
Ugh…locked
The academy employed a strict tardiness policy. Doors were to be bolted as soon as the class period started. If you didn't make it, you were flat out of luck.
The trek back from the meeting with Silas proved too long, and now Cathriene had earned her first tardy. Luckily there wasn't any further punishment–spoiled nobles with affluent parents tend to make a stink about that sort of thing.
Catherine shook her head in annoyance, she knew nothing could be done about the predicament, resigning herself to the wait.
She didn't particularly feel like standing around in the hall, deciding a more idyllic spot would be better suited to passing the time.
Luckily it wasn't muggy out after the rainfall, and waiting outside was far more preferable to the stuffy interior of the school.
Without delay she exited the building, quickly finding a bench with ample shade thanks to a large tree. Catherine brushed off a few leaves before sitting down, letting out an exasperated sigh as she did so.
The meeting with Silas' had gone well, at least by her measure. Catherine had been worried she'd laid it on a little too thick with the threats of violence. Once she saw the color drain from Carter's face, she'd thought it was all over.
Either Silas Carter was made of strong stuff, or was just foolhardy, either way, he was still willing to work with her–with the added benefit of a healthy dose of paranoia to keep things under wraps.
Catherine initially thought of the threat as a bluff but that was only half true. If Silas did royally screw things up, that would more or less force her hand into action, that being said it was unlikely that she'd have to kill him over it.
Convincing her father that Silas' was some annoying nutter trying to spread rumors for his own benefit would be enough to goad the Blackwood patriarch into action.
The fallout–for the most part, would be squashed, and Carter would serve as the scapegoat for everything.
Of course, it would be best to avoid all that. She did need the nobleman's help, and it was unlikely that anyone else could fulfill his role, so Catherine just had to hope he was smarter than he seemed.
The two hadn't worked out a plan yet, they didn't have time to. Silas had decided it would be best for her to come round to his house over the weekend to hammer things out.
Catherine was anxious to put Carter's services into action as soon as possible, telling him she'd come around first thing tomorrow morning.
The noble girl checked her pocket watch, fifteen minutes before the next class change. Closing the timepiece she sighed, wishing she'd brought something to read.
Catherine was in a rather melancholic mood. She was well aware this was the calm before the storm, there was no doubt that things were about to get terribly complicated.
"You know you still have the chance to quit while you're ahead." Thought a voice inside her head. "If you grin and bear the heartache, eventually you can live a life of tranquility, not to mention luxury."
Catherine knew this was merely her insecurities talking, but she had to admit that the proposition was rather tantalizing.
Not wanting that thought process to permeate, she quickly shook her head, snapping her mind away from going down that rabbit hole.
"I'm not torturing myself for the sake of 'tranquility'–how could I even live in peace if I have to deal with the pain of regret my entire life?"
No–she'd already decided on the current trajectory, it was an uncertain and maybe even dangerous path, but it didn't matter.
Catherine shifted, glancing at her cigarette case, she knew it would help get her mind off things but ultimately decided against it. The stress of the situation had caused her to indulge far more than she ought to–it would be better to quit altogether, but that was an unlikely scenario given the circumstances.
Sitting here overcome with worry about the future was starting to get annoying, surely it's about time for a period change? Out came the pocket watch again.
Are you kidding? It's only been five minutes!
Drumming the bench with her fingers, Catherine could no longer sit still. Her head glanced back to the cigarette case in her purse. Pausing for a moment, she reached her hand out to grab it.
Realizing she was giving into weakness, instead of grasping the case Catherine shoved it further down into her handbag so as to be less tempted by it, she needed to show more resolve in her life, and this was a good place to start.
Lying idly by wasn't doing her any favors at this point, Catherine decided that getting her blood flowing couldn't hurt, so up from the bench she came.
At first, it was a walk, but slowly and surely it turned into a trot. Before Catherine knew it she was in a full-blown sprint, why was she doing this? Not even Catherine could tell you, it just sort of…happened.
Whatever the reason, it was helping the stressed noble blow off some steam. That was until she stepped on her dress wrong, nearly tripping herself.
She staggered, before regaining her balance, narrowly avoiding toppling over.
What the hell am I doing!?
Catherine glanced around in every direction.
Thank god nobody saw that–I think I'd die of embarrassment.
Nearly falling flat on her face snapped the girl back to reality, realizing she was supposed to be watching the time, she glanced at her watch for the third and final time.
Her eyes nearly bugged out of her skull when she saw the time, she had less than five minutes to get to her next class!
So much for not running!
She broke into a trot again, this time being extremely careful not to trip herself. Catherine was determined not to miss her next class.
If I do, I'm just going to go home. I'm not dealing with that again.
Catherine was serious too, she'd had enough of the day before it even began and the prospect of sitting in solitude for another entire period was a bridge too far.
Thankfully Cathriene made it to her next class in the nick of time. Making a beeline towards her seat when she collapsed next to Alice.
Alice looked confused at Cathrine's erratic behavior. Not only had she missed the first period, but the noble looked physically exhausted.
Alice opened her mouth to ask what had happened, but it was stopped before she could begin. Her noble friend had put a finger to her mouth signifying "Don't ask."
Alice didn't have time to pry as a moment later class began, and Catherine set up her textbook. She wasn't partially interested in the lesson, but it was a good excuse to avoid explaining herself.
***
Catherine and Alice walked down the hallway to their next period, the room wasn't particularly far away, but for the young Blackwood girl, it wasn't close enough.
"Oh come on Catherine, be a dear and tell me why your mysterious disappearance," Alice said with mock seriousness.
"You know for someone who doesn't keep up with anyone else's affairs, you sure are nosy," responded Catherine bluntly.
Catherine walked in long strides, and Alice was having trouble keeping up.
"Well, I'm not particularly interested in nebulous gossip about random people–but you're my friend so of course I'm interested!"
This gave Catherine pause, she'd rather blow the whole thing off instead of making up a lie, but keeping her friend in the dark was also somewhat rude.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't. "Thought Cathrine."
"Oh alright–it was nothing really, just some…administrative files that had been filed incorrectly concerning my tenure." Catherine paused for a moment to think of the rest of the lie. "Unfortunately, these idiot paper pushers misplaced the offending document."
Catherine stopped, turned around, and crossed her arms, all the while looking annoyed to better sell the fiction.
"They rummaged through all their cabinets, desks, and drawers to no avail. Do you know where they eventually found it?"
"Where?" Asked Alice, on the edge of her seat.
"In the trash can!" Catherine threw her arms up in the air. "One of these bumbling fools actually threw it away!"
Alice began to laugh.
"Does my misfortune amuse you?" Catherine asked coldly.
"Oh no, of course not!" Alice responded as she stifled her laugh. "You just get so worked up about these things–I couldn't help but laugh, I apologize.
Catherine waved her hand flippantly.
"Yeah, yeah–forget it, it's not a big deal at any rate."
Especially because it's not real. Thought Catherine.
The duo resumed walking through the hallway.
"Anyway that's why I didn't make it to the first period, by the time I got out of there, class was already in session."
"Well it's a shame, I wanted Elise to meet you first thing in the morning–oh well, it doesn't matter too much, we have this period with her anyway."
Alice stopped moving and squinted.
"Speak of the devil there she is right now." She threw her arm up beckoning her friend to come over. "Hey Elise, come over here."
Catherine noted that Alice's noble friend was somewhat cautious in her approach.
"Elise I want to introduce you to Catherine Blackwood–Catherine Elise Wright."
The Wright girl extended her hand, Catherine was somewhat surprised at this.
She'd been expecting a curtsy, of course, it was fairly common for women to shake hands, especially by this period–but most noble women wanted to play it safe in front of the infamous Lady Blackwood, lest they incur her wrath.
Not that this bothered Catherine, in reality, it was the opposite. It showed that Elise wasn't intimidated by her presence, hopefully, that meant Alice put in a good word and the Wright girl wouldn't be a nuisance after all.
Catherine extended her hand, and as she did so Elise snatched it up in a death grip.
"Nice to meet you." Said Elise.
Her face was smiling, but her eyes stared daggers into Catherine's soul. Any hope that Elise wouldn't be a massive problem was dashed.
I should've smoked that cigarette when I had the chance.