A Gypsy Dream

Kat leaned back on the sofa as the sun came pouring in from the large window in the library. Letting it kiss her skin, she thought about the upcoming week ahead and what it entailed.

It would be a week full of entertaining her Uncle Micheal and her two cousins. One whom she loved and the other she couldn’t stand. Nancy could be awful while Mercy didn’t deserve the hell her father and sister gave to her. Mercy was sweet and kind and almost too naive for how she was brought up.

“It’s going to be a week of hell. I feel like this is the devil’s doing every year, sending Nancy here to torment me.” Kat said to Evelyn, her nurse maid who half raised her.

“Don’t be so dramatic, your mother always handles most of the affairs for you anyways.” Evelyn said and then held up a dress for me to wear for dinner tonight. The dress she held up was lovely with light pink silky material that would hug my waist. Her mother always said that pastels complimented Kat the most with my fair complexion and blonde hair.

“I’ll be sure to keep the dramatics down per your request then.” Kat said raising an eyebrow at her. “You know, if Nancy does try anything with me don’t expect me to back down. She deserves a good pop across the face.”

Evelyn cast two scornful eyes at Kat and then shook her finger mustering all the motherly power she could.

“Now you listen to me, you will behave and treat your Uncle and cousin with nothing more than grace and kindness do you hear me?” Evelyn scolded Kat while continuing with tidying up her room. She was always such a powerful mother figure and everyone around her couldn’t help but respect and love her.

Kat eyed her and then put her head down in defeat knowing she could never go against Evelyn wants. She was always right whether or not she wanted to admit it.

Kat could hear her mother, Jenny, making her way up the stairs. Her heeled shoes always made that clicking sound with each step made and it was hard to miss. Evelyn gave Kat a warning look to remind her to behave herself.

The door to her room swung open revealing her mother dressed and ready to conquer the day. She had a fierce look upon her as she made her way toward Kat making her stand up tall to face her.

“Your uncle and cousins are here. They arrived earlier than expected and are settling into their rooms. We will be having tea and refreshments in my tea room at noon to properly greet them so don’t be late.” Jenny said looking more tense then usual. This yearly visit always took a toll on Jenny since her brother Micheal could be so demanding and difficult. Ever since he lost everything to bad investments and gambling, the only thing he seemed to have was a sour attitude and a ruined reputation of a baron.

Jenny kissed her daughter on the cheek showing a bit of affection before heading back down to prepare for the upcoming events. Kat slumped back down before Evelyn grabbed her by the arms gently putting her on her feet.

“Here’s your dress, I want you cleaned up and ready to go.” Evelyn said and Kat hopped to it. Straightening her blonde hair and making sure her dress looked neat, she headed down to see her favorite cousin who always stayed in her favorite room, the pink room as they called it.

She knocked on the door and Mercy opened the door and then swept Kat in a big hug.

“I’ve missed you so much. It feels like it has been ages since we have been able to see one another.” Kat said stepping back to look at her. Mercy was beautiful with her big brown eyes and dark hair that contrasted so well against her white porcelain skin.

“I’ve missed you too dear cousin, it’s always too long in between our visits. Jenny and Papa complained the whole trip down, if I didn’t have the hope of getting to see you and Aunt Jenny, I’m not sure I would have made it.” Mercy chuckled, but Kat could see the truth in her eyes of what she was saying.

“I always said this, but I truly do mean it. You should come and spend the summer with us Mercy. It would be just you, Mother, and me. We could spend the summer horse back riding, attending balls, and doing whatever we please.” Kat said and Mercy’s eyes lit up for a moment with excitement and then it died within her as she sat not he edge of her bed.

“You know I want too. I would love that more than anything, but Nancy would make my life hell when I came back from the visit.”

“Then don’t ever return, just stay with us. Help us to run our company and I’ll introduce you to some of the finest bachelors around.” Kat said playfully, but meant every word. She wanted Mercy to take it seriously. She would’ve loved for her cousin to come and live with her and her mother. Mercy felt too much responsibility towards her father and sister though.

Mercy felt like she had to take care of the since her mother passed away even if it wasn’t her responsibility to do so. Even if it meant passing up the right to go and find a suitable husband for herself. Even though Kat had no desire to go and find a husband, she certainly knew Mercy wanted this more than anything. It wasn’t fair that her own sister and father would keep her from living her own life.

“You and Aunt Jenny have your booming company to run and I have my father’s house to run. He’ll die without me, he’s told me himself.” Mercy said defeated. She had already given up without giving herself any sort of hope. Kat sat next to her taking her hand in hers to reassure her.

“It’s not your responsibility to take care of them. It was his choice to squander his fortune, not yours. It certainly isn’t your responsibility to take care of Nancy either. You deserve so much better than this. You deserve to be able to go and find a husband and do things that you enjoy. You shouldn’t have to wait on people who don’t appreciate you for the rest of your life.” Kat said and Mercy looked like she was about to cry before a defeated look returned to her face.

“I’ve tried to escape, but then guilt just consumes me every time I try to leave. It eats me alive.” Mercy said and Kat wrapped her in a hug.

“Then we shall have to work on changing that. Starting with Mother telling Uncle Micheal that you will be staying with us this summer.” Kat said and Mercy’s eyes grew large. Kat went to get up and then Mercy caught her attention.

“He’ll never agree, he couldn’t do without me. It’s best if you don’t even try.”

“Just let Mother and me handle it, we can handle it.” Kat said reassuring her before taking her leave to go and find her mother. Her silk shoes were a stark contrast to her mother’s own clacking heels that were scouring about her tea room that she loved.

She was making sure the final arrangements and refreshments were just so before her family were to make their appearance. Jenny was always about making things perfect, whether it was in her home, her company, or her events. Jenny looked up to see her daughter coming to help her with a sigh of relief.

“It’s about time you came down. What do you think, does everything look okay?” Jenny asked her daughter. Kat scanned the ornate tea room with the high ceilings and the pastel colors that branded the room. Vases of flowers sat on the tables and several different pastries sat next to a steaming pot of tea. Servants rushed in and out bringing even more desserts and appetizers to munch on. It was too much in her opinion, but she wasn’t about to tell her mother that.

“Everything is perfect mother, as always.” Kat said and Jenny sighed with relief. Jenny sat down in her favorite chair that was covered in embroidered flowers. She always sat there to have her tea in the afternoon often while going over matters of business for their mining company.

“I do try and I always will for you. I won’t always be here though you know. I was thinking about that the other days especially as these gray hairs and wrinkles seem to come on more and more each day.” Jenny said with a sweet smile causing the wrinkles along her eyes to become more prominent. She was still beautiful as she always was with her dark brown hair and deep brown eyes that always looked at Kat with so much love.

“Don’t say things like that Mother, you are still beautiful and lively. I don’t see anything holding you back.” Kat said and Jenny looked sad for a moment.

“Your father already passed and I won’t always be here. I need to know that you’ll be well provided for beyond my grave. Our mining company, you must be ready to take it over if anything does happen. I need you to take our lessons seriously so that you are ready to take over the business.” Jenny said to get daughter looking at her sincerely. Kat knew that one day everything would fall in her hands. Her father’s mining empire, their estate, and keeping it running smoothly. She just never thought about how much responsibility came with that.

“I know Mother and I promise to work harder at learning everything about the business.” Kat said at almost a whisper and Jenny took her hands in hers.

“I know you’ll make me proud.” Jenny said squeezing Kat’s hand reminding her of just how much she meant to her once again. Kat loved her Mother more than anything, she was the one person who believed in her when the rest of the world abandoned her.

Uncle Micheals booming voice came through the room. His dark brown hair and deep dark eyes were the same as Jenny’s. If they were two different genders, they could have been twins.

“I was wondering where you were when you weren’t here to greet me this morning.” Uncle Micheal said to Kat taking a seat across from Jenny who held back her frustration at his lack of manners. Kat just smiled hiding the discomfort she felt around him.

“Well, where were you?” Uncle Micheal asked Kat not once greeting her in a proper way. Kat thought about all the appropriate answers until Nancy and Mercy served as a perfect interruption for the interrogation her uncle was putting on her.

“There’s my cousin. I’ve missed you so.” Nancy said heading straight for Kat while Uncle Micheal sat in his seat looking like he had tasted something sour.

“It’s good to see you to Nancy.” Kat got up and hugged her cousin who was being unusually nice to her. Usually she ignored her from the moment she got here to the very moment she left. Mercy gave a little wave to Kat and Jenny taking her seat.

They all looked at one another for a moment in awkward silence until Jenny gave a little cough to get their attention and then stood up holding her glass.

“A toast to getting to see my dear brother and nieces once again. We are so happy to have you here for the week.” Jenny said and everyone toasted to it whether it was true or not. Jenny did love her brother, he was difficult to love underneath all his jealousy towards her.

He inherited the Caldwell farm and a baron title, but squandered his money while Jenny and her husband grew a prosperous business. He lived in a home that was falling apart from lack of care while Jenny lived in an estate built for a king and it made his blood boil. Jenny took her seat and Nancy took a seat right next to Kat, who looked at her for a moment in bewilderment until she reminded herself to behave herself.

“We must catch up. I was thinking that tomorrow we could go on an outing to town tomorrow. Just us three girls could spend time together like we did when we were younger.” Nancy said a little too bright eyed. Even Mercy looked confused as she chewed over her food eyeing up Nancy. Kat just sat there in absolute wonder as she looked at Nancy who was being as nice as she was when she was a child and not the brute she grew up to be.

“You want all of us to go to town tomorrow?” Kat asked Nancy and she nodded with excitement.

“Yes and we can shop for dresses and then go for a yummy treat, don’t you think? I was thinking we head out around noon.”

“I mean that sounds fine.” Kat said after she noticed her mother looking scornfully at her which reminded her to be nice. “So we will all meet in the foyer at noon then?”