The coach wheels crunched on the gravel path, and the four horses, sweat sheening their glossy flanks, came to a skittering halt. The coachman descended from his high seat and flipped the foot step down, and twisted the latch open. Inside, the two young women were eager to see their new home in England.
Their voyage across the Atlantic had gone smoothly and, after the afternoon of the storm when they had shared a sensual awakening together, they had delighted in each others' arms each night. The ship had docked at Liverpool, where they had been met by Aunt Catherine's coach and four. The coachman was a jovial fellow who had quickly collected their trunks and, with the assistance of some eager cabin boys, stowed them on top of the coach. Aunt Catherine's country residence was some two hours from the docks, so it was not necessary to make arrangements for the train.
Alexandra climbed down first, her delicate boots light on the step, her long dark hair flowing. Head down at first, so she would not trip, she raised her head to gaze upon her aunt standing on the steps, and she froze in astonishment. For she gazed on the older woman as if she was looking into a mirror of her future self. The family resemblance, for this was her father's sister, was abundantly clear. There could be no doubt that the two women were of the same blood. Perhaps the only difference was Catherine's rigid demeanour and firm gaze, a serious, perhaps strict woman, somewhere in her late thirties. Catherine was the younger sister to Alexandra's father and the blood line was strong.
With a wry smile, she greeted her niece, "dearest girl, welcome to my home, it will be yours for this next year." About her feet a magnificent, exotic cat circled, weaving about her skirts, its tail held high and rigid. The animal was bigger than any domestic cat, and was marked something like a leopard. "This is Octavius, for he used one of his lives coming to this country. He is my loyal cerval, and is most precious to me." The beast warily circled Alexandra and reached out one delicate paw and flicked at the swirl of her skirt. Apparently satisfied, the cat then lost interest in the girl, and sat by his mistress' feet, grooming his long front legs with a bright red tongue.
Behind Alexandra, her golden haired maid descended from the coach and curtsied to the older woman. "Aunt Catherine, this is my maid, Odette, as faithful a girl as I could ever wish," Alexandra was keen that her sweet maid would be favourably received.
"Come forward, girl, let me see you." But before the maid could move, the cerval flashed forward and spiralled around her legs, his tail quivering, a loud purr rumbling in his throat. "My goodness, I would not have expected that. Octavius is usually most uninterested in strangers, and strange girls least of all. How interesting!" And there was an inquisitive look on Catherine's face, as if she was demanding of her cat, what do you do, animal?
Flustered, Odette took a step forward, and curtsied once more, "Madame, I am at your service."
"No doubt girl, no doubt you will be." And Catherine looked upon the tall maid with a pensive eye. "But come, both of you, you must be totally exhausted. I will have my maids attend you. Odette, while you are here, you will be as my niece. My girls will attend you, as they do attend your mistress."
"Oh, your ladyship, that is too great an honour, I am your servant."
"Hush girl, I am mistress of this house, you will do as I wish. Think no more of it." Odette did not know what to think - this intense woman was as beautiful as her dear Alexandra, but was far more knowing and worldly wise. And her cat! What was she to make of Octavius, who now led the party into the house? Her blue eyes huge, Odette followed the two women into the hall, this aunt and her niece, and the purring cat overseeing them all.
Alexandra and her maid quickly settled into a ritual in the big country house. Catherine was clearly a woman of wealth and taste, and made the two young women welcome. It was summer, and the days were long and warm; lush green grounds surrounded them. The ceremonial lake, Catherine proudly explained, had been designed and built by Capability Brown, the famous groundsman. The house was grand, two storeys high, big rooms with huge open fire places and sumptuous fittings.
As the days passed and her belly swelled, Alexandra found that her days involved more sleep. When she rested, Odette could often be found in the gardens with Octavius the cerval cat, who had taken it upon himself to show her his favourite haunts. Many times the gardeners reported back to Catherine that the girl had been found asleep with the cat curled in her lap, or draped about her shoulders, a living, breathing, exotic and exquisitely soft fur.
Strangely, the cat was never seen after sundown, and the girls also noticed that Aunt Catherine often retired early; or spent time in the distant library wing. This was the one place in the house that Catherine had not shown them, and the two girls assumed that her collection of books must be very old and very precious, not to be the plaything of silly girls.
One evening, when the moon was high and full, Alexandra could not find Odette. The maid had become dreamier these last few weeks, and Alexandra was perplexed. "Aunt, have you seen Odette? I cannot find the girl anywhere!"
