Polite Society: Chapter Seven

The hour came when activity took the place of relaxation.

Everyone began to dress and fuss with their appearance. The room became a flurry of excitement and colorful clothing, so much that the reappearance of the Miss Scrubbs went unnoticed until the woman gave a shrill whistle through her fingers. Standing beside her were two girls in plain brown dresses, each bearing a tray with two pitchers and three cups.

"Bit of wine," Miss Scrubbs announced, and in shockingly calm fashion the room moved to form two lines before the girls in brown dresses. One by one they were given a drink, which was gulped quickly, with everyone sharing from the same six cups.

Credence had tasted wine at Lilith's house and remembered it being delicious, but this time it was bitter and made her wince when she swallowed.

"Never had wine before?" Rose asked through a giggle.

Credence lied with a nod.

"Keepers' is comin' soon," Miss Scrubbs warned. "Don't forget to be nice and sweet now! We'll have 'em back here first, then it's off to the Auction for what's left."

"You won't be left," Rose assured Credence.

Anticipation rippled through the room.

"Mistress Cinder will come for me," she whispered to Credence, "and you'll get to meet her! I said I'd put in a good word for you, so do your best to look pretty."

The next time Miss Scrubbs returned, she was trailed by several grown ups, women and men, who were dressed in rich clothing and jewelry.

"Plenty of time before the Auction," Miss Scrubbs addressed them, putting on an overly sweet and mild demeanor, "look around 'til you find what pleases you."

"Mistress Cinder!" Rose called to a tall, breathtakingly gorgeous woman with a pointed nose and black hair that fell past her hips.

She ran to the woman like a child to its mother, and the woman opened her arms, heavy with gold, to welcome Rose into a hug.

"Little Rose," Mistress Cinder greeted her, "how did you fare on your escape, my flower?"

"Not well at all, Mistress," Rose answered in a baby-like squeal.

"You'll think twice before doing it again, yes?"

"Yes!"

"Even after a lashing?"

"Even then, Mistress."

Mistress Cinder's face grew serious. "Did they hurt you?"

"No, they were nice because I was nice."

"Good."

"But the food's awful and I did not like their carts, not one bit!" Rose's eyes lit up as she remembered something. "I found someone for you, Mistress! A present to say I'm sorry. Over here!"

Rose took the woman's hand and led her to Credence, where she dipped into a short curtsy and pointed to present her new friend.

"She's pretty, isn't she? I thought you might like her."

Mistress Cinder looked at Credence with an appraiser's eyes.

"Her finger," Mistress Cinder remarked.

"Oh, that," Rose mumbled. "I thought you wouldn't notice."

Credence looked at the space where her pinky had once been. She was suddenly ashamed of it, as if a missing finger made her less than, and the way Mistress Cinder frowned made her feel guilty for having such a wound inflicted upon her.

"It's not really bad though, is it?" Rose offered. "Put a glove on and no one'll ever notice. Her face makes up for it, and she's got a lovely smile."

On cue, Credence's mouth stretched into a grin. Mistress Cinder nodded.

"Very pretty, yes." She made a circling motion with her finger. "Turn around for me, girl."

"Her name's Credence."

"Turn around for me, Credence."

Credence gave a polite nod and turned several times. She wasn't sure what Mistress Cinder was looking for, but she had a growing suspicion that leaving with her was far preferable to being taken to the Auction. For now, it would benefit Credence to behave and do as she was told.

"She is very nice, Rose," Mistress Cinder complimented.

"But she's shy, Mistress."

"In what way?" Mistress Cinder's tone was suddenly tinged with skepticism.

Credence gawked at Rose, feeling like somehow the girl had just betrayed her.

"Didn't want to bathe in front of the others," Rose said, then she pulled on Mistress Cinder's dress and the woman bent down so Rose could whisper in her ear. Credence could not hear what Rose said, but whatever it was made Mistress Cinder break into a wide smile, and the disappointment in the woman's eyes changed to one of hunger.

"Could you buy her now?" Rose asked. "I'll take care of her."

Mistress Cinder shook her head. "A new face should be bought publicly, so everyone can get a good look first."

Rose nodded. "Baiting the trap, eh, Mistress?"

"You're learning fast, little flower. Get them hungry before snatching her up. They'll have to come to my house then, and she'll fetch a nice sum, I'm sure of it."

"Could I get a cut, Mistress? 'Cause I found her?"

"I thought you said she was my gift."

Rose shrugged. "Thought I might see a bit of that gift, too."

Mistress Cinder laughed and it sounded like a song. "Crafty angel, but you overreach. Still, there could be a reward for you."

"My own room?"

"Perhaps."

Rose practically bounced with glee, and Credence thought she looked like a pup at Mistress Cinder's heels.

"Can we watch the Auction, Mistress," Rose asked.

Mistress Cinder nodded. "I'll pay the wench her gold, and if you promise never to run again I'll buy you a hot bun to enjoy."

"Thank you, Mistress! I promise! Never again!"

The smile on Mistress Cinder's face dissolved in a snap, and she leaned down to Rose until their noses were a hair away from touching.

"If you leave me ever again, it'll be a black stripe. I'll demand it. You are not worth a second chance."

Rose's face fell, but she threw her arms around Mistress Cinder's waist. The woman allowed the hug for a few seconds, then pushed the girl away and turned to head in the direction of Miss Scrubbs.

Rose pulled Credence into a tight embrace.

"She likes you," she whispered. "I knew she would. She'll buy you and we can be sisters!" She pulled away with a smile. "Don't be afraid, Credence. Enjoy the Auction!"

After a polite argument over sums with Miss Scrubbs, Mistress Cinder deposited a small bag in the plump woman's hand, grabbed Rose by the arm, and left the room without another glance back.

Credence was alone, though the room was still bustling with activity, left to ponder what fate lay ahead.

It was a perplexing thing to see Rose act in such a manner. She talked about Mistress Cinder beating her, but squealed with delight in her keeper's presence—and even hugged the woman. It confused Credence greatly, for she could never imagine feeling love for anyone who mistreated her.

And Mistress Cinder hadn't appeared concerned at all that Rose ran away. It was just as Rose said, a bit of fun, a way of life in the towns.

Credence watched similar stories play out with others in the room. The keeper would find their person, and after a short, joyful reunion, the keeper would pay Miss Scrubbs and the pair would leave.

A few red stripes weren't so lucky.

Some keepers turned their noses and moved on without another word.

When that happened there were tears and pleas.

By the end, more than half the room was gone, and the only ones left were those without keepers or those who had been abandoned.

To Credence's surprise, Mistress Cinder returned.

Rose was absent from her side, and in the girl's place was a lavishly dressed and painted man. His hair was a mop of powdery white, and his face had been coated in a similar ghostly shade, while his eyes and lips and cheeks were stained with pink and black. He held a square of fabric close to his nose, hinting the smell in the room offended him.

Mistress Cinder led him directly to Credence.

"Credence," Mistress Cinder addressed the girl with a dignified air, "this is Headmaster Frederick. He runs a school for the training of youths. Give us a turn, little doe."

Credence nodded and twirled in the same manner she had before. Headmaster Frederick gave a small nod before turning to his companion, not thinking to speak to Credence at all.

"From the woods?"

"That's what my Rose said. Wholly innocent to the towns, wild but demurely-natured, a true fawn. Fresh too, I would bet on it. Could you have her ready by next Auction?"

Headmaster Frederick tsked. "A woodfolk child? By next Auction?"

"All right, a few seasons it is. We'll keep in conference on her progress and you'll send her up when she's ready, provided her stay is no more than a year or two. Petals fall, and I want her while she's still blooming."

"Have a game in mind, Mistress?"

"As old as time. She'll go to the Auction, but I will already own her in secret, and let all the other houses know it. It'll be a show, so everyone can have a look. Once their appetites are whet I'll swoop down and rake in a premium for the first few weeks. But she must be properly trained. I trust no one but you to see to that, and I want her putting on a good demur for all the potential patrons at the Auction. Or maybe we can sell a 'wild woodfolk' act. I leave that choice to you."

"You think she'll be worth the cost to room her?"

Mistress Cinder smiled. "I think her first patron alone will repay my kindness, but if she proves worthless I'll find another use for her. Or you will."

"Indeed."

Headmaster Frederick turned to Credence. "I've a mind to bring you to my school. Would you like that?"

Credence didn't have an answer, for she had no idea what that meant. From what she had witnessed with other keepers and red stripes, avoiding the Auction was a blessing, so she smiled and answered, "I would like that very much, sir, thank you."

"Headmaster, you will address me as such from now on."

"Thank you, Headmaster."

The man sniffed his square of fabric. "Quick learner. Good."

"When she's ready," Mistress Cinder added, "there will be extra coin for you if her first event proves especially lucrative."

"What else are friends for," the Headmaster replied flatly. "Very well, a few beds just opened up anyway."

"How lucky."

"For all of us."

Mistress Cinder dipped into a well-practiced curtsy. She withdrew a small purse from her pockets and deposited a few coins into the Headmaster's palm.

"A little something upfront. Train my doe well."

She left without another word, and the Headmaster went to haggle with Miss Scrubbs. After an agreement was reached and a sum paid, the Headmaster took Credence's hand and led her out of the room, away from the last of the red stripes who stared after the pair with jealousy and fear.

The last thing Credence heard was Miss Scrubbs addressing the room.

"Dry eyes now, and not a sniffle from anyone! Line up—it's the Auction for the rest of you."