Fianna Kelly Versus the Jeebees: A Collection of Steampunk Stories (22 page)

My
friends were coming back from their work. If it was one thing I could rely on,
it was their appetite. I waited quietly in the sitting room while they ran up
to their rooms to freshen up. I smiled when I heard their squeals of delight. I
placed my invitation on the table as they came running back with theirs. I
asked them who had arranged for this and was not surprised when more than one
admitted to it.

The
navy hadn't returned with anything to restock our supplies, so lunch was going
to be sandwiches again. I had to admit they were very good sandwiches though
and thanked Darina and Sheela for their choices. I only hoped I would still be
able to get into my evening gown after eating so well.

After
lunch, Reginald laid a map of the area over the table so we could compare
notes. He drew ovals on it to show where the two airships were and a box around
the town. Then he drew lines dividing the outlying regions into quarters.

I
asked "Who had South?"

Bevin
said, "That was mine. The families said they had heard stories of strange
beings with extra arms and legs, but they hadn't seen anything. Like you told
us, I assured them it was likely tricks of the light caused by the moon on
scarecrows."

Reginald
said, "I'm going to mark those with a 'one' for least likely for us to
worry about... Who went to the West?"

Darina
said, "I talked with several families and a few people walking by. They
talked about their neighbours seeing things running around their fields at
night. A few days later, those neighbours had vanished, leaving all their
possessions and animals behind. They told me the squire promised them that he'd
protect them."

I
said, "He sounds like a caring man. Mark that area with a 'five'. The
jeebees are not known to leave anything behind and may return, but the squire
is looking out for them... How about North?"

Melissa
said, "My story is the same as Darina's. People said their neighbours saw
something with extra arms and legs before disappearing a few days later."

I
said, "It gets a 'five' as well. How did you do in the East, Sheela?"

"If
it wasn't such a bad thing, I'd say I found the pot-o-gold. One evening the
families were there; the next morning all gone. There was nothing of value left
behind. It happened like that for a week then stopped."

Reginald
said, "Even though it's stopped, that gets a 'ten' for the most dangerous
place to be. Maybe the jeebees are walking in circles and I should change the
rating for South... Do we have dates on the disappearances?"

Sheela
said, "All mine occurred two months ago."

Darina
said, "Mine were a month ago."

Melissa
said, "Mine were in the same time period as Darina's."

Bevin
added, "Since my area had no disappearances, I guess the timing doesn't
matter."

"Perhaps
the jeebees had plenty of things and just needed more people as they
progressed," suggested Reginald.

"For
my meagre contribution," I said, "I didn't find out much from the
townspeople who were here yesterday. They were all nice and friendly people
without a care in the world. They didn't believe in any of the stories which
meant I didn't have to tell them any lies... Mark the town with a big nothing.
'Tis also been seen that jeebees don't like going into towns and cities."

 Bevin
asked, "What do we do now?"

"We
get ready for the dance. The carriages will be picking us up in just over an
hour. Reginald, please take the ladies next door when they are ready and make
proper introductions to their dancing partners." My friends all screamed,
jumped up, and ran for the stairs.

Reginald
asked, "What was that?"

I
said, "That was four women racing for one comfort room. They'll be back
shortly and you'll barely recognise them."

"What
will I do while you ladies are out?"

"You
will be dancing with me. I have reserved a spot or two for you just like I
promised."

He
replied, "I would be honoured to be your tutor and dance partner tonight.
I suggest you get ready too lest your friends outshine you."

"Yes,
sir. I believe I have something in blue that you'll appreciate."

I
took my blue satin evening gown out of my closet and looked it over. The top
looked like a large 'V' including ruffles that went a few inches above my
shoulder. From a distance it would appear quite immodest that my neckline and
arms were bare. Up close though a beige-coloured gauze blouse with long sleeves
was apparent. The skirt section was like an upside-down tulip with overlapping
sections that reminded me of their petals. It was not quite ankle-length. I had
a pair of boots that were covered with the same bright blue satin. They had
white bows in place of laces and fashionable three-inch heels.

After
choosing the dress, I was left with the fine touches. I had a hard time
deciding what to do with my hair. I debated for a while between leaving it down
for comfort or putting it up for appearance. Looking back on it, the choice was
obvious. It had to be off my shoulders or get caught in my dress. I decided to
braid it and then bring the braid up in a circle on the back of my head. For
jewellery, I went simple; small gold hoops on the ears, a simple gold bracelet
on my left wrist, and a simple gold necklace with an Irish cross pendant.

My
mother and I had spent over an hour at the jewellers to find just the right
necklace to go with the pendant. It had to be just the right colour, length,
and thickness. Like my blouse, from a distance it was practically invisible.
One only saw the pendant lying in the precise spot where a man was most likely
to focus his attention. Up close, one could see the chain and that it formed
the same 'V' shape as my dress; neither wider nor thinner. That was more by
luck than design.

I
had no idea when I accepted this job that it would involve so many formal
gatherings. I thought I would be in plain dark-coloured dresses with my rifle
on my back hunting for jeebees. I shouldn't complain as once I finished getting
ready, the rest was enjoyable.

Reginald
and I had chosen the first carriage while the others paired off into the
remaining two. I let him know how much I disliked riding backwards. He started
to sit across from me, but I motioned to the open space on my left. There was
room for both of us to ride facing forwards. I had no idea where we were going.
It appeared to me that the carriages were giving us a tour of the town along
the way. Perhaps they had instructions stating not to arrive before a certain
time.

The
squire met us at the door and I did the introductions for everyone. He was an
obese man with glasses and a receding hairline. His suit, on the other hand,
looked expensive and tailor-made for him. Reginald and I stayed by the door
talking pleasantly with him until the next group of people arrived. I felt
overdressed compared to them. I thought about how it was only a year ago that I
couldn't afford a nice party dress either.

It
didn't seem much like a dance as most of the people just stood around sipping
their drinks. I was getting the feeling that they attended because they were
told to be here, not because they had any desire to attend. I had to admit to
myself that I was not really here to dance either. This was just another
opportunity for me to talk with people.

Reginald
took my hand and led me to the dance floor. I noticed four familiar couples
follow us after a minute. The sailors must have been waiting for us. Hopefully,
the rest of the people would be dancing soon.

Reginald
said, "You look distracted. Are you paying attention to the dance or just
shuffling your feet?"

I
said, "I'm sorry. There is much on my mind tonight."

"I
see. Right now, I'd like you to concentrate on what I am doing lest I step on
your feet. I am going to improvise for a while."

I
kept my head up and watched his steps from the corner of my eyes. I was tempted
to look down, but didn't. When he expected something from me, I could tell by
the way he moved. It felt like we were on a stage performing moves that we had
practiced earlier. I was beginning to anticipate what he was going to do next
and enjoy the dance.

We
returned to our little area of the wall and Reginald left me to refresh our
drinks. The squire took the opportunity to approach me and ask me to dance. It
would be poor manners to refuse our host. I wanted to talk with him as
privately as possible anyway. Gerald had compared his lessons to dancing.
Perhaps it was time for a bit of verbal confrontation on the dance floor.

I
was taught to let the man lead the conversation as well as the dance so I let
him speak first. "You dance well," he said.

I
didn't know how to redirect the conversation into missing people given that as
a starting point, so I just thanked him and returned the compliment. As the
dance went on I decided to be bold and broach the subject. "The villagers
are confident you will protect them. How do you defend against something that
attacks in the night and leaves nothing behind?"

He
talked to me like one would a child. "You needn't worry about monsters in
the night. We have the problem under control." He said it with such
sincerity, I could almost believe him. I was certain that I knew more about
jeebees than he did, and if they were still around, he would be lucky to
protect himself.

When
the dance ended, Reginald was waiting for me with a full glass of something
cool. I asked him, "Of all the women here, except myself, who would you
say is most beautiful."

"Since
you removed yourself from consideration, I'd say that Bevin is the most
attractive woman here tonight. Her long blond hair flows as she dances. Her
bright red dress enhances her figure, hair, and complexion. She has such life
to her; see how she enjoys the dance and becomes a part of it."

"I
agree that she loves to dance. I wonder why the squire didn't ask her to dance
instead of me?"

"I
could only guess that he is intimidated. He is not that good of a dancer. You,
on the other hand, were paying attention. I was watching you two dance and was
amazed at how well you matched his steps even when he made mistakes."

The
squire approached us and addressed Reginald, "You are a fine instructor.
We must negotiate for lessons one day..." He resumed, "As for you
Miss Kelly, I have heard that you are also an excellent singer. Perhaps you
would give us the pleasure of a song?"

I
wondered what to sing. It was difficult to decide between something simple or
something challenging. One song came to mind. I hadn't sung it for months, but
the words were easily remembered. It was originally an unremarkable hymn that
would get chosen a few times a year. Then someone changed the music and brought
out the nuances that had been hidden by the more sedate melody. It was now a
reel that challenged both dancer and singer.

I
asked Reginald, "Can you step-dance?"

"Of
course I can. Why do you ask."

"I
want to sing 'The Fourth Day'
[ix]
and would like you to be the moon to my sun."

I
told the band that I wouldn't be needing them and then had Reginald stand to my
left. I worried about staying on key, and I worried that I would forget some of
the words, and I worried that we wouldn't keep time with each other. We started
on the count of three. Everything came together and I was singing without
thinking. The words came to me when I needed them. I think the band joined me
after the second verse, but I'm not sure that was where the music came from. I
was also not sure if I held the final note for just two seconds or the full six
seconds it deserved.

My
friends started clapping and were shortly joined by others. I was hoping the
squire enjoyed it. I curtsied and we were instantly surrounded by people
wanting to talk with us. I noticed the squire in a far corner talking with a
few men.

The
band resumed playing waltzes and Reginald escorted me back for more punch. He
said quietly, "We have proven you can dance and we have proven you can
sing. I think we should leave before we have to prove that we can fight."

"I
don't understand."

"I
don't believe the squire can hold his whiskey."

I
said, "Did I do something to offend?"

"I
recall Gerald mentioning your lack of subtlety; something about you never doing
anything halfway, though those were not the words he used."

"I
still don't understand."

"I
suggested you outshine your friends, not our host."

I
thought for a moment. "Etiquette demands we thank our host and ask him to
summon our carriages."

He
replied, "Allow me, your humble tutor, to see to that task while you get
your friends and their escorts outside."

It
wasn't difficult to collect my friends; where they went so followed the
sailors. Reginald sauntered out and said, "It seems other arrangements
have been made for us."

I
asked, "Can you explain that?"