Claire was sitting in the main foyer waiting for Elizabeth. The two of them had spent the better part of half an hour trying to find something for Catherine to wear. Elizabeth insisted that anything would be fine, but Claire wanted to wear something more conservative.
This was partially for her benefit. She didn't want to call too much attention to herself while she was still getting used to everything. But, she also wanted to do her best not to upstage Elizabeth.
Unfortunately, Catherine was not a particularly conservative person. First off a lot of her wardrobe consisted of gowns.
"That wouldn't do," Claire thought to herself.
Even ignoring the gowns the majority of the dresses had far too much flair for this occasion.
After searching for what seemed like an entirety they finally found something somewhat in line with a modern cocktail dress. It wasn't over the top, but it wasn't ugly either.
The dress was black, but that went without saying as 90% of the closet was black. No doubt it was to flaunt Catherine's role as the villainess.
Claire made a mental note to get some simpler dresses in a larger variety of colors. However, despite these thoughts, her dress tonight was more than enough. A lace choker with a simple black gemstone in the middle completed the look.
Afterward, Elizabeth went off to her chamber to change. Leaving Claire a few moments to herself.
Which is what she thought before the door opened. It was her father. He was busy giving orders to a male servant at his side, before noticing Catherine. Seeing her stark white hair stopped him dead in his tracks.
He regained his composure and spoke to the servant.
"Please see that these things are done."
The servant bowed before exiting the foyer. The duke made his way closer to his daughter. He cleared his throat before speaking.
"It appears you're feeling better."
"Yes, much better, thank you," Catherine replied with severe disinterest.
"Are you going out like that?"
"Hmmm? Like what? Is the dress not to your liking?"
Her father shifted slightly. The way she was composing herself threw him off. It was somehow…different.
"Ahem," he cleared his throat for the second time. "No, the dress is fine. Although it seems a bit simple for your tastes…I was more so referring to your hair."
"Oh, what about my hair?" She replied still clearly disinterested in the conversation
"What do you mean, 'What about my hair?' You haven't dyed it! You always dye it! Even around the house! Much less going out somewhere!"
He realized that her leaving so suddenly was also odd. The only time she left the house was either for the prince or to go to a party. Even in the latter case, she was usually disinterested unless it was a huge event.
"Where are you going anyway? Shouldn't you still be taking it easy?"
"Oh I'm perfectly fine father, " She said. "Elizabeth and I are going to a new restaurant I heard about. I think a change of scenery would do us both some good."
The duke was utterly taken aback. Did she say she was going out with…Elizabeth? He must have heard incorrectly.
"Did you say you're going to dinner with your maid?"
"Yes. That's what I said, did I stutter?"
She was messing with him at this point. It probably would've been a better idea to just play dumb and send the duke on his way as quickly as possible, but Claire couldn't help herself. She really couldn't stand this guy.
The duke really couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"If I'm not mistaken, don't you hate her?"
Catherine chuckled, "Oh whatever gave you that idea?"
She looked away from him as if to say 'I'm quite bored of this conversation now.'
"This dinner is partially a reward for her loyal years of service."
"Well…if you say so," the Duke finally relented.
He had no idea what had gotten into his daughter. He was certain it was only last week that Catherine had brought up firing Elizabeth for the umpteenth time.
He could only figure it was some kind of 'long con,' but even that seemed incorrect. His daughter wasn't exactly the type to have the patience for such a thing.
Still, it was pointless to argue about it. She was dead set on denying that there was anything strange about what she was doing. The conversation would just end up going in circles if it continued.
The Duke figured it was best to steer things back to his initial point.
"Well regardless of why you're going out, you should still dye your hair. It would be more…becoming. You've even said as much."
As soon as he said that a change came over Catherine. Her head snapped towards him, eyes burning with hate. It caught the duke so off guard he physically took a step back.
Even at her most upset, Catherine always maintained a level of decorum with her father. The low level of respect she was paying him earlier was nothing compared to this. Now it looked like she wanted to kill him!
However, the nasty look seemed to immediately dissipate. It was as if Catherine had been momentarily possessed by a demon. Now she wore a mask of total neutrality.
"Father," her voice betrayed no emotion. "I find the dye uncomfortable, I won't be wearing it anymore."
The duke couldn't believe what he was hearing, his mind was racing for an explanation.
What the hell is going on with her?
Thirteen years of dyeing her hair! Dropped because it was…uncomfortable? How uncomfortable could it possibly have been if she had put up with it for that long?
On top of that, Catherine was now supposedly friends with her maid whom she's hated her entire life!
Why is she making two giant changes completely out of the blue, and both at the same time?
Catherine didn't want to talk about this, but he needed to get to the bottom of whatever was going on.
However, before he could do so Elizabeth appeared in the foyer having finished changing. The dress she was wearing was extremely plain. It wasn't necessarily bad looking, but it was clear that it was the clothing of a 'commoner.'
"You're lordship," Elizabeth said as she curtsied.
"Ah there you are Elizabeth," Catherine said Immediately perking up. "Let's be off or we'll be late."
She started walking towards the door, paying no mind to her father.
"Of course Lady Catherine." She said as she followed behind her.
They were immediately out the door, and the duke was left alone to stew in his bewilderment. Trying desperately to make sense of what just transpired.
* * *
Catherine was looking out of the carriage window. Hand supporting her head, and a sour expression on her face. Elizabeth sat opposite her and was looking down at her lap. The silence was deafening, but Elizabeth was scared to break it.
She's upset, something must've happened with her father.
This was somewhat unusual. The duke usually only exchanged meaningless pleasantries with his daughter before going on his way.
It was rare that he had a real conversation with Catherine, and it was rarer still that the two had some sort of confirmation.
Despite Elziabeth's hesitance to rock the boat, the silence was killing her. She took a deep breath and spoke.
"Is everything okay Ma'am?"
Catherine let out a deep sigh, "Yes, my idiot father just upset me is all."
Elizabeth was taken aback at the blatant disrespect.
Huh? Idiot? Did she just call him an idiot?
Elizabeth racked her brain trying to think of a time Catherine had spoken harshly about her father, and for the life of her, she couldn't think of one.
"Um-, I'm sure it was just some sort of misunderstanding," Elizabeth said fidgeting.
Catherine turned towards Elizabeth, "No, no misunderstanding. My father's just stupid."
"But-, But Miss, you really-. You shouldn't talk about your father like that."
"Well, why not? He is stupid!."
Catherine was starting to get heated now.
"The gall of him. He barely even notices that I'm alive, but as soon as I do something out of the ordinary he's down my throat!"
Catherine brought her hand down onto the seat next to her with a loud Thud, causing Elizabeth to jump in her seat. Catherine either didn't notice or didn't care because there was not a beat missed in her rant.
"Of course, he would only care when it was something that would affect his standing. Worried about what others will think of him If I go out looking like this!"
Elizabeth shakily interjected, "I'm sure he's just worried about you. Well- I mean, he is your father after all."
Far from calming things down, this statement only seemed to further fan the flames.
"What right does that man have to be called my father? He didn't lift a finger to raise me. My mother did all the work! And after she died it was you who took care of me!"
As she said this she pointed at Elizabeth, who winced at the gesture. Catherine then realized she was making Elizabeth extremely uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry Elizabeth…It's just upsetting is all."
Catherine sighed as she returned to looking out the window. Elizabeth knew better than to stoke the flames any further, so she changed the subject.
"What restaurant are we going to Ma'am?" Elizabeth asked.
Catherine perked up a bit. She was reminded as to why she was going out in the first place. She again turned her head back to Elizabeth, this time with a far warmer expression.
"Oh, it's a new French restaurant! Um, I've forgotten the name, unfortunately." She said, slightly embarrassed. "But before that, we're going to stop by the doctor's office so I can thank him personally."
"Oh, you were serious about that!" Elizabeth said, surprised.
"Well, it's the least I can do. He did save my life after all."
"Miss you've been full of surprises recently. I must admit sometimes it's a bit…disconcerting. But I think a lot of them have been for the better!" She said as she smiled at Catherine.
Catherine returned a smile, but it was a slightly devilish one.
"Well prepare yourself for even more surprises! Because I've decided I'm turning over a new leaf!"
Elizabeth politely laughed at this hoping it was a joke. It was nice that Catherine accepted her now, but she was unsure if her heart could take any more of these so-called 'surprises.'
They chatted pleasantly for the rest of the ride. Mostly gossiping, but Elizabeth was a little surprised at how much trouble Catherine had keeping up with the conversation.
She'd eventually know what Elizabeth was talking about, but it was only after some serious prompting.
"She must still be foggy from the fever," Elizabeth thought to herself.
Soon enough they arrived at the doctor's clinic.
"Just wait here, this shouldn't take long," Catherine said to the driver.
"Yes Lady Catherine," he replied.
Elizabeth and Catherine entered the clinic. It wasn't a large building, and it appeared that the waiting room could only fit a handful of people.
A large space wasn't necessary. This was a private doctor who mostly dealt with house calls for nobles. It was somewhat of a rarity for people to come to the clinic.
Behind a desk sat an older lady who served as the receptionist, but considering that very few people came, most of her job consisted of secretary work.
"How may I help you two? Do you have an appointment?" Asked the receptionist.
Catherine waved her hand flippantly.
"No, no appointment. I just wanted to speak to the doctor quickly on the matter of my recovery."
The receptionist was a bit puzzled. She didn't often see patients in person, but it was her job to keep track of their records.
Now it was the case that a patient's hair color wasn't exactly something that would be written down. But the receptionist was considered a bit of a snoop and was able to put faces to names quite easily.
A young noblewoman with snow-white hair was extremely unusual, and something that definitely would have made the rounds. Was she some kind of foreign noble? One that was new to the country?
"I'm sorry, but who might you be?" The receptionist asked.
"I'm Catherine Blackwood," she responded.
The receptionist's stomach dropped.
Catherine Blackwood! Surely she has dark hair?
But the receptionist didn't have time to worry about the hair color. A huge error had just been made. She just inconvenienced the tyrant of the Blackwood family, and if she was delayed any further she was likely to explode.
"Yes, Ma'am I'll let the doctor know you're here right away!" She said, rushing into the doctor's office.
Dr.Taylor was at his desk examining some papers when his receptionist came running in through the door. He set the papers down and took off his reading glasses.
He noticed that she had a panicked look about her, which in this line of work was always a bad sign.
"What is Ingrid, did something happen?"
"There is a young lady to see you, sir."
A young lady? That's all it is?
"I don't have any appointments for this evening, and this doesn't sound like an emergency. Can she come back tomorrow?"
"That would be a mistake, sir."
"A mistake? Why?"
"The lady in question is Catherine Blackwood."
"Catherine Blackwood! She's here right now!?"
"Yes sir, she's in the waiting room."
"Well, show her in immediately!"
Ingrid did not need to be told twice and was immediately back out the door.
Unlike his nosy receptionist. Dr.Taylor had no time for rumors and gossip, but even he had heard of the Blackwood girl. In fact, he had been specifically warned about her by his former mentor.
Before Taylor took over the practice the former doctor had often visited the Blackwood estate to take care of a young Catherine. Whenever he returned from these trips he'd always looked like he had just fought in a war…on the losing side.
He'd warned Taylor that if he ever had to do anything regarding Catherine Blackwood he'd have to be as careful as humanly possible not to upset her. Luckily for him by the time he finally took over the practice, Catherine had not needed medical supervision like she had as a child.
Nowadays she's quite hardy and was ill on very seldom occasions. Even when she was sick it never needed the attention of a doctor. At most, he'd prescribe some medicine. Which had always been picked up by one of the Blackwoods staff.
His lucky streak seemed to continue as the one time he needed to be called in, Catherine was in a completely incoherent state.
But it seems like that luck has finally run out. Lady Catherine was standing outside in his waiting room. No doubt she was here to go on a tirade about his poor performance.
Good lord, what did I manage to botch?
However, upon racking his brain he couldn't think of anything that was possibly done wrong. Everything was done by the book. He suppressed her fever with medicine and then watched over her until her condition stabilized.
Last he'd seen of her she was essentially fine, but he had given strict instructions to call him back if she relapsed.
He'd never heard anything back, not even a request for more medicine. So he assumed the matter was settled. Besides, she was here in person wasn't she? How could there be a health complaint if she physically came here herself?
These were the thoughts that raced through Dr. Taylor's mind before Lady Catherine and an unknown female companion entered the room. Taylor immediately stood up.
"Welcome Madam. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"You're Doctor Taylor correct?" Catherine asked.
"Uh…Yes. That's me. Was there some kind of issue with the treatment?"
"Well of course not silly, I'd still be in bed if that was the case."
She seems fairly level-headed so far. Even a bit…jovial?
"I'm here to thank you for doing such a splendid job of nursing back to health."
Catherine gestured to her companion, "Elizabeth here said you did a splendid job of it."
Taylor glanced toward Elizabeth. He was so panicked over Catherine that he hadn't paid attention to the other woman. Now that he was looking at her he became even more perplexed at the situation.
By the look of her, she appeared to be a commoner, and her clothes essentially confirmed it. But she somehow looked familiar.
"Ah yes, and who exactly is she?" Taylor questioned.
"She's my maid," Catherine responded matter of factly.
That's why she looked familiar! Taylor had seen Elizabeth at the Blackwood Estate.
But why is she in normal garb?
"Me and Elizabeth are in town for a dinner reservation. So I figured before that I'd stop by and give my thanks. After all without you, I surely would've died."
Taylor was snapped back to the conversation at hand.
"You give me too much praise madam. Truth be told I couldn't pinpoint what was exactly wrong with you. I just took measures any competent doctor would.
"Oh doctor, you're far too modest," Catherine said. "Regardless I hope you'll accept my sincerest appreciation for your efforts."
"Of course Lady Catherine I wouldn't dream of disregarding them."
With this, Catherine turned around and headed to the door.
"Well we must be off or else we'll be late, goodbye doctor and thank you again."
As soon as the door was shut behind them the good doctor collapsed in his chair. Running his fingers through his greying hair, he reflected on the situation.
I was that worried over nothing huh?
It appeared to him that the rumors were untrue. Catherine was maybe a bit…unusual. However, it seemed she was extremely kind.
During his many years of practice, Dr.Taylor received very little in the way of thanks. Not that he was exactly that bothered by it. He offered a service, and upon completion, he was paid.
Still, he couldn't help but feel touched by an in-person visit just to thank him.
On top of that, she was taking her maid out for dinner. He couldn't imagine even the most benevolent noble doing that.
His teacher had been completely off the mark, and supposedly Catherine was meant to be even worse now! Had he been utterly defeated by the impotent wailing's of a sick child?
He must have been a far weaker-willed man than I thought.
With that, Dr.Taylor put his glasses back on and returned to rifling through his stack of documents.