Chapter Twenty-Four

Spread Our Fire

Victor was anxious and maybe even a little nervous, which was out of character for him. He was used to being in control. But he was facing an extremely important situation and it was impossible not to feel its weight. In front of him was something that could unfold to his full advantage or escalate into full disaster and ruin everything.

He had been called to a meeting of the utmost importance. He hadn’t been the only one, standing in Amos Skeffington’s room was, not only him, but the whole Skeffington family – Nicholas, Jack and even Lenora – and the family’s oldest friend and associate, Julius Holman Grunt. They all stood in front of Amos’s bed, which he was physically incapable of leaving. The man was too ill and too tired.

He knew what this meeting was to be about and that was the reason for his anxiety. The result of this would determine his next course of action – it would either be smooth or turbulent, especially considering how much Nicholas had grown to resent him.

He was so focused on what could happen, that he couldn’t even allow himself the pleasure of seeing his most powerful enemy so weakened and affected by him, so blissfully unaware of the poison he was spreading.

Amos was sitting on his bed, his glasses shielding his eyes as he considered files upon files of papers in his hands. Jack sighed loudly, doing a poor job of faking interest. He turned to sit in a fairly distant chair – he knew his summon here had been more of a formality than anything else, the only reason for his presence was his last name, for he bore no interest or hand in his family’s business.

“I have called upon you to join me here for I have an important announcement to make, something that I fear has become painfully obvious,” Amos started, finally glancing upon his audience. “I am sorry that I could not receive you all properly in my office, but I think I’m safe in asking you all for understanding.”

Julius and Nicholas nodded with haste. They too were nervous; they too knew what was happening and what was at stake. Lenora walked to her husband, carefully laying a hand on his shoulder, for silent support. Amos coughed and his hands were shaking as he held the files.

“It has become obvious to me, and to us all, that I am in no physical condition to remain an active master of my own affairs. For the meanwhile, and for the time I am confined to this bed, someone else has to occupy my position as the leader of the Skeffington Empire. He shall answer in my behalf, appear in my behalf and sign in my behalf, taking all the decisions and all the necessary means to the continued success and development of my industries and investments, under code of honor, returning such power to its rightful owner as soon as I find myself in better health.”

The room was silent, the weight of the words falling on everyone’s shoulders.

“I have made it official. The papers needed are already signed by me and only require the signature of the appointed guardian of my duties.”

Amos returned his eyes to his expectant audience.

“The man I have chosen is one that holds my entire trust and that I deem extremely competent for the job. I only hope that my decision will be held in high respect, for I have no doubt that I have chosen the right man and he has my total confidence.”

There was another silent pause, during which Amos studied the three men standing in front of him. Nicholas’ hands had curled into fists and Julius rested one of his own on his shoulder and winked at him, as a demonstration of encouragement and confidence.

“The man I chose and the man who will temporarily rule the Skeffington Empire is Gabriel McGrath.”

The room remained silent as Amos’s words finally settled in everyone’s minds. Victor himself was shocked – this is what he wanted, what he had worked for, and yet, it still sounded surreal. Not that he wasn’t confident in his manipulative skills, but because it sounded too good to be true. There had been a part of him that had, until the last second, believed that Amos would choose his oldest son, as was expected.

In a few seconds, the whole room turned into war. Jack was the first to react. He got up from the chair rather abruptly and yelled, “Are you bloody mad?”

Lenora eyed her husband in shock, her hand leaving his shoulder as quickly as if it had burned her. Julius was quick to follow Jack’s lead and shouted and cursed in fury while Nicholas remained in place, stoically silent, eyeing his father with anger, disappointment and confusion.

Victor allowed himself to be true to his feelings for once and smiled wide, suppressing it just enough so that he didn’t burst out laughing. This was just too good. Amos Skeffington had just signed his own misery – though he would only know it when it was already too late.

He bowed, his eyes sparkling with victory. Jack and Julius fell silent when they saw him react. “It is my pleasure to accept such a magnificent honor, Sir. I assure you - I will not let you down.”

Jack and Julius exploded into rants of anger again, now with even more fuel and contempt.

“Gentlemen, please, settle down,” Victor said, eyeing his opponents with a glint of malice and mockery. “After all, you are yelling at a sick man.”

The effect of his words was exactly what he had imagined – they made everything worse. Jack and Julius screamed insults and injury, spoke of madness and treachery, of lack of justice and good judgment. Amos closed his eyes in apparent pain, as if the words being shouted at him were physical injury, but remained silent nonetheless.

To Victor’s surprise, it was actually Lady Lenora, still in her corner, that ended all the loud commotion.

“Silence!” she said in a louder, final tone. When both Jack and Julius obeyed, she continued, as serene and cold as ever. “If you would all be kind enough, I ask you to please leave my husband’s chambers. I wish to speak to him privately.”

Victor was the first to react, bowing to Lady Lenora and putting his hat on his head.

“Certainly, my lady.” He then left, a dark grin growing on his face.

The three remaining men were slower to react, but eventually they followed Victor outside. Once the door was closed and they were all in the hallway, Nicholas gifted them all with a look of extreme darkness and left, without a word. Jack eyed Victor with anger, as if he was the culprit of all of this and followed his brother. Only Julius stayed behind, but Victor wasn’t keen on having a conversation with him at the moment, no matter how satisfying it would be to rub his success on his face.

“I will return to sign the documents,” he simply said, turning to leave.

“You will not get away with this!”

Victor smiled, he knew Julius wouldn’t let him leave without a fight. He turned to him, a fake look of bewilderment on his face. “Excuse me?”

Julius approached him, his face one of threat. “I will not let you get away with this, McGrath. I don’t know what you did, but if you think you will own this family’s empire, you are severely mistaken.”

“You talk as if I could somehow avoid this,” Victor didn’t even care to hide his entertained expression. “Or better yet, as if I somehow caused this. Are you implying that I somehow managed to force Sir Amos into assigning me his power? If so, I am desperate to hear you explain how, such methods are foreign to me.”

“I don’t know how, I don’t know why Amos is doing this-“

“Well, neither do I. Maybe you should ask the man himself. He was the one who chose me. I am sure he has his reasons.”

“You…” Julius was so angry he seemed to have difficulty speaking. “I always knew you were bad news, boy! I hope you enjoy your new position while it lasts, I will make sure it ends soon enough!”

“Sir Julius,” Victor said, walking closer to the man and holding a menacing, warning tone, while still displaying an amused expression. “I would be careful, if I were you. You don’t want to get on my bad side, I promise you that.”

He could see the older man shudder slightly at his tone, though he remained firm in his position. “I believe you. I know you are a man of evil.”

“Why, Julius,” Victor replied, more light in his voice and preparing to leave. “I would think you’d be more polite. After all, I am your new boss.”

Julius stiffened and closed his hands into fists, a new wave of anger running through him. Victor laughed and turned around, leaving the mansion with the most victorious step.

***

“Are you losing your mind?” Lenora eyed her husband as if the man was on the brink of insanity. “Of all the incomprehensible things you’ve done, this is by far the wildest!”

“Lenora…”

“Do you know what you have done?”

“Of course I do.” Amos sighed, tired.

“You have just put our whole empire into the hands of a stranger!”

“I was under the impression that you were quite fond of this stranger,” Amos said it without accusation in his tone, more like mentioning a harmless fact, but still, Lenora flinched.

“Regardless, that is not the point!” Lenora paced the room with energy. “You have a lot of explaining to do, Amos. You better have a good reason why you have just delivered our empire to a man who doesn’t belong to the family.”

“I have my reasons and they are good enough.” Amos calmly put his glasses in front of his exhausted eyes again, opening his files and studying them.

“And they are…?”

“I’m afraid it is yet too soon to disclose them, my dear. You will have to be patient and trust my judgment.”

“I would, if this didn’t sound so preposterous! Are you aware of how much you’re hurting and insulting our son?”

“Nicholas will just have to accept.”

“Nicholas should be your first priority! Nicholas should’ve been chosen, or at the very least, Julius. Not McGrath! Nicholas deserved this. He is more than competent to do this and you know it.”

“I know and he is still the heir,” Amos was still calm as ever. “He mustn’t forget it. Nicholas will always be the heir to my empire. If I were to die now, the empire would go straight to Nicholas, with or without McGrath. He will rule the family, sooner or later. He will just have to be mature and patient enough to wait his turn.”

“I don’t understand, Amos. I really don’t. What could you possibly expect to accomplish with this?”

Amos sighed. “He is a McGrath. He is Silas’s son. I promised him I’d care for his son.”

“So you put more value on a friendship of old than on your family.”

“Don’t put words on my mouth, Lenora. I am simply giving him an opportunity.”

“Amos-“

“My decision has been made and it is final. There is no need to talk about this further. I will not change my mind.” Amos finally looked at her. “I will now have to ask you to leave, Lenora. I am feeling rather tired, I think I would like some rest.”

***

Jack paced around his room, still angered about what had happened in his father’s chambers just a few moments ago. He was still shocked and confused at the outcome. No matter how hard he thought about it, how many reasons he could come up with, it still didn’t make sense, it still felt like betrayal.

To put the family’s business in a stranger’s hands, when there was Nicholas, his own son, waiting patiently and loyally, full of ambition and will and skills. It was the decision of a madman.

Jack sat on one of his chairs. He was worried about his brother. He had followed Nicholas and he had calmly let him know that he was alright, that he wished to rest on his room, alone. His brother’s reaction scared him. He’d rather have Nicholas screaming in anger, insulting their father, doing something about it.

She opened the door and quietly walked inside. He knew it was her even before turning to see her, not only because she had whispered to him she’d meet him there, but also because he would recognize that lavender scent anywhere.

Beatrice came to him smiling wide, though it faltered as soon as she looked at him.

“You seem upset, what’s wrong?”

Her hand found his hair and he closed his eyes, marveling at the pleasure of her touch.

“Nothing.”

“Why do you always say that?”

Jack sighed and looked her in her beautiful green eyes. “I don’t want to burden you with my family’s foolishness.” She frowned a little and she looked adorable. He stretched his arms to her. “Come here.”

Beatrice smiled again. “Oh, no, no, no. Not until you tell me what’s upsetting you. No more secrets, remember?” And at the end of that sentence, she seemed to flinch, if only for a split second. He found it odd, but decided to ignore it and grinned at her, grabbing her by her waist and pulling her into his lap with ease. She laughed, telling him it wasn’t fair or appropriate.

Jack sighed. “It’s my father, he’s… strange. You know he’s bed ridden.”

“Yes, but the doctors said he would be alright, didn’t they?”

He noticed she avoided his eyes as she spoke and, though he found it odd again, he didn’t give it too much importance. She was probably worried, good hearted as she was.

“Yes, but that’s not the problem.” She returned her eyes to his, a small smile back on her lips. “He’s ill, so he can’t attend to his business. He called us all to meet him so he could tell us who’ll be taking his place until his health improves.”

“I assume he has chosen Nicholas-“

“See? That would be the right thing to do, wouldn’t it?” he told her with a bitter smile. Then he added, with a sudden scowl, “No, he chose McGrath.”

Beatrice’s eyes widened, she looked as surprised as they had all been.

“McGrath?” she repeated, shock blatant in her face. “Gabriel McGrath?”

“The very same,” he replied, still rather upset but somewhat entertained by her reaction, so close to his.

“That is… odd,” she agreed, looking to the other side of the room for a few seconds.

“I don’t trust him. That McGrath fellow,” as he said this, her head turned back to him immediately. “I can’t see why my father does.”

“Why won’t you trust him?” She seemed careful in her tone, as if she was afraid to anger him with the question.

Jack shrugged. “I don’t know, I’ve got a bad feeling about him.”

Her eyes returned to the floor. “I’m sure you’ve got nothing to worry about. He’s very bright. He won’t let your family down.”

Jack couldn’t help but frown, not only at her words, but at the slightly frightened way in which she spoke, like once again she was afraid to anger him.

“You seem to be rather fond of McGrath,” he tried to sound playful and she looked at him with a hint of panic. “Should I be jealous again?”

She laughed. “No!” And he was relieved at her disgusted expression. Beatrice playfully slapped his arm. “Silly man…”

Jack rubbed her back and kissed her cheek with a smile, making her blush. She looked lovely as she put a strand of loose hair behind her ear. He rested his head against her.

“My father is acting strange. He’s… different,” he mumbled, hoping that, in some way, she could help him feel better, less concerned.

“You and Sir Amos… You have trouble understanding one another.”

“You could say that.” He smiled bitterly again. “We don’t share the same point of view on, well, anything, really. He never forgave me for not being like him.”

“I’m glad you’re not. I like you the way you are.”

His smile was genuine now.

“He wasn’t always like this, you know? There was a time, when I was just a child, when my father was my hero and I wasn’t a disappointment to him.”

“If Sir Amos is disappointed in the great man you have become, then he has a problem.”

He chuckled at her words and the tone of protectiveness in her voice.

“I miss him, though.”

“What changed?”

“He changed. Well, to be fair, I guess we both did. He was… different, ten years ago, before a great tragedy befell one of his greatest friends.” Jack felt Beatrice’s body stiffen suddenly at his words. “Before he found out he was betrayed by him.”

He sighed again, holding her closer. “He became more distant, colder, cynical. I don’t know. I guess it was too much of a disappointment - one amongst many, I mean.”

Beatrice turned to face him, gently rested her hands in his cheeks and kissed him with passion. He gleefully returned it, bringing her closer to him.

“Now that’s the right way to cheer me up,” he said, once she broke the kiss, grinning with mischief.

She blushed lightly but returned the grin. “I can say the same.”

“Oh, you need cheering up, too?” He faked a surprised expression that quickly became playful and devilish. “Why didn’t you say so?” He rested his hand on the back of her head, griping at her hair and kissed her deeply again.

They were suddenly interrupted by someone entering the room with haste. They quickly parted from the kiss and looked at the door.

Hannah Vincent stood there, looking paler than usual, her pretty eyes widened and her mouth opened in shock. Jack lost a bit of his color as well and Beatrice quickly got out of his lap, blushing with embarrassment. Hannah’s expression changed from surprise, to slight anger in a few seconds.

“Oh, I’m… so sorry to interrupt.” She didn’t seem apologetic at all.

“You should knock,” was Jack’s dry response.

Hannah’s beautiful face turned into a deeper frown. A few moments of heavy silence were installed, until Beatrice finally broke it.

“I… I should go.”

When she walked past him, Jack grabbed her hand. “No, you don’t have to. Stay.”

Hannah wasn’t even making an attempt to disguise her feelings, she looked angrier than ever. Beatrice looked at him, a smile of care and gratitude on her features.

“No, I really should be going, Jack. I have work to do. Better get to it before Madam Price notices my absence.”

He nodded and let go of her hand. Beatrice left, doing her mighty best not to devote a single glance towards the blonde beauty still paralyzed at the room’s entrance.

Once she was gone, Hannah finally stepped further into the room. She paced back and forth for a while, as Jack remained sited, observing her. She finally stopped and looked at him with a bitter smile.

“So… You and Beatrice, huh?”

He just nodded as a response, his calm expression of delight never leaving his face.

“Is she your newest distraction, then?”

He frowned a little at the intended insult. “No. She’s much more than that.”

Her eyes widened. “Really?” she spoke in a tone of disbelief that would seem rude if she didn’t sound so genuinely taken back, though she tried to hide it. She seemed to quickly put it behind her though, for the hair of pride and confidence was back to her expression and stance. She walked closer to him, smiling. “Let’s just be honest, Jack. You and I both know that you’re just doing this to try to forget me, maybe even to get a reaction out of me.”

Jack smirked. “I thought you didn’t care.”

“I don’t.”

“So long as I think of you.”

“That’s right.”

“When I’m with Bea…” Hannah flinched at the name and Jack smiled wider. “I think about her. Not you or anyone else.”

“Oh, so that’s what this is about.” She smiled with confidence and relief. “Are you trying to get back at me? Trying to make me jealous? Trying to make me angry?” She sat on his lap and rested her hand in his chest, whispering in a sensual tone, “It’s not working."

“I’m glad,” he replied, dryly again. Jack removed her hand from his chest and got up from the chair, making to leave. He would not let her seduce him. He had to fight it and leave before it was too late. She had a strong hold on him, as pathetic as it made him feel, he knew she could make him hers again, like she had a powerful spell over him. He really didn’t want to give in to her.

She grabbed his arm, though, making him stop still. He stiffened at her touch.

“We both know she is just another one. No matter how hard you try to fool yourself into believing otherwise, you know that, at the end of the day, you will get bored and leave her, like you always do. Because you know, as well as I do, that no one can replace me in your heart.”

“You know, Hannah…” he started, before he sighed. He turned to face her. There was no hint of playfulness, cheer or amusement in the Jack that stood before her. “I’m tired of the hold you have over me. I will break it. I’m tired of running for second. Why would I, when I can be someone’s number one? Beatrice… makes me happy. She lets me be me. I feel relieved with her, like a huge burden has been lifted up from my shoulders. I feel the sort of thing I’ve been searching for with you and that you have denied me. I found someone who is not afraid to choose me. I will stand by her. Beatrice is special to me. I care for her, I will not hurt her.”

The pain in Hannah’s face made him feel terrible. It hurt him, as well. He meant every single word he had said, but it was still painful to say. He didn’t enjoy hurting her. As much as he cared, liked and was attracted to Beatrice, Hannah still held his love - but, if it depended on him, not for long. He was determined to let her go, no matter how much it cost. No matter how much he wanted to hold her right now, he wouldn’t.

“What about us?” she whispered, fear blatant in her features.

“I’m tired of us, Hannah,” he told her with honesty, but also sadness, as if he was defeated. “There is no us. There is you and my brother and now me and Bea. As much as it is painful, it is necessary. It’s time we finally do the right thing. You and me… it’s wrong. It’s the worst kind of wrong. Me and Beatrice… it feels right. She makes me happy.”

He struggled against her hold, getting free of her and her burning touch. He turned his back to the woman he loved and opened the door. Before he left, he looked her in the eyes and smiled.

“Go to your future husband, Hannah. He needs you right now.”