On September 7th of 1886, a gale blew into London from the sea. It was just like in our history books when a great storm destroyed the Spanish armada that threatened our island. Perhaps I should have sensed some foreshadowing within that storm, but mostly my hem was soaked and I was more concerned for the books in my carpet bag than whether the rain clouds were prophesying my doom overhead.

"Oh my dear- Stella, child-" Uncle Hastie declared as I trudged into his parlor.

"I'm terribly sorry for the mud-"

"Please, don't trouble yourself. Sit over here by the fire. It's quite warm. The last thing we need is for you to catch a chill. Though I dare say, you are a most remarkable woman to have traveled so far alone. You are quite a wonder."

A roll of thunder swept over the smoggy city. Taking my elbow, Hastie led me towards his rich hearth and the high backed chair by the iron grate. An old hound with a gray snout rustled himself from a light doze and trotted towards his master. Hastie gave him an absent minded scratch between his floppy ears.

"Good boy, Smithy. Sit," Hastie commanded.

A sharp whistle sounded from across the room. Another flash of lightening illuminated the drenched garden beyond the French doors. I jumped a little, but had the decency not to squeal. Thunder cracked as I perceived a character standing by the bookshelf with a delicate china cup in large hands. He was a tall man with a thick head of brown hair, touched silver at the temples, yet the face was strong, young. He was in every way how a upstanding man of good society should appear.

He patted the dog at his side then took a sip of his tea. He nodded to me silently and didn't speak. Not that he should address me first before introduction. I overrode my curiosity for good manners as I lowered myself into the chair and removed the black, netted veil from my face.

"Here, this will set you to rights," Hastie said, handing me a steaming cup of tea from the obliging tray. I noted that it was filled with cakes and biscuits as well. My uncle's sweet tooth had not abated with age, something apparent in the pouch beneath his waistcoat. "Then you must have a scone. The raspberry jam is delightful this time of year."

"Thank you," I replied, letting myself relax in the warmth of the familiar company, at least that of Hastie, and a cup of tea. The rattle of horse hooves on cobblestone was the only sound that broke the stillness as the storm moved east. "I won't trouble you for long, uncle. I only came to pay my respects before I am to continue on to my employer's. My apologies for interrupting you."

"Please, niece, you weren't interrupting me in the slightest. This is one of my oldest friends, Dr. Henry Jekyll. Henry, this is my niece, Mrs. Estella Green."

"How do you do, Mrs. Green," he said with a congenial smile. His shirt and jacket fit perfectly and his shoes shone in the reflection of the fire.

"How do you do."

It was a simple enough exchange, but he wasn't dismissive of me, even as a poor relation to his friend. His gaze never strayed, the mouth never tightened smugly. It was almost as though he were sincere.

"We were waiting for another friend from our school days, but it seems he's been detained. But the pleasure of your company is much more welcome." Hastie was always good for guiding possibly awkward social situations. He was all kindness and good intentions. "Again, my sincere condolences for the loss of your husband. I am sorry that I was unable to stay long after the funeral, my obligations at the university called me back to London."

"Uncle, you've done more than enough for me during this time. I am more than grateful for your generosity," I reassured him, reaching across the space between us and grasping his wrist. 

"Estella is to take a position as a governess for the Findlay family."

An odd air fell over the room at the mention of my employer's name. Dr. Jekyll's tall, broad form stiffened, but he managed another smile. I looked away, inexplicably uncomfortable.

"For the twins?" He asked kindly.

"Y-yes," Hastie stuttered, as though regretting his choice of words. "They are of age now."

"I hear they are lovely girls, very bright. We went to school with their father as well," Jekyll continued. "Have you any previous experience in teaching, Mrs. Green?"

"No, but I did complete my schooling with high marks."

"One of the most brilliant in her class, a feat even at a girls' academy," Hastie said, making his way to the tea tray for another scone.

"What did you find your best subject, Mrs. Green?"

"Science," I replied without hesitation, earning a half grin from Jekyll. My face warmed, but I could not say if it was from the fire or his earnest attention. "I hope to find my pupils just as eager."

"Damnable weather!" A man near shouted from the hallway. 

I jolted and looked over at my uncle in shock. Hastie shoved what was left of his biscuit in a his mouth and blinked towards the parlor door in shock. Another man with a rough, but handsome countenance, burst into the room. Where Dr. Jekyll was controlled and pristine, this man gleamed with rainwater and sweat, his collar awry, and his face a scowl of frustration.

"Apologies, Hastie," he said gruffly, shoving his great coat at the butler.

Hastie cleared his throat. "Utterson, this is my niece that we spoke of earlier this week, Mrs. Estella Green. Estella, this is Mr. Gabriel Utterson."

"How'd you do," he muttered, smoothing his ruffled hair back with a grimace.

I nodded and attempted a smile. "I don't wish to intrude on your hospitality, uncle, and I really must continue on to the Findlays'."

"Of course, of course!" Hastie declared, taking my cup and saucer from me as I rose. "Let's dine as soon as you are able. I want to catch up!"

"Certainly," I said with a small smile. "If your man could call a cabriolet for me, it sounds like the weather is clearing."

"Might I be so bold as to offer my own coach to you, Mrs. Green?" Dr. Jekyll set down his cup and walked towards me.

I wet my lips, unsure how to proceed. I didn't want to appear untoward if it was only a obligated gesture of his after a disastrous tea time. "How good of you, doctor, but I don't wish to cause any inconvenience."

"There is no inconvenience at all, I assure you," Dr. Jekyll said, leading me towards the door. "I will have Hastie's butler call it around."

I bid Hastie farewell. Mr. Utterson ignored me as I ignored him, his whiskered face shoved deep into his tea cup. I was glad to be leaving his company early. What my uncle could want with such an odious man was beyond me, despite their shared history.

"I apologize for my friend," Dr. Jekyll spoke as we walked towards the front hall of Hastie's townhouse. "Utterson is a good man, just given to certain... passions."

"And are you not, Dr. Jekyll?" The words popped out of my mouth so unexpectedly, I shocked even myself. Swiftly, I pulled my black veil over my face to hide the color in my cheeks.

"Given to passion?" He blinked then gave that half smirk that he had bestowed upon me earlier. "Aren't we all, Mrs. Green? Indeed, aren't we all."

He even walked me down to the cobblestones with an umbrella held aloft over my head. All in all, my first meeting with Dr. Jekyll was memorable. In the months to come, I often reminded myself of that first lovely impression that he gave, if only to maintain my own sanity.