Atrum Visum

I first wrote this almost 20 years ago. I put it away and recently brought it out. It needs updating, editting and reworking. This is the beginning draft.


She had been trying to find a job for the better part of a month. Finally, in desperation, she answered the unusual ad in a small local
weekly paper; the ad advertising a position as a light housekeeper and
companion for a well to do gentleman. It really wasn't the sort of job
she was interested in but at this point she was glad to have the prospect
of any kind of employment. The money was getting low and her landlord was
getting impatient, often hinting that if some kind of payment wasn't made
on the rent soon, she would be without a place to sleep.
The ad led her to a small dingy office in a rather seedy part of
town; an office identified only by the address and a small sign on the
window reading "SPECIALTY SERVICES". The office was tended by a
grandmotherly looking woman who, when the young woman entered, smiled
broadly, offered a chair, and asked which ad had attracted the young
ladies attention. The young woman replied that the ad for a light
housekeeper had brought her here and the matronly woman behind the desk
nodded in a knowing manner.
"That ad generates quite a few responses, but unfortunately very few
who apply seem to find the job appealing after the initial interview. We
really don't know what the problem is, for the applicants we send very
rarely return to report why they didn't take the job. The gentleman is
retired, lives alone and keeps a full staff during the day, however the
position he is seeking to fill is a live in housekeeper, to be on hand to
serve as his after hours requirements may dictate. What those
requirements are, I have no idea. If you are interested in interviewing,
I will make an appointment and you may ask any questions you might have
of the retired gentleman."
Nodding her reply, the young woman quietly completed the application
and received a letter of introduction and the address of the house. The
card indicated that the interview was not scheduled until 4:30 PM, a
rather unusual time for an interview the young woman thought, but
dismissed the item from her mind as she began to think what she would
wear to impress an old retired man who required full time assistance.
Anyway, she thought, if he's in that bad of shape, it should be a safe
enough job.
The cab driver had some problem finding the address, it being an
isolated road, not frequently traveled and leading only to the estate
upon which the large French baroque mansion stood. A stately row of beech
trees lined each side of the long curving drive approaching the house
and, to each side, stretched finely manicured lawns and gardens,
populated with statuary and fountains. To her surprise, a doorman was
waiting to assist her from the cab and into the entry, indicating that
she was expected. The house was magnificent, finely furnished and
obviously decorated by some one with fine taste and elegant manners. The
doorman quietly took her wrap and led her to a doorway, indicating that
she was to enter and wait for the interview inside.
The room was a mans study, paneled with dark wood and furnished with
well used leather furnishings. A huge desk dominated one area of the
room, while most of the light was provided by a roaring fire in the
largest hearth she had ever seen. As she drank in the warmth and
richness of the room, she failed to notice the almost hidden door at the
far side of the room quietly open and close. She was startled when the
deep masculine voice spoke from the shadows. "Good evening, you must be
Kris."
Turning quickly, she was aware of a scent of woodsmoke and hay; as
she searched the shadows, a figure seemed to grow from the dim recesses
of the study. He appeared to be anywhere from 25 to 40, his face having
that slightly weathered look of an active outdoor man which betrayed no
definite age yet instilled a sense of purpose and determination. He
appeared only slightly taller physically than she, yet, even from across
the room, he seemed to control everything in the room. He gave the
impression that he was the absolute master of everything he saw or
wanted.
His hair was dark and flecked with gray, his deep gray eyes were
intense, seeming to notice everything at once. He was obviously active,
both physically and mentally, moving with easy grace. As he crossed the
room to stand before her, she felt a stirring within which was quite
unsettling, causing a slight tremor to move through her body.
A slight break in her voice betrayed the unease which she felt as
she asked, "Are you the caretaker, or butler, or the manger of the
estate?" Without warning a sudden and deep laugh escaped from his lips as
a broad smile seemed to flow across his face. "I guess that might be the
impression from the way I am dressed and the way I smell, but no, I am
the Marquis DeLargo, the Master of this estate. Are you Kris, from the
agency?"
Taken aback by finding so youthful and vigorous a prospective
employer, a far cry from what she expected, she answered, "Yes, but the
lady at the office said you were a retired gentleman, in need of a full
time housekeeper and assistant." "She did not lie," the Marquis replied
" I am retired and I do need a full time housekeeper, however the
position is quite special and requires a certain kind of person. The job
is more than a housekeeper, it requires that you live on the property,
that you be in charge of the house, and, most especially, that you act as
my hostess at the many social functions which I host. The position pays
a handsome salary, includes a private apartment in the mansion, a
generous clothing allowance, and the use of the motor cars, drivers and
other staff. If you are interested, I would like for you to dine with me
this evening and let my tell you in more detail exactly what the position
requires and what advantages it has to offer. Is that agreeable?"