Two for Tea (Lady C) FIN

[HENRY JEKYLL/EDWARD HYDE]

Most people have a reason for doing things. You know something that propels them to act in a certain way or say certain things. It is a rare case in which Edward actually has a legitimate reason for why he does anything. For the most part you could probably argue that he does things just because it’s fun or because he can or because you don’t want him to do it. All of them are valid but, good luck figuring out which one applies to what situation. You’re better off just throwing your hands up in the air and accepting that he just does things.

So as Edward flicked the latch of the window with a hairpin it was anyone’s guess as to why he so desperately wanted to gain entrance to that glorious looking house. The window had to be at least twice the size of Edward and he stood a good six feet tall. He felt a wave of nausea as he stepped into the room. Is this how the rich really live? It’s just so gaudy and sterile. He felt his lip twitching into a snarl. When he finally struck it big in the cash department he was not going to decorate like this. No, he was going to IKEA. That’s where it’s at.

He immediately spotted the steaming pot of tea situated on the coffee table. Which made him think that it was ironic or asinine that it should be called a coffee table when other things were always served on it. Sliding onto the elegant couch he poured himself a cup. It smelled intoxicating, and Ed wasn’t usually the type for what he called “dainty-gay-man’s-drinks” but, this was exquisite. Cinnamon, orange, and chamomile; he closed his eyes as he brought the cup to his lips. The liquid burned his tongue but, with a dash of sugar tasted almost magical. This is why people got rich, wasn’t it? It wasn’t for the fancy cars or shimmering chandeliers, it was for the fucking tea.

Lounging on the couch, Edward couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if he let Henry take back control. How would the poor doctor react to being in such strange surroundings. It would so humorous to let him deal with the consequences should the owner arrive unexpectedly. But, it wouldn’t be so unexpected, would it? After all, who leaves the house with a boiling brew of tea on the table? Eh, whatever, Edward didn’t really care.

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

Lady Catherine de Bourgh did not like unpleasant surprises. No-one does, generally speaking, but to Lady Catherine even the smallest of unpleasant surprises (running out of tea, as one example) would ruin her entire day (even if the situation was rectified).

Therefore, when she arrived back at Rosings Park from a meeting of Art With A Heart, one of her many charities, and found a strange man lounging on her sofa, drinking her tea, it was evident her week, if not her month, were going to be utterly destroyed.

At first Lady Catherine simply stared, too shocked to find the words she knew she needed to say. But when she did find them they came thick and fast; if the look on her face was anything to go by, Her Ladyship was most seriously displeased.

"Who in God's name do you think you are? And how on Earth did you get into my house?"

Not only was Lady Catherine livid, but she was also very worried. Surely this man would have shown up on the CCTV cameras and been detained before he had even gone up the driveway? And if he hadn't been seen, how had he managed it? If he was a theif, why on Earth would he be helping himself to tea?

In short - what was going on?

[HENRY JEKYLL/EDWARD HYDE]

Edward barely batted an eye as the shrill and utterly shocked voice of Lady Catherine broke the glorious silence of the room. He took another long sip of tea, enjoying the sweet aromas of the steaming liquid. It wasn’t a surprise that she happened upon him in fact, Edward was happy that she did. He was bored and in his current state of mind up for just about anything to break the monotony of life as a doctor’s head-mate. It was exhausting day in and day out.

“Evening Lady C.” Edward replied without turning around. He smiled to himself, Lady C. She wasn’t going to be too happy about that one; was she? He sipped at the tea again before placing it neatly back onto its saucer. “Care for a spot of tea?” He reached for the kettle and began to pour the boiling water over a fresh bag. The smoke billowed above the cup reigniting the wondrous smell of citrus and herbs. Edward closed his eyes for a moment. When he got rich he was going to buy an entire teashop. Edward always imagined moments like this. Although Henry was quite well off and Hyde could (and did) mooch off of him, he still liked to pretend that one day he’d inherent a large sum of money (or steal a large sum of money) and wouldn’t be forced to skim off of Henry’s paychecks.

“One sugar? Two?” he dipped a spoon in the sugar jar. “Perhaps a dash of cream?” He took a deep breath, smiling to himself again. This was too much fun. What would Henry think of all this? He’d be so mad! The thought made Edward grin even more. “Come take a see Cathie, dear. And there’s no need to call Jeeves or Chives or Winston or whatever you call your butlers these days. It’s just me and you.”

Edward swiveled around quickly, holding the cup up. His dark brown eyes caught the light of the moon as it glinted through the window. His hair was unkempt but, surprisingly it suited his face quite nicely, his jaw had the slightest bit of stubble upon it, and his lips as they spread into a wide grin exposed his exceptionally white teeth. “Call me Hyde, Edward Hyde.”

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

“Evening Lady C.”

As if Lady Catherine wasn't shocked enough as it was. It would seem this person, whoever he was, knew her...but had she known who he was and not been shocked as to his presence the informal manner he rendered her name in might have registered. As it was, Lady Catherine was still in a state of utter shock, despite her previous protestations.

“Care for a spot of tea? One sugar? Two? Perhaps a dash of cream? Come take a see Cathie, dear. And there’s no need to call Jeeves or Chives or Winston or whatever you call your butlers these days. It’s just me and you.”

It is often the case that, when one is in a situation of crisis or unease, one will notice certain minute details, trivial and unimportant in relation to what is occurring. Hence why Lady Catherine found herself indignantly thinking of how she detested sugar in her tea and of how wrong this man's grammar was. You and I, not me and you...wait...It's just me and you?

And had he just called her Cathie?

As the stranger turned around where he sat, holding up a teacup, Lady Catherine took note of his features and just how eerie he looked, especially in the moonlight like that. When had it gotten so late?

“Call me Hyde, Edward Hyde.”

Lady Catherine de Bourgh had had enough. If this man thought he could just swan into her home, drink her tea and call her such names as he had done, he had another think coming. Seeming to leave Lady Catherine-like decorum by the wayside, she strode smartly over to where Hyde sat and dealt him a sharp slap across the face.

"My name is Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Not Lady C. Not Cathie. And if you don't leave my home this instant I shall call the police!"

[HENRY JEKYLL/EDWARD HYDE]

Edward’s head tilted to the right as Lady Catherine’s hand contacted with his cheek with a loud crack. He could feel the heat surge to the left side of his face the instant her perfectly manicured fingers abscond… shit Henry. You and your damn vocabulary. Anyway, it hurt a lot, okay? His skin prickled and burned as he moved his lower jaw back and forth. His lips curled into a jovial smirk, his eyes glinting once more in the light of the moon. Edward let out a deep, loud bout of laughter. Then like a cobra snapping its jaw down tight over its prey all the color drained from Edward’s face. His eyes hardened, his lips curled into a sneer, and his hand snatched around her wrist.

The tea cup fell from his other hand, spilling its contents on the wonderfully carpeted floor of Lady Catherine’s home. The china didn’t shatter; it merely made a soft thud and rolled around for a moment before coming to rest on its side. He pulled her in nice and close, staring deep into her eyes. He stretched his neck back and forth, his gaze never leaving hers, his teeth clenching tightly together. Drawing her several inches closer he spoke in short clipped words, “Don’t do that ever again.”

“Now why don’t you sit down?” he snapped as he flung her away from his chest and towards the couch. It was more of a command than a question. Smoothing the front of his shirt he folded his arms behind his back and paced back and forth in front of her. Each step was slow, almost labored, his shoes trekking over the spilt tea each time he passed by her. “And here I was trying to be polite.” Edward chided. “But, you people, you just assume the worst in everyone.”

He paused, bending to reach for his tea. “As for the police. I think you’ll find that your phone lines have been temporarily disabled and your cell phone is no longer tucked away in your handbag.” Oh, Mister Edward Hyde could make a living on pick pocketing alone. Edward spun around, a grin coming back to his lips. He took a long slurping sip of his tea, that devilish twinkle returning to his eye.

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

Lady Catherine was feeling surprisingly proud of herself, her handling of the situation thus far taken into account. She couldn't quite believe what she'd done but reflecting on it she presumed it was the right course of action.

That is, until the man's demeanour changed and he seized her wrist, pulling her far too close for comfort and imparting a threat.

“Don’t do that ever again.”

Clearly hitting him across the face was one of those ideas that seemed right at the time but clearly wasn't. Lady Catherine was unused to making such mistakes, but then she wasn't exactly used to hitting people either.

“Now why don’t you sit down?”

Lady Catherine stumbled slightly as the man pushed her away but took a seat as he commanded. She was clearly shaken by his change in demeanour, as anyone would be, yet she attempted outwardly to retain her usual airs, as though she had control of the situation (although it was painfully obvious she had no control whatsoever).

“And here I was trying to be polite. But, you people, you just assume the worst in everyone.”

Lady Catherine made no reply but simply continued to stare. Knowing this man's name told her nothing...what did Hyde mean by 'you people'? Who was he?

“As for the police. I think you’ll find that your phone lines have been temporarily disabled and your cell phone is no longer tucked away in your handbag.”

Despite the fact she'd endeavoured to hide her inner panic, Lady Catherine couldn't help but search her handbag after Hyde's last impart of news. He was right; her phone was not there.

It's just me and you indeed.

But then...there were other people in the house, weren't there? Anne, Mrs. Jenkinson, the servants? Where were they all? Why weren't any of them coming to her aid?

Lady Catherine looked up from her bag, endeavouring to replace her panicked expression with her usual regal airs, but only succeeding to a degree.

"What do you want?"

This wasn't a timid or hesitant query; it was clear, despite Lady Catherine's new-found fear, that she was still livid. The spilt tea on the carpet was not helping to improve her temper either.

[HENRY JEKYLL/EDWARD HYDE]

Edward could start to feel Henry pushing against him. Although that dimwit still had no clue about Edward he still managed to wiggle and squirm his way back to the surface. Turning away from Lady Catherine for a moment, Edward clenched his jaw, closed his eyes, and made series of strange facial expressions as he began to regain control of the timid Henry. This was not the opportune time for the good doctor to reappear. Not for either of them. Henry wouldn’t be able to explain how he got there, Lady Catherine would slap him, again, and then he’d be carted off to some psychological institute who would devise a way to get Edward subdued permanently. That was NOT going to happen.

“What I want.” he grimaced. “What I want?” A softer voice spoke. Edward made a loud grunting noise as he spun back around. “What I want is,” his eyes narrowed as he smirked. He outstretched his arms to indicate the room, “this.” Edward was light on his feet as he pranced about plucking several expensive looking pieces of jewelry off of a nearby table. “I mean look at this place. It’s glamorous, centrally located, and well stocked with all the food, accommodations, and servants anyone could ever want!”

Edward sauntered back over to his own cup of tea that still sat on the table. Taking a long sip he feasted his eyes back on Lady Catherine, “Don’t worry I’m not going to kill you.” he placed the cup back down on the saucer. Stretching his arms out he took another look at the room. Then he muttered almost absentmindedly, “I’m not in the mood tonight.”

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

Hyde turned away and did not speak for a moment. Lady Catherine was almost on the point of repeating her query when he spoke, although there was something strange in his voice.

“What I want. What I want?”

It had changed. As though it was someone else speaking altogether.

Before Lady Catherine could try and figure out why this was, Hyde had turned back to face her and was talking as he had done before, making grand gestures and moving about the room with great animation. Her Ladyship watched him, transfixed by his words.

And then he said something she didn't expect.

“Don’t worry I’m not going to kill you. I’m not in the mood tonight.”

Somehow the idea of this man being a murderer had not entered Lady Catherine's head up until this point. But now the idea was there it was not going to leave.

"You're...not going to kill me?"

This was said in a tone less of a defiance and more clearly of fear; a question rather than a statement as if to confirm, the situation considered, that she was safe.

[HENRY JEKYLL/EDWARD HYDE]

She was afraid. And Edward was completely convinced his comment about not killing her was going to put her at ease. He was wrong. If anything it made her far more terrified. He could see it in those eyes of hers. There was just this way she looked upon him as if she wanted to stick up her nose and scoff at him but, couldn’t because her lips were quivering too much. She would have looked like a bobble head trying to tilt her head up every time it shook down. The thought brought a smile to his face.

"You're...not going to kill me?" He rolled his eyes. Was she not listening? Hadn’t he just said he wasn’t going to? Rich and stupid? How did these people make all their money? “No Catherine, I’m not going to kill you.” he sighed. He really should have strolled in, taken the most valuable things he could stuff into his pockets, and left. This was becoming far too much of a hassle and he hadn’t even kidnapped her. Not that he planned on it but, these sort of annoyances usually occurred when you had someone tied up in a basement. You know, those rich ladies who are so preoccupied with their property that they forget about themselves. But, Lady Catherine seemed a bit different. She wasn’t completely dehumanized by her wealth. She had fear and that was enough.

“Can I get you that cup of tea now?” he sat on the chair across from her, leaning forward slightly and extending his hand toward the kettle.

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

“No Catherine, I’m not going to kill you.”

Although Lady Catherine should have been relieved at this news, she was still as afraid as before. The fact that this man could very well have killed her if he so chose was enough to scare her - even though he didn't plan to, he could have.

And if that wasn't a terrifying thought then what was?

The way Hyde rolled his eyes indicated to de Bourgh that he thought little of her fearful query. He had told her before she asked that he wouldn't, admittedly, but surely it wasn't wrong to want confirmation of the fact your life was not in danger... at least, not at the present moment?

“Can I get you that cup of tea now?”

Lady Catherine nodded dumbly, deciding it was best to play along and do as this man said, lest she infuriated him again.

[HENRY JEKYLL/EDWARD HYDE]

Edward tilted the kettle pouring the steaming liquid slowly into the cup. The spicy scent of cinnamon pervaded the air, swirling with sweet orange and flowery chamomile. Nothing he said would ever calm the fire that burned in that old bird’ eyes. And while it wasn’t his intention to make her feel comfortable he wanted to appear like some semblance of a gentleman. He was anything but, but appearances are everything these days. The least he could do was be civil. Or, as civil as he could be while still getting what he wanted.

That’s when his mind began to wander back to her question a while back. What did he want? Even now, as he stood pouring her a cup of tea, Edward wasn’t sure what he wanted. Was it gold? Jewels? What? He left the tea without sugar and cream and slid it across the table toward her. It was far enough away from him that she wouldn’t feel too afraid to lean in and grab it but, near enough for him to keep solid eye contact when she did. As he looked up on her he began to recognize that he wasn’t here for material gain. This was all emotional. He wanted to have power over someone because he had lost all control of his own self. Having to hide behind Henry all the time was driving him nuts. But, that’s how the money continued to roll in and it was the perfect alibi. No one would ever suspect a kind doctor.

Even so, it was absolutely maddening. Leaning back he took another sip of his tea, he wondered if she’d be able to sip at the tea or if she’d quake too much as she brought the cup to her lips. “You’ve got a very nice home, Catherine.” he finally said. It was a compliment, wasn’t it? That had to count for something.

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

As Hyde poured the tea Lady Catherine's eyes never left him, as though she was trying to anticipate his next move. Of course, she knew she couldn't predict him, but it still gave her a degree of calm to have him in her line of vision.

She continued to watch him as he slid the tea across the table to her, without cream or sugar. This minute detail went a little way to lightening her mood, despite how trivial it was and the fact that Hyde would have not the faintest clue as to how she took her tea. As silly as this detail was, it meant Lady Catherine was not as reluctant as she might have been to reach across and pick up the cup.

“You’ve got a very nice home, Catherine.”

Ordinarily, Lady Catherine would have been infuriated at Hyde's way of addressing her, particularly since she had reminded him of her title in such a forceful way before. But now she knew it was best not to irritate him and, as she wasn't about to ask him politely to address her correctly (and asking i her usual haughty manner wouldn't help matters) she decided it was best to just ignore it.

"Thank you," she said. Her voice was steadier than it had been before, now that she knew the score and what was at stake. In an attempt to further adjust herself to the scenario she took a small sip of tea. It was such a familiar flavour and yet in this situation its familiarity ceased to be a comfort. It was as though she was worried it would be taken away, just like the rest of her wealth.

Wasn't that what Hyde wanted?

[HENRY JEKYLL/EDWARD HYDE]

Edwards leaned his head down, his eyes moving from his cup to Catherine and back slowly. He swirled his tea around the bottom of the cup watching the tiny particles of leaves and spices spin and twirl like dirt in the wind. He couldn’t think of a better metaphor. Henry was the poetic one. This wasn’t quite as much fun as he would have hoped. It started off dynamic and dangerous but, now that she was just sitting across from him all complacent and shit, Edward couldn’t help but wish he’d been more like Henry. He stopped himself there, he’d never wanted that before. Henry made plans which would have been a very good idea about now. But, he was so… so… Henry. He was nerdy and poetic and spontaneous in way that Hyde wasn’t. Hyde was spontaneous in a treacherous, no regard for humanity sort of way.

Edward pursed his lips, “I think it is fair to assume I can just go ahead and skip the pleasantries.” Hyde placed his cup back down on the table. “I’ve always been fond of the pleasantries.” he muttered under his breath. But, it would appear that Lady Catherine was too shocked for words. Which, was kind of a relief, Edward didn’t really like the way she addressed him any how. He stood up suddenly and began pacing across the floor. Edward felt jittery and wild; moving hopefully would relieve him of it. He always felt so damn caged; like the walls were always closing in around him. When he had enough money he was going to buy one of those Italian Villas and keep all the doors and windows open all the time. He’d even buy a yacht or maybe just a sailboat so he could just float out on the open ocean.

“I have absolutely reason why I do what I do; I just want you to know that. I have no motives. Only this blood lust burning a hole in my chest.” he paused his pacing for a moment, his eyes gazing off as if in deep contemplation. “I am compelled.” He snapped his gaze back toward Catherine his voice was soft, almost innocent, “I can do anything I please, anything at all. Why? Because I have no fear. No fear and no remorse. I can steal, lie, cheat, and kill without a thought.”

He took a deep breath, “Are you afraid, Lady Catherine?”

[LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH]

“I think it is fair to assume I can just go ahead and skip the pleasantries. I’ve always been fond of the pleasantries.”

Lady Catherine was curious as to what part of breaking into someone's house constituted pleasantries, but decided it was best to keep such a comment to herself.

“I have absolutely reason why I do what I do; I just want you to know that. I have no motives. Only this blood lust burning a hole in my chest. I am compelled.”

In all honesty, Lady Catherine was not all that surprised to hear that this man had no motives for what he did. Thus far he had proven himself to be that sort of character. But then, he must have a reason. Everyone has a reason to do things. Wasn't his reason for breaking in stealing some jewels or something equally criminally cliché?

“I can do anything I please, anything at all. Why? Because I have no fear. No fear and no remorse. I can steal, lie, cheat, and kill without a thought.”

The man's change in tone was alarming; before he had sounded so sinister, so ferocious, yet now he sounded strangely innocent, soft and calm. It didn't suit him, and this worried the already terrified Lady Catherine.

When Hyde took a deep breath, Lady Catherine became all the more fearful.. what could he possibly say next to alarm her further? He could steal, lie, cheat and kill without a thought, without remorse. What sort of a creature was he? Not a man, more of a monster.

“Are you afraid, Lady Catherine?”

"Why shouldn't I be, after what you just told me?" Her Ladyship snapped, finding the strength to be defiant once more as she thought she had Hyde riddled out.

[HENRY JEKYLL/EDWARD HYDE]

“Quite right.” was his response. She should be absolutely terrified, that was the truth. He’d done quite a lot to invade her personal privacy and that alone should have instilled some fear in her. Not to mention the physical force and the rather blunt statements about his past killings. Eh, what ever. He didn’t really care if she was scare or not; just that she was listening. Edward Hyde wanted an audience. He’d been trapped behind Henry for so long that fifteen minutes in the spotlight was really all he needed.

He glanced around the room for a moment, his eyes spotting a collection of liquor bottles. A smirk came to his lips, this was better. He sauntered around the couch and reached for the first container. It had a honey colored liquid inside that smelled like brandy. Edward pulled the glass stopper off and wiped it with his shirt before letting it drop to the floor. No need to leave finger prints around. He poured two glasses, assuming that Lady Catherine would probably need a little courage. He took a long sip as he walked back toward her. Thrusting out the second glass toward her he spoke once more, “You have excellent taste in alcohol.”

Edward took another sip, his tongue lightly flicking out of his mouth the catch the drops on his lips. “I mean, this is god-like.” his slight accent was starting to appear. Henry did a decent job of toning down his Scottish but, Edward didn’t mind so much. It was just another thing that would separate them. This worked twofold, one, it allowed Edward to be his own self and two, it made it harder to pin anything on Henry if Edward were to get caught. Who would suspect that bumbling fool? “So why don’t we talk about another one of your collections. I’m told you have some very expensive trinkets.”