The Ruby Necklace (1) The Ruby Necklace (a story set in Victorian times) You could feel the silence in the lane on that winter morning ; the cold, the wind, the silence, it all came together. And then a carriage whirled past and you felt it whirling past! Frederika felt it! She felt the carriage beside her on this cold winter morning. She felt too the flight of this carriage for the 'flight of the carriage' was like an object, an exterior object. Yes it was a real object, flying and racing forward over the cobbles! And then outside the town was the house where she was to take her new position as a maid ; It was a position she was taking up with indifference. Jackson had told her about a job as a maid. He wanted her to work as a maid for the Denbys and she accepted this. For she owed Jackson money and it was the only way to pay off her debt. And Jackson was a friend as well. Actually he was a friend above all to many of the women who fell on hard times. She was one of his girls and anyway she couldn't afford to reject opportunities; Opportunities to earn money, opportunities for shelter and food. She couldn't take these for granted any more. As she thought about all this, looking too at the carriage in the distance, she began to feel bitter. Was the carriage going to the Denbys' house? Perhaps so, she thought, and maybe she too would ride in a carriage like this one day! She would fulfil her duty to Jackson. She would pay off the debt. But suddenly a vague thought began to take hold of her. Yes she owed him money but she felt suddenly that there was a real opportunity for her to earn more than what she owed him and become free, start a new life. There was something strange and interesting about this new position as a maid. Jackson seemed to know the Denbys. Maybe he wanted her to work as a sort of spy. Maybe Jackson would ask her to steal all the bronze and silver she could lay her hands on! Oh it was a dark world that Jackson lived in but it was now her own world and she did what Jackson wanted. She had to! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mrs Denby looked at Frederika polishing the silver and smiled to herself. She wasn't asking herself why a girl like Frederika was here. For she knew girls like Frederika had to earn a living! She felt too that Frederika was a city girl; a city girl in the country. But she observed something strange about this girl, this girl of twenty or so years of age. There was a carelessness about her but there was also a strange meticulousness as well; something like this! Then Mrs Denby looked again at this girl. Yes Frederika would work mainly in the kitchen but she would have access to the drawers, her own bedroom and then all the secrets of the house. However Mrs Denby didn't think about this for long. It was not a problem! She had no real secrets anyway. She looked again at Frederika but turned away suddenly. For Mrs Denby didn't like to think about things for long and in this way she was similar to Frederika. Then Mrs Denby turned and went into the sitting room and sat down in a deep armchair near the window. Frederika entered and glanced at her. 'Sorry, Ma'am, I'm polishing the silver', she said. Mrs Denby didn't answer. She turned to look out of the window and then turned back to the new maid. 'I'm going to the city this afternoon�, Mrs Denby said suddenly, 'You belong to the city, don't you? '. Frederika turned. She felt an excitement rush in her; yes the memory of the city and that life! But why did Mrs Denby address her like this? Frederika looked directly at Mrs Denby and almost into her eyes. She saw the young flesh of Mrs Denby but still she was probably about thirty because there was a maturity and confidence about the lady. She had dark hair and sharp fearful eyes. Then Mrs Denby said suddenly: �'Don't look at me like that. I address you, you turn and address me properly, address me, address me properly', Mrs Denby repeated almost angrily but Frederika felt there was nothing personal about this verbal attack. She could have said this to anyone. Mrs Denby continued to sit still in the armchair as Frederika tried to concentrate on polishing the silver. There was an uncomfortable silence as Frederika felt the woman was watching her. Still maybe the woman was just looking out of the window and that was what Mrs Denby was doing. Then Mrs Denby rose suddenly and left the room. Later Frederika asked the other servant about the mistress. For there were only three servants and one worked part-time. Yes the mistress can be tempestuous and you'd be best to keep on her side, they said. The master is away but when he's away, his wife is in charge. Still she fears her husband in some way and this fear seems to be taking control of her, they said. I can see it myself, she is a woman of contradictions, Miss, if you will, a woman of contradictions, the said. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Sir, how long do you want me to stay with the Denbys ?', Frederika asked Jackson who sat across from her in the coffee house. Jackson looked out of the window and then turned and glanced quickly at the girl. 'So long, Freddie as you replace the mistress�s ruby necklace', he said carelessly. Freddie listened but what he said didn�t surprise her. So there was something criminal about this whole adventure. Freddie knew that Jackson would ask her to steal something so she was quiet now. And she didn�t ask a question as Jackson looked at her again. Jackson was about thirty too. He was a sharp, eager man and he looked closely at the girl. Above all she was a friend and he wanted to talk to her on equal terms. She owed him for help he had given but really he could have forgiven the debt because there was a kindness and honour about him also. Then Jackson sat back and tried to talk to Frederika as a confidante. He continued, 'And let time pass so that she doesn't realize that the real necklace is gone and then Freddie you can leave the position if you want', he answered as he fingered his hat beside him. They were silent again and then Freddie spoke: �Is it in her drawer and you want me to replace it with a fake ..or just steal it?� Jackson answered quickly: �Yes, but I�ll tell you about what you have to do.� Then he said suddenly: 'Have you spoken to Mrs Denby?' 'Yes, Sir, I have', Frederika answered carefully. She was always careful in her words with Jackson. It was out of a mixture of fear and a peculiar kind of respect for him. Then Jackson seemed to become interested. 'Do you know who she is?', he asked. Frederika wondered quickly why he asked this. There was suddenly something strange and mysterious about everything. The sun began to stream into the cafe but she could still see Jackson clearly as she looked quickly into his eyes. 'What do you mean?', Frederika asked. 'I mean, dear Freddie, what is she like? What are her weaknesses, have you seen the necklace?' 'Of course not, you only told me about it now. I only know now what I have to do', Frederika spoke spontaneously and without fear. There was something strong about the girl and Jackson respected this. It was one of the reasons that he gave her this job of stealing the ruby necklace. 'Well, dear', Jackson said, 'you will repay your debt if you replace this necklace with this false necklace and that's it', he answered as he pawed the fake necklace in his hand. Then he put it in his pocket and rose from his seat. 'I will give you the fake necklace when I think it is time', he said looking down at Frederika. Then he left her. Frederika stayed in the seat for some minutes after he left. Then she rose and walked to the station. Frederika got the train down to the country town, which was an hour from the city. She sat in a carriage alone and remembered her aunt in Australia. If she could, she would take this ruby necklace and go to Australia! Just go! There was nothing stopping her. What was stopping her? Nothing except Jackson perhaps but he was nothing compared to the freedom in Australia, and she had no chance here either. No chance of marriage! That is if she wanted to get married! For she felt her name was stained but still she didn't really mind. This was her life but still she'd like a fresh start again. It would be nice to do something for her mother as well; do something legitimate, recognized by law and society. And maybe this ruby necklace was the answer. Oh such a jewel, it was red, she thought, beyond law and society! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frederika walked in the cold winter air to the local butcher's shop. She had worked with Mrs Denby for three weeks. It was peaceful around her now as she walked and the winter cold pierced her like the winter sun. For in this winter, there was sun and cold together. You felt that the weather and the atmosphere around was all a mix of sun, cold, wind. She knew the woman in the butchers� shop. Sometimes they talked together but still there wasn�t much to talk about! Frederika felt that the old woman was indifferent to her and Frederika got the impression too that the old woman had put her in some type; the type that would never succeed in life. Still the old woman treated her with respect like a daughter or granddaughter in some way. 'I used to want to work as a maid when I was younger', Frederika said, �but I left after a few months� 'But you're still young, pet', the old woman answered her. 'I'm twenty but I've been through so much. I'm paying off a debt someone and I was told about this job' she began to say. The shop was quiet and Frederika didn't know what to say to the woman. However she didn�t mind the old woman knowing some part of her life. The woman listened. Then Frederika asked, as the woman lifted a cup of water to her lips: 'Who is Mrs Denby?' I don�t know other than she is the wife of Henry Denby. He works in law, I believe, in the city and he�s away a lot. She seems lonely, yes a lonely woman', the woman said. Then Frederika said suddenly, 'There are no children, are there?' 'No, why do you ask?', the woman said indifferently. 'No reason,' Frederika said quickly. She had no reason to ask the question either. 'Are they rich?', Frederika asked. 'Yes, you see the house', the woman said briefly and bluntly but then the old woman lifted her head. Frederika looked at her and was quiet. Frederika was surprised suddenly by the peace and quietness in the shop and she began to remember what Jackson had said: To get the ruby necklace, take the real one and replace it. But how would she do that? Then in the cold air of the shop, she began to think of Mrs Denby. She had never thought of her so clearly before. But then she stopped. Mrs Denby was like a mirror, Frederika felt. And she felt strangely that there was some strange similarity between herself and the mistress of the house. Was Mrs Denby in some way herself?, she wondered but she knew the question was irrational. Or maybe more mysterious than irrational. Still they were alike in some way. But she didn't really know! For Frederika didn't really know herself. And as Frederika didn't know herself, she didn't know anyone like herself. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mrs Denby sat in the sitting room looking outside the window. She was not looking at the maid who was cleaning the room. As Mrs Denby gazed out of the window, Frederika looked closely at her face. She noticed then how young she was but still there was that maturity about her; her skin was pale and fresh. Suddenly Mrs Denby spoke and addressed the girl. She saw it was Frederika. 'I�m scared, Frederika'. Frederika turned and looked at her. Mrs Denby had addressed her by her first name before. This wasn�t new but now Frederika knew that Mrs Denby wanted to know her better. She had felt in the days before that Mrs Denby wanted to talk to her and treat her as a friend. Then Mrs Denby added: 'Don't answer. I know you think I'm strange. But it's night now and you're the only one here and I feel like talking. You're fortunate because you will hear my secrets..well if I have them,' Mrs Denby now looked closely at Frederika as Frederika stopped what she was doing and tried to put herself in the position of a 'listener'. Mrs Denby continued: 'I don't have secrets but my husband, he has his lover. I know that he has one in the city. I'm so lonely and angry.. I mean Frederika.. what does he not like, what does he not like in me, Frederika.' Frederika didn't know what to say. 'Ma'am, I don't know, Ma'am, it�s not for me to say', she said. 'Is it for you to say?', Mrs Denby smiled and then Frederika smiled. 'Oh I see you're a flirt, Frederika', she said. Then Mrs Denby became serious and rose from her armchair. 'But my husband, he's not my husband now! I don't know why I married him, or him me. But we were in love.. I'm an actress', she turned quickly around to Frederika. 'I still am', she said histrionically. 'I like to act. and I was fortunate, you know, in marrying Henry. Not for money or anything'. Frederique looked directly at her. 'Oh Frederika, you think it's about money, but I'm tired, tired. I'm thirty .. I so miss the world', she said and she added suddenly, 'Oh Frederika, come with me to the city, as a friend, to see the shops, please!' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- They walked down the streets of the city. They walked deeper and deeper into the old world. The sun was strong now and after the long day, it seemed natural for the sun to beat down as the evening approached. Frederika followed her young mistress into a coffee shop where they sat down. Then Mrs Denby rose to go the counter and Frederika watched her young mistress talk to the woman there. She saw again her pale skin and her slender frame. There was something strange about her. Frederika felt so comfortable with her. Why did Mrs Denby accept her as a friend? Wasn�t she meant to be a maid? Still Mrs Denby was an actress, she knew that. She knew she spoke in a theatrical way and she knew still that Mrs Denby was not telling her anywhere near the truth! �Was she from these parts as well?, Frederika wondered. Outside the coffee house were the streets where she had wandered at one time almost in penury and desperation. But now she was with this young woman. For she didn't feel the woman as a mistress anymore and maybe this young mistress wanted Frederika to be a friend as well. Then as Frederika sat, a man saluted her. He was a coachman who worked in the area. 'You know this place?�, Mrs Denby asked, as she sat down, 'I know him', Frederika said softly and lazily. Mrs Denby looked closely at her. Then she saw Frederika looking at her neck and clothes. For Frederika had suddenly thought of the necklace. It was time to steal it! But then she saw Mrs Denby looking directly at her. She looked quickly down at her tea as the young mistress looked outside. Frederika didn't think it strange that they were in a coffee house on the edge of her old home area. For she knew this was a popular area but the sun made her mind heavy and as she glanced at her mistress, there was a panic and fear in her. It was the presence of Jackson. She felt his presence around the place. She must steal the necklace! She tried to look at her mistress' neck again but it was not there. Where was the necklace? Then Frederika remembered clearly Jackson asking her 'what are Madame's weaknesses'. Suddenly as this question came back to her, Mrs Denby spoke: 'I lived here in this area, Frederika, you know', then she added, 'You look tired, Frederika', And she was right for Frederique suddenly felt weak. Was it possible that this young woman, a mistress in the country, might know her, her friends or even Jackson in some way? This woman might know her! 'You say you live here also, Frederika? ', Mrs Denby asked. Suddenly the necklace, Jackson and the debt whirled through Frederika�s mind again. 'No I don't. I worked here once�, Frederika lied but the young mistress seemed to see through this. 'Yes'. Then Mrs Denby was quiet and looked directly at Frederika, 'But Frederika, you are like me, I worked here. I lived here. I seduced my husband here. In this world here, I seduced my husband and he loved it', she spoke as an actress but also as a girl of the city and Frederika noticed it. Then she added, 'He loved the seduction.' Mrs Denby was open and candid like the girls Frederika knew, like herself and Frederika began to watch her mistress more closely. Maybe she was just meant to watch her. For she felt that Mrs Denby was giving a show! Well, she was an actress. Maybe it was a show, a piece of theatre! 'Yes, I seduced my husband, It's all about seduction', the other woman said as she looked steadily at Frederika to see how she was receiving these words. Mrs Denby, on her side, felt she had returned to-day to her old world with a girl that 'knew' her, a girl perhaps who had the same roots as her. Maybe she and Frederika were alike! She continued: �He was seduced and now he has tired of his seducer. Yes you've seen Henry. He's a cad, a lover, who likes being in love, like me in some way, yes like me', she stopped. She looked around the coffee house and it was almost empty and then she continued: �But I like acting. You know, acting and 'being in love' or whatever'. Frederique watched her. Then the young mistress said suddenly: 'Are you tiring of me?', she waited for an answer as Frederika looked at her. Then she continued again: 'But Frederika, you must help me, you must' and she looked into Frederika�s eyes. Frederika looked at her and waited for her mistress to continue. Then Mrs Denby looked away at the evening outside. For the day had turned to evening. Frederika felt suddenly that they were two women, two young women, one confiding in the other. Frederika watched the other closely and she tried to put the ruby necklace out of her mind. Outside however, Frederika saw two young men and it made her aware again of this whole ruby necklace affair, the theft. It was a man's plan to replace this necklace! A plan born out of greed or revenge or something! She looked back at her mistress and in a strange way, wanted Mrs Denby to continue talking. Then Mrs Denby spoke, 'So what do you advise me?' Frederique was quiet. 'Do you think I should divorce him?', she asked. 'No Ma'am', Frederique said clearly Mrs Denby looked at her. 'Yes, you're right, Frederika', she said in a clear maybe sad way. 'But he has a lover and that is what I want to tell you. And when I look at this world outside.. I lived here Frederika, I did,� she said. She stopped suddenly and then continued, �Yes divorce is not for me. Never. But what if the marriage is a mistake. I'm not meant for that world, that house', Frederika felt that to an outsider, the young Mrs Denby may not have been making sense but to her, Frederika, she was and she was beginning to like the woman. Mrs Denby had said she was from these parts. Maybe she was a girl of the streets who had found success and fortune through her husband. She had seduced her husband, she said also. And Mrs Denby felt too that Frederika was listening closely to her. She knew that Frederika understood her. Then Mrs Denby said suddenly: 'Yes I will divorce him and that is why I want you to help me '. 'Help you, Ma�am?', Frederika said spontaneously. 'We'll get letters and all. I need evidence you know.' 'You mean...' 'No', the actress said clearly, 'I mean, no, no, I mean please help and support me, be my friend.. I have no friends and I need a friend. I saw you the first day and I knew and felt you were a city girl, or you had a heart , a real heart and now I know you're a city girl, and you just have to be my friend.' 'Yes Ma'am, I'll be your friend'. Then Frederika added earnestly as Mrs Denby looked at her and seemed to wait for her to speak: 'I am your friend. After all this and all to-day I am your friend', Frederika said. And Mrs Denby caught her eyes and looked into them and saw too that Frederika was earnest. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Later that night, Mrs Denby sat in the chair in her bedroom as Frederika stood above her. Mrs Denby had told her to come into the room. Suddenly Mrs Denby rose and opened a drawer. 'I want to show you something, Frederika', she said looking into the drawer and then she turned to the girl. Frederika looked at her hands. There it was, the ruby necklace! She stared at it and then she looked at the carpet quickly. She realized that Mrs Denby was looking at her.
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