Dead of Winter (20 page)

“Is that so?” said Father Xavier. “
Oliver Twist
is one of my favorite books.”

“Tonight, meals and accommodations are on me.” Pendleton handed the Jesuits their keys. “You each get your own rooms. I suggest you get some rest this afternoon then rendezvous upstairs at the Grand Ballroom at six o’clock. I have a surprise in store for this evening’s venue.”

When the Jesuits were situated with their bellhops, Pendleton hurried up the stairs with a spring in his step. He had developed a fresh hunger for his young quarry, who was getting out of her dress in his hotel room.

73

Retreating to his room, Andre set down his luggage. He touched the plush mattress of the four-poster bed. He would sleep well tonight. Above the bed hung a painting of a woman standing on the docks, holding the hand of a boy. The two were waving goodbye to men canoeing down the river. It reminded Andre of his youth, when he and his mother waved farewell to his father. Only he was going off to fight a war. He never returned.

So long ago
, Andre thought as he pulled off the painting and hung his crucifix on the nail. A bowl and pitcher sat on a bedside table. He filled the bowl with water, blessed it, and then rinsed his face.

Still a bit on edge, Andre sat on his bed and did his afternoon meditation. He prayed for Willow. Poor Lady Pendleton was married to an adulterous letch who didn’t appreciate his beautiful wife. Andre first begged God for forgiveness for having evil thoughts about Master Pendleton, wishing him to catch syphilis. Willow deserved so much better.
If I weren’t destined to be a priest...

Gripping his rosary, Andre chanted several Hail Marys then asked to be forgiven for lying to Father Xavier. Andre had not been getting much sleep these past few nights because he was experiencing horrible nightmares. In his dreams, he was haunted by two women cloaked in fur. They had alluring, cat-like eyes and seductive voices and smelled of orange blossoms. Just like Willow. Andre had heard her confessions so many times that he was now reliving her dreams, only in his version she showed up as twins who ravished
him
. Each night, Andre had woken in a wet release from his lower regions. An overwhelming sense of guilt followed. No matter how much he willed to keep his vow of chastity, his body betrayed him.

Deep down, he knew that confessing to Father Xavier was the right thing to do. But Andre feared his mentor would shame him for being weak. Perhaps abandon him and report to the Bishop that Andre was not fit to be a priest.

He pulled out his diary and wrote:

My lifelong dream of becoming a priest is coming to fruition. But working with Father Xavier has been more challenging than I expected. He constantly disciplines me. I feel like I’m in Catholic school again with the nuns so ready to smack my hands for not answering questions fast enough. I read all day just to keep up. When I speak to Father Xavier, I never know how he’s going to respond. One moment he’s jovial, the next chastising me. I feel so weak-minded around him. He expects me to know every verse of
The Roman Ritual of Exorcism
before we return to the fort.

What did I learn today? The main parts of the Ritual are performed by the exorcist. I, as the assistant, am to join him in reading the Psalms and Gospels. The priest must have piety, prudence, and personal integrity. He must perform exorcisms with humility and courage, not relying on his own strength, but on the power of God. Even though I am not yet a priest, Father Xavier expects me to be equally as courageous and full of faith
.
 

Andre stared up at the ceiling. “Am I strong enough, Lord? Do I have enough Holy spirit within me to face those possessed by evil?”

He heard pecking at his windows. He opened his eyes. Shadows moved behind the sheer curtains. He pulled them open. Several ravens walked on the edge. More black birds cawed as they flew down to perch, causing others to flap upward. Beaks tapped the windows.

There was a double knock at the door.

He shut the curtains and approached the door, holding out his crucifix. He opened the door and was relieved to see Father Xavier. The priest grinned. “Are you in the mood for some hot cocoa and
crème brûlée
?”

“
Merci
, Father, but I think I’ll stay here and do my excamen.”

“A fine way to spend the afternoon.” The priest seemed to be in a cheerful spirit. “By the way, Avery Pendleton requested that we be ready for dinner promptly at six o’clock. Tonight we can allow ourselves a bit of fun.” Father Xavier placed a white theater mask over his face. “We’ve been invited to a masquerade party.”

74

At six o’clock that evening, the Jesuits ascended the staircase to a ballroom on the second level. A string quartet played baroque music. The musicians wore Renaissance costumes complete with white wigs and powdered makeup. Several high society couples gathered at a masquerade party. The men were in suits and top hats and the women in long gowns and fur stoles. All the attendees wore masks of various shapes and colors like a Venetian Carnival.

Father Xavier and Andre wore white drama masks and their religious robes. They passed one lady who had a stole of silver fur around her neck that still had a fox’s head attached. The priest shook his head at Andre and whispered, “Why would anyone wear such an atrocious thing?”

A waiter carrying a tray passed by. Father Xavier stopped him. “Excuse me,
Serveur
, but who are all these people?”

“Members of a private club. They meet here every month.” He offered the Jesuits a tray with champagne and wine glasses.

Andre’s voice grew excited. “Can we? I’ve never had champagne.”

“Not tonight.
Merci, Serveur
.” Father Xavier removed his mask and set it on a table. Andre did, as well, and the two Jesuits walked side by side.

“Andre, we must keep our wits about us. Drinking only dilutes your spiritual awareness and clouds judgment.” He could see his apprentice was not enjoying his strict discipline. “Have you been reading from
The
Roman Ritual of Exorcism
?”

“
Oui,
Father.”

“Then tell me the purpose of an exorcism.”

Andre said, “To follow the command and example of Jesus to ‘drive out the devils’ of those who become possessed.”

“What are the versions of the Rite?”

“There are two. One focuses on exorcising people, while the other focuses on exorcising places.”

“And what are the two main elements necessary to perform an exorcism?”

“Authorization from the Church authorities and faith of the exorcist.”

“You must have unyielding faith. Without a complete belief that God is working through you, no priest stands a chance against the forces of evil.”

“My faith is unbreakable.”

Father Xavier smiled. “Good, Andre, you’re learning fast.”

A man in a top hat and a black wolverine mask approached, escorting a redhead with a fox face. Master Pendleton pushed up his mask. “I see you two have decided to forgo the masks I sent up.”

“No offence,” Father Xavier said, “But they didn’t seem befitting of our robes.”

“None taken.” Pendleton turned to a stocky man who wore the mask of a wild boar with spectacles. “I’d like you both to meet Dr. Andrew Coombs. He will be joining us on our journey tomorrow.”

Dr. Coombs pushed his glasses up the snout of his boar face. “I’m looking forward to returning to the wilds. That’s where I’m happy as a hog on a teat.” He laughed at his own joke.

Andre asked, “You heard about what happened to our last doctor?”

“Yes, a bloody shame. Catching disease is a risk all good doctors take, I’m afraid. Especially out in the field.” Dr. Coombs scratched thick beard whiskers that protruded the bottom of his mask. “But I assure you, I have experience working with epidemics. I just finished a mission in Lower Montréal where I battled a nasty case of cholera.”

Andre said, “The effects of the Fort Pendleton’s outbreak are much more dangerous.”

“Let’s not bring that up,” Pendleton said, raising a champagne glass. “There’s plenty of time to talk on the boat. Tonight we enjoy ourselves.”

Lady Celeste stroked the black fur of Master Pendleton’s coat. “Oh, Avery, you tell them the story of how you encountered the wolverine.”

“Yes, do tell us,” Dr. Coombs said, his face still concealed behind the hog’s head. “I find the wolverine to be a quite fascinating predator. Sharp fangs and razor-like claws. A highly cunning beast.”

“I’m certainly intrigued,” Father Xavier said.

Pendleton smiled. “Very well, then, since you’re all so inclined. Three years ago I was hunting turkey in northern Ontario with my Labrador. It was early autumn and the trees had just turned the most magnificent shades of red and orange. I was creeping through the woods, blowing into my turkey caller, when out of nowhere a black wolverine leaped from a tree and clamped its fangs into the nape of my lab. I tried to beat the varmint senseless, but damned if it wouldn’t let go. The poor dog ran in circles yelping until it collapsed and bled to death.”

Celeste gasped. “Oh, no.”

Pendleton continued, “Well, I was furious, as you can understand. I aimed my shotgun…” He demonstrated this with his arms, taking a rifleman’s stance. “...and shot at the snarling beast. It kept racing around the lab’s body, dodging buckshot. The wolverine stole bites out of the dead dog as if to mock me. Despite my blasting, the stubborn creature wasn’t about to leave its meal. I ran out of shots and stopped to reload. For a hair-raising moment it charged toward my boots. Just as the wolverine leaped for my thigh, I swung my shotgun like a cricket paddle. I smacked the beast square in the snout, and it sailed through the air until it landed paws up.” He elbowed Dr. Coombs. “I showed the furry little devil what happens when you mess with Avery Pendleton.”

The group clapped. Pendleton bowed, his face beaming.

“A splendid tale,” Dr. Coombs said. “You know, the wolverine is the largest land-dwelling species of the weasel family.”

Pendleton nodded. “While it killed my treasured Labrador, I respected the predator’s tenacity. Ever since then, I have worn only coats made from wolverine pelts.”

Father Xavier said, “Some say you are defined by what you wear.”

Pendleton narrowed his eyes. “Then shall I call you ‘Father Mink’?”

The priest smiled. “Touché.”

Pendleton put his arm around Celeste. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, Gentlemen, this little fox and I need to mingle. You may enjoy the ball until ten, and then I’m afraid you’ll need to excuse yourselves.”

“What happens after ten?” Father Xavier asked. “Everyone turns into pumpkins?”

“No,” said Pendleton. “The party is open to members only. Until then, drink and eat as much as wish.”

A crowd gathered around Pendleton. A man with thick, gray sideburns and a mask of a rat held up a fiddle. “Avery, we were wondering if you would play us an old Irish jig.”

“Well, I’d be delighted.” Pendleton placed the fiddle on his shoulder and played a fast-tempo tune. He danced through the crowd like a gypsy, grinning and twirling and kicking out his feet. The masqueraders cheered and danced around him.

75

Noble House

Willow sat at her beauty table powdering her cheeks. She kept looking in the mirror at the doorway, wondering when the man in her dreams was going to finally enter her boudoir and ravish her. She ran a brush through her hair, humming. There was a time in her life when her husband had been that man, three years ago, when Willow was eighteen and still living in Montréal. Avery Pendleton had started out so romantic, courting her for months, bringing her flowers and chocolates and escorting her to balls like a noble gentleman. He took her on carriage rides and picnics in the park. He doted on her. She had felt so in love then. He proposed to her on a bridge overlooking the St. Lawrence River. As her wedding present, he gave her a long, white fur coat and matching hat made from the finest snow fox. “You can wear all the furs your heart desires,” he had promised.

Her dream life changed when Avery decided to return to Ontario to run the fur-trading fort. “Darling, you will love Ontario,” he had said on their river voyage. “The wilderness is vastly more beautiful than the city. There are lush forests teeming with wildlife. Every furry animal you can imagine. And the moon and stars are brighter in the clearest skies you’ve ever seen.” His enthusiasm for fort life had been infectious. She had indeed loved the harbor city of Montréal, but when she arrived at the fort, Willow was immediately let down. Most of the colonists were foul-smelling, rum-swilling barbarians who had Indian wives and mixed-blood heathen children. The educated officers were either pompous womanizers or the quiet types and dreadfully boring. With Myrna Riley gone, Willow was the only white woman. She feared she would die of boredom. When his workers began disappearing, Avery’s work became more demanding, and he began to spend more time with his officers. They spent every evening in the study sipping brandy and discussing God knew what. Over the past year, Avery grew more and more distant, having very little to say over dinner. Willow had grown so lonely and depressed. Then not long ago she discovered Doc Riley’s little magic curio cabinet.

Willow pulled a glass tube out of her table drawer and removed the cork. She sprinkled white powder into her long pinky nail and snorted. She wiped her red nostril. When the rush hit like fireworks inside her head, she continued humming and drew eyeliner beneath her big blue eyes.

76

Hôtel de Rasco

Montréal

After Pendleton finished entertaining the crowd, a quartet started up another classical piece, and several masquerading couples flowed into a waltz.

Father Xavier watched as Dr. Coombs tried to sip his champagne through his hog mask. “This is too queer for me, if you know what I mean. I could go for something a little more stout, like an Irish beer and a thick-legged woman.” Chuckling, he clapped both Jesuits hard on the shoulders. “See you on the boat, my good chaps.”