Dead of Winter Page 16

  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 ar
ound 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.”

  Andre shook his head. “I still haven’t a clue what the doctor looks like.”

  “I’m sure we’ll have no trouble recognizing him,” Father Xavier said. “I don’t know about you, but I’m famished. Let’s make our way to the buffet. I think we’ve earned the right to indulge in some fine cuisine.”

  Two slender debutants wearing mink coats and gold-sequined masks sauntered over. They were identical in height and appeared to be sisters, with the same pinned up dark hair and long, graceful necks. Each lady took one of Andre’s arms and rubbed fingers through his thick hair.

  “Ooh, bel homme, you are so delicious,” said one.

  “Such deep blue eyes,” said the other.

  “How about a dance?”

  “No, I saw him first.”

  The twins played tug of war with Andre. Father Xavier shook his head as the brother looked like a mouse caught between two cats. “Sorry, ladies.” He pried Andre from their clutches. “You’ll have to find somebody else to fight over. This young man is training to be a priest.”

  “Oh, such a shame,” they said in unison and then sauntered off toward their next victim.

  The young Jesuit rubbed a hand through his mussed hair. “So many aggressive women in this hotel.”

  Father Xavier frowned at his pupil. “God is always testing us. You have to stand your ground and be quick to deflect offerings that might tempt you away from your vows.”

  They reached a quiet corner, where a lavish buffet offered delicacies of herring, mackerel, and Father Xavier’s favorite. “Ah, Russian caviar.” He spooned some on a cracker. “Now, if I were allowed only one sin…” He tossed the cracker into his mouth, savoring the salty flavors of the imported fish eggs. “Absolutely divine.” He filled up another cracker. “Care for some?”

  Andre shook his head, staring down at the floor. “Father, I have a confession…”

  “Let me guess, you have a craving for chocolate covered strawberries.”

  “No, no, it’s not the food. I…I lied about why I haven’t slept much lately. I was afraid to tell you the truth.”

  Father Xavier raised an eyebrow. “You should always tell me the truth, no matter what. In our line of work, trust between an exorcist and his assistants is equally as important as faith.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Forgiven. Now what is your confession?”

  The young apprentice took a long deep breath. “Being grabbed by those twins stirred up my body in impure ways.”

  “Really…” Father Xavier smiled. “Well, you’re a man at the prime of his youth.”

  “That’s not all. For several nights in a row I have dreamt of performing carnal acts with two ladies.”

  “Every man’s fantasy. Such dreams are quite normal.” He walked along the buffet, filling his plate.

  “But, Father, these dreams are so vivid, that when I awaken I feel tempted to act upon them.” Andre looked up from the floor. “I want so much to become a priest, but I’m having difficulty upholding my vow of chastity.”

  Father Xavier raised an eyebrow. “Have you remained chaste?”

  “With women, yes, but when I’m alone…”

  “I understand your conflict. Okay, listen to me, Andre. Thirty years ago, when I was about your age, I struggled w
ith these very same feelings. Women are certainly tempting creatures. They stir up all sorts of wild desires. You must remember that while there is pleasure in satiating your lower desires, it taints the mind and steers you from a spiritual path.”

  “But how do you have so much restraint?”

  “The key is devotion to God above all. Instead of looking at all the things that tempt my lower desires, I concentrate on my mission. When you devote yourself to fulfilling your higher desires, the lower ones go away. To do this, you must perform meditations twice daily to reflect on your growth. I can’t stress enough the importance of keeping up with your daily excamen.”

  The novice inflated his cheeks with a heavy breath then exhaled. “Becoming a priest takes so much discipline and sacrifice.”

  The twins passed by again, fluttering their fingers, and the young Jesuit’s gaze followed them.

  Father Xavier tapped him on the crown. “Concentrate on God, Andre.”

  “This party is making me dizzy. If it’s all right with you, I think I’ll return to my room and meditate.”

  “That better be all that you do.”

  Andre blushed and descended the staircase.

  Shaking his head, Father Xavier snacked at the buffet. Chastity had never been an issue for the ordained priest. Once he committed to being a man of the cloth, he no longer looked at women as a source of gratification. He had found his joy in doing the work of God so much greater. But taking a vow of poverty…that had been a greater challenge for a man who had been raised by the upper class. God, forgive me for my sins. He indulged in one more cracker of caviar.

  77

  Tom climbed the porch steps of a ramshackle cabin that sat off on its own next to the cemetery. A dream catcher with bones and feathers hung above the door, spinning in the wind. I can’t believe I’m coming here. He started to knock then stopped just short of rapping the door. No, this is a mistake. He turned to walk back down the steps then paused, gripping a post. No, right now I need to go anywhere but home. He went back to the door and knocked. Anika answered with a look of shock.