Elizabeth Milton's Story

Jonah watched as the others entered and found seats. He moved to a window, glancing out at the neatly kept back garden and sitting area. I need to get home, to check on Miss Liza and Miss Helen. What if those things have gotten to them? His eyes scanned the room, stopping on the women. I can’t leave them though. He was torn.

Rebecca waited until all of her ‘guests’ had entered the parlour. She took a seat on a settee. Her back was straight, hands in her lap. She looked over at the man who was leaning on the pillar in the doorway. Her head nodded slightly. She understood what he was saying and it made sense yet she was having a hard time coming to terms with the idea of dead people who had been in the streets and attacking those they came across.

No one said anything, not another soul uttered a thought about the idea of walking corpses. Rebecca maintained her composure, her face a mask of civility and grace though inside she was a cauldron of fear and panic.

“Thank you Cecile.” Rebecca nodded to the maid as she placed a tray with tea down for all the guests.

Jonah scoffed at first. Tea? This doesn’t seem like the time for tea. As the aroma filled the room however he found himself thinking that a cup might go far to calm the women and perhaps the tempers of some of the men. His eyes moved between the pair who had been arguing.

Rebecca blinked away her surprise as the elder gentlemen openly insulted another of the group. She had assumed they were together considering their climb into her carriage. However, as she sat now and gave them a more thorough look she realized that they were certainly not travelling companions.

Her throat was cleared with a small noise. “So you believe..”

Rebecca was cut off by the leaning man. Her eyes went wide as he accused of the older man of knowing something. She grew pale as he talked of graveyards and experiments. A delicate hand went to her mouth, stifling a rather unladylike noise of horror.

Jonah took three strides towards the main body of the group. “Gentlemen! Please, think of the ladies. There is no need to be so...grotesque. Perhaps we should step outside and discuss this?” He watched the brunette, their unwitting host pale where she sat.

Rebecca regained herself enough to wave Jonah’s suggestion away. “There is no need I assure you. Now please, everyone sit. Perhaps introductions are necessary before we go wildly accusing each other or insulting each other. Neither are needed in a civilized group.”

Just need to settle everyone down. Turn talk from dead things for a moment until we are a bit more level headed.

“Since you have all found yourselves in my family’s carriage I shall go first. I am Miss Rebecca Huntington. It is a pleasure to meet you all despite what seems to be rather vulgar and unpleasant circumstances.”

She offered them all a polite smile. “Can I offer anyone else a cup of tea?”

Jonah bowed slightly to their now named hostess. “A pleasure Miss Huntington. I am Jonah Powell. No one of any importance. Humble dock worker and at the risk of offending the ladies, amateur boxer. I am fortunate to have stumble onto the omnibus’ unfortunate accident and was able to lend aid to the men. Your carriage dear lady happened to be our best chance to get away from the um...afflicted.”

Rebecca’s smile strained a little at the term afflicted. Afflicted with death and yet walking around the streets. A shiver ran through her body.

Jonah gave Basil a friendly nod. Under different circumstances the men might have engaged in a few stories about their respective matches or various opponents. Right at this moment however it did not seem appropriate.

“Nice to meet you Mr Howard.” Jonah felt ill at ease with the pleasantries.

We need to figure out a plan. Figure out what is going on and what we are going to do. This isn’t tea time.

His hand ran through his hair and he turned to look at the other man. “Do any of you know what is going on exactly or is it all speculation and accusations?” Jonah looked back at Basil. “Do you have any actual knowledge of what was going on? Because anything that could help us make a plan would be helpful.”

Jonah crossed his arms, he looked to the men knowing that they would have to lead the women to safety. “And I do not think talk of..” He cleared his throat. “Cannibals is a subject to discuss in present company.”

Rebecca smiled politely. She watched the men converse. While she understood her place in society this was still her house and they were all guests despite the circumstances she found this whole thing frustrating.

Basil Howard, as the man introduced himself did not seem to know anything more than the rest despite the other man’s accusation that doctor’s were behind it. She stared at the lean man for a moment. He seemed to know things.

“May I suggest that perhaps we sit, relax and enjoy some tea? Dinner shall be along presently.”

Rebecca stood and crossed the room. “We seem to be dealing with something beyond our comprehension. I will speak to my father. He is sure to know more than any of us. He was called to the city to deal with something. I would hazard a guess that they are connected.”

She rang a bell. A maid appeared promptly. “Dinner and room set for our guests please. Also could you ask my father to join us for a few moments?”

The maid gave her a small curtsey and left the room.

Rebecca smiled and looked at the rest. “See all shall be sorted soon. Would anyone like to wash up or take a stroll on the grounds before dinner. I assure you it is quite safe.”

The days excitement and morbid talk was fading from her memory as she focused on her duties as hostess.
Jonah frowned. “Yes a stroll. Gentlemen should we stepped outside?” He looked to Basil and the man who had yet to introduce himself.