This is part four in the serialisation of the weird fiction short story…
Talleyrand
Continued…
At two minutes before eleven, Humphrey’s crunching steps approached. But only when he stepped into the meagre light from my bedroom candle was his looming silhouette discernible from the murk. I placed a forefinger on my lips to halt his greeting lest he wake my aunt. Then we spoke in whispers.
“My dearest, Humphrey. Your task is simple. You are to stay one night at Talleyrand.” I pointed down the long road as I handed him the key. “My only condition is that you must enter the attic room, which has remained locked since long before Monsieur Talleyrand graced the premises.”
“And what, my beloved, is my prize for completing this trial?”
“You will earn my unerring love, devotion and trust, sir.”
“Then, before I undertake this most arduous of tasks, I ask of you one thing.”
“Ask and I will give freely…”
“Then do as I do. I promise it will take but a moment.” Humphrey gently pressed his splay-fingered right hand on my cloak between my throat and my breast. As I placed my hand on his chest, he lowered his forehead to mine and we closed our eyes. We stood in silence, motionless for moments so serene, I did not want them to end.
When I opened my eyes, he was gone. Only the light from a bobbing lantern in the distance confirmed I was not dreaming. Still, the impression of his hand remained until I removed my cloak. Oh, how pleased I was with my subterfuge! In the morning, I will know the secret of Talleyrand, and my paramour will return, buoyed by his bravery. If only I had known the anguish ahead.
In a heady cloud of joy and trepidation, I rushed through my nightly ablutions and, taking to my bed, I must have fallen asleep when my head hit the pillow.
Then, the dream blazed into life.
© Drew Halfpenny 2025
