Chapter Text
“Duck, with all due respect, don’t you think you’re being a bit too harsh?” Oliver walked by the old great westerner in the night.
“There's no place for reckless idiocy in my crew.” Duck angrily puffed the smoke from his cigarette.
“Come on, Duck. A woman they knew was in danger. They just acted how any proper man would.”
“It’s not that simple, Oliver. There are consequences for their actions. Regardless of their intentions.”
“You don’t have to punish them so harshly for that! They already got their payment cut in half before Christmas! Christmas, mate!”
“Like I said before, it’s not that simple. They should’ve avoided that woman…”
Oliver pulled Duck by the shoulder.
“What are you saying? Are you insinuating that they should’ve ignored someone in distress?”
Duck eyed his fellow Great Westerner with frustration.
“Between me and Douglas... Where does your loyalty lie, Oliver?”
“Duck, as my superior and a fellow Great Westerner, I owe you deep respect. But just like I told you before, Douglas saved my life.”
Duck nodded as he tapped his cigarette ashes into his pocket ashtray.
“Exactly! Now, how do you think that woman must be feeling towards those two?”
Oliver’s eyes widened as the realization dawned on him.
“I-I don’t see it as a bad thing. After all, they’re both good men and she’s… well… not a woman to sneeze at. Coming from a good family with good connections.”
“Can’t you see past the fairytales you’re creating in your head? There’s a reason a woman like her refuses to remarry.”
“Is it about that infertility thing? Duck, you know the twins aren’t the type to-”
“She’s one of Sir Topham Hatt’s goddaughters, Oliver. I hope you are sagacious enough to understand what that means to our local politics.”
“That she gets expensive dresses from Sir Topham on special occasions even in disgrace?”
“That means whoever marries her gets a direct connection with the Hatts. Why do you think her father sent her to study in London as soon as she came out? Greedy affluent families aren’t few in Sodor. Each step those two take towards her, a noose is made for them.”
“Prideful wealthy folk don’t take it kindly when falling second to those beneath them, huh?” Oliver shook his head. “Poor girl… Being nothing but a pawn in the local political game.”
“That’s the life of any woman born in wealth. There’s no need to feel bad for them. We all are born with a miserable purpose to fulfill.”
“As harsh as always, huh?”
“That’s just how things are and have always been.” Duck finished his cigarette before opening the door.
As soon as they entered their boarding house, they were welcomed by the warmth of a well kept fireplace and the delicious aroma of stewed meat. Just what the two tired workers needed at that very moment.
“Ah! Mr Montague and Mr Oliver, welcome back.” Toad smiled as he handed them their correspondence.
“Good evening, Toad.” Duck grabbed his correspondence and sat at the table absentmindedly, same old, same old. Lots of advertisements for hair growth tonics or moustache wax. Some letters from disgruntled former workmates…
“Good evening, Toad. Ah! I was looking forward to this!”
Oliver happily chatted with Toad while hungrily taking spoonfuls of the stew when he noticed his fellow Great Westerner frozen in place. Eyes widened and brows furrowed in confusion.
“Duck?”
An envelope with delicate handwriting caught his eye.
A letter from Emily Stirling.
***
It was late at night when Donald and Douglas finally managed to go home. Their backs were awfully sore from all the extra work, and their mood plummeted due to hours working on an empty stomach. As soon as they opened the door, they were greeted by a sleepy Emily, already in her night gown and robe.
“Welcome back, Mr Donald and Mr Douglas.” She held back a yawn. “My apologies… I’ll reheat your supper while you freshen up.”
“Mrs Stirling, did we wake ye oop?” Douglas rubbed his tired eyes.
Emily looked around for any sign of Isabel or Dulcie while she helped them remove their heavy overcoats and hats.
“I just pretended to go to sleep so Mrs Isabel and Mrs Dulcie wouldn’t stay up late. If they ask you anything, just tell them you ate your supper cold.”
“Ye dinae hev to stay awake so late. We dinae mind eating oor supper cold or reheatin’ it oorselves.” Donald’s voice sounded harsher than he intended, which made him sigh in frustration. “I’m sorry. I’m jus’... tired.”
“I’m the one who should apologize. It’s my fault you two are in trou-” She stopped herself from bothering them any further. “We should talk about it later. For now, you deserve some rest.”
They were too tired to contest anything she said. With a nod, they went upstairs to freshen up before being served a warm meal. It was short of a miracle that they managed to eat, brush their teeth and make their way to their beds without falling asleep on the carpeted floors.
When Emily finished caring for their bruises, they both were already fast asleep. She caressed their curly ginger hair and placed a gentle kiss on their foreheads.
“Thank you.” She whispered as she left their room, quietly closing the door behind her.
***
Duck begrudgingly made his way across the front garden. The path to the front door was neatly cleared. An obvious sign of the twins’ residency. Which made his nerves even worse.
It worried him to see Donald and Douglas in good spirits through the whole day, even after being told their punishment would extend until new year's eve. It was obvious that Emily rewarded them somehow. His stomach burned at the possibility of any indecency that might've happened. He prayed that the twins’ morals haven't shifted. That they haven't touched a woman they couldn't marry.
He finished his cigarette and rang the doorbell. He was greeted by Isabel, who eyed him curiously. Duck didn’t exactly match what she expected of a station worker. He was appropriately dressed. His clothes weren't as luxurious as the inspectors’ but were of good taste and well kept. A perfect combination of simple elegance and practicality.
“Good afternoon, ma'am. I believe Mrs Stirling is expecting me for tea. Charles Montague.”
“Good afternoon, Mr Montague.” Isabel stepped aside to let him in.
She hung his overcoat by the door and walked him into the drawing room.
“This way, please.”
The Stirlings’ house was beautiful. Clearly a symbol of how wealthy they were a couple years ago. The walls were full of paintings. Mostly flowers and wild rabbits. A portrait of a proud well dressed man looked down on him from the wall.
Feeling awfully out of place in such an extravagant drawing room, he reached for a cigarette in his pocket.
“My apologies, Mr Montague. The Stirlings have a strict rule against smoking in the house, especially around Ms Emily.”
“Ah. Of course.” Duck pocketed his cigarette and lighter.
It was far from a secret that Emily’s mother died from a respiratory disease. An ailment that ran in the family. The gruesome details of her final moments weren’t spared by the gossip mills. It was no surprise that Mr Stirling took measures to spare his daughter from such a cruel and painful ailment.
“I hope I haven't kept you waiting for too long.” Emily curtsied at him before stepping into the room. “Good afternoon, Mr Montague. Emily Stirling. Delighted to make you my acquaintance.”
Emily was indeed very beautiful. Even in a mourning gown, she could easily turn young men’s heads wherever she went. Her pearl earrings told him she was in the last months of mourning. A bit early for a half-mourning in his opinion, but a good Great Westerner knew better than to voice such judgement.
“Charles Montague. Pleased to meet you as well." He bowed and only returned to his seat after Emily sat herself and nodded at him to confirm he could do so.
Isabel was quite impressed. She didn’t expect Duck to be so… proper in his manners. Quite different from the rowdy twins he associated himself with.
“Mr Pettigrew only had the highest praises to describe your character. Mr Donald and Mr Douglas spoke highly of you as well. It’s an honor to finally meet you. I only lament that it has to be under such worrying circumstances.”
Just like he knew etiquette would request from a young woman, she started off with flattery. Even if she was being honest, it’s easy to impress a sheltered girl. And he knew her as such. A foolish naive girl dragging two reckless idiots into her own disgrace.
“Edward is a very kind man. He surely can be overly generous with his praises.” Duck took a sip from his cup of tea. “Now those two… I hope I don’t offend you when I doubt their words were fully kind when describing my character.”
Emily smiled.
“You surely are rather strict, Mr Montague. They did tell me you’re a good man, but with strict views. Which isn’t exactly a bad thing.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m strict. I’m just aware of the reality that I live in. Actions have consequences. Good or bad. Regardless of intentions. Which reminds me…” He furrowed his brows. “If you invited me in hopes to make me ease their punishment, I must remind you that my integrity was harmed when they acted recklessly.”
Emily shook her head.
“I’m very aware of the impact such a violent incident has on people’s reputation. And I know your leniency is limited not just to protect your integrity, but also out of care for Mr Donald and Mr Douglas.” She glanced at her father’s portrait. “Henry would have grounds to fire them if you were too lenient, wouldn’t he?”
Duck scoffed but abstained himself from giving her a reply. Foolish girl. Acting like she knew anything about his job’s work politics. A woman who never left the circle she belonged to.
“You don’t have to defend your employer, Mr Montague. I know my father’s former protegee better than you.”
He stared at her, confused. Unsure of what she was talking about.
Emily’s shoulders were tense, and her eyes suddenly looked tired.
“Henry doesn’t play fair. So I apologize for getting you involved in the middle of this.” She placed three envelopes with her family’s seal on the table. “The biggest ones are decoys. Carry one in your more obvious pocket and the other in a slightly more hidden one. The smallest one, I suggest you hide it on your back. I can lend you a pin or-”
“Wait! What are you talking about, Mrs Stirling? What are these letters?”
“Written accounts of what happened in the station that day. Signed by me and carrying my family’s seal. A precaution I hope won’t be needed.”
“Why are you handing them to me? And what do you mean by ‘decoys’?” Duck was getting increasingly exasperated.
“When Mr Pettigrew told me that I should trust those around you, Mr Montague, I understood that you have a relationship of mutual trust with your crew. So if Henry moves a certain way… You’re most likely the one who will answer Mr Donald and Mr Douglas’s call for help.”
“What makes you think that I would even consider helping them? If they get arrested, that would be their own doing.”
“I don’t know if you would. I just hope you will.”
After staring at her for a moment, he sighed and did as he was told. Pocketing the bigger envelopes in his coat and using his suspenders to hide the smaller one on his back. Being more aware of how his visit could damage her dwindling reputation. A risk she willingly took, knowing she was the gossip mills’ favorite prey for months.
“Going through such lengths to protect them… I find it hard to believe that you move out of guilt or gratitude alone.”
“Mr Montague!” Isabel gasped. “Don’t you dare insinuate-”
“You’re right. It’s not guilt or gratitude alone that compels me into action.” Emily took a deep breath to keep her composure. “I have feelings for Mr Donald and Mr Douglas.”
Isabel was horrified at Emily’s response. The making of a scandal alarmed her to the point of almost losing consciousness.
“I trust you’re aware of how inappropriate that is.” Duck was equally alarmed at her lack of hesitation to make such a bold statement.
“Of course. Rest assured, I have no intention of acting upon it. They both deserve proper, suitable wives.” Her heart ached as she spoke. “But at the same time… I can’t just ignore them when they’re in need.”
Her words didn’t surprise him. Duck watched women marching towards their own disgrace for men who only said the right honey sweet words more often than he could admit. It wasn’t anything new, but this time it was more aggravating. They all knew the twins’ honey sweet words weren’t lies. How long would Emily be able to hold herself from the temptation of giving herself to either of them? She walked a very fine line on a very blurry boundary. The scandal, the disgrace that would afflict the three of them… His stomach burned at the thought.
“Their lease will end this summer. Until then, please, make sure they earn enough to be able to afford a room at their former boarding house.” Her voice started to quiver. “I will talk to James to keep Henry distracted.”
Duck nodded. Even though he was quite harsh in his judgement of Emily’s character, it brought him no joy to see her heartbroken.
“Please, forgive my lack of composure. It’s irrational of me to cry over letting go of something that was never mine to begin with.” She dried her eyes with her handkerchief and cleared her throat. “I accidentally ruined their clothes in the laundry room. Shirt, waistcoat and coat. I’ll hand them their compensation later. I think it would be a good excuse for you to take them downtown. And if you can, Mr Montague, introduce them to good and proper women.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want?” Duck was shocked that those words left his lips. He mentally chastised himself for allowing himself to get carried away by her tears.
Her plan was the best course of action. There was no need to contest it. But at the same time…
“I want them to be happy and safe.”
Women in love are creatures hard to harness. Unpredictable and willing to sacrifice everything for little to nothing in return. Emily wasn’t different. Duck didn’t know if it eased or worsened his worries to know she cared so much about those two. Deep down, a small part of him lamented the unfortunate circumstances. If things were different, the young woman before him wouldn’t be crying and his most trusted men wouldn’t face the heartbreak of her rejection.