The House of Penhaligon is more than just a fragrance. It is the epitome of perfumery as a whole. The scents are crafted to leave an unforgettable impression on the wearer and those around them; and the story runs deep.
It was the year of 1870. The private lives of the Lords and Ladies appeared to be thriving. However, a peculiar phenomenon has begun to emerge. The tragedious tale of Lord George has caught the attention of the town. And the spine-chilling story behind the revenge of Lady Blanche.
Unfettered by the burdens of politics and war, the days have grown more challenging, with scandals and gossip spreading like wildfire. There are fires to ignite and the mornings have turned chilly. The happy delight of their first greeting. But is there more to this scene than meets the eye? What truly lies beneath the veneer of impeccable manners within Britain’s aristocracy?
‘Manners maketh the man’, but are they also useful as a tool of subterfuge? Even if their presence is never far…the perfume of rumours behind the mysterious story brightens the air.
‘’One is never entirely alone,’’ reveals a butler who served in a country mansion whose foundations date back to shortly after the arrival of William the Conqueror. The rolling hills of the English countryside is nestled under a majestic canopy of oaks, with the sun gently rising over. “You see, some walls are terribly thin”.
The butler only disclosed his ‘’Master’’ as Mr. Thompson, who, as told by the butler, loves taking accounts on the art of spying, or discrete observation, as he prefers. “The quiet man prefers to spend his days inside the quiet chateau, reading family dramas and disappointments like a shepherd reads the sky,” he said. With a sixth sense for indiscretion, this mysterious figure called Mr. Thompson knows Something’s Awry just before the deed is done.
Inside the mansion, the scents of subtle wood and leather could be smelt, seamlessly intertwined with the alluring essence of vanilla and the velvety richness of sesame milk. A mysterious scents, indeed.
Mr. Thompson intuitively sense, foresee, or ignore; a Grand Master decryptor of social codes. Without him, everything crumbles to dust. The butler adamantly refused to divulge any information, stating with conviction, “Only he possesses the key to the secret box.”
However, one cannot help but wonder what other knowledge he possesses. This enigmatic figure seems to hold a wealth of information, yet chooses to keep it close to his chest, playing with the destiny of the esteemed Lords and Ladies.
Does the mysterious Mr. Thompson even exist? Who is the loyal butler that serves him? Who else resides in that vast, tranquil country estate? Could the butler be under the influence of another presence in the mansion?
Or perhaps, as time went on, rumours began to circulate that the butler who kept the secrets and possessed extensive knowledge was none other than Mr. Thompson himself. He played a crucial role, akin to that of a fierce General, a cunning spy, or a gentle Florence Nightingale, in safeguarding the secrets of the aristocrats.
Penhaligon’s Portraits Mr Thompson is now available at Escentials KLCC and escentials.com.my.