Putting on my best British manners I say, “Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.”
A loud commotion comes from behind a small grove of tropical palms. “Honestly, sister. Our presence was to be a surprise.”
Lydia staggers in front of one of the trees wearing a palm-frond-like giant brooch on her pretty ivory lace tea dress. “I did not see the watering can.”
The Duchess beckons them to sit down. “My dears, I am pleased you are enjoying exploring my pride and joy, but please come and greet our special guest.”
The sisters know enough not to ignore the Duchess’s commands. They speed walk over to the two chairs next to Lady Gamby.
Another person emerges from the dense plant life, Phyllis. She sits to the right of me. “What a beautiful dress you have on, Esme. The color suits you well.”
“Thanks, Phyllis, I’ve got a thing for teal.”
My hand flies to my mouth. Of all the times for my modern slag to come out. Must be my nerves. I’m not used to getting this much attention from anyone but Jin. She stares at me for a quick second and then turns to Lady Gamby. “How have you been? By the way, pink looks glorious on you.”
Victorian manners. If someone says something you don’t understand or find distressing, you quickly change the subject. Lady Gamby runs her hand along the ruffle at the neckline. “Why, thank you. I bought it in Paris last week.” She squeezes my gloved hand. “I find the way you speak quite charming, Esme. So uniquely American.”
Once again she is defending me just like a friend. “I’m trying to perfect my British English, but I’m afraid I’m failing miserably.”
A light laugh drifts from around the corner. A striking petite woman with jet-black hair piled high on her head joins us at the table. Her red lace gown stands out like a large showy flower amongst our subdued colored dresses. In a heavy Spanish accent the woman says, “I am far worse at English than you, Señora.”
The woman sits on the other side of the Duchess. “Let me introduce, Isabella Maria Theresa Martinez, Princess of Leon.”
She bows her head ever so slightly. In a musical Spanish accent she says, “I hope you do not mind a stranger at your party. I have heard many tales about you. I wanted to meet another enchanting foreigner. So I threw myself on the Duchess’s mercy to add one more person to the celebración.”
“I’m happy to meet you, Princess Martinez.” I motion toward the seat next to the Duchess. “The more the merrier, as they say.”
Two butlers come striding in carrying fancy silver trays loaded down with food. One of them serves us rolls while the other places a gold Limoges plate brimming with lobster salad in front of me. I turn to the Duchess. “How did you know lobster is one of my favorite foods?”
“Your husband went into great detail about your likes and dislikes when I inquired. You are a very blessed woman. He is deeply in love with you.”
I’ve always thought that he must love me a lot. Why else would he risk the wrath of the High Council for me? But to hear someone as important as the Duchess confirm it makes me realize I’m a very lucky woman. “I am blessed.”
I dig into my lobster salad knowing I have Jin to thank. Only someone of the Duchess’s rank could afford to furnish such an extravagant. The sisters chat away asking poor Isabella endless questions about Spain. The butlers bring three more dishes, and by the time I finish my last bite of mushroom tart, I am stuffed. My stomach strains against my corset. Just when I think I couldn’t eat another bite, the butler brings in a two-tiered cake decorated with ribbons and flowers. I wondered what a Victorian birthday cake would look like. Not so very different from the ones of my time.
The butler cuts small slices of the cake and serves them to all the guests. Lydia can barely contain herself. “I wonder what I will discover?”
I turn to Lady Gamby. “What is she talking about?”
“Take a bite but be careful, there are small gifts inside.”
Lydia squeals and holds up a shiny coin. “Look, a gold sovereign!”
I take a bite and realize it’s more like a fruitcake than a birthday cake. While I’m chewing on a dried cherry, my teeth just miss hitting a coin. I grimace, hoping the cook washed the coins before she mixed them in the batter.
Lydia announces, “I have five pounds’ worth of sovereigns.” Then she points to her sister. “Look, Annabelle has found a thimble!”
Annabelle hides it under her napkin. I ask Lady Gamby, “Why is she hiding the thimble?”
“It denotes she will not marry.”
“That’s not a very nice thing to put in the cake.”
She nods. “I agree. It is a silly tradition.”
The butlers arrive and clear away the dishes to make room for my presents. Lady Gamby points to a blue box with a white ribbon. “I hope you will approve of my choice.”
I pull on the ribbon and know it is a gift from the same place in Paris as the pin. Sitting on a blue velvet cushion is a bracelet covered in enameled roses that matches the pin she gave me. I put it on so everyone can see it. “It’s lovely.” I squeeze her hand. “Thank you, so much.”
She beams. “I knew it belonged on your wrist.”
The sisters fidget in their chairs. In unison they say, “Open ours! It is in the green box.”
Phyllis hands me the gift. It’s quite heavy. I tear off the pretty wrapping paper, and inside is a gorgeous wool paisley shawl with hints of violet and teal. I drape the wool around my shoulders. “It’s lovely. Perfect for when I take a stroll in the garden. Thank you.”
Lydia practically jumps out of her chair. “I knew it was the perfect gift.” She nudges her sister’s arm. “Did I not say it would keep her warm in the garden?”
Annabelle forces a smile. “I am pleased you will enjoy the shawl.”
Phyllis hands me a long narrow box. Inside is a pair of purple leather gloves. “I thought they might protect you from the thorns.”
I hold them up for the others to see. “I think they are far too pretty to use in the garden.”
Beautiful birdsong drifts into the conservatory, and the Duchess frowns. “I had hoped my present would be the grand finale, but it appears I have been overruled.”
The butler walks in with a canary in a fancy gold cage and sets it down in the center of the table, and the bird perches quietly. The cage has a stunning domed top and chubby winged cherubs as feet. I make a cooing sound and the canary can’t help showing off. Soon the conservatory fills with song again.
The Duchess’s pleasant smile returns. “The bird’s breeding is impeccable. I raised him myself. He has the best song of all my males.”
Whew! I’d heard breeding canaries were a passion of the Duchess, but she makes him sound more like a lover than a pet. I never thought I’d be important enough to receive one as a gift. Funny, I had begged Jin for a pet as soon as we moved into Dorset Cottage. We had cats in the barn but they weren’t tame. For some reason he didn’t want a dog. But I’m sure he would be fine with a bird. “It is an honor to have one of the birds you raised yourself. His song will fill the cottage with joy.”
By the way the Duchess’s face glowed I don’t think I could have made her happier.
I pull the last box close to me. It’s quite heavy and something tall is moving around inside. A funny smirk plasters on Isabella’s face as I open it. I pull out a white porcelain vase with a blue dragon wrapped around the middle. Is it just some wild coincidence that it looks almost like my grandmother’s? Did Jin tell the Duchess about the vase? My hands shake as I hold it up for everyone to see. “What a unique and beautiful present. Thank you, Isabella.”
“Something told me it was the perfect gift for you.”
Jin greets me at the door with a knowing smile on his face. “So how was your birthday? Did you receive any extraordinary gifts?”
Higgins brings the bird into the parlor and sets the cage down on the side table. “I think you might have had something to do with this little guy.”
�
��I know how much you had been longing for a pet. When the Duchess told me she was thinking of giving you one of her canaries, I encouraged her to do so.”
“I’ve decided to name him Darcy.”
Jin smiles. “Like the handsome man in your Jane Austen novel?”
“Of, course.” I stroke the bird’s head through the cage. “Are you jealous?”
“Terribly.”
“I’ll cover him up so my eyes are only on you.”
Jin leans over to kiss me but stops abruptly.
Higgins walks back in carrying the rest of my presents. “Where would you like the presents, madam?”
“Just put them on the sofa.” I dig through the boxes and find the shawl and place it over the cage. “This ought to do for now.”
Jin straightens out the fabric. “The shawl is lovely. It will be perfect for when you are in the garden.”
I hold out the sides of my beautiful party dress. “And is this fabulous dress my birthday gift from you?”
He gives me his crooked grin. “In a manner of speaking.”
“Why did Jane make such a big deal about it?”
“Because the gift is also from an admirer of yours.”
He sure is laying on the mystery. “Okay, I’ll bite. Who?”
“Your latest conquest, Lord McKenzie.”
I laugh. “Are you responsible for all my gifts?”
“I did inform the Duchess of several items you might enjoy.”
I pull the vase out of its box. “And this?”
Jin’s eyes grow large. “No, decidedly not. Who bought that for you?”
The thought that Isabella knows about Jin is terrifying. “A Spanish princess the Duchess invited.”
He takes the vase from my hands. “This is a message from the High Council.”
I collapse on the sofa and the boxes tumble to the floor. “Not again. When will they stop taunting us?”
“Never.” Jin takes my hand. “’Tis a good thing we are leaving for Portsmouth on Sunday. In fact, it might be prudent if we left tomorrow.”
“Really?”
“Let me inform the staff that we will be leaving immediately.”
Jin heads for the footman’s quarters while I pick up the boxes and place them next to the door for Matilda to take upstairs.
Higgins enters the room, but he is not alone. “Excuse me, madam, Mr. Manner is here to see Mr. Sansby.”
Jin told me how different the brothers were, but he didn’t say how much the other Mr. Manner looks like him. Jin has a doppelganger in England.
The brother extends his hand to greet me. “Hugh Manners, at your service.”
OMG! They are one in the same. His voice is just a tad lower but the resemblance is striking. He has the same wavy dark hair and high cheekbones. “Nice to meet you. Do you have news of the man we saw in Scotland?”
“Indeed, I do. Is Mr. Sansby at home? It is important I speak with him.”
“Higgins, please find my husband. I believe he said he was going to work on the garden blueprints. He should be in his study.”
The butler nods and sets off to find Jin. “Please have a seat. My husband should be here in a moment.”
Hugh Manner sits by the fireplace. “Is there anything amiss? Your expression when you first saw me was of surprise.”
His detective instincts are still on duty. “I was taken aback by how much you look like my husband.”
He runs his hand along the arm of the chair deep in thought. “Interesting observation.”
Jin comes striding into the room. “Mr. Manner, I hear you have news.”
“Yes, indeed, Mr. Sansby. I believe we apprehended the man in Whirksworth. He fits your description and the sketch perfectly.”
“Splendid. Then the matter is settled.”
“Yes. All I need is for you to identify him and my department will handle the rest.”
“Of course. I will ride to Whirksworth at once.”
Mr. Manner’s shoulders stiffen. “We have taken him to London. You must come with me now.”
Jin’s face falls. “Is that really necessary?”
“I am afraid so. The Chief Inspector would like to have a word with you.”
A Strange Alliance
Jin
My jaw muscle ticks, standing in the famous main office of Four Whitehall Place. Maintaining my normally calm demeanor is a challenge. While Hugh heads off to find the Chief Inspector, I contemplate sneaking back out the door. The main office is not the dungeon I expected. Light floods into the room from two large arched-top windows. The place bustles with activity. At least twenty people mill about while the rest gather in front of a long wooden partition waiting for a policeman to help them. The officers sport large mustaches and uniforms covered with badges and shiny brass buttons.
I stare at the front door, giving one last consideration to ducking out of the meeting before I hear Hugh’s pronounced footsteps. A much smaller bald man stands next to him and extends his hand. “I am Chief Inspector Johnston. I have been investigating your case.”
I return the greeting. “Pleasure to meet you. I understand you have apprehended the man?”
The inspector scans the room. “Let us continue this conversation in my office.”
I follow the men down a long wainscoted hallway. There is no mistaking the Chief Inspector’s office; his name is emblazed in six-inch high gold letters on the frosted-glass paneled door. I take a seat in the chair next to Hugh. The inspector leans back in his plush cushioned leather chair while we sit in rigid wooden ladder-backs that dig into our ribs. His guests surely do not stay long.
He shuffles a few papers on his desk. He hands me back the sketch. “This was extremely helpful in apprehending the suspect.”
I nod. “Splendid. And is he safely ensconced in one of your cells?”
The inspector shifts in his chair. “No, I am sorry to say.”
“What? Did you not have enough proof? Did you not search his residence?”
Hugh cuts in. “Mr. Gadhavi is staying at the Hotel Lido. I personally searched his room and could find no evidence that he is a spy or that he is following you.”
I squirm in my chair. Could they have found out about the complaint Roderick filed against me? Am I the one who is going to jail? “Could you not scare a confession out of him?”
The Chief Inspector hands me another paper. “The man has diplomatic immunity. He is an ambassador from India.”
Oh God. The High Council headquarters is in India. I swallow hard. “I see. So nothing can be done.”
The Chief Inspector abruptly stands up. “I advised Mr. Gadhavi that his time in England had come to an end and he needed to leave. That is all I have the authority to do.”
“I appreciate all of your time and effort, Inspector.”
We head out the door and down the hallway. Mr. Manner stops by the entrance to the main office. “Rest assured I will keep an eye on the fellow and make certain he leaves our fair city.”
Relieved, I shake Hugh’s hand. “Thank you for taking my complaint seriously. I do not know how I can repay you.”
“It is my duty.” He gives me a smile while he puts on his bowler hat. “I will always oblige my brother when requested.”
I am thankful he is taking the event in stride. Charles has been an outstanding neighbor. I would not want anything to hurt that relationship. As I watch his brother walk away, I realize the Inspector may believe the case is closed, but it is not for me. I must get answers for myself and they are hiding at the Hotel Lido.
Entering the hotel lobby, I am beginning to have doubts this visit is a good idea. The man has no allegiance to me. Yet it does no harm to try and convince him to leave us alone. Genie or not, it was easy to conjure up Mr. Gadhavi’s room number from the desk clerk with enough sterling.
I knock on the door of room 215 not expecting an answer, and nothing but silence greets me. My genie instincts telegraph it is time to leave, but I think of Esme and how many instances
Esme put herself at risk to save my life, and I knock again. This time I hear footsteps. The door opens slowly and a face far more sinister than the one I captured in the sketch greets me.
Mr. Gadhavi, dressed in black suit like a gunslinger in a modern western, pulls the door all the way open to reveal a room in complete shambles. “I wondered if you would have the nerve to look me up.”
“It appears someone has decided to redecorate your room.”
“Yes, indeed. Scotland Yard has a very particular style.”
I can appreciate a man who has a sense of humor in a situation like this. “I am sorry for their behavior. But the whole incident would not have been necessary if you had stopped pursuing me and my wife.”
“You do not remember me, do you? T’was a long time ago to be sure.” He lifts a dresser drawer off the sofa. “Please have a seat.”
I stare into his dark eyes and try to think back a few decades—nothing.
He weaves his long fingers together as we both sit down. “It was when you first became a genie.”
I stare into his commanding face hoping it will give me a clue. My answer could possibly save me from his wrath. The way his fingers are positioned sparks a memory. I was in trouble—and he was with me. Then the memory comes flooding back. It was my first job as a genie; I had allowed my master to break a rule.
“You were a facilitator for the High Council.”
“Ah, you remember. Yes, indeed. Now I am a spy. I have been following you ever since you came back to England. Quite the rulebreaker, are you not?”
“Yes, I did break the rules. You have seen my wife. I think she was well worth it.”
“Of course the High Council disagrees with you. Are you aware your actions have inspired a revolution in the genie world?”
“You cannot be serious. I am just one genie of hundreds. To insignificant to spark such a thing.”
He gets up and rummages through some papers scattered on the floor by the dresser. A paper shoots high into the air. “Here is your proof.”
I reach out and catch the paper. It is a flyer for a meeting of the New Genie Alliance in London. “I have been rendered speechless.”
Jin In Time Boxed Set 1-3: A Young Adult Time Travel Romance (The Time is Forever Series) Page 23