Untitled

by Wendy Bayne

  I suddenly wanted the comfort of my mother, yet she had gone to look in on James as soon as we had arrived home. Suddenly I was jealous of my little brother then as if by magic she came into the room. “That is enough, everyone. In case none of you can see it, Lissa is still in shock.” She took my hand, kissed father on the cheek and pulled me towards the door. Father had a slightly bemused smile on his face. Emilie and Aunt Mary both sighed and smiled as they got up, following us out and leaving father and Mr Spencer alone.

  Aunt Mary and Emilie had preceded us up the stairs after biding us goodnight. But my mother held me back until they had turned towards their rooms. “Are you truly alright, my dear?”

  It was only then as she looked down at my gown and brushed the hair behind my ears that I noticed my state of dishabille. I gasped when I realised what she was referring to. “Oh, no, Mother, he merely slapped my face and dragged me through the garden. I resisted moving so I fell several times but otherwise he didn’t hurt me. He was in a terrible hurry to get me away but to where or for what purpose he didn’t say. I don’t think he intended to kill me, at least not right away.” I lied about that, but I could tell that she already realised that I would not have been held for ransom, rather my dead body was to serve as a message to my father.

  We reached my room and found Meg half-asleep in the chair by the fire. Mother woke her up and sent her off to bed. She helped me to undress and we said nothing more until I climbed into bed. “Mother, I’m glad that you didn’t come out on the terrace with me.” She gave me a quizzical look and I swallowed hard, but she needed to know. “He would have killed you if you had, I’m so glad that you stopped to talk with Madame Janvier about babies.”

  She looked as sad as she caressed my cheek. “Whenever you seem to need me the most, my darling child, I’m never there.”

  I was horrified that she thought I was blaming her. “No, Mama, no, there was nothing you could have done. I’m just so happy that you’re safe. That we both are.”

  She sighed and pulled me into a hug. “I’m just glad that Miles found me and asked if I knew where you’d gone. I should have known when he had that reprobate brother of his in tow that all was not well. When I told him that you’d gone out on the terrace, he shoved Edward into your uncle’s arms saying, ‘Tell them’ then he turned and practically ran out to the terrace. I was surprised that his eyesight had improved so much.”

  I grimaced. “As of dinner it hadn’t, he was still just seeing blurry images and only when there is sufficient light.”

  Mother looked perplexed. “But your father told me that it was Miles who shot Julian Browne. How could he possibly have shot him in the dark?”

  “I don’t know. But I feel like I’m forgetting something, it all happened so quickly.” I tried to remember what had transpired in the garden even though I didn’t want to, but I replayed each step in my mind. “I’m sure that he didn’t shoot him, he couldn’t have, when he stumbled out of the trees he was to father’s far right with the pistol in his hand. He was looking around as if unsure of himself. I don’t think he even saw me. He couldn’t have fired!”

  “Are you sure, darling?”

  “Yes, I am.” I moved to get out of bed. “I must speak to Father.”

  My mother rose. “Sit, I’ll get him. You aren’t running around after what you’ve been through.”

  She left immediately, and it seemed like forever before she returned with my him. Before he had even closed the door, I asked “Did Miles say that he shot Julian?”

  Father looked puzzled. “He didn’t say anything other than wanting to know if you were okay. But of course, he shot him, Lissa, you saw him with the gun in his hand.”

  I was getting frustrated. “How do you know it was Miles? If he didn’t tell you, how do you know?”

  Father scratched his brow. “I suppose we assumed he had a gun and Browne was dead.”

  “What did Miles look like? How was he behaving? You saw him after we got back to the Embassy, I didn’t. Please, Father, this is important. Did you see the pistol? Had it been fired?”

  Father raised his hand. “Just one question at a time, please, and let me think a minute.” He paused apparently collecting his thoughts. “He was a dreadful mess, from the looks of him he must have fallen several times while looking for you, but it was dark. He didn’t seem to hear anything we asked him. He just kept asking about you, Matthew said he was in shock and needed to rest. But no, I didn’t see the pistol. Samuel gave it to Lord Granville and he locked it away.” He settled back on my bed while my mother leaned against him. “Why all these questions, Lissa?”

  I explained to him again about my journey through the garden in every detail just as before, but I had forgotten to mention the tapping so when I told him, he rang for Murphy.

  When Murphy arrived, Father went out into the hallway with him, but he wasn’t gone very long. “I’ve sent Murphy to the Embassy to tell Samuel what you’ve just told me. It’s late and nothing can be done at this hour so try and get some sleep.”

  Chapter 25

  Shadows

  I was tossing and turning with my dreams and in them I saw shadows coming out of the dark some of them were Miles, some were Randall and Julian Browne. But mostly they were just shadows. But I had the pervasive impression that there was someone standing just behind Miles in those shadows. The person was indistinct, all that I could envision was a beard as black as night with vivid white teeth that shone as he smiled just before he disappeared in a puff of smoke. I finally got out of bed. It was sometime just before dawn, so I lit a candle and sat down to sketch my vision of the man from the murkiness of my dreams. As I drew the dark man I had the distinct impression that he hadn’t been alone, but I couldn’t grasp the other image.

  I returned to bed and slept soundly until Meg came into my room, slamming about in the wardrobe. Obviously, something was wrong, so I sat up just as she yanked back the curtains allowing sunshine to spill across the room pushing back the shadows. I watched her stomp about lighting the fire and getting down my riding habit. It appeared that someone had told her that I would be going out and apparently, we would not be taking the carriage. Finally, she left and brought me back a cup of chocolate, her face was pinched, and her eyes were red. “Whatever is the matter, Meg?” I looked at the chocolate dubiously, I preferred tea in the morning as Meg knew so something had put her off.

  Meg huffed. “It’s the new maids, miss, the ones for Mrs Hughes and Mrs Spencer. Beth is taking them in her stride and being senior, it’s easier for her. But they mean to drive me crazy!”

  I wrinkled my brow as I tried to figure out what it was she meant. “Meg, I’m confused. You were so happy that you and Beth wouldn’t have to do double duty any longer and now you’re unhappy?”

  She stopped and crossed her arms and huffed. “Not exactly, miss. The extra hands are welcomed but if I hear ‘it’s not done like that in Paris’ one more time from that Gwen, I’ll scream the house down! That’s practically all she says, miss. And what kind of name is Gwen for a Frenchie anyway!”

  I set my cup aside. “I can speak to Emilie to talk to her or to her sister Adele, she seems to be very nice.”

  Meg sniffed and pushed a stray bit of hair behind her ear. “There’s nothing wrong with Adele, I suppose. Except Jacob and Michael might come to blows over her one day.”

  I smiled as I came to understand what might be wrong. The new maids must be creating some unrest. “Is Robert paying too much attention to Gwen since she arrived?”

  Meg stood there fighting back tears. “Not so that most would notice. But he seems to be around a lot when I’m showing her how Mrs Hughes likes things done and how we do them back home. He whispers things to her in French that I don’t understand; then she blushes, and he blushes; it’s making me sick, Miss Clarissa.”

  I thought about it for a second. It didn’t sound like Robert at all. He had been very focused on learning his duties as a valet for my father and he seemed genuine
ly fond of Meg. There had to me more to it. I’d have to find out what it was one way or the other or my maid was going to drive me mad. But right now, I had other problems. So, I decided the best advice would be the easiest advice. “Meg, just talk to Robert.”

  She looked up at me with hurt but puzzled expression. “Talk to him about what, miss?”

  I bit my lip. “Just ask him if he is sweet on Gwen.”

  Then she blushed to the tips of her ears. “Oh NO! I could never be so forward.”

  She composed herself eventually and helped me to get ready. When I left the room, I knew she would be crying while she straightened everything up. As it was I almost ran into Robert coming out of my father’s dressing room. I glared at him and he recoiled at my look, then stammered, “Good morning, Miss Turner.”

  I continued to walk down the hall without responding, then I spun on my heel and walked right up to him. “Robert Dawson, your flirting with Gwen is breaking Meg’s heart! If you don’t have feelings for her any longer than you should tell her so.” I stood there with my arms crossed, daring him with my eyes to speak up.

  He stood there with his mouth open. “Me and Gwen, miss? I—I’m not sure where Meg got that idea.”

  “Oh really, so your hanging around when Meg is teaching Gwen things and both of you blushing as you speak to her in French means nothing?”

  He furrowed his brow then his eyes lit up. “Oh no, it’s not me, miss! It’s Michael, honest! They’re sweet on each other and he asks me to pass messages along for him…which I’d rather not. But I found out from him that her English isn’t very good and she’s afraid to ask Meg to speak French since Meg’s still learning French. Gwen’s afraid she’ll lose her position if anyone finds out so when she’s with Meg, she asked if I could interpret for her and I get to spend more time with my Meg. But Gwen thinks Meg hates her and she’s afraid to ask her why so I’m helping her with her English but frankly, miss, it’s all exhausting.” He grinned sheepishly.

  “Wait a minute but I thought Gwen was fluent?”

  He pursed his lips. “It’s her sister that is fluent, miss. They didn’t want to be parted so Adele lied about Gwen’s English knowing that Mrs Hughes is French and probably wouldn’t mind speaking French most of the time. She is working on it though and doing well. It’s just that Meg makes her real nervous ’cause she’s so good at what she does. Gwen’s never been a lady’s maid before but she’s a quick leaner.”

  I started to giggle. “Is that why she says, ‘it’s not done like that in Paris’ all the time?” He blushed and nodded. “Then you better speak to Meg today or your next day off will be spent playing cards with the grooms.” His eyes got big and he looked behind him at the sound of my bedroom door opening. He immediately turned and walked up to a very tearful Meg, took her arm and walked her back into my room. I smiled to myself and made my way downstairs, happy that another crisis had been averted.

  At the bottom of the stairs stood my Uncle Samuel, “Come along, brat, we haven’t got all day.”

  My voice caught, and I was barely able to squeak out, “What are you doing here and where is Miles? You didn’t leave him in prison, did you?”

  He laughed. “You wound me! Do you think me so callous as to leave your paramour in a jail cell? Actually, he’s still at the Embassy.” I sucked in my breath and he backed up. “Don’t get upset with me! Matthew is with him, he was exhausted and had a terrible headache, so Lord Granville invited them to stay there. I came back to the hotel to be with my wife. I didn’t think you’d begrudge me that much.”

  I sighed. “I’m sorry, it’s just that I’ve been so worried. Oh my god, my sketches, I must get my pad. Something came to me last night.” I spun around and started for the stairs just as Meg and Robert were running down the stairs towards us with my sketch pad in hand.

  Meg was breathless. “Miss, oh miss!”

  They reached the bottom of the stairs and Robert took the pad from Meg’s hand. “Miss Turner, this man, you’ve seen him?”

  Samuel came over and took the pad in hand and pointing at the picture. “Who is this?”

  “I don’t know, Uncle, I vaguely remember seeing him last night just before Julian was shot. He was part of my dreams last night and to exorcise him I got up and drew this picture. I could swear that he was standing behind Miles and I had a sense in my dream that he wasn’t alone.” I threw up my hands. “I don’t even know if he’s real or a product of my exhausted mind.”

  Robert cleared his throat. “Oh, he’s real, miss. He’s the dark man my sister told you about.”

  Samuel looked stunned but quickly recovered. “Lissa, we’d better show this to your father. And, Robert, I think you had best come along as well.” Meg was left standing in the hallway biting her fist. I smiled weakly at her and followed my uncle and Robert into the one of the hotel’s private dining rooms.

  It was decided based on my drawing that we would leave for the Embassy right after breakfast. Once on the road we walked our horses at a sedate pace as if we didn’t have a care in the world in case we were being watched. I wanted to race to see Miles, my heart was pounding, and I was impatient to get moving. Robert was positive that my sketch though incomplete was the dark man that he had seen on several occasions in Dorset. Was it true then that the man was not only a pirate and smuggler but perhaps a murderer? My stomach was tied up in knots just thinking about it. I couldn’t even enjoy the sights on the way to the Embassy. Father dropped back to ride at my side interrupting my musings with a chuckle. “Lissa, you need to keep up darling.”

  I looked about me and saw that I was well back from our group. The reins of my mount were slack in my hands and my horse was wandering off the road to take a nip at the nearby grass. “I’m sorry, Father! I guess I was lost in thought.”

  He smiled at me as I grasped the reins more firmly and pulled the horse’s attention back to the road. We caught up with the others as they approached the drive to the Embassy. Father spoke to me again, this time his tone was very serious, “I expect you conduct yourself as a well-bred lady and not throw yourself at Miles. It would be embarrassing for him in front of so many people.”

  I glared at him then I smiled devilishly to let him know I was not angry. “And embarrassing for you as well, I suppose?”

  He didn’t look at me, but I could see his grin. “You are about to get a lesson in what it’s like to be in company where young ladies do not openly express their opinions. Please don’t make it difficult for yourself.” I bristled but relaxed when he added, “I need you to watch, listen and learn. If you ever expect to work for me in any capacity at all, following orders is paramount to success.” Then he said under his breath with hint of amusement, “I’m sure that was a waste of my breath,” then he chuckled quietly. Uncle Samuel came up beside him and asked if everything was all right. Father merely smirked and tipped his head toward me which made my uncle likewise grin then wink.

  I was thoroughly put out by them, so I decided to demonstrate that I could be the perfect lady in every way. After all, I had been raised to be one, it was only within the confines of my family circle that I took liberties.

  I arrived at the entrance with my father, Robert, and Uncle Samuel, they all jumped down and proceeded towards the door. Michael came to gather my reins along with the other horses while he waited for Lord Granville’s grooms to take charge of our mounts. But he hesitated and cleared his throat loud enough to make my father looked back at him, then up at me still seated. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Father came back to assist me down from my side saddle as he would any lady, “Well-played, daughter, but I suppose I deserved it.”

  I merely smiled. “Thank you, Father. And yes, you did deserve it.” I straightened my skirts and proceeded towards the steps.

  He caught up to me and spoke into my ear. “Don’t be so cheeky, miss.” We both laughed and climbed the stairs just as the door opened.

  We were taken into Lord Granville’s study where he sat behind his desk w
ith his secretary at his side. He stood up smiling when we entered but frowned when he saw me enter the room. Mr Dunhill his secretary saw his Lordship’s frown and spoke up, “Perhaps you daughter would like to take a turn in the gardens or visit with her Ladyship, I believe she is in the conservatory.”

  My father ignored him, addressing Lord Granville instead, “If your Lordship will excuse me, my daughter was traumatized in those gardens, so I would prefer to keep her at my side. Besides she has presented us with a very interesting alternative to Mr Johnson as the killer.”

  Lord Granville pulled at his chin. “Come now, Turner, I’ve already had this conversation with the lad’s father and frankly I don’t see who else could have done it when none of you other gentlemen were armed.”

  Father took a deep breath. “May I see the weapon that was taken from Mr Johnson?”

  His Lordship wasted no time taking a small key out of his pocket to unlock a drawer in his desk and retrieving the pistol which he handed to my father. Father then pulled a piece of fresh white paper in front of him and unloaded the gun in front of Lord Granville. No one in our party was surprised but his Lordship was shocked, and his secretary looked angry. Lord Granville swallowed several times before saying anything. My heart fell as I was sure he was about to tell us that he had given Miles over to the police. Finally, he found his voice, “I’m should have checked the weapon myself, but things have been rather chaotic since last night. I’m relieved that it’s not Johnson. His brother the Viscount has been insisting all day that he should be arrested and his father the Earl has been after me let him go free. I cannot tell you how relieved I am.” He did look relieved then concerned, “But that still leaves us with a murderer at large.” He rubbed his forehead and grimaced. “I suppose I shall have to turn the case over to the local authorities now.”