Untitled

by Wendy Bayne

  Father turned to me. “All that proves, Lissa, is that we both moved in within months of each other?”

  I grimaced at his tone responded sarcastically, “Alright but how did Richards gain entry to their house and then through the garden gate into our yard?” I turned to look at Mr Spencer. “Uncle Arthur, do you know if the Clarkes’ house showed any signs of forced entry?”

  He looked down at his hands and frowned. “No, there was no sign that they had forced their way into the house.”

  I tersely continued my questioning, “It had been raining a great deal for days so was there any sign that that they came over the garden wall? Were there any footprints or trampled plants?” He shook his head no.

  I focused back on my father, “Then there is the issue of the garden gate. It wasn’t broken down nor was the lock picked according to the police report, so a key must have been used. Even though you had never found one. The Clarkes could have lied about not having one?”

  “Then there was the horse stud they were so enthused about it but suddenly pulled out because they wanted to move closer to Ramsey. How does Mr Clarke make his money if he can move so frequently? Charity’s season was a disaster because something was not quite right about her. Is it because she can’t pass muster among the dowagers and mothers of the Beau Monde?” I looked at Aunt Mary for confirmation and she nodded. “So, they suddenly move to Oxford to find her a husband among the academics. But did any of us see them move? I didn’t. I suppose we can ask Mr Allan if any of the staff had remarked on it. Yet they came to our dinner party on the pretence of it being a school holiday, didn’t it seem like an odd time for a term break?” I looked at my Uncle Samuel who nodded as did my father. “And before I spoke to Ramsey that night, Uncle Samuel had been quizzing him about his studies. You spoke to him using some simple Latin phrases, yet he didn’t seem to understand you. Didn’t you find that a bit strange especially since he’d have to have at least some Latin to even be admitted to Oxford?”

  Father held up his hand to stop me. “Point taken, Lissa, there are too many coincidences for it to be random. But that still doesn’t mean that the Clarkes are in league with this dark man or have anything to do with the smuggling business.”

  I huffed. “But, Father, there’s the dark man’s story that he told Angel Dawson, how he had escaped from a place in the Indies where he had been enslaved and when he had gone back for his family the owners had sold up and moved back to England. And now he’s come to England in search of them. What if those people are the Clarkes?” I stopped, I could see I wasn’t making any impression on my father or uncles.

  I bit my lip again and looked to Miles, he, of course, didn’t see me, but he seemed to understand my silence and spoke up, “Colin, I have a question for you. If the dark man is the ringleader of the smugglers, why would he shoot Julian Browne if he was in league with him? Why not shoot me since I was so close to him. They could have still made off with Lissa since I was the only one armed in our party. In fact, wasn’t it that shot that alerted the rest of you to her whereabouts?” He shook his head. “It makes no sense to kill Julian if the plan was to take Lissa all along to deter you from further investigation. There is a great deal going on that we don’t know.” He sighed and continued, “We need to stay here until we find out everything we can about this dark man at the Granville’s soiree. Though I’m afraid it could mean interviewing everyone who was there. But we simply don’t have the manpower and I’m not sure that Lord Granville would even give us his guest list.”

  Uncle Samuel was nodding his head in agreement, but his eyes were bright with an idea. “If we didn’t notice the dark man or Ramsey Clarke then I seriously doubt that any of the other quests remember them or gave them a second thought if they did. However, the Embassy staff are quite another matter! They might have noticed something that was out of the ordinary inside and outside of the house.”

  Father nodded. “But we’ll still have to get his Lordship’s permission to interview the staff, especially when you consider what they may have noticed that the other guests would like to have remain private.”

  Uncle Samuel agreed and then Miles leaned forward, “Yes, but that kind of information could be of value to Lord Granville. Especially if we tell him all that we find out it may be of use to him at some point. As a diplomat, you can never have too much information, Colin.”

  Father paused and took a sip of his wine. “That may work, Miles.” He looked around at everyone at the table. “Alright then… Arthur, Samuel and I will speak to the staff.”

  Miles coughed, and my father glared at him. “You have something else you’d like to add?”

  Miles grinned then became serious. “I think that would be a mistake, Colin.” Father bristled. Even though Miles wasn’t smiling I could feel the vibration in his arm from the laughter that he was trying to hold back. “The good doctor and I would be able to do a better job.”

  Father pinched the bridge of his nose barely containing his irritation, “And why do you think that, Johnson?”

  Opening his hands to the room Miles said, “We’re nonthreatening. The good doctor has been trained to make keen observations while keeping people at ease as he questions them. And with my heightened senses I can tell a good deal about people and being blind, I’m not someone they’d find intimidating.” Father began pulling on his signet ring and turning it around on his finger.

  Miles didn’t give up though and demonstrated what he meant, “You’re playing with your signet ring right now, Colin. Mr Spencer has a stone in his shoe and has been rocking his foot heel to toe under the table trying to dislodge it. Mrs Spencer’s digestion is a bit upset but rather than speak to Dr Jefferson she has been taking peppermint water. Mrs Turner has been distracted all evening and seems concerned about something that she will need to discuss with you later.” Father looked at Mother sharply then back to Miles. “…she has been practically shredding every hanky she possesses for the last week. And Samuel, you’ve been finding it difficult to sleep at night and often get up to sit in the library.” We all looked at him askance. “My room is at the head of the stairs and Samuel’s gait is a touch heavier on the left side than the right, not that anyone would notice except in the middle of the night. Plus, the library door sticks and makes a slight popping sound when you open it. However, Samuel, your wife is aware of your nocturnal wanderings.” My uncle looked at Emilie and she blushed at having been found out. Miles was unaware of this exchange and continued. “She gets up and follows you only to sit at the top of the stairs until I assume she sees the light go out in the library. Then she scampers back to your bed. I’m surprised you’ve never noticed how cold she is.” He noticed Emilie and my uncle both stiffen. “Sorry old man, but perhaps you should chat with Matthew about your insomnia.” He smiled, and I thought Uncle Samuel was going to throttle him.

  Emilie leaned across the table. “Thank you, Miles, I think that is excellent advice.” My uncle blushed to the tips of his ears but as far as I could see no one was making eye contact with anyone else. Emilie giggled and then Aunt Mary finally laughed.

  Father huffed. “Very well, you and the good doctor may have the honour of interviewing the staff. Samuel, Arthur and I will look about the grounds again and speak to the local authorities about strangers that have recently arrived in Paris. Arthur, I hope that we can count of your Parisian contacts and their assistance in this.”

  Uncle Arthur smiled. “Of course, you can.”

  Chapter 27

  The Embassy Interviews

  I desperately wanted to go with them the next day. But my father said no, and my mother agreed when I would have argued. However, immediately after my father left with my uncles my mother turned to Dr Jefferson and Miles. “Matthew, Miles? Lissa, Aunt Mary, Emilie and I will be accompanying you.” Dr Jefferson opened his mouth to protest but she put her hand up. “You gentlemen will do fine with the male servants but what of the female staff? They will have noticed a great deal more about the
men and women that attended the reception then the male staff, especially if it involves a handsome man. They’ll remember not only what a man looked like but what he was doing and who he talked to…maybe even what was said. They will also take note of the women to a similar degree; whereas most men will hardly countenance another man.” She waited for a reply, but none was forthcoming. She shook her head looking pointedly at both. “And no woman is going to speak candidly to either of you gentlemen, you are both far too…distracting! Admit it, you need us.”

  Miles and the doctor both burst out laughing. It was Miles that spoke up first, “I concur with your assessment and bow to your wishes, ma’am. But you will need to hurry, the carriage has already been ordered along with a few, shall we say necessities.”

  Mother laughed. “You mean bribes? Well, we have a few of our own necessities as well.” Having said that Beth and Meg came down the stairs each with bags containing scented soaps and candy.

  Dr Jefferson looked at Mother and then at the bags, smiling devilishly. “And how, Mrs Turner, do you plan on explaining all of this to Lady Granville?”

  She smiled as she took her hat from Beth, pinning it on then pulling on her gloves. “I don’t have to. It’s a token, Matthew, it’s expected of the guests to acknowledge the staff in such a way after exemplary service. Besides I have already sent her Ladyship a large case of English goods that she can’t obtain in France when we first arrived. It never hurts to be prepared, she’ll have no objection to us interviewing her staff but just in case I sent a request to her ladyship last evening for permission to interview them unchaperoned and she agreed.” She smiled sweetly at him and walked out the door.

  Miles leaned towards Dr Johnson, “Tell me, Jefferson, does Turner know that his wife is a force onto her own.”

  Dr Jefferson raised one brow then opened his mouth to reply when Aunt Mary answered for him, “Of course, he knows, my dear boy, and it causes him no small amount of concern, as well as pleasure.” Then she glanced at me. “So be forewarned, young man.”

  It was my turn to laugh as I took Miles’ arm. “Shall we?”

  When we arrived at the Embassy, Lord and Lady Granville were both conveniently out and were not expected back for some time and their butler had been told to cooperate with us to the fullest. Once we arrived, I noticed Mr Dunhill was lurking by the door to his Lordship’s study with a look of stern disapproval, so I called out to him, “Good Morning, Mr Dunhill.” He now had no choice but to acknowledge us much to his apparent chagrin.

  He came forward made the customary abeyances. “Good morning.” He did not smile nor looked pleased by our presence as he bowed to my aunts and my mother. His eyes were heavily lidded as if he mistrusted us, yet he said in a friendly enough manner, “If I can be of any assistance today, please feel free to have one of the staff alert me. But I’m afraid that you are on a fool’s errand. The staff have been thoroughly questioned by myself and no one saw anything out of the ordinary.” He started to turn then seemed to think of something else to say, “I would hope that you will exercise the greatest discretion about anything delicate that you may discover regarding his Lordship’s guests. I would have advised the staff of that duty if his Lordship had seen fit to warn me earlier of your visit. But I will remind you that I know his Lordship’s mind that it would upset him greatly to have his hospitality abused.”

  Aunt Mary looked like a thundercloud as she stepped forward. “Mr, uh, Dunhill, is it?” He nodded with a self-satisfied smirk. She smiled back like a cat that had trapped a mouse. “Might I remind you that I have known Lord Granville since we were children and that Lady Granville and I have been friends since they married. I know them both very well and I am sure that they will appreciate hearing of how you have reminded us today of our duty. But please don’t let us keep you any longer.” She had effectively put him in his place and dismissed him as only a former Dowager Countess could, it was hard not to giggle as he turned and walked away from us flushed to the tips of ears and with his fists clenched tightly at his sides. Aunt Mary was still angry as she whispered, “Pretentious little prig.”

  The butler Mr Fraser was standing next to my aunt with just a trace of a grin. Then he seemed to recollect himself and turned to our group, “Ah, gentleman, if you would follow Thomas here, he will take you to my pantry where you may interview the inside staff. However, I took it upon myself to assume that you would prefer to interview the outside staff in the stables where they would be more comfortable, therefore the factors office has been made available for you when you’re ready. The tokens you have provided have been distributed as you requested, and might I say that the pocket knives will be greatly appreciated for being of such an exceptional quality. Regarding the refreshment that you provided it has been decanted and will be in place as you directed but I have but one request, gentlemen. The men are not generally used to strong spirits so if I may take the liberty, I’d like to ask you to be liberal in the use of the water to dilute it, especially with the younger ones. I would greatly appreciate it personally and so will they in the long run.”

  Dr, Jefferson nodded, “Of course, Mr Fraser. Our intention is not to get them drunk I can assure you.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Fraser visibly relaxed then he signalled to a footman who stepped forward and led them through the green baize door. Then he looked back at us and pursed his lips. “Ladies, I have set up the small sitting room on this floor for you to conduct your interviews. I take it there will be no spirits required?”

  Mother smiled. “No, thank you, Fraser, just tea and some nice cakes if you please.”

  He raised an eye. “Might I suggest, Mrs Turner, that the staff will not be used to such niceties and that mugs of tea and buttered bread will be more to their liking.”

  She nodded. “You may be right normally, Mr Fraser, but I want this to be a special day for them so tea in china cups and nice cakes if you please.”

  He sighed. “As you wish, madam.”

  As he turned, Mother reached out and touched his arm to get his attention. He looked back at her as he casually took a step away from her hand. “Mr Fraser, before you go I’d like to thank you for all your assistance and preparation. I know this has been an imposition for you and all the staff. You have my sincerest gratitude.” He smiled warmly and from the look he gave my mother you would have thought the compliment was worth more to him than anything else. He bowed then and led us to the sitting room.

  I turned to Mother after he had left assuring us that tea would be brought in shortly, “That was so nice of you to compliment him like that, Mother, he seemed to genuinely appreciate it.”

  Mother smiled and caressed my cheek. “It wasn’t the compliment that made him smile, Lissa. It was the acknowledgement of the disruption this would cause the staff in their daily routine. It’s something that more employers should be aware of when they ask staff to alter their routine on a moment’s notice.”

  There was a tentative knock at the door and the tea was brought in. We had decided since the room was large enough that we would invite all the female staff in at once as if to a tea party. Then we’d see what we could glean from their chatter and hopefully they would put each other at ease. We just needed one statement to prime the pump to get them talking. The cook was the last to join the group then Aunt Mary set the tone. “Madam Reynolds, I must say that your dinner last night was exquisite! I think I have rarely been served consommé so clear or veal so tender, not even at the King’s own table. I would love to get your recipes for my own cook, that is if you would be willing to part with your secrets.” I was shocked when Madam Reynolds spoke with a clear Cornish accent as she blushed and smiled, acknowledging the compliment and agreeing to write them out for her. Intrigued by her accent Aunt Mary asked her how she came to be in France. “My husband were a French smuggler, ma’am. I met him on the beach by my da’s place in St. Agnes. I went for a sail with him one day, but a storm blew us out into the channel and we ended up here in France during th
e war. We were caught, he was pressed into the French Army and died on the battlefield after we’d only been married a month. His colonel took me on when he found out I could cook. I’m a fast learner, ma’am, I can cook English, French, Italian and German food; don’t care much for the German stuff though, ma’am.”

  She had set the other staff at ease and they all began speaking of their own experiences and how they came to be at the embassy and it became just an informal group of ladies taking tea. It was a large household but thankfully everyone relaxed in short order and by the time we were done and the presents of scented soap and candies had been handed out, we had a great deal of information. We’d have to sift through it later and decide what was true and what was not or at the very least what had been exaggerated. But I didn’t feel that we had gathered much that was useful despite our best efforts.

  All the staff had left, and we were gathering our things together when a tentative knock came at the door. I opened it to two girls of about twelve years of age. I invited them in and they introduced themselves as Renee and Odette, the tweenies. They eyed the cake tray and the pitcher of lemonade with longing. Mother looked at them and asked if they’d like to take some tea with us. I gave my mother a quizzical look but took my cue from her offering them each a plate and telling them to help themselves while I poured out two tall glasses of lemonade. I sat them down at a table since they clearly didn’t know how to balance a plate and a glass. Mother leaned forward once they were settled and asked why they hadn’t come with the others. Renee was the only one that could speak English, yet they both seem to understand it.

  Renee sighed after finishing a bite of custard tart. “They thought we wouldn’t know anything because we should have been in bed, but we wanted to see the fine ladies and gentlemen, madam. We hid in the conservatory and watched from there, but we heard from the others that you were asking about a dark man and a young Englishman with blond curls?”