by Leah Conolly
James folded the letter up and held it tightly in his hand. As Elizabeth had said, he knew it was imperative that he tell no one else of their suspicions. The only way to find the countess out for sure would be to trap her by pretending ignorance of her true character.
James sat in the library, thinking. He started to come up with a plan. Though he didn’t relish the thought of everything he had to do, and though he hated to have to be the one to do it, he knew that the countess had to be brought to justice. Like Elizabeth said, if left unchecked, who knew how much harm the countess could do to others?
Daniel had told him that all hope wasn’t lost. And though this had little to do with Elizabeth herself, somehow James had the feeling that was right.
Chapter 31
As Elizabeth watched the familiar countryside pass by the carriage window, the sight of home brought her no comfort, unlike the last time, when she had visited with James. Now it only brought feelings of dread. She knew what was waiting for her. A terrible husband, and unhappiness for the rest of her life.
She caught a glimpse of the seashore and thought of how she and James had ridden down to the water. He had seemed awed by the sight of the ocean and had claimed he would commission a painting of it from his friend the Earl of Presport.
“It will be our painting,” he’d said, with a smile. She had been able to clearly see the future he was picturing in his mind. “Every time we look at it, we will think of this.”
It pained Elizabeth to know that their future together would never be. Every moment in the carriage took her further and further away from James. She would never see him again.
Drowning in her depressing thoughts, Elizabeth was so wrapped up in misery that she barely noticed when she arrived at Deuney Keep. Her father met her in front of the house, but Elizabeth could not find it within herself to embrace him this time. He wore a frown and a troubled look as if he had already known what to expect.
“Elizabeth…” he said softly, but trailed off, unsure of what to say. After a moment, he cleared his throat. “I am glad to see you. I am looking forward to spending time with you, even if only for a week.”
“It is good to see you too, Father,” Elizabeth said. She truly meant it. It was good to see a familiar face, someone whose opinion of her hadn’t been influenced by the London gossip.
“How was your journey?” he asked, as he led her inside. “There is a meal waiting for you in the dining room.”
“It was difficult, but I am not hungry.”
Edward paused and gazed at her. “You must eat something. You’ve come such a long way.”
“As I said, I am not hungry.” She met his eyes with determination. After a moment, Edward looked away. He had never been able to match her will for very long when it came to most things.
“Very well,” he murmured. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No. As you have said, the future is already set in stone and cannot be changed.” She looked out the window. “I am going for a walk. I will try to be back for dinner.”
Edward’s eyes widened. “Aren’t you tired? Are you sure that you should?”
“Yes. I need some fresh air. You do not mind, do you, Father?”
He shook his head slowly. Elizabeth wondered if he would be able to deny her anything, now. He knew the grief he was causing her. “No, just be careful. Try to be back before nightfall.”
Elizabeth left without even changing her dress. Despite the painful memories, she found some semblance of peace in the fields of yellow flowers. She tried very hard not to think of the person who had brought her flowers of that same color when she was ill. The person she had convinced to climb up into the tree. The person her heart longed for.
Instead, she turned her attention to the calls of the birds. She hadn’t forgotten them. They were still as familiar to her as they were the day that she had first left Deuney Keep for London.
London. She wondered if she would ever go back, and if she did, would she find it less odious? First London, then Deuney Keep. Was there nowhere she belonged anymore? Everywhere was tainted with bad memories and people who didn’t understand her.
Elizabeth wandered, until she came to the tree she had climbed with James. She hoisted herself up into the branches and went higher and higher until the branches were so small that they bent under her weight. Her lips twitched into a smile, as she considered that James would be terrified if he could see her now.
She gazed out above the world, the setting sun painting everything in reddish hues. Such beauty amidst the sadness. Nature didn’t care about her worries. It didn’t bend to the troubles of people. Nature was constant.
Elizabeth sighed. At least that was one thing that wouldn’t change. She could always rely on the outdoors to soothe her spirits. It was the one friend that would never desert her.
Elizabeth suddenly recalled having a similar thought while she was out among the flowers before she left for London. Irony was cruel. She had been alone then, and she was alone now. She would always be alone. After she was married to an old brute of a man, how could she have anyone to confide in?
Elizabeth became aware of a creaking sound. It took her a moment to surface from her thoughts and realize that the branch she stood on was giving way. Heart pounding, she jumped to another branch just as the one beneath her feet snapped and fell to the ground far below.
Trying to catch her breath, Elizabeth scrambled further down the tree. She needed someone to remind her of her limits, she realized. Someone to keep her grounded. If she could create her own world with her own rules, then she would; but for now, she needed someone to bring her back to the world she lived in.
Someone like James.
Elizabeth leaped to the ground and sank into a sitting position. It was in that moment she knew that she still loved him, and she probably always would.
* * *
Elizabeth awoke three days later, still hoping that it was all a nightmare. And yet she awakened in the same bed that she’d slept in since she was a child, in the same room, in the same house. She’d barely had enough energy to get out of bed the previous two days, and today was no different. With a groan, Elizabeth rolled over onto her side. She wished she could just stay here and never move again.
Still, she knew from her first morning back home that her father would be upset if she didn’t at least join him for breakfast. She made herself presentable before going downstairs to the dining room. Her father was just beginning breakfast.
“Good morning, Elizabeth. How did you sleep?”
“I slept well,” she said quietly, as she sat, keeping her gaze downcast. She pushed food around on her plate but didn’t eat anything. She hadn’t felt like eating since she had arrived.
“Elizabeth,” Edward said, after a long silence, “you must try to return to normal. This is not the end of your life. It is merely a new beginning. It will not be as bad as you think.”
Elizabeth nodded, too weary to even think of a reply.
“Please eat something, at least. I have been watching you merely move food around your plate for the past three days.”
“I am not hungry this morning.” She could feel her father’s eyes on her, but she refused to look up at him. It became totally silent in the room as he stopped eating.
“My child,” he began, “it is necessary for you to marry Lord Huxley. If there were another option, I would take it. I do not want you to be unhappy, and I truly do not think you will be. This must happen. You know it must.”
“I know, Father. I have already accepted it.” There was no more arguing, no more thoughts of running away. This was her fate, this was what she had caused, and she would accept it.
Edward shifted in his seat and didn’t touch his food. “I have arranged for Lord Huxley to come for a visit in two days’ time,” he said. “I know it has been a long time since you have met with him. I daresay, Elizabeth, you will find him quite amiable.”
Elizabeth remembered the last time
she had seen Lord Huxley at dinner with her father, his face red with drunkenness and his laughter loud and boisterous. He had scared her. She doubted he had changed at all unless he had grown even uglier.
Later that day, as Elizabeth tried to find something to occupy her mind, she ended up falling onto her bed and crying. She couldn’t help it. The thoughts of James and everything she had lost were too much to bear.
Her maid must have told her father, because a while later, after her bed was soaked with tears, Edward came into her room.
“My dear child,” he said, putting a hand on her back. “I never wanted to cause you so much pain.”
Elizabeth continued crying. She would have been happy with James. If only she hadn’t been so stupid and stubborn.
“I truly believe you are making it worse than it will be. You will be married and living in comfort.” He tried to laugh a little. “You will no longer be subjected to my ordering you about.”
Elizabeth sat up and wrapped her arms around her father. “I would so much rather stay here with you, Father.”
“It will be all right, Elizabeth,” he said, returning the embrace. “Just wait until you see Lord Huxley. Then you will know that what I say is true.”
Elizabeth couldn’t bring herself to get up from her bed for the rest of the day. Her father came regularly to check on her, becoming increasingly concerned.
Try as she might, Elizabeth couldn’t get her mind out of the depression it was in. She wondered if that was who she was now. Gone was the cheerful, carefree Elizabeth who laughed and talked freely. In her place was a sad, lonely woman who would be no better than a prisoner for the rest of her life.
Chapter 32
James read Elizabeth’s letter several times over the next several days, not only because he could see her penmanship and imagine her writing the letter, but also because he knew he needed to create a foolproof plan to deal with Victoria.
Each time he read the letter several ideas came to mind. He didn’t want to tell Victoria outright that he knew what she was up to, for fear she might run or hide all the evidence that would prove her guilty.
After much deliberation, James thought he had a sound plan mapped out in his mind. The more he considered it, the more he thought it just might work.
“You seem to be feeling better, James,” his mother commented one morning.
James shook himself from his thoughts. He hadn’t told anyone about Elizabeth’s revelation about the countess, and he didn’t intend to, unless it was someone who could bring the countess to justice. “I have found something with which to occupy my time.”
Erin raised her eyebrows. “Oh?”
“I will tell you when the time is right. For now, I have important business to attend to.” He excused himself from breakfast and went to his writing desk. This was the first step in his plan.
James thought hard before beginning. Though it took much fabrication and effort on his part, he wrote the letter like one who was enchanted and in love. The countess was clever; she might find it strange if he suddenly claimed to have affection for her, but if he flattered her enough, her vanity might just overtake her wits.
Dear Victoria,
I regret that we have not been able to see each other recently, my dear friend. I do confess that I have been upset about Elizabeth’s departure to Deuney Keep, but during my musings I realized that I have overlooked a very important woman who has been in my life for a long time—you.
James sighed and had to stop for a moment. It was going to take everything he had to execute this correctly.
It would please me greatly if you would pay me a visit soon, so that we may spend the day together. There is a very urgent matter that I must discuss with you.
Please reply to me as soon as possible, so that we may set a date. Any day will suit me.
Sincerely,
James Graham, Duke of Darrington
James finished and massaged his temples, glad that it was over. He read over the letter a few times, deemed it sufficient and sealed it. He called for his butler and asked that the letter be posted immediately.
James’s heart pumped wildly as the letter was taken away. He found this all quite exciting. It gave him something to occupy his mind, and, if nothing else, if the ruse worked, he would have something to write to Elizabeth about. Surely, she would want to be reassured that he had heeded her warning and was working to put a stop Victoria’s treacherous ways.
Now, all he had to do was wait.
* * *
It did not take long at all for the countess to reply.
The next day, James received a letter first thing in the morning. He quickly scanned over Victoria’s reply.
Dear James,
It would be my pleasure to spend a day with you. It has been so long since I have spent time with you or even seen you happy. I believe that we will have a wonderful day together.
Does tomorrow suit you? We might as well not delay. I look forward to your company, and whatever it is you would like to discuss with me.
Your friend,
Victoria Blackwood, Countess of Chester
James smiled. It didn’t seem as though she suspected anything. Just as he had hoped, she had been taken in by his charm. He replied immediately, telling her that tomorrow would suit him perfectly, and he was looking forward to seeing her. The letter was dispatched, and James ordered his carriage. He had a visit to pay.
The carriage took him to Bow Street in London, the home of the Bow Street Runners. Through James’s influence, he had come to know one of the constables personally. He had told James to contact him if he ever needed anything. James thought that now was undoubtedly the right time to call in a favor.
James was directly admitted into the building. He asked after the constable, Mr. Lock, and a servant rushed off to find him. James heard raised voices and imagined that there must be a court in session in the next room. It was only a few minutes before the servant returned with Mr. Lock in tow.
James smiled and shook hands with the man. “My lord,” he said. “What can I do for you?” Mr. Lock asked.
“There is a rather delicate matter I would like to speak to you about. Is there an office where we may converse?” James was all too conscious of the noise from the next room and the people who might be listening in.
Mr. Lock smiled. “Certainly, my lord.” He led James to a small office on the ground floor and closed the door behind him.
“Mr. Lock,” began James, “I believe that I am acquainted with someone who has committed at least two murders and has attempted at least one other.” He sighed. It felt like a relief to say it out loud.
Mr. Lock’s mouth opened in shock. He huffed. “That is an incredible accusation. What proof do you have?”
“That’s what I need your help with.” James licked his lips. “This is quite a delicate matter, as it involves a rather prominent lady, the Countess of Chester.”
Mr. Lock hummed in thought and nodded. “I see, sir.”
“I do not think she knows that I am suspicious of her, but I have been cautious, nonetheless. I have invited her to spend the day with me tomorrow. While she is with me, perhaps you and a few fellow constables could search her house for any evidence against her. I believe her preferred method is poison.”
Mr. Lock frowned, pursing his lips thoughtfully. “How did you form your suspicions?”
“A reliable source. She was the victim of an attempted poisoning. She said that the countess had her own flask, which most likely contains the poison.”
“Very well, my lord. I believe we can help.” Lock sighed, shaking his head. “This is very serious if it is, indeed, true.”
“Yes, I know. We have settled the time for eleven o’clock tomorrow, so she will be absent from her house from then on. Once you have finished your search, call on me. I will make sure the countess remains at my house.”
“You can count on us, my lord. If she is hiding anything, we will find it.”
“
Thank you, Mr. Lock. Your cooperation is very much appreciated. Good luck tomorrow.”
“You too, my lord.” He looked at James seriously. “I would keep an eye on her. If she is capable of poisoning people, I wouldn’t turn my back for a moment, if I were you.”
“I appreciate your concern, constable. I will take every precaution.” After bidding the constable farewell, James left and made his way back home. He found himself a little breathless, as he considered what a vile crime Victoria had committed. He desperately hoped that this plan would work. It had to.