by Leah Conolly
Elizabeth wondered if she had finally got through to him and made him see how odious Huxley was. At least it seemed she had gotten him to think about it.
Elizabeth sat in the dining room, not touching her food, simply thinking. Edward came back in after several minutes bearing what looked like an old letter, still sealed. He clasped it in his hands, fidgeting as he pinched the corners.
He sighed. “Elizabeth, I know this is a difficult time for you. Please believe me when I say that it is difficult for me, too. I believe I have something for you that will lift your spirits.” He handed the letter to her.
Elizabeth took it and frowned, turning it over in her hands. Her name was written on it in flowing script, but nothing else. The writing looked vaguely familiar.
“It is from your mother,” Edward said softly.
Elizabeth gasped and met his eyes. “Mother?”
“She wrote it for you, just before…” He trailed off, avoiding her eyes. “She spent all the energy she had left writing this for you. She asked me to give it to you once you were grown or about to be married. I thought that now might be the right time.”
Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears. She hugged her father tightly. “Thank you, Father.” She looked at the sealed letter again. “I think I need to be alone to read this. I will ride down to the seashore.”
“Very well, my child. Be safe.”
Elizabeth grabbed her cloak, tucked the letter safely away in a pocket, and went out to the stables to have her horse saddled. She had been walking around in the fields so often in the past several days that she needed a change of scenery. She wanted plenty of space to think as she read through her mother’s letter.
Of course, she had considered that a visit to the seashore would bring back memories of her time there with James, but at this point, anything would. Overall, she thought that the ride would clear her head and help focus her mind.
Once Elizabeth was off, she smiled for the first time in days. She had missed the feeling of the wind blowing in her face, the sweet smell of the sea air. Her horse seemed to have missed it too, because he sped off toward the ocean as if running a race.
Elizabeth laughed sadly. Oh, to be a horse with not a care in the world and nature as your home. Unlike her horse, Elizabeth knew that she could never outrun her fate. Her life was going to end in two days.
Elizabeth patted her horse’s neck. “Be glad you do not have to marry,” she said, “or worry about estates and money.”
Elizabeth let those thoughts subside and instead focused on the sensations of riding. She had let down her hair, so it flew out behind her like a banner in the wind. The rhythmic, even thudding of the horse’s hooves was a comfort.
“It is soothing in a way, is it not?” A memory of her talking to James while on this very same path came to her mind. “The sound is so constant and the horses’ steps so sure that it is comforting. I think that is one of my favorite things about riding.”
James had hummed in thought, a small smile on his face. “I confess that I have never thought of it like that. But yes, I suppose it is rather soothing. For me, it is about freedom.” He looked into her eyes. “I am held to such a high standard by society, as I know you understand, but out here, on a horse in the country, I am not the Duke of Darrington. I am simply James Graham.”
“You no longer have a title?” Elizabeth had said in mock horror. “Then I am afraid, sir, that I must call off our engagement. I cannot marry a simple James Graham. I must marry a duke.”
James had laughed heartily at her jesting. Elizabeth had joined in and thought she didn’t have a care in the world.
The memory faded. Elizabeth sighed and looked ahead. The ocean was just coming into view. The wind blew harder, and Elizabeth could even hear the waves crashing on the shore.
She coaxed her horse into a gallop and kept him going until they reached the shore. Elizabeth slowed him to a trot, then a walk. After a few minutes, she dismounted and took the reins in her hand.
Elizabeth stood still for a long moment. She let her boots sink into the sand, as she gazed out over the ocean. It was so beautiful, calming, and constant. The crashing waves created a subtle symphony that helped clear her head as the wind whistled wildly in her ears.
Elizabeth sighed and sat back on the sand. Her horse stomped his feet and snorted.
“Do you ever wonder what it would be like to sail across the ocean?” James’ voice came back to her.
“When I was a child, I did. But as I grew up, I knew that I would hate being confined on a ship for weeks.” She had looked over at him as they stood beside each other in the sand. “Have you ever been on a ship?”
“No.” He had smiled a little. “It was a dream of mine when I was a boy. I wanted to be an explorer and sail around the world. It would be a fantastic adventure.”
Elizabeth had smiled at the feeling in his words. “I have always thought that I enjoy the waves much better from here. I will take adventure as long as it is in the open country.”
“I would expect nothing less of you,” James had agreed. She missed being able to confide in him. She missed his smile. She missed everything about him.
She remembered her letter to him about Victoria. She had not received a reply, but she had left London the very next day. She wondered if James had believed her. Perhaps he had simply dismissed her suspicions as foolish. Perhaps her warning about the countess had just been fueled by jealousy and dislike.
But Elizabeth remembered the way the countess had looked at her. It was a look of recognition, of admittance. She knew what she was and what she had done. Elizabeth had seen it clearly in her eyes.
Fear gripped her heart. What if James hadn’t heeded her warning? What if Victoria was going after him or Lady Kinsley?
Elizabeth shuddered. The wind was starting to chill her, piercing through her cloak. But she knew it wasn’t just the cold. Yes, she would be plunged into eternal misery in two days, but what if her friends in London were in danger? Real danger? She was more concerned for them than she was for herself.
She thought of writing to James and making sure he was well, but her father wouldn’t allow it, she knew, and if James hadn’t answered the first letter, then why should he answer this one?
Elizabeth drew her knees to her chest and sighed, feeling tears prick her eyes. She wasn’t one to cry much, but it seemed as if she had cried enough tears for a lifetime in just the past few days.
Elizabeth knew exactly what she needed—the comfort of her mother. She drew her mother’s letter from her cloak’s pocket and unfolded the deep creases. The wind tugged at the paper, but she held it firmly in her grasp.
My dearest daughter,
Elizabeth paused, smiling at the endearment. It had been a long time since someone had used an endearment for her so sincerely as her mother had.
From what I have been told, it seems that I may not have long left to be with you. There are so many things I wanted to teach you when you grew into a young lady. I can only imagine how you will look and act while reading this. I picture you as the same stubborn, free girl who ran around in the yellow flowers and climbed the trees without fear. I also picture a woman who has a strong, loving heart that is capable of so much care and devotion. I know that you will marry well and marry from your heart rather than according to the pressures of society. I wish I could meet the man who is worthy of you.
Elizabeth cried. If her mother had been here, she would have mended the situation. She would have knocked some sense into her father. She would never have dreamed of making Elizabeth marry Lord Huxley.
I ask you to be gracious towards your father. He is worried about you, but only because he wants what is best. He wants you to have a good, full life, and he is always concerned he will not be able to provide that for you. You must always remind him that you love him. Do not be too hard on him. Forgive him. I know how the two of you can disagree on every subject.
Elizabeth laughed a little, despite her tears.
>
I still have hope that I will live through this. If I didn’t have that hope, I would have given up already, but if I am not there for you as you grow older, please remember this. Be yourself. Live freely. Laugh, even when others do not. Do not let anybody else tell you who you are and remember that no matter where you find yourself or who you are with, no one can control your actions. Only you can make your decisions in the end. Never despair, my darling Elizabeth.
With love,
Your mother, Jane Gladstone
Elizabeth breathed out a long sigh and sobbed, folding up the letter again so it wouldn’t be damaged by her tears. She tucked it back inside her cloak securely. Her mother had told her not to fear anything. She had said that no one could make a choice for her.
Elizabeth stood up. If only her mother could have known about this choice. She couldn’t refuse her father’s order to marry Lord Huxley. That would send them both into ruin forever. What else could she do?
What would her mother do?
Elizabeth wandered along the shore, her mind completely occupied with her problem.
Chapter 36
James shifted in his seat, more uncomfortable than ever. He found his eyes constantly straying to the door of the house, waiting for word from the constables. He could hardly stand the sound of the countess’s voice anymore.
“...after Charles passed away, of course,” the countess was saying, as James was deliberately not paying attention. Then, he had an idea.
“How did your husbands die?” James asked. “It must have been difficult to have both of them pass away.”
Her eyes widened the tiniest bit. “Why do you have such a sudden interest?”
“I simply want to understand your past. I find it interesting.”
Victoria frowned and shifted in her chair, but just as she took in a breath, James heard footsteps and turned his head. He was infinitely relieved to see the butler walking toward them.
“You are needed in the foyer, my lord. I am told it is very urgent.”
“Oh dear,” murmured the countess. “Nothing serious, I hope?” Relief at the distraction showed in her eyes.
James waved it off. “I am sure it is nothing. Please, stay here. I will only be gone a moment.” James gave her a charming smile, and she seemed to relax. He stood and followed the butler back into the house. His heart began to race.
Mr. Lock was waiting in the foyer with three other constables. He nodded to James. “Good afternoon, my lord.”
“It is good to see you, Mr. Lock, though I wish it were under better circumstances. Have you found anything?”
“Indeed, we have.” He held up a flask with ruby liquid inside. “It has been checked, and it is certainly poison. Enough to kill if the right amount is administered.”
Elizabeth was right, he thought. He had never doubted her, but it was incredible to have proof all the same. He found himself relieved and nervous at the same time.
“What would you like us to do, my lord?” Mr. Lock asked.
“I would like to hear a confession. If you will allow me, please let me take the flask. Wait in my drawing room, if you will, and I will arrange for the butler to fetch you when the time is right.”
“Very well, my lord,” said Mr. Lock.
James pulled his butler aside and spoke to him in a hushed tone. “Please wait on these guests and provide them with anything they need. Wait for me at the back window. When I look at you and give a wave with my hand, lead the constables out to the garden. They will know what to do from there.” As a sudden thought occurred to him, he added, “And follow me out first with two brandy glasses.”
The butler agreed, fetched two empty glasses, and walked back to the garden just ahead of James. “Thank you,” James said once the glasses were set down. He dismissed the butler and turned back to Victoria.
He smiled, still standing, and used his grasp on the flask to hide it from her view. “I thought you might like some brandy.”
“Oh yes, that was very thoughtful of you, James. I think some brandy would be just the thing.”
“Indeed.” James poured some of the ruby liquid from the flask into both glasses. He handed one to Victoria and sat down beside her.
“Before you drink, I’d like to tell you this,” he began. A look of glee spread across the countess’ expression, and James realized she probably thought he was going to propose. “The brandy is yours,” he continued. “I thought you might like to drink your own, as it seems to be your favorite. You always carry it around.”
James placed the flask just in front of her. The countess stared at it, open-mouthed. The color drained from her face. “Where..., where did you get that?” she stammered.
“You dropped it.”
The countess stared at her glass, then looked away. She cleared her throat and tried to regain her smile, but James could see her fingers trembling.
“Have you heard anything from Elizabeth?” she asked suddenly. “She is to be married to Lord Huxley in only a couple of days, from what I have heard.”
He paused, deliberating, but decided to say, “I did receive a letter from her just before she left, warning me about one of my acquaintances who she thought might be dangerous.”
The countess began fanning herself and attempted an airy laugh. “Ah, silly girl. She always had the most foolish notions. A rather stupid creature if I might say so.”
That was when James had had enough. He was done with playacting and knew that the countess was too prideful to admit to her crimes. “No. You may not say so now, or ever again.” James stood, unable to contain his emotions any longer. His voice rose like it hadn’t in years, and he saw the countess’s eyes widen in fear.
“Elizabeth is the brightest and most sincere woman I’ve ever met. Most of all, she is trustworthy, unlike you. You could never even hope to measure up to her, despite all your wealth and status. You have never even turned my head, Victoria.”
She gasped, consternation clear in her expression. She stood to face him. “How dare you insult me in such a way!” Her face was red. “Your defense of her just proves what I feared all along. You were taken in by her charm. I am the one who has loved you, James, the one who has always been here. Ever since I have known you, I have loved you.”
James thought of the way he loved Elizabeth. His heart longed for her, and he knew that he would do anything for her. He had never seen an ounce of love in anything the countess had ever done.
James scoffed. “Love? You claim to know what love is? You, whom I doubt has ever loved anyone? You do not know the first thing about love. Someone who has done the things that you have done has no heart at all. The only thing you feel, Victoria, is greed.” James looked to the side and met the eyes of his butler through the window. He discreetly waved, and the butler nodded and disappeared. He looked back at the countess. She was steaming with anger.
“You stupid man!” she exclaimed. “You know nothing of the world at all. You are just like that girl, so blind to everything but yourself! You—” She paused as a group of heavy footsteps came close. Her face turned white as she looked over James’ shoulder, and she backed up a step.
“No,” she breathed.
James stepped back and allowed the constables to apprehend the countess.
“Victoria Blackwood, Countess of Chester,” Mr. Lock said in an authoritative voice. “You are under arrest for the murder of Charles Blackwood and William Reeves as well, as the attempted murder of Lady Elizabeth Gladstone.”
“No!” she screamed, struggling against the constables. “No, it is not true! James!” She met his eyes desperately. “James, please tell them that it is not true.”
James glanced at the flask on the table and shook his head. “I wish that I could, Countess, but I am an honest man.” He sighed. “I truly wish that you had chosen a better path, but I will not allow you to continue like this.”
She screamed again as the constables escorted her away. James slumped into a chair and rubbed his forehea
d. He did feel a kind of pity for her, but mostly he was relieved. Everyone was safe, and the Countess of Chester would never poison anyone ever again.
Chapter 37
“Elizabeth!”
Her father’s voice sounded overly cheery as Elizabeth entered the parlor. She tried to smile at him, but it was as if her lips didn’t even remember how to smile anymore.
“I have missed you all day,” Edward continued. He was in the middle of afternoon tea and gestured to the seat across from him.
“I’m sorry,” Elizabeth said as she took the seat. She had a full view of the window, and the sunlight shining into the room made her head throb. “I have not felt well enough to rise until now.”