Lady Alice's Dilemma

by Michele McGrath

  “The servants are searching at this moment, ma’am, and Reynolds will tell me the minute she is found. As for where she is and where she has gone, these girls might be able to tell us more. Kitty?”

  “But Edward I can’t. I have no idea where she went,” Kitty cried, looking distressed. Edward watched her closely and she saw his face whiten.

  “You are in her confidence.”

  “In some things but not in this, I swear it. I wish I was.”

  “But you do know something, Kitty. I can see it in your face. You never were good at dissembling and you haven’t changed. What is it?”

  He marched over to the sofa, took her wrist and gave it a little shake. “Tell me. She may be in grave danger, out in London at night.”

  “Edward, truly I have no idea where she has gone, but I thought she was the one who knocked over the vase. I definitely saw the back of a woman going through the baize door and it looked like her.”

  A slight gasp made him look around. Sarah was standing rigid, with her hand pressed to her mouth.

  “What is it, Sarah? What have you remembered? Where has she gone?”

  “I don’t know where she has gone, sir, truly I don’t but something strange happened before she was knocked over this morning.”

  “Tell us.”

  Sarah drew a deep breath and said,

  “I went with Lady Alice to visit her old governess. When we came to the square, a few doors away, she asked me to wait for her there. She told me that the house was so small, there was nowhere for me to sit inside.”

  “How odd,” Lady Mary said. “Surely there was somewhere?”

  “An excuse I imagine,” Edward replied impatiently. “Continue Sarah.”

  “I did as I was told but then I noticed a man who seemed to be following her. He had been behind us for a long time and when Lady Alice went into the house, he stopped as if he was waiting for her to come out again.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I waited until the door started to open and then I hurried towards them. The man must have spotted me because he walked off. I told Lady Alice what had happened. We were walking home when I noticed the man again. He followed us all the way until we reached Brook Street and then he turned the corner. We went back to see where he had gone. He had gone into Milvert’s Hotel. Lady Alice sent me to ask who he was.”

  “And who was he?”

  “A Mr. Charville. He was visiting a man called Mr. Staunton.”

  Edward’s eyes met Lady Mary’s. “Are you sure about the name Staunton?” he asked harshly.

  “Certain, sir.”

  “What happened then?”

  “Lady Alice said ‘I must go back’. She turned and stepped into the road just as the coach was approaching and was knocked down. I ran for help and had her brought here.”

  “You are certain of what she said?”

  “It was very clear.”

  “What did she mean by that?”

  “I thought she meant to go back to her governess’s house. I could be wrong.”

  “Thank you, Sarah. You may go now unless you can remember anything else?”

  “No sir.”

  Kitty waited until she had left the room and then said,

  “Alice was insistent this morning that she must see this governess. She seemed most distressed about it. She said the governess was very ill but Alice seemed quite unlike herself.”

  “We must find out if anything happened,” Edward said, “I regret but I must leave you, ma’am. I am already behind in the search but at least it is worth asking this governess if Alice is there.”

  “Edward! You cannot possibly visit a sick old woman in the middle of the night. It must be well after midnight.”

  “Nor can I have my cousin wandering the streets of London at such an hour, ma’am. Anything might happen to her and she is under our protection. Her parents will certainly call us to account if we make no effort to find her. Pray forgive me.”

  He turned towards the door but Kitty leaped to her feet and ran after him.

  “Edward, wait. Take me with you!”

  “Certainly not!”

  “You haven’t thought. She was knocked down and shouldn’t have gone out at all. Something caused her to leave the house without telling anyone or asking for help. She must certainly be distraught about something to do such a thing. You never liked it when any of us had the vapours. I want to come so I can help her.”

  He had an arrested look on his face and Kitty knew she had made her point.

  “Tell him, Mama. You know I am right.”

  Kitty ran out of the room and ran up to her own room. She pulled the first dress she could find out of the wardrobe and was struggling into it when her maid arrived.

  “Whatever are you doing, Miss Kitty?”

  “Going out with Edward.”

  “But…”

  “No buts. Help me into this wretched garment and bring me a cloak and bonnet. I don’t care which ones they are,” cried the usually fashionable Kitty. Fully dressed, Kitty ran down the stairs and into the hall. Edward was standing there dressed in his drab riding coat and with his hat in his hand. The door to the house was open and James stood on the step looking down the street.

  “Have I kept you waiting?” Kitty asked anxiously.

  “No. The curricle has not been brought round yet.” He looked at her. “You have been quicker than I thought possible.”

  She looked up at him. “You will take me then?”

  “Mama agreed you should go. Don’t get in my way and cause trouble. I’m going to drive fast and the light is not good so don’t squeak. I won’t overturn you.”

  The curricle arrived and Edward dismissed his groom.

  “Sir, you can’t…”

  “Oh yes, I can, Brown. Help Miss Kitty up and then go to bed. I may need you tomorrow.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The hack dropped Alice at Miss Fennimore’s house. Alice paid him and asked him to wait with her until the door opened. The ordinary street seemed positively evil at night, with the flickering shadows caused by clouds fleeing across the half full moon. Alice stood and shivered. At last a frightened and sleepy Miss Fennimore appeared with her nightcap askew and a shawl thrown hurriedly around her shoulders.

  “Miss Alice, it’s you! What are you doing here at this time of night?”

  Alice turned to the jarvey and said,

  “I will be fine now. Thank you so much for waiting with me.”

  “That’s all right, Miss, but you be more careful in future and don’t travel by yourself at night.” With a flourish of his whip, the man drove off.

  “Come in, Miss Alice. Come in and tell me what’s happened.”

  In the small hallway, Alice gripped her governess by the shoulders. The elder Miss Fennimore hovered above them on the stairs, holding a branch of candles. Alice saw no one else.

  “Fenny, where’s Philip?” she asked urgently.

  “Not here, Miss Alice. He and the lady left as soon as darkness fell.”

  “Where did they go?”

  “To France or so they said.”

  “Did anyone follow them?”

  “I didn’t see anyone. Why do you ask?”

  Alice began to shake. So he had left and would soon be safe. She had not needed to warn him after all. Fenny took hold of her arm and supported her into the sitting room. She pushed her into a chair where Alice immediately burst into tears.

  “Stir up the fire and put the kettle on, Amelia, if you please,” Fenny said.

  The elder Miss Fennimore went away while the governess comforted Alice.

  “It’s all right, Fenny,” Alice said when she managed to speak again.

  “Drink this, Miss Alice.” Fenny gave her a small glass.

  “What is it?” Alice sipped at the sticky substance.

  “Elderberry wine. Amelia and I made it last autumn. It’s very strong but it will make you feel better.”

  It was warming, Alice tho
ught, but it makes me dizzy. I daren’t have another or I will fall down.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Miss Fennimore poured out the tea and gave them all a cup. Alice sipped gratefully. Tea tasted much better than elderberry wine, she decided.

  “Now tell me, Miss Alice. What happened to bring you here alone like this and at such a time?”

  “I am sorry I disturbed you both,” Alice said contritely, “especially since there was no need. When I left here my maid told me that a man had followed us and waited outside until I came out. He left when she approached him but later we saw him again. He went into a hotel and Sarah asked the porter about him. He was visiting a Mr. Staunton…”

  She hesitated as Fenny gave a little gasp. Her sister looked at her enquiringly.

  “Mr. Staunton is a particular enemy of Master Philip, Amelia…”

  “It was important that they should not meet,” Alice said, “but that man, a Mr. Charville, knows I came here and it is very likely that Staunton does too. I intended to come straight back to warn you and send Philip away but I wandered into the road and was knocked down. I came back as soon as I was able to move again. I am so glad Philip has already gone.”

  “Knocked down you say? Were you hurt? Are you all right?”

  “A bump on the head and some dizziness, that’s all.” Alice smiled at the loving concern in her governess’s voice.

  A bang on the outside door and heavy footsteps in the hallway. All their eyes flew to the entrance. A tall well dressed man stood there, a furious look on his face. Someone else hovered behind him. Fenny sprang to her feet,

  “Sir, who are you? What are you doing in my house? Have the goodness to leave immediately, how did you get in?”

  She walked right up to him, a tiny figure against his bulk. He looked down at her as he answered her questions.

  “My name is Staunton. I have business in your house. I came in since the door was already ajar.”

  “This is a private residence. You have no right to be here.”

  “On the contrary, I have every right to be here. You and your sister have been concealing my wife from me which is a crime as you are no doubt aware.”

  “Your wife?” Amelia Fennimore asked.

  “Celia, Mrs. Staunton.”

  Alice tried to control her features but she did not completely manage to suppress her intake of breath and his eyes swivelled to her over Fenny’s head.

  “Ah. I don’t think I have had the pleasure of meeting you formally but I am told you are one of Sutherland’s sisters. You certainly have the look of him. Charville, come in and introduce us properly.”

  The young man pushed open the door and came in. The room was now very crowded so Alice edged away but there was nowhere to go.

  “May I recall myself to your memory, Lady Alice? We met at your aunt’s ball.” Charville actually gave her a small bow. Alice did not trust herself to speak and merely nodded.

  “Mr. Staunton, Lady Alice Sutherland,” Charville completed the introductions and then added, “these other ladies I do not know.”

  “And you have no need to,” Fenny almost shouted. “I repeat, have the goodness to leave my house at once. You are not welcome here.”

  “If you will tell me where Lord Philip is now. we will leave you to your tea party in peace.”

  Fenny glanced towards the poker while Amelia Fennimore looked white and quite bewildered. She spoke hurriedly,

  “He’s not here. You can search the whole place if you choose.”

  “No need. I realise he is not here from the artless chatter I overheard before I came into the room. This lady said he had gone and has taken my wife with him. I spent the day at my club so I did not receive Charville’s message and knew nothing of this house until he found me just now. Pity or I would have caught the pair of them red-handed. Come, I am completely within my rights to discover my wife’s location. Tell me or I will set the Runners on the young scamp’s trail with a warrant for intended murder.”

  Fenny distinctly quivered and then edged towards the fire.

  “Don’t Fenny.” Alice caught at her arm. “This man isn’t worth it. Philip has gone, that is the most important thing. He is far away by now. None of us know where he is and we would not tell you if we did.”

  Staunton smiled and Alice gave a shudder as if she read the thoughts revolving in his mind.

  “I wouldn’t be too sure of that, my dear, but do order your little servant not to try to use her poker on me. I would hate to damage her.”

  Alice’s temper, never completely under her control blazed out.

  “I thought you liked beating women.”

  Alice felt horrified at what she had said. Staunton’s face had changed and she suddenly realised exactly why Celia had been terrified of him. Involuntarily she flinched. His hands reached out for her, red rage in his eyes. She could not run nor would she leave the others. Fenny stepped in front of her. Alice gently pushed Fenny aside and stood her ground, defying him.

  “Keep these people quiet,” Staunton ordered.

  Charville drew a duelling pistol from his pocket, pointing it directly at Fenny’s heart.

  “Please don’t force me to use this, ma’am,” he said. “I’m an excellent shot and, even if I were not, I could hardly miss you from here. Be silent and stay still. You will not be hurt.”

  “Miss Alice…”

  Staunton had caught Alice by the arm and hauled her out of the room. Her feet barely seemed to touch the carpet he was going so fast. Although she beat against the hand that was holding her, she did not break Staunton’s hold and was dragged outside. The cold wind from the street was a shock and so was the carriage that stood waiting, bathed in moonlight. He was hustling her aboard the coach when a whistle sounded and the coachman shouted,

  “A carriage is coming this way fast. Time to be off, Gov.”

  Staunton hustled her inside and climbed in behind her. A door slammed and Charville almost fell into the carriage. He had not even sat down before the horses had been given their office and began to trot away. Staunton had flung Alice onto the seat and pulled down the window and looked back.

  “Those are Maitland’s nags. I’ve watched him driving them in the Park often enough. Fast as you can and lose him.”

  “Let me see.” Charville pushed beside him.

  “Well?”

  “I agree, it’s him.”

  While their attention was distracted, Alice caught hold of the handle on the other side of the coach, intending to jump out. Staunton drew his head in and he saw what she was doing.

  “It’s locked,” he said briefly, “and if you tried to get out now you’d kill yourself. Your graceless brother’s not worth your life.”

  “Is my cousin following me?” she demanded.

  “He’s coming this way certainly. Whether he’s following you is another matter. Does he know you’ve come out in the middle of the night?”

  Alice thought of the bowl she had broken when she left the house. There had been noises behind her when she had fled.

  “Yes,” she replied, hoping it was true. “You might as well pull over and let me go. My cousin drives wonderful cattle; you’ll never escape him.”

  “We’ll see, shall we?” Staunton rapped on the front panel and Alice felt the horses’ pace quicken.

  “Where are you taking me?” she asked.

  “You really don’t expect me to tell you that do you?”

  She turned her face away and he said no more. They were twisting and turning through the cobbled roads. Alice did not know that the driver had grown up in the back streets of the city. He was using his knowledge to throw his follower off the track. The coach swayed one way and then the other, throwing its occupants from side to side. It seemed for a long time that the follower was persistent but the coachman shook him off at last. Then the carriage straightened and they hurried towards their destination.

  Despite the distance, Edward had seen a figure being dragged from a ho
use further up the street and he did not stop to ask questions. He was fairly certain that it was a woman and she was not getting into the vehicle willingly. It might easily be Alice, from her height and build. Whoever it was needed help. If he stopped, he would lose them. Accordingly he gave chase. He quickly realised that the driver in front knew that he was following for he turned down some of the most difficult streets in the city. There was barely room for the carriage and the wheels frequently jolted over uneven surfaces.

  “Oh what are you doing?” Kitty squeaked, holding on grimly. “You will overturn us.”

  “I told you not to come with me, so now you must put up with a little discomfort. Keep still. I think Alice was dragged into the carriage in front.”

  “Then you must catch them,” Kitty replied, although he could hear the fear in her voice.

  He had a certain sympathy for her predicament. He was reasonably sure she had never travelled so fast before. He did slow down for the next corner and when he came round it, there was no sign of the other carriage. He swore aloud, forgetting for a moment Kitty’s presence. He searched in several directions, even giving the reins to Kitty and climbing down onto the road to inspect the wheel tracks. The moon had hidden behind a cloud and he had not brought a lantern in his hurry to leave the house. He could not tell if any of the grooves were freshly cut. The ground was churned up and hard from a lack of rain. He was in a part of the city he did not know at all. So, reluctantly, he abandoned his search for now and retraced as much of his way as he could remember. It was some time before he found a better road, and still later before he saw a building that he recognised. He allowed his horses to drop speed as he turned towards the area that he knew.

  “Where are we going?” Kitty asked in a small voice. She had not dared to speak while he was so intent on driving and following the other carriage.

  “Back to this governess’s of Alice. She can tell us what happened there tonight.”

  “But…”

  “Don’t tell me it isn’t the hour for us to go visiting a complete stranger, I know it well enough. You don’t believe this Miss Fennimore will have retired tamely to bed after a woman was dragged out of her house, do you? Very likely she is having the vapours instead, but she will be able to tell us who took Alice, if she was the one who was taken away.”