by Sonia Parin
“There is a message from the hospital, milady.”
Heavens. What now?
“The doctor wonders if you could please hurry up. Begging your pardon, milady. I know the good doctor and he… he sounded… Well, not quite himself.”
“He has probably come down with a bout of Isabel Fitzpatrick.” She thanked him and, turning to the others, said, “I’m sorry. You’ll have to excuse me.” She rushed out of the library.
Caro trailed behind her and Evie heard her say, “You must excuse her ladyship, I mean… Cousin Evangeline. Lorenzo Bianchi’s wife has such an effect on her, she cannot think straight.”
Evie kept her gaze fixed on a point just ahead of her. She moved with purpose, her mind fixed on the idea of just getting this over and done with. Along the way, she managed to notice a couple of people in the spacious entrance hall.
“Evie,” Tom called out as he tried to catch up to her. “What is going on?”
Evie laughed and then she frowned. She had no reason to laugh. Had the prospect of driving to the hospital to collect Isabel sent her over the edge? “Edmonds is driving us so you don’t need to worry. You should go back and get as much information from the detective as you can. I believe he is in a talkative mood.”
“He’s at his wit’s end,” Tom said. “If he doesn’t find a solid lead, he’ll have to let everyone go.”
Evie had a good mind to set herself up as a suspect. That way, she would be forced to stay at Warwick Hall and avoid taking Isabel back to Halton House.
Caro tugged her sleeve.
“Yes, we should go.” Evie hurried her step only to be tugged back again by Caro.
“I heard it again. The voice.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s done. But she or he didn’t say that this time.”
“When did you hear it?”
“Just now,” Caro said.
“Did you match the voice to the person?”
Caro shook her head. “No. I… I was trying to keep up with you and hear what Tom had to say. The voice just sort of mingled with all that.”
“And you’re sure you recognize it as the same voice you heard back at Halton House?”
“Absolutely.”
Evie looked over her shoulder and saw Charlie and Batty at the bottom of the stairs. Charlie looked relaxed as he leaned against the balustrade while Batty had one foot on the first step and appeared to be frozen in mid motion.
She swept her gaze across the hall and saw a couple of other people. “I really don’t have time for this now. Who knows what Isabel will do if I don’t show up soon,” she said as she stepped out of the house. “Do you think you could hover around and try to eavesdrop on conversations?”
“Yes, absolutely.” Caro swung around and returned to the house.
Evie made a beeline for the waiting motor car. When Edmonds closed the door, she leaned against the window and called out, “Tom. You can’t let anyone leave. Drive on please, Edmonds.”
The Duesenbert rocked back, stopped and then took off.
“Apologies, milady,” Edmonds said.
Evie caught Edmonds glancing at the mirror several times. She brushed her hand across her brow and only then noticed her frown.
Heavens. She must look a fright and with good reason. She didn’t know what to expect. She knew Isabel had a survivor’s pragmatic outlook, but after claiming someone had killed Lorenzo, Evie couldn’t even begin to imagine what she would do.
Would she seek vengeance on the person responsible for killing Lorenzo? And how would she go about it?
Suddenly, Evie couldn’t get to the hospital fast enough.
Isabel had only told her someone had killed Lorenzo but, now that she had made a full recovery, she might have more information.
“Step on it, Edmonds. We don’t want to keep Isabel waiting.”
Edmonds smiled. “Certainly, milady.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Rescue mission
Approaching the small village hospital, Edmonds leaned forward. “I believe they are waiting for you, milady.”
Yes, Evie could see the doctor and a couple of nurses with Isabel appearing to address each one like a commander issuing orders to the troops.
“Heavens,” Evie murmured. No wonder the doctor had sounded out of sorts, she thought.
Even as the motor car stopped in front of the entrance, Isabel continued her delivery of what would no doubt be strict instructions.
Wanting to put the doctor and his nurses out of their misery, Evie hurried out of the vehicle. “Isabel.” When she didn’t respond, Evie realized she must have whispered the name so she tried again.
Seeing her, the doctor appeared to almost sink to his knees with relief. He stepped forward, his hand extended. “Lady Woodridge. How very good to see you.”
“I came as soon as I could,” Evie said, her voice lowered. “How is she?”
“Eager to move on.”
“Do you have any instructions? Does she require any special care?”
“Oh, no. Mrs. Bianchi… or rather, Miss Fitzpatrick, is made of sterner stuff.”
She had decided to be a Miss again?
Was that even possible?
A nurse hurried forward carrying a suitcase. Edmonds helped her load it up in the car and the nurse scurried off back inside the hospital, grabbing a hold of the other nurse and tugging her along with her.
“Heavens,” Evie couldn’t help exclaiming again.
The doctor had turned and quite possibly seen the nurses making their escape.
“Yes, well… Miss Fitzpatrick, I believe you will now be in safe hands.”
Isabel gave the doctor a bright smile. “If I suffer a relapse, I’ll be sure to contact you.”
“Oh, but I’m sure you will be far away from here. There are bound to be other doctors in the vicinity.” The doctor stepped back. Inclining his head slightly, he swung on his feet and disappeared back inside the hospital.
“You’re looking much better, Isabel.” Evie guided her into the motor car and settled down beside her. “Drive on, Edmonds.” She sat back and tried to clear her mind for a moment before tackling the difficult task. Her questions might open fresh wounds, but she would have to risk it. However, Isabel had other ideas. Clearly, she fully intended to move on.
“Funeral arrangements will have to be made. My poor Lorenzo didn’t have any close family. They all perished in the war. I shall have to travel to Tuscany to close the villa. Did I tell you about the Tuscany Villa? It is wonderful but so very far away. I doubt I’ll ever have time to visit. I have a suitcase, as I’m sure you noticed. The rest of my luggage is back in London at the Automobile Club. So, I shall have to make do with what I have until I can meet up with my family. They’re coming over. Did you hear? Yes, of course you would have heard. I don’t know what I’ll do without him, but I’m sure someday soon I’ll look back and think I worried unnecessarily. You’ll have to tell me how you managed after your husband perished with the Titanic. I will have to do better because I will certainly not spend two years in mourning. He would not want that for me and I am far too young…”
Nicholas? Perished with the Titanic? Why did Isabel insist on persevering with that story? Evie did not bother correcting Isabel. She tried to imagine Nicholas rolling his eyes but he hadn’t been the type to do so.
Evie estimated Isabel had talked for ten minutes before finally stopping to draw breath.
When Edmonds turned off the main road and onto the road leading to Warwick Hall, Isabel straightened.
“Where are you going? I know this road. We have traveled along it so many times, this isn’t the way to Halton House…”
Evie explained the situation, saying the weather had forced them to stay on for longer than anticipated. “Sir Richard has been a marvelous host.”
“Well, of course. You are a Countess. That has to mean something…”
Evie waited for an opportune moment to ask about Isabel’s declaration. While
Isabel continued to talk about the helpful suggestions she had offered to the doctor and his staff, somehow, Evie managed to switch off and think about Caro hearing the person’s voice again.
Evie had seen Charlie and Batty talking together. As for the others hovering around the entrance…
She closed her eyes and tried to remember. She had cast her eyes around but she had been in a dreadful hurry to get to the hospital and rescue the doctor.
The brooch.
Yes. She’d seen it and that meant Lark Wainscot had been there. Evie gave a small nod. She then remembered Lark had been standing with Edward Spencer. She confirmed it with another nod as she also remembered glancing at his ginger hair.
Tapping her hand on the seat she tried to recall who else had been hovering around…
Someone had walked across and blocked her view but that had only been for a few seconds.
Marjorie.
Yes, definitely Marjorie. She had actually been swinging a golf club and she had been talking. Evie remembered seeing her lips moving so she must have been walking across to meet with someone.
Had that been the voice Caro had heard?
Isabel tapped her hand. “Evie? You’re miles away. Should I repeat what I just said?”
“Oh, no… That’s fine. We should be there in a few minutes.”
“So, who else is staying at Warwick Hall? I remember seeing a man with you.”
“Oh, That’s Tom Winchester.” Could she claim to have known him since childhood? The cover story had worked until now… “I always travel with him. He’s… he’s a great driver and I haven’t learned to drive yet. I’m not even sure I want to learn to drive.” Before Isabel could ask for details, Evie went on to say, “What exactly did you mean when you said someone killed Lorenzo?”
Evie had recently learned Isabel could be silenced by the shock of an accident. Quite a feat for someone compelled to speak at breakneck speed from the moment she got up in the morning.
Now she knew an awkward question could be just as effective.
Isabel’s eyes fluttered and she leaned back.
Heavens!
“Isabel? Are you all right?”
“Oh… Yes, I’m fine. What happened?”
“I think you might have experienced a brief relapse.”
“Yes, the doctor warned me that might happen. He also said… I might talk in my sleep. Perhaps that’s what you heard.”
No, Isabel had been fully… sort of fully conscious.
“Isabel, did anyone else visit you in hospital?”
Isabel’s hand fluttered to her chest. “Oh, no. I don’t know anyone here. I mean, other than you.”
“Are you sure?”
Isabel looked away and, after the longest pause without saying anything or even moving, she gave a reluctant nod.
Chapter Twenty-Five
A footman must have alerted Sir Richard of their arrival. As the motor car drew closer to the entrance, Evie could see him standing by the door.
“The man has impeccable manners,” Isabel remarked. “He doesn’t even know me and yet he is ready to welcome me to his castle. What’s it called again?”
“Warwick Hall.”
Isabel’s silence during the last few minutes of their drive had made Evie uneasy. She should have welcomed it. Instead, she couldn’t help thinking Isabel had been coerced into silence.
Did she fear some sort of reprisal from Lorenzo’s killer? Indeed, had the killer made contact with Isabel?
Bringing the motor car to a stop outside the front entrance, Edmonds jumped out and opened the passenger door. Evie stepped out of the motor car and turned to assist Isabel but Sir Richard rushed forward, extending a welcoming hand.
“Mrs. Bianchi. Please accept my condolences for your loss. A dreadful tragedy. I hope we can make you comfortable at Warwick Hall. The household staff will be at your service.”
Evie watched as Isabel lifted her chin. Knowing her as well as she did, Evie knew if she had been mulling over a problem, she had just dismissed it, making a swift recovery as she regaled Sir Richard with her most charming smile.
“You are a knight in shining armor, Sir Warwick.”
“Richard, please.”
“And you may call me Isabel.”
Sir Richard swept Isabel inside, leaving Evie to ponder the power some women seemed to hold over men. She only had the briefest moment to herself when Caro rushed out of the house.
“Well? Did she say anything more?”
Still struggling to understand Isabel’s change of mind, Evie gave a slow shake of her head. “She recanted her story.”
“What do you mean?”
“If she said anything, she claims it happened in her sleep and she has no recollection.”
“She must be hiding something,” Caro said.
“I agree.” Evie folded her arms and looked away and across the lush green lawns. “Isabel wouldn’t allow herself to be intimidated. I only hope the detective has better luck interviewing her.” Deciding she needed to stretch her legs, she said, “Let’s walk and talk.”
***
Caro had been busy eavesdropping on everyone’s conversations. “I could not have imagined it. I know I heard the same voice again.”
“What were they talking about?” Evie asked.
Caro nibbled on the edge of her lip. “I’m so sorry, milady. I only really heard the voice. As I said, I’d been trying to keep up with you and to hear what Tom was saying. When the voice registered in my mind, the person must have stopped talking. I looked around and all I could see were groups of people chatting. Or rather one person talking and the other listening.”
At least the car rally group were all still here. “Why haven’t they left?”
“I heard the detective say the circumstances called for everyone’s cooperation. Sir Warwick agreed saying he felt invested in the investigation and needed to see it through to completion and find out who the culprit is. Otherwise, he would have to devote his entire life to scouring the newspapers every day looking for news updates. If you ask me, I think he rather enjoys the company.”
They reached a conservatory and stopped to admire the plants and fountain with a jolly looking cherub balancing on top.
“On our way back,” Evie said, “I tried to remember who else had been standing in the hall. I’m sure I saw Marjorie making her way toward someone.” At the time, Evie had been entertaining too many thoughts and everything she’d seen had jumbled in her mind.
As they continued on their way, Caro grabbed hold of her arm. “I wish I could read lips.”
“Why?”
Caro pointed to the conservatory. “Sitting by the fountain. That’s Lark and Edward. They look quite serious.”
“I don’t blame them. Their car rally has been completely derailed.”
“No, there’s something about them. Look at Edward. He looks different. Almost as if he were standing taller and I think he looks commanding. I might not be able to hear what they’re saying, but I would bet anything he is talking business. The late Earl used to look like that. He always reminded me of a cat. Relaxed one moment and, the next moment, quite alert.”
“Yes, I think you’re right. Looking at how they’re behaving now, I can see there’s a huge contrast to how they’ve been behaving in the drawing room.”
Caro had noticed that the previous night.
And even on the first day, Evie remembered seeing Lark participating in the human pyramid and finally collapsing from laughter.
They rounded the conservatory and came up to the French doors leading to one of the drawing rooms. Walking close to the windows, they saw several people inside. Everyone appeared to have broken up into groups of two.
“It’s almost as if they are all conspiring to make us suspicious of them,” Evie murmured.
Caro harrumphed. “If you ask me, the detective went too easy on them.”
“Would you have suggested he use medieval methods to extract false confessions?”
“That’s extreme, but he could have yelled. I haven’t heard him raise his voice.”
“I have,” Evie said. “In fact, he became quite cross last night with Lord Alexander Saunders. He had a right to be. The handwritten note Lord Saunders showed him could have been written by anyone. The bait he’d set only provided another dead-end.”
“At least he now knows someone is orchestrating it all.”
They continued on and came up to another drawing room. At a glance, Evie didn’t see anyone, but then someone inside moved and she realized Isabel sat on a large comfortable fainting couch with Sir Richard sitting beside her.
“That’s an interesting picture,” Caro said. “What is the age difference between them?”
“I’d say about twenty years.” She knew Isabel’s age but she had only estimated Sir Richard’s. “Are you suggesting they have formed an instant connection?”
Caro nodded. “It’s been known to happen.”
True. She had fallen in love with Nicholas the first time she’d seen him. “They are both vulnerable,” Evie mused.
Caro agreed. “More reason for them to form an attachment.”
Evie shivered. “If it leads to something, that would mean living within driving distance of Isabel. I would never get any rest, peace or quiet.” Evie shook her head. “I shouldn’t fret. Her family will be arriving soon and I’m sure they will insist she return with them.”
“Would you really begrudge her the joy of finding someone so soon?”
“No, of course not. Although, I wish she could be happy somewhere else.”
As they walked away, Evie couldn’t help looking over her shoulder and working on a contingency plan. Being ever so pragmatic, Isabel might wish to move on and find someone else as soon as possible. If she did, Evie could suggest she hold onto the Tuscany house and make that her home base.
“I see all the motor cars are still here,” Evie said.
They’d reached the stables. Lifting her hand to shield her eyes from the sun, Evie saw a couple of people standing by the cars. One of them appeared to be Tom.