The Caged Countess

by Joanna Fulford

  ‘I see.’

  ‘May I ask what you are doing here, my lady?’

  ‘I came for the same reason. She sent me a message.’

  ‘Oh?’ The pale blue eyes regarded her intently. ‘What message?’

  ‘Just that she wished to speak to me.’

  ‘Did she give any indication why?’

  ‘The message said that she had discovered the truth, but gave no details.’

  ‘This is most unfortunate.’

  Viaud sighed and then slid the pistol into his belt. As he did so Claudia saw the ring on his hand. It was gold and set with a flat black stone. Her mouth dried and she looked away quickly, mind racing. Somehow she had to get out of this room. However, he was still between her and the door.

  ‘Are you all right, my lady?’

  ‘It’s just the shock...’ She sniffed, lifting a hand to wipe the corner of her eye. ‘Forgive me.’ She fumbled for her reticule.

  ‘It has been a shock,’ he agreed. ‘The question is what’s to be done now?’

  Claudia’s fingers closed on the butt of her pistol and she drew it in one smooth movement, pointing it at his chest. ‘You can start by raising your hands where I can see them.’

  His gaze hardened. ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘What does it look like I’m doing?’

  ‘You don’t think that I...’

  ‘I said get your hands in the air.’

  He shrugged but obeyed, slowly. ‘You’re making a mistake.’

  ‘Now toss that pistol aside. Left hand. Two fingers only.’

  She saw him ease the weapon from his belt. A moment later it clattered to the floor.

  ‘Kick it over there towards the window.’ When it was done she nodded. ‘Move away from the door.’

  As he edged aside Claudia moved too, keeping the same distance between them.

  ‘I didn’t kill her. I found her like this.’

  ‘I don’t believe you.’

  ‘It’s the truth.’

  ‘Tell that to the authorities.’

  ‘You’re making a big mistake.’

  ‘I don’t think so. You were the man who visited Alain Poiret just before his arrest in Paris. Mademoiselle Fournier was there. She described you, and that ring you’re wearing.’

  ‘Yes, I visited Poiret. We met quite often. What of it?’

  ‘She also saw you speaking to a member of the police force a few days after that. She recognised the officer from a previous raid on the establishment she worked in. I think you are the one who betrayed Poiret and the others.’

  ‘You’re wrong. The police officer I spoke to is one of ours.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘The man is working for us.’

  ‘You’re lying, Viaud.’

  ‘No, my dear, he’s telling the truth,’ said a voice from the doorway.

  She looked round in startled surprise to see Anthony standing there with Matthew at his shoulder.

  ‘The officer in question is David Roux. He’s one of

  Genet’s best. Unfortunately he didn’t have any knowledge of the planned arrests until the very last minute. He managed to tip Poiret off in the hope that he’d be able to spread the word in time.’

  Claudia stared at him dumbfounded. Then Viaud cut in.

  ‘Mademoiselle Fournier has been dead for a little while. At least an hour I’d say to judge from the temperature of the body. If I were the killer I wouldn’t have stayed around to be discovered.’

  Anthony moved across to the bed and laid a hand on the dead woman’s face. Then he nodded. ‘He’s right.’

  ‘Then who did kill her?’ asked Claudia.

  ‘Someone who didn’t want her to reveal what she’d discovered.’

  Claudia slowly lowered her pistol. ‘It looks as if I owe you an apology, Monsieur Viaud.’

  He shrugged. ‘No harm done, my lady. In your place I’d have been suspicious too.’

  She looked at Anthony. ‘What happens now?’

  ‘We all make a report, and we arrange for the disposal of the body.’

  Claudia laid a hand on his sleeve. ‘Mademoiselle Fournier must be decently buried, Anthony. She does not deserve a pauper’s grave.’

  ‘She shall have a proper funeral,’ he said. ‘We owe her that at least.’

  ‘We owe it to Alain Poiret too. He cared for her once.’

  Anthony nodded. ‘It will be attended to. Matthew, perhaps you would lend Monsieur Viaud any assistance he might require.’

  ‘I will, my lord.’

  ‘In the meantime, go and find a fiacre. I’m taking Her Ladyship home.’

  The Earl looked pointedly at his wife and for the first time Claudia experienced deep misgivings. Suddenly, for all sorts of reasons, she wasn’t looking forward to being alone with him.

  Unfortunately, from her point of view, Matthew obtained a cab quite quickly and, having received instructions to lead his master’s horse home, stepped back and the small carriage set off. Claudia shivered inwardly for now she had the Earl’s undivided attention. Nor was there now the slightest doubt about his present mood.

  ‘Were you out of your mind to come here alone?’ he demanded.

  ‘I had to. There was no-one else at home and the message was urgent. If I’d received it earlier I might have been in time to save Madeleine.’

  ‘No, you little fool, you’d have died with her.’

  ‘I brought a pistol.’

  ‘Do you seriously imagine that popgun would have saved you?’ he growled. ‘These people are ruthless, Claudia. Good God, how much more convincing do you require?’

  ‘I...I wasn’t thinking clearly.’

  ‘No, you damned well weren’t. A moment’s reflection would have shown you the folly of this enterprise.’

  His anger was almost palpable and the knowledge that it was justified didn’t help. Moreover, the memory of Madeleine was all too sharp. Had she cried out, struggled? Claudia’s stomach churned.

  ‘I didn’t mean to be foolish. I thought I could help.’

  ‘By getting yourself killed? Have you taken leave of your senses?’

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘So you should be.’

  The churning sensation increased and was followed by alarm as she recognised what it meant. ‘Stop the carriage.’

  He was about to demand the reason but then saw the greenish tinge in her cheeks. As soon as the vehicle stopped he climbed out quickly and helped her down. Then she leaned on the rear wheel and vomited until her stomach was empty.

  Anthony waited at a discreet distance, silently appalled. When he’d seen Madeleine’s fate it was but a small step to imagine that it might have been Claudia lying there. Yet she had seemed quite oblivious to the danger. His relief on finding her unharmed had turned immediately to anger. He’d been so focused on his own feelings that he’d failed to consider how the scene in the Rue Hermès might have affected her.

  When she stopped retching he handed her a handkerchief and then put an arm around her shoulders.

  ‘Better now?’

  She nodded. ‘A little.’

  ‘Come then, my sweet. Let’s get you home.’

  He helped her back into the fiacre. She leaned back in the corner and closed her eyes. Although the green tinge had gone her face was alarmingly pale. Guilt vied with concern now and all he wanted was to get back to the Rue de Namur.

  Fortunately another ten minutes brought them to the front door. Anthony paid off the driver and carried Claudia indoors. He fired off orders to the startled servants and then took her straight to her room. Having laid her on the bed he removed her bonnet and shoes and then covered her with a blanket. A few minutes later Lucy arrived with smelling salts and tea
. Between them they made their patient comfortable.

  Anthony drew up a chair, watching anxiously until by slow degrees some of the colour returned to her face. Then he dismissed the servant. For a little while neither he nor Claudia spoke. There were so many things he wanted to say but he knew they’d have to keep for a bit longer.

  ‘How are you feeling now?’

  ‘A little better.’ She hesitated. ‘Anthony, I’m sorry for...’

  He put a finger to her lips. ‘Hush. It’s all right. You’re unharmed and that’s what matters. We’ll talk later. Right now you need to rest.’

  ‘I do feel rather tired.’

  He smiled gently. ‘Sleep then, sweet.’

  She managed a wan smile in return. She had never felt as debilitated in her life. In contrast his presence seemed so solid and reassuring, his strength comforting. She was glad that he didn’t sound angry any more although, with hindsight, he had every right to be. It had been foolish to go off alone like that. Moreover, she realised now that his anger was rooted in concern. She might have ended up like Madeleine.

  ‘Will you stay with me until I sleep?’

  ‘Of course,’ he replied, ‘if you want me to.’

  ‘Please.’ She reached for his hand. Strong warm fingers closed over hers. At his touch much of the tension flowed out of her and she shut her eyes, feeling safe now.

  In a very short time she was asleep but he remained and watched for some time, his heart full.

  Chapter Twenty

  Claudia slept until the following morning and woke to find herself still dressed. Then she began to recall the events of the previous day. Madeleine was dead. What was it that she had been about to impart? What was sufficiently important for someone to want to silence her for good? The brutal deed only served to underline the ruthless determination of the enemy. It was sickening to think of a man using his strength in such a way. With hindsight it had been madness to go to the apartment alone. If she had been thinking clearly she wouldn’t have done it, but for days her brain had been like scrambled egg. It wasn’t only herself she had put at risk. Guilt mingled with regret. The child was not to blame for its making. Involuntarily she put a hand on her belly.

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ she murmured.

  As yet there was no sign of the baby she was carrying, but she was going to have to tell Anthony soon. No doubt he would be pleased to learn of a potential heir, but the worry persisted as to how he would respond to the idea of fatherhood? Just for a moment the image of the old Earl impinged on her consciousness. Although there was a certain facial resemblance, Anthony was nothing like him, either in temperament or behaviour. He could be arrogant, even downright infuriating at times, but he wasn’t cruel. Would he enjoy having a child? Would he make time to be a father? Would he still find her desirable with a swollen belly? Would he want her afterwards? What if there was no afterwards? What if she died in childbed?

  She swallowed hard and, with an effort, tried to force her mind down other paths. By the time she had undressed and washed and then dressed again in a fresh gown she felt a little better. Then, taking a deep breath, she braced herself for the inevitable interview with Anthony.

  He was sitting by the window in the salon but, when she came in, rose to meet her, sweeping her with a critical gaze.

  ‘You look better,’ he said then.

  ‘Thank you, I feel better.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear it. You had me worried for a while yesterday.’

  She sighed. ‘What I did was foolish in the extreme, and I’m sorry for it.’

  ‘And I am sorry for losing my temper like that.’

  ‘You had good reason.’

  He surveyed her in silence for a moment. Then he took hold of her hands and drew her closer. ‘Promise me never to do anything like that again.’

  ‘I promise.’ She looked up at him. ‘Who is he, Anthony? What kind of man would murder a woman in cold blood like that?’

  ‘A very ruthless one, my sweet. His kind doesn’t care what they have to do to achieve their ends.’

  ‘I feel badly about accusing Viaud like that.’

  ‘He’ll get over it.’

  Then another thought occurred to her. ‘You don’t think Lebrun or Saunière had anything to with this, do you?’

  ‘I don’t know. It’ll bear investigation.’

  ‘Has security been increased around Prince William?’

  ‘It has.’ His lips quirked. ‘What concerns me much more is your security. I seem to be doing a damned poor job of keeping you out of harm’s way.’

  ‘I will be more careful in future. That poor young woman; she didn’t deserve to meet such an end.’

  ‘No, she didn’t. I’m not surprised it should have upset you so badly. It was enough to sicken anyone.’

  ‘It did upset me,’ she replied, ‘but that’s not why I was sick—or not entirely.’

  His brow creased a little. ‘You were feeling ill before? My dearest girl, you should have told me.’

  ‘It’s not an illness, Anthony.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I...I’m with child.’

  For the space of a few heartbeats he was rooted to the spot. Then astonishment was replaced by a slow smile.

  ‘Good Lord! That’s marvellous.’

  ‘Is it?’

  ‘Of course it is. It’s the most amazing thing I ever heard.’

  Her throat tightened. ‘I wasn’t sure if you wanted...I mean, fatherhood doesn’t suit all men, does it?’

  He surveyed her steadily. ‘By that you mean my late father.’

  ‘And mine.’

  ‘They were the losers by it.’ His hold tightened on her hands. ‘Besides, I don’t share their views.’

  ‘You don’t?’

  ‘By no means. I promise you that our children will not be treated as we were. Quite apart from anything else they will be loved.’

  Relief brought tears to her eyes. ‘I am glad of it. If anything should happen to me...’

  ‘Darling, nothing is going to happen to you. I mean to keep you safe.’

  ‘You cannot.’

  ‘I beg your pardon?’

  ‘’Tis I must bear this baby, not you. But if I die you will care for it, won’t you?’

  ‘You’re not going to die, my sweet. Why should you think so?’

  Claudia burst into tears. Horrified and bemused, he was at a total loss for a moment or two. Then, from the back of his mind, echoes of a former conversation returned: Husbands expect their wives to bear children...it’s the most dangerous thing a woman can do. With that came sudden insight.

  ‘Darling, you’re not frightened?’

  Claudia vouchsafed no answer but the tears flowed faster. He sighed and put his arms round her, holding her close. Wisely, he made attempt to stop the flow but let the emotion pour out. Then, when the sobs began to abate a little, he sat her down on the couch beside him and handed her a handkerchief.

  ‘Dry your eyes and blow your nose like a good girl.’ When she had obeyed he nodded. ‘Now, tell me.’

  Slowly and somewhat disjointedly she told him about the conversation with Mrs Failsworth. He listened with mounting incredulity and anger, and suddenly a lot of things became appallingly clear. He could cheerfully have shot the governess. To frighten a young girl in that way was both cruel and stupid. It had also done untold damage and he wondered if he was going to be able to undo it.

  ‘Claudia, you mustn’t think in such a way.’

  ‘That’s easy for you to say.’

  ‘Sweetheart, such events might happen but they are rare. We will be home soon. You will have the best medical care available. There is no reason to suppose anything other than a safe delivery and a healthy child.’

  She gulped. ‘Do you really think so?’r />
  ‘Yes, I do think so.’

  ‘I w-want to have a healthy child. I w-want to g-give you an heir.’

  A muscle jumped in his jaw. ‘This isn’t about giving me an heir. This is about a child, our child. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a boy or a girl.’

  ‘You wouldn’t mind if it were a girl?’

  ‘I’d be thrilled either way.’

  ‘My father had no use for girls. Nor did yours.’

  ‘Forget about them.’ He put his arms around her and dropped a kiss on her hair. ‘We’re talking about us now. We’ll shape our own future.’

  She swallowed hard, wanting to believe it but unable to banish the spectres from her mind.

  * * *

  Later, when she had gone to lie down, Anthony took himself off to the Falconbridge house. Sabrina greeted him with a surprised smile.

  ‘This is an unexpected pleasure, but I’m afraid that Robert is from home at the moment.’

  ‘I didn’t come to see Robert,’ he replied.

  She looked somewhat taken aback. ‘Oh.’

  ‘I need your help, Sabrina.’

  ‘My help? How?’

  ‘It concerns my wife.’

  ‘Lady Claudia is not ill?’

  ‘Not ill...with child.’

  Sabrina beamed. ‘Congratulations, Anthony. You must be thrilled.’

  ‘I am. Claudia is not.’

  Her smile faded a little. ‘I don’t quite understand.’

  As he summarised the essential parts of the earlier conversation, she listened in shocked disbelief.

  ‘Her governess told her that?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Good heavens! The woman should have been shot.’

  ‘My sentiments exactly. However, the damage has been done now and I don’t know how best to deal with it. I’ve tried to reassure Claudia but, coming from a man, the words must sound hollow.’

  ‘Would you like me to talk to her?’

  ‘Would you?’

  ‘Of course I will, if you think it would help.’

  ‘I think it might.’

  ‘We’ve arranged to have tea together the day after tomorrow. We can talk then.’

  ‘Thank you, Sabrina. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. In truth I didn’t know where else to turn.’