The Ace of Clubs

by Patricia Loofbourrow

  “That would be helpful,” Mr. Trevisane said. “In the meantime, let’s turn to the matter of your appearances at the inquest. The Four Families will appear in the audience three days from now, when the public is invited to speak.”

  I almost laughed at what was unspoken: to give the impression of caring about their opinions.

  “Deep mourning would be best for the duration of the inquest. You’re only allowed to enter and exit during a lull in the proceedings, or in case of emergency. You do not rise except when a judge enters, on exiting, or if need be to allow another to pass.”

  “Judges?” Tony said. “I thought this was merely an inquest.”

  “Well, yes,” Mr. Trevisane said. “But since I don’t know the future, I thought it wise to educate your wife on these matters.”

  Tony seemed put out. “Very well.”

  I said, “What’s a judge? How will I know one?”

  “The man in charge of the proceedings,” Mr. Trevisane said.

  Tony put his hand on mine. “Just do as we do.”

  Mr. Trevisane continued. “When appearing as a witness, answer the question asked, nothing more. Make them draw the information from you. Unfortunately, we’re not permitted to cross-examine, but they’ll ask if there’s any information they’ve neglected. This is where we must determine your exact words.”

  * * *

  After a half-hour of this, they left.

  Pearson brought a note for Tony, who read it, then kissed my forehead. “I’m off to Market Center. I’ll visit the Chief of Police about your friend. Master Kerr said there was little interest in her case.” He grinned. “Perhaps I can persuade him to take interest.”

  “Oh,” I said, impressed.

  I went to my study, setting the stolen letters aside. On the desk sat three more: from Joseph Kerr, Jon, and Gardena.

  Seeing Jon and Gardena’s names sent me into a rage. What did I have to say to them? How could they explain themselves? They’d not only lied to me, they’d betrayed Tony! I crumpled the unopened letters, throwing them into the freshly-lit fire.

  At that moment, I wished to see neither one of them again.

  Joe’s letter I opened as if sent from the Floorman himself, amazed at having a part of him with me. He wrote with large, printed letters, as a young child might.

  I hope you’re well. Please visit tomorrow after luncheon. Look forward to our meeting. — Joe

  I hugged Joe’s letter, imagining his beloved face pressing upon my chest. I felt such joy that I kissed the letter, leaving a lipstick mark. Then I locked it in my desk. Soon, my love, soon.

  I went to the door. “Pearson, please notify the bridge guards that we’re not at home if the Diamonds should call.”

  “Yes, mum. For how long?”

  “Until we say otherwise. And I’ll call on the Kerrs tomorrow after luncheon.”

  “I’ll have the carriage ready. Will there be anything else?”

  “My cigarettes, and a bottle of bourbon.” I was celebrating.

  * * *

  Ledgers sat in neat rows between my desk and the fireplace.

  I poured some bourbon, opened a ledger, and began reading, stacking the ledgers on the other side of my desk as I went. They detailed comings and goings, arguments in the hallway and packages delivered. Many entries were about mail, or meetings with people who came calling — about both Tony and myself!

  Then there was a note:

  Mr. Anthony surprised me whilst writing. We conversed.

  We conversed? I daresay you did. Tony must have been furious.

  I called Pearson in, a ledger open, waiting until he closed the door and stood before me. “Why do you listen outside my door?”

  Pearson stared straight ahead and said nothing.

  I rose, coming round my desk to walk past him. “I’ve trusted you since I was a small girl. But now I find you’ve made notes on me. Listened at my door. You’re reporting to my husband, but only after he discovered you. Who do you really report to?”

  Pearson’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing.

  “It’s insupportable. You’ve betrayed me, my husband, everyone. Yet you’re not the only one doing so. Do I have to dismiss my entire staff?” I stood in front of him. “This will stop.”

  “I can’t, mum.”

  “Well, it must.”

  His nose reddened. “I’m sorry, mum, I can’t.”

  I had never seen Pearson so distressed in my life. “Why?”

  He hesitated a full minute, glancing at me from time to time, becoming more agitated as the seconds passed. Then he spoke in an anguished whisper. “Mr. Roy has my mother.”

  His mother?

  “When my family was made gift to Mr. Anthony, he took my mother as hostage.” He turned aside. “To spy on my own Family is insupportable, mum, but I can’t take the chance.”

  I spoke without meaning to. “Why would he do this?”

  “I don’t know.” He sounded adrift. “I’d never betrayed him, even in my thoughts. I’ve been in the Family since birth. Mr. Roy and I were boys together in this house.” He retrieved his handkerchief and wiped his nose. “You and Mr. Anthony are dear to me as my own children. You mustn’t think I betrayed you.”

  “Oh, Pearson.” I put my arms around his, resting my head on his left shoulder. “Forgive me for not trusting you.” I let go, came round to face him. “Do you have proof she lives?”

  “She sends letters. And I visit her when you and Mr. Anthony are out. I saw her last month. She appears well.” His jaw clenched. “But she belongs in the home Mr. Acevedo gave her.”

  I took a deep breath, let it out: no idea came. But I had to do something. This was wrong. “If it’s in my power, I’ll win her free.”

  He froze. “Mum, you must do nothing. He might kill her.”

  I nodded, whispering, “Someday I’ll kill him, never fear.”

  He smiled sadly, shaking his head. “Were all my sons combined half so fierce.” His shoulders drooped. “But I suppose lambs are best for the servant’s lot.”

  I placed my hand on his shoulder. Jane, Mary, his sons ... they must be terrified. “None of you deserve this.”

  He stared at the floor. “I’m glad you told Mr. Anthony where you’ve been going. He fears for you.”

  I sighed. Tony seemed to be fearful of everything.

  “I remember when he was a tiny boy. Such a happy child. He adored his brother. But I’ll never forget the way he stared at Master Roy Acevedo’s body — after it happened. He found him. Even though Mr. Anthony was but two,” Pearson shook his head, “I fear the sight changed him.”

  The Map

  The doorbell rang.

  “Please excuse me, mum,” Pearson said.

  I stood in the middle of the room, trying to make sense of what he’d just said. Tony found his brother’s body?

  I knew almost nothing about the boy, not even his name, until Pearson said it just now. But the way he’d been spoken of over the years made me feel as if something terrible had taken place.

  Poisoning is what everyone said.

  But who would poison a child?

  * * *

  Pearson came in holding a silver tray containing a full bottle, a glass, a silver case containing my cigarettes, and a letter. “This just arrived, mum. From the Inventor.”

  Whatever could the Inventor want to mail me about? Pearson lit a cigarette for me. “Thank you, Pearson, that will be all.”

  I poured a glass, took a long drink, then opened the letter.

  Maxim Call wrote with a flowing hand, full of flourishes. From what I gathered, they weren’t having any more luck finding the controls to this new piling than they had with ours. They’d spent a great deal of time repairing the lift mechanisms and were just now able to descend safely to the observatory.

  “Now that we know the sort of thing we’re looking for,” the Inventor wrote, “the process should go more smoothly. I may stay here to compare the readings on this piling with yours,
but that shouldn’t take more than a few months. In the meantime, I’ve had my men search for others in the city. It’s a pity there isn’t any sort of map —”

  Map?

  I lay upon the floor in the midst of Ma’s cathedral as the sun rose.

  Four buttresses rose from the floor of the huge round structure to meet in a grand domed window of stained glass. But in the ceiling lay smaller windows, spaced evenly through each quadrant. Each of these smaller windows - still larger than I was - held an array of yellow, gold, and red, which reminded me of flowers.

  I never understood what these meant until now. “Pearson!”

  He peered in, face concerned. “Are you well, mum?”

  “I must speak with the Inventor immediately. It’s urgent.”

  “I’ll send men to find him, mum.”

  “No, fetch Amelia. We must go to him.”

  Amelia produced a deep purple gown I hadn’t worn before, and placed the elderberry shawl atop it. “This will do for now. I don’t expect the Inventor cares much for formality.”

  “This dress is lovely,” I said. “When can I wear it again?”

  “After the inquest. You’d think you lost a parent, or Mr. Anthony himself, the way they force you to deep mourning.”

  “I suppose it’s for the best.” I still mourned many people, yet I wondered if continuing to appear in public wearing mourning garb brought Dame Anastasia to mind more than it should.

  * * *

  Tony would have approved of our entourage: Honor had accompanied him to Market Center, so Blitz escorted us, armed, with a full set of outriders. Blitz bowed when I approached, a wry grin on his face. “Mrs. Spadros.”

  “Good evening, Blitz.” He helped me into the carriage. “This excursion isn’t likely to be as diverting as others we’ve taken.”

  He chuckled and closed the door.

  While on our journey, I thought about Tony, Jon, Gardena, and everything they were involved with. I didn’t belong with these quadrant-folk, unraveling the fruits of their twisted schemes. I was one of the Dealers’ Daughters, a direct descendant of the women who survived the assault on the Cathedral during the Coup. My place was with them.

  But as long as Roy Spadros ruled, I didn’t dare try to return home. He’d threatened to burn the Cathedral with everyone in it should I step back into the Spadros Pot, and at the time, I believed he might do it.

  My only other option was to leave with Joe, sending what aid we could from a place of safety. But if what I knew helped Inventor Call repair the city, at the time, I felt glad to offer it.

  This second piling lay under a home near 143rd and Book. A maid in her forties opened the door. Her eyes widened. Then she fled, leaving the door open. So we stood waiting.

  “Well?” A man said in the distance. “Did you let them in?”

  Footsteps approached. The occupants, an elderly couple, gaped in astonishment. “Mrs. Spadros?”

  “I’m here to see Inventor Call. May we enter?”

  “Of course!” They made way, bowing and curtsying as we passed. “I apologize for our foolish girl,” the man said. “I think you quite flummoxed her. This way!”

  They led us through their luxurious home to a wide, well-stocked pantry. At the back of this was a door, which opened on a narrow flight of wooden steps down to a storeroom large enough to encompass the entire house, with thick supports at intervals. In the center of the floor, a large trap door lay open.

  The man pointed to it. “My father built this home. My parents kept the door locked, and when they turned in their cards, I never thought to look.”

  I grinned at him. “You hold quite a treasure.”

  Blitz said, “I’ll fetch the Inventor, mum; there’s no need for you to dirty yourself.”

  I so loved the curling orange steam which rose from the magma. But I would only become sweaty, and there was no time to bathe before dressing for dinner. “Very well.”

  Tony’s men brought down straight-backed chairs and a dark wooden tea-table, and I sat to await the Inventor. After some time, he emerged, muttering under his breath.

  He let out a short laugh when he saw the table and chairs in the midst of the storage room. “Am I called away from my work to have tea, then?”

  I rose, curtsying low. “Inventor, I have urgent news for you.” I glanced around. “Blitz can stand guard; the rest of you, out. This is not for Mr. Roy’s ears.”

  One man let out a laugh. But they filed upstairs without protest and the door was shut. Blitz stationed himself at the bottom of the stairs, a good ten yards from us.

  I gestured to a chair. “Please, sir, sit.”

  Maxim Call appeared intrigued. “What’s your urgent news?”

  I leaned forward. “I believe I have your map.”

  The Inventor’s face became that of an excited schoolboy. “Praise the Dealer! However did you find it?”

  So explained that I grew up in the Cathedral, and shared my recollections of its skylights. “I don’t know what else it could be.”

  The Inventor shouted, “Monte! Get up here!”

  Feet ran up metal stairs, and a dark-haired Apprentice emerged. “Yes, Inventor?”

  “Pen and ink, at once.” Inventor Call turned to me. “Tell me of the smaller circles. Were they all the same?”

  “I think so. It’s been so many years since I lived there.”

  He became solemn. “I’m astonished you’re here.”

  “You didn’t know I was from the Pot?”

  “No one’s ever mentioned it.”

  I found that hard to believe. Everywhere I went, ladies of rank used my birthplace as a reason for scorn. But Maxim Call seldom mixed in social circles. “And what do you think now?”

  “This is the most exciting discovery imaginable!” The Inventor took pen and ink from his Apprentice and set it down before me, along with several large sheets of paper. “You must draw every detail. This knowledge could save the city!”

  By the time we returned, it was past time to dress for dinner, so Amelia put me in a simple, easier to assemble gown. I had refused to let Amelia fuss with my hair earlier, so all was ready.

  I hurried downstairs; Tony stood waiting. “I hear you had an exciting time.”

  Amused, I took his arm. “Inventor Call near leapt with enthusiasm. I brought a map of his beloved pilings.”

  We strolled past our sun-room, turned towards the dining hall. “Where did you find it?”

  I tapped my temple.

  “Oh,” Tony said, impressed.

  “We should speak of this later,” I said, glancing at the servants around the long table.

  * * *

  As we sat in my bed, I told Tony of my recollections of the Cathedral. Yet I refrained from specifics, not knowing who listened. “Inventor Call didn’t know where I came from.”

  “It’s not widely known,” Tony said.

  “But all the ladies of standing know, and I imagine their gentlemen as well.”

  “Nevertheless,” Tony said, “Don’t volunteer it.”

  “What have I to be ashamed of?”

  Tony kissed my hand. “Nothing. But there are those who would take offense, and I wish everyone to love you as I do.”

  Yet you didn’t trust me with Roland. He never explained why he feared telling me about his son. “Do you believe me to be allied with your father?”

  “What makes you say that?”

  I hesitated. “Certain things you’ve hidden. Yet you asked if I wanted the Family.” I couldn’t understand how this even crossed his mind. A woman Patriarch? “I just want to understand what you’re thinking. At times, I don’t feel I know you.”

  He wrapped his arms around me, his face in my hair. “For a long time, I’ve been almost mad with fear,” he murmured. “For you, for Gardena, for my son. Even, I suppose, for myself.”

  I recalled what Pearson said about Tony finding his older brother’s body. What would that sight do to a child?

  Tony cradled my
face in his hands. “I’ve been a fool. You’ve had much more to fear, yet instead of learning to protect myself as you have, I’ve let my fear come close to destroying us.” He dropped his hands. “My father was right. You were right. If I don’t find a way to be a different man, I’m condemning us to death. If not now, then when my father’s time comes.” He snorted. “Why should men follow me if I can’t control myself?”

  “Tony, listen to me. You have men who’d follow you into the Fire.” I thought then of what Jon told me on the Clubb’s yacht. “But you must think of yourself first. Make yourself strong, and trust that others are strong as well.” I placed my hand on his cheek. “You don’t have to protect the whole world.”

  Tony laughed, and for the first time, he seemed happy. He put his hand on mine. “I don’t know why my father chose you for me, but I’m grateful.” He straightened as if coming into some insight. “I must be worthy of respect if my father’s men are to follow me one day. Perhaps they despise me now, but there must be a way to earn their allegiance without becoming my father.”

  I nodded. “A good intention indeed.”

  Tony pulled me close, kissed me.

  This surprised me so much I stiffened.

  Relax, breathe, you can do this.

  Tony caressed my hair. “What’s wrong?”

  Oh, gods. “You surprised me, that’s all.”

  He smiled, moving his arm around my waist. “A good surprise, I hope.”

  Does he suspect I don’t desire him? I forced myself to smile, closed my eyes. Joe, where are you?

  I let out a sigh, forced myself to relax.

  Tony — Joe moved his hand up my leg, kissed me.

  Joe ... the way he smelled, his soft hair, the way he touched me ...

  I wrapped my arms around my beloved Joe, pulled his golden body to me. Kissed his beautiful face. “Yes.” Joe’s lithe body moved atop me, between my legs. I wrapped my legs around his muscled back, pressing him closer to me as he moved inside. Joe’s breathing, his moans, only made me want him more. “Yes. Oh, gods, yes.”