“What did you do?” She finally asked, staring at Emily with something akin to hatred. “You’ve cursed me.” She couldn’t stop looking at the brooch in her hand, the simple innocuous item that had signalled her fate. “After all you’ve told me about this thing, after all the harm it does; you’ve decided to put this on me.”
“Believe me, you’ll thank me.” Emily chuckled, taking a sip from one of the glasses on the other side of the room.
“I doubt it.” Melissa was fuming, angry almost beyond reason. The glossy, shimmering planes of the lotus sparkled in the light, hiding its violent nature beneath its beauty.
“Oh you will, at least you’re now safe from John.” She downed the liquid in the glass and smiled. “Let me tell you Melissa that I do care for Justin and what he would go through if you had died.” She placed the glass on the table and drew herself to her full height. “I’ve just left him in a mess. Cracked ribs, no ability to heal and he took it all for your benefit,” Leaning forward to stare at Melissa, she continued. “You do realise that he told your brother to beat him to spare your reputation.”
“No,” Melissa drew a stricken breath and sank back against the cushions, bewildered by what she had just been told. “He couldn’t have done.”
“Why do you find it so hard to believe?” Emily snorted back at her, “I’ve heard about your brother, by all accounts he’s a pretty decent fellow.” She gave a snort of derisive laughter. “Wait, are you saying that you believed your brother capable of beating an innocent man?”
Melissa did not answer the question as she felt her heart sink. Tarlington took one look at her face and faced down Emily.
“Enough of the antagonism.” He stated blankly, the persona of cultured dandy completely missing now. “And please do go on with your reasons for doing this? I’m fascinated to know why you’ve introduced another into our hell.”
There was a pause as Emily took in Tarlington’s grim visage. “Justin is an optimist by nature,” Her words were slow, almost as though she were talking to a child. “He believes that John will leave you alone if he runs,” Giving a snort of laughter, she turned back to the fireplace and stared at the flames. “He’s an idiot; he waffled over Anna and look what happened to her.”
“Are you saying you have altruistic motives?” Hugh asked, his voice clearly suggesting that he didn’t believe it.
“No,” Emily turned back to the room, her eyes clouded by sudden anger. “When he’s unhappy, he doesn’t care. He seduces his way through the world or he shuts himself off.”
“Oh don’t tell me you care,” Hugh snorted as he walked up to face. “I’m trying to work out if you even know what the truth looks like.” He stopped just in front of Emily and stared down at her. “Let me make an alternative hypothesis,” Emily’s face twisted into a mockery of a smile. “You just like to make trouble. Whatever you say is not the truth.” He sighed and turned back to the room. “Whatever the explanation, you’re stuck, like the rest of us.”
“So what do I do now?” Melissa dragged her eyes away from the enamel brooch and stood. Her fingers were twisted about the thing that had completely altered her life. Hugh’s heart twisted with pity at the desperate plea he found in her face and voice. Once again he shot a look of disapproving anger at Emily, who merely sniffed and looked away.
“Melissa,” The group glanced up as Lydia De Vire walked into the room. Melissa’s mother ran a quick measuring gaze over the small group before her. “I’m just getting the carriage ready, that’s if you’re ready to go.”
Casting a questioning look back at Hugh, Melissa hedged. “Just a few moments more mother.” She hoped that her voice was steady and that Lydia did not see the fear in her heart. “Lord Tarlington was spinning us an amusing yarn.”
Lydia sized up Hugh, who responded with his most winning, empty headed smile.
“Indeed Lady De Vire,” Emily chimed in, her face swept clear of mischief. “Only a few moments more, it is a fascinating tale.”
“Very well,” Lydia gave a tolerant smile “Just a few moments more,” And with that she swept back out of the room, leaving Melissa to stare at Hugh in panic.
“What do I do?” She took several agitated steps forward. “What happens now?”
Hugh reached her side and caught hold of her upper shoulders. “Don’t worry.” He whispered, hoping to soothe her. “It’s not a problem yet.”
“It will be if you get injured.” Emily interjected as she sank into a chair. Melissa glowered at her, trying not to scream abuse at the calm, almost flippant woman before her.
“Indeed,” Hugh continued, shooting Emily a stern look. “For now there is no real problem.” He pointed to the locket. “You can find a vessel from now, but there is no need at the moment. You are fit and healthy.”
“So I can go home?” Melissa tried not to think his words. She doubted she could find it in her heart to steal another’s life. Once again, she bit her lip, keeping her anger from spilling out into the open. Casting a hate filled glance at Emily, she tried to focus on Hugh and what he was saying.
“You may go home,” He uttered, not missing the silent struggle that was going on behind her eyes. “You don’t have to leave your family yet,”
“Yet?” Her voice was faint and scared. “What do you mean?”
“You’re going to have to leave them sometime.” Hugh fervently wished that he did not have to impart this sentence and not for the first time, he wondered why Emily had gone against Justin. “After all you’ve now ceased to age,” He let the words sink in. “People will eventually notice.”
“I see,” Melissa swallowed nervously, a reflexive gesture as she tried to sort out just what had happened.
“We’ll talk more later,” Hugh promised, conscious of Lydia De Vire waiting just outside the room.
“What about Justin?”
“We’ll think of something,” With a gentle push, he urged her towards the door. “Now go home and for the love of God, don’t show that brooch to anyone.” Not just yet. He added silently, trying not to frighten the girl any further than she already had been.
“Thank you.” Melissa reached up and brushed her lips lightly against his cheek.
“Think nothing of it,” He smiled sadly at her. “We’ll visit you tomorrow.” He stepped back and kissed her hand. “Get some sleep; you’re going to need it.”
Melissa nodded and stepped back, ignoring the nonchalant figure of Emily in the corner of the room. Nodding to Hugh, she turned, walked back through the door and joined her mother.
Chapter 39:
“Well that went well,” Emily chuckled as the door swung shut behind Melissa and Lydia De Vire.
With a snort of disbelief Hugh rounded on Emily. “Of all the cruel things I’ve seen you do over the years. I believe this is the worst.”
“You exaggerate,” Emily chuckled airily, dismissing Tarlington’s anger with a shake of her head.
“You think so?”
“I know so,” Emily pulled herself out of the chair and stared at Hugh. “Listen to me Tarlington.” For the first time that evening, Emily was completely serious. “I made the best choice, in fact, I made the only choice.” She reached his side and faced him down. “Justin had already signed her death warrant by his very interest. John has already been busy murdering Justin’s regular girls. By the very act of leaving her, Justin has placed her in a very special niche.” She removed a handkerchief and dabbed lightly at her neck. “Unfortunately that special niche brings her to John’s attention.”
Hugh took a deep breath, forcing himself to consider Emily’s words. For once, the blonde was making perfect sense.
“You’re saying that once linked to Justin, she was already dead and the only difference would be the means of her death.”
“Precisely, though I don’t see why you need me to spell it out for you so neatly.” Emily replied as she reached out and plucked a long stemmed glass from a nearby table.
“Why don’t you hu
mour me?” Hugh retorted, staring at her in dislike. “Perhaps I’m feeling especially slow today.”
“As you wish.” Her fingers caressed the stem of the glass in her hand, moving slowly over its smooth surface, finding the flaws in the glass blowers art. “If Justin had seduced and left after, she would still be dead.” She swirled the glass, watching the amber liquid slosh like a mini whirlpool. “John would want to make sure that Justin got the message.” Cupping the bowl of the glass, she lifted it to her lips and took a swallow of the amber wine. “However, because he was noble and tried to mask his interest, he’s only insured the depths of John’s cruelty.” With a sneer at John’s methods, she took a long drink. “Whatever Justin did, she would be damned.” With that, she drained the last drops of wine and relaxed, confident that she had Hugh’s attention and support. “At least this way, he has a chance to spare her.”
“Not that much salvation.” Hugh picked up the decanter and poured two more glasses. “She’s still cursed.”
“True,” Emily noted, removing her fan from her skirt pocket. “But at least it’s a fighting chance. Even if John does attempt to kill her, it won’t take.”
“It might have been kinder in the long run to kill her ourselves.” Hugh mused, settling into one of the other chairs with a sigh.
“What makes you say that?” Opening the fan with a snap, she began to fan herself slowly, the very picture of a bored noblewoman. Only her eyes betrayed her intelligence.
“John can kill her several times over now.” He took a long drink from his glass and stared into space. “And if he gets hold of the brooch…” A long sigh escaped his lips. “Regardless of your intentions Emily, I don’t think they’ll forgive you. You may see Melissa De Vire taking the romantic opportunity, but I don’t.” He tapped his cane lightly against the parquet floor, almost tuning out the conversation as he declared his thoughts aloud. “Like all the rest of us, she will despise what has been done to her. I foresee a few centuries of recrimination. ”
“Not if Justin finally discovers a cure,” Emily interrupted, leaning forward in her chair. “He certainly has a reason to now.” She closed the fan with a snap, anger building up in her face again. Taking hold of the glass, she took another swallow.
“Are you saying he has been holding back all this time?” Hugh snorted, quaffing a swallow of drink in derision. “I’ve seen his library.”
“No,” Emily laughed as she returned her glass to the table. “I’m saying that he now has better incentive.” Hugh listened to her laugh, noting the bitterness that belied the light notes. “He has a lover to return to humanity.” The mockery in her voice was unmistakeable and Hugh raised an eyebrow.
“Nevertheless, you won’t have made any friends today.”
“If that were my only reason for my actions then I would be upset.” Her response was flippant, unconcerned, only Hugh could hear the anger that lay behind her words.
“So what actions are these?” They both turned as Alistair’s voice broke into their conversation from the door.
“Alistair,” Hugh stood up and walked toward Justin’s younger brother. “I had heard you were in London again.”
“Don’t change the subject Tarlington,” Alistair walked by Hugh and stood before the still seated Emily. “What actions have you taken that might not win you friends.” His voice, while civil, was low and threatening. Emily glanced up at the younger Lestrade brother and began to laugh.
“Alistair,” She chortled, watching his face twist with rage as she laughed at him. “How sweet of you, you’re showing off your baby claws?”
“Don’t laugh at me Emily,” He reached for her, his hand curled, fingers grasping. He heard the gasp of horror from Hugh somewhere on the other side of the room, but gave it no mind as he reached for her. Emily was still smiling as his fingers dug painfully into the creamy skin of her shoulder. “I won’t have a whore like you laugh at me.”
“Then you shouldn’t be such a fool.” Almost negligently, her fingers curled about his and settled there. For a brief moment she clasped his hand, her skin soft and warm against his. “I don’t like threats Alistair.” She whispered, before with one wrench, she pulled his middle finger backwards. He heard the break at the same moment the pain hit. That pain was shortly followed by the pain in his wrist as she leant forward, pulling his hand back toward his forearm. “I also despise insults.” A choke of pain escaped his lips as he struck out at her with his free hand. With a bored smile, Emily leant back out of reach and, using the bone handle of her fan, struck him across the wrist joint. “Behave Alistair,” Her voice was soft, lethal and he stared down at her in shock. “Did you thing I was a weakling?” She stood, keeping the pressure on his hand. “Did you think I hid behind your brother or Hugh?” Through the haze of pain, he nodded. “Well it would appear you’ve learnt a lesson.” Without releasing him she leant in close, her lips mere centimetres away from his ears. “I do not take threats or bullying, please remember that. And if that is a hard task for you, I will be happy to remind you of it again.”
“Enough Emily,” Hugh’s voice rumbled from the side of the room. “You can hurt him later. Right now I want to know why he’s here.”
“Very well,” With a shrug, she dropped his wrist and walked across to the door. She watched him nurse his injured wrist with a small smile. “What are you doing here Alistair?”
Chapter 40:
Melissa walked into her room and sat down on her bed. The return from the party had been quiet; she had barely noticed her mother’s conversation, lost as she was in contemplation of the night’s events. Once she had passed the front door, she had excused herself and headed for her room. The change of venue did not help. Over and over, she remembered Emily’s fingers pressing the brooch into her hand. Drawing her hand across her eyes, she tried not to relive the horror of what had happened next. It hadn’t felt like sleep or faint. The darkness had stolen up on her and she had felt drained, altered, her skin had crawled as the darkness swamped her. Gasping, she opened her eyes and tried to still her breathing. She could the brooch within her pocket, the weight of it at odds with its size. Slowly, she drew the lotus brooch from her skirts and stared down at it. The flower was exquisitely worked, the enamel smooth and bright. It was beautiful. On the left hand side of the bloom, a small gold catch drew her attention. Carefully she undid it. Inside the locket lay two small ovals, much as you would find on any other locket. Swallowing nervously, she examined the ovals before her. On the right hand oval, she could see a small cameo of herself. The picture was perfect, as though her reflection had been captured by the artist. Hesitantly, she ran her gaze across the second oval. The oval was empty, a blank canvas waiting for another’s picture. With a small cry, she dropped the brooch and scuttled up the bed to huddle in a ball of terrified misery against the headboard.
She did not know how long she sat there; clinging to the headboard in fear, trying to find some distance between her and the brooch that ruined her life. Her door swung open and she glanced up, straight at her brother.
“Melly?” He took in her stance, the tears and he crossed the room in a flash. “What the devil happened?” His arms wrapped around her and she hugged him, crying into his chest as though her heart would break. “Did someone hurt you?”
“No..” She whimpered, trying to contain the sobs that were overpowering her. “It’s just..” She stopped; unable to lie once more to the brother she loved. “I can’t tell you,”
“Melissa,” His hand stroked her hair gently, setting off a fresh storm of weeping. “Please what is it?” He pulled away slightly and stared down at her face. “You can tell me.” He paused, “Is it about Lestrade?” Melissa looked up at him, tears running tracks through the lead powder. “I’m so sorry I had to beat him like that.” He caught hold of her hands and squeezed them. “I didn’t want.”
“Marcus, I know what you had to do.” Melissa finally spoke, her voice cracked by grief and horror. “It’s not your fault, never t
hink that. You’ve been wonderful.” She seized hold of her handkerchief and blew her nose. Her head began to ache as she continued to cry, the emotion blocking her nose and throat. “I don’t want to lose you. You’re my brother and I love you.” The lotus on the floor dominated her thoughts, its presence a malignant force on her mind.
“Melly“ He hugged her again, his familiar embrace sending a fresh wave of misery through her body. “I’m not going anywhere, at least not just yet.” Rocking her gently, he tried to calm her, yet the tears kept coming. “What happened Melly? Please tell me?”
She shook her head, the desire to tell so strong, that she did not trust herself to speak. Gulping another breath of air, she tried to calm down. She felt her tears soak into his shirt.
“Melissa please?” His voice broke slightly as he felt her sobs ripple through her body. “What is it?” She pulled back from him and lay face down on the bed. Helplessly, he looked down at her. “I’m getting Mother,” He announced finally, pulling away from the bed.
The Black Lotus (Night Flower) Page 33
