Butterfly Palace

by Coble, Colleen

  For the first time, Lily began to understand what Belle’s life had been like. What it still was. While money hadn’t been something Mama could provide much of, Lily had seen love displayed in front of her. She hadn’t been boxed into a life she didn’t want. She’d been allowed to have enough freedom to go fishing with Drew and to learn to love the real man inside.

  She touched Belle’s hand. “I’ll pray for you, Miss Belle. That God shows you the man who will love you for who you are.”

  Tears sprang to Belle’s eyes. “How blasphemous to think God cares about such mundane things, Lily. But thank you.”

  Lily opened a drawer. “God always cares.”

  Jane was rocking the baby by the light of a candle when Lily stepped into the shack. The sight of mother and baby always brought a lump to Lily’s throat. “Is she sleeping?”

  Jane shook her head. “Wide-awake and waiting for Aunt Lily.”

  Lily gently lifted the little one to her chest and brushed her lips over Hannah’s soft hair. “How’s my good girl tonight?”

  Hannah cooed and waved a chubby fist in the air. Lily kissed her fingers, and the baby grasped a loose strand of hair.

  “She knows you,” Jane said.

  Settling little Hannah into the crook of her arm, Lily joined Jane on the broken-down sofa. “How are you settling into your job?”

  “Just fine. The Marshalls seemed to like the spiced oysters I made tonight.”

  The thought of such fancy food filled Lily with admiration. “Mrs. O’Reilly thanked me today for recommending you.”

  Nathan’s bulk filled the doorway from the bedroom. “And I’d add my thanks to hers, Miss Lily. I’ve never seen my sister so happy. And she’s safe here from Vesters.”

  “I’m glad it’s all working out.” Lily glanced at the door. “Mr. Hawkes repaired the door?”

  Nathan moved closer in the dim candlelight. “He said to tell you he’d stop back by about ten.” He seized his hat. “I’m off to work. Keep a lookout. And keep the gun close.”

  “We will.”

  “What time is it?” Jane asked.

  “Nine thirty,” he told her.

  “Miss Belle nodded off early.”

  The baby began to squawk and root for milk so Lily passed her over to her mother. “She was tired. Do you have a minute before you go, Nathan?”

  “About five is all. Is something wrong?”

  “Do you know a man named Ballard?” Why was she asking him? He hardly ran in the same circles as Ballard. “Never mind.”

  “I do know him, actually. Good man. He pops into the pub on occasion.”

  “Have you ever seen him meeting with Mr. Vesters?”

  Nathan shook his head. “He can’t abide the man. They got into a fistfight several months ago. Vesters tried to take liberties with one of the waitresses, and Ballard ejected him from the bar.”

  That didn’t sound like someone in cahoots with Vesters. “Thanks, Nathan.”

  There was a knock on the door, and Nathan opened it. He grinned at Drew. “I’m on my way out so you can take over protecting the women.”

  “Have a good night.”

  Before Drew could shut the door, Lily jumped up and took his hand. “I need to talk to you outside for a moment.”

  “I like the sound of that.” Drew winked at Jane who laughed, then ducked her head.

  “I’ll be putting the baby to bed, so don’t go outside on my account.” She scurried from the room and shut the bedroom door behind her.

  Lily’s face burned, but she wouldn’t be averse to another kiss like last night. She shook her head to clear her bemused thoughts. “Belle found something today.” She told him about the note and the mention of Ballard. “I know you think this implicates him more, but I don’t think Mr. Ballard is the evil man you think he is, Drew.”

  His smile vanished. “Why would I lie about something like that?”

  “I didn’t mean you were lying. Just that he might not be guilty of all you think he is.”

  “Why are you so resistant to hearing the truth about him?”

  Lily heard the inflexibility in his voice and knew she’d get nowhere. “Let’s talk about something else. The truth will come out sooner or later.”

  Drew’s lips flattened. “Fine. Anything else from Belle?”

  “She was nearly caught.” She told him about Vesters’s reaction to finding Belle in the bedroom.

  “Does she think he was suspicious?”

  Lily shook her head. “She thinks her story was believable.”

  “I don’t understand why he’d be meeting Ballard,” Drew muttered.

  “I know. Nathan told me the two despise each other.”

  Drew frowned as he listened to what Nathan had told her. “I’ll try to find out what it’s all about. Vesters might tell me.”

  “Did you get any closer to finding out what he’s planning? You talked to him this morning, right?”

  “Not much. He’s got a partner who is opposed to bringing me in on the plan. He demanded to know why I wanted Marshall dead. When I told him he’d killed my father, he promised to discuss it with the partner.”

  “Marshall killed . . . I don’t understand.”

  “I had to have a personal excuse for a vendetta against him, so I chose one I had passion for.”

  “Ballard.”

  He nodded. “Exactly.”

  She willed him to take her in his arms and ease the tension between them. Did he regret the words and kisses they’d shared? But no, studying his dear face, she knew he loved her. Knew it with every fiber of her being. Every couple had disagreements.

  Then why hadn’t he talked of marriage? There was still something holding him aloof. And she feared he had secrets he hadn’t told her.

  Drew took a seat at the stern of the steamboat on Lake McDonald. Ian would find him before the vessel left. Not many sat back here since the goal was to view the scenery as the boat circled the lake. The air horn overhead blew loud enough to pierce his eardrums, and the stink from the steam engine made him slightly nauseated.

  The boat rocked in the water as passengers boarded. He heard a footfall and saw Ian making his way toward the back of the boat. His supervisor was dressed in a navy blue blazer with a straw boater shading his face. His gray beard was as neatly trimmed as always.

  Ian settled on the bench beside him. “I came at once. Your note seemed quite urgent. Something new on Vesters?”

  “You might say that.” Drew told him about the note he found about the murder plot to kill Marshall. “He is planning on being appointed in Marshall’s place. I’m having trouble tying him to Ballard, though it makes sense they would be partners. He professes to dislike Ballard.” Drew told him of the attack and how Lily had gone to see Ballard.

  Ian listened intently. “We knew when we came here this was a hotbed for counterfeiters. Let’s get Vesters first. Maybe we can prevent Marshall’s murder.”

  Drew shook his head. “But Ballard knows I’m here. He’ll be gone in a heartbeat. I think they’re connected somehow.” What if Ballard bolted again? Drew wanted to put an end to his obsession, not be forced to follow his enemy to a new location.

  The paddle wheels began to turn, and the boat pulled away from the dock. The spray of water from the wet paddles drifted to Drew’s face on the wind.

  Ian wiped the moisture from his cheeks. “You said he just bought a house, correct? I suspect he plans to stay here. I think he feels invincible. We can take this one step at a time.”

  “At least he’s in one place. I can stake out his house and follow where he goes. He’ll lead me to his hidey-hole.”

  Ian frowned. “I think you’re too obsessed with this, Drew. I’m going to put another agent on this. You concentrate on Vesters.”

  “This is my case! Someone else won’t supplant me. I’m too close to let him go now. I’m convinced the two are connected. Let me handle it.”

  Ian stared at him, then nodded. “I see there’s no deterring
you. Are you fearful for Lily’s safety?”

  “Yes, I’m very worried about her. And I just want this over. Once Ballard is behind bars, maybe I can go on to some kind of normal life.”

  Ian pulled out his pipe and lit it. The smoke swirled about his head as he puffed, but the wind carried away the odor. “You want to marry Lily.”

  “If I’m convinced it’s safe.”

  “Life is never safe, Drew. You can’t second-guess what will happen tomorrow. You plan to stay with the service?”

  “Yes, if you’ll have me.”

  “It would grieve me to lose you. But what will Lily say about that?”

  “I haven’t asked her. I think she would feel it was worth the danger.”

  But would she? She’d been on the periphery so far and hadn’t seen the things he’d seen in the past four years. Did he put her through that, or did he walk away from the job he loved? It would be a hard decision.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  On her next day off, Lily clutched the address Mr. Ballard had given her and stared at the house from the sidewalk. Decorative iron fencing rimmed the property, and the lovely Victorian presided over the green lawn like a queen.

  Drew would be angry with her, but she had to help figure this out.

  She opened the iron gate and started for the house when a female voice hailed her. She turned to see Mrs. Ballard cutting roses. She wore a casual blue gown with a straw hat and had gardening gloves on her hands.

  Mrs. Ballard smiled as she approached with a rose in her hand. “Lily, how lovely to see you. My son mentioned he’d run into you at the hotel. Have you changed your mind and decided to come work for us?”

  The tone put Lily’s back up. Mrs. Ballard had always taken every opportunity to let the rest of Larson townspeople know she came from money. Her parents lived in Boston, and she still had the New England accent. At times—like today—she played it up even more. She’d never seemed to like Lily either. Her warmth seemed forced, and there had been times when Lily caught her glaring.

  Lily smiled past her discomfort. “I’m happy where I am, Mrs. Ballard. I stopped by to say hello and see if there was anything I could do for you. I’m beginning to know my way around Austin quite well, and today is my day off.” She glanced around. “Is your son home?”

  Mrs. Ballard’s smile vanished. “He’s not here at the moment.” She lifted her chin.

  “I wanted to thank him for his kindness. Please pass it along.”

  The front door opened, and Mr. Ballard stepped out. Mrs. Ballard went pink. Lily tried to act as though the woman hadn’t just told her a bald-faced lie and stepped toward him with her hand outstretched.

  He was smiling as he encased her hand in both of his. “Lily, how wonderful to see you. Come in, and I’ll have the maid bring some tea and cookies. Norris stopped by too, but you just missed him.”

  “I’m sorry I missed him.” Aware of Mrs. Ballard’s gaze drilling into her back, Lily smiled and followed him into the house. The coolness of the interior was a welcome relief from the heat outside. She took off her hat and placed it on the walnut table in the entry, then joined him in the parlor where he was giving orders to the maid for tea. Some kind of baked pumpkin smell wafted from the back of the house.

  “I’ll be just a moment,” Mrs. Ballard said from the doorway. “I want to clean up.” Her voice was cold.

  Lily settled on the armchair. “I like your new house very much.”

  He went to the window and pushed open the drapes so sunlight streamed into the room. “I do too. My mother is slightly less enthusiastic. She wanted a larger one on a higher-profile street.” He went to the sofa and sat at one end.

  Lily smiled and didn’t respond to his comment. Her gaze roamed the parlor. “She’s done a lovely job decorating.”

  “Thank you.” Mrs. Ballard stood in the doorway. She’d shed her gloves and hat. Glancing at her son, she settled on the sofa beside him.

  The tension in the room was palpable. Lily folded her hands in her lap and tried to think how she might defuse the hostility emanating from the woman in waves. What had Lily ever done to deserve it?

  Mr. Ballard sent a swift glance at his mother, then laced his fingers and inhaled. “I wondered if Norris and I might escort you to the opera one night. You could use a fun night, I’m sure.”

  Lily blinked at the sudden request. Was he trying to arrange something between her and his son? “I—I seldom have time off.”

  “If not the opera, then perhaps dinner one night. Surely you have a day off now and then?”

  Her pulse fluttered, and she felt pinned to the chair by his attention. This wasn’t what she’d expected. “I will have to see when my next day off is. We’ve been shorthanded at the house, and I’m not sure when I’ll be free at night. I will let you know.” She exhaled when a maid brought in tea and cookies. She selected a lemon square to compose herself. At least he hadn’t asked her to go tonight when she was clearly off work.

  Mrs. Ballard’s displeasure pruned her lips even more, but she said nothing. Mr. Ballard looked displeased as he poured the tea.

  Lily rushed to fill the void with chitchat about the news and weather. It was only when she finally escaped the house that she realized he hadn’t brought up the fire.

  The Friday night guests had retired to the parlor after dinner, and Lily stacked the dishes in the dining room, then carried them to the kitchen. Drew and Vesters had come to dinner, and she’d been tense as she helped serve them. She’d managed to whisper the news to Drew that she’d found nothing at the Ballard house.

  Mrs. O’Reilly took the dishes from her. “Mr. Marshall wants his butterflies again. He received a new one this morning he wants to show off. Get case number three.”

  Lily backed away with her hands behind her back. “I’d be glad to wash the dishes if you want to go get them.”

  Mrs. O’Reilly put her hand on Lily’s shoulder. “You need to get over your fear. It will be fine.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Jane offered. She had a smudge of flour on one cheek and a long trail of white on her black skirt.

  “I would appreciate it. I hate going down there alone.” She inhaled and took the key Mrs. O’Reilly held out, then went toward the door.

  Her legs were weak and shaky as she twisted the key in the door to the butterfly room. The lantern only pushed back the darkness a few feet. She turned on the lights and finally exhaled when the illumination pushed away the shadows. The dank odor of the basement added to her unease.

  Jane gasped at her first sight of the butterflies. She hovered over a display case. “How lovely!”

  Lily shuddered. “I think they’re creepy. Poor dead things. I don’t know why he collects them. They were once flying free and beautiful in a forest somewhere, and he hired someone to kill them.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” Jane wandered closer to the first case and stared. “There is one in here from Africa. He probably spent a lot of money on these butterflies.”

  “I’m sure he did.” Lily went toward the third case. The new butterfly was beautiful, about six inches across with wings a lovely shade of blue. It was almost iridescent. She picked up the case and carried it toward the door. “Would you lock up behind us?”

  “What’s that?” Jane’s voice held panic.

  Lily turned to see a woman’s foot sticking out from under a display case. A sick feeling started at the back of her throat. She put down the butterfly and approached. Kneeling, she touched the woman’s ankle. It was cold.

  She snatched her hand away and scrabbled back, then stood. “We must fetch Mr. Marshall at once.”

  “I-Is she dead?”

  Lily swallowed hard. “Yes.” She rubbed her hand against her skirt, trying to erase the feel of the woman’s clammy skin.

  “Who is she?” Jane whispered.

  “I can’t see her very well, and I don’t want to disturb anything for the police.” Lily grabbed the case of butterflies and rushed toward the door. �
�Would you guard the door while I fetch Mr. Marshall?” Jane was still staring at the body when Lily turned back halfway up the stairs. “Jane?” She retreated a few steps to see why her friend was frozen in place.

  Jane turned toward her with an agonized expression. “I think it’s Mrs. Karr.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Jane’s lips trembled. “Not certain since I can’t see her face, but I think so.” She came toward Lily.

  The two went up to the kitchen. Lily left Jane to tell Mrs. O’Reilly and Emily what they’d found while Lily rushed to the parlor. She stood awkwardly in the doorway. Drew saw her first and lifted a brow. He knew her so well he was sure to see her distress. Mr. Marshall finally glanced up from where he stood by the fireplace speaking to Drew.

  She clasped the case of butterflies to her chest. “May I speak to you for a moment, sir?”

  He excused himself. “Ah, you have my butterflies.” He took the case from her and started to turn away.

  “Sir, we have a situation.”

  He swung back around to face her, a frown of displeasure wrinkling his brow. “I have guests. Can’t it wait?”

  “No, sir. The police need to be called. Th-There’s a woman in the butterfly room. She appears to be dead.”

  His head came up higher. “One of our servants?”

  “I don’t think so, Mr. Marshall. I don’t know how she got there.”

  Drew joined them. “What’s wrong, Everett?”

  “Belle’s maid informs me there’s a deceased person in the basement.” Mr. Marshall frowned. “You believe there was foul play? You mentioned calling the police.”

  “She doesn’t appear to belong to the household. I didn’t disturb the body, but she’s lying half under one of the butterfly displays.”

  “How on earth did she get in? It’s always locked. Was it secure when you went down? Maybe when the new specimen was delivered, the door wasn’t locked.”

  “I didn’t check, sir. I just put the key in the lock and turned it.”