by Jane Charles
Every Wednesday, Victoria and Olivia had supper at Harrington Manor.
“Usually, but as my brother has guests—injured guests—we thought to remain at the school,” Olivia answered.
Eliza jumped from her seat. “You can’t remain here. You must go to Harrington.”
The sisters stepped back in alarm.
“Why?” Victoria asked.
“To learn if anything else has befallen those in the household,” Eliza insisted.
“I’m certain that if there had been more accidents, injuries or illnesses, we would have learned,” Sophia warned. Oh, she had hoped Eliza had truly given up seeking out adventures and dangers and kept her imagination to her horrid novel, but apparently that was not to be the case.
“Nobody would come here and report on anything, you know that,” Eliza argued.
Sophia supposed she was correct. And, even though they could see the manor from the other side of the school, they couldn’t really see what was going on over there unless they peeked through the bushes that grew along the property line.
“Why is it so important that we need to find anything out,” Olivia argued.
“Because of the curse, of course. The curse of the Mayfair mummy.”
“See, I told you there was a curse,” Mary announced as she stepped into the chamber, Ruth by her side. “You said there was no such thing as a curse. You lied to us.”
“Because there is no curse,” Eliza insisted.
“Then why do you want to know if there have been more accidents or injuries?” Ruth demanded.
“For my novel, of course.”
The girls pursed their lips and narrowed their eyes.
“That wasn’t a mummy brought into Harrington. I’ve told you that,” Eliza insisted.
“But you think someone is cursed,” Ruth demanded.
Eliza simply shrugged.
“Tell us what you know. We have a right,” Mary demanded.
“Very well.” Eliza sighed and flounced onto her bed. “Captain Pickmore, who is a guest of Lord Norbright, had viewed the mummy in Mayfair before it was taken. Of course, it’s just supposition that the accidents and the measles have occurred in the vicinity of Captain Pickmore. Merely coincidences really, but I do intend to use the information in my novel.”
“We don’t believe you,” Ruth argued. “You may insist it’s the novel, but it’s not. The curse of the Mayfair mummy has followed Captain Pickmore to Harrington and now we are all doomed.”
“I’m going to tell Abigail right now,” Mary insisted. “She has a right to know and it was wrong of you not to tell us.”
Before anyone could respond, the two were gone in an instant, calling out to their sick friend and they hurried to their shared chamber.
Sophia glanced back at Eliza who was grinning as she laughed.
“Are you certain you don’t believe in the curse?” Sophia asked carefully. What was Eliza really up to?
“I don’t.” She picked up the papers she’d been writing on. “However, it doesn’t matter what I say because those three are going to believe what they will.” Eliza continued to grin.
“So, asking Olivia and Victoria to dine with her brother is really only for your novel?” Oh, it was so hard to trust this new Eliza when they’d spent a better part of a year worrying about vampires, witches and ghosts.
“Truly.” Eliza looked up and met Sophia’s eyes. “I’ve put my childish imagination away and only want information that I can embellish to make my novel as terrifying as possible.”
In that moment, by the serious look in Eliza’s eyes, Sophia read the truth. Further, there was a sadness as well. Something she’d not noticed before. The behavior she’d been exhibiting was not like Eliza at all and Sophia began to truly become concerned.
While Henry enjoyed being at Harrington Manor with his friends, he was annoyed at the inactivity. There was nothing for him to do but wait for the concern for a measles outbreak to pass so that he could visit Eve. The doctor said they should know if anyone else would be affected within the week, which left Henry with five more days of bloody waiting.
A few times he’d considered calling on Eve anyway. After all, he’d never suffered a moment’s illness in his life and it was unlikely that even if there was a measles epidemic that he’d be affected, but Lady Norbright insisted that he not go to the school. His presence would be too disturbing to the students, as gentlemen rarely visited, thus disturbing the teachers and the classes.
In fact, the one time he did draw near the property line, he was asked to return at a later date as they were quarantined.
That was earlier today and now he was cooling his heels in the parlor waiting for supper to be announced.
“Would you sit down, Kilsyth,” Norbright ordered. “Your pacing is putting me on edge.”
“You behave as if you’re a caged animal,” Keegan complained.
Henry took a drink of the brandy, ignoring them. He felt like a caged animal, though Harrington Manor was much more comfortable than the cages for the mammals kept in one of those menageries he’d visited as a boy. He now well understood their agitation and the roaring and hissing when others drew too near. It was all Henry could do not to roar at his friends. The only thing that kept him from doing so was because none of this was their fault.
“Ladies Victoria and Olivia,” a footman announced.
Henry turned to note the twins enter. He’d made the acquaintance of Norbright’s sisters previously, and he’d seen them earlier when they’d been upstairs in Ashford’s chamber. The two were all of fifteen and would be entering society in a few years. Both had blonde hair and green eyes and, for young ladies, were rather pretty. Henry did not envy his friend for when it came time to introduce them to society, as Norbright’s London manor would be filled to the rafters with bachelors.
“We weren’t expecting you this evening,” Lady Norbright mentioned. “But so delighted that you’ve joined us.”
“We’ve had the measles when we were younger, so Mrs. Wiggons didn’t think there would be any harm,” Victoria answered.
“Has the ban been lifted?” Pickmore asked as he hobbled into the room and took in the girls.
“The quarantine is still in place but they will not be affected, thus not infecting anyone susceptible within Harrington.”
“Please, come in girls,” Lady Norbright insisted. “Would you care for some tea?”
The two looked about the room, from Henry to Keegan and then Pickmore before taking a seat.
“You already know Mr. Keegan and Lord Kilsyth,” Norbright said. “This gentleman holding his injured ribs is Captain Pickmore.”
At that, the girl’s eyes widened.
Pickmore wasn’t so scary, was he?
“My sisters, Olivia.” The young woman in blue bobbed a curtsey. “And Victoria.” The one in green did the same.
“Gabriel, have there been any further mishaps?” Victoria asked as she took a seat.
Norbright frowned. “Mishaps?”
“Yes,” Olivia answered. “We were told of the seal biting a footman, Cook being burned and a maid slipping and injuring herself.”
That was right, three of the students were in the foyer that day.
“I don’t believe so,” Norbright answered. “Have there been any other mishaps?” he asked his wife.
Lady Norbright frowned as she poured tea for the sisters. “Actually, the gardener was trimming limbs out of a tree when one fell and struck him on the head.”
The girls sucked in a breath.
“The doctor assured me that he will be fine.” Then she glanced at her husband. “How is Clive?”
“What happened to Clive?” Victoria asked in alarm.
“Who is Clive?” Henry found himself asking.
“The stablemaster,” Olivia answered, then focused on Lady Norbright. “Our horses are fine, aren’t they?”
“Yes, of course.” Lady Norbright smiled. “One of the horses became agitated and ste
pped on Clive’s foot. I’m certain that in no time it will heal and he’ll be able to return to his duties.”
The twins shared a look and if Henry wasn’t mistaken, fear sparked in their eyes. And, as he was a study of character, Henry was quite certain the two were afraid. However, he couldn’t imagine why. Though unfortunate, the instances weren’t so unusual.
“Anything else?” Olivia asked.
Lady Norbright frowned. “My maid miss-stepped and twisted her ankle, but she’s already recovering.”
Again, Ladies Olivia and Victoria shared a looked as they set the tea cups back on the table.
“For once, I think Eliza is wrong,” Victoria said.
“And the others are right?” Olivia agreed
“About?” Norbright asked.
“The curse,” Victoria blew out.
“Curse? What curse?” Lady Norbright demanded.
Henry fought the smile that pulled at his lips. There were no such things as curses, but he couldn’t wait to hear this explanation.
“The curse of the Mayfair mummy,” Olivia answered with such complete seriousness that no doubt she believed it to be true.
“Mayfair mummy, you say?” Pickmore asked with humor as he poured a glass of brandy. “As we are not in Mayfair, I don’t see how that is even possible.”
“Neither is the mummy,” Victoria answered.
“Girls, we explained. It was Mr. Ashford who was wrapped in bandages. Not a mummy,” Lady Norbright said.
“Yes, we know, but we are talking about the mummy that was stolen from the home in Mayfair.”
If there was a curse, it was certainly far-reaching…unless, it was here. “Do you know where the missing mummy has gone.”
“No, Lord Kilsyth,” Lady Victoria dutifully answered. “However, it’s not necessary that it’s near as anyone who came in contact with it has now been cursed.”
Henry turned to look at Pickmore and nearly snorted.
“I’m afraid that Captain Pickmore is the one to blame for all the accidents that have affected everyone now at Harrington,” Victoria explained somberly.
“And the sudden appearance of the measles.” Olivia sighed.
The two shared yet another look and then stood.
“Now that we are certain of the cause, and that more injuries have occurred, I do believe we should return to the school,” Victoria advised.
“Oh, do be careful Gabriel and Claudia. We’d hate for anything further to happen to you, or anyone,” Olivia added.
“You are truly leaving because you believe Pickmore is cursed?” Norbright laughed.
The girls did not share his humor. “You might not believe it’s possible, but we are not so certain.” Olivia slid a concerned look in Pickmore’s direction as she hurried from the room, Victoria quick on her heels.
“Good God, your sisters have an interesting imagination.”
“No doubt the influence is that of others.” Norbright splashed brandy into his glass.
“They believe it well enough.” Pickmore laughed and then held his side where his ribs were still healing. “Though I can understand their fear. Quite a lot of odd events have occurred, all explained away of course, but it is almost as if the mummy were here.” He grinned.
“Are you saying you believe in this curse?” Henry demanded. Had Pickmore injured his head as well as his ribs?
“Of course not, but if it were, those girls would never believe that everything that has happened was simply a coincidence.”
“It’s true, Eliza, whether you believe it or not.”
Eve stopped outside of the sitting room. A few of the students were gathered in there because there was little else for them to do. Classes had been suspended and with the teachers and staff taking care of the girls who were now becoming ill, those who were healthy were left on their own.
“You honestly believe that Captain Pickmore is the cause of everything, because he’s cursed because he was near the mummy before it was taken.”
Eve stiffened and edged closer to the door. She’d heard the girls go on and on about the curse of the Mayfair mummy, but this was the first time she’d heard why it was here.
“He visited the mummy and now horrible things have happened.”
One of the girls laughed, and Eve guessed that it was Eliza, but couldn’t fully see into the room.
“Well, whatever you do, don’t tell Mary, Ruth or Abigail,” one of them insisted.
There was a bit of silence and Eve strained to hear.
“We may have already mentioned it,” one girl muttered.
“Maybe by the time they’ve recovered, they will have forgotten,” someone offered. “It’s bad enough they’ve been pestering me about the truth of vampires, ghosts and witches, I don’t have the patience for their fears about curses and mummies.”
“But, what if it’s real?” someone asked.
“Not my concern, I have a novel to write.”
Eve quickly moved from the door and down the corridor. It wouldn’t do well to be caught eavesdropping, but it did give her a bit of a chuckle at the idea that Captain Pickmore had been cursed by the Mayfair mummy. In fact, it was all she could do to suppress her laughter until she was far enough away not to be heard. In fact, it was the first laughter she’d enjoyed since before she left London. Eve enjoyed the moment of levity, before she was reminded that with Pickmore was also Kilsyth, and both remained on the neighboring estate. And, if she didn’t come up with a plan soon, she’d be forced to face her guardian, who would no doubt make her return to London. Then it wouldn’t be Pickmore who was cursed, but Eve, as she had no charm or magic to protect her heart from Lord Kilsyth.
Chapter 24
The only student the confinement didn’t bother was Eliza, as she was constantly writing in her room. Sophia hadn’t seen her friend so intent on a task since, well…ever. However, in less than a sennight since Abigail had become ill, more students started falling ill. First with sniffling and coughing, then complaints of a sore throat, fever and then the rash. Within a few more days, half of the students had come down with the measles. As they were understaffed, at least with so many ill, Eliza, Rosemary, Sophia and some of the older girls were called on to help serve soup and tea to the students who couldn’t leave their beds. Thankfully Miss Doyle’s sister was here and was able to offer assistance, though they didn’t call her Miss Doyle because it was too confusing, instead she had insisted that everyone call her Eve. It was odd, but easier.
However, there were moments of rest and boredom. At least for Sophia.
From her perch beside the window Sophia studied Eliza, noting the determined and intense frown as she continually wrote, occasionally pausing to stare off into space, give a quick nod and go back to her writing. It was similar to the concentration Eliza once embraced when she wanted to hunt a vampire, find a ghost or capture a witch. Except, even though Abigail, the two newest students, and even Olivia and Victoria insisted that the illness was because Captain Pickmore had been cursed by the Mayfair mummy, Eliza ignored it. If anything, Eliza should at least be looking for a way to break the curse, but she only exhibited irritation when the subject was mentioned. Something was definitely wrong.
With a frown, and worry eating at her, Sophia quietly left the room in search of Mrs. Wiggons. She found her in a sitting room where the headmistress usually worked on the student records and management of the school.
“Sophia? What is it?”
“I’m worried about Eliza,” Sophia confessed.
“Has she become ill as well?” the headmistress asked in alarm. “I thought she’d had the measles when you did.”
“No. It’s not that,” Sophia blew out a sigh. “There was a mummy next door. Or, what we thought was a mummy at first, and Eliza didn’t even try to invent tales. And, when Abigail became sick, Eliza was the one who insisted it wasn’t the curse and that it was impossible, and purely a coincidence, even though others insist that it is a curse, brought here by Captain Pickm
ore.”
“She doesn’t believe in the curse?” Mrs. Wiggons asked in surprise.
“No, and has no interest in the possibility.”
“While I enjoy the peace of Eliza not causing mischief, this is out of character for the girl.” Mrs. Wiggons frowned. “I’ll send for her.”
Sophia waited patiently, though she worried that Eliza might be cross with her for going to Mrs. Wiggons, but even Eliza must understand that she was not behaving like herself.
“You wished to see me?” Eliza asked as she entered the room, Rosemary followed. Mrs. Wiggons hadn’t sent for Rosemary, but Sophia didn’t think it would matter that she was there either.
“I’m concerned about you Eliza. Is all well with you?”
“Of course.”
“You see, well…you barely made note of the mummy after you snuck into Harrington Manor to view it.”
“Well, at the time, we didn’t know it was a mummy. I was more interested in seeing a dead body. I’ve never seen one before.”
Mrs. Wiggons pulled back. “Most people don’t wish to view such a sight.”
“Normally, I wouldn’t either, but if I am going to write horrid novels, then I must be able to describe how the dead may appear. It’s difficult to describe something that you’ve never seen.”
“You are still working on your novel?” the headmistress questioned.
At that Eliza brightening. “I write in every spare moment.”
“Perhaps that’s why you’ve stayed out of trouble.”
Instead of agreeing, Eliza blew out a sigh and looked to the floor.
“What is it, dear?”
“I wish to apologize to you and all of the teachers, as well as our neighbors.”
“For what?”
“Being bothersome…a troublemaker and for worrying you.”
“You’ve apologized in the past. All has been forgiven as long as you no longer include anyone in your outrageous ideas.”
“I don’t think you fully understand.”
“What is there to understand, Eliza?”
