by Joyce
Wow! Where did that come from?
“I’m not worried about Chase.” I was thinking about what he’d said last night. Something was up. How could I not know what it was?
“Perhaps. But it makes sense to me. You’d better watch your step, sweetie. I won’t be there to pick you up when you fall.” She disappeared with a wild cackle of laughter.
I looked around. No one else seemed to hear it. There was a very nicely done gargoyle walking past me. He smiled and saluted, breaking character, but I didn’t hold that against him. His makeup and costume were phenomenal.
The welcoming committee was at the Main Gate, singing and handing out maps of the Village. Robin Hood and a few of his Merry Men were there to help welcome the steady stream of visitors. Fred the Red Dragon was sending up small puffs of smoke, and the Tornado Twins—Diego and Lorenzo—were cracking jokes while they showed off their piglet that wore a skirt and hat. The flower girls smiled and tossed their petals at visitors as they entered.
There were always different people at the gate each morning and evening. The king and queen were insistent on smiling faces, flowers, and music welcoming their arriving and departing guests.
I saw another great costume. This one was a muscular, white-skinned angel with gossamer wings. It looked as though the man had only painted his naked body, with an appropriate white patch. That created a lot of giggling with the flower girls.
Beside him were two men dressed like different versions of Dr. Who. The Village had become increasingly more steampunk in the last few years. I’d seen visitors dressed as the Tardifs. I didn’t expect Dr. Who clones to make the cut, but I saw several steampunk characters with goggles and astrolabes coming in that might be interesting. This was an open casting call so anyone or anything could walk through the gate.
I could only tell the difference between the visitors and the actors trying out for parts because the actors wore red badges identifying themselves. Each actor also had a number on his badge for ease in scoring them.
Mrs. Potts was boxing up her fresh cookies and fruit bread when I arrived. She was wearing her usual bright blue dress and white mobcap, her ruddy face smiling. “Come in, Lady Jessie. Perhaps you can help me get all of this to the museum. That silly boy I hired seems to have overslept.”
The sunshine streamed in from the windows creating a pleasant place to visit. Mrs. Potts never had to do much to have a roomful of visitors each day. I helped her box everything including real china teacups, saucers, and spoons.
“How is the new exhibit coming along?” she asked as we started across the street to the museum. “I’m so excited to be catering this event. No one ever thinks to ask me. They go to the King’s Tarts or Bawdy Betty’s Bagels. I’m sure everyone will be pleased with my treats.”
“I know you’re right.” I bit into a cookie and rolled my eyes. “Everyone will want you to cater their special events after today. Your honey cookies are to die for.”
“Speaking about dying—terrible news about Isabelle—though she probably deserved her untimely demise.”
“I suppose so.”
“And what of the shoemaker? Did he really kill her with magic shoes?”
“I don’t think so. Bill is very nice and especially gifted. I think he fell in love with Princess Isabelle when he first met her. She was really nice to him too. I was surprised. I thought maybe they could have something, but then she died.”
Mrs. Potts cleared her throat and adjusted her cap. She was probably in her sixties, but her portly body moved quickly as she avoided dozens of people on tall bicycles. “He goes that way, does he?” she asked in a slightly irritated tone.
“What do you mean?”
“I was hoping—since I knew he was an older gentleman—that he might be someone who could be interested in a well-preserved woman like myself. But if he’s already sniffing at the young ones, there’s no hope for me.”
We were both a little out of breath by the time we’d made it through the growing crowd and climbed the museum stairs. I knew Mrs. Potts, despite her name, had never been married. “Bill is probably overwhelmed right now. You know how the Village does that to people. Who knows what he’s really like?”
I realized that Mrs. Potts clearly needed my help. I was without a doubt the best matchmaker in the Village. Daisy and Bart were part of my legacy, as were Roger Trent from the Glass Gryphon and Mary Shift, the Gullah basket weaver from Wicked Weaves. Not to mention Daisy and Bart. I was sure I could help Mrs. Potts too. “Maybe you’re right, Jessie.” She studied me kindly as she regained her breath. “I hear you and Chase are having a few problems. It’s not unusual when you’re approaching your first year anniversary, you know.”
Renaissance Village was a spectacular place to live and work, but it was a hotbed of gossip—some true and some not so true. Something was going on. I wasn’t sure what yet, but rumors started from some small occurrences sometimes. I didn’t like the idea that people were talking about Chase and me breaking up. I had to nip that rumor in the bud.
Yet I had to consider that Chase knew something about what was going on after last night’s discussion.
“Chase and I are very happy together,” I finally said. “I don’t know what happened that caused this gossip, but it’s all wrong. We’re fine—outside of him taking his job too seriously maybe.”
Mrs. Potts took my hand in her soft white one. “Do you think it’s because he needs some time to himself away from home?”
“No! I don’t think that. Chase has always been this way. You know what I’m talking about. He doesn’t think anyone can do his job except him.”
She sighed. “Denying a problem is not the way to solve it, Jessie. That’s all I’m saying.”
Argh! It was stupid to try to undo the rumor mill. I knew better. I’d only make it worse if I kept defending us. I was going to have to tough it out until something new and exciting caught everyone’s fancy.
“Thank you, Mrs. Potts.” I hoped everything was set up as our first visitors of the day began creeping in. “I appreciate you doing this today.”
She smiled and glanced away. I knew what she was thinking. I wished I knew why she was thinking it.
First Wanda and then Mrs. Potts. The whole Village thought Chase and I were about to split up. It was irritating since there was no truth to it. It wouldn’t be easy to get everyone to stop talking about it either. I’d just have to ignore it. But that was easier to say than do.
I almost ran into Manny as I headed toward Bill’s work area. He had an alarmed expression on his face that had nothing to do with our near collision.
He grasped my hand in his. “Are you and the Bailiff splitting up?”
“Who told you that?”
“It was Lady Godiva as I walked past the gate this morning. I am so sorry about your marriage. I thought the two of you were perfect for one another.” He squeezed my hand, his eyes filled with sympathy.
“It’s not true. It’s been misinterpreted, Manny. You know how these things happen here. Someone probably saw Chase with another woman and decided he was doing something he shouldn’t. The next thing you know, our marriage is on the rocks.”
He bowed deeply, a sign of respect. “Whatever you say, Lady Jessie. You know that I am always here for you.”
I’d said all I was going to say until I could talk to Chase and figure out what had started this snowball rolling. “At least one of us needs to stay here with Bill’s work all the time. We’re going to say that he was called away. Don’t get into any speculation about what happened to Isabelle.”
* * *
Crowds of visitors flocked to the museum. Manny and I were barely prepared for them. Some of the potential new actors came too. There were fauns, satyrs, Greek gods, and some really tall dwarfs. Manny and I laughed at a few of them as we marked our impressions in the little book.
“I don’t think Lord Maximus is going to like a man walking around the Village with his own eagle.” Manny made a note of i
t. “And there are so many princesses. I don’t believe there is room for all of them.”
I agreed. “I liked some of the animal characters, like the half-lion man. His costume was amazing.”
“I enjoyed the butterfly woman. She was very graceful and colorful. I would certainly recommend her.”
Several Lady Godivas, and a few Lord Godivas, passed us as we welcomed everyone at the door. Their full-bodysuits ranged from massively covering them to barely decent. I saw a few older visitors blushing at some of the costumes and hurrying away.
They wouldn’t make the cut. This wasn’t that kind of Village!
It turned out to be a beautiful day. The weather was a little cooler after the recent storm. Even the humidity wasn’t as bad. There had been several hurricane scares since June when the season began, but no one had left the Village because of them.
A dozen steampunk gentlemen and their ladies filed into the museum. Their costumes were perfect—a blend of Victorian history and science fiction. They were disappointed when Bill wasn’t there to make new shoes and boots for them. Not surprisingly, the rumor of his elf magic had started getting around. Who wouldn’t want magic boots?
Some of the ladies and a few gentlemen settled for boots that Bill had already made. I knew he’d be pleased to see that he’d made some money that day. I hoped he’d be back soon with Chase, and that his confession about killing Isabelle would be in the past.
The new owner of the Lady in the Lake Tavern paid us a visit. I wished I could leave for a while and come back again when she was gone, but I hated to leave Manny with the crowd and no shoemaker.
Tilly Morgenstern had taken over the old Lady of the Lake Tavern after her sister, Ginny Stewart, had gone to prison. Tilly held me responsible for that event, and she’d made it clear since she’d arrived that she hated me and wanted to do something awful to me.
It had been a year since she’d arrived and nothing much had happened—except for a few threats and uncomfortable encounters between us. I had avoided that area of the Village since she’d come. I was surprised that she’d visit the museum when she knew that I was the director.
“There she is, now.” Tilly’s voice had the quality of a small child’s. Her laughter was infectious. Many people found themselves laughing over something almost against their will and wondering later why they’d laughed at all.
Her thick white hair hung down to her waist in curls while her face was a crooked road map of wrinkles around her hard, dark eyes. “Just the woman I was hoping to see today. Good afternoon to you, Lady Jessie.”
“And to you, Tilly Morgenstern.” I decided to keep the conversation on a polite, Renaissance level. Visitors stood all around us listening to what we said. I didn’t want an incident at the museum. This was my life now. It was important to me.
“I wanted to get your opinion on some wonderful new sandals your fine cobbler is making for me. It seems he’s not here, but I ask for your judgment nonetheless. What say you?”
I was completely aware of her constant companion, Leo, who was always close to her. He was as tall as Chase, but not as broad as Bart. His shaved head was tattooed, and his empty white eyes gazed blindly around him. To make matters worse, Tilly claimed he’d had his tongue cut out by pirates.
All together not a pleasant sight, and frightening to have around, knowing how she felt about me. I wasn’t the only one in the Village who saw them as a witch and her zombie. We were all too scared to say it, but we thought it and kept it to ourselves. I certainly didn’t want Chase going up against the pair.
“The sandals are quite remarkable.” I studied the design for them as they lay on Bill’s cutting table. “Master Warren has done a wonderful job of creating them.”
“Yes. That is exactly what I thought as well. Thank you, Lady Jessie.” Tilly grinned, showing sharp white teeth. “Perhaps you and I might have a word in private.”
Manny was standing behind Leo where I could see him, but Tilly couldn’t without looking away from me. He was frantically shaking his head and waving his arms as he silently mouthed the word no over and over again. He knew about Tilly’s threats against me.
But what could I say? I couldn’t tell her I wouldn’t speak to her—that would be inviting further reprisal when I kept hoping she might soften her stance against me. We both lived in the Village. If we couldn’t be friends, I at least hoped we wouldn’t be enemies.
I curtsied slightly, showing respect but without the sincerity that a deeper curtsy would convey. “Of course. Please step back here.”
It was unlikely that she’d try to kill me in my own museum, right?
Chapter Five
Tilly followed me into one of the secondary rooms of the museum. All around us were historical artifacts, documents, and pictures of shoemaking. They’d taken me months to collect for the exhibit. Some were on loan from other museums.
Surprisingly, Tilly made a hand gesture as Leo started to follow her. He nodded and stayed where he was.
I gulped, and Manny’s eyes got wide. Maybe Leo was blind, but he could certainly tell his mistress’s wishes. It was part of what was creating their reputation in the Village.
“My dear,” Tilly began as she studied the pictures on the wall. “I am also here to offer my services. I hear that you and the Bailiff are having some problems of a personal nature.”
I took a deep breath. It was bad enough getting offers of help from my friends over an imaginary fight between me and my husband. It was far worse talking about it with Tilly, who I’d come to think of as my enemy.
“I assure you, Madame, that the Bailiff and I are not having any problems of a personal, or any other sort of nature. I don’t know what services you’re referring to, but please don’t trouble yourself on my behalf.”
She smiled in a predatory way and shrugged her bony shoulders. Her diamond-hard eyes stared through me. “They say some wives are the last to know. I never took you for a fool, Lady Jessie. But if you learn the truth, and are looking for a spell to bring back a wandering husband, please know that my magic is always available to you.”
Tilly having magic—some kind of dark magic—was easy to believe. It was much different than believing in Bill’s elf magic. Magic shoes seemed friendly, maybe even helpful, despite Bill thinking Isabelle could have danced off her terrace. I hated to think what Tilly’s magic could to my relationship. I felt sure it would be worse than a rumor.
I wanted to storm out of the room. After all the evil things she’d said to me since she’d arrived at the Village, thinking that I would come to her for help with anything was crazy.
But I had to stay calm. Not only because I was afraid of her, but also because there were visitors and residents watching to see what would happen next. If I wanted to squash this rumor about me and Chase, smiling and thanking her was the way to do it.
I briefly inclined my head. My neck felt so stiff with anger, I worried it might snap. “I certainly appreciate your offer of assistance. I hope you pass a pleasant day.”
Every muscle in my body felt so rigid that I could barely force my legs out the door. How dare she ask such a thing? Like I would trust her with anything that might be close to me and Chase. There was no telling what kind of curse she’d put on us.
Tilly and Leo left immediately. I was so relieved to see them go. I sat at Bill’s table as dozens of visitors came through the museum door. I hadn’t been prepared for that discussion. My hands were still shaking.
Bill popped his head around the doorway just behind some fake Siamese twins. I was so glad to see him. “You got out!”
“I have elf magic.” He grinned and hugged me before he sat at his cutting table. “Looks like sales have been good so far.”
“They’ll be better with you here.”
Chase followed Bill inside. He was so handsome in a plain gray suit, white shirt, and red tie.
I pulled him into the room where Tilly and I had just met and put my arms around him. “How did it go?”
“The DA refused to charge him. He said there were too many variables that didn’t add up.” He kissed me. “I think it was the elf magic that made everyone uncomfortable. They were afraid he might be crazy, just not crazy enough to have killed Isabelle.”
“Elf magic is good for something after all.”
“It got him out. But Detective Almond still thinks Bill is mocking the system by confessing and claiming it was magic shoes. He’s not going to be far away from him until he can prove Bill is guilty, or find someone who is.”
“I’m sorry. That’s going to be hard for you.” I touched his handsome face.
“For a while. I hope we can find the real killer quickly. You know we’re gonna be swamped with reporters speculating on it until we do. I dislike reporters more than police.”
“Who else do the police think could have killed Isabelle?” Manny joined us.
“I don’t know. They’re looking into the backgrounds of everyone in her retinue, and everyone working in the castle.” Chase shrugged. “And keeping an eye on Bill. One wrong step and the DA could decide to change his mind about magic shoes.”
I could see Chase was ready to get out of his suit and tie. “You should go home and change. I’m sure they need you at a hundred different places already.”
“Yeah. I took texts all morning.” He kissed me quickly as a new flurry of visitors to the museum came in behind him. “Looks like the museum is enjoying good attendance. Adventureland will like that. That will make it easier to get your next show funded. I’ll see you later.”
The crowd kept us busy until noon. It slowed to a trickle then, as visitors headed to the various eateries for lunch. I knew they’d be back later when the heat of the day was growing. Everyone looked for cooler, inside fun after lunch.
“Lunch?” Manny suggested. “Even with Bill here, I suppose one of us should stay. I’ll take the first shift.”
“Thanks! I’m going to try to get to the bottom of all these rumors about me and Chase. There’s something going on. I don’t know what it is yet, but I’m going to figure it out. I bid you good day, sir. I shall see you in an hour.”
