The Scarlet Gown

by Sarah Mallory

  He sat down on the little sofa.

  ‘Are you angry, that I told Harry the truth and not you?’

  ‘He is your best friend. You should have told him from the outset.’ Despite the weight on her spirits she felt a wry smile tugging at her mouth. ‘I suspect you were too obstinate.’

  ‘Too obstinate and too proud. It has taken an equally stubborn woman to make me see that I was wrong to keep all this to myself. Helene’s character was frail, weak. Yours is much stronger. Where she was cold and fearful, you are warm and brave.’ A faint smile lightened his countenance. ‘Helene was a beautiful ninnyhammer. You are intelligent, and beautiful in a different way.’

  ‘But you loved her.’

  ‘No. I was dazzled at first, perhaps, and happy to have such a beautiful wife, but love? No. I never loved her, any more than she loved me.’

  ‘That is very sad.’

  ‘It is the way of most arranged marriages. I had resigned myself to it. I thought she had, too.’

  Lucy gripped her hands tightly in her lap to stop herself from reaching out to comfort him. It was too soon.

  ‘Perhaps you should tell me everything.’

  ‘Perhaps I should.’

  He sat forward and rested his elbows on his knees, hands clasped together and his eyes fixed upon the floor. Lucy forced herself to remain silent, waiting for him to begin.

  ‘Three years ago I went to Harrogate looking for a wife. Helene Preston seemed an ideal choice. By birth she was a good match, her nature was sweet and of course she was stunningly beautiful. By the autumn we were married.

  ‘It was not a love match, we both knew that, but her parents were eager for the alliance and Helene herself was not averse to it. And I—desired her. I thought that love would come later. If not love, then at least affection. I thought we could be comfortable together, despite the differences in our natures that very soon became apparent. We hid those differences well. To the outside world we were the perfect couple. We had separate interests, of course. Helene’s were centred upon society. She wanted to see and be seen. Oh, she was accomplished—she had read the most fashionable authors, she could paint and draw and play the piano, but it was all done by rote, with little understanding.

  ‘My interests bored her, as did the running of the estate and living at Adversane. I was equally bored by the life she wanted, the one we led for the first few months of our marriage, which was one long round of visits and house parties. Helene’s beauty and impeccable manners made her universally admired. Everyone agreed I was a very fortunate man.’

  ‘Everyone save you?’

  ‘It was my choice. What right had I to complain? By the following spring, after a winter spent here, I realised how ill-suited we were. Helene’s nature was timid. She disliked hunting, was terrified of the dogs and frightened of my horses—she was even frightened of me.’ She saw his jaw clenching as he struggled with the memories. ‘I hoped that would change, in time. I did my best to treat her gently. Sir James had told me she was highly strung, but it was more than that. She was unstable, like a skittish colt, shying away from my advances. I tried to be patient with her, I curbed my temper, never raised my voice, gave in to her every whim. By heaven, I showed her a good deal more tolerance than I have done anyone else.’ He glanced up to look at Lucy. ‘Certainly I treated her with more kindness than I have shown you! I thought we needed time to get to know one another, so I held back. I never forced my attentions upon her. We had our separate rooms and I allowed her to go her own way.’ He added, as if to himself, ‘Perhaps that was my mistake.’

  With a hiss of exasperation, Ralph jumped to his feet, saying roughly, ‘This is an unedifying tale. I should not be sullying your ears with it—’

  She was at his side in an instant, catching his arm as he made for the door.

  ‘No, please, do not go.’

  ‘It was madness to involve you in my hare-brained scheme. The more I think of it the more nonsensical it seems to me now.’ He took her hands, saying urgently, ‘You should leave now, Lucy. I can never make you happy. It was wrong of me to think I could. Do not worry about the money—I shall pay you everything I promised, and more. You need never want for anything.’

  Some part of her wanted to rip up at him, to accuse him of trying to buy her off, but she knew that wasn’t the case. He was trying to protect her.

  She said simply, ‘But I do not want to leave.’

  ‘You must. If I find I have destroyed one woman, I will not risk doing the same thing to you.’

  ‘I do not believe you destroyed Helene.’

  ‘That is because you do not know the whole—’

  ‘Then tell me,’ she said. ‘Tell me and let me decide for myself.’

  ‘You may hate me when you know everything.’

  ‘That is a risk, certainly, but if you send me away now my imagination will conjure up something far worse.’ Lucy took a breath, desperate to make him understand. ‘All my life the people I have loved have tried to...to protect me by keeping unpalatable truths hidden from me. If you care for me at all, then pray do me the honour of trusting me with the truth. I am not so feeble that it will break me.’

  His mouth quirked at one side as if a smile was being forced out of him.

  ‘No, I think in some ways you are stronger than all of us.’

  He returned to the sofa, and she sat down beside him, saying quietly, ‘It does not seem to me that your marriage was a very happy one.’

  ‘As happy as many another couple, but I began to suspect that Helene had a lover. Men had always clustered about her, attracted by her beauty, but she never showed the slightest preference for any of them. However, that last spring at Adversane, she changed. She was more nervous and on edge than ever, and she began avoiding my company. Her manner was agitated and she would burst into tears even more often than before. She had always gone to Druids Rock with her father when he visited Adversane, but now she began to walk there almost daily.’

  ‘You never went with her?’

  ‘Occasionally, but it was very clear she did not want my company. She often waited until I was occupied with estate business to go off.’ He paused. ‘She always took Crimplesham and despite my suspicions I never followed her, never questioned her maid or had her watched. I did not wish for her to think of me as her gaoler.’

  ‘And you never spoke to her about your suspicions?’

  ‘Only once, on the morning of Midsummer’s Eve.’ He exhaled slowly. ‘Helene had been pampered and cossetted all her life. Everyone adored her and it was rare indeed that she incurred anyone’s disapproval, but her gentle nature could not withstand the least hint of criticism. However, I knew I could not let the situation go on.’ His lips thinned to a bloodless line. ‘I have told you, soft words are not my style. I tried, but I had to explain to her that I could not accept another man’s bastard as my heir. She ran off in tears, whether from guilt, or remorse, or because she was innocent—to this day I have no idea, because by morning she was dead.’

  Lucy bit her lip to prevent any exclamation of horror and after a few moments’ silence Ralph continued.

  ‘The matter was not mentioned again. Helene appeared happy enough at the play that night, but then, her serene smile never gave anything away. I hoped, foolishly, that she had resigned herself to life with me. After supper there was the usual dancing. I watched Helene closely but could see no sign of her favouring any one of her partners over the others. As soon as the guests had gone she retired. I offered to go with her, but she refused, saying she had a headache.’ He shrugged. ‘I had grown quite used to that. She did not want my company and I would not force it upon her. It was only the next morning I found out she had not gone to bed, when the maid Ruthie raised the alarm.’

  He ran a hand across his eyes.

  ‘I am haunted by the thought th
at I might be maligning Helene, that she was innocent and killed herself because of what I said to her. I know it is what my family think. Yet there is another explanation, although I have no proof.

  ‘I cannot rid myself of the suspicion that she went off after the dancing to meet her lover.’

  Lucy’s hand crept to her mouth.

  ‘Oh, good heavens.’

  ‘I cannot prove it,’ he said again. ‘After we found her body I made endless enquiries of those who had been present, to see if any of them remembered Helene saying or doing anything that might explain why she went to Druids Rock, but no one could help me. I questioned Crimplesham, but she insisted her mistress was innocent and was outraged that I should even think such a thing. Yet still the suspicion remained and I determined to know the truth.’ Ralph straightened. ‘You see, it has been proven that recreating a scene or an event can spark a memory, so that was my plan. I took a small portrait of Helene to Mrs Killinghurst and asked her to find me someone who bore a resemblance to my wife. She found you.

  ‘I brought you here, dressed you in the styles and colours my wife favoured and waited to see what happened. Adam’s reaction convinced me that my plan would work. I thought if you appeared at the play dressed as Helene had been on that last fateful night, her lover would not be able to hide his reaction. And I should be watching.’ His lip curled. ‘Foolish, perhaps, but better to think she was meeting a lover at Druids Rock than that she went there to kill herself because of me.

  ‘I told no one. I wanted no hint of scandal attached to Helene if my suspicions were unfounded. I had no wish to sully her good name or cause her family more distress. I wrote to Ariadne and asked her to come here as chaperone, telling her the same tale I told you.’

  He sat back and raked his fingers through his hair. ‘But why should you believe me? It sounds too fantastical, as if I am trying merely to shuffle off the blame for what happened.’

  ‘But I do,’ she said slowly. ‘I do believe you.’

  He shook his head.

  ‘You want to believe me innocent, because you cannot bear to think that my temper caused the death of such a sweet, gentle creature.’

  ‘No. I believe it because I know—I was informed—that Lady Adversane was going to leave you.’

  Chapter Thirteen

  A heavy silence followed Lucy’s words and she said quickly, ‘Ruthie told me. She is a chatterbox, but she has given me her word that she kept the secret until now. She said she was appointed as lady’s maid when your wife’s dresser broke her arm.’

  ‘Yes. That was why I assigned her to you, because I knew she could dress your hair in the same fashion.’

  ‘I guessed as much, but it is not important now. Ruthie said Lady Adversane let it slip that she was planning to leave you. She then made Ruthie promise not to say a word about it.’

  ‘Did she say why Helene was going?’

  ‘Because...’ Lucy faltered. ‘Because she was so unhappy here.’

  ‘So it comes back to me,’ said Ralph bitterly.

  ‘No! She would hardly have thrown herself from Druids Rock if she was planning to run away. It does not make sense.’ She frowned, trying to recall her maid’s exact words. ‘Lady Adversane told Ruthie that when Crimplesham learned of the proposed flight she insisted on accompanying her. Don’t you see, Ralph? Helene had already decided to run away before she even told her dresser. From all I have learned of your late wife I do not think she would contemplate going off alone.’

  ‘She wouldn’t!’

  ‘No, it seems to me much more likely that someone had persuaded her, and that she went to Druids Rock that night to meet them.’ She hesitated. ‘Are you certain it would have been a guest?’

  His lip curled. ‘My wife was too conscious of her worth to dally with anyone beneath her own station. I questioned all my house guests, including my brothers-in-law. Logic told me I must eliminate everyone, however innocent I might think them. At one stage I seriously considered Helene might be in love with my cousin, for she was certainly on very good terms with him. You have seen for yourself that Cottingham has the happy knack of being able to put ladies at their ease. He flirts effortlessly, whereas I— Such frivolity is not a part of my nature.’

  ‘That is no loss, to my mind,’ she said softly.

  He caught her hand and kissed it. ‘Bless you for that.’ He held it very tightly while he continued. ‘But Adam cannot have been the one she was going to meet. Judith confirmed they were together all night, and in any case I saw them myself, going up to their room once the dancing had ended. The only other men I suspected are all neighbours—local gentlemen.’ His mouth twisted. ‘Everyone was asked if they could throw any light upon the matter, but by heaven, I have known all these men for years. I could scarcely accuse any one of them of being Helene’s lover without very strong evidence.’

  ‘Of course not. But you think, if I wear the gown, it will provide that evidence?’

  ‘It might just stir up a memory or two that will lead me to the truth. Who knows, it might even reveal her lover, if there is one.’

  ‘And if she did have a lover, do you think...?’ She bit her lip. ‘Do you think he killed her?’

  ‘I don’t know. All I am sure of is that I cannot bear the thought that I caused her death.’

  ‘Then I will wear the gown.’

  ‘No, Lucy, I cannot ask it of you. It is time I was honest with myself. I have been clutching at straws. Perhaps her death should be laid at my door. She was miserable living here at Adversane. She thought me hard and domineering.’

  Lucy gripped his arm. ‘No, no. You can be brusque, I admit, but I also know you are very kind. I will not believe you did anything to drive her to suicide.’

  ‘I married her.’

  ‘That was an arrangement between you and the Prestons,’ said Lucy practically. ‘You said yourself Helene was in favour of the marriage.’

  ‘Yes, because she did not know then how difficult I can be.’ He took her hand and laced his fingers through hers. ‘Lucy, if I am wrong, if there is no lover, then I must face the fact that I killed my wife. If that is the case then you must leave here, and we must never see each other again. I will not risk ruining your life.’

  ‘Ralph—’

  ‘No.’ He put a finger on her lips to silence her. ‘My conscience would never allow it.’

  She straightened, saying crisply, ‘And my conscience will not allow you to punish yourself in this way, so we must do what we can to discover what really happened that night.’

  * * *

  Lucy lay in her bed, listening to the early morning birdsong flowing in through the open window. Midsummer’s Eve, and there was still much to be done. She had thrown herself into the arrangements for the forthcoming festivities with an added zeal, following Ralph’s disclosures. So much rested on the forthcoming event, her whole happiness was at stake. The library had been rearranged in readiness for the play, and dancing was to take place in the white salon, a large, richly decorated room on the ground floor. Lucy had happily donned one of her old gowns and worked alongside the servants to transform the salon into a ballroom. She worked hard, as eager as Ralph to discover the truth, knowing that if he thought himself to blame for Helene’s death he would send her away and she would never see him again.

  Ralph had been adamant about that, saying it would be a mistake, that he would not risk making her unhappy. Lucy had argued but he would not be moved. She could not help wondering if guilt was the only reason he had decided they should not be wed. Perhaps he had realised that he didn’t love her. He had said he never loved Helene, but wouldn’t any man say that to his future bride?

  Her doubts would not quite go away, and they were enhanced by Adam Cottingham’s behaviour. Since their encounter in the Long Gallery she had on several occasions found him watching her
with an almost mournful intensity. From everything Ralph had told her, she knew Adam could not be Helene’s lover, so he must truly believe that Ralph was in some way responsible for her death. She had to believe that he was wrong, just as Lady Preston was wrong when she thought Ralph was still in love with her daughter.

  Lucy stirred restlessly. If only she could tell them why Ralph had brought her here, why she had agreed to wear the scarlet gown, but he had sworn her to secrecy. How she hated secrets!

  She sat up and tugged at the bell-pull. She might as well get up now and attend to the last-minute preparations. If all went well, they could soon know why Helene had gone to Druids Rock that fateful night. One way or another Lucy was determined to lay the ghost, so that she and Ralph could move on, free of the spectre of his dead wife.

  * * *

  An air of expectancy hung over the house. They had dined early so that they might all go off to change afterwards, in readiness for the forthcoming entertainment. When Ralph came to Lucy’s door to escort her downstairs she rose quickly from her dressing stool to meet him as he entered her room.

  Ralph was staring at her, a look she could not quite interpret in his eyes. When he did not speak she dismissed her maid before saying awkwardly, ‘Well, my lord. Will I do?’ She shook out the scarlet skirts. ‘Ruthie has dressed my hair in an identical style to that of the portrait. The sun has made it much lighter, so I think the resemblance is now most striking.’

  ‘It is indeed,’ he muttered. ‘No one could fail to see the likeness. Are you sure you wish to go through with this, Lucy? It will be an ordeal for you. There will be talk—’

  She put up her chin.

  ‘Let them talk. It may well jog a few memories.’

  ‘I hope so.’ He held out a small leather box. ‘You will need these.’ As he opened the lid she saw the flash and sparkle of precious stones. ‘The Adversane diamonds.’ He handed her the earrings, and when she had put them on he clipped the bracelet around her wrist. ‘Now for the necklace.’

  Ralph indicated that she should turn around, and she stood, head bowed a little, as he fastened the diamonds around her throat. His fingers were warm on her skin, and then she felt the unmistakable touch of his lips on the nape of her neck.