‘You flatter me, dear lady, but that may well be true, I will not deny it. Some of the gentlemen have only been here a short while, whereas I,’ he placed his fingertips to his chest with an expression of quiet pride, ‘I was born and bred in Brighton.’
‘How long have you been an attendant here?’
‘I believe I first trod these royal paths some sixteen years ago. But I have not served here continuously all that time.’ He gave her an enquiring look. ‘You do not know my name?’
It was clear that he expected her to do so, and Mina feared that her ignorance on that point was in danger of causing him some offence. ‘I regret, sir, I do not. But my family has not lived here very long. I have spent much of my time in the service of invalids, and have not therefore been able to move in society.’
He nodded understandingly. ‘Ah, of course, that would explain it.’
‘Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mina Scarletti.’
Mr Merridew’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. ‘Then it seems I have the advantage of you since that name is known to me. Are you by any chance connected with the Scarletti publications company?’
‘I am, sir. My father was the manager, Henry Scarletti, who sadly passed away last year.’
‘Indeed? May I offer you my deepest condolences for such a sad loss.’
Thank you, sir. I assume you are a great reader?’
‘Not – precisely. But the Scarletti company publishes play texts of which I have studied many.’
Mina was not sure how to respond, and he smiled. ‘Allow me to enlighten you. I am an actor, a performer on the legitimate stage. Comedies and tragedies are all one to me; Seneca cannot be too heavy nor Plautus too light. I have toured all the major cities of England, from Manchester to Exeter. My Hamlet was the toast of Bolton. But I digress. Please let me know how I might assist you.’
‘When I was last here I asked an attendant to direct me to the room where the ghost of the late King George was seen, but he said he knew nothing about such a room, and denied that there had been a sighting. I hoped that you might be able to tell me something.’
He stared at her in astonishment. ‘But surely you do not believe in that story? It’s all nonsense, you know.’
‘I think so too, but I should like to try and prove it.’
‘Well now, you do interest me. How might you go about it?’
‘When I was here last I overheard a lady say that there had been a previous rumour about a royal ghost but it had been many years ago; more than ten. It occurred to me that if such was the case then the book An Encounter might simply be a reprinting of an earlier publication, or a retelling of an old story. Do you know anything about this rumour?’
Merridew looked thoughtful. ‘Now that you mention it, yes, I do recall something of the sort. When I first became an attendant here someone did tell me of a supposed haunting but it was only in a very general way.’
‘So you don’t know if the previous haunting was said to have taken place in the same room?’
‘I am afraid not.’
‘Would you be able to show me the ghost room? I am surprised that the other attendant didn’t know of it. I am sure that you do.’
Merridew hesitated, then he offered her his arm and drew her aside so they were not overheard by the other visitors and guides. ‘I will let you into a secret. All the attendants here have been asked by their tour parties to be taken to see the ghost room. But we have been expressly instructed by the Pavilion management committee to say that there is no such place. This is not so. The room is, I am sure judging by the description, the King’s former breakfast room, the one that has been assigned as a cloakroom for ladies. There is an alcove, but not, nowadays, a long couch as described so very dramatically in the book. After Her Majesty decided not to use the Pavilion as a royal residence, the original furnishings were removed.’
‘So the description of the room in An Encounter is the interior not as it is today, but as it appeared in the days of the late King George?’
‘Precisely, which is why the book is obvious nonsense.’
Mina was reflecting on this information when a man who, from his deportment, appeared to be a senior attendant, approached them. ‘Mr Merridew, a tour party is ready for you.’
‘Ah, if you will excuse me, I must go about my duties. We will speak later I hope?’
‘Oh yes, I will wait here for you. But I wish to study a good book on the history of the Pavilion. What would be your recommendation?’
‘The Royal Pavilion in the Days of King George IV. You will find it very interesting.’
Mina returned to the shop where she purchased the book in question and then found the ladies’ cloakroom, which was a large apartment, graced by slender columns, with a door leading to the usual conveniences. Opposite the windows, which afforded a view of the gardens, there was a long recess, filled by a row of chairs. The most striking feature of the room, however, was the wallpaper, of a pronounced oriental design, in a vibrant shade of red. The authors of An Encounter had allowed their imaginations to take hold of them since the dragons and other creatures depicted thereon were noble in aspect and did not appear to be writhing in any pronounced or scandalous fashion. Here, however, with a little embellishment, since there were only a few small paintings and ornaments, and not the costly trappings of King George’s day, was undoubtedly the room where the ghosts of the young Prince and his inamorata had supposedly disported themselves.
Mina sat down and studied the book. From time to time, ladies arrived to avail themselves of the facilities, but there were several who made keen studies of the patterned wallpaper, or gazed at the long recess and surreptitiously consulted a publication they kept well hidden from the general gaze.
It soon became clear to Mina that the authors of An Encounter had used the very history she had just purchased as the foundation of their description of the interior of the Pavilion in a former age. It even mentioned the warm atmosphere, as the Prince had kept the rooms heated to a degree that many of his visitors found uncomfortable, the large Chinese statues and the formerly blue draperies of the South Drawing Room. Since the book was widely sold, the Misses Bland had not dared to copy actual phrases, but the facts spoke for themselves and Mina, with the eye of an author, could easily spot those fragments of language that had nudged plagiarism without overstepping the mark.
Mina returned to the vestibule and when Mr Merridew had completed his duties he announced himself finished for the day and ready for a pot of tea. They retired to the tearoom, which was filled with thirsty visitors. No places were to be had, but a kind gentleman, seeing Mina approach, picked up his hat and umbrella, rose, bowed, and vacated his table.
‘I see you have been making good use of my absence to study that very interesting work,’ said Merridew, as the waitress whisked away used chinaware and dusted crumbs from the cloth. Mina ordered tea and scones for two.
‘Yes. I believe now that while the ladies who wrote An Encounter must have visited the Pavilion, they would have been aware that in the days of the Prince the interior was different to today’s, and so used the description in this book to make their tale more convincing.’
He laughed. ‘It would have been better for them if they had not. They tried too hard and so exposed their deficiencies.’
Mina sensed a valuable clue. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, to understand that you need to know the history of the young Prince and Mrs Fitzherbert.’
The tea arrived, piping hot, with white, delicately gilded scones like the domes of the Pavilion. Mr Merridew beamed in pleasurable anticipation and helped himself liberally to butter and jam. ‘I am all ears,’ said Mina.
‘When they first met, the Prince was a handsome young gallant, and she an enchantingly beautiful widow. He fell most violently in love with her. Nothing would content him but she must be his; he wept, he stormed, he threatened to stab himself, he did stab himself; but all to no avail. His royal father, who was quit
e sane at the time, would never consent to a marriage since Mrs Fitzherbert was a Catholic. She was also a virtuous lady, and could not be persuaded to become a royal mistress. Finally, the Prince and Mrs Fitzherbert conducted a secret wedding. This satisfied the lady’s scruples, but not the law of the land, which stated that the Prince could not marry without the permission of his father. The marriage was strictly no marriage at all.’
There was a brief interlude for the consumption of tea and scones. ‘When was this?’ asked Mina.
‘In the year 1785. Soon after that the Prince took a house in Brighton, which by a number of transformations over time became the extraordinary edifice you see today. Mrs Fitzherbert lived separately but close by, and their connection was an open secret in town. As a gay young Prince holding fashionable assemblies he brought many illustrious and wealthy visitors to Brighton. Trade prospered and he was most popular. For a time the lovers were as merry as could be, but the Prince spent lavishly and without restraint, and his debts increased with each passing day. His had only one means of extricating himself from this predicament. If he married into a royal house, his father would consent to pay his debts.’
Merridew sipped his tea and gave a sad shake of his head before helping himself to another scone. ‘Poor Mrs Fitzherbert, imagine her terrible distress when her lover – the man she thought of as her dearest husband – dismissed her; not face-to-face, but with a letter. How cruel! How heartless! How cowardly! The year was then 1794. The Prince married Princess Caroline of Brunswick and his debts were paid, but he was miserably unhappy as his wife was a shameless hussy who did not wash, and he could hardly bear to look at her. They did not live together long. By 1800 the Prince and Mrs Fitzherbert were reconciled. By then neither were the youthful, handsome and relatively slender persons they had once been but they were content. As the years went by, however, the fickle Prince became enamoured of new, younger mistresses and Mrs Fitzherbert, unable to tolerate the many slights she was forced to endure when in his presence, declined to accept any further invitations to his assemblies. It is doubtful that they met again after 1811. She certainly did not visit the Pavilion. He came to the throne as King George IV in 1820. The next time Mrs Fitzherbert entered the Pavilion it was after King George’s death and it was so changed that she did not recognise it as the place where she had once been such a frequent guest. Most of the truly elaborate work, the exterior remodelling and the interior decoration, was done after the Prince and Mrs Fitzherbert parted.’
Mina nodded. This was important information. ‘The red wallpaper in what is now the ladies’ retiring room – was that there in the time of Mrs Fitzherbert’s association with the Prince?’
‘It was not.’
‘I see. So what you are telling me is that the authors of the book tried too hard to make their story convincing by placing youthful ghosts from the last century against a background that is not as the Pavilion is today, but in so doing they made a mistake. They described a room that was not decorated in that style until after the couple had parted, and which therefore they could never have occupied.’
‘Exactly!’ said Merridew with hearty approval.
‘That is a good argument to show up the story as false. Tell me, has anyone tried to hold séances in the Pavilion?’
‘No. Several have asked, but all have been refused. The Pavilion management committee will not countenance it, and we are instructed to prevent any such thing occurring. I believe that a number of committee members had their fingers burnt and their pockets emptied during the last eruption of mediums.’
‘But I understand that they are happy to allow magicians and other entertainers of a similar kind?’
‘Oh yes, but then they are not pretending to be something they are not.’
‘Do you remember a Dr Lynn who gave a charity performance here last year? I have heard he is very skilled. Did you see him perform the Japanese butterfly illusion? I should have liked to have seen that.’
‘He is very highly regarded and I had hoped to see him, but he gave only the one performance and I was not in town; I had a theatrical engagement that day.’
‘And was there not a chess automaton? He was here for at least a week I believe.’
‘Oh, who shall ever forget the Wondrous Ajeeb? A Turk in full costume who sat on a kind of pedestal and beat all-comers at chess. It was quite entertaining to see it at work. Mr Mott of the Brighton chess club, who is champion of all Sussex, was so fascinated by it that he came to see it every day.’
‘Because it was on the very day that both Dr Lynn and the Wondrous Ajeeb performed here that the authors of An Encounter visited, since they mention them both in their book. It was last October. Do you recall any unusual occurrences being reported during that time?’
Merridew thought carefully, not allowing this to hinder his paying diligent attention to the last of the scones. ‘No, nothing springs to mind, and I am sure that if any ladies had claimed to have seen a ghost, even as long ago as last October, I would remember it. Several have claimed to have seen ghosts in the last few weeks, but never when they are in the company of another person. I think you understand my meaning.’
Mina was only a little disappointed since she had not anticipated that the visit of the two ladies would have made a mark on anyone’s memory at the time, or it would have been the talk of Brighton.
‘If you remember anything, you will let me know?’ said Mina, handing him her card.
‘I will, dear lady, I will!’
‘On another subject, do you think the committee would approve the presentation of a play which includes characterisations of the Prince and Mrs Fitzherbert?’
‘My goodness, that is adventurous! Is it a new piece?’
‘Yes, my brother is writing it, and plans to appear in it with some of his friends.’
‘Is it a drama or a comedy?’
‘He intends it to be a drama but I fear it might turn out to be a comedy in the performance.’
Merridew laughed heartily. ‘Given the subject matter he might be obliged to submit the text to the committee in advance so they can reassure themselves that the play is suitable, even should it receive the approval of the Lord Chamberlain. I would like to meet your brother! I would be able to pass on the benefit of my many years of experience.’
‘I will introduce you as long as you make sure not to lend him any money.’
‘I promise most faithfully that I will not. Investment in the theatre is an occupation only for the wealthy who have money they can afford to lose.’
‘Are you appearing on stage at present? If so I will obtain tickets.’
He drained his teacup. ‘Er, no, I am currently between engagements. But you may see me nightly at the Dome where I am employed as an usher. One must do what one can.’
Sixteen
On Mina’s return home there was a note waiting for her from Dr Hamid asking her to call and see him as soon as possible. This could only concern his recent interview with Arthur Wallace Hope and such an urgent summons was worrying. The baths were still open and she went there at once, hoping that her anxiety was misplaced. It was clear, however, when she entered Dr Hamid’s office that he was a very troubled man.
‘I am glad that you were able to come so promptly as I fear that what I have to tell you may involve you directly,’ he said, drawing up a comfortable seat for Mina and pouring glasses of his spiced fruit mineral water for them both before slumping heavily back into his chair in most uncharacteristic style. ‘Mr Hope came to see me as arranged, and as I am sure you have already observed he is polite and sociable, with a devious manner and a will of iron. He informed me that he has been going about Brighton meeting all the prominent residents who have been clients of Miss Eustace in order to obtain signed statements from them declaring that they believe her to be genuine. I am very glad that you spoke to me on that subject before I met him or I would simply have refused his request and shown him the door. Instead I behaved in a more cautious manner, and as
you correctly anticipated, the result was that I learned more of his intentions. I told him that a man in my position needed to give such an undertaking serious thought before it could be performed, and asked him to allow me some time to consider the professional consequences. He seemed easy enough in his mind about that, although he said that it was precisely because of my status as a man of science that he would value my commendation. However —’ Mina sipped her drink and waited.
Dr Hamid took a deep breath and continued, ‘He then went on to say that he had spoken to you and he was confident that you would agree to sign a similar statement. Given your recent actions your approval is clearly of some importance to him. I did not of course reveal our conversations on the subject.’
Mina was sorry that Mr Hope would stoop to such a deception but found she was unsurprised. ‘I neither refused nor agreed, so his confidence is misplaced,’ she said. ‘However, I can understand that he might have overstated his case in order to persuade you. I wonder how many other people he has visited and what he has told them? We need to be on our guard.’
‘I know,’ said Hamid, gloomily. ‘He could be out and about even now spreading the word that I am a true believer in Miss Eustace. Some people might be swayed into signing papers in the belief that they are joining a general movement. Has he approached you again?’
‘No, but it is only a matter of time before he does.’
‘Have you spoken to Miss Whinstone?’
‘I have, and it might surprise you to know that she has exhorted me in the strongest possible terms not to sign any such paper.’
‘She has? You are right, I am surprised.’
‘Yes, she has been strengthened in her resolve by her new friend Mr Jellico, who I have found to be a very astute gentleman.’ Mina went on to recount Mr Jellico’s observations. ‘I had imagined that if I was obliged to sign a paper to help Miss Whinstone, then that would be an end of the matter, but he has opened my eyes. It would only be the beginning. And it would be so much worse for you.’
The Royal Ghost Page 11
