by Sonia Parin
The detective shook his head and pushed out a hard breath. “Lorenzo Bianchi has been a person of interest for quite some time.”
Meaning Scotland Yard had already been involved. “Was it so hard to share that with me?”
“No, but I cannot stress this enough. It is highly inappropriate for me to share information with a member of the public. What is it about you, Lady Woodridge?” He looked around as if making sure no one would hear him. Lowering his voice, he said, “You have a way of extricating information out of me...”
Either that or the detective had been cunning in sharing something of little value in exchange for some future insight from Evie. She could never underestimate someone who made a living out of solving mysteries and served a higher purpose, seeking justice for those without voices.
Evie smiled. “Yes, I suppose I do.” And just as well.
What could Lorenzo Bianchi have been involved in to warrant attention from Scotland Yard?
Chapter Thirteen
Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight
Red sky in the morning, shepherd’s warning
Tom’s eyes danced around Evie’s face, conveying a mixture of incredulity and amusement. “You spoke with the detective for two minutes and managed to get all that information out of him?”
Evie grinned. “I’m beginning to think I’m quite dazzling.”
Tom studied her for a long moment. At one point, he brushed his hand across his chin, almost in frustration. “Exactly how did you manage it?” He tilted his head in thought. “I get the feeling I’ve said that before.”
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, Evie thought. She knew she had walked into the library feeling somewhat slighted by the detective and had been determined to get answers from him.
“You must have worn him out,” Tom said.
“In your own words, it only took me two minutes. That is certainly not enough time to wear anyone out.” Evie lifted her chin in defiance. “I almost resent the implication.”
“And you are well within your rights to do so. My apologies. I’m sure you employed subtle tact and asked the correct questions.”
Evie cast an appreciative glance at the manicured lawn in front of them. Sir Richard might have been in mourning for a year, but his estate spoke of cheerful anticipation of the season. Flower beds bloomed with spring offerings. A couple of large earthenware urns flanked the entrance to Warwick Hall, the splashes of spring color contrasting the dark carved stonework of the pillars.
“As a matter of fact, I believe I did ask the right questions. However, my triumph is limited to extricating that one tidbit about Lorenzo Bianchi. The detective simply refused to add anything more. Now I have no option but to think the worst of Lorenzo Bianchi and we all know we shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, so that puts me in an awkward position.”
Tom laughed.
“I’m glad I can still be a source of amusement.”
“Milady.”
Evie turned.
A footman approached carrying a bouquet of flowers. “I hope these are satisfactory.”
“Yes, thank you. They’re beautiful blooms.” Taking the bouquet, she said to Tom, “For Isabel. I thought she might need some cheering up. And now, I’m ready when you are. Or, at least, I will be after I’ve fetched my hat. Hold these for me, please.” Handing the flowers to Tom, she rushed back inside Warwick Hall.
Along the way, she saw Marjorie and Unique studying a painting that covered the entire wall over the massive fireplace in the entrance hall. Two others emerged from the drawing room and joined them. Looking up, she saw Charlie and Batty coming down the stairs.
Evie had the strange feeling entering the house had set something into motion. Almost as if everyone had been waiting for her appearance to take up their positions and begin some sort of role playing.
“Lady Woodridge. Sir Richard has invited us to stay on for luncheon,” Batty said. “Will you be joining us?”
“I dare say I will.” She had no idea how long Isabel would be kept in hospital.
“We’ll be setting off after that. Will you continue on with the car rally?”
Evie explained she would have to abandon the group. “Duty calls.”
“In that case, it will be a farewell luncheon.”
Along the rest of the way up the stairs, she encountered more of the car rally group, each person appearing to be doing nothing out of the ordinary and yet, in Evie’s mind, they all looked suspicious.
In her room, she found the hat she wanted and spent a few minutes adjusting it on her head. A quick glance at her ensemble reminded her how well Caro matched her clothes. She had a great eye for detail.
If her maid could mingle with the car rally group, Evie had no doubt she would, in no time, find the culprit who had tampered with their tire.
Remembering she needed to telephone Halton House to organize Edmonds into driving down, she wondered if she should suggest he bring Caro along…
***
“She’s sleeping at the moment. As for how she has been faring, I’m afraid she is in deep denial,” the doctor said. “That’s to be expected.”
Evie handed the flowers to a nurse. “Does she sound lucid? Even if she doesn’t accept what has happened, does she actually know where she is?”
“Yes, the nurse had a conversation with her about appropriate clothing for nursing staff. Mrs. Bianchi has a preference for what she called candy stripes, which she thinks would be far more cheerful than plain white. She talked at great length about the appropriate shade of red… or pink. I can’t remember which.”
The fact Isabel had managed to express an opinion set Evie’s mind at ease. She had no doubt she would recover.
“Her family has been informed,” the doctor continued. “I believe they are making their way from America and will arrive in five days.”
This time, Evie nearly swooned with relief. The load that had been weighing on her like a ton of bricks lifted. Isabel would be better off surrounded by those who loved her, and they would most likely insist she return home to America.
The doctor cleared his throat. “She should be perfectly fine to leave hospital tomorrow.”
“So early?”
The doctor nodded. “There is nothing physically wrong with Mrs. Bianchi. She will need a lot of attention and gentle caring. It is not unusual for those grieving to delay accepting the reality of the matter. I understand you are very good friends. Mrs. Bianchi spoke fondly of you.”
“She did?” Evie couldn’t help expressing her surprise.
The nurse murmured something in the doctor’s ear. Turning to Evie, he excused himself saying, “I must attend to another patient. I trust we’ll be seeing you again tomorrow.” He looked down at Isabel. “If you wish, you may visit.”
“Yes. Of course.” Evie drew up a chair and sat next to the bed. Asleep, Isabel looked like an angel. Peaceful and content. She hoped her mind had chosen to go to a happy place.
“Hello, Isabel,” she whispered. “I know you’re sleeping…” Evie gave her hand a light pat. “I do hope you recover soon. It’s… It’s not easy at first.” Looking over her shoulder to make sure no one would hear her, she added, “It’s actually the pits. But as the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. It’s what my mother said to me when I lost Nicholas and I know your mama. As I’m sure you already know, she would impart the same advice.” She tried to think of other appropriate platitudes and then decided against saying more in case Isabel objected.
To Evie’s surprise, Isabel stirred. Her eyes fluttered open and sighing, she made a dramatic gesture with her hand before letting it flutter back down as light as a feather wafting in the air.
When her lips moved, Evie leaned down. “That’s all right, dear. You’ll have plenty of time to speak when you are fully recovered.” And she would, no doubt, try to make up for lost time, Evie thought.
When Isabel persevered, Evie offered her some water.
Isabel took
a sip and then gestured for Evie to lean closer.
“Is there something else you need?” Evie asked. Leaning down, she tried to make out the whispered words but she had trouble understanding the slurred speech. When Evie moved to straighten, Isabel grabbed her hand and pulled her down again with surprising strength and determination.
“They killed him.”
***
“And that’s all she said?” Tom asked when Evie joined him outside.
Evie nodded. “I think the effort exhausted her. According to the doctor, the detective visited her an hour ago and tried to speak with Isabel but she didn’t wake up. So, once again, I have done better than the esteemed detective. That’s not to say I’m competing with him.” Evie checked her watch. “Oh, heavens. We’ve missed lunch. Worse. The others will have left by now. I didn’t even say goodbye to Phillipa.”
Tom held the motor car door open for her. “We should get back. Those clouds look threatening.”
Evie looked up. “Where did they come from? We had such beautiful, clear skies on the way here.”
“They probably have something to do with the shepherd’s warning sky we had this morning.”
“Oh, yes. I remember seeing the bright orange streaks across the sky but I didn’t connect it to the weather.” Evie managed a light laugh. “For a moment there, I thought you were going to tell me about your joints being as good a warning as anything else.”
Tom laughed. “There’s nothing wrong with my joints yet. But I do have a great uncle who swears by the accuracy of their weather predictions. If he says it’s going to rain, it does. No one ever dares to question great uncle Zachary.”
“Did you just share personal information with me?”
He thought about it for a moment. “I believe I did.”
“So, your great uncle Zachary really exists.”
“Is there a reason why he wouldn’t exist?”
“Where you’re concerned, it’s difficult to tell fact from fiction,” Evie murmured just as the motor car roared to life.
“Pardon? I missed that.”
“Never mind. Drive on, please. I don’t wish to get wet.”
“After what Isabel told you, I’d say that would be the least of your concerns.”
Chapter Fourteen
Raining pitchforks and darning needles (1866)
Several miles before they reached Warwick Hall, the heavens opened up. Evie pulled up her collar, hunched her shoulders and hugged herself.
As the rain beat down, the wind picked up and stirred it, sending raindrops slashing in all directions.
With the visibility worsening, Tom had to slow down and by the time they drove through the gates leading to the Hall, they were both thoroughly drenched.
When the motor car stopped, Evie didn’t wait for Tom to open the passenger door. Lunging out of the car, she ran as fast as she could, her feet sinking into the pebbled sludge. Keeping her head lowered, Evie tried to steer herself in the right direction. Then Tom reached out for her and pulled her along.
The front door opened and they burst inside, breaths gasping, their clothes dripping.
“I’m ever so sorry, Wilson.”
The butler must have seen them coming. He stood at attention holding out a couple of large fluffy towels.
As Evie tried to dry herself off, she said, “We’ll try to minimize the inconvenience and do all the dripping here.”
She turned just as Wilson closed the door. In that brief instant, the curtain of rain eased and she thought she saw a vehicle.
“Oh… Is that another motor car? It looks familiar.”
“It ought to,” Tom said. “It’s yours.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s the Duesenbert.”
“Impossible. What is it doing here?”
“Begging your pardon, my lady.” Wilson bowed his head slightly. “What with all the excitement, it slipped my mind. Your chauffeur arrived a short while ago.”
“Really?” She hadn’t had the opportunity to telephone Halton House to request that he drive down. What could have prompted him to drive here?
“Oh, milady. You’re soaked through.”
Hearing the familiar voice, Evie swung around. “Caro? What on earth are you doing here?”
“Well, someone had to come to your rescue.” Caro hurried toward her, a couple of towels in her hands. “You’re drenched. You need to change out of these clothes or you’ll catch your death.”
“Heavens. You’ll need to fill in the gaps. We were only gone for an hour.” Setting a foot on the stair, she stopped. “Oh, I hope Phillipa managed to avoid being caught in this deluge. It would be dreadfully dangerous to drive in these conditions.”
“Don’t worry about Phillipa,” Caro cupped her elbow and drew her along. “She’s nice and cozy in the library.”
“She’s still here?”
“They never left. Apparently, their luncheon dragged on and by the time they finished, it had already started to rain. Sir Warwick urged them all to stay another day.”
By the time they reached her room, Evie’s teeth were chattering.
“I’m going to draw you a hot bath, milady.”
Sighing with relief, Evie sank into a tub full of deliciously steaming water. As Caro organized a crackling fire, she told her about the dowagers continuing raids of the attics.
“The footmen have been sworn to secrecy. The dowagers chose their moment well, coming in on the housekeeper’s half day off. I didn’t feel right asking what they were doing.”
“Did you see what they took?”
Caro shook her head. “I’d been busy downstairs. If I hadn’t gone up to put away some clothes, I would not have seen them at all. As it is, I only saw the horse drawn cart pulling away. I think there might have been a large trunk. Who knows what they stowed in there…”
Evie closed her eyes only to open them again. “You said you came to rescue me.”
“Oh, yes…” Caro focused on poking the logs.
“Caro?”
“Oh… Well, news about the accident reached us when Sir Warwick contacted Lady Sara.”
How much had Sir Richard told them? “Did the dowagers send you?”
“Not exactly.”
“Well then… Who sent you?”
“No one. I mean, everyone downstairs talked a great deal about you driving off and the dangers of that road. It seems everyone had a story to tell about someone or other coming to some sort of misfortune. Then Edmonds told me about hearing noises during the night in the stable yard where the cars are kept…”
“Which night?”
“Before you left, milady.”
Could Edmonds have heard the person responsible for tampering with their tire?
“Did he investigate?”
Caro nodded. “He said he hesitated because he knew strange things happen when there are large numbers of people staying at the house.”
“What sort of strange things?”
“The occasional midnight rendezvous, drinking too much and wandering outside…”
That still didn’t explain why Caro had felt compelled to come to her rescue.
Caro dipped her chin down and whispered, “I’d hate for something to happen to you.”
“Dear Caro. Nothing will happen to me.”
“I’m sorry I took the liberty…”
“Caro. Never apologize for being a caring person. I only wish you wouldn’t worry so much. Remember, I have Tom with me.”
Caro snorted. “Even with him around you ended up right in thick of it.”
“He’s hardly to blame for that,” Evie said in her breeziest tone.
As she dressed, it occurred to ask, “Did you happen to notice anything else?”
“Such as what, milady?”
“Did you see Isabel when she arrived?”
“Oh, yes. My goodness. She made me think of those gusts of wind that swirl around in winter. She swept in and I could hear her from the upstairs hallway.”
Caro gave her an impish smile. “When I noticed her arrival… I made a point of hovering.”
Evie smiled and pictured Caro tiptoeing her way around the house, catching glimpses and hearing murmured conversations. “Oh, yes. Do tell.”
“Don’t get me wrong, milady. I don’t make a habit of eavesdropping. The circumstances were such that I felt a strong obligation to keep an eye on things.”
“I don’t blame you, Caro. In your place, I would have done exactly the same. And I’m not just saying that to gain your confidence and encourage you to tell me all.” Had she heard something useful?
Caro held up a dress for Evie to slip into. “I brought some decorative pieces, not the real valuable ones.” She held up a small silver brooch with a kitten sitting up, its tail curled into an elegant curve.
“That’s very thoughtful. Are you, by any chance, trying to avoid telling me what you heard?”
“It’s done.”
“Pardon?”
“That’s what I heard, only… I can’t tell you who said it. The voice sounded masculine but I couldn’t tell you with any certainty if it came from a man. Earlier, I happened to hear one of the women delivering a few lines in a male voice. I think she might be an actress. So, I might have heard someone mimicking a man… Anyhow, I had been making my way along the gallery when I heard the murmured remark. I tried to look down to see but they moved away into the drawing room.”
“Would you be able to recognize the voice if you heard it again?”
“I’m sure I would.”
It’s done.
What on earth could that mean? “Did you hear it before or after Isabel and Lorenzo left?”
“After and that’s not all I heard.” Caro scooped in a breath. “During their last raid…”
Evie’s eyebrows hitched up slightly. Raid? “Whose?”
“The dowagers’ raid. They had an argument. Lady Henrietta said she couldn’t help being an Edwardian through and through and adhering to the practices of the day.” Tilting her head, Caro asked, “What do you think that means?”
