Isabella Rockwell's War

by Hannah Parry

  “So you knew of this plot from the start?”

  Al Hassan shook his head.

  “No. My suspicions were aroused when Princess Alix’s horse first bolted. The ambassador seemed unusually upset when we heard of this. I found this odd, as he rarely had a good word to say of the British. Also I had seen this pony of the princess’s, when Prince Ernest had invited us to ride with him.”

  Isabella nodded. “He’s a good pony.”

  Al Hassan gave a little smile. “Yes, a pony like that would not bolt without good reason.”

  It was Prince Ernest’s turn to speak. “You didn’t share the ambassador’s view of the British?”

  Al Hassan shook his head. “No. I only took a vow to protect the ambassador. Not to shield a plot to murder a child of the royal house.”

  Isabella’s head span. There were so many threads to this, leading in so many different directions.

  “Why didn’t you just tell Prince Ernest or King William?”

  “Who would have believed me?”

  Prince Ernest rubbed his moustache. “I would have.”

  Al Hassan looked straight ahead. “ I wish I had, but I made the mistake of confiding in Mr Conroy. I showed him the Calabar Bean poison I had taken from her. He paid no attention to me, though. He thought the princess was making a fuss because she liked the attention.”

  The duchess shifted uncomfortably in her chair.

  “Well, he won’t have the chance to do that again!” interjected Prince Ernest, banging his hand on the arm of his chair.

  Isabella took a deep breath. “So did the ambassador know you’d uncovered his plan?”

  Al Hassan shook his head and took a step forward. His face was quiet.

  “No, we were imprisoned before Mrs Jolyon could see him.”

  “So, despite the fact you were both now in prison, she continued with her plan.”

  “Yes. It suited her perfectly, the focus of attention, and blame, was fully on us.”

  “At which point, no one would have believed you, as it would just look like you wanted to get out of prison?”

  “Exactly.”

  “What were you doing in the stables as St James’s Palace? A guard said he saw you the night the wheel came off our carriage. It did look suspicious.”

  Al Hassan nodded. “I can see why, but there was nothing sinister. I was only checking our horses and our saddles. It is part of my job. I did see Mrs Jolyon leave the tack room as I arrived though, but that didn’t strike me as important until later.”

  Isabella shook her aching head.

  “All those clues, the Starrburr, the Calabar Bean poison…” she darted a glance at Prince Ernest. “I thought it was you, sir.”

  Prince Ernest threw back his head and laughed, a great guffaw across the room.

  “I know. I look like the most obvious culprit but,” and he placed a hand on Isabella’s shoulder and smiled. “I am a soldier, not a king. It is my duty to protect the crown, not to take it.”

  Isabella put her hand to her mouth, feeling once again the iron grip of her aggressor that dark night in the Blue Salon.

  “She tried to kill me.” She heard Alix gasp. “She was so strong, like a man.”

  Prince Ernest nodded.

  “Madness can do that, and remember, to her, she was in a battle for the life of her son. It wasn’t personal. You could have been anyone. But you were in the way. You had to be removed.”

  Isabella looked up. “She said that?”

  “Yes. She told us everything.”

  “What will happen to her?”

  “That is up to King William. She should be tried for treason, but she is very unwell. She doesn’t know where she is.”

  “It’s no more than she deserves,” said the duchess bitterly, still looking at the fire. “After what she put me through.”

  Prince Ernest’s voice was harsh.

  “Not everyone gets everything they deserve, duchess. You, above all others, would do well to remember it.” A tear of self-pity slid down the duchess’s cheeks.

  “Where is Mr Conroy?” Isabella whispered.

  Alix gave the ghost of a smile. “He’s been banished.”

  Isabella sat up a little and looked at Prince Ernest.

  “How did you know all of this? Surely the ambassador didn’t tell you all this?”

  Prince Ernest shook his head.

  “No, he didn’t. I’ve had spies reporting to me from northern India for at least two years. We’ve been watching the ambassador closely, especially since he’s been such a frequent visitor to Cawnpore.”

  “And Christopher Jolyon?”

  “We are searching for him, but the trail is cold and the mountains of Afghanistan are the best hiding place in the world. It is my hope we find him, but I have to accept we may not.”

  Isabella nodded. Alix, next to her started to shiver. Isabella took her hand.

  “Are you alright?”

  Alix nodded.

  “Delayed reaction probably. I just can’t believe it of Mrs Jolyon. She was so kind to me.”

  “And me,” murmured Isabella.

  “How did she get you to the lake?”

  “She told me Ruby and Zachariah needed to see me… that they were hiding outside. So I knew something had gone wrong.”

  “That, at least, was the truth,” said Isabella.

  “I ran out and down to the lake, where I could see them waiting. Ruby started to tell me that Midge was being held by the Peelers… and I don’t remember anything more.”

  Prince Ernest cleared his throat.

  “She used chloroform to put you to sleep.”

  “What is that? I’ve never head of it.” Isabella was momentarily intrigued.

  “It’s a new medicine, very powerful and quick acting. They’ve been using it on the battlefields. You breathe it in. It’s better she used that, rather than the Calabar Leaf, as we wouldn’t have had the antidote.”

  “Was that what she poisoned you with?” Alix eyes were filling with tears.

  Isabella nodded.

  “I had the antidote though, or rather, Abhaya had.”

  “Thank god.”

  Ernest stuffed a pipe into his mouth. “Couldn’t agree more, me dear. It must have been terrifying. I feel dreadful that you weren’t able to tell anyone about it.”

  Isabella looked up.

  “I did though. She was just the wrong person.”

  Prince Ernest nodded. “Which is why she alerted the duchess to the missing picture, knowing the duchess would set the Peelers onto you. By confiding in her, Mrs Jolyon knew you were close to finding out her identity. She had to get rid of you, and quickly.”

  “Why didn’t she just leave us to go on our way?”

  Prince Ernest raised his eyebrows. “Because if she were successful in assassinating the princess, you would be called as a witness. By telling her what you knew, she realised it was too much. Once I’d have found out about what happened to you in the library, it wouldn’t have been long before we found out the truth about her.”

  Alix looked down at her hands, which twisted in her lap. Isabella looked at the duchess, but the duchess’s gaze never left the fire.

  “It’s very hard talking about this, so shall we finish off?” Prince Ernest’s face was gentle. Isabella nodded and he continued. “Mrs Jolyon dragged Alix into the water and, when Ruby and Zachariah tried to stop her, Mrs Jolyon shot Ruby. Then Isabella arrived.”

  “But Alix was face down and dead when I dragged her out and she was dead when I left her on the side of the lake….” Isabella started to cry, the memory of it so fresh she could feel Alix’s lifeless skin beneath her own, see the dirt from the lake’s bottom under Alix’s fingernails. “I just don’t understand….”

  Prince Ernest came and sat down next to her and took her other hand.

  “She was, but the moment after Al Hassan had escorted you and Zachariah away, she brought up most of the water she’d swallowed and began to breathe on her o
wn. It was a miracle. And it’s thanks to you. You kept on pumping her chest even when there was no hope. That is what saved her.”

  Isabella’s head was bowed and a tear dropped off the end of her nose and sank into the black crepe of her dress.

  “I’m so so sorry I took the painting.” Then she looked over at Al Hassan. “I couldn’t have done it without you. If it had been left to me, I would have gone to rescue Midge.”

  Al Hassan salaamed.

  “But you didn’t. Now the princess is safe. It was not her time to die.”

  The Pathan’s quiet certainty made Isabella feel better, as if her spirit were no longer floating two feet above her body, but now coming back down to earth, where it belonged.

  Isabella looked at Prince Ernest, and curled her hand around Alix’s.

  “May I go and see Midge and Zachariah now?”

  It was April and the air was soft. Isabella sniffed. Winter’s bite had finally gone. There was a pull on her sleeve.

  “Come on then, look, over there, they’re waving us on board.”

  Isabella looked down and smiled.

  “Not nervous then?”

  Midge looked peeved.

  “Nervous? Me? Never. Why would I be?”

  “You’ve never been on a boat before.”

  “So? How difficult can it be?” Despite his bluster, he was a bit pale, and Isabella hugged him to her.

  “It’s not difficult. It will be fun, especially in first class.” A tiny wind picked up the white feather on Isabella’s blue velvet hat and pushed it against her face. The sound of flags snapping filled the air. “Did you know they have afternoon tea with chocolate cake every single day.”

  “Is that instead of dinner?” Midge looked a bit crestfallen.

  “No. We get dinner as well.” Midge let out a sigh of delight. Despite the weight he’d put on over the last three months, he still had a little way to go before he could be described as a picture of health. At least his bones had disappeared and his eyes were no longer sunken.

  “Look, there’s Princess Alix.” Alix’s shining brown carriage drew up, pulled by two gleaming chestnuts who matched the colour of Alix’s velvet cloak and hat. The crowd on the dock stirred to find royalty amongst them.

  Alix came and stood next to them.

  “Come on you two, time to board. Here,” she handed Isabella a large basket. “A little something for lunch.

  “Mmm yummy. Thank you.”

  “Ere Miss, have you seen Zach? I thought he’d be here by now.”

  Alix patted Midge’s shoulder.

  “Look, there’s a big line to get aboard, even for first class. It’s the first boat of the spring, I suppose. I bet you tuppence he’s here before it’s your turn to get on.” She turned to Isabella. “Have you got everything you need?” She asked for the hundredth time.

  “Yes. I’ve got Midge, tickets, luggage, money, a letter of introduction to Prince Ernest’s cousin in Bombay, my father’s bag, your ring and now a picnic. What more could I possibly need?”

  “Cooee! Isabella!” There was a honking from the first class line, and a riot of feathers. “I don’t believe it, how marvellous! We’re on the same boat. You and your… erm… little friend, must come and have tea with us….”

  Isabella hoped she was hallucinating, but when she shut and opened her eyes the Molesey’s were still gaily waving at her from their place in the line to the upper class deck.

  Alix laughed so hard, she had to turn away.

  “Zach!” Midge undid his arm from Isabella’s and ran to Zach. He looked handsome and healthy in his clean clothes with Lily swinging off one hand.

  “Sorry Midgelet. I had some business to attend to.”

  Isabella frowned. “What business?”

  Zachariah laughed. “Not dodgy business, Mrs Suspicious. I just found out Prince Ernest has arranged a commission for me in the army.” He smiled broadly. I’ve got to go and pick up me uniform tomorrow.”

  Alix looked thrilled.

  “Why, that’s wonderful news. How kind of Uncle Ernest.”

  Zachariah nodded. “He’s been really good to us, what with the house for the kids and all. Makes me feel much better about leaving them to go abroad, knowing they’ll be well looked after.”

  “Do you know where you’ll be posted already?” asked Isabella.

  Zachariah nodded. “France first, not too far. Prince Ernest said I could come back in a year to visit the kids. William will take good care of them though, I’m sure.”

  Alex touched his sleeve. “I’ll keep an eye on them. You’ve been responsible for them for a long time. It’ll do you good to let others take over.”

  “Yeah. I’m tired of being angry all the time.” He looked over at Lily who was playing with the bracelets on Alix’s wrist. “I think me and Lil’, we deserve better.”

  Tears came suddenly to Isabella’s eyes.

  “Anyway,” Zachariah continued in a more normal voice. “Prince Ernest wanted me to give you this.” Isabella took the envelope of cream vellum, sealed with the royal coat of arms. “He said to open it on the boat.” Zach bent down and hugged Midge. “Good luck, Midge. I’ll see you again one day, I’m sure. Have a safe trip.”

  Midge’s eyes filled with tears. “Thanks, Zach. I’ll miss you. And I’ll miss all the others. Will you tell them?”

  Zach smiled. “I will.”

  Zach turned to Isabella. “Good luck Miss India.” Isabella stuck out her hand, but Zach laughed and pulled her into a big bear hug. Lily jumped with glee and hugged their legs.

  Isabella pulled away and rubbed her nose.

  “Sorry, I thought I wasn’t going to cry.” Alix’s little hand crept into hers. “Thank you for everything, Zach. You saved my life.”

  He smiled, showing a tiny glimpse of the man he might one day become.

  “We’re even then.”

  She gulped.

  “We’re even.”

  A small crowd was forming as people recognised Alix. Over her shoulder Isabella caught the glint of gold brocade on scarlet.

  “You must go, your guard is on its way over.”

  Alix couldn’t speak and just nodded her head.

  “I’m sure we will meet again. Take care until then.”

  Alix hugged Isabella tightly, then Zachariah led her away through the crowd.

  When the boat finally pulled away, Isabella spotted a carriage, sitting on a jutting headland, past the East India Docks and the Isle of Dogs. When she raised her arm to wave, she thought she saw the faintest flicker of a blonde head in the pink evening light.

  Midge came up to the rail next to her.

  “You gonna open that letter then?”

  “Maybe, nosey.”

  “Come on, lets go and see our cabin… it’s dead posh this place…” He scampered away in front of her dodging gently swaying passengers, some of them dabbing their eyes, as they said goodbye to the old country.

  To Isabella however, the gathering swell of the Thames made her think of home, and the ship’s bell, when it rang for dinner, gave her a strange feeling of comfort.

  How much had changed.

  She would miss Alix terribly, but there was a different road laid in front of her feet and, for the first time in her life, she felt ready for it.

  Back in her cabin, Midge lay on the thick feather counterpane and pressed his nose to a porthole. The cabin had deep blue carpets and was full of polished wood and brass. A tray of tea things sat on an ornamental table.

  “Mrs Rodriguez just came to check we’re alright. I don’t know why we needed an escort, I’ve been living on me own since I was two.”

  Isabella smiled. “You weren’t on your own though, were you? You had Ruby.”

  Midge nodded. “Yeah. She always looked out for me.” A solitary tear slid down his cheek. “I miss her.”

  Isabella sat down next to him. “Me too.” She paused. “Shall we go and see if Mrs Rodriguez wants to have dinner with us?

  Mi
dge looked up. “Is it dinner time?”

  Isabella nodded. “Why don’t you go and ask her. I’m just going to wash, and then I will meet you in the lounge.” The door behind Midge closed with a quiet click and Isabella, once she was sure he wasn’t coming back, reached for Prince Ernest’s letter.

  She could hear his gravelly voice as she read it.

  “My dearest Miss Rockwell

  I hope this letter reaches you safely and that your voyage is progressing without incident. I had hoped to see you off, but urgent business takes me elsewhere.

  In the time I have known you, I have come to believe you possess the qualities of courage and honour, which I would except to find in the best of my soldiers. It was of no surprise to me to find that your father was Sergeant John Rockwell, the man recommended to me as the best soldier of King William’s First Horse. The man we sent to find Christopher Jolyon.

  In the months since you saved the life of Princess Alixandrina Victoria Hanover, I have been gathering as much information on his mission as I have been able. The last sighting of him was in Jhelum, but it is there his trail went cold. Then only yesterday, intelligence came to me that a man had been found wandering in the Vale of Ush. As he appeared native, he was taken in by the Chitrali tribe, but he is without memory and has not been able to tell them where he is from. It is my belief he may be your father.

  I hope this information warms your heart and gives your feet direction.

  A toast to your future, and may we meet again.

  Ernest of Hanover

  Isabella re-read the letter, then folded it up and placed it back into her knapsack. Her hands were sweating and she had to wipe them on her dress.

  There was a knock. It was Midge. He rattled the door handle.

  “Are you coming? I’m starving.”

  Isabella got to her feet just as the ship lurched, and she put a hand out to steady herself. Then she walked to the door and opened it.

  “I’m ready. Let’s go!”

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