Sinclair did as ordered and assumed his rightful place. Drummond took the chair to his nephew’s right, and following the oval table in clockwise fashion from Sinclair were Paul Stuart, Sir Thomas Galton, Dr. Reginald Whitmore, Sir Percival Smythe-Daniels, Dr. Michael Emerson, Dr. Deidra Kimberley, Dr. Simon Allerton, Dr. Edward MacPherson, Lord Malcolm Risling, Edmund Reid, Arthur France, Martin Kepelheim, and Duke James.
Sir Thomas Galton and his team had begged leave to continue searching for the duchess in the outer boroughs of the city. Victoria Stuart chose to spend the evening with Adele, Esther Alcorn, and Mary Wilsham, reading the Bible and praying for Elizabeth and Charles.
Now that all available members of the august fellowship had arrived and settled in, the tailor shut the door. Once he’d returned to the table, Kepelheim held up his glass.
“Our esteemed Mr. Baxter has filled our cups with a lively claret. I suggest, therefore, that we all stand with glasses raised to toast to our marquess’s miraculous recovery!”
Everyone stood, but Drummond interrupted Kepelheim before the tailor could pronounce his toast. “If I may, Martin. I’d like to offer the toast.” He turned to face Sinclair. “Charles, when I saw your condition last Sunday night, I feared the worst. Son, we thought you were dead or dying, and it was like losing you all over again,” he said, his dark eyes glistening. “But our compassionate Lord works in mysterious ways. Your life is a testament to that. Once again, he brought you back from the brink of death. Therefore, I am delighted to raise a glass to my resilient nephew, Charles Sinclair, who makes the enemy quake in their collective boots! May you find our girl quickly, and may the Lord bring you both a long and very happy life!”
Sinclair fought against tears and fatigue, but the gesture touched his heart. “Thank you, James. There is no other fellowship which means more to me than this one. Please, everyone, sit. I try to avoid standing too often. I suffer from lack of sleep, but also a touch of dizziness now and then. I’m told it’s normal. I wonder, Martin, would you open us with a prayer?”
The tailor blushed as he took to his feet. “It is my honour to offer a prayer during your first meeting as our leader, Charles. And to be the first to pray in this glorious library since we lost your dear father, well it brings back many pleasant memories. My friends, let us bow our heads, shall we?”
All heads lowered, and the duke gripped Sinclair’s hand tightly. Charles noticed it trembled.
“Lord of all, Creator of the universe, and Sovereign King of everything that has ever been or ever will be, we come to you today as a group of flawed humans. Yet, despite our failings, you see us as finished and perfect, because of your Son’s covering blood. How marvellous—how very wonderful!
“Father, it is our privilege to call you by such an intimate name. It causes me shame when I think of how poorly I behave as your son, yet you patiently continue to teach me. One such lesson has been to watch the lives of Charles, Paul, and Elizabeth. These three young people shine like beacons in our midst! Their love for one another is a reminder of your love for us, and so I ask you to reunite them quickly. Return our beautiful duchess to us, my Lord. Help us to find her, and when she has returned, I ask that you might grant her and her guardians a season of rest. Redwing and their spirit guides have caused us many sleepless nights, yet you know the end from the beginning. We cannot see where the road leads, but you have always known each twist and turn, every hill and valley, even from the foundation of the world.
“Lead our conversation this night and bind us as a family of believers, so that we might form a circle of protection around our trio, whose lives stand at the centre of it all. Charles, Elizabeth, and Paul. It is a mystery to me just how you’ve designed them to so undergird one another, yet it is undeniable. Thank you, for allowing me to be a part of this family. Nothing else in life means more to me. In the name of Christ Jesus, I ask all these things. Amen.”
Sinclair raised his head and immediately walked ‘round the table to embrace Kepelheim, who began to weep on the marquess’s shoulder. “Thank you, Martin. I’m honoured to call you friend, but you are family. My talented Uncle Marty!”
Wiping his eyes, the tailor sniffed. “Oh, my, you called me that when you were a boy. Getting to see you, all grown up and serving Christ, has been a great surprise, Charles. You can ask the duke. Am I not right, Your Grace?”
The duke wiped his own, wet face. “Aye. We all mourned for you, son. Paul as much as anyone. He’d lost his childhood companion, but now you’re closer than ever.”
Charles returned to his chair and eased into the seat, ignoring the pounding at the back of his head. “The Lord had his reasons for allowing me to be separated from my family, and I’m convinced he has reasons for separating me from Elizabeth, though I cannot perceive them yet.
“My friends,” he continued, “I know that you’ve all worked doubly hard this past week to find her, and I pray you’ll forgive me for pulling you away from that important task. As a Scotland Yard superintendent, I’m accustomed to taking charge of investigations; therefore, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that I intend to take charge of this one. A few of you have suggested I remain idle and rest, but that is not an option. I shall only find rest when my wife is returned to me. James, when you gave me your granddaughter’s hand in marriage, I vowed to love her and keep her safe. I’ve failed in this second. I should never have left her inside that strange cottage. I should have made certain she escaped first, not the other way ‘round.”
Most at the table found this comment odd. “Cottage?” asked Diedra Kimberley. “I thought the duchess was taken to a house in Whitechapel. Are we misinformed?”
“She was, but Elizabeth and I spent countless hours—perhaps days—trapped inside a forbidden land inhabited by bird creatures and scuttling shadows. No matter what you might think, it was not a dream. I’ll explain it more thoroughly, Dr. Kimberley, at a later date, but the essence is that we found our way to a refuge, a small cottage, at the centre of a daunting maze. This cottage was to lead us home, but only I escaped. I’d thought Beth would leave with me, but she did not. Wherever my wife’s body is in the physical realm, her mind and spirit may still be trapped inside that cottage.”
“I know this sounds implausible,” the duke told the gathering, “but I believe Charles and Beth were in a real place.” He turned to his nephew. “You did well to escape, Charles, but our girl is resourceful, and we place her welfare into God’s hands. Do you think our Saviour would abandon her now?”
“No, he would not.” Sinclair took a few seconds to focus by forming a mental list. “Very well, down to business. For the purpose of this meeting, let’s deal with facts under our control. To begin, how did Trent abduct Beth from her own bedchamber? I’m sure most of you have already dealt with this, but I need to understand it, so indulge me.”
“Allow me,” Kepelheim said, taking to his feet. “Whilst you were unconscious, Mac and I spent many hours at Queen Anne looking into this puzzle. Do you recall the mirror?”
“Do you refer to the looking glass in Beth’s bedchamber?”
“Yes. Alicia Mallory insisted that Trent took the duchess through that glass. Do you recall that as well?”
“Somewhat. Honestly, some of my memories of Sunday’s events are rather disjointed,” the marquess admitted.
“It’s a common issue after a prolonged period of unconsciousness, Charles,” Michael Emerson observed. “I beg you not to overdo, or you risk your health and your mind.”
“I promise to rest later. Martin, tell me about this mirror. Explain how Trent used it.”
“The mirror is quite unusual,” the tailor answered, “but for those who’ve not seen it, allow me to describe it. Eight feet tall, hinged on a pedestal stand. It is not silver-based, but we’ve not yet discovered what metal is used. It might be mercury or something more exotic. However, the frame is carved Indian rosewood and ebony, and the im
agery is subtle but disturbing. At first glance, it looks like a series of cherubic figures with wings, but using a hand lens, you notice each figure’s face is made up of smaller ones—and all are demonic. Rather like the gargoyles used on French architecture. And there are many birds carved along the edges. At the very top, however, is a raven wearing a crown.”
Charles shut his eyes, suddenly grown dizzy.
“Are you all right?” Aubrey asked.
“Yes. A slight headache. Go on, Martin.”
“The mirror has writing etched along the bevel. It’s in a language unknown even to Mac, but he agrees with me that it is similar to Sumerian, which Halévy and Delitzsch think may be a code of some kind, related to Akkadian. We’ve no idea what the script means, but we’ve written to Dr. Delitzsch in Leipzig, soliciting his opinion.”
Edward MacPherson stood. “Charles, we also believe that the mirror is one of a pair. Probably created or perhaps dedicated at the same time to form two halves of a spirit doorway, entering from one mirror and exiting through the other.”
“Then Trent needed a second mirror to exit at my old house?” Sinclair asked them.
Paul answered for both men. “I’ve already looked for one, Charles. There is no mirror in your house, however, I thought there might be one nearby.”
“At the Empress,” the marquess declared.
Aubrey smiled. “You’re far quicker than I, Charles. I wish I’d thought of that before spending so much time in the ruins of your home. I’d assumed the mirror had to be inside the house, but it only needed to be close enough for Trent to carry Beth to your house without being observed.”
“The Empress Hotel?” asked Kimberley. “What is that? I’ve never heard of it before.”
“Allow me to answer,” Inspector Reid began, standing. “Most of you have never visited Lord Haimsbury’s former house. No. 12, Columbia Road, sits in the middle of a mixed neighbourhood of industry, rail sheds, pubs, and churches, bordering a modest residential block. Opposite No. 12 is a very large house, which originally served as the residence of a brewer named Harold Langley. When he died, the business was sold off along with all his properties. Since then, the house has changed hands a few times, and is currently owned by a French banker, who operates it as an upscale whorehouse under the name Empress Hotel.”
“And you allow this so-called hotel to operate without limits?” Kimberley asked pointedly.
“We keep watch on it, but our ability to police is limited by numbers and the hours in a day, Doctor.”
“Yet, I’ve heard that the police sometime allow crimes to continue whenever it suits them. I imagine men would find these softer crimes appealing.”
“If you imply that we turn a blind eye because it benefits us, Dr. Kimberley, I must object. My men work countless hours to keep the streets safe for all citizens.”
Diedra was unconvinced. “Then you are one of the few honest policemen in London, Inspector Reid.”
“Are you suggesting most are dishonest?”
“I did not say it,” she deflected.
“Yet, you imply it. Doctor, I find that insulting!”
“I imagine you would,” she replied, shrugging.
Sinclair slapped the table angrily. “I will not have this circle descend into pettiness! If I’m to lead it, then you will comport yourselves with dignity, or else leave!” He turned his attention to the physician. “Dr. Kimberley, you have implied that some within the Metropolitan Police willfully ignore crime in search of personal pleasure.”
She started to object, but Charles held up his hands to indicate silence. “I shall offer you opportunity to reply, but allow me to speak for the police. The officers and constables serving in the east are amongst the country’s finest. They’ve suffered a great deal of abuse and slander in recent months, yet each man continues to do his best to protect those same, abusive citizens, though it might cost his life. They earn very little but are expected to do the impossible. In fact, two brave constables named Donovan and Albrecht died last Sunday night, defending the streets from Redwing’s hybrids. There is no finer collection of men on this planet, and I will not permit anyone at this table to suggest otherwise!”
The physician stood, her manner softer. “I hope you’ll forgive me, Lord Haimsbury. You’re right. I was far too quick to judge. Most of what I know of the police comes from newspapers, but that doesn’t excuse me. My opinion derives from a different experience than your own, working with the women who serve in these establishments. For five years, I’ve patched them up following forced abortions; set bones and bandaged wounds, when their clients beat them; and attended funerals, when my medical knowledge fell short of their need. Prostitution is a hideous way for a woman to make a living, yet it is one of the few our city offers.”
Sinclair bowed gracefully. “Then, on behalf of these women, Doctor, I offer my thanks. I can think of no other group in this city who needs more charity, save perhaps their abandoned and orphaned children, who beg for scraps or slave in workhouses. I am no stranger to their plight, Dr. Kimberley, and neither is the earl. He and I may not be women, but I assure you that both my cousin and I would change the world, if it were in our power. However, sin makes that an impossible mission. We must, therefore, endeavour to make a difference in as many lives as possible. Your ministry is one I should like to help. When all this is over, I’d like to speak to you about doing just that.”
The women blinked, surprised by his statements. “Thank you, Lord Haimsbury. I look forward to it.”
Charles turned to the earl. “Paul, if you think this mirror is hidden inside the Empress, then you and I shall return there tomorrow.”
“I suspect Meg Hansen will be loath to admit us,” the earl confessed. “She’s rather upset with me just now, but I did find something else whilst there. Corroboration of the research done by Martin and Edward, but also some new insights.”
“Such as?” Ed MacPherson asked.
“I cannot claim your scholarship, Dr. MacPherson,” the earl replied. “My ancient language skills are limited, compared to your own, but I have it on good authority that Trent used the mirror as a portal to a realm known as sen-sen, a ‘mirror world’ similar our own, that permits the traveller to cross from one point to another without being observed. I’m told he entered the mirror in Beth’s chamber, crossed through this sen-sen realm, and then exited through a second mirror, hidden somewhere inside the Empress.”
“And what is your source?” the clergyman asked. “Have you located a hermetic text that I lack? I’ve never heard of this ‘sen-sen’ world.”
“My source is not a text, but a person. Lorena MacKey.”
At the hated name, the entire table erupted into discordant shouting. Some protested that the earl would even consider speaking to the woman, whilst others insisted on hearing him out. Still others suggested interrogating the deceptive doctor in order to force a confession and learn all of Redwing’s plans.
The Duke of Drummond held up his hands to defend his nephew. “Please, please, everyone! May we have order? It’s true, Lorena MacKey is in league with Redwing, but I trust my nephew’s discernment. If Paul believes her, then so do I.”
“As do I,” Charles agreed. “Paul, when did you speak with her?”
“Yesterday morning. She’d been hiding at the Empress, using a false name. Dr. MacKey shared some of what she knows, but we must question her further. Rather than risk losing track of her again, I brought her back to Westminster. She is, even now, at Queen Anne House.”
“You brought that witch into the duchess’s home?” MacPherson objected. “That is very dangerous, Lord Aubrey! Mr. Kepelheim and I worked assiduously to rid Queen Anne of evil influences, and now you bring the devil through the front door!”
“She is hardly a devil, Mac,” the earl argued. “I’m not saying I trust her completely, but it seems to me that Lorena wishes to
change.”
“Change whom?” the cleric asked. “Herself or you?”
“Herself, of course, and her circumstances. I considered bringing her here directly, but at the time, Charles hadn’t yet roused from his coma. In Beth’s absence, I took the liberty of leaving her with Mr. Miles, but if Charles wants her gone, then I’ll take MacKey to my home. I will not return her to the Empress. She’s in danger there.”
Sinclair knew what worried his cousin. “You think the Round Table will torture her?”
“Frankly, yes, but that’s not the only reason I want to protect her. I do so, because it’s the right thing to do. My friends, I know that we have a duty to keep watch on the bloodlines of all three houses, Branham, Drummond, and now Haimsbury, but does that permit us to lose sight of the great commission? We are called to tell everyone the good news! Some will accept it, others will not, but it is not up to us to choose for them by closing that door!”
Most of the members grew silent, and the earl continued.
“I pray this company does not think me impertinent, for most of you have served our cause longer than I, but I believe Lorena MacKey is as much a victim as Elizabeth is.”
Many at the table found this idea completely unacceptable, but it was Charles who called for calm.
“Please! May we show a modicum of kindness? We all want to find my wife, but do you imagine that my concern is any less than yours? Dear God in heaven! I held Beth in my arms and saw the trust in her eyes. Yet, I’ve seen similar trust in the eyes of those whom we wish to call evil. Perhaps, the world is less black and white than we would like to paint it. Paul, is Lorena still at Queen Anne?”
“She is. I sent her a note yesterday to let her know we’d not meet until this evening. I assume Miles still keeps watch on her. Also, she’s injured, and it’s my fault. I’m afraid, when I first saw her, I allowed anger to determine my actions.”
Michael Emerson stood. “Shall I tend to her injury?”
Realms of Stone Page 19
