The Heiresses

by Allison Rushby

  Ro nodded, concerned now. The very thing she wanted to do was press Dr. Hollingsworth to remember a certain event.

  “Dr. Hollingsworth!” The woman spoke loudly. “Your niece is here to see you! Isn’t that a lovely surprise?” Dr. Hollingsworth looked up at both of them rather blankly, which worried Ro slightly. Perhaps he would remember nothing at all?

  “I’ll just move you over here, so your niece can sit down and you can have a wonderful chat together.” The woman adeptly maneuvered Dr. Hollingsworth’s wheelchair over to one of the spare wooden benches, gestured for Ro to sit down, and then started back toward her office once more.

  “Thank you,” Ro said, meekly sitting. Ro was half glad she was gone, half terrified of what she must do next. But this was the only way to discover the entire truth about the girls’ shared pasts and to find Clio’s true father—to track down the people who had been present at the time. This did not mean they would be able to trust everything told to them, but surely it would help to piece together the events of their birth as they happened?

  She turned to Dr. Hollingsworth. In front of her she saw a shell of a man, wizened and, seemingly, shrunken—as if he had once been rather portly, but was now incapable of maintaining his former size.

  “Who are you?” Dr. Hollingsworth leaned forward slightly in his chair to inspect her.

  Ro panicked. “Your niece! You don’t recall me at all?”

  “No.” He sat back in his chair once more, frowning. “Jemima or Amabel?”

  “Amabel,” Ro said, firmly. “Don’t you remember me?”

  Dr. Hollingsworth leaned forward once more. “You’re much less fat.”

  “So are you!” Ro responded gamely, thinking again of Thalia. And perhaps this was the right answer, because Dr. Hollingsworth suddenly roared with laughter, making her jump.

  “Quite right, quite right.”

  With this display of humanity, Ro balked a little, worrying about taking advantage of an old man. However, she knew the man in front of her might be old and confused, but he had once been in charge of all his faculties and his actions had most likely led to the premature death of her mother. With this thought, Ro found the courage to press on.

  “I wanted to visit you today to ask you about something,” she began.

  “And what’s that?”

  “I met someone the other day … a girl … she is one of triplets.”

  “Oh, yes. Delivered many a set of twins in my time, you know.”

  “I know.” Ro nodded, encouragingly. “But she is one of triplets. Have you ever delivered any triplets?”

  There was a pause where, Ro thought, Dr. Hollingsworth’s eyes lit up slightly, then his face darkened. “No, don’t think so,” he barked. “Only twins.”

  Ro bit her bottom lip and thought hard for a moment, unsure of how to approach this. But Dr. Hollingsworth seemed calm, so she decided to push a little harder. Perhaps if she muddled things up herself? “Oh, really? Because this girl told me you delivered her. And her two sisters.”

  “Three girls?” Dr. Hollingsworth frowned deeply now.

  “Yes,” Ro added, hurriedly. “Their father’s name was William.” She paused as a nurse walked by with her charge. “Apparently he sent all three of them off to relatives after birth, but now they have returned to the city.”

  “What?” Dr. Hollingsworth spluttered. “He told? William? After all these years?”

  “Well, yes,” Ro said slowly, sensing that Dr. Hollingsworth knew much about this matter that she did not.

  “He’s admitted it all? Even about the third one?”

  Ro held her breath for a moment, hoping he would reveal more. “Yes…”

  Dr. Hollingsworth frowned deeply. “Well. That’s an odd turn of events, I must say. I wonder why he would do that? And there is no legal bother?”

  “I don’t think so,” Ro replied, still ruminating on his comment about Clio, the “third one.”

  Silence fell over the pair. In it, Ro tried very hard to plan her next move correctly. “What I really wanted to find out for her was who was at the birth. Was it just you?” She finally tried.

  “No, no. There was William himself, of course. And some silly woman.” Dr. Hollingsworth picked intermittently at his blanket.

  “Hestia?” Ro tried. “The mother’s sister?”

  “Yes, that’s it. Annoying, that one.”

  “And a midwife?”

  “Yes, I remember that now. Had never met her before. Seemed quite competent, though. Would have used her again, but William sent her off somewhere, of course, because of all the bother.”

  Ro’s face hardened on hearing her mother’s death called a bother. “Was there anyone else?”

  Dr. Hollingsworth shrugged.

  “A maid?”

  Another shrug. “Why would I take any notice of a maid?”

  Ro shook her head slightly, it seemed there was no new information to be found here. She wondered why she had even bothered to come. Though she knew it was because she did not yet fully trust her aunt and neither did her sisters. She had noted how subdued Clio was after returning from her talk with Hestia the previous day and had guessed that they had spoken about more than simply her mother’s health. Thalia, of course, trusted no one. Ro doubted much had ever changed on that account and, most likely, never would.

  “Oh, I remember something else now.” Dr. Hollingsworth laughed. “William’s mistress. She was there. There was a bit of fun and games that day with her!”

  Ro’s eyes homed back in on the man in front of her now. “What do you mean?” she asked, reminding herself to breathe. To keep calm.

  “Just like I said. William’s mistress was there. And she wasn’t happy, was she? Can’t blame her, myself.”

  “Who was that? What was her name? Why was she there?” Ro found she couldn’t help herself now—the questions tumbled, unbidden, from her lips. William’s mistress was there? He must mean Charles’s mother was there. Mustn’t he? But how odd.

  “You ask too many questions. What do you care about it, anyway?” Dr. Hollingsworth suddenly grumbled. The picking at his blanket increased.

  “I’m sorry,” Ro tried. “It’s just that this girl … she was very eager to know.”

  “Well, maybe she should ask her father then.”

  “Maybe, but…” Obviously, Dr. Hollingsworth had not heard of William’s death.

  “Didn’t your mother tell you not to argue, girl?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “Nurse! Nurse!!” Dr. Hollingsworth started to try to raise himself from his wheelchair now. Instantly, Ro stood up, ready to flee, again thinking of Thalia. What would Thalia do? Run? Stay?

  In the end, Ro decided to stay. And in the few seconds the pair had alone together before a nurse joined them, Ro found herself doing something Thalia-ish indeed. With one hand on one of his shoulders, she pressed Dr. Hollingsworth back into his chair. Hard. And then she leaned over and whispered close to his ear. “I’ll never forgive you for what you did to my mother, turning that more experienced doctor away. You were a terrible doctor and you are an evil man.”

  Dr. Hollingsworth moved to stare up at her with terrified eyes, realizing he had been tricked. “Nurse!!!” he cried out again.

  When the nurse reached him, Ro spoke first. “I’m so sorry, I haven’t seen him for some time and it’s confused him—trying to remember who I am, I mean. That happens to the brain, you see, when you drink in the vile way that he did. Good day.”

  And with that, Ro fled, not bothering to sign herself out.

  * * *

  “Look what I’ve got!” Thalia crowed, as Ro burst in to the drawing room.

  “What have you got now?” Ro asked, when she had caught her breath. She bent down to pat an excited Haggis McTavish on the head. “Another dog? A flamingo, perhaps?”

  Thalia brandished a policeman’s truncheon in front of her. “Do you like it? I think it will come in rather handy where Charles is concerned.” She
knew Ro would make an almighty fuss and was daring her to go ahead and make it. “I stole it!” she added triumphantly, as Clio looked on from an armchair, as was her usual way.

  “What? You stole it? Why would you do that?” Ro asked.

  “Why not? I was out with Venetia and a few others this morning and we were frightfully bored. Someone dared someone else to do something or other and before I knew it, I was up for a policeman’s truncheon!”

  Ro snorted inelegantly. “And if they had dared you to jump off Tower Bridge, would you have done that, too?”

  Thalia laughed. “Maybe.” She lifted her chin. “I’m a half-decent swimmer, I’ll have you know. Mind you, jumping into the Thames might have been a very good idea at the time. Then I wouldn’t have found myself in the magistrate’s court, would I?”

  “What?” Ro said, louder this time.

  “Oh, don’t fuss.” Thalia waved a hand. “It was nothing. We all gave false names and addresses, of course. But what do you think I gave my name as?” She stared Ro straight in the eye now, her heart beating wildly in her chest with the admission. If Ro was cross now, she would be positively furious when she heard this.

  “I can’t imagine, but I’m sure you’re about to tell me.” Ro’s jaw was firmly set.

  “Thalia Craven-Towneley!” Thalia replied, smiling wickedly. “And do you know there were two women there who noticed? I was quite surprised!” As Clio gasped and Ro visibly blanched, Thalia tried desperately to look as if she hadn’t a care in the world. Quite the opposite, she had been shocked when someone recognized the name (which they had and had even whispered about it, with backward glances at Thalia).

  She knew full well her actions had been unwise, especially since her private secret meeting with Charles, when he had specifically given her money to return to the country for a month with Ro and Clio. When she had informed Charles of their mutual “decision” to try living together in the country, he had seemed dubious at best.

  “And where will you go?” he’d asked, as he drew up a check.

  Thalia had had to think on the spot. “Shropshire,” she said, only having the vaguest notion where Shropshire actually was.

  “Why Shropshire?” He’d frowned.

  “Why not? Clio’s choice,” she’d added, then leaned forward, closer to his desk, conspiratorially. “She’s a little odd.” Finally, he had passed her over the much longed-for check, which she had immediately eyed. “So you only want us to go for a month?” She had stared at it rather distastefully. “What a shame! We were hoping for at least three months.”

  In the end, after some more coaxing, Charles had doubled the original amount.

  He’d also made it quite clear that the name Craven-Towneley was off-limits. “And you won’t use the family name?” he’d double-checked, as Thalia had begun to make her way off the premises.

  “Why would I want to use it, with a father like ours?” She had carefully kept her options open. Though, at the time, she could see no reason why she would need to.

  And, now, here she was, still in the city, using the family name, and having gone through most of Charles’s money, which was where the motorcar, their new clothes, and Haggis McTavish had all come from, of course. If the news were to somehow get back to Charles that she was flitting about London and being arrested under the name Thalia Craven-Towneley, her chances of any more money would certainly be slim. Perhaps even her sisters’ chances, too. She had no excuse for using the name, not really. It was only that she was so awfully bored. And this whole Charles thing was going nowhere. This might speed things up a little. In what way, she had no idea, but at least it provided some excitement.

  Looking at her sisters now, Thalia had to admit from time to time she did feel just the tiniest bit guilty about having taken the money from Charles without telling either of them. It was just that they did keep going on and on so about this united front and doing things together. The pair of them was so awfully unsuspecting. She was not used to it. Any treachery would have been uncovered at Lintern Park in under five minutes flat. However, the fact of the matter was that she simply needed the money more than Clio or Ro did. Clio would be fine with Hestia. And Ro had her Uncle Henry.

  “Thalia!” Ro yelled at her now. “Why would you do that? I’ve been spending all my time running around the city, trying to find a way through this genetic muddle, trying to sort everything out, and you go and steal a policeman’s truncheon and then use the name Craven-Towneley?” Her eyes moved to the offending item.

  Thalia glanced down at it. “It wasn’t this one. I had to return the one I stole, of course, but I was so heartbroken that Venetia’s brother, Edwin, stole another one for me. He’s such a darling. And I am a tiny bit sorry I used the name. I honestly didn’t think anyone would recognize it.”

  “Well, they did.” Ro sighed. “And you’re not sorry. I just don’t know what to say to you, I really don’t.” She shook her head, staring at the floor for a moment or two before she recovered. “Look, do either of you even want to know what I found out today?” Ro took the few steps over to flop into one of the armchairs, looking altogether exhausted.

  “Oh, yes, sorry. Do tell us!” Clio entreated.

  Ro mustered the energy to tell them of her visit. She lingered over Dr. Hollingsworth’s cryptic comments concerning the “third one,” how William must have “told” about something, and the mistress. Ro continued with her tale, finishing off by saying, “I don’t think Dr. Hollingsworth was confused—about the mistress being there, I mean. He seemed quite insistent. He even thought it was amusing, which tells you the kind of man he once was. I just can’t understand why she would have been there. Don’t you think that’s rather odd?”

  “Extremely odd,” Thalia said as she frowned, and Clio nodded in agreement. “What a strange event to want to be a spectator at. Especially if he’s talking about Charles’s mother, which I’m guessing he must be, because she would have conceived Charles by then, surely. What a thing for her to be party to!”

  Ro nodded. “You’re right about those dates. I have to say it’s all rather confusing and I think there’s still a lot more to it than we’re being told. However, I think it’s becoming quite clear that William did know Clio has a different father. I hope Hestia isn’t concealing anything else from us.”

  “Why do you say that? What do you think she might be concealing?” Clio asked quickly, making both Thalia and Ro turn to look at her. “I mean, what sort of thing might she be holding back?”

  “I don’t know,” Ro said, giving Clio a funny look. “Your guess is as good as mine. Perhaps something about the mistress? I don’t know. I’m just hoping that she comes up with those addresses for me soon. I’m dying to get to the bottom of this and—”

  The doorbell rang, halting Ro’s thought and making Thalia’s eyes light up. “I hope that’s who I think it is! What perfect timing!” She didn’t wait for the maid to answer the door, but ran eagerly to answer it herself, Haggis McTavish barking at her heels, sensing excitement in the air.

  Ro and Clio glanced at each other. If Thalia was expecting someone, and was happy to see them when they arrived, surely it could only be because she was up to more mischief.

  In the hall, there was a lot of hustling and bustling, voices, and then, finally, Thalia once more, returning with two large packages. So, it was not someone, but something she had been expecting. “They’ve arrived!” she sang out.

  “What’s arrived?” Ro sounded very dubious indeed.

  “Our costumes, of course!” Thalia replied.

  * * *

  In the doorway to the drawing room, Thalia looked altogether pleased with herself. “There’s a party this evening. A big one. In the country. And you’re both coming with me.”

  “In the country?” Ro and Clio spoke at the same time.

  “That’s right. It’s a ‘Knights and Damsels’ party. In a castle tower. Or the remains of one, I think. I ordered us costumes. And a driver, because I doubt very much
I’ll feel like driving back.”

  “I…,” Clio started.

  “No arguing!” Thalia looked from one of them to the other. “It will be good for you both. You don’t want to turn old and dull before your time, do you? Oh, wait…” Her glance told them they were both already there, in her mind.

  “How amusing,” Ro said. But, within a few minutes, it was settled. Thalia had expertly bullied both girls into attending. Just as she was beginning to bully them into trying on their costumes immediately, the doorbell rang once more.

  “Maybe they forgot something?” Thalia ran back out to check who it was. However, this time, when she returned, it wasn’t with yet another package, but with something else besides.

  “Uncle Henry!” Ro gasped, standing from her seat as soon as she spied him standing beside Thalia. “What are you doing here?”

  Uncle Henry took a moment to gather his thoughts. “Well, the thing is, Ro, I have some news for you.”

  * * *

  Seeing that the pair needed some time alone, Thalia and Clio retired upstairs, Thalia saying they would try on their costumes in Ro’s absence and Clio not looking altogether like a willing participant in this exercise.

  Ro remembered herself after the other two girls had left the room. “Uncle Henry!” She smiled, going over to give her uncle a kiss on the cheek. “What a lovely surprise! Do sit down!” she entreated him. “Should I call for some tea?”

  “No, no.” He waved his hands. “Too much fuss. I’m afraid I can’t stay long. I have a little … business to attend to in the city, you see.”

  “Oh,” Ro said. As she looked at her uncle she sensed that everything wasn’t quite right. “You said you had some news?”

  “Ah, yes. Yes.” Uncle Henry coughed nervously.

  “Which is?” Ro lowered herself into the armchair opposite him, beginning to think that everything was far from right. Uncle Henry wasn’t normally a man to beat about the bush.

  In front of her, Uncle Henry opened his mouth, then closed it again. “Uncle Henry?” Ro sat forward on her seat now, truly worried. “What’s wrong?”