[Lord and Lady Calaway 03] - A Murderous Inheritance

by Issy Brooke

  “Indeed. I think I understand. But you must not think any longer about it, because here he is.” Adelia stood up and welcomed Captain Everard as he approached alongside Felicia.

  Adelia had not spoken with Felicia about any of her plans regarding Lady Agnes and Captain Everard. Had it been one of her other daughters, Adelia would have included them from the start. Dido, for example, would have been a perfect companion in these machinations, and Adelia felt a pang that she had a totally different relationship with Felicia. With Felicia, Adelia found herself constantly slipping back into being a stern and firm mother. And she had hoped she’d left all that behind when all seven of her daughters had left home.

  She told herself that she’d kept things private because she didn’t want to burden Felicia with additional things to worry about, but in truth, Adelia was still only partly sure she was doing the right thing. Still, all she was really doing was making an introduction. Both parties were old and experienced enough to take things from there – and the outcome would not be Adelia’s responsibility.

  Captain Everard bowed low. Lady Agnes rose elegantly to her feet and allowed her hand to be briefly taken. Adelia remained standing and let Captain Everard take her seat. As smoothly as she could, she steered Felicia away from the pair. She had no need to remain with them as a chaperone and she had no desire at all to be party to their conversation.

  “See, isn’t this going well?” Adelia said to Felicia as they left Lady Agnes and Captain Everard together. “Do try to relax. It cannot be good for you, always frowning and worrying. I am sure your father would back me up.”

  “Where is papa?”

  “He is probably hiding from all of this in the study.”

  “And why can I not hide? What is he doing up there? Why must he continue to talk about this dreadful – you know. The business with Mr Knight.”

  “You know how he is, dear. He gets a bee in his bonnet, that’s all. And you cannot hide. You know very well that you have duties here. Responsibilities. People expect you to behave in a certain way, and it’s not so bad, is it?”

  “But why must I?” Felicia whinged.

  Adelia’s patience wore very thin. “You must because you married Lord Buckshaw, that is why you must. If you did not want a life of duty as a lady, you ought to have married elsewhere. You had other offers. You could have said no to Lord Buckshaw and told me you wanted a simpler life. You must accept the consequences of what you have chosen for your life.”

  “But mama, that is unfair. I did not know what this all meant! I did not really realise ... I was too young.”

  “You were no younger than anyone else. This is your life. Is it truly so intolerable? What would you rather do? There are ways you might make it easier on yourself. You know how your sister Mary has found a certain meaning to her life.”

  “Mama, I have no desire to run a racing stables.”

  “Then if this is not what you want – what do you want? Because Felicia, I confess, I am running out of ideas about how I might help you. I only want you to be happy. Sometimes you are light and full of fun, and other times you are ...”

  “Other times I am quite, quite mad. I know.”

  “No! Not mad. You are not insane. You feel things, you are sensitive, that is all.”

  “But I feel these things physically, mama. I feel as if insects are running over my body – my vision clouds – a voice roars in my head. I see things that are not there.” Felicia turned to her. “I am scared, mama. Tell papa. I am scared.”

  Adelia wanted to grab her and hug her, and shake her and comfort her, slap her and reassure her, all at once. “Oh my poor dear child. I cannot imagine what you are feeling. I cannot imagine what it is like, and I am so sorry.”

  And strangely, that confession made Felicia smile. “Thank you,” she said.

  Just as Adelia was about to ask her what she was being thanked for, there was a great deal of excited shouting from within the house. Adelia and Felicia were still outside on the terrace and had been screened from the front of the castle so did not know who had just arrived, but from the laughter and booming voices, it was someone who had been long expected and was very welcome.

  Adelia knew instantly that it must be Percy, returned at last from his latest expedition.

  She looked across at Felicia but her face was once again a mask of worry and anxiety. She opened her mouth to prepare her daughter but she had no time. Suddenly, Percy burst out of the double doors onto the terrace, and everyone on the lawns stopped, looked, gasped – and then burst out cheering.

  He was dressed in a slightly crumpled fine woollen suit, ideal for travelling, with a loose linen shirt and a hat that was askew. He had a wide sandy moustache and a firm, jutting clean-shaven chin, and he was grinning broadly, his arms held high as he scanned the assembled crowd and basked for a moment in their adulation.

  “See the conquering hero returns!” he brayed.

  Adelia’s hands twitched. She wanted to stamp over there and slap him.

  Thirteen

  Adelia restrained herself. She smiled politely and let the throng of guests rush forward and surround Percy. He was accompanied by another gentleman-traveller and a bevy of male servants who began to hand out gifts and trinkets that Percy had collected on his latest travels. The noise had brought everyone out of the castle and even Theodore was now on the lawns, joining in the press of bodies around the jubilant explorer.

  Adelia hung back. She noticed Oscar Brodie had been drawn from the gatehouse or whatever bush he had been hiding in and he was staring at Percy with great joy on his face. He was standing on the periphery of the circle around Percy, on his tip-toes, almost dancing as if he wanted to get closer but was too polite to push his way through. Polite, or nervous.

  Theodore had neither politeness nor nervousness. She winced as she watched him elbow a guest out of the way, and Percy spotted him too. He roared something and grabbed Theodore’s hand in a firm shake, not appearing to let go. Oscar had followed Theodore, making use of the path that opened up behind him, and peeked around the side of Theodore. But Percy did not notice him at all. Percy clapped Theodore on the shoulder with his free hand, and spun him around, shouting and laughing about something. Adelia couldn’t hear the words distinctly and she wasn’t paying attention.

  Behind him, the spurned Oscar Brodie looked furious.

  Her view of Oscar was then obscured by the milling and movement of everyone around Percy, following him as he let go of Theodore and continued to greet the rest of the guests. Then Percy spotted Lady Agnes, who was sitting under the tree next to Captain Everard who had got to his feet.

  Where had Felicia gone? Adelia wanted to look around but she kept her attention focused on Percy for the moment. He was now approaching the couple under the tree.

  Captain Everard stepped forward with his hand out and a smile still on his face. He looked relaxed. Lady Agnes was sitting straight up, her hands gripping together on her lap, and her smile kept fading and then reappearing as if she were reminding herself to keep looking friendly. She was obviously not used to having to fake it; she didn’t spend a great deal of time in company.

  Adelia inched closer, but she could not hear what was being said. Percy was now in front of the couple, talking to them, his back to the rest of the assembly.

  People milled around. Percy and his aunt were obscured from view.

  Adelia felt a nudge at her elbow. Felicia was there.

  “Go and greet your husband!” Adelia said. “He must be looking for you.” Indeed, why had Felicia not been the first to rush to him – and why had he not demanded to see his wife first of all? Adelia thought she knew why. In truth, the pair of them needed their heads knocking together.

  “There is too much going on,” Felicia whispered. “Take me inside, mama. I need to lie down.”

  Adelia immediately put her arm around her daughter’s waist in case she was about to faint. She looked around desperately for help, hoping to see Theodore close b
y.

  Percy was upon them all of a sudden. He smiled warmly, and his voice now was low and gentle. He looked at Felicia with genuine love in his eyes, and concern, and true sympathy. He nodded in greeting to Adelia but he kept his attention solely on his wife.

  Adelia could feel the emotions in him. He did care. She softened in her opinion of him, slightly. This was the man she remembered, not the man whose impression had been tarnished in her mind over the past few weeks. “My dear, my dear, dear wife,” he murmured. “Are you well? This must have been a shock. Did you not get my letters?”

  Felicia spoke weakly. “I – did. I received some. It – this is a surprise.”

  “I am sorry for alarming you. May I escort you inside? We do have much to talk about.”

  He was right about that. Adelia began to let go of Felicia so that she could pass her daughter over to her husband. But Felicia fell against Adelia and almost whimpered. “I don’t feel well! Please, let me go and lie down.”

  “Let him take you inside.”

  “Felicia, my dear...” Percy reached out again towards her.

  Felicia gave a cry and broke away from Adelia, stumbling a few steps before turning and saying, with a great effort, “Thank you both for your kindnesses. I shall go and freshen up and prepare the household for your return. It is good to see you, husband.” She nodded her head, formally, painfully correct, and dashed away, her speed picking up as she got closer to the castle.

  Percy watched her until she was out of sight. Then he turned to Adelia with some embarrassment on his face and said, “This is all so overwhelming for her, I’m sure. I am surprised to see all these people here; it’s not like Felicia...”

  “Ah yes. I thought she needed some company and she agreed that an At Home would be fun.”

  “I really haven’t timed my return very well!” he said with a forced laugh. “Oh dear. I am sure she’ll feel better after a little nap or something. Er...” He looked like he wanted to say something privately but they were being approached by all the guests and already a handful of people were within earshot. He shrugged helplessly at Adelia. “I had better take on my responsibilities as host.”

  “Yes,” she replied, unable to stop a note of acid coming into her voice. “It is definitely time for you to take on your responsibilities here.”

  He blinked but could not reply. Theodore was there by now, flanked by a bevy of women who were now very much outstaying their allotted visiting time. Adelia melted away, leaving them all to it. She wandered back towards the house and entered the empty drawing room.

  She wanted to find Felicia but she hesitated. She stood by the open double doors, looking out. A few more guests had left now, and no one new was arriving. There was a sense that Percy ought to be left alone. His gentleman-traveller companion was taking his leave, and the last few guests were making moves to go. There was no more sign of Oscar. Theodore was talking with great animation to Percy. Adelia thought that she probably ought to step back out and take Felicia’s place in bidding farewell to people.

  But she stayed where she was.

  Percy’s arrival had sent ripples through the household. Lady Agnes, Captain Everard, Oscar Brodie, Felicia; all were affected and not all with great joy.

  All? She realised that she had not seen The Countess at all that day; and Lady Katharine had not come out of the gatehouse to greet her own brother. Lady Agnes had been outside so who had been with The Countess that day? Perhaps Lady Katharine stepped in.

  Something was bothering Adelia. In fact, many things were bothering her. She ordered it all in her head, as much as she could, and waited impatiently to be able to speak to Theodore as soon as she was able to.

  THEODORE HAD HEARD the commotion as the retinue that surrounded Percy had first entered the main part of the castle. He had, as Adelia had guessed, been hiding in the study. He had plenty of things to read, and no interest at all in the guests that were arriving and departing. He had made a check on all the coins in the ice house that morning, and none had shown any discolouration at all. There was a faint whiff of sewer gas but it was stronger outside the ice house than within it. He was now engaged upon digging into the history of the Seeley-Wood family, particularly the business records although the great leather-bound ledgers were patchy and incomplete. The Seeley-Woods had held the Earldom of Buckshaw for generations but they had always been involved in business ventures alongside their aristocratic duties, with various companies passing from son to son and cousin to cousin depending on who was inheriting the main title and who was having to make their own living on the periphery. In spite of The Countess’s allergy to the word “trade”, the family had risen in the world precisely because of it.

  When he heard the shouts of jubilation, he left the crumbling papers and books open in disarray on the table and ran out to follow Percy as he headed into the garden. He was pleased to see him. He had never spent much time alone with this particular son-in-law but in company he was hearty and amusing, and Theodore was looking forward to getting to know him even better.

  Everyone seemed delighted to see Percy as he strode around the gardens, greeting strangers and friends alike. Felicia didn’t seem to be able to get close to him. Anyway, Theodore thought, she’d have him all to herself later on; she was being a dutiful wife letting Percy speak to all the guests before they departed.

  Lady Agnes rushed past Theodore as Captain Everard left in the other direction, and she seemed to be in a hurry. Theodore guessed that she was on her way to inform The Countess of her grandson’s return. Brodie had been around but he, too, had gone, probably to let his mother know, in case she hadn’t seen the carriages roll past the gatehouse.

  Then Percy was descending on Theodore and he had to focus his attention on the exuberant, cheerful gentleman who seemed keen to tell everyone all about his latest exploits.

  THERE WAS A LULL IN between the end of the At Home and dinnertime. In fact, dinner had been pushed back an hour later to give the servants time to prepare something even more special than had been planned.

  “It’s Mrs Rush who is organising it all, not Felicia,” Adelia said to Theodore.

  “She knows the kitchens so that makes sense. Why do you look like that? Felicia has never been interested in the domestic side of things,” Theodore said. They were in their rooms. Theodore was lying on the bed, his stocking feet stretched out and propped up on a cushion to ease his weary limbs. Adelia was sitting by the window, looking out at the gathering dusk. An early moth was already battering itself against the window pane.

  “She ought to oversee the welcome-home dinner for her own husband.”

  “Would you do so for me?”

  “I oversee all your meals. This is why you don’t have gout.”

  He wriggled his toes in response. “Well, thank you very much for your care and attention.”

  “It’s not out of the goodness of my heart,” she told him. “You’re simply insufferable when you’re unwell. Did you see how Felicia reacted when her husband came back?”

  “She hung back to let the others greet him first.”

  “Yes, and didn’t you think it was odd?”

  “Not really,” Theodore said.

  Adelia rolled her eyes. “What did you and Percy speak about?”

  “Monkeys, mostly.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Theodore half-closed his eyes. “Yes, monkeys.”

  “Did you talk about anything relevant to – you know, proceedings? I assume he’s had the letters about the death of his house steward. He must have mentioned that!”

  Theodore nodded. “Ah, yes, yes. It was the strangest thing. We were alone at one point, when everyone had gone or was just leaving, and he was standing on the terrace looking out towards the ice house though we couldn’t see it from where we were. And he sighed. I thought he was glad to be home and I said as much.”

  “Is he not glad to be home?”

  “Only in part, I think. He said, rather shockingly, that a part
of him was glad that Hartley Knight was gone.”

  “Gone? Was that the exact word he used?”

  “Yes. Gone. And then he laughed a bit and took it back and said that wasn’t right, just that he’d had a flash of relief when he first heard, that was all, and wasn’t it awful of him? And I said yes, it was. What? Should I have not said that?”

  Adelia was shaking her head but she said, “Well, you were telling the truth, I suppose.”

  “He’s a funny man. I’ve never really had the chance to speak with him before and obviously this isn’t the most ideal of circumstances but he’s all bluster and noise when he’s in company but once you get him alone, he’s ... well, I don’t know how to describe it. He’s like a broken toy. All his energy has quite gone out of him, like the clockwork’s run down.”

  “How sad!”

  “Yes, it is – and he is. He’s not a happy man. I asked why he travelled so much.”

  “What did he say?”

  Theodore frowned. “He said, in a mumble, that it was the only thing he could control. I told him not to be so silly because he was Lord Buckshaw, Earl of all of this estate, and he had ultimate control over huge lands and many people. But then he walked off, without saying another thing. Somewhat abrasive, just like his aunt can be.”

  “She did that to me. I suppose it runs in the family.”

  “It was rude of him.”

  “I agree. I don’t suppose he said anything about Felicia?”

  “Only that he was concerned about her.”

  Adelia got to her feet. It was nearly time to change her dress. She said, “Before he came back, I was quite ready to throw a vase at his head. But the way he spoke to Felicia makes me think that he really does care for her, very deeply. I was rather annoyed that she rebutted him. She wouldn’t even allow him to escort her into the castle again.”