Chapter Two #2
“Well, this is very shocking indeed!” Lady Violet Kinglsey exclaimed later that day, her large blue eyes wide with obvious amazement as she stared at Clara over her teacup.
The two firm friends were sitting together on a settee, sharing afternoon tea, in the cosy small parlour at the nearby Kingsley town-house.
Friends since childhood, this snug harbour was where the two girls regularly met to share their confidences, their hopes and dreams. Therefore, it was natural that Clara, finding herself desperately in need of support and guidance concerning her new discovery, would immediately hurry to seek Violet’s company.
“I am sorry for burdening you in this way, Violet, but I do not know what to think. As you know, I have been aware of some mystery surrounding the actual cause of my parents’ carriage accident.
But carriages and such have accidents all the time, do they not?
According to the reports at the time, they were on a country road a few miles out of town when another vehicle collided with them.
Their carriage was pushed off the road and crashed down a steep incline, rolling over several times. ”
Tears were pressing at the back of her eyes as she spoke. She swallowed to keep them back before adding in a small voice, “That was when they . . .” She trailed off, unable to voice the horrible words.
Violet looked at her with sympathy. She put down her teacup then reached over and clasped Clara’s hand.
Clara squeezed hers in return, finding comfort in the supportive gesture.
“Do not torture yourself by speaking of it, my dear,” Violet said gently.
“I know that the pain of your terrible loss is still raw.”
“That is why all this has been such terrible shock, Vi,” Clara explained.
“The letter forces me to question the truth of what happened back then. For the first time, I must ask myself if my parents met their deaths as the result of a genuine accident or if it was something more sinister. I now have to consider the possibility that the “accident” was not an accident at all but was, in fact, deliberately engineered by the Duke of Sirenwood as part of a plan to silence my father.”
“That is indeed a shocking notion,” Violet observed, pressing Clara’s hand in both of hers, “and I can see you are deeply troubled by it. I wish I could do more to comfort you.”
“You can comfort me by giving me your advice as to what I should do with this information.”
“I confess, I do not know what to tell you in that regard, my dear,” Violet replied, her expression full of worry as she gazed at her friend.
But I would point out the impossibility of finding out anymore.
Unless you are prepared to take the letter to the authorities and ask them to investigate the Duke, you may have to accept you can do nothing more. ”
“I had thought the same myself, of course. I do not think the authorities will be interested in doing anything about it. A duke is too rich and powerful to be challenged without any concrete proof of a crime. Nevertheless, if he did have something to do with the accident, then I find it hard to stomach the idea of him getting away with it with his reputation intact. If he was responsible, then should his crime not be exposed to society? He should be seen as what he truly is, a villain,” Clara replied, her passion surprising even herself.
“I agree wholeheartedly, and I do not wish to disappoint you, Clara, and I am glad to hear that you realise no one will believe him guilty without proof. But due to his status, that may be nigh on impossible to find,” Violet warned her softly, finally releasing her friend’s hands to top up their teacups.
“I am well aware of that. Thank you,” Clara said, frowning as she accepted the fresh beverage.
“But if he is guilty, and I do nothing about it, then that would mean Sirenwood has gotten away without punishment after murdering my parents. You will understand, Vi, when I say I find that idea abominable. It does not matter how powerful he is, murder is murder. If the Duke is guilty, and I can prove it, duke or not, I should like him to face justice.” She sipped at her tea, trying to tamp down the anger burning within her and remain calm.
“Naturally, I understand, and I agree with you. However, I admit I have doubts that such a thing is really feasible,” Violet told her. “Dukes are practically royalty. Besides, how would you even go about finding proof of his guilt?”
Clara sighed. “I do not know, but my father’s letter mentions the threats the Duke made towards him and that he feared for his life as a consequence.
That is a starting point. Plus, my uncle knows the background of the business dispute that was the cause of their falling out, which adds context and shows the Duke had a motive for committing murder.
” She paused to drink some tea, noticing how Violet was listening attentively.
“But other than that, I admit I have no clue how to go about things. If any evidence still exists, perhaps in the form of correspondence, then I assume it would be kept at the Sirenwood estate.”
“If such evidence survives—and it is a big if—then that is certainly a possibility. But sadly, it is one of several, for the family owns many residences, both within the county and elsewhere,” Violet pointed out.
“I am sure I can find out their preferred residence without too much trouble. But even better, if I could find a pretext for visiting the Sirenwood Estate itself, I may be able to find something out.”
“You are suggesting you go there yourself and conduct some sort of covert investigation? I am sorry, Clara, but that is most assuredly inadmissible.”
Clara was taken aback by her friend’s vehemence.
“But why? What is my alternative? If the Duke of Sirenwood had something to do with my parents’ deaths, I have a bounden duty, not to say a burning need, to at least try to find proof of it and get justice for them.
I must find a way to penetrate the family homes and search for it. ”
“Absolutely not, Clara! That would be very foolish indeed, and it could even be dangerous!” Violet burst out, her smooth brow creased with worry. “For all we know, the Duke may be as ruthless and violent as your father’s letter suggests.”
“That may be so, but I have to know the truth, Vi, or I shall never be able to sleep again,” Clara replied, her resolve starting to harden. “I owe it to my parents and myself.”
“Clara, please, listen to me,” Violet said pleadingly.
The St. Clairs are a very powerful and influential family.
They would stop at nothing to protect their reputation, including ruining yours.
I beg you, do not try to interact with them yourself.
If you must try to find the answers you seek, then hire a professional investigator, someone experienced in carrying out such enquiries discreetly. ”
Clara stared at her friend in surprise. “I do not understand why you object so strongly.”
“Oh, dear,” Violet murmured, rubbing her temples in obvious dismay before looking Clara frankly in the eye. “I did not think I would have to be telling you this, Clara, but I urge you to take me seriously on this matter. I go out into society more regularly than you do. I hear gossip.”
“Gossip? What are you saying? That there is gossip about the St. Clairs?” Clara asked, hope springing up in her heart.
“Not about the whole family, but about the Duke himself. His Grace, Marcus St. Clair,” Violet explained. “Do you not recall hearing about the scandal that engulfed him and his family two years ago?”
Clara searched her mind but came up with nothing. “No. I have either forgotten it or I have never heard of it.”
“Oh, you lead such a sheltered life!”
“That is true. I prefer books to balls and I am also uninterested in gossip. So, are you going to tell me about this scandal?” Clara retorted, alive with curiosity, for she could not help wondering if Violet’s answer might not suggest an opportunity for putting her proposed investigation into motion.
“It concerned the death of his brother, the former duke, in a tragic horse-riding accident two years ago. Apparently, Marcus St. Clair was alone with his brother when he died. There were no witnesses to support his claim that his brother’s horse bolted, and he fell to his death.
It did not take long for rumours to surface. ”
“What sort of rumours?” Clara asked, a tremor dancing across her skin, for she thought she knew what Violet was about to say.
“That Marcus St. Clair had something to do with his brother’s death, that he wanted to get rid of him so he could become the duke.”