Chapter 14
They arrived at Simla House, just in time to discover Charlotte on her second brandy.
‘What on earth has happened?’ Bella asked, taking her twin aside after eyeing their aunt’s tearful features. The last time she could remember seeing the matron cry was at Nicholas’s leave-taking as he headed off to Australia.
‘There was a young waitress in the tearoom at Cumpers,’ Alex responded.
‘She was clearly distressed, and after we’d finished, Charlotte managed to speak with her alone.
The poor girl was terrified but refused to say why.
I think it’s the feeling of helplessness that’s affected my aunt so, even if she did manage to give the girl a card. Albert’s gone to fetch Papa.’
‘Being in the mulligrubs does not affect my faculties – or my deuced hearing.’ Charlotte’s voice had lost none of its causticness. ‘And don’t call me Aunt.’
Ben sat down. ‘Did you see Thorpe? Do you think it was him the girl was afraid of?’
Alexandra nodded. ‘I think so, and from what I heard from Mrs Wiggins, she had good reason.’
‘Mrs Wiggins?’
‘Me ma,’ Billy interjected. ‘Did she tell you the bloke should ‘ave faced the mornin’ drop a long time ago?’
Alexandra nodded. ‘That and more. I think we can safely say that John Thorpe is an enthusiastic participant in the conspiracy.’
The ringing of the doorbell interrupted their conversation, and seconds later, Henry Shackleford came into the room, followed by Rhys and Beatrix.
By the time both men had been informed of the events at Cumpers Hotel, the rest of Henry’s face almost matched his bruises. But before he could vent his anger, Benedict spoke into the expectant silence. ‘There have been other developments.’
Everyone looked toward him. ‘Tell us,’ Rhys said simply.
It would have taken Ben half the time to recount the events of the day if he hadn’t been so ably assisted by Billy, who obligingly provided a lurid commentary concerning the ten minutes he’d spent hiding in the bush outside Mary Blackthorne’s back door - finally announcing he’d been so scared, it was fortunate he hadn’t yet eaten any of Mrs Williams rhubarb crumble.
‘I think Evelina Lovelace knows more than she’s letting on about the stolen jewellery,’ Ben finally finished, ‘She was clearly terrified when she discovered that Margaret Finch had been murdered…’ He paused, the shook his head, ‘But though I am loath to say it, I think our focus has to be on this meeting tomorrow.’
‘And the elusive Jacob will be present?’ Henry asked. ‘Did you get any idea of the time?’
Ben glanced at Billy. ‘I can’t imagine it will convene before dark,’ he answered after the boy shook his head sadly. ‘I’ve heard of Castel-a-Mare and, in truth, the only reason I can think for using such a place is the ability to get rid of somebody quickly and easily.’
‘Muriel Pemberton,’ announced Rhys grimly.
‘But if we’ve come to that conclusion, so will she,’ Henry countered. ‘You can’t tell me she’s not aware of the fact that she’s fudged everything. From what we know of this Jacob, he won’t have any qualms about silencing her once and for all.’
‘We don’t even know she’s been invited to the meeting,’ Alex added. ‘I think speculating is doing us no good. We simply need to be in place to hear what’s going on.’
‘Castel is a deathtrap,’ Beatrix added. ‘Half of it is falling down.’
‘How do you know that?’ Charlotte asked her sharply.
‘I…I…’
‘Mother told us when we were small,’ Alex interjected smoothly. ‘She went there looking for sparrowhawks. We wanted to go with her, but she claimed it was too dangerous…’ She ignored her sister’s grateful look. Naturally, like most children, they had not taken their mother’s word for it…
‘An’ it’s ‘aunted,’ burst out Billy.
‘Poppycock,’ Charlotte snorted. ‘But even so, I totally agree that the only reason to meet there is the convenience of being able to put old Muriel to bed with a mattock and tuck her in with a spade – with no one the wiser. And for that, they need the cover of darkness.’
‘Which means we’ll need to be there well before sunset,’ Alex asserted.
‘What if Billy’s right and it is haunted?’ Bernice commented with a shudder.
‘If it is, it’s not by ghosts,’ Benedict retorted grimly. ‘I suggest that Rhys and I wait inside the house itself, while Henry and Charlotte hide somewhere out of sight in the garden in the unlikely event that something happens outside.’
‘Should we take pistols?’ the Baron asked.
Ben didn’t answer immediately, his expression torn. ‘I don’t intend for anyone to be put in harm’s way,’ he responded at length. ‘Using guns in the dark is precarious at best.
We are there to observe and, if possible, identify. If we can find out what they intend to do next, so much the better. But I aim to avoid confrontation at all costs.’
To his relief, neither Rhys nor Henry argued.
‘I’ll stay and keep an eye on Flo and Daisy,’ Bernie offered hurriedly.
‘I’ll help,’ Bea added.
‘Where will you want us?’ Arabella asked, glancing over at her twin.
Benedict exhaled. ‘If I’m honest, I’d prefer you all remain here, but I know that’s not going to happen, so perhaps you and Alex will agree to remain with the carriage in the event we need to leave quickly.’
‘What if the people attending the meeting catch sight of it?’ Bella asked.
‘We can’t cover every eventuality,’ Ben responded.
‘I…’ he paused and creased his brow before saying cautiously, ‘Perhaps an initial inspection of the property would be a good idea.’ He looked over at Henry.
‘I believe Castel-a-Mare is situated on Middle Warberry Road. Would you give your permission for Arabella to accompany me on a stroll in that vicinity early this evening?’
‘I’ll accompany them to ensure the correct proprieties are maintained,’ Charlotte offered enthusiastically.
Henry looked at her sharply. ‘That doesn’t mean you disappearing into the grounds of the house to conduct an investigation on your own, Lottie.’
His sister regarded him indignantly. ‘Truly, Henry, I think you mistake me for someone else,’ she protested.
‘The only one who springs to mind is Billy,’ was the succinct reply.
In the event, it was decided that Beatrix would accompany them, although it had to be said that Charlotte was not happy.
‘If they happen upon John Thorpe in their promenade, he knows exactly what you look like, Lottie, and forgive me, but your mannerisms are… unmistakable.’ Henry gave a small shrug as his sister regarded him vexedly. ‘It’s not my fault you are memorable, dearest sister.’
‘The chances are he knows what Benedict looks like too,’ she contested hotly.
‘Perhaps, but they have never been in the same room.’
‘Wot if I go wi’ ‘em?’ Billy offered. ‘e ain’t never seen me.’
‘I’m afraid you are entirely unsuitable as a chaperone…’ Charlotte began before stopping and looking over at Arabella with a frown. ‘How is it that Billy was in the carriage with you and the Chief Inspector?’ she asked, her eyes narrowing. ‘And where was Beatrix…?’
Arabella was ridiculously excited at the thought of actually walking with Benedict – even if it meant Friday faced Beatrix would be accompanying them.
To be fair, Bea was better than Aunt Charlotte, who would no doubt have been listening to every word.
Of course, Bella was well aware that he wasn’t actually stepping out with her, but still, there was nothing to say she couldn’t simply enjoy the male company…
She gave an internal shiver as she remembered the feel of the warm, firm muscles of his arms.
Although under normal circumstances the thought of not changing her attire for such an outing would have horrified her, Charlotte informed her in no uncertain terms that unless they were planning the stroll for midnight, there wasn’t sufficient time for her to return to Cliff House to titivate. Her current attire would have to do.
The same went for Benedict too, of course, and after eating a selection of sandwiches prepared by Mrs Brown, they found themselves back in the carriage, this time with Beatrix for company.
‘I suspect I’ve visited Torquay on more occasions in the last two weeks than I have in my entire life,’ Arabella chuckled as they once more made their way along Paignton sea front.
‘Indeed, even going along the Green more than once in a day is an occasion.’ She shook her head.
‘It actually seems an age since our visit this morning. So much happened after we visited Mary Blackthorne’s residence. ’
Benedict grinned back at her, feeling unaccountably light inside – which was ridiculous given that the entire purpose of the evening’s outing was to plan for their distinctly risky pursuance the following night.
Beatrix sat and worried whether they’d be back in time for supper…
A mere half an hour later, the three of them were walking at an unhurried pace along Middle Warberry Road, marvelling in turn at the resplendent villas with their beautiful gardens and magnificent views over the bay.
‘Do you think it really is haunted?’ Arabella asked curiously.
‘I don’t know about that, but I know the owners of the houses on either side must be sorely vexed at it sitting like a hideous carbuncle between them.
I’ve seen Castel-a-Mare mentioned on more than one occasion in various reports, but I don’t know an awful lot about it apart from the story that a doctor went mad and killed his wife and maid there. ’
‘By all accounts, he was foreign,’ confided Bella.
‘Whatever is the world coming to?’ Benedict gave a mock sigh. ‘Gone are the days when Torquay was a genteel retreat from the world.’
‘You seem to know Torquay quite well for one who has only recently moved to the area,’ Bella commented.
Benedict glanced down at her, his expression inscrutable as though wondering how much to say. ‘My brother and I were brought up in refined poverty,’ he said at length. ‘My father was a professor of Latin at Cambridge University. We lived in accommodation provided with his job.’