Chapter 3 #2
“The surgeon is of the opinion that Sgt Finlay simply hit himself on the rocks while swimming, but I have my doubts. And I can tell you who to question,” he said, as if she had already agreed to investigate.
“First, there is your caretaker butler, Trebellow, who has been sighted in various towns along this coast, away from his station, and possibly up to no good. I would dearly like some insight into the truth of his movements and whether he might have any reason to hit a soldier over the head. There is also Cador, the fisherman who found the body: a taciturn type. Then there are the twin footmen at Castle Lanyon, Kynver and Kade.”
Judith grimaced. “I suppose you think the twins are suspicious just by virtue of being twins.”
“Well, yes, for they are identical,” replied Drumpellier, as if this needed no further explanation. “Like Trebellow and Cador, they are Cornishmen who keep to themselves. They do not trust officers of the Crown and did not take kindly to my questions.”
It was true that Cornish people did not regard themselves as English (despite living in England), coming from Breton stock and having their own language as they did.
“They won’t trust me, either,” Judith pointed out, with another sip of tea.
“Yes, but that shouldn’t matter, should it? You must simply question them and use your Gift to determine whether they are lying.”
Judith knew it was not so simple. “People lie about all sorts of things, all the time.”
He lifted a brow. “Oh, is that so? Is your Gift not always reliable?” He let that land. “If you can discover the truth behind Sgt Finlay’s death, you will prove your Gift and your loyalty. Who knows? I might even offer you a position in the Custos if you show enough acumen.”
Judith stiffened, not wanting anything to do with the power that now held Dacian captive.
Wary of showing her disdain, she took another bite of bread.
But she would be damned if she’d help this impertinent captain.
Though if there had been a foul deed committed at her new castle, she might investigate privately anyway.
Her family were due to visit, and she couldn’t have any villains lurking about.
Drumpellier seemed to sense her hostility, for he tilted his head.
“Lady Avely, let me be clear. You are not in a position to negotiate on this matter. You illegally entered my fort in the dead of night, yet you wish me to listen to your testimony as a Truth Discernor. How do I know I can trust you? You might be a French spy for all I know. You must understand that I will not countenance your interference with the duke’s trial—unless you investigate this death for me. ”
She swallowed the claggy bread and took a sip of bitter tea.
It appeared she wasn’t going to be given a choice.
However, as Drumpellier said, the investigation might prove a simple matter to her Discerning ear.
At the very least, reporting her findings to the captain would give her an excuse to visit Pendennis Fort again and see Dacian.
“Very well,” she said at last. With a belated attempt to assert authority, she added, “I will look into it, on the proviso that you will allow me to present my testimony.”
“We have a deal.” Drumpellier smiled and picked up the schorl, slipping it back into his pocket with an air of satisfaction.
“You will have the help of Miss Onslow at Castle Lanyon: she is a scholar studying the extensive collection of books in the Lanyon library.” Some private warmth glimmered in his eyes, and Judith wondered how well the captain knew this librarian.
“I have already warned her to be on the lookout for anything untoward. There is also your housekeeper, Mrs Ulrich, though she is a rather melancholy type. And Baron Quarles might be visiting again soon; he declares the castle an ideal vantage point for stargazing. He was in residence when the soldier died.”
“It seems the castle is well frequented by visitors.”
“Oh, both Baron Quarles and Miss Onslow are there by standing royal invitation. They have been warned of your imminent occupancy, and if you wish them to leave, they will do so. However, you might very well find that you are glad of the company in that draughty pile.”
“Perhaps.” Judith doubted it; she would have Marigold’s companionship until her children arrived, and more important things to worry about, like how to rescue a duke who couldn’t even remember his own name.
Her own mind was starting to feel woolly at the edges, as the cost of her Gift began to take its toll.
Drumpellier stood, his posture once more resuming a military bearing.
“Once you have eaten, you may sleep in the Custodian guest room. Ltn Greene can escort you to Castle Lanyon this afternoon. There is no point going now, as the tide currently covers the causeway.” He gave a small bow.
“I hope we can be of assistance to each other, Lady Avely.”
“Indeed,” she said dryly.
“One more thing.” He turned at the door.
“The ghost at Castle Lanyon—I confess I am intrigued. It might have something to do with Sgt Finlay’s death.
I suggest you find a discreet way to investigate it, without drawing attention to your interest. The last I heard of it, the ghost had established itself in the cellars, so you would do well to quietly inspect them.
We wouldn’t want anyone to have prior warning and hide the real reason for the rumours. ”
Judith bowed her head in acknowledgment.
She didn’t mention that the cellars were already of great interest to her, as they were intended to be the new residence of a roost of vampiri bats.
These bats were, she hoped, currently on their way to England, escorted by her own children across the Channel, rescued from the isle of Sark.
It sounded like she would have her hands full in making the castle inhabitable. She let her shoulders droop in a show of tiredness which was all too real. “It sounds a fascinating mystery, but for now I will be glad to sleep.”
Drumpellier gave a short nod. “The housekeeper will show you to your room.”
The guest room was small and clean, with the same dark-beamed ceiling and whitewashed walls, and another window looking out to the wide vista of Falmouth Bay. The sky was a soft grey, tinged with pink, and Judith felt another flash of anxiety for Marigold.
As soon as the housekeeper shut the door, she went straight to the window and opened it, calling in a low whisper.
After a long moment, Marigold’s brown creature shape flitted down to the sill and tumbled inside. Resolving into her human form, she vaulted onto the floor and stared up at Judith, twirling the topaz ring around one of her wrists. “Well? Are you under arrest?”
“Not yet.” Judith smiled and took the ring back, slipping it into her pocket. “Thank you, my dear. Did you speak to Wooten? Yvette?”
Marigold shrugged. “Wooten is still trying to explain matters to the duke, who seems to be more than obtuse than usual. Yvette is still lurking about, as far as I know. Perhaps she is trying to seduce another soldier.”
As if to refute this, another bat swooped into the room.
The black arrow twisted into Yvette’s shapely form and landed gracefully on the bedside table.
“I was not seducing a soldier.” Yvette wrapped her silk cloak around herself with a regal air.
“My tastes run in a different direction.” Her eyes slid in Marigold’s direction.
Marigold harrumphed, even as a faint blush suffused her cheeks. “You were shameless, strolling up those steps, undulating your hips like that!”
Yvette smirked. “I’m glad you appreciated it.”
Judith thought it odd that Marigold was suddenly objecting to nakedness, but she turned her attention to Yvette. “We were grateful for your intervention, Miss Belfleur. Did you return to the cell after you left?”
“No, I went to feed from a cow. I haven’t supped in days.”
Marigold snorted, and Judith started at the reminder.
“Marigold, I must feed you now, quickly, before the sun rises!” She scooped her up and carried her to the bed.
Rolling up her sleeve, she offered her wrist. While the vampiri gently sucked on her vein, Judith hurriedly recounted Drumpellier’s blackmailing, and how she must now travel to Castle Lanyon and investigate a soldier’s death.
They also hastily arranged a way of sending messages to and from Pendennis and Castle Lanyon, determining that Wooten could fly halfway to Penrose Hill and meet Marigold with news, two nights from now.
“By then, I hope we will have solved the mystery of the death, or come up with some sort of plan,” said Judith. “And while Wooten flies, perhaps you, Miss Belfleur, could keep watch over the duke.”
Marigold pulled away from the vein to scowl in Yvette’s direction. “I think not. How do we know if we can trust her, after all she did to me?”
Yvette folded her arms over her cloak. “Miss Cultor, would you not lie in Lady Avely’s defence, or even lure someone into a trap if you thought it might assist her?”
Marigold’s scowl deepened.
Judith cleared her throat. “Marigold and I have not been companions for very long. Nothing like the years of your bond, Miss Belfleur.” She did not add that Marigold—to her knowledge—had never stayed with any companion for long, for she was an itinerant sort of bat.
Perhaps Marigold was mistrustful in general and not just towards Miss Belfleur.
Marigold sniffed and wiped her lips, which were now a rosy colour. “Fine. While Wooten is away, you can make yourself useful,” she snapped. “But now the sun is about to rise, so you’d better find a place to shelter.”
“I didn’t know you cared,” said Yvette sweetly, and flapped off before Marigold could respond.