Chapter Thirty-One
Kate had been sitting by Lucinda’s bed for several hours. The doctor had prescribed a heavy sedative to calm the hysteria that had overtaken her the night before and now, after tossing and turning, Lucinda slept peacefully.
Sunlight filtered through a gap in the closed drapes, catching at shadows in the room.
It felt watery and cold and Kate shivered as she sat in the silence.
Several times she thought she saw the Shaman hovering in a corner or standing by Lucinda’s bed.
Kate knew that she was probably delirious from lack of sleep and worry but his ethereal presence carried no fear.
James tiptoed in and out of the room during the night, bringing Kate cups of tea and sandwiches, sitting companionably next to her as Lucinda slept and Kate was grateful that he was there.
She’d stood to smooth the bed covers and tuck a shawl around Lucinda’s shoulder, when a gentle tap came on the bedroom door.
‘Can we come in?’ Hattie whispered as she peeped into the room. ‘Jo’s with me.’
The two women crept in.
‘How is she?’ Jo asked.
‘Fitful,’ Kate said. ‘She’s been restless but is sleeping now.’
‘One of us needs to be here when she wakes.’ Hattie looked at Lucinda, whose hands rested on the counterpane, Sir Henry’s ring gleaming on her finger. ‘She must be told straight away.’
‘I’m happy to stay,’ Kate said.
‘No, you’ve had no sleep.’ Jo touched Kate’s arm. ‘You look drained. Hattie and I will take it in turns.’
‘But you’ve both been up all night too.’
‘We can sort it.’ Hattie looked at Kate. ‘And you have things that need to be done today.’
‘The two of you go, I’m happy to stay with Lucinda,’ Jo said. ‘Please, I insist.’
As Kate and Hattie left the room, Jo sat down on a chair by the bed and closed her eyes. The room was quiet and she felt exhausted. She melted into the cushions and longed to put her feet up to grab a few moments’ sleep. Her eyelids felt heavy and tiredness was taking over.
Her head fell to one side and she began to nod off.
‘I know that he’s dead.’
The voice startled Jo and she jerked her head up. Lucinda’s eyes were open and she stared straight ahead.
Jo sat up and, taking Lucinda’s hand, whispered, ‘It was very peaceful.’
‘Our time together has been snatched away.’
‘But you made lots of happy memories here as you got to know each other,’ Jo said. ‘No one can take them away.’
‘I wanted to be his wife. I’ve never been a wife. I didn’t mind not being a mother but it hurts, not being a wife.’
‘I’m so sorry.’
‘I wasn’t marrying him for his money. I know everyone thought I was a gold-digger but I loved him.’ Lucinda’s voice cracked as she spoke. ‘Money has never worried me. It comes and it goes.’
‘Don’t worry about money, Lucinda,’ Jo spoke softly, ‘we can sort everything out.’
‘I was so happy.’ Tears began to trickle out of the corner of Lucinda’s eyes.
‘And you’ll be happy again.’
Jo reached out and held Lucinda’s hand. She didn’t know what to say or how to make things better. Lucinda was in shock and, as Jo knew only too well, it took time to heal the pain and grief that she was feeling.
‘You’re with friends.’ Jo spoke softly as she watched Lucinda’s eyes begin to close and drift into a restless sleep. ‘Boomerville will always be here for you.’
Hugo lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling. It didn’t seem possible. Only a few hours ago he’d been about to celebrate his brother’s engagement but suddenly his world had been turned upside down.
Henry had always been the stronger of the two brothers, the backbone that Hugo relied on, with the wisdom that had driven their family business to success and allowed Hugo to play about with politics, in a career that he’d never had to work hard for.
His life had been one long party if truth be told; any scrape that he’d found himself in had soon been remedied by his brother and over the years there had been many.
Hugo had never married and enjoyed his bachelor status, leaving Henry to find a wife and produce heirs, which had in turn given Hugo a family life.
He’d had no objection to Henry hooking up with Lucinda, for his brother had been a widower for a long time and Hugo was pleased that Henry was having a bit of fun in his final days.
But what was Hugo going to do now? Life without Henry seemed unimaginable and Hugo wondered how on earth he was going to carry on.
A knock on the door interrupted Hugo’s thoughts and he sat up. ‘Come in,’ he said and wearily swung his legs over the side of the bed.
Andy walked into the room. He was carrying a bottle of whisky and as he closed the door, he glanced at Hugo then moved over to the desk, where he found two glasses and began to pour.
‘I know it’s not yet lunchtime but I thought that you might be in need of a drink,’ Andy said.
‘Thanks, old boy, I appreciate that.’ Hugo took a large swallow.
‘Terrible news, I’m so sorry,’ Andy said.
‘A bit of a shocker.’
‘You’ll have to make a lot of arrangements?’
‘What?’ Hugo looked up. ‘Oh yes, I suppose so. Funeral and all that.’
‘Be heading off soon?’
‘Yes, yes, I hadn’t thought about it.’
‘Given any more thought to the business you mentioned last night?’ Andy wasn’t sure whether Hugo had remembered telling him about the photographs and blackmail demand.
‘What’s that?’ Hugo frowned. ‘Oh, the photographs. Have you had a demand too?’
‘Er, no.’ Andy hid a smile. Hugo clearly thought that Andy had used the website in a similar manner and had no idea who his blackmailer was. ‘Actually, I’ve closed your account down and cleared the laptop so there’s no trace of you anywhere.’
‘Good show.’
Hugo was distant and Andy wondered if Sir Henry’s death had thrown the implications of the blackmail threat onto a backburner.
‘But blackmailers don’t go away.’ Andy topped up their glasses.
‘It doesn’t really matter now.’
Andy was incredulous. Was Hugo saying he wasn’t bothered about the photographs?
Andy began to panic as he knocked back his drink and poured more.
He knew that there was nothing he could do to put the pressure on if Hugo didn’t cough up, for he had no intention of going to the press, who would insist he came clean with his source.
‘You don’t mind the press running a piece on you?’ Andy asked.
‘They’ll never do that.’ Hugo drank more of the whisky and his voice began to slur.
‘I wouldn’t be so sure.’ Andy’s hands were shaking. He had to convince the old fool that the threat was real. His blackmail scam was about to fall apart, leaving him with a big hole in his future income.
‘No, they’ll never do that.’ Hugo lay back on the pillows and closed his eyes, alcohol and tiredness catching up.
‘How can you be so sure?’ Andy fought to control his voice; he wanted to grab Hugo and shake him.
‘Because I shall pay it.’
‘What?’ Andy was staggered.
‘Henry is dead. Everything comes to me and I sign the cheques now.’ Hugo breathed heavily.
‘Henry’s son will get a lump sum and continue to receive a damn good income from the business, as he runs it, but he’ll have to wait ’till I croak before he gets everything.
It’s a clause Henry and I agreed in both our wills.
’ Hugo’s voice trailed off. He slumped further down the bed and with a final sigh, soon began to snore.
Andy stared at the man on the bed.
Hugo had fallen into a deep sleep and wouldn’t be roused for hours.
Andy grabbed the whisky and as he poured himself another drink, he began to laugh.
It was unbelievable! Far easier than he’d ever imagined!
This was only a down payment on a scam that could run and run.
Andy could hardly believe his luck. Thank God Sir Henry had died.
Hugo had plenty of life in him and would have total control of the family finances. This could keep Andy going for years!
It was time to start packing his bags.
Money from Kate was already flowing through his web of untraceable offshore accounts and he’d spent the night moving funds around.
But any day now she would notice. He knew that Kate had been acting as a nursemaid for Lucinda but the old bat would wake up soon and Kate, wanting to return the ring, would come looking for him.
He supposed he would need to placate her, feign shock and hurt and all that.
He didn’t give a stuff if she kept the ring; it was small change for the amount he was taking.
But if she thought he was upset, it would justify his leaving and play right into his hands, giving him time to make his escape.
Andy studied his watch. Perhaps Kate was free now? He picked up the almost empty bottle and raced from the room. He’d smarten himself up, then go and find her. The sooner he made his getaway the better!
* * *
Kate sat in the lounge. There was no one about.
Most of the guests, upset by the death of Sir Henry, had gone out for a walk or retired to their rooms. She smoothed her skirt over her knees and ran her fingers through her hair.
She knew that she looked tired and dishevelled but in the cold light of morning, it was the least of her concerns.
The sooner she confronted Andy, the better.
She’d spoken to him on the phone a few moments ago and asked if he’d meet her downstairs.
Kate had discussed with Hattie how to break things off and give back the ring and they’d decided that it was best done in a public place, where there was no chance that he might become angry and hurt her.
Kate drummed her fingers on the arm of her chair and tried not to think about the way things had turned out.
For tomorrow, she intended to go back to the schoolhouse.
Back to her lonely life, with no man by her side to keep her company in her autumn years.
She’d bitten the forbidden apple and tasted the glorious flavour of romance, but in a few short weeks it had all gone horribly sour and left a foul and bitter taste in her mouth.