Page 44 of A Secret Correspondence
“What should we do?” Ruth whispered, her words rushed. “We cannot force her out of her home, but this isquiteconcerning.”
Oliver took her hand. “Help her in whatever way she allows. We can do nothing more.”
“I despise that answer.”
“As do I,” Samuel muttered.
Marguerite returned and moved toward the counter. She placed two papers on it and opened them, dropping a long ribbon on the first. “I received these a few weeks ago. The first came with this ribbon. I cannot recall where it comes from, but it is quite familiar.” She picked up one end and held it so they could see. “They cut it from something—a bonnet or gown, I assume.”
Ruth leaned over and read the note. “This is only the beginning.”
“This one has been doused with my mother’s perfume,” Marguerite said, her voice sounding more strained. “You may have the entire bottle,” she read.
“And now this,” Oliver finished. “I want the diamonds. If you want your mother’s belongings, we can make a trade.”
“This blackguard has been tormenting you,” Samuel said with disgust. “Playing on your grief.”
“How awful,” Ruth agreed. “Did you inform the constable in Locksley?”
Samuel had found her there only days ago.
“I did not have sufficient cause to do so. The first letter was tucked in my door when I was away. The second was left on my counter when the shop was open, while I was in the parlor witha patron. Neither of those instances, nor the messages, were very threatening.”
A chill ran down the length of Samuel’s spine. Whoever was doing this was being intentional. He didn’t like it, and he had a feeling they did not have all the information yet.
“You think it is Leclair?” Samuel asked.
“I wondered,” Marguerite said quietly, as though she would not condemn the man fully if she whispered. “But he was with us at the ball.”
Oliver let out a heavy breath.
Samuel wanted to ask the obvious question, but he feared seeming presumptuous. He inhaled and did so anyway. “Marguerite, do you have the diamonds they are seeking?”
“No,” she said softly. “It is preposterous.”
“They have the wrong person?”
She did not speak. “They have false information. My mother died in France. Two trunks were meant to meet us here in England, but we only received one. The other held the belongings of my family and never arrived.” Marguerite looked at the doll. “This was packed in it. As was my mother’s perfume, and I am assuming the item this ribbon was attached to. Whoever sent these things wanted to prove they have my trunk. But if my mother packed any of her diamonds outside of her person, they would have found them. They must believe I have them.”
Samuel stared. Did Marguerite realize she had spoken casually of her mother’s diamonds, as though it was commonplace to own something of such value? Or that she mentioned she had not seen her doll in twenty years? The doll was packed in the trunk that left France when she did. He counted back and held his countenance, shoving his surprise clear down to his toes so it would not show on his face. If Marguerite had fled France two decades ago, she had left at the height of the revolution, when the royalists were being hunted and fleeing in droves.Royalists. Who was this woman?
Samuel pushed the thoughts aside, for they mattered little now. He did not wish to consider the horrors she must have endured. It was no wonder she kept to herself and chose a private life.
“What shall we do to keep you safe?” Ruth asked. “Will you come stay with us at Boone Park?”
“I cannot leave my home.” Marguerite smiled lightly in gratitude. “But I thank you for your offer. I have been sleeping with a pistol beside my pillow. I wake easily, and I do not think that will change.”
Samuel shook his head. “That is not enough.”
“What more can we do? I took these two notes to a friend of my father’s and inquired of him, but he cannot see how anyone would know to find me here. It is unexplainable.”
“Yet Mr. Leclair has.” Samuel tapped the third note. “He is not finished, for he has only revealed his intent and no plan for which he would like to make the trade. I expect you have another letter coming.”
“We need more information.” Ruth chewed on her lip. “Should I host a tea? Invite the Faversham party for lawn games and see what we can discover?”
“You are likely to be rained out,” Oliver said.
“It’s too cold for pall mall,” Samuel agreed. “But anything to remove Marguerite from the shop is good, for it provides an opportunity to leave the note while she is not here.”
