Page 60 of The Remarkable Myth of a Nameless Lady
Reparations will be made, and though it will not bring back what the Prices lost, it may go some way toward healing the rift that tore my family and theirs asunder.He released his mother and kissed her cheek again.
“Will you be well, if I leave you alone?” he asked.
She smiled. “I will, Darling. I have much to think about, and I believe some quiet contemplation would serve me well.”
“I will look in on you when I return from speaking with Owen,” he promised, before turning on his heel and heading out of the study.
On his way out of the house, he picked up a lantern, so he might have some light to see by. Stepping back into the cold night air, he was surprised to find that he felt much calmer. In truth, it was as though a missing piece of himself had been slotted back into place, removing a heavy weight from his shoulders at the same time.
At least, in this present state of greater ease, he would have the right demeanor to speak to his brother. And, perhaps, that would stop their conversation from coming to blows.
Chapter 40
Alicia and Tom arrived at the manor, the horse frothing at the mouth as they finally pulled to a halt in the path beside the kitchen garden. Alicia knew it well; it was the very place where her father had struck her that first time.
Tom jumped down first, before helping Alicia to the ground. She did not refuse his aid. Though she may have been a hardy-mannered individual, her weakly body had always been in conflict with that.
“Wait here and I will find the Captain,” Tom urged, but Alicia shook her head.
“I will not wait while he may be in danger.”
Tom gave a shadow of a smirk. “As you please, Miss Price.”
Together, they ran through the gate and into the kitchen garden, the scent of the herbs wafting through the cold air and enveloping Alicia’s senses. It seemed difficult to believe that Mistress Marigold, who had shown her a maternal, stern sort of kindness, could have been the very person who had sought to kill Jacob. In truth, she did not know what might become of Mistress Marigold and Meghan now, but she pushed the notion away. That was not important now. Only Jacob’s safety was important.
She went first, bursting through the back door to the kitchens. As expected, the room beyond was still abuzz with life, a few of the workers pummeling bread to bake for the morning. A few startled gasps went up, making them stop in their endeavors.
“Alicia? What might you be doing here?” one asked, with a curious stare. “I thought you’d gone from this place?”
“Never mind that,” Alicia replied sharply. “Where is His Grace and where is Lord Owen?”
The young woman shrugged. “How should I know?”
“You haven’t seen them?” Alicia pressed.
“Why would I have done? They don’t come down here too often.”
Another of the bakers raised a floury hand. “Last I saw His Grace, he were down there in the wine cellar with Lord Owen. Next thing I know, they’re coming up the stairs with Mistress Marigold and Meghan, though I don’t rightly know what happened after that.”
“So, no one has seen or heard of where His Grace and his brother might be?” Alicia heaved out a sigh of exasperation.
Tom leaned toward her ear. “Do not fret, Miss Price. We will find the Captain.”
Realizing it was useless to linger here any longer, Alicia pressed on through the kitchens, ignoring the protests of the bakers. Tom followed at her side, the two of them walking quickly until they were in the manor proper. There did not seem to be a single soul around, which smarted of suspicion to Alicia. In her brief time working in this household, there had always beensomeonearound.
They pressed on, until a familiar figure gave Alicia cause to pause. The Duchess of Woodworth was coming toward them, though she did not appear to have seen them yet, given the shadows that stretched from the glow of the flickering sconces. She looked pale, her eyes rimmed with red, as though she had recently been crying.
What have you to cry about?Alicia felt bitterness bristle in her breast.Are you sorry because you were found out?
“Your Grace?” Alicia called out.
The Duchess elicited a startled scream. “Who goes there?”
Alicia stepped into the light, so the Duchess might see her better. Immediately, though it did not seem possible, the Duchess’ face paled further, her mouth falling open in an expression of shock.
“Miss Price,” the Duchess gasped. “Are you real, or are you a ghost, come to haunt me?”
“I am quite real,” Alicia replied. She did not know what had come over the Duchess, to make her speak so strangely. Why would Alicia be a ghost? After all, the Duchess knew perfectly well that she was alive.
