Page 56 of A Devilish Element
Eliza swapped seats, allowing her the comfort of the chair closest to the blaze, recalling her complaints about the cold on her first evening here. It hardly seemed possible that was only the day before yesterday. So much had happened, it seemed as if she’d been at Cedarton for days upon days between ghosts and fires and intrigue, and of course, her delight at finding Jem here. Thinking of what they’d done in Bell’s laboratory and the secret corridor brought a smile to her face that she tried to hide with her hand. George, nevertheless, caught it, and clearly thought her to be smiling at his telling off, judging by his scowl.
There was no opportunity to correct him, for Henrietta made a frantic shooing motion with her hand and set her son on his way with a command of, “Go, George. I’m entirely too horrified by what you have done to look at you.”
Jane waited until the tea was poured and George had vanished into the depths of the library before mouthing, “Heavens, whatever has he done?”
Eliza leaned in, equally eager to hear the answer but dubious whether they would hear the truth. After what she’d witnessed between Linfield and George, it seemed to her there were matters afoot that Henrietta might not wish to impart. That was assuming her son’s sly behaviour and her current vexation were related.
“It’s really nothing to be concerned over.” Henrietta smoothed her brow with her fingertips. “Sons are always so taxing. You might recall I warned you of that when you have your own.” She forced a smile. “But let’s forget George for the time being. How are you, Jane, dear? After so many shocks, I’m astonished to see you risen. And shall we pour this tea?”
Jane at once set about pouring. “No good ever came from idling. I did not wish to remain bed-bound unnecessarily.”
“Hardly unnecessarily. Jane, dear, we’ve all been terribly worried about you. Such shocking turns of events, and you’re so dreadfully pale. Are you sure you wouldn’t be better from further rest?”
How swiftly she diverted the subject away from George. It made Eliza even more curious to learn what he’d done, and whether it was related to any of the current mysteries at Cedarton.
“Her pallor is likely down to the lack of daylight. This whole house is steeped in gloom. It will be a relief when this fog clears, and we can all venture outdoors and enjoy the gardens. I for one am looking forward to a trekking up onto the surrounding moors.”
Eliza’s statement was met with a look of absolute horror. Henrietta, she concluded, was the sort who took a conveyance even to cross a square in order to visit a neighbour and would be horrified to learn that Eliza regularly wore out her soles by hiking miles across the open countryside.
“I did so desire your company too,” Jane added, handing Henrietta a cup. “There are things I wanted to ask you, woman to woman, for I find myself sadly uninformed about certain matters, and that doesn’t seem at all proper. I thought you might be able to shed some light on them.”
“Oh, my girl! You poor, uneducated blossom.” She clasped a soft hand to her ample bosom. “Of course, I will aid you in whatever manner you desire.” She shot a glance at Eliza. “But perhaps such talk is best conducted purely between ourselves.” She continued to turn her head to look between Eliza and Jane and muttered something about married women.
Eliza choked back a laugh, that she turned into a cough. “Crumbs,” she explained. “Caught in my throat.” She lifted her tea, and took a gulp, before taking the cup and saucer with her over to the window bay. Outside, the fog remained thick and isolating. Never mind trekking the moors, as soon as it cleared, she intended to head into the village and seek out the maid who’d been scared off.
“I didn’t mean…” Jane began.
“Oh, it’s quite all right.” Henrietta patted the back of her hand. “You are still newlywed. What is it that…”
“Actually, you and George were the first to reach me after my shock the other night. I wondered what you saw.”
“Saw? Why not a thing, I assure you. You fell into a faint in George’s arms, or rather I should say he caught you. Likely he saved you a nasty bump. I guess the great lummox has his qualities. I’ll not let it be said that I didn’t bring him up to be a proper gentleman. We heard you cry, dear. We’d been in my room talking, and he rose in a trice, ran straight out to you, and a good thing too. I followed; I’ll admit rather more timidly. Then, everyone else arrived hardly a moment later. I didn’t see a thing, I’m afraid.”
“Not a shadow? Something out of place?”
Henrietta decisively shook her head, then sipped her tea.
“I’m sorry that you rose from your bed simply to ask me that.”
“No, no, It’s fine. There are some other things too.”
“I’m afraid I can tell you nothing of the fire. I was near last to arrive. I suppose the girl’s been dismissed. Silly creature. Awfully clumsy. The result could have been dire.”
“I didn’t mean that, and if it was just a clumsy accident, then I think we might extend her a second chance and be glad if she stayed on.” Jane raised her head to seek Eliza’s backup. “We’re too many for the few servants here as is without dismissing them and causing discord. No, what I want to ask you about is why we’re here at Cedarton?”
“Why we’re…” Henrietta’s mouth closed tight, while her hand jiggled, causing tea to fill the saucer. For a moment, Eliza thought she would bring the saucer to her lips as she herself would have done if she were home before the kitchen fire, but instead Henrietta set the porcelain aside. “Whatever do you imagine… I’m sure I don’t know anything. Not more than you, Jane, or even Eliza, who has only been with us since yestereve.”
Unrelenting, Jane pressed again. “But something happened in London, did it not, that caused Linfield to insist on us coming here? I feel certain you must know what it is. Won’t you share that knowledge with us?”
“Oh! Oh, you mean that. Why I thought… you mean, you don’t know? But talk in town has been of little else.”
“I have not been in London. Our marriage took place in York.”
“I see. Well.”
Jane levelled her guest with doleful eyes. “You see, I’m quite oblivious. I beg you to take pity. Won’t you enlighten us?”
“My dear, of course. Yes.” She nodded her head as she took a tight hold of Jane’s hand. “You should of course know all. I cannot believe… Why that man! To think that he has not told you, his wife.” She settled herself like a nesting hen. “You must know I’m not one for gossip, but there has been a deal of speculation about the incident. It was an accident of course. You must not imagine that you’re wed to a murderer.”
