“I can’t believe it. Do you know what you are saying?” Helena asked.
“He knows, Helena,” I said sadly, wishing I could shield her from this heartbreak. “But you must admit, it fits. Lord Sherringham is an important person in the House of Lords but has no means and no house, living in his brother’s home; I can only imagine what that would do to a man of his immense pride.”
Helena
had tears in her eyes. “But to kill Griffin—our own brother—he couldn’t do that!”
“No, I agree with you there. That’s why he had to find someone to do the job for him. With Griffin out of the way, he would inherit...a sizable fortune?” I looked the question at Griffin, who nodded wearily. I forestalled the urge to kiss him silly. “I have a suspicion your brother has been less than honest with your inheritance, as well, Helena. When was the last time you had an accounting?”
“I—I don’t pay attention to those things,” she mumbled miserably to her plate.
“What about the other trustee? Wouldn’t he notice if Helena’s brother were embezzling funds?” Robert asked.
“I hardly ever see him,” Helena answered.
“Hrmph. I think it’s time someone had a look at your trust, Helena. I’ll speak to Hope about it in the morning.”
She smiled gratefully at Griffin. We talked the situation over for a while longer, but didn’t come to any conclusions. Robert and Griffin were all for immediately confronting Lord Sherringham, but Helena and I cautioned them against doing so.
“After all, we don’t have any proof,” I pointed out. “Nothing but a few suppositions and coincidences. As Joshua mentioned earlier, we don’t know anything other than the first names of the thugs, or where they took us. The police would laugh at such an unsubstantial accusation, especially when it targets an important person like Lord Sherringham.”
Everyone agreed with that.
“What we need is evidence,” Griffin said, frowning at the orange he held in his hands. “I think I can get that.”
“How?” Helena and I asked together.
“I’ve been thinking about it, and I believe I know the reason you were kidnapped as well as me. Yesterday, no, it was the day before yesterday, I told Sherry we were engaged.”
“Engaged?” Helena gasped, leaping up to hug me. “Now I shall truly have you for a sister. Oh, I am so happy!”
I stared at Griffin, astonishment uppermost in my mind as Robert congratulated us both, and Helena kissed her brother. I decided to keep to myself the observation that I hadn’t actually agreed to marriage, feeling it was best to deal with the threats hanging over us first.
“I take it Lord Sherringham was not pleased with this news?” I asked Griffin when Helena and Robert sat down again.
“You could say that. He was enraged and tried to forbid me marrying you, but I told him to mind his own business.”
“So, he would want to get rid of Cassandra as well as you? Why?” Robert asked.
“Because he knew one of the first things I would do would be to make my home ready for my bride. That would mean he and Letitia would have to leave, since they would refuse to tolerate Cassandra’s presence. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean that to sound so harsh.”
I smiled at the look of concern in his beautiful eyes. “I understand. You are quite right, they would see me as a threat, a thorn in Lord Sherringham’s side that he could not possibly tolerate.”
“But why did they need to kidnap you?” Helena asked.
“I’m not absolutely certain your brother is guilty of that particular crime. My cousin Freddy is deeply in debt. He has been proposing to me almost on a daily basis.” I interrupted myself and turned to Griffin. “What or who is Roget’s?”
“Hmm? Roget’s? Moneylenders.”
“That would make sense. If Freddy was being pressed to make good his debts, he would be desperate to find an easy way out. I’ve always been fond of him, and can only assume that he thought I would be happy to accept him on the basis of that affection. Once we were married, he would have access to my money and be able to pay off his debts.”
“How terrible!” Helena shuddered.
I looked into Griffin’s endlessly deep eyes. “Yes, it would be terrible.”
His frown deepened. “That means both your cousin and Sherry have employed the same men—a situation that’s far too unlikely to be coincidental. There must be a connection between Merlin Black and Sherry.”
Everyone looked at me expectantly. I hated to disappoint them but had to admit I didn’t have the slightest idea of an answer. “I agree, there has to be something there, something the two have in common, but what it is…well, your guess is as good as mine.”
“We just need to reason it out.” Griffin rubbed his eyes. “You overheard your cousin talking to the two men who attacked us twice—three times if you count the assault on me at home—”
“Possibly a fourth and fifth time, as well,” I interrupted, looking at Helena.
“Oh?”
“There was the bag snatching episode,” I reminded him.
“And the white slavers,” Helena added. “Don’t forget about them.”
“White slavers?” Griffin asked, looking incredulous.
“Er…it seemed a plausible theory at the time,” I said, clearing my throat and ignoring his and Robert’s laughter.
“All right, so now we have five attacks. Two on you and Helena, one on me alone, and two on you and me together. It doesn’t make sense. Either that or I was hit harder than I thought.”
“No,” I agreed slowly. “I think it’s clear now that there were two distinct campaigns of violence against us, one targeting you with a very serious intent, and one focused on Helena and me that is really nothing more than a mild annoyance. But who is behind the latter? Surely Freddy has nothing to gain by frightening us…” The words froze on my lips as my eyes met Griffin’s. He nodded. “Oh! He wouldn’t dare!”
“It looks like he did.”
“Did what?” Helena asked.
My lips thinned. “He tried to scare me into marrying him. That rotter! Well, that explains a great deal.”
“But not the connection between him and Sherry,” Griffin said wearily.
He was looking decidedly tired, so after making him promise he would, under no circumstances, confront his brother or otherwise endanger his life, the St. Johns went home; Helena to fret, and Griffin to do a covert search of his brother’s papers for proof of his nefarious activities.
I decided my time should be spent in a productive manner.
I sat in the library and worried.
Chapter Twenty-three
The following day I received a note from Mrs. Heywood informing me that she had been released from prison, and asking if I could stop by and see her the next morning, as she had something of importance to discuss with me.
The day passed slowly, the hours dragging by at an interminable pace. I was unsettled, and paced aimlessly around the sitting room, unable to stay in one spot for more than a few minutes.
“Cassandra, for heaven’s sake, you are making me nervous! Sit down,” Mabel complained, craning her neck as I passed her for the tenth time.
I sat down and watched her work on her embroidery.
“And don’t stare at me, that makes me even more nervous.” She looked up from the pinafore. “What’s wrong with you? You’re not normally restless like this.”
I stood, too fretful to sit any longer, and went to the window to look out at the overcast morning. “I feel like something is hanging over my head, like I am waiting for something to happen. I feel…unsettled.”
She went back to her work. “Go pay a call. Or read a book.”
I stared out the window, uneasy.
“Perhaps you could invite Mr. St. John for lunch?”
“He’s busy today, writing an article for the Royal Geographic Society. I plan to visit Helena later, but she is gone this morning.”
“With Robert?”
“Yes, they have gone riding.”
I soon grew tired of answering Mabel’s questions and listening to her talk about the trials of motherhood. In an attempt to shake myself free from the unpleasant feeling, I spent a few hours at the headquarters of a charity devoted to providing convict’s wives with employment.
Much to my regret, Robert was still out when I returned home. Uneasy ennui settled over me again, leaving me almost desperate to be out and doing something. I walked the dogs, played with the twins, wrote letters to distant friends, and sat in the library until Joshua asked if I would kindly take myself elsewhere as my restless lurking made him nervous.
I had just decided to go upstairs and weed through my wardrobe again with an eye to giving away the outcasts, when Robert returned.
“There you are,” I cried, happy to see a cheerful face. “I wondered where you had been. Did you enjoy your morning?”
Robert, adopting the expression worn by smitten men everywhere, was busy detailing Helena’s many charms when I cut him short.
“Is Helena home now?” I asked.
“She was when I left,” he said, still walking on the cloud of oblivion that love had created.
“Ah. Good. I want to speak with her.” I chewed my lip as I tried to decide whether to telephone, or go in person. The desire to do something, and particularly the urge to see how Griffin was doing, made the decision an easy one.
“I believe I will pay her a call,” I said, gathering up my coat and hat.
Robert was in the process of wandering into the library when I spoke. He spun around and marched over to me and held my coat.
“I will go with you,” he offered happily.
I thought of teasing him about another visit so soon to his lady-love, but decided to leave him alone. Once in the cab, however, I could not help but broach a topic that had been on my mind for some time.
“This is none of my business, Robert, except that you are an old and dear friend, and I think of Helena as I would a sister. Have you told her how you feel?”
The color washed out of his face as he looked at me with something akin to grief. “I have no means, Cassandra. I have nothing to offer her but my undying devotion and love. How can I tell her my feelings? I cannot hope to marry her.”
“We have been through this before, Robert. If you refuse to believe me when I tell you that it will not matter to Helena, ask the lady herself. You may be surprised to find out what she considers to be important in a suitor.”
He looked so doubtful and miserable that I bit back the rest of the lecture I wanted badly to give him, and instead contemplated a visit with Griffin.
The footman showed us into a small, dark, seldom used parlor while he ascertained the whereabouts of Griffin and Helena. I looked around with pleasure until I noticed that Robert seemed to be in the grip of some nervous complaint. His leg twitched spastically, and he was perspiring freely about the forehead. I was about to ask him if he was ill when the door opened. I turned with a smile on my lips to greet Griffin, and came face to face with Lord Sherringham. My smiled faded when the little man puffed up indignantly as he transferred his glare from Robert to me.
“You!” he bellowed at me in a good imitation of Griffin at his loudest. “How dare you step foot in this house? How dare you show your face here? You will leave at once! That goes for you, sir, as well!”
I thought briefly of running, but my recent experience with the earl gave me courage. My chin went up. “I am here to see your brother, Lord Sherringham, not you.”
“You will not see him, madam. You will not see
anyone
in this house. Don’t think I am not aware of your insidious plans—I am!”
“What plan would that be?” I asked cautiously, thinking of the Union plans.
Robert, to the left of me, gripped the chair. I was pleased to see he showed no signs of intimidation, and instead looked as if he would welcome a battle himself.
“Your plans to ingratiate your way with my brother. You will find that I am not oblivious as to the reason you have attempted to ensnare him. Can you deny that you are guilty of trying to get hold of his fortune?”
I found it curious that the only reason Lord Sherringham could imagine a woman wanting to marry his brother was for money, and had that on the tip of my tongue when the door opened and Griffin strolled in. He had a smear of ink on the bridge of his nose, and a corresponding blotch on his hand. He looked so adorable I was hard put to refrain from kissing him in front of Robert and Lord Sherringham.
I looked back at the earl. “I do not deny that I am guilty of an attachment to your brother, Lord Sherringham. But my motives in desiring him do not include greed.”
I looked pointedly past him as I spoke, hoping he would take the hint, and would have said more had Helena not entered the room. She looked cool and lovely in a pale pink morning dress, her cheeks bright with matching color. “Is anything the matter? Why is Harold shouting? Robert?”
Griffin
stepped forward, lifted my chin with one of his strong hands, and kissed me gently, his lips lingering on mine, starting a slow burn inside of me. I sighed into his mouth as he pulled away.
“Nothing is the matter, Helena,” he said, his eyes smoldering with desire. I smoldered back at him. Lord Sherringham started to sputter, but Griffin turned on him. “Sherry, you will apologize to Miss Whitney for your rude behavior.”
“I will do no such thing.”
Griffin
took a step towards him. Although he made no move to threaten his brother, his anger was almost palpable, his voice dropping to a low, nearly inaudible tone. “Apologize to her.”
Helena and I glanced at one another. We both recognized that growl. Lord Sherringham, still sputtering, looked at his younger brother hesitantly. Evidently he recognized it too, for he turned an even darker shade of red, then choked out, “I apologize for my comments.”
“Consider them forgotten,” I said softly.
Griffin
as held the door for his brother. Lord Sherringham glared at each one of us, then, muttering what sounded like a string of oaths, stomped out of the room. I heaved a sigh of relief and turned to Helena with a feeble smile. She grabbed my hands in hers, and kissed me on the cheek.
“I’m so sorry for whatever Harold said to you.” Her eyes wandered to Robert, quickly clouding with worry. I was astonished to see Robert looking pale and wan, as if he would be sick.
“Robert? Are you ill?” I inquired solicitously.
He swayed slightly, cleared his throat, and looked even worse, if that were possible. Griffin, standing next me, grinned. I frowned at him, ashamed that he should be so insensitive to Robert’s illness.
“Robert, if you are in need of medical attention, I’m sure we can locate Doctor Melrose. Or perhaps you should sit down with your head between your knees. Griffin, would you get him some water?”
I started over to help Robert to a chair but was stopped by Griffin’s hold on my arm. He spun me around towards the door, and shooed me out of it. “Helena, go show Cassandra—oh, show her the conservatory.”
“Griffin!” I was puzzled by his behavior. “I believe I can do more good here with Robert.”
“I doubt that,” he said, closing the door in our faces.
“Well!” I said, looking at Helena in amazement. “What was that about?”
She looked as puzzled as I felt as we walked down the hall to the conservatory. “I don’t know. Did Harold say anything to Robert?”
“No. He confined his anger to me. But I am glad to have this chance to speak to you.” I sat down on a rattan chair next to a hideous molting macaw in a large iron cage. “I wanted to talk to you about a problem in the Union…er…what on earth does it have?”
She looked at the cage. “Oh, that’s his book. Raphael likes to chew on the paper.”
I watched the bird for a moment as he carefully peeled a sheet of paper out of the book, gnawed on it for a moment, then dropped it.
“I want to tell you about something unpleasant. I am sure you won’t like to hear it, but I believe it will do you good to know just what is going on.”
“Oh!” She grasped the ruffles at her throat. “What is it? Tell me quickly!”
“It’s about Maggie Greene,” I began, watching the bird out of the corner of my eye. “I happened to overhear a conversation among her and some of her supporters. Helena, I hate to tell you this, but they are using you.”
“Using me? How can they use me?”
“They plan for you to be a scapegoat,” I explained, then paused, fascinated as the bird peeled off another page. “What is he reading?”
“Dante’s
Inferno
.”
“Ah. Suitable.”
A frown crossed her face as I related the conversation I had heard at the Hall, leaving nothing out. When I was done, she was pale, but had a fire in her eye that delighted me. “Thank you for telling me about this, Cassandra. I shall know what to say to Miss Greene when she next telephones.”
“Has she been telephoning you?”
“Sometimes. I know how you feel about the militants, but even you must agree that no price is too much to pay to further the cause.”
“I certainly do not feel that way. Helena, I am as devoted to women’s rights as much as any other Union member, but I believe there is a line we must draw. Arson, attacking police, breaking windows—they are all examples of actions that have gone too far. Why, I read in
The Times
that there are women in the east who have made it a policy to ram their hatpins into the flanks of police horses!”
She gasped in horror.
“Yes! Can you possibly condone such atrocious acts of cruelty?”
“No, of course I can’t.” She wiped at a misty eye. “But you are so devoted to the cause. Was it not you that said to compromise on any part of suffrage was to lose the battle?”
I moved in my chair uncomfortably. “Well, yes. I want to talk to you about that as well. I have decided—you know that Griffin and I—”