A Death in the Wedding Party Read online

  My hidden companion must have noticed a change in my breathing when I initially awoke and frozen for now I heard the outward sigh of someone who has been holding their breath. So this was not Merry.

  I continued to listen though now my heart was pounding so hard in my chest that I was surprised it had not awoken the entire household. A footstep fell. Whoever this was was moving very, very slowly and carefully. Perhaps it was a burglar. A member of royalty might have been thought to have sufficient jewels in her room to risk incursion. But then they too would have needed some light to work by.

  A further footstep fell. The direction was undoubtedly towards me. Time expanded. My brain sped through reasons why the intruder might not wish me harm and found none. Another footfall. My only chance was to take them unaware. I flexed my muscles ready for action. Another footfall. They were almost upon me.

  I stood quickly and took a step towards where I believed the hairbrush to be, but in getting up and turning my senses had become confused. I stepped straight into the arms of my assailant.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Encounters in the Dark

  Arms like steel wrapped around me. My assailant lifted me bodily off my feet and threw me onto the bed. I immediately rolled off onto the floor. Not a moment before the figure too fell on the bed. He, for no woman could surely be strong enough, gave a low growl of anger. I pushed my way under the bed, but he was quick. He landed on the floor in seconds and caught on to my ankle with cruelly gripping fingers. I lashed out, hoping to find a leg of the bed to hold onto, but only darkness met my hand. He pulled me backwards. I turned and twisted trying to grasp the underneath of the mattress. Anything. I was terrified of his intentions.

  He almost had me clear of the bed when my hand finally snagged on something cool and cold. I grabbed it as I was pulled roughly from my cover. He still had his grip on my ankle. Now he moved it higher, to my thigh, at the same time pinioning my right arm. It was due to nothing other than pure luck that I had grabbed my weapon with my left hand. Now clear of the mattress I brought the chamber pot down hard upon his head. It smashed into a thousand pieces and his grip loosened. I pushed upward hard with a strength I didn’t know I possessed and threw his body from mine while he lay dazed.

  I staggered towards the door, but again my senses betrayed me. I crashed into the small table in the opposite direction and set it rocking wildly. My eyes were used enough to the dark that I could grab at the imperilled vase upon it. I turned and hurled towards my assailant. He must have just gained his feet for from the sound of it my vase hit him mid-section. Then finally I managed to draw enough breath and screamed as loudly as I could.

  This was the final straw for my assailant. I heard him wrench open the door and then the sound of running footsteps. Light from the corridor flooded into the room. I staggered over to the door and leant against the frame. I could see no sign of anyone. In the harshness of the light I became aware of my torn dress and my hair hanging around my face.

  I turned on the gaslight and returned to sit by the fire. I picked up the poker. It seemed to have a life of its own as I prodded at the fire. I realised my hands were shaking. I pulled the coverlet from my bed and wrapped myself into a cocoon. I settled down to wait for Merry or the morning whichever came first. I had no intention of falling asleep. In fact I doubted I would ever be capable of sleep again.

  I had poked the fire back into life three more times before there was a scratch at my door and Merry popped her head in. ‘Cor,’ she said, ‘you’ll never believe the night I’ve had.’

  I took one look at her friendly face and burst into tears. Immediately Merry was crouched by my side her arms around me. She saw my appearance clearly for the first time.

  ‘Dear God in Heaven,’ she exclaimed. ‘What has ’appened to you?’

  I gave vent to many sobs and cries before I was ready to able to tell her the whole sorry tale. ‘And ’e didn’t do you no other ’arm?’ she said seriously, her hands cupping my face. ‘You can tell me, Euphemia. I’ll look after yer.’

  This, of course, brought on another bout of weeping, but I was able to assure her that my attacker had done no more than bruise and frighten me. ‘I think he did intend more,’ I hic-cupped. ‘but the weight of the chamber pot of his head took his mind off it. Thank goodness the Earl and Countess are so old-fashioned’ I tried to summon up a weak smile. ‘I only wish the damned thing had been full,’ said Merry, ‘or a shard of it had gone deep into him and done mortal harm.’ She rocked back on her heels. ‘Have you any idea who it was?’

  I shook my head. ‘He didn’t speak.’

  ‘Right,’ said Merry and stood up. ‘I’m going to get some help to hunt this bastard down.’

  ‘Wait! No!’ I stood up quickly and found my legs were not yet back to their normal strength. I wobbled into the small table which overturned. Merry hurried to help me sit.

  ‘What are you on about Euphemia? No one’s safe while’s a manic abroad.’

  ‘But the police will want to investigate. They will want to ask me questions.’

  Merry took a seat on the other side of the fire. ‘This bloody daft scheme of the Staplefords is going to tie our hands, isn’t it?’

  ‘I can’t risk them uncovering my identity,’ I said with more truth than Merry knew.

  ‘But we can’t do nothink!’ exclaimed Merry. ‘I’m going to go and wake up Robbins, even if it does cause a rumpus, and get back into the servants’ quarters. Rory needs to know.’

  ‘What happened to you?’ I asked.

  ‘Nothink important,’ said Merry, in that off-hand voice she has when she’s got herself into trouble.

  ‘No,’ I insisted, ‘tell me. It might be important.’

  ‘Oh, it’s just that Merrit and I were out admiring views and we got locked out.’

  ‘You and your views,’ I said and this time it really did bring a faint smile to my lips. ‘But didn’t you watch the time?’

  ‘Of course we did. Some bugger locked the door from the garden earlier than they should have done. Probably someone having a joke.’

  ‘Or someone trying to make sure that you weren’t with me when they came to visit.’

  ‘But I could have roused Robbins to get in.’

  ‘But you didn’t. Someone knew you well enough to know you’d try to find your own solution rather than cause a disturbance. How did you get back in?’

  ‘One of the cellars into the kitchen was open. Merrit’s down there now.’

  ‘Right!’ said Merry, ‘I’ll tell you what we’ll do and I ain’t brooking no argument.’

  Which is how Merry came to be sleeping on a makeshift bed with poor Merrit standing guard outside my door for the rest of the night. He was under firm instructions to get himself away before the morning maids came round. Merry slept with a kitchen knife, provided by Merrit, under her pillow.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  The Penetrating Light of Morning

  Merry told me firmly I had passed a restless night and would not be down to breakfast. ‘But I’m hungry,’ I said.

  ‘Great romantic heroine you’d make. You should still be weeping and wailing and instead you’re demanding toast.’

  ‘Eggs and sausages, please.’

  Merry sighed. ‘I’ll try and smuggle them up. Delicate young ladies who sleep badly don’t demand pig in the morning.’

  ‘Thanks, Merry,’ I said.

  ‘And I’m bringing Rory to come and see you.’

  ‘Oh no!’ I cried.

  ‘Would you rather I fetch Mr Bertram?’

  I flung myself back against my pillow, accidentally discovering some bruises that had previously not made themselves known. ‘Fine. Rory’s better than Bertram. Bertram would be storming about the place before we could stop him.’

  ‘At least tell him the full story before you bring him up,’ I begged. ‘I don’t want to go through it all again.’

  ‘Let him kill the messenger,’ she said pouting. ‘Very well. B
ut you stay right there in bed and if anyone other than Rory or I come through that door you scream blue murder!’

  I nodded. ‘I don’t think anyone will try an attack in broad daylight.’

  ‘Depends how desperate they are,’ and with this comforting thought Merry left me alone.

  I spent my time waiting for them to return reconstructing as much as I could remember of last night. My memory was already playing me tricks and in daylight I had trouble working out what had happened where. I thought hard about my assailant, but by the time they returned I had only remembered one thing.

  ‘He’d been drinking whisky,’ I said as Rory entered. ‘I didn’t focus on it at the time–’ the rest of my sentence was lost as he enfolded me in a bear hug. Over his shoulder I saw Merry’s face split in a delighted grin. ‘Shall I leave you too alone then?’ she asked cheekily.

  Rory ignored her. ‘Are you certain you have taken no serious harm, my bonnie lass?’ I looked up into those luminous green eyes and felt safe. Relief flooded through me and I buried my face in his jacket. ‘I’m sure,’ I said in a muffled voice.

  ‘Come in and close that door, Merry,’ said Rory, ‘where you born in a barn?’

  ‘Just trying not to intrude,’ said Merry.

  ‘Well, so you know Euphemia and I are engaged. Once this nonsense is all over we’ll be getting married.’

  ‘Rory,’ I breathed.

  ‘Aye, I know we said we wouldn’t tell anyone yet,’ said Rory, ‘but Merry can keep a secret.’ I pulled away from him and gave him a dubious look. ‘Aye well, she’ll keep a secret if she wants to keep her position,’ he said.

  ‘Does Mr Bertram know?’ she asked and I could have happily thrown the vase at her head if it hadn’t already been broken.

  ‘So do you have any idea who it was?’ asked Rory. ‘It’s a gent I’m guy keen to meet!’

  ‘I don’t think it was Tipton,’ I said. ‘He’s lighter and we know that he’s a deadly assailant.’

  ‘Do we?’ asked Merry.

  ‘It was most likely him that did for Mrs Wilson,’ said Rory shortly, ignoring Merry’s sharp intake of breath. ‘And don’t you go spreading that around. If there’d be enough proof I’d have seen the man hang.’

  ‘I think it was someone who wasn’t used to fighting,’ I said. ‘I had to struggle hard, but I did get away.’

  ‘Hmm,’ said Rory, ‘so not our highland friend then?’

  ‘Definitely not,’ I said. ‘Besides he’d have no reason.’

  ‘Who?’ asked Merry lost. ‘Muller?’

  Rory ignored her again, ‘you said that he smelled of whisky?’

  ‘You’re thinking it might have been an impulse? But whoever it was bribed someone to lock Merry and Merrit out.’

  ‘And they knew about Merry and Merrit more to the point,’ said Rory. ‘It’s got to be one of the Staplefords or their close associates.’

  ‘Turns out Bertram is ill in bed,’ said Merry, desperate to join in.

  ‘Heartache is it,’ growled Rory darkly. ‘Maybe I should go and check on him.’

  I put a restraining hand on his arm. ‘Don’t be daft,’ I said.

  ‘When I think of the times I’ve found you and that man in close confines,’ said Rory. ‘It’s clear he has a partiality for you. I’m thinking that perhaps with the drink his desire got the better of him.’

  ‘Word below stairs is that it’s his heart,’ said Merry.

  ‘You saw how bad he was yesterday,’ I said.

  ‘Well, maybe,’ said Rory. ‘But I’m not ruling him out. You’re not to be alone with the man again, Euphemia. I forbid.’

  Merry raised her eyes to heaven, but all I said was, ‘ so we are agreed my attacker knew us, the Stapleford household, well and decided to take his chances and try to …’ I stopped at a loss for words.

  ‘I think there’s no doubt he would have killed you in the end,’ said Merry. ‘Whoever he was he wouldn’t want you running the risk of remembering anything about him.’

  ‘So we need you to find out which of the gentlemen were drunk last night, Rory. And you Merry to find out who was bribed to lock you and Merrit out.’

  ‘I’ll be doing that alright,’ said Merry in a voice that boded ill for the culprit if she caught them.

  ‘I need to make an appearance at lunch. If the attacker knows who I really am then he’ll know why I haven’t made a fuss and if he doesn’t then it’ll throw him off guard.’

  ‘You want to see how people react to you,’ said Rory.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘That’s guy dangerous.’

  ‘As dangerous as sitting up here alone in my room? The interesting thing must be he thinks I know something about the murder. I was the one who insisted the police investigate,’ I admitted, ‘but they’ve agreed. Killing me would only make that investigation more serious.’

  ‘Unless he knew who you were and had no intention of killing you, but only …’ Rory couldn’t bring himself to say the word.

  ‘Punishing me? Warning me?’ I suggested, ‘which would also mean he thinks I know something important about Lady Stapleford’s death.’

  ‘Do you?’ asked Merry.

  ‘I don’t think so. Bertram, Rory and I discovered last night that her bell had been disconnected, which is why she didn’t call for help. Well, she probably did, but no one heard her.’

  ‘How horrible,’ said Merry, whitening. ‘She was a difficult mistress, but no one deserves to die like that.’

  ‘Think Euphemia, think,’ urged Rory, ‘what else do you and you alone know.’

  ‘That someone else might know?’ I quailed inwardly. Would my grandfather if he was made aware of who I was send someone to kill me rather than deal with a family scandal?

  ‘What?’ asked Rory being far too perceptive.

  ‘I can only think that I saw Richenda and Lady Stapleford fighting. Maybe someone thinks I heard more of their discussion than I did.’

  ‘What did you hear?’ asked Rory.

  ‘Probably less than Merry. By the time we got there it was all name calling, hair-pulling and shrieking.’

  ‘They were that angry with each other?’ said Rory aghast? ‘Hair-pulling, Yer not pulling my leg?’

  ‘No,’ said Merry, ‘They were fair laying into each other.’

  ‘Well, we’ve both got our tasks, so I think it’s time for Euphemia to do something – publicly, and without danger – and ask Richenda what that argument was all about.’

  ‘You think she’ll tell me?’ I said. ‘She hates me.’

  ‘If you’re going to stay alive,’ said Merry bluntly, ‘we need to find out what the hell is going on.’

  Chapter Twenty-six

  The Blushing Bride (Again)

  Moments after I left Merry I realised I had forgotten to ask her what she had discovered from Lucy, the shy evening drink producer, but it was too late now. My stomach growled and the second and last warning bell for luncheon rang.

  Knowing Richenda’s love of food I decided to approach her after lunch. But again I found the lunch was an informal buffet affair. I found this odd. It is normal to expect to serve oneself at breakfast, but not at luncheon. Of course, it is dinner that is the big occasion, and the meal one is expected to dress for, but still … As I surveyed the full room, people hovering around the loaded tables like pigs around a feeding trough, I observed two things. Firstly, death gives one an appetite. This does not fit right with the strictures of being a lady, but food reminds us we are alive and can still enjoy earthly pleasures. The men present had no hesitation in piling up their plates again and again. My second observation was that the senior members of the party, the two Earls and the Countess, were not present.

  Tipton’s mother sat with a heaped plate of asparagus spears her gaze far into the distance as she chewed, and if truth be said she looked decided bovine. There was no sign of Tippy’s father. Richenda had withdrawn slightly and was half hidden behind some plants, at a small secondary table. I gathere
d my portion of food and moved over to join her.

  ‘May I join you?’

  Richenda made a snorting sound. I decided to take this as a yes. I sat down beside her and said quietly, ‘As I am your good friend and bridesmaid it would be remiss of me not to offer what solace I can.’

  ‘You’re playing your part well,’ said Richenda between mouthfuls. ‘Too damn well if we’re not careful. I’ve already had a couple of the men trying to sound me out to see if you’re available. Even Tip-top, Tippy’s eldest brother asked.’ She raised her fork close to my face. ‘Don’t,’ she said waggling it for emphasis, ‘get ideas. A liaison with any of this men would shatter our charade and marriage with any of them would be out of the question.’

  I coloured slightly. ‘While the lady I am impersonating might not be adverse to secret trysts, I was brought up quite differently.’

  ‘You are out of your class.’

  ‘If that is what it means to be out of my class then I am very happy there!’ I said with some heat.

  Richenda paused and put her cutlery down. ‘I don’t know what to make of you,’ she said frankly, ‘my brother tells me such tales of you and Bertram is obviously smitten, but then at the slightest whiff of intimate matters you turn positively pious. If it’s an act it’s a very good one.’

  It was one the tip of my tongue to say I was nothing but what I appeared to be, but this was untrue on so many levels. Instead I said, ‘Come let us not quarrel. We both find ourselves in a difficult situation. I do not fancy being closely questioned by the police and I am sure you wish to proceed with the wedding as soon as possible. Have Amelia or the Countess proposed anything?’

  ‘They want the funeral first, of course, but seeing as we are all gathered together and the banns were read here, they want to get it over with.’

  ‘So it won’t be on your birthday?’

  ‘Unlikely, but seeing as I’ve said you have to return to your own country in two weeks, I’m hoping that will carry things along.’

  ‘Goodness, Richenda, if you are going to say things like that you must also tell me!’