Chapter Nineteen
Arabella looked across the carriage to where the boys were recounting what they had seen at the menagerie earlier. After lunch, they had all piled into the carriage, with Marcus sitting on the driver’s bench beside Jeremy. When they were two blocks from Hastings House, they had stopped, and Marcus had climbed down with the promise to meet them again at four. The plan was for Marcus to slip back to the house and enter unseen, then try to snoop on Miriam. He would meet them again at four, where he had been dropped off.
It had been a wonderful afternoon; Tristan had purchased parasols for her and Penelope from a vendor outside the menagerie, as it was a sunny spring morning. Penelope had picked a bright red one while Arabella had selected one of light blue with birds painted on it. When they had left the menagerie, Tristan had purchased them all a collection of lead animal figurines, copied after the animals in the menagerie. Arabella was planning to put hers on the small bookshelf beside her desk. Her workroom was still rather Spartan and needed some more finishing touches to make it feel like home.
Arabella looked across the carriage to where the boys were squeezed onto the seat beside Tristan; they were still talking excitedly about the animals they had seen. Tristan gave her a smile as the boys suddenly went quiet.
“Are you sure we can’t have just one biscuit now?” Seamus asked.
They had stopped at a chocolatier and Tristan had purchased several pounds of chocolate bonbons as well as chocolate-dipped biscuits for dessert, while they waited for Marcus to join them.
“No, not till later, they are for dessert tonight as we have a guest coming. But if you are both good, I will be sure Cook sends you both up some.” Tristan replied. “And remember, if anyone asks, Mr. Marcus was with us the whole time. Tell no one that he stayed behind, especially Miriam or your grandmother.”
“Is it because she is sneaky?” Seamus asked.
“What do you mean, sneaky? Tristan asked, frowning as he watched the slim boy fidget nervously.
The boys looked at each other as if sharing a secret.
“Whatever you tell me, I won’t be mad, I promise,” Tristan stated.
“We don’t like Miriam, she didn’t want mother to move us down from the nursery, or to take the room near mothers.” Sebastian stared, earning a nod from his younger brother.
“She didn’t?” Tristan asked, wondering why Miriam should care where the boys stayed. They were very polite, quiet and well-behaved boys, and both Tristan and Marcus enjoyed their company immensely.
“No, she said we would make too much noise and disturb grandmother, and that children belonged in the nursery, but we are not children, I am thirteen and Seamus is twelve,” Sebastian stated, earning a nod of agreement from his brother.
“Besides, we did not like the nursery; sometimes at night we could hear sounds from the attic,” Seamus said, earning a nod of agreement from Sebastian.
“Sounds?” Arabella asked with a frown, “Perhaps it was only the wind. Back home, the wind would often rattle the shutters and the windows at night.
“I told the boys it was probably only rats but they insisted it sounded like footsteps?” Penelope said
“I for one believe the boys; the house is too clean for rats,” Arabella said, “Perhaps it was one of the maids looking for something in the attic?”
“Go on, tell him,” Sebastian prodded, elbowing Seamus.
“Tell me what, I won’t be angry,” Tristan stated.
“Sometimes I get hungry at night and get out of bed and go down to the kitchen to look for biscuits. Two weeks ago, I was returning to my room and I saw a candle coming towards me in the hall, so I hid in the little closet beneath the stairs,” Seamus said.
“Good heavens,” Penelope said.
“Don’t be mad, mother, I just get so terribly hungry,” Seamus protested.
“I’m not angry, tell us what you saw?” Penelope said.
“It was Miriam, she was wearing a night gown, and she was walking towards the front door. She had a candle which she put on the little table in the foyer, then she opened the door and let a man in.” Seamus said.
Tristan felt the hair on the back of his neck go up in alarm. Miriam was letting a strange man in at night? For what purpose, none of which he could think of, were good or honorable.
“Good lord, what happened next? And did you see what the man looked like?” Tristan asked in alarm.
“He was wearing a hat and a black cape, but he was taller than Miriam, but not as big as you uncle. It was dark so I could not see him clearly, but he had a big nose and a gold watch chain because it caught the candle light. He gave Miriam a basket full of bottles.” Seamus stated.
“Bottles? Are you sure?” Tristan asked.
“Yes, I heard the clink of glass as Miriam took it, and it was heavy because she had to put it down, and when she did, they clinked again,” Seamus replied.
“That was very observant of you. Did she say anything or did he?” Tristan asked.
“I think he said that it was taking too long,” Seamus replied, “And she said he had to be patient, and then I heard a noise from upstairs and he kissed her on the mouth, and then he opened the door and left. After he left, Miriam took the basket upstairs with her. I waited till the clock on the little table sounded again, and then I snuck back up to my room.”
“Good heavens, a tall man with a big nose and a gold watch chain that sounds like Dr. Fletcher. I have seen him only three times, and then in passing when he came to see mother and treat her for hysteria after father passed, and then after Allister and Richard did. Miriam said she called him because mother was hysterical and he gave her laudanum to calm her.” Penelope paused, frowning. “He wouldn’t let me in to see mother, and when he was done he and Miriam were very insistent that I drink something to calm me, but I refused. It got rather heated after a bit, but luckily, Buttons was there and Dr. Fletcher left.”
“Why would Miriam be meeting Dr. Fletcher in secret in the middle of the night?” Arabella asked.
“Indeed and why was he giving her bottles in the middle of the night? Thank you, boys, for telling me the truth. Please, if you see Miriam doing anything else that is sneaky or suspicious, let me, your aunt Arabella, or Mr. Marcus know at once.” Tristan stated, and the boys both nodded their faces, very serious for boys their age.
The carriage rolled to a stop, and Tristan looked up to see that they were home.
“Remember, boys, you must not tell Miriam or your grandmother that Marcus stayed behind today; it is a secret,” Tristan stated.
“We remember uncle, so are we like spies then from the story uncle Marcus has been reading us?” Seamus asked.
Tristan wasn’t sure what penny dreadful Marcus was reading the boys, but it was best to just say yes.
“Ah, yes, just like a spy and down you go now,” Tristan said as Marcus appeared on the sidewalk beside the carriage and then opened the carriage door. Marcus helped the boys down, then stepped back to let Tristan descend.
“Here are your souvenirs from the day,” Tristan reached into his coat pocket and handed Marcus a lead elephant figurine and a lead monkey figurine.
Marcus took them with a chuckle, “We need to talk.”
Tristan looked up at the house to see Miriam staring down at them from one of the upper windows, then nodded imperceptibly.
“We are being watched,” Tristan said softly, then turned to help Arabella and then Penelope down from the carriage. Tristan shut the carriage door, then nodded to Jeremy, letting him know he could go.
The front door of the house was opened by Buttons as the boys ran up the steps and then into the house, greeting Buttons as they passed. Tristan turned to offer his arm to Arabella as Marcus offered his to Penelope.
“Welcome home, sir. Did you have a pleasant outing?” Buttons asked, closing the door behind them.
“Yes, we did thank you. Were there any visitors while we were gone?” Tristan asked.
“Yes, sir, three ladies came to see your mother; I would have sent them away but Miriam was in the hall and insisted I let them in. They stayed for half an hour and then they left; these also arrived for you by messenger.” Buttons pulled four envelopes from his inner pocket and handed them to Tristan. Tristan glanced at them, seeing one was from Mr. Solomon and the others from people he didn’t know.
“Thank you, Buttons. Would you please give these to Cook and ask her to put them in the cold room? They are chocolates and chocolate-dipped biscuits for dessert tonight.” Tristan handed the two brown paper-wrapped bundles to Buttons. “And let her know the boys are to have some. I bought enough extra so that the staff can have three of each; it’s a bit of a celebration today. Are Mr. Roberts and Mr. Cayden settled in?”
“Yes, sir, they are both settled in. I saw that they each received new clothes from the supply left by the late masters upstairs. Will you be needing either of them today?” Buttons asked.
“No, not today,” Tristan replied.
“Very good, sir, and I will let Cook and the staff know about the treats,” Buttons replied with a nod.
“What is the meaning of this outrage?” Lady Sizemore’s voice rang loudly in the foyer.
Tristan turned to see his mother on the stairs. Her gaze swept over everyone, taking them all in with a look like she smelled something bad, then she finished descending the stairs with Miriam right behind her.
“Hello, mother, and what exactly is the outrage? We went to the menagerie for the afternoon, I hardly thinking that as a scandalous pursuit.” Tristan replied.
“Lord Kenyon, Penelope’s husband, is dead, and she was out in public. And I hear you have a guest coming for dinner.” His mother retorted.
“How did you hear that Lord Kenyon was dead? It is not common knowledge yet.” Tristan asked as Buttons took a step back.
“Miriam told me. Penelope, go upstairs at once and change your gown, you are in morning now.” Lady Sizemore bellowed. “And you will cancel this dinner party at once. I will not allow a quest to enter this house.”
“No, mother, I will not.” Penelope retorted. “I will not mourn for Lord Kenyon, now or ever. I have been living here for six months, and your friends have already spread the word all over London that he and I were separated. I married him because you and Father forced me to. He was a monster, people warned you but you still forced me to wed him. If I had had half of Tristan’s courage, I would have run as he did.” Penelope stepped forward to glare at her mother. “You made me fiend, a monster, and I will not mourn him now or ever.”
“How dare you speak to me like that you ungrateful girl? You married a peer and when you came here begging for help, complaining about your husband I let you stay.” Lady Sizemore gave Penelope a withering look. “You will do as you are told. Now go upstairs and put on one of your black gowns. It is bad enough that your father and brothers have been dead for less than ix months and your brother married. Now go upstairs and get out of my house.”
“No, I will not, I have mourned father and my brothers long enough. Father forced me to marry a monster that beat me and made my life hell, and when I begged my brothers for help, they ignored me.” Penelope replied. “And this is Tristan’s house now.”
“It is indeed, and Penelope and the boys can stay as long as they like. And I am not canceling my dinner party tonight,” Tristan stated. “And as I said before, if you push me too far, I will send you and Miriam to Rawlings. Now I had thought to invite you both to dinner tonight, but I can see that would be a mistake. You are just as venomous now as when I left for Avondale. I had thought to let you go and meet with some of your friends, or allow you to have more callers but not if you act like a tyrant. This is my home now and Anabelle’s and I will not have it full of strife.”
“You can’t speak to your mother like that,” Miriam protested.
“I can and I will, this is my house now, mine and Arabella’s. We have had a pleasant day and I will not let it be ruined by either of you.” Tristan replied evenly.
“You should watch how you speak to me,” Miriam intoned, then she turned, and brushing past his mother, stormed upstairs, pausing to look down at Lady Sizemore.
“My lady, remember you need to take your tonic, and you as well Lady Penelope,” Miriam stated, then turned to finish climbing the stairs leaving temporary silence in her wake.
“You both disappoint me greatly. What will people say when they learn that you have gone out of the house when you should be in mourning? How will I find you a new husband if people say you are improper?” Lady Sizemore stated.
“A new husband, are you mad? I never wish to wed again. I am free now, mother, free to do as I wish for the first time in my life. With Tristan’s approval, the boys and I will stay till the end of summer when the new school term starts. I would suggest, mother, before one of us says something they regret you go to your room.” Penelope stated.
“We are not done with this conversation, Penelope. I will see you married again to a man that is suitable and who will benefit the family,” Then, head held high Lady Sizemore turned to walk back up the steps.
No one spoke for several heartbeats.
“Something needs to be done about Miriam,” Arabella said. softly breaking the silence.
“I agree, I would not have her ruin dinner tonight,” Tristan stated softly.
“If I might suggest. my lord, after you left, Mr. Keene was a bit of a handful. I am friends with the butler of the young doctor who lives around the corner. When I asked him for suggestions, he provided me with medication that I shamefully must confess to have put in Mr. Keene’s drink twice, which rendered him unconscious. Miss Miriam enjoys a large glass of red wine, as well as a glass of port with her dinner. I could perhaps place a drop or two in her wine and be sure that she does not bother you or your guest tonight, sir.” Butler stated evenly with only the hint of a smile.
“Knock out drops Buttons; you are a man after my own heart.” Marcus drawled.
“Thank you Buttons, could you also ask Jimmy to take up a position in the hall outside her room, just in case your suggestion does not work,” Tristan asked.
“Of course, sir.” Buttons replied.
“Thank you, Buttons. In addition, I want the locks on the front door changed tomorrow, and one of those large locking bars installed the kind that requires a key to use. And ask the locksmith to make three keys for it, one for me, one for you, and one for Mr. Marcus.” Tristan directed.
“Of course, sir, it will be done. I’ll give the chocolates to Cook.” With a nod, Buttons walked away.
“If you will excuse me, I have a headache coming on,” Penelope said.
“When was the last time you took Miriam’s tonic?” Arabella asked in alarm.
“Yesterday, I listened to what you both said and stopped taking it. I have had a beastly headache coming on all morning and feel a bit unwell.” Penelope replied.
“Go upstairs and have Mia help you undress, then lie down. I’ll be up in a bit with some of my special chamomile and willow bark tea, it will help relax you and with your headache,” Arabella stated.
I will thank, you Arabella, and Tristan thank you for today, it was a wonderful day for both the boys and I” Penelope stated.
“You are welcome, Penelope, and feel better, I would hate for you to miss dinner,” Tristan replied.
“No, no, I will be there. I don’t want to miss my first chance to socialize with someone other than one of mother’s or Kenyon’s friends; I would not miss it for the world.” Penelope smiled fleetingly then walked slowly up the stairs.
Marcus looked slowly about to be sure that no one was bout then nodded towards the office, while also putting a finger up before his lips.
Mystified, Tristan nodded as Marcus motioned for Tristan and Arabella to follow him. Marcus closed the office door then stepped over to the left wall; he pointed to one of the shelves devoid of books and reached up to twist a carved leaf cluster. There was a low clock, then Marcus grabbed the bookshelf and pulled. The entire shelf and the wall it was attached to swung forward to reveal a hidden passage.
“Oh my,” Arabella gasped.
Marcus pulled a box of matches from his pocket and struck one, then turned to light a candle on a table next to him. Lifting the candle high, he stepped into the passage way, followed by Tristan and Arabella.
The passage was narrow and dark. After about fifteen feet steep steps took them up, to end in another short passage way. Marcus stopped before another wall and pressed a waist-high metal plate. There was a click, and Marcus pushed on the wall. The wall swung outward and sunlight spilled into the passage. Marcus blew out the candle as he stepped forward leading the others into one of the upstairs bedrooms.
“Hell, I never knew this was here,” Tristan said. “How did you find this?”
“Long story, after you dropped me off, I walked back to the house and hid in the shadows of the mews. About fifteen minutes later, I saw Miriam leaving the house. She was dressed in a bright pink gown and matching bonnet and looked nothing like her normal self.” Marcus stated.
“That is very interesting,” Tristan shook his head. Odd things were happening at Hastings House, very odd indeed, but what did it all mean?
“I thought so too. I followed her for a bit over two blocks. She turned onto Garden Street and walked up to a waiting black carriage. A well-dressed man climbed out, embraced her, and then helped her into the carriage. They then drove away and I walked back to the house.” Marcus stated.
“So it’s true, Miriam has a lover. Tristan tell Marcus what the boys told us in the carriage,” Arabella said.
Tristan quickly related the story Seamus had told them in the carriage.
“Hmm, tall fellow, big nose sounds like the bloke I saw Miriam kissing by the carriage.” Marcus said with a frown.
“So how did you find the passageway?” Tristan asked, looking from the sparsely finished quest room to the opening of the passageway that was hidden behind a floor-to-ceiling mirror.
“Well, while I was in the mews thinking how did someone get into the office? Buttons claimed he had locked the door? I was also thinking about what Arabella had said, that there should be appointment books or journals somewhere. I began poking about in the office to see if they were hidden on one of the shelves or in with the books on history that are there. While I was poking around the shelves, I accidentally brushed the cherub and it moved.” Marcus replied.
“Damn, well that explains how Miriam knew about Lord Layden’s death. She must have been standing in the passageway listening to everything we said in the office.” Tristan shook his head in disgust. “How did she know that the passage was here? What is her agenda? And how is she related to Keene and Doctor Fletcher?”
“Indeed, and why are they drugging your mother and Penelope? What are they hoping to achieve by doing it?” Arabella asked, her brow screwing up in confusion.
“Well, I might have an answer to some of that. I snuck out of here and down the hall without anyone seeing me. I went to your mother’s room and knocked. When she didn’t answer, I slipped inside and found her asleep and snoring loudly on the chaise lounge in there. There was an almost finished bottle of tonic on her table by the desk, so I poured some of it into an empty brandy bottle. I figured we could take it to an apothecary or chemist and have them tell us what is in it.” Marcus stated and saw the others nodding in agreement. “On the table beside the bottle were several papers. I confess I snooped and read them. One was your mother’s will, in it she left everything to Miriam.”
“Hell, that explains why Miriam is drugging her,” Tristan snarled, and Arabella nodded beside him.
“There was a fire burning in her grate, so I threw the will in and made sure it burned. Then I opened her window a crack and made it look like the papers blew into the fire.” Marcus said.
“That was good thinking,” Tristan stated.
“Thank you, I decided I would take the advantage of Miriam being out of the house to snoop in her room. Her door was locked, but it was easy to pick the lock. Her room is near as big as yours and Arabella’s, and she also has a big walk-in dressing room closet like you do. In her closet was a massive wardrobe, which I thought was odd. Why would you put a wardrobe inside a closet?” Marcus stated.
“Indeed, unless you are hiding something,” Arabella said.
“That is what I thought, so I tried to look in the wardrobe only to find it locked, but” Marcus paused.
“And you picked it,” Tristan added.
“Of course, in the wardrobe were fancy dresses made of silk, and while I was poking around, I discovered the wardrobe had a fake bottom. I pried it up and found papers, lots of papers signed by your father and brothers, as well as jewelry, expensive stuff. I debated leaving the papers and jewelry there but decided to take them. I put everything back the way I found it and then hid everything in the hidden compartment in the bottom of my trunk.” Marcus stated. “I thought we could go over everything later and ask Jules for help.”
“Aye, thank you, Marcus, you did well. I had also thought to ask Jules for his help.” Tristan said.
“We could also use more help, men we can trust. There were more men outside the War Office looking for work.” Marcus said. “We could ask Sergeant Roberts for recommendations on men we could trust.”
“I was thinking the same thing. The bonus I was given is more than enough to pay the salary for more footmen. We also ask Buttons to fill us in on everything he knows about the disappearance of household staff. I know my father had a valet as did my brothers. The valet my father had, Martin, was with him for years I do not think he just quit one day. My mother also had a personal maid, what happened to her? I want answers; it’s about time we figure out what the mystery of Hastings House is.” Tristan said, earning nods of agreement from Marcus and Arabella.
“I agree, while I am new to London and the workings of great houses, things here are not normal, and for a simple companion, Miriam has far too much power,” Arabella said.
“I think better if I write things down, let’s go to my office and discuss what we know,” Tristan said.
“Good plan,” Marcus said and stepped up to the wall to push the hidden door shut, then nodded for Tristan to head for the door.
Tristan eased open the door and peered into the corridor to see that it was clear. He wasn’t sure why he was sneaking about his own home, except that he didn’t know who he could trust other than Marcus and Arabella.
Tristan strode down the corridor towards his upstairs office, pulling a key from his pocket he opened the door and pushed it wide. Once Arabella and Marcus were both in the office he closed the door after them and locked it.
“Sit, we will put our heads together. I will write down everything and then later we can present it all to Jules. Hopefully he will have some ideas on what is happening.” Tristan said, dropping into the chair behind the simple wood desk, while Marcus and Arabella settled into chairs before the desk.
Tristan pulled several sheets of paper and a pencil from the top drawer laying it on the desk before him.
“Now what we know, Miriam is having a secret relationship with Dr. Fletcher.” Tristan said it down on the top of the paper.
“And Dr. Fletcher was supposedly taking care of your father and brothers when they died.” Marcus added.
“Then there is Mr. Vickers your father’s accountant and man of business, according to what I learned from Buttons and Cook, he died under suspicious circumstances.” Arabella added.
“And my mother also had a personal maid; I think her name was Petunia. She was with my mother for years what happened to her?” Tristan added the name Petunia to the list.
“Now questions we need answered, what happened to Mr. Vickers and the other servants? How did father meet Dr. Fletcher? How did Miriam come to work here?” Tristan stated, adding everything to the list.
“And where did the funds from your father’s investments go, and who was your father’s solicitor?” Arabella added.
“Yes that is a very good question. There should have been a reading of a will and if there was why wasn’t I notified, and why didn’t Penelope say anything if there had been one?” Tristan added his thought to the paper. “Wait solicitor, Buttons gave me some mail just a few minutes ago; when I glanced at it there was a letter from Mr. Solomon.” Tristan reached into his pocket and pulled out the envelopes Buttons had given him. Tristan flipped through them till he found one with the return address of Mr. Solomon. Tristan used the pencil to help him break the seal on the envelope and then pulled out the contents.
Tristan quickly scanned the contents and relief filled him. “Mr. Solomon writes that the trustee’s for Uncle’s estate has recognized and approved our wedding and has released uncle’s funds to us. The money has been transferred to a bank account at the Royal Bank under my name, the account information is enclosed.”
“Oh Tristan that is wonderful,” Arabella said as Tristan stood and walked around the desk to hand the letter to Arabella.
“Aye, but we shall have to go over all the accounts and prepare a budget, but with the position from the War Office, Victor’s Office and now this we shall be able to decorate the house as we like. And Bella soon no more second hand gowns, I want to take you to a modest tomorrow and use some of the back pay I received today to buy you some new gowns,” Tristan said.
“I would like that too, but you needn’t buy me a new gown, I have about fifty in a trunk from your aunt,” Arabella replied, though the thought of a brand new gown pleased her.
“No, but I want to. And we shall go to a jeweler, see if there is anything that you would like.” Tristan said, seeing Arabella smile.
“What about all those clothes, I found three more closets full of them upstairs?” Marcus asked.
“We keep doing was we have, we go through it, we take what we want, share some with the servants and then sell the rest. While funds will soon be coming in there are still debts to be paid off.” Tristan replied.
“Good plan, I can work on it tomorrow.” Marcus replied.
“Agreed and tonight we presented everything to Jules and ask for his help, and then tomorrow I will hire more footman.” Tristan felt better now that he had a battle plan. He picked up his sheet and folding it placed it in his pocket. “Now we must adjourn and get ready for tonight.”
Arabella was pleased that Tristan and Marcus were including her in everything, pleased that Tristan was abiding by their agreement, pleased that she was his friend and helpmate. Tonight she would ask him to make her completely hers and make her his wife in full.