Straw in the Wind (31 page)

‘It
was
good of me, wasn't it, Frederick? By the way, do you have the fifteen pounds you borrowed from my housekeeper?'

‘Fifteen pounds . . . I
borrowed
?' Frederick said, his voice strangling in his throat. ‘I can't remember . . . I say, Uncle, I'm a little pinched for cash at the moment, but I was going to repay it.'

‘It's better to be pinched for cash than pinched by the constabulary, young man. Too bad for you, Frederick, but the money represented three years' work for that young woman, and she needs it more than you do. Perhaps you should ask Bart Craven to lend it to you, though he doesn't part with his cash easily, and I daresay he'd be interested in what you wanted it for.'

Quickly, Frederick said, ‘I daresay I've got enough cash in my room . . . about my allowance . . .?'

‘What allowance is that, Frederick? Oscar, go with Frederick and make sure he pays his debt. If he tries to make a run for it, break his arm.'

Oscar cracked his knuckles. ‘Now you're getting into the swing of it, sir.' He grinned when Celia's eyes widened and he winked.

‘Now, where did you say Jane was? Over by the window . . . come, my dearest Celia, be my eyes.'

She whispered, ‘Did you say there was a sapphire set missing? Miss Milson is wearing a blue necklace with a matching butterfly brooch and earrings.'

‘Thank you, Celia, that sounds like it. Is she with anyone?'

‘An older woman. They look alike. The man has just left; he's going through to the other room where men seem to be gathering to play cards.'

‘I imagine she's with her mother Blanche. I'm glad she's there, since she will now get a first-hand account of what her daughter and son have been up to.'

Jane Milson was dressed in a blue gown. She was pretty but her face was discontented, and her smile tight as she turned towards them. She faltered, then recovered. ‘How lovely to see you, Uncle.'

‘Is it, Jane?'

‘Why, of course it is.'

Jane's eyes raked Celia up and down. ‘Aren't you going to introduce us to your
companion
, Uncle?'

‘Let me get two things clear, Jane. First, I am not your uncle. Second, this lady is Miss Celia Chapman. We are engaged, and she will shortly become my wife.'

Jane's face registered her shock. ‘Married . . . why didn't you tell us? I thought . . . we all thought.'

‘My private life is actually none of your business.' He held out a bag. ‘This is for you, Jane, a gift. After all, Diana did promise them to you, did she not?'

Opening the bag, Jane gazed inside. She appeared stunned by what she saw, but gathered her wits about her fast. ‘Freddie and I understood that your housekeeper was under suspicion of stealing these.'

‘How did you know they were missing?'

‘How do I know? Gossip, I suppose.'

‘It wasn't gossip, since it was kept quiet. You are also aware that it wasn't my housekeeper since it was you and your brother who stole it, though you tried to blame it on her, you pair of nasty little vipers.'

Jane and her mother gasped, but said nothing.

‘With the evidence I've got I could have both you and Frederick arrested and charged. You even signed Miss Finn's name on the sales receipts. And you have the effrontery to wear Diana's sapphires tonight, knowing I would be here. Did you think you'd be safe because I'm unable to see clearly?'

There was a tremor in Jane's voice now. ‘I only borrowed them. I intended to put them back . . . and if you recall, I did ask you if I could.'

‘I know you did, and I refused,
if you recall
. And to put that ring in my housekeeper's purse and steal her savings at the same time, is the lowest of any low act I can think of. What type of person would do such a thing out of spite, with the likelihood of an innocent girl being arrested and imprisoned? Did you think that because Miss Finn was without family and obliged to support herself, that nobody would believe she was innocent.'

Jane whined, ‘I didn't want to do it. It was Freddie's idea, he made me, and it was him who took the money. It wasn't much.'

‘It was all Miss Finn had, and she'd earned it through honest toil . . . something you've never heard of. Now, thanks to you she has no employment and no savings.'

‘Lower your voice, I beg you,' Blanche begged. ‘People are looking. I had no idea they'd done something against the law. What are you going to do about it, Finch?'

‘To my shame, absolutely nothing. I'm going to let them get away with it. But from now on, unless it's unavoidable I never want to see or hear from any of you again. Is that clear?'

Celia received a look of such scorn and malice that she nearly took a step backwards. ‘I suppose this dowdy
creature
will suck you dry.'

Beside her, Finch sucked in a breath. ‘No, Jane, it's women like you and your mother who think they can flatter a man and empty his pockets at the same time. I was a fool, but I feel you're about to learn the hard way that not all men are as easy-going as myself.'

‘I don't know what you mean.'

‘I daresay you will find out when you are married.'

Celia gently squeezed his hand.

Blanche cried out, ‘But what about their settlements, Finch? You promised, and we are in debt on the strength of that promise.'

‘Haven't you yet learned not to spend money that you don't possess?' The laugh he gave had a note of disbelief in it. ‘Do you imagine I'm going to settle anything on your children after what they've done, Blanche? The jewellery is all Jane will get, and that because I want nothing in my home to remind me of your sister. Enjoy it, Jane, and every time you wear it be reminded of what a conniving little brat you are. And that's all I have to say to you.'

Feeling Finch begin to tremble, Celia placed her hand on his sleeve. ‘Oscar is waiting at the door, Finch. Shall we go?'

He allowed himself to be led away.

‘Remind me not to get on your fierce side,' she said calmly when they were outside. ‘How do you feel?'

‘Relieved . . . but angry that she dared to insult you so.'

‘Don't allow it to trouble you, since it was only temper. Besides, have you thought that there might be some truth in the rumour that I'm a creature? I do have six legs and a set of antennae.'

‘The last beetle I set eyes on was quite beautiful.' Finch gave a bit of a laugh. ‘Oscar? How did you manage with Frederick?'

Oscar doffed his hat to a young woman going past them, who offered him a cheeky smile. Head to one side he watched her walk away, grinning to himself. ‘It was like taking a bottle from a baby, sir, only my hand slipped and Mr Milson got a bloody nose out of it for his trouble. The money fell out of his pocket while I was looking for his handkerchief. Not quite fifteen pounds, but near enough.'

‘Well done . . . now, my dear, how shall I entertain you? Shall we all go and have supper, then go on to the theatre – unless there's something else you'd rather do, Celia.'

The girl was lingering on the corner, and Oscar was still looking at her.

‘I've had enough entertainment for one night, Finch,' and she kissed his cheek. ‘Why don't we go back to your home? I'm certain that your cook can provide us with a cold supper and we'll spend the evening together. After I've beaten you at chess we can relax and talk about this and that until it's time for me to go home. I'm sure Oscar won't mind taking the evening off, will you Oscar?'

‘That would be most appreciated, Miss,' Oscar said.

‘There you are, then, we're agreed, Finch.'

‘Except for one thing, Celia, my love. What makes you think that you'll beat me at chess?'

‘I always do.'

‘Only because I've allowed you to. You play a defending game. Tonight the gloves have come off and I'm in an attacking mood.'

‘We shall see, Finch. I'm a very good defender, and I cheat if I feel threatened. Your chess men could end up anywhere.'

‘I'll put a shilling on Miss Chapman's game,' Oscar said with a laugh.

Finch gazed towards his manservant. ‘Are you still there, Oscar? Miss Chapman will look after me, so off you go. I'll order a cab to take her home later, and will escort her there myself.'

‘Goodnight then, sir. Goodnight, Miss Chapman,' and he was gone.

‘What's the evening like, Celia?'

‘Soft and faintly hazy. The sky is clear though and there will be a moon later on. It's still early and there are plenty of people abroad, so we have time to walk safely across Hyde Park to Victoria Gate if you'd like to. I'll describe it to you.'

‘I'd like that.'

‘Now, I'm going to ask you something, and I'll need a truthful answer.'

‘Go on.'

‘When you were giving Jane that dressing down you asked her if she thought she was safe because you couldn't see her clearly.'

‘What of it?'

‘Explain to me what you meant by
clearly
.'

The silence in which they strolled was comfortable as well as contemplative. Eventually, Finch shrugged. ‘You don't miss much, do you, not even a slip of the tongue? I've been seeing moving shadows and light of late, but not definite forms. And sometimes there is colour, but it comes and goes. That's all I can say.'

‘Did you intend to tell me?'

‘Eventually, but only if there was any encouraging news, otherwise there was no point. I've yet to consult with my doctor. I imagine he'll send me to someone who has made a study of eyes a speciality.'

They walked a bit more, then Celia said, ‘I'll pray that something good comes from it then, Finch. I wonder how Serafina is getting on. When are you going down to Poole?'

‘Next week perhaps.'

‘Would you mind taking her a note from me, even though I'll probably mention you a hundred times in it?'

‘As long as it's all complimentary, of course I wouldn't mind.'

Dearest Serafina,

I do hope everything is proceeding satisfactorily with your reunion. I think of you often. Though Finch will tell you the main news, I must tell you how magnificent he was at routing Frederick and Jane Milson . . . and Oscar punched Frederick on the nose and collected your fifteen pounds from him. As for their mother . . . honestly, she is the most awful woman, and so greedy.

You will forgive Finch, won't you? He never believed that you took the jewellery . . . and he found it where Jane had sold it. She had used your name, so you would be blamed if it were discovered. But of course, the receipts were dated, which unravelled their little scheme completely. Finch intended to give you that rather vulgar ring that was planted in your purse, but changed his mind because he felt it would only hold unpleasant memories for you now. Instead, we have bought you one of your own, a rather sweet ring, which I chose myself. I do hope you like it.

She loved it! Serafina held out her hand and admired the ring. The creamy pearl in the centre was surrounded by small diamonds and the message
friends forever
was inscribed inside it. She decided to read the rest of the letter later, pleased that the matter had been dealt with and she wouldn't have to tell her father that she was under suspicion.

Mr Leighton had called on her at Marianne's house, just after Marianne had left to visit her sister.

‘Alex loves playing with his cousins, and I am hoping to cheer Charlotte up. I do hate it when she mopes,' Marianne had said, ‘and some gossip will be just the thing. Will you be all right, alone?'

The thought of being alone with her thoughts for company had been entirely welcome. But it hadn't been long before Oscar and Finch Leighton had turned up. Over tea she was informed of the outcome of the investigation, and assured of her own innocence.

‘You shouldn't have come all this way, Mr Leighton. And thank you for this beautiful gift. It wasn't necessary.'

‘I wanted to come, Serafina. I wanted to apologize to you personally, and most of all I wanted to apologize for all I had put you through. You must have felt insulted by losing your position, as well. That was insensitive of me.'

Any hurt she'd experienced in the past melted away at the sight of him looking so contrite. ‘I do understand. Besides, it would have been impossible for me to remain friends with Celia if I'd stayed.'

‘Not impossible, but slightly awkward.' He took her hands in his. ‘You know, Serafina, no matter how expertly you scrubbed and polished, in your heart you never quite mastered the attitude required by a servant.'

‘You should have said; I would have tried harder.'

‘I know . . . but I liked your funny, bossy little ways, and didn't think it mattered at Leighton Manor, since I no longer entertained there. But from now on I will. Tell me . . . are you happy?'

‘Oh, of course . . . I've been made welcome by the Thornton family, and my father has claimed me. But they overwhelm me a little, since they are all so confident. They have a past together, you see. I have yet to meet Charlotte Hardy, who has not yet recovered from the birth of her youngest son, by all accounts.'

‘You sound doubtful.'

‘I've been warned that she can be difficult, and cannot be convinced that I'm her sister. Because she doubts it with so much conviction, then so do I.'

‘Do you think she might be avoiding you?'

‘It's possible, since she disapproved of the quest that might find me, and she had always been at odds with my father, Erasmus Thornton. Indeed, I might even be the cause of her indisposition. I've been introduced to her husband, Seth, who is extremely pleasant. Marianne says that if Charlotte can be brought round to accept that there's Honeyman blood in me, then she'll have to accept that the other half is Thornton and come to terms with it. I've seen a portrait of my Thornton grandmother, and although she looks stern in it, I'm very much like her.'