Anna Jacobs (33 page)

Door knocking on East Street led them at last to Miss Price’s house where they were admitted by Evadne herself. By this time all three men were soaked and Marcus was in a fever of impatience to go and rescue his wife.

* * * *

Back at the Hall, Pamela managed to eavesdrop from the upper landing as Serena left with Hudd. Ada found her there after the men had left. She was leaning against the wall, looking dizzy.

“You shouldn’t be out of bed, ma’am.”

“I have to be. They’re going to confront Fleming. You know what happened when Lawrence did that. He had him beaten up and my poor boy lost heart, went downhill rapidly.”

The maid looked at her mistress aghast.
“You
can’t do anything. You’re not well.”

“And we both know I’ll get no better. So why not spend what little strength I have in defeating that horrible man? Ada, you will help me, surely? After all, look at the way he treated your family too till we found them somewhere else to live.”

After a short pause, the maid nodded and helped her mistress into the bedroom, where she began to pull out warm clothes, her expression grim. 

“Before you help me dress, go and tell Hill to harness a horse to my old carriage. I don’t care how dusty it is. I just need to get into town.”

The maid nodded. She knew Mr Lawrence hadn’t been as blameless as his mother liked to think, but he still hadn’t deserved to be milked of so much money in what, Ada and her mistress were both sure, were games of chance where some folk were cheating.

When she got back from the stables she found her mistress half-dressed and helped her finish, then went for her own coat and hat. As the two of them walked slowly down the stairs, with Pamela leaning heavily on her maid, Pearl came out of the servants’ quarters.

She looked from one to the other. “Where are you going? You’re not fit to go out, Mrs Lonnerden.”

“I must. But first I need to find my son’s old revolver.” She held up one hand. “Don’t try to stop me, Pearl. Your own young man is at risk, too, as well as my nephew. You know what can happen when Fleming takes against someone.”

For a moment Pearl hesitated, then she nodded. “I know where the revolver is and I know how to load it too. There are some advantages to having worked in a munitions factory.”

The two maids exchanged worried glances then sat the old lady down while they got everything ready.

“Should we let her do this?” Pearl whispered.

“If it’s what she wants, ill as she is, why not? You’ve surely guessed that she . . . ?” Ada hesitated.

“That she’s dying? Yes. My grannie’s friend had that same look to her. There was nothing the doctors could do. And to tell you the truth, I
am
worried about my Vic, so if she knows a way to stop that man, I’ll help her in any way I can.”

As the wind howled around the house and rain beat a tattoo against the panes of glass, Ada shivered. “It’s a terrible day. Look at that rain.”

“We’ve been wet before and survived it.”

“But will she?”

Chapter 17

Serena sat in the back of the big car, lost in thought. When Hudd said something she ignored him. When he touched her arm to get her attention, she jerked away from him. “Leave me alone! I don’t want to speak to you. It’s my brother I’m going for and only him.”

He let her be. He’d heard enough by judicious eavesdropping to know that Fleming wasn’t her father, which was a real turn-up for the books because the mistress hadn’t seemed the sort to say boo to a goose. Well, Miss Serena would soon be brought into line by his employer. Mr Fleming had had her under his thumb before and he’d put her back and keep her there this time.

As for that snotty-nosed fellow she’d married, he was in for a few shocks and Hudd would be happy to help administer them. He couldn’t remember know when he’d taken such a dislike to a man. The car stopped, jerking him out of his reverie. “Here we are, miss. Let me help you out.”

“I can get out on my own.” She shook off his hand, head held high, and she looked so pretty he blinked in amazement, because he’d never thought that of her as pretty before.

They went in the back way and she swept through the kitchens with a nod to Cook and a smile for Ruby, who both looked surprised to see her. She didn’t need to be told where to go, but just to be on the safe side, Hudd followed her.

* * * *

When Serena reached the sitting room door, the reality of what she was doing hit her so hard she stopped for a moment, feeling as if prison walls were closing round her. She’d hoped never to come back here, never to be in
his
power again, but if she didn’t carry this through, didn’t succeed, she’d never feel safe again, either for herself or for the two men she loved. Fleming had to be stopped, exposed for the villain he was.

She took a long, slow breath and felt her face settling into its old mask, hoped it would stay like that, was terrified of betraying her feelings or the real reason she was here.

Hudd pushed open the door. “Allow me, Miss Fleming. It’s your daughter, sir.”

Ernest looked up, but didn’t stand. “You’ll need to remove your coat and hat.”

“I want to see my brother before I do anything.” As he smiled at her, he looked so cool and confident that a pang of the old fear shot through her belly.

“Help my daughter off with her coat, Hudd.”

She did it herself before he could touch her.

“And the hat.”

She removed it, noticing the way Hudd was studying her body and wishing she was wearing her old bulky clothes, which had made her feel protected. That was silly she knew, but you couldn’t help how you felt.

“Now come and sit down, Serena.”

“When I’ve seen my brother.”

Another jerk of his employer’s head had Hudd force-marching her to the fireplace and pushing her down in a chair.

“You are not in a position to dictate what happens, Serena, and I’d be obliged if you would remember that from now on.”

What she remembered most was the old feeling of helplessness and she had to cling to the belief that Marcus wouldn’t let her down, that he would get both her and her brother out of here.

“Now that you’re back, you will forget that silly nonsense of your mother’s. I
am
your father and I intend to remain so. And you will
not
be going back to that man, who only married you for your money.”

“And you don’t want my money?”

“Of course I do. But I’ve earned it. I gave you a home, brought you up—and in the lap of luxury too.” He leaned forward. “Let’s put it this way, in case you’re in any doubt of the consequences of rebellion against my wishes: if you care at all about Graye, if you want to see him remain—unhurt—you will stay with me and do exactly as I tell you from now on.”

A sick feeling settled in Serena’s stomach as she looked at him and knew he meant it. She’d been right to come. He’d have her Marcus killed without a second thought, but she would prevent that if she had to give up her freedom to do so.

“I see you’re beginning to remember the power I wield in this town.” He smiled. “And I see you do care for him. How very foolish of you! It’ll make it easier to persuade you to heed me.”

She didn’t speak and he didn’t seem to need any reply from her.

“You’ll find that Frank is in a very confused state, doesn’t even acknowledge his own name. Once we let him wake, I’ll trust you to persuade him to co-operate with me from now on. If not, he’ll find himself locked away and kept docile by drugs until he does come to his senses.”

“And if I don’t co-operate?”

Fleming rolled his eyes at the ceiling. “Why do I need to keep repeating this? If you don’t co-operate, your husband will meet with an accident. But I’m sure that when you’ve had time to reflect you’ll see the sense of doing what I require—and so will Frank.”

Fleming had an exalted air to him today, she thought in surprise, a certain wild look to his eyes that she’d never seen before. What had happened to make him like this? Had the power he wielded gone to his head? How could he possibly think he would continue to get away with this?

She bent her head and said nothing, feeling something inside her gather together in a tight, protective knot.

“I’ll take you up to see your brother now, just to show you what awaits you if you disobey me.” He stood up. “Come, Serena.”

She followed him upstairs, keeping her face expressionless until she saw Frank lying bound and drugged in bed. Then she couldn’t hide her fear from Fleming, just as he couldn’t hide from her the pleasure he was taking in this.

“Well?” he asked at last as the silence dragged on.

“I’ll do as you say.”

“You will address me as Father.”

“Sorry—Father.”

Fleming nodded and moved towards the door.

Only as she was turning to follow him did she see Frank open his eyes and wink at her. That put heart into her as nothing had since she entered this house. Her brother wasn’t drugged! How had he managed that? But he was tied up.

Ernest led the way back down the stairs. “As soon as the shops open again, we’ll buy you some more flattering clothes. This time you’ll do credit to me. You won’t be marrying anyone, though, because I need you here to run my house. Eventually we’ll find a wife for Frank so that the family name can be carried on, but they’ll live here with us.”

When they got to the sitting room Fleming sat down and carried on talking, explaining his plans for her in great detail. He seemed to be enjoying himself.

She nodded, said yes and no in the way she’d always done, but avoided meeting his eyes so that he wouldn’t see the anger simmering inside her. She kept wondering how long it would take Marcus to get here and how Frank had avoided being drugged, but she didn’t let herself glance at the clock as that might make Fleming suspicious.

The minutes ticked by very slowly.

She was afraid, more deeply afraid than ever before in her life.

* * * *

Redway listened in horror as Justin told him what had happened. “The man’s run mad.”

“I think he ran mad years ago but he’s not hiding it as well now. Perhaps he’s grown to feel he’s invulnerable. The war has certainly given him a lot of opportunities to get his own way.”

“I’ll have to consult Marley about how best to do this,” Justin said.

“There isn’t time.”

“Then we’ll have to make time. I could be held to be a biased witness, because I’m Serena’s lawyer. We
must
have someone present who is above suspicion.”

“Won’t I do?” Den asked. “I’m a doctor, Mrs Graye’s doctor, actually.”

“You’re a friend of Graye’s as well. Look, I’ll get my hat and coat on then we’ll go and see Marley.”

As they went out of the front door, Marcus stopped. “This is all taking longer than I’d expected. Look, Redway, you and Vic go and fetch Marley. Vic, make sure no one hurts Redway. Den and I will go to Fleming’s house to keep watch from outside. I don’t want him hurting my wife. If he tries to do that, I’ll get her out of there, whatever it takes.”

“He won’t hurt her, I’m sure of that. Everyone thinks she’s his daughter.”

“Won’t he? I’m not so certain. Especially if he feels threatened.”

With a shrug, Justin strode off through the streets, accompanied by Vic, not even noticing the occasional person who called “Merry Christmas”. But when they got to Marley’s house, they found that his old friend was out of town, spending Christmas with his daughter in Bury.

The only other magistrate in Tinsley was Crandall, who had more than once acted for Fleming. Worried sick, Justin hesitated, wondering what to do. Then he turned back towards the town centre, explaining the situation to Vic as they walked. He’d have to bring Crandall into it, but that worried him. He’d never got on with the fellow, who was famous for fussing about details and missing the point.

* * * *

Marcus slipped through the gate at the rear of Fleming’s house, looking round for somewhere to hide. He left Den outside to watch his back as his moved forward to the corner of what had been the stables and now housed a shiny new car. No safe vantage point here. He risked being seen if any of the servants came outside. Taking a chance, he ran across the garden to crouch behind some bushes.

After a minute or two Den joined him there. “What now?”

“I don’t know. That room on the very left is the dining-room, so it’s probably our best way of getting in. Between it and the servants’ area is the family’s sitting room. Fleming’s in there with Serena, so I daren’t get too close. I wonder if the French windows to the dining-room are locked?”

“Too risky, old fellow, with servants around.”

“I’ve got to take the chance. I’m worried about Serena. Look how stiffly she’s sitting. I’ve a feeling something’s gone wrong, so if necessary I’ll go in openly and bring her out of there, then we’ll think of some other way to trap Fleming later. Stay there and I’ll have a reccy.” On that word, he ran across to the French window, tried it and found it open, so slipped inside.

Den followed, but hesitated outside, waiting to see if the way was clear. He shivered as rain began to fall again, not as heavy this time, but steady and very cold.

Marcus crept across to the inner door of the dining room, listening carefully and trying not to make a noise. But when he had nearly reached it, a man stood up from behind a big armchair and smiled at him. “I saw you cross the garden from upstairs, Mr Graye. Come to see Mr Fleming, have you? Let me show you through to the sitting room.”

Marcus stood still, then admitted to himself that he’d messed this up. If love didn’t make you blind, it certainly made you careless of your own safety. He hoped Den would get out of the garden before they discovered him as well, and wondered what Fleming would do about this. If he showed any sign of getting violent, Marcus would inform him that several other people knew he’d come here and why—and they knew that he was unarmed as well.

“This way, sir.”

As Marcus walked through the door, something hit him over the head from behind and he fell, pain shooting through him. He tried to roll out of the way of another blow, but was too slow to avoid the next one, which knocked him senseless.