The Silk Vendetta (47 page)

Some searching questions were asked of Drake. He knew of no reason why anyone should wish to kill his brother-in-law. He knew very little of him really. His rooms in the house were tantamount to a separate apartment and as they were both busy men they saw little of each other. He was so calm and dignified that I could see he was making a good impression.

I was asked about my last meeting with Julia and why I had gone to see her on that day. I said we had been brought up together and saw each other frequently. Had we discussed her brother and why anyone should seek to kill him? I said he had been mentioned and she had told me that he was out and she looked forward to having a chat with him when he came home that evening.

I was relieved when it was over.

Charles was the main witness for he had been the one to find her. He explained quietly and with great sadness how he had been living in the house of his sister and brother-in-law since a fire had destroyed his home. He had been out all the afternoon and when he had returned it was to find her dead in his room.

In due course a verdict was reached. It was: Murder by a person or persons unknown.

Now the investigation would begin in earnest.

The Reason Why

I did not see Drake. Grand’mere said it would be dangerous and that if he should be unwise enough to call she would not allow him to see me.

Charles came though. He was above suspicion for the attempt had been made on his life.

Grand’mere came to my room to tell me that he was below.

“I’ll have to see him,” I said.

“Is it necessary?”

“I think so. I have to know what is in his mind.”

So I saw him. We faced each other in the little room where we took clients for discussions. He was subdued, so even he was affected.

When we were alone, he said: “So you thought you could be rid of me. You are indeed a vixen under that calm exterior.”

“I have never been in your rooms.”

“You had the motive. There was nothing you wanted more than to be rid of me. You were with Julia that afternoon. Nobody saw you leave. You know the house. You could have gone into my rooms after leaving Julia. You could have slipped down by means of that back staircase. ”You must have known it was my custom to take a glass of sherry while dressing.”

”I know no such thing.”

“Servants talk. Or you would have guessed I should be at that decanter some time. My dear Lenore, no one had a greater motive than you. I was going to make trouble for you and your lover. It was a clumsy attempt, my dear. And what he wanted more than anything was to be rid of Julia. I believe he even wanted a divorce. It could have worked, you know. But Julia came there and saw the decanter… something she could never resist. You should have been more subtle, though. Fancy using a poison which could be detected immediately. How did you expect to get away with that?”

“You talk as if …”

“That is how they will talk to you, Lenore. You will be suspected, you know, once the real investigation begins. You wanted to be rid of me, didn’t you?”

“You are talking arrant nonsense.”

“It seems to fit the case. Who wanted me out of the way? You! Who wanted Julia out of the way? Drake and you. Looking forward, both of you, I suppose, to the days when there would be no need for secret meetings in Parsons Road. You can be together under the cloak of respectability, and perhaps no one will ever know what you had to do to reach that happy state.”

“How dare you say such things?”

“I merely state the obvious.”

“Charles, go away. I shall tell the truth when I am asked. I visited Julia. I went straight in and came straight out by way of the main staircase. I have never been to your rooms and I have no knowledge of poisons.”

“No? Perhaps that is why you were so clumsy. Where did you get it? A little arsenic … They say you get it from fly papers. I believe there is a weed killer which can be very effective.”

“Please go away.”

“In my own time. Was that what you were planning in Number 12 Parsons Road? Did Nanny give her darling a few hints? Perhaps she provided the fly papers … or the weed killer? Nannies are so full of unexpected wisdom.”

“Go away! Go away!” I cried.

”You are not being your usual clever self. Think what I know. I could put a rope round your neck, my sweet Lenore … and perhaps one day your lover’s too.”

”I will listen to no more of this wicked talk.”

“Well, I will say au revoir. I will thank you for your warm welcome and your lavish hospitality. 1 shall be back to see you, Lenore. Who knows, we may be able to work something out together.”

Trembling with apprehension, I shut the door after him and sank down, covering my face with my hands. I wanted to shut out all thought of him. I wanted to forget this shocking tragedy which threatened Drake and me … and everyone connected with us.

I did not trust Charles. There were secrets in his eyes. I knew that he would have no compunction in destroying me.

I awoke in the morning to a feeling of dread. I was so pleased Katie was now in Paris. At least I did not have to worry about her.

I knew that questions would be asked. I knew, too, that there was a great deal of gossip. The servants looked at me almost furtively, as though they were summing up the situation and finding me the centre of the storm.

There is little our servants do not know about us. They are like private detectives … aware of every movement we make, ears strained for revealing conversations; and there is communication between the houses of friends whose servants are acquainted with each other.

It was well known that Drake and Julia had not got on well together. Many an outburst must have been overheard; and since the musical evening everyone was aware of my friendship with Drake.

The most sensational inferences were always put on these matters. I could sense that between them all, they had come to the conclusion that Drake and I were lovers whose aim it was to get rid of Julia. So Julia had died. True, she had taken drink which was meant for her brother, but nevertheless she had died and that was exactly what they believed Drake and I wanted.

The inevitable questions were asked. A man in a dark grey suit came to the house with another. They were police officers.

I was asked a great many questions. I had seen Julia on the day of her death. I had called in unexpectedly. I had spent a little time with her. How had she been? Very much as she usually was, I told them. She had not been drinking on that occasion? Not enough to make her intoxicated. We had spoken together quite rationally. What was the subject of our discourse? I knew I must be truthful. I said: “She was considering divorcing her husband. I had suggested that she should make an effort to save her marriage.”

“You were very good friends with both Mr. and Mrs. Aldringham?”

“Yes. She and I were brought up together, and we had both known Mr. Aldringham during our childhood.”

“I see, I see,” said the man, smiling discreetly. “And you were equally friendly with both of them?”

“I…I was friendly with both of them.”

“Had you at any time been engaged to Mr. Aldringham?”

“No.”

”Had there been any understanding between you?”

I hesitated.

“There was,” he said. “Yet he married this lady who has met this untimely and unfortunate death. It was a surprise to you that he should do so?”

“I knew that they were friends.”

He nodded.

“I don’t think there is anything more we have to say to you just now, Mrs. Sallonger. I have no doubt we shall be calling back.”

When they had gone Grand’mere insisted that I should lie down. She made me drink one of her cordials, and she sat by my bed. “Just till you sleep,” she said coaxingly.

As if I could sleep!

I was trying to rest when I heard the sound of raised voices coming from below. I lay listening for a moment and then got up and went to the door. They were coming from the reception room. The door must be open.

I hurried down and went in. I thought I was dreaming. Grand’mere was standing there, dismayed and defiant, two angry red spots of colour on her cheeks and her eyes blazing with fury. But it was not Grand’mere who startled me—for her companion was the Comte.

There was silence as I entered. He came towards me, smiling almost suavely as though it were the most natural thing in the world that he should be there.

“The Comte de Carsonne!” I cried. “What are you doing in London?”

“Please not so formal, Lenore,” he replied. “And I am in London to see you.” His eyes went to Grand’mere briefly as he added: “And I was determined to.”

He took my hands and I felt faint with relief and a ridiculous lightheartedness. For one glorious moment my fears and uncertainties seemed to vanish. There was only one thing I could think of: He was here and he had come to see me.

“You are well,” he said holding my hand and looking into my face anxiously.

“We have had some trouble here.”

“That is what I have been saying,” said Grand’mere tersely. “And we do not want to add to it.” She went on defiantly. “I have been telling Monsieur le Comte de Carsonne that you have no time just now to receive acquaintances.”

“Yes,” said the Comte sadly, “Madame has been telling me that I shall not be welcome here.”

“We have enough trouble,” said Grand’mere. “My granddaughter should be resting.” She turned to me. “You have a great deal on your mind. That is why I am telling Monsieur le Comte that you could not see him.”

“So,” he put in lightly, “you came down in the nick of time to prevent my being ordered to leave.”

“Grand’mere,” I said. “I wish to speak to the Comte.”

She was silent and I felt very sad to go against her wishes which I knew so well were all for my good. I knew how she cared for me and how she feared this man was going to do me some harm. But I had to talk to him … alone. I had a feeling that he could help me in some way. I did not know how. But he emanated strength and just to be with him gave me comfort.

“Please, Grand’mere … I shall be all right. I promise you.”

She looked at me helplessly and shrugged her shoulders. Then she turned and threw a venomous look at the Comte.

“Don’t be long,” she said pleadingly.

“I won’t,” I said.

The Comte bowed to her as she went out.

“She does not like me,” he said ruefully.

“She has heard stories of you.”

“Of me? I was a child when she went away from the place.”

“She has heard stories of your family and she thinks you are like them.”

“The sins of the fathers,” he murmured. “But here I am. I have defeated the dragon … temporarily … and reached you.”

“How long have you been in London?”

”One hour.”

”So you came straight to me.” It was absurd to feel so happy. Nothing had changed … only the fact that he was here.

I had not realized until that moment how deeply he affected me.

“I left Paris soon after you did. I had to return to Carsonne. Raoul had an accident. He fell off his horse.”

“Raoul! Is he allright?”

“It turned out to be not so serious as they thought. He is recovering. I came back to see you and Mademoiselle Cassandra had much to tell me.”

“I see. So you know …”

“I read in the press. This politician’s wife—she is related to you.”

”We were brought up together. You know the story of the Sallongers and the St. Allengeres.”

“There is much I wish to know. I am going to help you.”

”What can you do?”

“I shall find some way. What has happened so far?”

“They are looking for Julia’s murderer.”

“And they suspect… ?”

”I was one of the last to see her alive. It was her brother who found her. He came to his room and she was dead having drunk the sherry which had been intended for him.”

”And he has his enemies?”

“Apparently.”

”And you were one of these?”

“He accused me of being Julia’s husband’s mistress.”

He raised his eyebrows. “And were you?”

“Of course not.”

“I am glad of that. I should have been very angry with you if it had been true.”

”Please don’t be flippant. I cannot endure that. I feel far from flippant.”

“This Charles,” he said, “he was what you call the great lover?”

“You mean, did he have many love affairs? I think he had something of a reputation for that. He and his wife saw each other rarely. He married her for her money and they agreed to live separate lives.”

”Perhaps this was a crime passionnel. Do you know any of his mistresses?”

“I know little of his private life. But there was a woman…”

“Ah, one you know.”

“I heard she visited him. Her name was Madalenna de’ Pucci. I have a picture of her. We were taken together at a function.”

“I should like to see it. Perhaps she knows something of this little matter. It would be worth while rinding out and asking.”

“I don’t think we should find her. She was here … some time ago. She may have gone back to Italy.”

“So she is Italian. They are a very passionate people. Where is the picture? Shall we see it?”

“Stay here. I will get it.”

I was astounded at the effect the picture had on him.

“Madalenna de’ Pucci!” he said. “What an outstandingly beautiful woman.”

I felt angry. I took the picture from him but he took it back and continued to gaze at it.

“You are clearly impressed by her,” I said coldly,

“Yes … impressed. Madalenna de’ Pucci. I think I may have met her in France.”

”I daresay she is a much travelled woman. She was here with her brother… on business.”

“Did you meet the brother?”

“No … no. He was travelling … in the Midlands, I think. She was waiting for him in London.”

“Tell me more of Madalenna de’ Pucci.”

“Do you really find her so interesting?”

“Immensely so.”

“I first met her when there was an accident outside The Silk House. Her carriage was overturned and she sprained her ankle. She came to the house and stayed a few days.”

“When was that?”

”It was just after I was married.”