Pursuit by Felice Picano

Author:Felice Picano [Picano, Felice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781636790145
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2021-04-17T16:00:00+00:00

4. Epilogue

To: The Earl of R——

11 Hanover Square

London, England

17 January 188—

Sir,

After the terrible assault by one Mr. MacIlhenny who publicised himself as under your direct orders and who perished in the mêlée, I was told that Addison’s very last words before losing consciousness here in Florence referred to some writings of his. Since I am his only living relation, these were easily enough obtained and read here. A fair copy has been sent off to you, along with a packet of letters, exact copies of those Her Ladyship has sent to her new daughter-in-law to be read by her during her honeymoon, lest that young person be “so completely hoodwinked” as the Lady claims to have been after her own nuptials. These have been copied out in my own hand for the purpose of possible prosecution. Her Ladyship said but two sentences: “Your dear Addison is another victim of my far-reaching and vicious husband. I fear that his fate is my fault.”

“Had he not interfered,” I assured her, “we both would have perished, it is now certain enough to me, as our own little Henriette perished before us.” So, I absolve her. Although she was correct ascribing all the blame.

I do not know how you plan to pay for this, Sir, but you have two years to think of it before I return to England to claim my estate, and we shall see then what I may be able to achieve through those with whom I hold great influence.

Her Ladyship asked myself and the Venetian lad, too, to stay on awhile in her service and to live with her and Mr. Partlett here in Italy, as much for our own comfort as for all our safety. For who knows, she asked, if there is not another assassin sent out in case of failure?

None of us would be at all surprised.

Stephen Walter Undershot

✥ ✥ ✥

“There it is! What do you think?”

“You clearly weren’t intending upon being friendly.”

“Clearly.”

“I think it a fine piece of bravado, threat, misinformation, and persiflage,” the Marchioness declared. “Send it off by Ennio. He goes into the village tomorrow, and the mail is picked up to go to Fiesole later that day.”

“And you? Brother Addison, what think you of the letter?”

“Exactly as Her Ladyship said,” Addison replied. “Do you think he’ll ever ask to see an accounting of the monies I secured at various banks and offices for my European jaunt? After all, he is the Exchequer.”

“Was the Exchequer,” she said with a little smile. “What he is now is a man with no office, and if my son’s latest correspondence is at all correct, he is furthermore someone who is awaiting prosecution for murder.”

“But still my brother warns him in any action against himself or yourself.”

“Wouldn’t you?” Davey asked.

“I suppose.”

“Shall you attempt to sit upon that ancient jade of a nag tomorrow as you promised?” she then asked Addison.

“You mean to show how well I have recovered?”

It was already winter. Christmas had come and gone and then

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