The Quickening by Rhiannon Ward

Author:Rhiannon Ward [Ward, Rhiannon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781409192190
Publisher: Orion Publishing Group
Published: 2020-08-19T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-Two

To my frustration, George wouldn’t talk any more of the séance until I’d rested. I thought we might have to make an effort to slip past the guests unseen, but a tumult of angry voices reverberated around the drawing room as we emerged out of the passage. The Conan Doyles were standing to one side, Jean looking on in grim satisfaction while her husband puffed on a cigar, dropping ash onto the cracked tiles. Felix shouted orders to Quinlivan as Sir Thomas attempted to quieten the agitated dogs which had accompanied him. Only Lily and Helene were out of sight although I could hear one of them sobbing in the sitting room. Janet was for once discomposed, glancing across at me from the doorway leading to the kitchens.

‘What’s happened?’ I asked her, slipping past George who looked cheered that other guests shared his outrage.

She kept her voice low, her eyes on the unfolding scene. ‘The master has finally snapped. He’s heard what was said in the séance. Sir Thomas is furious, too. He threatened to horsewhip Ada. She’s to go this evening.’

‘But she’s only behaving as she did before. Why this reaction now?’

Janet shrugged. ‘Perhaps she’s finally been found out for what she is. There are things I found in her room. Wires, a vial of oil of roses which she knew Mrs Clewer’s mother wore, and some bell contraption attached to a belt. It looks big enough to go round a leg. I knew she was up to no good.’

‘Did you tell anyone?’

‘Only Quinlivan, and it was hardly a surprise to him.’

I looked across to Sir Thomas, who met my gaze with an expression of ice.

‘Was she that bad?’

‘She is a foul scoundrel. I only agreed to come as a neighbourly favour to Felix and Helene. I should have stayed well away.’

His tone struck a false note. Ada had behaved exactly as I’d expected and nothing she’d said while I was listening in the orangery struck me as deliberately aimed at Sir Thomas. Perhaps I’d missed something during my faint.

‘Did she refer to someone you’ve lost?’

My question only served to infuriate him further and he took his ire out on me. ‘Does it matter who she talked about?’ he shouted, rocking on his heels as George moved towards me.

‘It’s hardly Louisa’s fault. Perhaps you should remember who you’re addressing.’

Sir Thomas seized both dogs by their collars and dragged them towards the servants’ stairs.

‘I’m going to warm up these animals. They’ve got the collywobbles like everyone else. A feed will do them good.’

I saw Conan Doyle and his wife stand up.

‘I think we should retire to bed. This evening has left us both shattered.’ Jean looked around, pausing as the sound of sobs in the living room slowed to deep heaves. ‘Please pass on our regards to Helene for an excellent dinner.’

As I watched them climb the stairs, I remembered Ada’s doddery gait. ‘Must she leave tonight?’ I asked Janet. ‘It’s not a night for travelling.’

‘The Colonel’s asked Quinlivan to get the car ready.

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