I have actually edited this chapter because I didn't like it as much as the others and I felt like I needed to add something important to this so please don't neglect to read it again else you might be lost later by reference. Thank you :)
ACT ONE
In which Cat attempts to discover the truth...
Scene Three
Au Revoir
So I spent a couple of hours in the Avon house.
Well not that many. The Duchess was very interesting, she wanted to tell me all about Australia.
"Definiely an asset for Britain," she said. "They've got a few trading opportunities going on over there you know. I knew a couple who went over for a vocational trip of all things. They liked it so much they stayed out there you know. They send me letters sometimes. Let me show you one."
She got to her feet, still a fairly spritely woman if I do say so, and started looking in the simplest piece of furniture in the room. It was a writing desk with no decoration on it. Lizzie had once told me that it was from the Duchess' stage days and it had pride of place in the drawing room.
There wasn't really anyone else around except us. Frank and Pedro were still out.
Yes I know what you're thinking reader, but what am I supposed to do? The Duchess seemed so lonely and plus, this information might be useful if Syd needed a friend out there, if he didn't get off the charge. I didn't want to think about it.
It was getting late and I know that a lot of people would not be too happy about me ringing their bells and asking them questions in the middle of the night despite what you may believe.
And believe me reader I did want to go out and investigate, but I had to find out more about Australia. It might be the most useful thing I could actually do for him.
Stop it Cat, I thought to myself.
I felt terrible not going out and finding out everything I could about the case, but there wasn't a lot. You may already be familiar with the fact that few of us get a real justice to our cause. Society works against those who do not have a couple of thousand pounds to spare. Against those who cannot afford to live a life of luxury. I had no leads, nobody who could be bothered to testify much at all and even fewer who would go to the bobbies.
"Ah, here they are," Lady Avon returned with a wad of letters in her hand. "They're call Eleanor and George Carstasir. Lovely people. Old performers like myself. They do duets of flute and violin now. They live all the way in Sydney, and in this most recent letter they tell me about the large number of immigrants they're getting recently. Lots of mining going on apparently although they don't know what it's for."
"How interesting," I said making a mental note of the address.
The Duchess gave me a long hard look, like she could read my thoughts. I knew I hadn't exactly Bern hiding my emotions, but she seemed to be really sorry for me.
"I'm sure your friend will be fine," she said at last. "He's a strong boy. You're doing what you can Catherine."
"I'm not doing enough," I sighed. "I need to go out and finish my enquiries. Time is running out, but we're no closer to clearing his name."
"Cat," said the Duchess. "You cannot give up now. Although I know I should not agree with such reckless behaviour and at such a late hour, but you should do what your heart tells you. A friend is an important thing. I won't keep you any longer. You must continue. I'll look after Midnight."
"Oh thank you," I said. "Thank you so much."
"Now go," it was almost an order.
With no thought to decorum, I flung the door open and ran downstairs. Of course a few of the servants gave me funny looks as my behaviour was hardly befitting of a young lady. I wasn't told off though.
"I have to get Syd's name cleared," I panted in a haphazard explanation to anyone who cared to listen.
"That's no job for a lady," I thought I heard a servant mutter, but I ignored it.
And with that I flung open the great doors that opened to the square outside and was away into the street. Little did I know I would be leaving the Avon's for a very long time.