Chapter Two: Links
I am hastily on my guard.
"This carriage is sent for me to Upper House," I say, unable to assume anything at present.
"I know," she replies. "I asked Geoffrey if I could come, merely to get out of the house for a while, since, it happened, it has been exceptionally dreary there." She looks very sincere and upset, obviously knowing the family of d'Narley. A thousand and one questions fly through my head, and I am unsure where to start. I begin, by sitting down opposite her, and regarding her since we last met.
She has not changed remarkably. Her hair is the same with the exception of the expense of jewels adorning it. Her features are the same, she is entirely the same. Same as the murderer I knew a year ago. And I am sent for to investigate a murder? I have adverse feelings about this already.
"You live in the d'Narley household?" I inquire.
"I am Lady d'Narley, Ichabod, and will be addressed as such. Where else do you think such a good reference would have come from? At once when the, dreadful deed, had been carried out I knew that you would be the man to solve the crime, and restore peace in our house. And Geoffrey was ever so grateful for my knowledge of someone of such fine quality," she explains. She has done well since she left Merry Fellon, marrying into such class. The horses begin to pull out from the Fellon, and I realize I am trapped in a carriage, with a woman who has been known to kill three people, possibly four. But I do maintain reminding myself, I know nothing of this fourth murder, as of yet, but will do as soon as we arrive at Upper House.
As for my tenancy at Upper House, I know I must first investigate the occupancy. Knowing of Claire, Lady d'Narley's presence in the house, does not make me doubt staying, for indeed, I have resided with this cold-hearted woman before, but I do not feel I can unearth the truth of her past to her present husband.
I almost found this situation distressing, it appeared obvious to me that the case of Claire appearing in the household and assuming such a leading role, then being in the facility to be the murderer of this maidservant, seemed to me extremely suspicious. It was, indeed, impossible though, for me to voice any of the past to the Lord because of his affiliation with the present Lady d'Narley and her class.
Indeed, she must have changed psychologically to have had the opening of marriage to the Lord, and therefore I must not judge her by her similar appearance to when I was of her acquaintance.
I did not like to bring the issue of the maidservant into conversation with Lady d'Narley, in the coach. I knew I would have to tread warily around her, at least until I have her alibi, and as the Lady of the house, it is quite possible that she could bribe any one of the domestics.
"Lady d'Narley. Not being one to resurrect past events, but I do feel I must ask you. I am correct in the assumption that you remember what note we parted on nearly a year previous to this day?" I ask.
"Yes," she replies.
"Would the implication suggested still occur?" I press further.
"Ichabod, you must understand that my past is indeed my past, and I hope not to let it infect my future, I am very happy with my future prospects at present. It would not do for any knowledge that you may hold of me to escape into rumor in my house, you do understand?"
"Yes."
"Then we can come to an agreement," she says happily. "The implication suggested would be forgotten so long as my husband and household do not know of what has been. I merely suggested your name as a very capable constable, able to detect criminals. My husband does not know that we are acquainted."
"Indeed, your Ladyship." I do feel somewhat uncomfortable with this circumstance. I am fully aware of my silence being bought. But as I did not mean to tell of our past then I could not complain, in one sense I had just freed myself for nothing. There is some further uncomfort in the silence that follows, before we embark in polite conversation. Lady d'Narley asks after my health and how I have fared this past year and I answer honestly, that little of any importance or interest to her has happened. The residents of Merry Fellon have been extremely subdued since she had left. I did not tell her of the division she has caused between myself and the village, as now is not the time to commence badly.
By the time we arrive at Upper House, hours later subsequently, the polite conversation had draw to a close and we sat in quiet. The horses stopped at the head of a large driveway to a large house of grand stature. The coachman opened the door for Lady d'Narley and myself, I follow her, descending from the carriage. The butler, I assume by his attire, holds the majestic door open, a maid behind him takes Lady d'Narley's coat and scarf and my cane. She indicates for me to follow her and I takes a few steps into the grand hall of the house. There are doors left and right, and a red-carpeted staircase of notable size, and from the position I stand in I can just observe the green baize door to the left of the staircase.
Lady d'Narley shows me into a comfortable looking living area.
"Maisy, would you inform my husband that Mr. Crane is here?" she asks, not a question but an order. "And tell Richard to inform Mrs. Caddeston that there will be one more to dinner from present." The maid in the corner of the room curtsies and leaves. "Please, Ichabod, sit down." She gestures to a chair. "I would indeed have taken you through to the Blue Room but this one is far more accessible to certain parts of the house and I believe my husband will be in the library." She sits down on a chair near mine, her posture elegant. "Later he will show you to the guest rooms where you can unpack. Richard will have had your things brought in." She takes off her satin gloves and lays them on a small round table. The door opens and the maid appears, holding the door, the man I can only suppose is Lord d'Narley stands before, taking large strides into the room. His brown hair curls slightly on his head, and he wears a large beam across his face, a cigarette in his hand. He approaches me and I stand.
"Mr. Crane," he greets.
"Yes, my Lord," I nod.
"Sir down, sit down," he says, taking a chair himself, one nearly opposite mine, next to his lady wife. "I hope the journey was fine?" he inquires. I nod again. "And my fine wife's company?"
"Very generous of someone to escort to me," I reply.
"Yes, lovely lady. Have you told Mr. Crane about Natty, dear?" he asks his wife.
"Briefly, dear. I saved grand explanations for you," she rests her hand on his.
"Well," Lord d'Narley begins. "I hope you have a strong heart."