Evangeline's parents, who I had only met in a handful of times before, were not at all surprised with my sudden invasion of their home. They both expressed their horror when Evangeline explained the situation, and Mr. Carter promised he would help me however he could. Though I wasn't sure what kind of help he could give me, I appreciated the offer all the same. We didn't speak of the situation over dinner, though I'm sure Evangeline pulled Alfred Wilson aside to tell him all when he arrived.
After a night of sleeplessness, I still didn't know what I was going to do. Certainly, the Carters were kind to allow me to stay with them but it wasn't a permanent solution. I had no way of discovering if I had any extended family who would be willing to take me in. There seemed only one thing left.
I would have to take lodgings.
It was perfectly acceptable for a young lady, wasn't it? After all, young women traveled to London for employment all the time. They had to sleep somewhere if they weren't provided lodgings in a large house or store.
Off course, my first step would be a visit to Mr. Douglas. My mother and her husband would not get a penny more of my inheritance. I even intended on purchasing several copies of The Strand, so that I could share it with anyone who was skeptical or judgemental of my decision.
Though I would ask Mr. Douglas, I suspected Mr. Holmes was correct in the story. There would be no repercussions for my stepfather's actions.
Evangeline volunteered to accompany me, but I chose to go alone. She tried to insist it was the least a friend would do. After all, she had her own life and I certainly didn't want to just take over with my own affairs.
The day was gray and gloomy when I stepped outside. I shivered as a cold wind blew. Perhaps it was my bleak mood that affected my view of the day's weather. I almost hailed a passing hansom cab but decided a walk would be just the thing to dispel some of my nervous energy.
Mr. Douglas was surprised to see me. However, once I explained why I had come, he was happy to clear his schedule for me. He listened without judgment as I detailed everything that had happened in the last two years and then asked questions to clarify the situation.
It took a good two hours, and I produced a copy of the Strand for him to have. He agreed that my mother and James had forfeited any right to my inheritance with their actions. When I asked if there were any legal action to be taken, Mr. Douglas promised he would investigate but warned he didn't think it likely. He also advised me to consider making a will to protect my assets in case anything happened.
"I do not wish for you to be taken advantage of, my dear Miss Sutherland," he said kindly. "And I am appalled I have no protected you as much as I ought to have."
I wish I could say I felt better when I left, but I didn't. The weight of the world still remained on my shoulders. There was no clear course in front of me. Where could I go?
Of course, I still had my work to occupy myself. In fact, there was a stack of documents in need of being typed up.
All of a sudden, I felt a pair of hands on my back and then I was stumbling into the street. Gasping, I tried to keep myself from falling onto my face. There was a shout, and then I heard the frantic whinny of a horse.
A hand grabbed my arm and wanked me back. A hansom cab rushed passed, the driver shouting obscenities at me. How close I had been to being harmed, perhaps losing my life! There were other voices asking questions and exclaiming over what had happened. "What were you thinking?" a man asked from behind me.
Did he think I had stepped into the street on purpose? Before I turned around, I took a deep breath. "Thank you for your assistance," I said as I faced the small crowd that had fathered. "I have never been pushed into the street before, so I am grateful you were on hand to help me."
"Poor dear," an older woman said, sympathy in her voice. "No wonder you look so pale! Who would do something so mean spirited?"
"A likely thing," said the man who I presumed had been my rescuer. He looked to be a few years older than me, and a couple of inches taller. One eyebrow was raised over brown eyes. "Why would anyone do something so hurtful?"
"Why would I lie?" I demanded. But I had a moment of doubt. Had I been pushed? I definitely had felt hands on my back. The street wasn't so crowded it could have happened accidentally. Yes, I had been pushed. "No matter. I must be on my way."
With the excitement over, most who had stopped went on their way. "Are you sure you are well?" the woman asked, her brow creased with concern. "Should we summon a constable? Do you think you are in some kind of danger?"
Danger. James. Of course! Why hadn't I made the connection immediately? Had he anticipated I would visit my solicitor and waited outside in an attempt to take his revenge?
"My poor girl, you must sit down!" the woman exclaimed, patting my arm. "You have gone as white as a sheet! You, sir! Give her some support!"
The skeptical gentleman, to my surprise, moved forward. "Are you well?" he asked, offering his arm. His tone had softened.
"I am well," I said quickly. Being in the open had suddenly made me feel vulnerable. "If you could, perhaps, hail me a cab, I would like to return to my friend's home."
He narrowed his eyes for a moment and then nodded. As he stepped closer to the road, the woman patted my arm again. "Poor thing," she said again. "You are not having a very good day, are you?"
She didn't know the half of it. I managed a shaky smile as I glanced around. There were no familiar faces, though I hadn't really expected to see any. James' shadow who had followed me so long had never gotten close enough for me detect any details.
"Miss," the gentleman said, getting my attention. A hansom cab had drawn up, and he was holding the door open.
I thanked the woman for her concern, assured her I was well enough to be on my way, and then stepped to the cab. Again, the gentleman surprised me by offering his hand to help me in. Murmuring my thanks, I accepted his assistance and climbed into the hansom cab.
Then, to my surprise, the gentleman climbed in himself and took up the space next to me. "Where shall I escort you?" he asked.
"It isn't necessary for you to come along, sir," I said sharply. Peace and time to think were all I longed, and what kind of gentleman entered a cab without a lady's permission? "I'm sure you have other responsibilities to see to, without involving yourself with such a clumsy and thoughtless lady as me."
He shook his head. "It would be ungentlemanly of me if I were to send you on your way without being sure you were well," he said. "And would you have me endure that old lady's frowns and scolds if I dared do so?"
Seeing no way of ousting him, I murmured Evangeline's address. He raised an eyebrow yet again and then conveyed the information to eh driver. As the cab began to move, he said, "So you are visiting the Carters?"
"Are you acquainted with them as well?" I asked in more than a little surprise.
"Mr. Carter is an associate of my father," he said, with a slight inclination of his head. "Forgive me. I have not introduced myself. I am Jasper Irdale."
"Mary Sutherland," I said, offering my hand. A friend of the Carters was certain to be worthy of my friendship, even if he had offended me.
He clasped his hand around mine. "While I would say the pavement was not crowded enough for someone to accidentally bump you into the street, I find it hard to believe you were pushed," he said, his tone matter-of-fact.
In an instant, all my intention of being pleasant vanished. "Well," I said with a huff. I pulled my hand away, resisting the urge to slap him. "I am astonished you chose to accompany me when you think I made the story up."
"Obviously I could not allow you to wander around causing mayhem," Mr. Irdale said, waving his hand dismissively. "Who knows the trouble you could cause? Someone less kind might deem it necessary to confine you for your own sanity and safety."
My heart stuttered and I swallowed hard. "Stop the cab."
"What?"
"Now!" I hadn't meant to shout, but I had to get out of the confined space. It was difficult to breathe.
Mr. Irdale rapped on the top of the cab, which then slowed. Without waiting for the hansom to come to a stop, I lurched out the door. I stumbled as I reached the street, but kept myself upright. My hands were shaking as I strode away. There was passerby, who I'm sure must have been startled by my less than graceful exit., but I kept my gaze straight ahead.
How dare he even suggest such a thing? Why would he be so specific?
"Miss Sutherland!" Mr. Irdale exclaimed, following me. "Where are you going? Miss Sutherland!"
I only stopped when a boy stepped in front of me. "Miss Sutherland?" he asked, his eyes bright with curiosity and eagerness. He held up a magazine I knew all too well. "Like in the Sherlock Holmes story?"
"Alexander!" A woman—his mother, I presumed —exclaimed, catching his arm. "Don't be so rude. I do apologize, Miss. My son can be so impetuous at times, especially when it comes to those detective stories. Come along, Alexander."
She hurried the boy away, scolding him. Hadn't I feared people would recognize me from the story? Sutherland was not a common name.
"How did that boy know your name?" Mr. Irdale asked from beside me.
"I suggest, Mr. Irdale, that if you would like answers to your questions, you first purchase a copy of The Strand," I told him with as much dignity as I could muster. "I must return to my friend's home now. Good day."
I walked on, eager to put it all behind me. This time, Mr. Irdale didn't follow me, which I was grateful for. My mind was racing with everything that had happened in the last half an hour. I didn't need to defend myself or explain myself to someone who may or may not be the friend he claimed to be with my friends.
Once again, I was looking over my shoulder every few seconds. Though honestly, after the crowd that had been gathered around me, the culprit would have been an idiot to stay in the area. James Windibank was not an idiot, if it had been him, but I could not say the same for any man that may have been hired to harm me.
Worry plagued me the entire walk back to the Carter's. Would I never be free of my stepfather? When would I have my life back?