3
"So tell me about her sad history," Alexis said as she loaded her plate with bacon. Her grandmother watched her.
"Are you sure you want to eat all that? You have a dress fitting later today."
Richard gave his mother a look. "Stop it, you'll give her an eating disorder."
"It's alright, Dad. Grams, I've already trained for two hours this morning. I'm hungry. And besides, I'd rather have dresses that fit me even when I'm full!"
Martha laughed. "Very well. And you're young, I suppose. You keep your figure no matter what."
Alexis smiled. "Will you tell be about Lady Beckett now?"
Richard caught his mother's eye.
"You see how she is when she gets hooked on something?"
"I do. It reminds me a lot of how you were at that age. And how you still are, in fact! Alexis, I'll tell you what I know, but bear in mind that I do not know the full story, and what I do know could be incorrect."
"That's fine, Grams. I'd just love to know whatever you can tell me."
"Very well. I suppose I should start with the Beckett family. James Beckett was the Lord of a small estate; nothing like the size of your father's-"
"Was?"
"I'll get to it, my dear."
"Sorry."
Martha patted her hand. "So, James Beckett. He married a beautiful woman named Johanna. Neither of them were well known in society, they kept themselves to themselves, but when they were seen, everyone said they were kind and polite. They were both interested in political ideology and knew the prime minister. It's rumoured that they were helping another with his campaign. They wanted to make the political system fairer and more equal. They had a daughter who they named Katherine. She was hardly seen at all; they wanted to keep her safe. They believed the wealthy end of society was the most dangerous. They were also keen to educate their daughter, which would not have been approved of.
The tragedy happened when Katherine was just nineteen. Her family had been paying one of its very rare visits to London. Johanna went missing. It was reported, and she was found, dead. Stabbed in a dark alleyway. The killer was never caught; the police put it down to random violence of beggars and thieves. In his grief, James Beckett turned to drink and let his estate go bankrupt. The land was all sold off; only the house remains and it is falling down. Katherine's story is harder to know about for sure. She disappeared and was never seen again; it is only recently that people have begun to say the lady who catches killers is this bereaved young girl."
Alexis' bacon lay on her plate; Alexis frowned as she looked at it.
"That's... sad."
Richard looked at his daughter. He too had thought the story was sad, but he just didn't feel the way she did. Her compassion was touching in itself. He slid his hand into hers.
"If you do find her, if she needs it, we'll help her."
And he found himself wanting to help this mystery woman not just for his daughter's sake, but for his own. Though he found Alexis' obsession slightly amusing, he was beginning to be caught up in it himself. The more he heard about Kate Beckett, the more curious about her he became.
The morning passed quickly and the dressmaker arrived. Richard went to hide in his office while Alexis was forced to think about clothes. He saw her mournful look but replied with one that said 'you brought this on yourself'.
Alexis winced as her body was forced into a corset. She hated these things with a passion. Martha frowned sympathetically as one of the maids did up the laces at the back. Finally it was on and Alexis swayed a little on the spot as she was measured for new dresses that would be delivered the next day. She picked out fabrics, with strict instruction from her grandmother. Martha knew everything there was to know about the latest fashions, and Alexis would be one well dressed young lady.
She also needed new shoes, new underwear, new nightgowns – Martha gasped when she saw the ragged shirts Alexis liked to wear in bed – new hats, ribbons, jewellery... Alexis tried to have fun and did manage to an extent. She concentrated on what it was all for. She would look at it as part of a mission. And she couldn't deny that she was a little excited about meeting the king.
"What's he like?" she asked Martha.
"You'd do better asking your father. They were similar, once. But your father grew up. The king didn't."
"You don't approve of him?"
"He has too much power and too little control. But he's a good man."
"King Stephen... Is he handsome?"
Martha laughed. "He's a little old for you dear."
"I wasn't thinking for me. I was just wondering. And a little thinking for-"
"Lady Beckett? Alexis, you don't even know if she really exists – in the way she's talked about. And you're matchmaking for her?"
"No... I don't know. I thought maybe she... It could make a good story."
"Now you're talking like your father."
"I wish it were Friday."
"Don't wish your life away, darling. Even a few days – every moment counts."
"I suppose..." Alexis said, absently picking at the corset as she thought about what her first ball would be like. She had been to plenty of parties and dances before; she knew how to behave in company. But she had never been to a real ball, she had never met anyone truly important. And on Friday she was going to meet the king.
…
Richard was forced to witness the fashion show of the next afternoon. The dresses were delivered and Alexis had to try on every single one. He had to admit he was impressed. His daughter might only be fifteen, and the dresses were just clothes, but they made him see her as a woman. She was beautiful. He was suddenly worried.
"Don't grow up too fast," he blurted out suddenly as she twirled around in a full skirted, pale blue dress that rustled when she moved. She whipped her head around to grin at him.
"I won't, Daddy. If you like I'll even keep a dagger tucked into my underwear."
Richard laughed loudly. Martha narrowed her eyes. "That will not be necessary. Richard, do you have clothes fit to be seen in public?"
Richard grinned. "No. But as soon as Lady Alexis here is finished parading around, she's going to put on something plainer and come with me into town, where I will deposit her in a bookshop while I visit my tailor."
Alexis smiled. "Are we going to-"
"Montgomery's? Of course, Lex. Do you really think I'd ever take you anywhere else?"
"I don't know what you see in that shop. It's gloomy and dusky, and there is nothing to do but browse endless huge volumes, some of which aren't even in English."
Richard winked at his daughter. "Alexis is fluent in French and German, is beginning to learn Russian, and can manage most Latin too. And we love Montgomery's. He sells my books."
"That does not tell me anything about him."
"It tells you he has good taste."
Martha waved her hand in a dismissive motion. "Alexis, is that the last dress?"
Alexis nodded, completely relieved.
"Very well. Go and get ready to go out with your father. And Alexis-" she added as Alexis hurried for the door.
"I expect to see you in something new and respectable. And a hat."
Alexis groaned, but knew she would have to obey. Richard got up from his seat in an armchair and went to get his own hat. Alexis was ready within half an hour and they got into the carriage. As always, Alexis looked out of the window, fascinated by the streets of the city she so rarely saw.
"It's not as nice as the countryside, is it?" her father asked.
"No. But it is more complicated. And busier. There are so many people. I'm worried we're going to run them over!"
"Don't worry. We have Johnson. He's an expert at crowd navigation. And our horses are second to none."
"If you say so. How do ladies ride in carriages?"
Richard chuckled. "They sit up straight and look straight ahead. They don't look out of the window because it's beneath them. Their back never touches the cushion."
"Then what's the cushion there for?"
Richard winked. "The gentlemen, of course."
Alexis rubbed at her stomach. "It's disgusting. Women seem to be born to suffer. I can hardly breathe in this thing."
Richard frowned. "I'm sorry. You look lovely, though."
"Thanks," Alexis said sarcastically. "They can write that on my gravestone when I suffocate."
The carriage stopped and Richard smiled at his daughter. "Do you need me to come in with you?"
Alexis shook her head.
"Well then. I'll see you in a few hours. Don't go anywhere else!"
Alexis nodded and smiled. "You can trust me."
Johnson opened the door for her and she stepped down onto the street, looking around. The carriage pulled away and she waved to her father with a white-gloved hand. She tried to take it all in. The people rushing around, the carriages, the rich and the poor... She turned and walked into the shop. Mr Montgomery bowed low when he saw her.
"Lady Alexis Castle! It has been far too long, my dear."
Alexis kissed him on the cheek.
"Mr Montgomery, it really has. It's so lovely to see you."
"The pleasure is all mine."
"Do you have anything for me?" Alexis asked with a little smile. Montgomery grinned and lead her through to another room. He pointed out a few shelves and told her to browse away and call him if she needed anything. She nodded, and began to look through the books.
After a few minutes, after checking to see she was alone, she carefully unpinned her hat and set it on a chair. She continued to look through the books, choosing one and wishing she could curl up on a windowsill with it but knowing her corset made this impossible. They were like straight jackets. Even more so because, as she began to realise, it was nearly impossible to take one off on your own.
"Would you like me to help you?" asked a mildly entertained voice from behind her. Alexis had been reaching round, trying to undo the hooks at the back of her dress. She spun around and looked at the speaker. A young woman, very beautiful. She wore a dark blue dress, obviously with a corset too. Alexis blushed.
"No, sorry, I... Sorry."
The woman smiled. "Don't be sorry. They're disgusting things, it took me years to get used to wearing them and even now I only wear them when I go out in public."
Alexis tried to smile. "I've never worn one for this long before. I... We don't live in London. I don't have to go out, at home."
"And you don't like going out?"
"I don't know. I like coming here. I like living at home. I haven't been out much."
The woman smiled again. "I should think you'll like it. Most girls do."
"I'm not like most girls."
"I see that. I'm terribly sorry, I never introduced myself. Sara Katayev."
Alexis returned her curtsey. "Alexis Castle. You're from Russia?"
"My parents were; I was born there but I barely remember it. We moved when I was three. Excuse me, are you... Lady Alexis Castle? Daughter of Sir Richard Castle?"
Alexis grinned. "Wow, he really is famous. I thought it was all just a game he plays. Yes, I am."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, my Lady."
"Call me Alexis, please. It's a pleasure to meet you too."
Kate looked at the book in Alexis' hand. It was a murder mystery, but not one she had read. She loved the genre, though. Lanie told her it was morbid, but she was curious... Curious about how people could do such things to each other.
"You like crime novels?" she asked. Alexis nodded.
"I know it's boring, since my father writes them, but I do. I like adventures as well, and gothic romances, although he doesn't know that."
"He shouldn't judge you. He writes them, too."
"You mean the magazine story? He won't let me read it."
Kate grinned. "I can see why."
Alexis suddenly looked at her. "Are you a Lady?"
"Why do you ask? Why should I be a Lady?"
"I don't know. I just... have a feeling."
"Then you have good instincts. Yes, I am."
"But you didn't tell me."
"It doesn't define me."
Alexis grinned. "My name and class don't define me either. I might be similar to my father, but I'm not just him. I'm me as well."
Kate nodded. "Our parents influence us, but we have to find ourselves without them."
"Are you going to the king's ball on Friday?" Alexis asked.
"I have to. The king has asked me to be there."
"Are you friends with him?"
"I do not think anyone could call themselves the king's 'friend'. But he often requests my presence at this kind of event, and we often talk. Are you going to the king's ball on Friday?"
Alexis bit her lip. "Yes. It'll be my first ball – my introduction at court."
"Then it will not be hard for me to find you. I hope we meet there."
"I hope so too. I can introduce you to my father, if you like."
"That would be nice, thank you. But you should know, I'm not just talking to you because of who your father is."
Alexis smiled. She had been a little afraid that her new friend was really just after her father. They began to talk more about books, and were occupied for hours discussing Sherlock Holmes, then other detectives.
Kate realised she would have to leave. She was sad – this young girl had made her feel more real than she had done in a long time.
"I'm going to have to leave you, Alexis. But I will see you on Friday. And if you ever want to call on me for tea, I am not hard to find. I live here."
"In the bookshop?"
Kate laughed. "Above the bookshop."
Alexis blushed. "Sorry. I wasn't really thinking."
"Don't worry."
"It must be wonderful to live here."
"It is. Now, I really must go."
"Sara?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you so much for talking to me. And not thinking I'm awful for wanting to loosen my corset off."
"Any time, darling. And I'm just impressed that you haven't loosened it."
"So I'll see you on Friday?"
"You will. Good day, Alexis."
"Good day, Sara."
Alexis watched the woman go and smiled. She had made a friend in London without even trying. She picked up a book that had just been recommended and spent the hour until her father returned happily reading it. He bought it for her when he arrived to pick her up.
"Did you have a good time?" he asked.
"Yes," she said enthusiastically. "I met a Russian Lady called Sara Katayev, and she's going to be at the ball on Friday."
"Oh, a friend already. I am impressed."
"She'll be your friend too. She reads your books."
"I like her even more," he said as they got into the carriage.
"And she lives above Montgomery's."
Richard grinned. "I always wondered who lived there – I knew someone did but he never told me. You are quite the detective."
"I didn't really do any detecting. She was just nice."
"Do you think she has a mysterious crime fighting alter ego?"
Alexis laughed. "No. I mean... I suppose there's no way to know for sure. But you could say that about anyone. She was too... too normal. Too friendly and nice. I think Lady Beckett would have to be stronger, harder somehow. I would know, if I saw her."
Richard winked. "I don't know. People can be very deceptive."
"It's not her, Dad. It couldn't be the first woman I met in London."
"Yes it could. Come on, Lex. Why shouldn't it be her?"
Alexis laughed. "Well, it might be. Tell you what. When I see her on Friday I'll ask."
"No!"
"What?"
"You can't ask. That would ruin it all. Not knowing is wonderful. It's the best part."
"You were just persuading me that it could be her. Now you don't want me to know. Make up your mind."
"Be nicer. I just bought you a book."
Alexis laughed and went to sit beside her father.
"I'm glad we came. Even if I don't meet Lady Beckett."
"If you're glad, then so am I," her father replied with a smile, putting his arm around her.
