Chapter Two
Jessica was very happy to be back in London. It was her favorite European city and after a leisurely morning on the phone and having a massage, she took a brisk walk into a nearby park. It was cold but there was weak sunshine and no snow so she bundled up and strolled a few streets after leaving the park. She was meeting George in her room at two-thirty. She had called a few people earlier to try to find out if anyone she knew had passed away without her knowledge but didn't make any new discoveries. Maybe it was something left to her from a fan.
She also thought about George. They had been moving closer this year. She had to acknowledge a hunger that was growing. George was certainly more affectionate and he was pursuing her in earnest now. It wasn't just impersonal phone calls either. Their conversations had grown more intimate and longer. She was fairly certain before she came that their relationship would evolve into something more physical. She had bought and packed several pieces of lingerie and had gone to a salon for waxing, something she rarely did in the winter, and her pedicure was complete with a bright red polish although her fingernails were clear.
She refused to debate what was going to happen with them. Yes, they lived an ocean apart. Yes, neither wanted to retire at this time. Yes, both loved their homes. Compromise was possible but she didn't want to worry about it. She didn't want to think about marriage at this time either. Instead of planning out each moment in her life, she was going to live. If heartbreak was in her future, she wasn't going to dwell on it right now.
George was a fascinating man and she loved him. She returned to her hotel room and changed into a more appropriate outfit. A silk suit with a beaded blouse underneath the jacket. Black leather pumps and a matching bag completed her outfit. Since she wasn't leaving the hotel she wouldn't wear a coat. A knock on the door disrupted her musings and she opened the door to allow George inside.
"Jessie," he kissed her cheek and wrapped her in a hug. "Did you discover who died?"
Jessica shook her head. "It must be someone I don't know but who knows me. I'm thinking it might be someone that has read my books possibly."
"You will find out in a few minutes. Do you want to go downstairs now?"
"Just let me check my hair and face," she answered as she left to enter her bedroom. Her hair was fine and it only took a minute to add lipstick and powder to her face. Satisfied that she looked presentable to meet with a lawyer from a prestigious firm, she joined George and they left the room.
Penelope entered The Savoy at two-thirty and went to the administrative offices to obtain the room key for her meeting with Jessica Fletcher. She was pretty sure she would show up. The letter was almost a word for word copy of one of her classmate's that inherited from a deceased uncle. Her grandfather used to tell her that people always answered a summons to inherit although it wasn't always to claim an estate or money. It was usually curiosity over what other beneficiaries were getting.
An aide walked her to the room and unlocked the door. Penelope had requested a small table with four chairs and coffee service. The room, one of the smallest meeting rooms they had, was still quite large. A few standing plants had been placed to keep the room from looking too sparse. There were two settees in front of a fireplace. After agreeing the room was acceptable, the aide told her she could use the room for up to four hours, showed her how to contact room service if more tea or a light meal was needed, and gave her the room key to lock up and return it back to the front desk on her way out. The aide didn't blink or question the young girl about why she was meeting at the hotel. More than likely it was another posh rich girl meeting a grandparent or other relative to receive a Christmas present, a family heirloom or something worth more than a year's salary. It happens every Christmas season.
Penelope removed her coat and hung it on the coat rack near the door. Inwardly she was filled with excitement. She was finally getting the opportunity to search for her father properly. Outwardly she was the epitome of calm, just as she had been taught. This was her Plan A and she hoped it worked.
She was sitting in a chair when the door opened and a man and a woman entered. She stood while he closed the door and the woman moved forward. The man had sharp eyes that seemed to see everything at once. The woman's eyes were clear and sharp as well but also kind.
"Excuse me, I believe we have an appointment for three o'clock. We must be in the wrong room."
"Allow me to introduce myself," began Penelope. "My name is Penelope Henley and I must apologize for the deception. Your appointment is with me and not with my legal guardian."
George and Jessica looked at her in bewilderment.
"Please, have a seat and I'll explain." After everyone was seated, Penelope offered coffee. Jessica poured as the silver coffeepot was quite heavy. She was surprised the child drank coffee but understood when Penelope first poured herself half a cup of milk and Jessica added a quarter cup of coffee to it.
After everyone was settled, Penelope began.
"I've read your books, Mrs. Fletcher, and after reading them I determined that you were the very person I needed to assist me. I heard you were the best amateur detective in the world and it's why your books are so successful. Last month my grandfather and mother were killed driving into the city and I became orphaned…"
"Lady Penelope Henley," interrupted George. "We are sorry for your loss." Jessica turned sympathetic eyes toward the child.
"Thank you," replied Penelope. "My mother eloped with my father when she was nineteen. I am the result. My grandfather, of course, did not accept my father and he was jailed. I believe he's still in jail but I'm not certain. I don't even know if he is aware I exist." She took a deep breath.
"I was not allowed to even mention him so I don't know his name other than his last name might be Benedict. I found a paper with that name in my mother's bureau once but it went missing when I returned to look at it later."
"A private investigator would be able to find out these answers for you," began Jessica. "Someone that knows this country well. I'm just a visitor."
"You were a visitor when your friend was killed here and you solved the case," countered Penelope. George flushed at her direct manner but she was correct. Jessica had solved it.
"I would need you to be circumspect of course because I don't want to be a victim of the tabloids and it's illegal for an investigator to accept payment from me until I'm seventeen." She looked frankly at both of them. "I don't want to be a ward of my guardian for the next six years and two months. He is a proper gentleman but he's also seventy-three years old and knows nothing about me or children in general. I board at school year round and more than likely will spend the holidays at his house with his housekeeper. He is advertising for a chaperone for me but I find that unacceptable."
Jessica had to work to keep a smile from her face. This young lady was so forthright and direct. "I should make you aware that George Sutherland here is a Chief Inspector at New Scotland Yard."
The dismay on Penelope's face was obvious for a moment before she schooled her features into calm acceptance.
"I'd prefer my guardian not be told of this meeting. He told me when he informed me of my mother's death that I would be made aware of all pertinent information when I am seventeen so I would have a year adjusting to my situation once I am legally free of educational requirements. I don't want to be alone for the remainder of my childhood. I thought you, Mrs. Fletcher, would understand my circumstances and help me locate my father."
George looked at Jessica. He knew she wasn't familiar with every law in Britain. "Lady Penelope," he began.
"Please call me Penny. I've always wanted a nickname and my friends at school are now calling me by that name."
"Penny," he continued. "You are a minor and our hands are tied right now. We would have to inform your guardian of anything we do. The media couldn't even search for information about you because of your age, other than information already known or released by your guardian. You might have noticed the media isn't hounding you. Other than the announcements in the paper and the history of your family, your name is only mentioned as the minor child of Lady Eliza Henley."
The disappointment on her face was profound. Jessica wanted to hug the child. Penelope struggled for a minute but then composed herself. She would have to resort to Plan B.
"I apologize for taking up your time and the deceit in which I engaged to get you here." She stood. "Thank you for informing me of the details of the law with which I was unfamiliar and I won't bother you again. The room is reserved for another three hours so you may stay if you wish." She held out her hand to shake George's and then Jessica's hand.
"Wait," said Jessica as Penelope was removing her coat from the rack. "How can we reach you if necessary?"
"I attend the Wentworth School for Girls. It commences on January 8th," she answered. "Have a good day and Happy Christmas." She exited without looking back.
"Oh George, this is so sad." Jessica turned to look at him.
"Jessica, I cannot do anything and you shouldn't," began George. "She has a guardian and you are aware of it and you could get into plenty of trouble."
"She's lost her family and she only wants someone to love her." Jessica stood to leave. There was no point in staying. "How about we just get a few facts for her. Her father's name or why he's in prison. Something to give her hope."
"Lass, I know you're disappointed but we don't know what can of worms we would be opening," argued George.
"Well, if we get the information, then we could decide if we should share it with her."
"Jessica, as Chief Inspector, I cannot break the law. This isn't America." He looked her squarely in the eye. "As it is, I feel I'm obligated to contact her legal guardian and inform him of her visit with you."
"George! Please don't. She was counting on me to help, don't get her in trouble as well."
"Lass, she is running around London without her guardian being aware. It's dangerous." He looked sternly at her. "I know for a fact that you would have never allowed Grady to run around Cabot Cove without you knowing his whereabouts. London is much larger and more dangerous."
Jessica sighed. He was right. She couldn't ask him to compromise his ethics either.
George told her what he knew about the Henley family. He mentioned Penelope's grandmother had died recently as well. As far as he knew, her mother lived with her parents so Penelope was the only member of the family left. Penelope would be very wealthy once she reached her majority.
"She has beautiful manners, George. I expect she was taught how to behave in public and I love her accent. I just feel sad for her." George placed his arm around her shoulder and kissed the side of her head. It was a heartbreaking dilemma but there wasn't anything they could do.
George took her out for an Italian meal of linguine with clam sauce, grilled asparagus, Caesar salad, and focaccia bread. They opted to walk back to the hotel in the cold December air. It wasn't raining and the night was clear. The walk was only four blocks but they were thoroughly chilled once they reached the hotel. He stopped in the lobby and wrote a brief note before calling the Yard and having the letter delivered to the law office in care of the legal guardian of Penelope Henley. He followed Jessica to the elevator and they rode up.
Jessica's room was toasty. They removed their outer wear and settled on the sofa in front of the fireplace. George took her in his arms. He knew she was concerned about the child. Who wouldn't be? He pulled her closer and they spoke softly about their plans for Christmas Eve. Jessica wanted to go to church to hear the choir sing at midnight. Wanting to lift her spirits he agreed with her but cautioned her to take a nap during the day. It would be after one a.m. when they returned.
"I'm alright, George, a little sad but she was such a lovely child and did you see her proper British stiff upper lip?"
"Aye, she will do well once she's older. She obviously has been researching with her limited access."
"I have a feeling she will seek knowledge without anyone's help now so I wish her all the luck in the world." Jessica smiled at him. "Did you see her face when I informed her you were with Scotland Yard?"
"I'm just happy she didn't call me a copper and look down her nose at me." George smiled. He had been called worse over the years.
Jessica patted his hand. "She would never behave so plebeian." She laid her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. She kissed his neck. "I can't reach your lips," she admonished.
"Easily remedied, lass," he murmured as he captured her lips. Kisses were soon complimented with caresses and as their ardor rose, the removal of clothing. It wasn't long before they moved to the bedroom. George quickly divested himself of his clothing but he leisurely removed Jessica's, kissing her as he removed each article. He slowly removed her bra, standing behind her and kissing her back and her neck as he did so. He cupped her breasts, feeling the weight of them before turning her around and kissing her soundly. The warmth of her body, the feel of her pressed against him was incredible. He pulled her underwear down her legs and looked her over. She was lovely. She wasn't shy about looking him over as well.
By mutual consent they moved to the bed that had been turned down for her by one of the hotel staff. He put the chocolate on the bedside table and quickly joined her in the bed. The desire he felt for her was the strongest he ever experienced.
He took his time arousing her until she cried out for him. His hands and lips went everywhere making sure every inch of her was filled with desire for him. He felt her tightening and entered her so he could quelch her hunger and her orgasm rocked him until he climaxed as well. He stayed inside letting her ride it out until he eased out and held her in his arms. Heavy breathing eventually evened out.
"George, you were wonderful. Thank you." She was more than content.
He kissed her lips softly. She was more than he thought possible. He prayed it wasn't a singular event. "Lass," he murmured. He was too tired to say much. She snuggled into him and he kissed her again before drifting off to sleep.
Jessica woke first. George was lying beside her with his hand over hers. She turned toward him and pressed herself against him. Last night had been wonderful and she regretted making him wait years although she knew it was better for her in the long run. His arm came up and he ran it up and down her back, stopping to cup her bottom then opening his eyes.
"Good morning, love."
Jessica pressed against him harder and hugged him. The sheets were lowered to their waists and she loved feeling his chest. As they began touching and kissing, she reveled in the fact that he seemed to really enjoy her body. Their encore performance took a long while as they were intent on providing as much pleasure to each other as possible. They had to rapidly shower and dress in the end before she was late for a meeting and he was late for work.
Jessica felt thoroughly cherished as she put on her makeup while George was in the shower. She couldn't help peeking at him. She thought about what she wanted from him and hoped it worked out. She watched as he toweled dry and began dressing. George's cell phone rang and he walked away while answering it. He quickly returned and searched for the tv remote.
Jessica was putting on her earrings while George turned on the tv news. The screen showed a news bulletin regarding the disappearance of Lady Penelope Henley. Both looked at each other before Jessica grabbed her purse and coat and they left the room in a hurry.