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Chapter Fifty-Five

Feet of Clay

Harriet brought her car to a halt beside the front gate of Gull Cottage. She applied the brake and cut the ignition. The quiet of the countryside settled in. The hissing sounds of the creaming surf down at the shoreline and the cries of the wheeling gulls overhead were all that could be heard. There were no welcome sounds of traffic or people. None of the comforting noises of any large, well-populated city.

"Oh, my dear, sweet, Carolyn…" Harriet's hand crept up to her cheek in dismay. "I don't understand how you can go on living all the way out here in the middle of nowhere. It's so dreadfully isolated."

She pulled the key from the ignition and pocketed it as she opened her door and got out of the car to look around. "Your dear, precious wee mite will be born here and be allowed to run around getting all dirty and sun-browned."

She shuddered with horror. "Just like some wild animal." An unwelcome thought made her close her eyes briefly. "Just like the poor wee darling's tyrant of a father. He will see to that. Oh, it is not to be borne. I'm here for you now, my dear. I won't let you down. I'll stay for as long as you need me."

She walked around the car to the front gate, setting her hand on the latch. "And what if the precious babe is a girl?" Horror assailed her anew. "What then?"

She braced her shoulders as she walked through the open gate and up the path. "Oh, Carolyn, no. You've always been headstrong and wilful. Always set on going your own way without a care or thought for the feelings of others. But why, oh why, did the family ever allow you to run so far away from your poor mother's protection and the safety of Philadelphia?"

※※※※※

"She's here…" Daniel shook his head as he rose from the chair behind his desk. "For Carolyn's sake, I will allow the confounded woman to come abroad, much against my better judgment."

He stubbed out the remains of his cigar and swallowed the last of his Madeira. "But only to state her business to finally settle matters." He returned the empty glass to the tray.

"What will you do?" Lucius frowned at him through the drift of cigar smoke as he also rose to his feet. "That woman is no better than the man she married. Both have brains that are to let and no mistake."

"Agreed," Daniel acknowledged with a nod. "But Carolyn will wish to hear the woman out before I show her the door. She will not find shelter under this roof tonight. You have my word on that."

"You know what's best for you and yours." Lucius sighed as he stubbed out his cigar and imbibed the last of his Madeira with a grimace. "You are welcome to the woman. As for her husband, I shall take great pleasure in reducing him to a gibbering idiot in no short order. I have plans for him."

"Just do not kill him." Daniel held up a denying hand, palm foremost. "As much as he no doubt deserves it, I will not allow that woman to become a widow before her time. She is already enough to handle without the respectability of that station in life being gifted to her. If she has indeed become penniless through her own negligence, then she may seek to take up permanent residence in my house and then there will be no shifting her."

Lucius raised his eyebrows. "Don't worry about the Mitford. Where would the fun be in killing him? I am simply going to make him wish he was dead. He will be made to rue the day he crossed swords with you and me."

He rubbed his hands together gleefully. "I suspect he already has his greedy eyes set on the very pretty new secretary he's just acquired. He might neglect his wife's needs, but with this new woman, he's like an octopus, crawling with arms while dripping insincerities and falsehoods from his lying tongue. I fully intend to enjoy myself. But he will live to regret his many mistakes." He chuckled richly as he faded out.

"I am only sorry I cannot say the same," Daniel complained as he too faded out and returned to the living room.

"I'll get it, Mrs Gregg," Martha called out as she went to answer the sudden knocking on the front door.

Daniel and Carolyn listened to the brief murmur of muffled greetings as Harriet was admitted to the house before Martha closed the door again. Footsteps could then be heard crossing the foyer.

"Please hear her out," Carolyn begged her husband. "Then you may send her on her way with my blessing. She cannot have come all this way for nothing."

"For you, my dear," Daniel replied, with a bow of his head. "But she does not stay beyond the time it takes for her to pour out her misery onto your goodwill. I will not have you burdened with her dubious care so soon after your confinement. It is not to be borne."

"Thank you," Carolyn acknowledged with a grateful smile as she got up from the couch.

"Oh, Carolyn…" Harriet entered the room in a rush, her arms held wide and outstretched. "It's so very good to see you again, my dear." Her gaze flicked warily over Daniel as she hugged her cousin tightly. "Both of you…"

"Mrs Mitford," Daniel replied formally. "I cannot say it's a pleasure to see you again so soon. Is your husband aware of where you are?"

"Oh, my dear, of course Owen knows…" Harriet kissed her cousin's cheek. "But, you both look so serious. Am I interrupting something important? Please say, if it's so and I won't stay long."

"It's fine, Harriet. It's lovely to see you too…" Carolyn returned her cousin's embrace and frowned at her husband over her shoulder. "But I do have to ask why you're back so soon. Has something happened between you and Owen?"

She settled Harriet beside her on the couch. Martha walked in carrying the tray of coffee. She set it down with a snap onto the table in front of them.

"Thank you, Martha." Carolyn nodded with a sigh.

"I'll be in the kitchen making lunch if you need me," the housekeeper replied before she left the room again.

"Oh, my dear Carolyn…" Harriet sniffed as her cousin poured their coffees. "You have no idea of what I'm being asked to endure. And everything was so wonderful for a while."

Her gaze flicked to Daniel's set expression again. "But you do know how husbands get. So busy with their work." She gave a small, uneasy laugh. "They have too little time left for us ladies." She sighed, "But I did not come here to burden you, my dear."

"I have no doubt you will soon enlighten us about your troubles," Daniel commented dryly as he came forward to take his cup with a nod of thanks and a grimace of sympathy for his wife.

"Well, it's all very well for you two," Harriet replied in an offended tone, turning her shoulder to her host. "You both love each other." She sniffed again tragically as she sipped her coffee, giving her whole attention to her cousin. "I do envy you."

Carolyn sighed as she tried not to roll her eyes. She pinned a look of sympathy on her face and gave a small click of her tongue. "All new marriages must go through a period of adjustment. I'm sure everything will be fine. You just have to give yours a chance and try not to worry."

Harriet bit her lower lip. "But you told me that Owen needed me. That he needed me to be there for him as someone he could trust to have his best interests at heart," she complained. "I'm here to tell you he trusts me with nothing. Not a single, solitary thing. Why, at times, he acts almost as if I don't exist. I don't understand any of it. Haven't I been the most perfect and understanding wife to him? "

She sighed dramatically. "But he does spend a great deal of time downtown at his office. He says he has to show his new secretary how to do everything. He is never in a good mood when he comes home."

She frowned at Carolyn. "What do you make of that? Surely, if he loves me, as you said he did, then he would be home every night instead of spending so many at his office. I hold parties and dinners for him, which seems to only displease him still more."

She put a hand to her cheek. "I just do not know what to do for the best."

"Oh, I'm sure that's just your imagination working overtime," Carolyn replied quickly. "Owen is a very busy man. He always has been. He has a great deal to do with his businesses." Her gaze flicked to her husband's disbelieving expression and she shrugged.

"Too busy for his own wife?" Harriet's voice rose with an edge of hysteria. "I hardly see him. He… spends such a great deal of time at his office. Some nights he doesn't come home at all."

"He doesn't?" Carolyn replied slowly. "Yes, I can see that would be a little worrying. But surely you have other things to occupy yourself with."

"Of course," Harriet replied in an offended tone. "My parties are legendary. Everybody attends them."

She preened a little then her face fell again. "But, just yesterday morning over breakfast, Owen demanded I stick to a budget. He will make one out for me and I must agree to abide by it." She hastily put aside her half-empty coffee cup as her bottom lip and hands all began to tremble. "How can I?"

"I see…" Carolyn said again, at a loss for what else she could say. "Have you been at all… extravagant in your spending?"

"Of course, not!" Harriet reacted sharply, putting the palm of one hand to her cheek. "How could you ask that? I have always done well with my own money."

"I know your late parents left you and Hazel very well off…" Carolyn felt her way forward cautiously. "Is there a problem with that money?"

"No…" Harriet shook her head. "Well, yes, in a way. Now Owen says that I signed all my accounts over to him." She pulled her handkerchief from the sleeve of her dress and dabbed at her eyes. "I never did any such thing that I remember. And I am sure I would remember doing such a foolish thing as that."

She frowned at Carolyn. "Don't you think I would remember doing that?"

"Of course…" Carolyn replied, looking helplessly at her husband. "It does sound very odd to me. Surely you misunderstood him."

"There you are, then," Harriet countered with a nod. "I knew you would understand, my dear, sweet Carolyn. Now, what are you going to do about it?" She brightened up with a relieved smile. "You could talk to Owen for me. Smooth things out."

"Do?" Carolyn's eyebrows rose in shock. "I cannot see that I can do anything. Owen is your husband, not mine. I have my own and I must tell you, it's really none of my business."

"But it is family business and you were always so sensible and level-headed," Harriet hurried on. "Until you decided to come and live all the way out here in the middle of nowhere."

She avoided Daniel's frowning gaze and his harsh intake of breath, hurrying to fill the void. "I mean, I know you will tell me what I must do for the best. I've always relied on you. And you do know how much I love you."

Her damp eyes dropped to her cousin's waistline. "And as always, I'm here to help you with anything you need. I fully intend to be the very best cousin to your little sweet baby when he or she is born. I'm happy to stay for as long as you need me. You know you can always rely on me to step up and do my bit and—"

Her brow suddenly creased in confusion as she studied Carolyn's lower body. She'd been too caught up in her own misery to even notice the change that had obviously taken place there.

"Oh, Harriet…" Her cousin shook her head as she put aside her coffee cup. "I'm afraid you're a little late for that."

"Now the woman notices…" Daniel muttered, watching a confused Harriet through narrowed eyes. "I am about out of all patience with her. It ends, now!" He dumped his empty cup onto the tray as he walked toward the two women, fully intending to show their unwelcome visitor the door.

"Thank you, Harriet…" Carolyn quickly shook her head at her husband as she took her cousin's hand to soften the blow of her next statement. "But my beautiful and healthy babies were born two days ago and I really have all the help I need."

She stood up. "You have your own home and husband to think of now. You really should go back to Philadelphia where you belong. If you leave now, you will make it home before nightfall."

"Oh, but I…" Harriet stammered as she looked from one to the other in total confusion. "You see, that is…" She shook her head.

※※※※※

Owen Mitford sat in his chair and frowned at the sheafs of paperwork and the pile of legers on his desk blotter. He was deeply confused by their sudden appearance.

They were documents and books he kept locked up in his office safe, well away from prying eyes. No one else knew of their existence. They contained all his plans for his final get away from all he'd come to detest in his life.

After the last disastrous time when he'd almost gone to gaol through carelessness, he'd been very careful in how he conducted his secret business dealings. He was at a loss since he'd only left the room for a moment to go to the bathroom. It was late and there was no one else around.

"I don't understand…" he muttered, lifting his narrowed gaze to the heavy wooden panelling of his office wall behind which his safe was secreted.

A large painting of a pristine white sand beach and crystal blue water hung on the same wall. Tall palm trees lined the shore and a line of small, open-sided, thatched huts were perched next to a long narrow pier that ran out into the limitless ocean.

It looked like an island paradise and it was. Owen rubbed a hand over his chin. Soon it would all be his, bought and paid for with his secret stashes of cash. He inhaled deeply and with satisfaction.

He could almost smell the ocean and feel the hot sunshine on his face. Soon there would be no more ties and suits for him.

The Maldives had no extradition treaty with the States. He would be safe there, far from any conniving taxman who would seek to relieve him of his blood and his hard-earned money. He could live exactly as he pleased.

"Soon… Very soon, now…" He heaved a long sigh of anticipation.

His gaze narrowed, seeking answers. The painting had not been moved. Nothing appeared to be out of place. He heaved a second, confused sigh as he gathered up the documents and legers. He walked to the panelling, looking it over again. Still nothing.

It was morning now and he'd been working hard all night. He'd barely had time to eat. But so much of his future was riding on his getting all his plans in place before he finally left this city and all its problems far behind him. His new life of sun, sea and sand beckoned to him like a shining beacon.

"I guess I just need some sleep," he muttered, shaking his head.

He was still alone. His very attractive new secretary had yet to arrive for work. They'd worked long past midnight, the previous evening, so he told her not to bother coming in early.

Owen ran a hand over his face. The young woman was the only part of his present life he was considering taking into his new existence. She was funny and vivacious. She listened avidly to everything he had to say and laughed at his jokes. Not like Harriet. She had been a mistake. He could see that now.

Owen shook his head. All he had to look forward to later today, when he finally went home, was his wife's company. She'd served her purpose in providing the generous amount of extra funds he'd needed. Now she bored him.

He doubted she would have made good on her threat to drive all the way down to see her cousin in that Schoonerville. She'd said she detested the place. No doubt she was still at home, waiting for him to return. With more complaints about money and her endless need to spend more.

"Now, if I'd married Carolyn… Bobby was one damned lucky son of a gun." He shook his head with regret. "I need a drink…"

He hadn't married Harriet for her company or her conversation. Like everyone else in his life, she had been a means to an end. And she'd come with the advantage of a large fortune which he'd promptly acquired to add to his own growing wealth. All his carefully laid plans were falling neatly into place.

"Paradise, here I come…" he said, smiling happily at the painting as he pushed back his chair before gathering up the pile of folders and ledgers.

He walked across the office, juggling his bulky armload as he depressed a corner of the panelling, seeing it swing open on silent hinges. He manipulated the combination dial and opened the safe, shovelling the paperwork inside.

"There…" He rearranged them carefully with a nod of satisfaction. He closed the safe and spun the dial again. Then the panelling slid back into place, concealing its secret once more.

"That's that, then…" He rubbed his hands together with glee. "It won't be long now…"

Suddenly the office lights dimmed and then flickered as a chill breeze seemed to spring up out of nowhere. It whirled around him, making him shiver at the sharp drop in temperature. "What the—?" he demanded, glaring around the room.

But there was nothing to be seen and no one else there but him. Beyond the huge picture windows, the city lights still sparkled against the morning sky like so many multi-coloured gems. The only reflection in the glass was his own.

Then a laugh echoed, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand straight up in shock. The deep masculine chuckle that made him shudder. "This is nuts!" he complained, his gaze again quartering the room and coming up empty.

Another burst of almost maniacal laughter assaulted his confounded senses as he turned back toward his desk. The lights flickered again and went out before snapping on again almost instantly.

"Aw, come on!" Owen remonstrated as he stared at his desk.

Sitting neatly in the middle of his blotter was the same stack of paperwork and ledgers he'd just tucked away in his safe. He pushed his hand up and around the back of his neck in dismay and disbelief.

He jumped and swore heavily as ghostly fingers not his own seemed to brush across the back of his neck and the laughter came again. It was as if someone was enjoying a huge and ghoulish joke at his expense. But the room's reflection in the tall picture windows still showed he was totally alone.

※※※※※

"Babies?" Harriet queried in shock, one hand creeping up to her open mouth. "You never told me. You never said," she accused in a confused tone. "Does your mother know?"

"Of course," Carolyn replied smoothly. "I told her yesterday. She knows everything. I asked her not to say anything to the family just yet." She took a step toward the doors.

"Oh, but…" Harriet's hand trembled against her lips. "I always thought we were so close. You know you can tell me anything and I will always keep all confidences secret."

Carolyn compressed her lips. "But you have said things in the past that were not true. And told people confidences that I had mentioned to you in secret. I told you I had rented this house and you went and told my mother. Don't you remember?"

"Oh, well…" Harriet's cheeks coloured as she dropped her hand and shifted with discomfort. "I may have done in the past. But I always had your very best interests at heart. I always did. This place is not for you."

She shrugged. "And you know that I would never intrude or impose. All you have to do is tell me I'm not welcome." She tittered nervously, looking from her cousin to Daniel with worried eyes.

"You suited yourself as you always did," Daniel replied harshly as he moved to stand beside his wife. "You seek to burden my wife with your petty troubles. It is beyond everything. I will not stand for it!"

Oh, but…" Harriet's face turned white with shock. Again her hand crept up to her trembling lips. "I can explain…" she managed to say around stifled sobs. "Really, I can…"

"Please, Daniel…" Carolyn shook her head as she put a detaining hand on her husband's arm. "I think we need to let her tell me what she has come to say."

"Very well, Madam," Daniel replied evenly. "Against my better judgement. But once she has explained she will be leaving this house."

"Agreed…" Carolyn sighed, looking back at her cousin.

She saw Harriet had opened her purse in her lap and was now holding out a white envelope. Harriet bit her bottom lip and the hand holding the note was trembling.

"This was left on my pillow…" she said brokenly. "I just don't know what I must do for the best. That is why I am here. Because you are so sensible and you know so much. I know I can trust your judgement."

"What does it say?" Carolyn stared at the missive warily as she sat down on the couch again.

"Please, read it first," Harriet replied, leaning forward to drop the envelope into her cousin's lap. "I know you will tell me the truth. However painful."

"Well, if you think so…" Carolyn shifted uncomfortably as she picked up the envelope and opened it. She unfolded the note inside and had just begun to read it when there was another knock at the front door.

Behind her, Daniel huffed his discontent. "Now, who is it?" he demanded to know.

"I'll get this one, too," Martha called from the kitchen. "It looks like Claymore's car outside. What do you think he want? Or shouldn't I ask?"

"I'd like to know what that quivering jellyfish wants," Daniel grumbled.

"I guess we'll have to ask him," Carolyn replied soothingly as the door to the room opened and Claymore walked in, dragging his hat from his head.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," he said quickly. "Mrs Mitford…" He nodded to Harriet.

He glanced nervously at Daniel's grim expression. "I know, I know. But before you go biting my head off, I was told to come here. I was told I am needed to look at something for you. It's important, they said."

He turned to Carolyn. "Do you think I would come here uninvited if I weren't? I don't like coming here. Bad things can happen whenever I do."

"Who told you to come here and what did they say?" Daniel demanded, walking impatiently around the end of the couch.

"Those spirits of that little medium," Claymore muttered from the corner of his mouth. "You know, the one who held that séance the last time I was here. That awful woman, Madame Tibaldi."

"You held a séance?" Harriet was momentarily diverted from her misery. "Oh, my dear. Such things can be dangerous. You shouldn't meddle in the realm of the spirits, you know. You could raise all manner of nasty ghouls or spooks." She shuddered dramatically.

"Oh, it was nothing really…" Carolyn frowned warningly at Claymore. "Just a little parlour trick or two. I'd published an article about Madame Tibaldi and she dropped by to thank me for it. She wanted to show me what a real séance looked like. That's what Claymore saw."

Harriet frowned at her dubiously. "Well, if you say so." She looked around the room. "I've always thought that this really is a spooky old house." She glanced up at Daniel's portrait above the mantlepiece. "And as for him…"

She sighed dramatically. "But please read that letter and tell me your exact thoughts on what it contains. Should I do as it says? I really do need your opinion."

"I have read it," Carolyn replied. "I gather you did not do as it tells you. You didn't get the diamond appraised."

"I tried…" Harriet twisted her fingers together. "But I couldn't bring myself to do it in the end. I mean, what if the note is wrong? What if word got back to my dear husband that I had done such a thing? He would be so mortified."

"Perhaps. Do you have your engagement ring with you now?" Carolyn asked.

"Yes…" Harriet pulled off her glove to reveal the sparkling jewel. "I couldn't leave it behind." She held out her hand to display the ring.

"Ohhh, very nice…" Claymore breathed, staring at the large gem. "Um, may I be allowed a closer look?"

Daniel took his great-nephew's arm and leaned closer. "That's why you were told to come out here. To look at that ring. Do you have your loupe with you?" he demanded to know.

"Always…" Claymore nodded jerkily as he pulled the jeweller's hand lens from the pocket of his jacket and held it up. "I never go anywhere without it. Why do you want to know?"

"If you would like, Claymore could appraise the stone for you," Daniel told Harriet. "Then no one need know the outcome. Least of all your husband. My… cousin is the soul of discretion and an excellent judge of precious stones."

"He is?" Harriet regarded both men dubiously. "Yes, I suppose he is."

"No one knows more about gems than Claymore," Carolyn hurried to reassure her. "Then you will know for sure and you can decide what to do for the best."

"Well, if you think so…" Harriet extended her hand toward Claymore slowly.

He immediately bent down with the loupe firmly screwed to his left eye as he assessed the jewel closely, studying it from all angles. Carolyn held her breath as she watched them, unaware her husband was studying her reaction as if he already knew what would be the inevitable outcome of the investigation.

※※※※※