December 1924, Avebury Manor
Marguerite had selected a small library as their designated "classroom," and she made it clear to the staff that the interruptions should be minimal: they were only to enter in the mornings for cleaning and to stoke the fireplace.
Armand, Aurora, and Marguerite leaned over a map of a castle somewhere in Germany.
Aurora was suggesting possible ways to infiltrate, but Marguerite's response to each proposal was a clear, firm "no."
"Why are you being so rigid?!" Aurora exclaimed.
"I am not being rigid. You are being careless."
"How is this careless?"
"I don't have time to explain every little detail, and I would prefer it if you talked less and listened some more."
"How am I supposed to learn if I just follow orders? I need to understand the why behind every no."
"Aurora, this is not a debate club. I am teaching you what to do and also what to avoid."
"Ladies, please, let's not argue." Armand interjected. "The real entrance to the castle is right here." He pointed at a particular spot on the map.
Marguerite leaned forward. "But that's a lake."
"Yes," Armand confirmed with a nod. "The first Baron Von Verbeden dug a tunnel for his mistress. One hundred years later, they flooded it. But the entrance is still there."
Marguerite traced the line of the tunnel with her finger. "Very smooth."
"I think we could all use a break." Aurora said. "I'm craving a cherry pie."
"First we work, then we play." Marguerite reminded her.
"Fine." Aurora rolled her eyes and stretched her shoulders. "Can I at least play some music? You have some really good records."
Marguerite nodded in agreement, and Aurora got up to select a record. She chose a vinyl with a mix of popular songs, placing it gently on the turntable. Soon, the pleasant crackling sound of the needle touching the grooves filled the room, followed by the melodic strains of "I am wild about Harry".
Aurora shuffled back to the table, dancing the Charleston as she moved. Marguerite watched her, shaking her head, as if in disapproval, but secretly she was enjoying Aurora's youthful spirit.
Over the next couple of days, Marguerite and Aurora focused intensely on lockpicking and safe-cracking. When Aurora listened closely, they achieved smooth, seamless successes. But when Aurora chose to challenge the methods rather than learning from them, their tools seemed to jam and their efforts grew clumsy.
Feeling overwhelmed, Aurora threw down her lock pick and got up from the table.
"Marguerite, I need a break."
"You'll get a break when you've got it right," Marguerite insisted, not looking up from the lock she was demonstrating on.
Aurora, hands on her hips, shot back, "You're forgetting who stole Malone's journals from your own safe."
Marguerite looked up, meeting Aurora's defiant gaze. "That was one safe, Aurora. You need to be able to crack any safe, under any conditions."
The back-and-forth bickering continued, as both women stood their ground. Finally, Marguerite set down her own tools with a sigh of resignation. "Well, now, I need a break. We'll continue in the evening."
Marguerite quickly changed into her snow attire and went outside. She wore a thick, dark green woolen coat that fell to her knees, cinched at the waist with a wide belt to keep the warmth in and the cold out.
Across the snow-covered estate, she spotted her husband and their one-year-old enjoying the snowy winter day. John was holding their son securely on a small, shaggy pony, as he sat bundled up in a navy snowsuit and a blanket. He had a little cap on his head and tiny woolen mittens and woolen scarf for extra warmth and coziness.
As Marguerite approached, her boots crunched in the freshly fallen snow. John looked up, his face breaking into a warm smile. Their son giggled at the sight of his mother, his little hands reaching out towards her.
"Look who's here!" John called out, gently steadying the pony by the reins.
Marguerite reached them and bent down to plant a soft kiss on her son's rosy cheek. "How are my two favorite boys doing?" she asked as she straightened up.
"We're introducing William to snow and pony rides. How are your training sessions coming along?"
Marguerite sighed softly, her gaze lingering on her son for a moment before answering. "Aurora's smart, incredibly skilled, but oh, she's so stubborn. She really tries my patience. However, I'm quite determined to get through to her."
"I quite sure you'll manage her." John said.
"Yes, but it's not like I needed this challenge right now. All I truly want is to spend time like this." Marguerite stroked the pony's mane and then adjusted her son's little hat, making sure his ears were covered. "This is all I want to do for the rest of my life. Just being here with my favorite boys, and whoever else the future might bring into our lives."
"And we'll have plenty of these moments," John assured her. "This thing with Armand and Aurora could be our last hurrah. And after this, we'll devote ourselves entirely to our family."
They continued their stroll through the snow. John managed the reins, while Marguerite held William to ensure he was secure. She also made sure he was well wrapped in his blanket, tucking the edges around him to ward off the chill.
"Are you enjoying the ride, my little love?" She asked. William responded with a bubbly giggle, then he sneezed.
Marguerite looked at John. "I think it might be time for a warm bath, some luncheon, a few lullabies, and then a nice nap."
John nodded in agreement. "That sounds perfect."
Marguerite carefully lifted William from the pony, cradling him in her arms.
"I'll take care of the pony and join you both as soon as I can." John said. "Save some lullabies for me."
"We will. See you soon." She turned and headed towards the house, holding William close as John led the pony away, ensuring it was well taken care of before rejoining his family.
Emily Blackwell felt utterly perplexed. First, Regina Redmond had stolen sensitive letters and photographs and handed them over without payment to Gladys Levinson, who thrived on scandals, only for Gladys to return them, also without compensation. It made no sense. Marguerite had assured her that she would handle both women, and she clearly had done something, but since then—there had been no word from her.
Emily had tried several times to phone Avebury Manor, but each time, the butler responded with, "His lordship and her ladyship are not currently available." When she asked for Ned or Veronica, they too were unavailable. Convinced that something strange was afoot, Emily decided to investigate the situation herself. She got into her Ford and drove to the estate, determined to uncover what was happening behind the closed doors of Avebury Manor.
Emily parked her car in front of the house and entered. The grand hallway was deserted, so she headed towards the large library. However, as she passed by a door on the right, which led to the small library, it suddenly opened and a young man she didn't recognize stepped out. In the brief moment before he closed the door behind him, Emily caught a glimpse of her friend's silhouette.
"But that's Regina!" she exclaimed, startling the young man who turned to face her with a surprised look.
"You must be Lady Emily, Marguerite's little sister." He said with a pleasant smile.
Emily took a moment to appraise the handsome and well-dressed young man before her. "Yes, that's me. And who might you be?"
"I am Armand Duval, a longtime friend of hers."
"Oh, how lovely!"
Armand offered, "May I invite you into the grand library and pour you a drink? Marguerite will be occupied for a while longer."
He gently placed his hand on Emily's back, guiding her towards the library.
"What is she doing? I'm quite sure I saw Regina just before."
"It's best if she tells you herself when she comes out," Armand suggested diplomatically.
"But that was Regina, wasn't it?"
"I'm afraid I don't know any Regina."
"Then who was that girl I just saw?"
"That was my sister Aurora."
By now, they had reached the library, and Emily settled onto a sofa, feeling more confused than before.
"Whiskey?" Armand offered.
"Yes, please," Emily responded, trying to gather her thoughts.
"Here you go, my lady."
"You don't have to call me my lady."
"I prefer to respect customs," Armand explained with a smile.
"I'd rather you didn't."
"Alright. As my lady commands," Armand replied with a touch of humor and they both laughed.
Armand's gaze lingered a moment too long, slightly more intense than what was considered proper.
"It's not polite to stare," Emily remarked.
"I apologize," Armand quickly responded. "You bear a striking resemblance to your sister, as she was ten years ago. The hair, the eyes... I was taken aback for a moment."
"So, you knew her ten years ago. That's rather interesting. She never speaks about her life before the expedition. How did you two know each other?"
Armand hesitated for a moment before saying, "I'll tell you if you promise not to give me away."
Emily leaned forward. "How intriguing."
"We lived together for four years, and I was madly in love with her." Armand revealed.
Emily's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh. Does John know this?"
"Of course. Nothing ever happened between us. I was just a young boy at the time, and Marguerite... well, she was already an extraordinary woman."
"Yes, she is extraordinary." Emily agreed. "I applaud her daring and envy her freedom. I wonder what she's doing right now."
"Marguerite has spoken highly of your family," Armand redirected smoothly. "She mentioned she couldn't imagine more wonderful parents and of course, a sister as well."
"I'm glad to hear that. I grew to love her quite quickly myself. My parents adore her—much more than me, actually."
"I'm sure that's not quite true," Armand reassured her.
"Perhaps not. But it's true that we disagree on so many things, and tempers tend to flare ever so often."
Armand offered a solution. "Perhaps they'll educate you, you'll educate them, and you'll meet somewhere in the middle."
"An optimistic thought, Mr. Duval, but reality is rarely so tidy. We clash because we see the world differently, and I refuse to bend to expectations that stifle my spirit."
Armand smiled thoughtfully. "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable."
Emily's eyes widened with surprise and amusement. "I can't believe you just quoted George Bernard Shaw to me."
"I take it you are a fan?"
"I am rather. His work has always resonated with me. His wit and his fearless challenge of societal norms... there's so much to admire."
At that moment, John entered the library, a look of surprise crossing his face.
"Ah, Emily, I wasn't informed you have arrived... nor that you were coming."
Emily rose gracefully to greet him. "Mr. Duval has been keeping me company."
Armand nodded courteously. "And now, I must take my leave. There are matters that require my attention. It was a pleasure making your acquaintance, Lady Emily, and I do hope we shall meet again."
He bowed slightly, taking her hand and pressing a gentle kiss upon it before departing. With a nod to John, he turned and exited the room.
"Decent lad, that one." John said.
Emily nodded. "Indeed. Quite handsome and obviously well-educated."
They both sat on the sofa and Emily said, "Now, if you would be so kind, I would really like to know what's going on here."
"In what sense?" John asked cautiously.
"In a sense that something mysterious is going on and I want to know exactly what it is. I know you know, so please, tell me."
John sighed deeply. "You're right. But it's not my story to tell. It's Marguerite's. She'll tell you herself once she's finished with her work."
"What work? What is she doing?"
"That's part of the story," John replied.
Emily stared in front of herself for a few moments, mulling over John's words. Then she sighed and stood up. "Alright. I'll wait. Now, if you would excuse me. I need to... I need to go to the loo."
Emily, propelled by her curiosity, veered away from the loo and made her way straight to the small library. The corridor was deserted, no one there to stop her. Without knocking, she grasped the handle and pushed the door open.
Inside, Marguerite and Regina were seated at a table. There was a safe between them and their hands were occupied with an odd set of tools.
"Regina?" Emily called out.
Both women turned simultaneously.
"Emily?" they echoed in unison.
"What is going on here? I don't understand any of this."
Regina rose from her chair. "I can explain everything." She paused for a moment and took a few steps towards Emily. "First off, my name isn't Regina. It's Aurora."
"You're Mr. Duval's sister," Emily concluded smartly.
"You met him?" Aurora asked.
"Just a while ago," Emily replied, moving closer to the table. Her eyes roved over the items laid out before her, trying to piece together the story.
"Marguerite, what does all this mean? You said you would handle Regina, but I didn't think you meant quite so literally. Are you two practicing how to...? Oh Goodness... Regina... Aurora… If you are the Unicorn, I'll be flabbergasted."
Marguerite realized there was no further recourse. "Alright. The time has come to tell you everything."
The three women settled into comfortable armchairs by the window, and the two began to unravel the entire story—from the days they lived together under Gideon Duval's roof, how Marguerite was the original Unicorn, how she followed a man all the way to Shanghai, all up to the recent escapades here in England.
Emily stared ahead, her face pale. She was utterly speechless. This was an immense story.
"Emily, are you alright?" Marguerite asked. "I know this is a lot to take in all at once, but—"
"This is wonderful! Absolutely fantastic! I've never heard anything more thrilling. I feel so excited!"
"I hope not too excited," Marguerite said with a smile. "You still have to drive home, after all."
"Oh, I'm not going anywhere—not tonight, not tomorrow. I want to stay here and witness the entire ordeal. I've never been part of something so exhilarating. It fills me with a special feeling like when you kiss a gentleman without waiting to be kissed."
Marguerite smiled and nodded, understanding there was no convincing to be done. She then rose elegantly from her chair and said, "Alright. I'll go check on the luncheon while you two catch up."
Once Marguerite had left the room, Aurora spoke up. "I hope you can forgive me. I was stupid and jealous. I'm sorry for everything."
Emily grasped her hands warmly. "I forgive you, and at the same time, I thank you for bringing such excitement into my small life. Now, tell me more about that handsome and well-read brother of yours. Is he seeing anyone?"