Then Mrs. Harlow told of her cousin’s operation for appendicitis and how she had come near to death under the surgeon’s knife. Mr. Dolland remembered a play in which a man was supposed to be a cripple unable to move from his chair when all the time he could walk with ease and was the murderer.
It was like old times and I was happier than I had been for a long time.
It was not until a day or so later that I told Lucas about my unpleasant experience at the Maternity Home.
“But at least,” I said, “I did find out that Mirabel was going to have a baby before Cosmo was killed and evidently she went to that place for an abortion.”
“What an extraordinary turn of events! What bearing do you think this has on the murder?”
“I can’t think.”
“If it were Cosmo’s child they could let it be thought that it was a premature birth … unless it was too late for that.”
“Sir Edward wouldn’t have approved, of course.”
“But he was on his deathbed.”
“It could have been Tristan’s and when she thought she was going to marry Cosmo she had to do something about it.”
“That seems likely. It’s all very complicated. There is a possibility that you didn’t go to the right place. After all, you only had the address … and verbally at that… from Maria.”
“Well, I’m afraid it hasn’t got us very far. There was something rather sinister about the place and this Mrs. Campden was really very put out when she thought I was making enquiries.”
“Well, I suppose she would be. She thought she had a client.”
“She looked a little alarmed when she thought I might be from the Press.”
“Which suggests she might be in fear of them, as what she is doing is illegal. Listen to me, Rosetta. I suggest you drop this sleuthing.”
“I must find out, Lucas.”
“You don’t know what you’re getting into.”
“But what of Simon?”
“Simon should come home and work out his own problems.”
“How could he? He’d be arrested.”
“I have a feeling that this is becoming more than a little unpleasant for you,” “I don’t mind a bit if it’s unpleasant.”
“Moreover, you could be dealing with dangerous people. After all, it is a murder you are investigating, and if you believe Simon wasn’t the murderer, then someone here probably is. How do you think the guilty person would feel about your probing?”
“That person would not know I am doing it.”
“What about that woman? She didn’t seem to be very pleased. And if she is dealing in abortions … at a good price, I imagine … she could be in trouble.”
“She had a board outside. It was a maternity home. That is legal.”
“It might be a cover. I have a feeling that you ought to stop it… keep out of it.”
“I have to clear Simon.”
He shrugged his shoulders.
“All right,” he said.
“But keep me informed.”
“I will do that, Lucas.”
The next day Felicity arrived in London. I was overjoyed to see her.
“I had to come up to see Lucas,” she said.
“And I guessed that you might be here, too. How is he?”
“Coming along very well. The operation was a success. He’ll be delighted to see you, as I am.”
“I came straight from the station,” she went on.
“I thought I’d get the news of Lucas and see you at the same time.”
Aunt Maud came in and greeted Felicity warmly.
“I’ll see that a room is made ready for you right away,” she said.
Felicity replied that she had been thinking of staying at an hotel.
“Nonsense,” said Aunt Maud.
“You must stay here. And if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and see about it right away.”
Felicity smiled at me.
“Still the efficient Aunt Maud.”
“Oh yes. Mrs. Harlow says the household runs like clockwork.”
“And what is all this about becoming a governess … following in my footsteps?”
“You could say that.”
She looked puzzled.
“We have such a lot to talk about.”
“Let’s get you settled in first.”
We went up. Meg was putting the final touches to the room. Felicity exchanged a few pleasantries with her and then we were alone. I sat on the bed while she put the few things she had brought with her into drawers and cupboards.
“Tell me honestly. Is Lucas really improved?”
“Oh yes. There’s no doubt of that.”
“I’m glad you came up from Cornwall.”
“I just had to.”
She nodded.
“Tell me all about this idea of being a governess.”
“Well, there was this girl. No one could manage her. It was a sort of challenge.”
She looked at me disbelievingly. And then suddenly it dawned on me that I might have confided in Felicity long ago. I could trust her completely; she was resourceful. Nanny Crockett and Lucas already knew; and I could not keep it from Felicity any longer.
So, having extracted a promise of absolute secrecy, I told her everything.
She listened incredulously.
“I thought your stay in the seraglio was fantastic,” she said.
“And now, this …”
“People have been sold into harems before,” I said.
“It happened to Nicole. It’s just that it is more rare than it used to be …”
“But this Simon … he really is Simon Perrivale?”
“Do you remember the case?”
“Vaguely. It raised quite a storm at the time, didn’t it, and then it dropped out of the news. And you are convinced of his innocence.”
“Yes, I am. You would be. Felicity … if you could have known him.”
“And you were alone on this island …”
“Lucas was with us … but he couldn’t walk. He just lay in the boat and kept a lookout for a sail.”
“It sounds like Robinson Crusoe.”
“Well, all those who are shipwrecked and cast up on an island are like that.”
“Are you … in love with this … Simon?”
“There was a very strong … bond between us.”
“Did you discuss your feelings for each other?”
I shook my head.
“No … not really. It was just there. We were all so intent on survival. When we were on the island we thought we were doomed. There wasn’t enough to eat or drink … and then we were picked up and there was no opportunity.”
“He left you at the Embassy and then you came home and he stayed behind.”
“He would have been arrested if he had come back.”
“Yes, of course. And Lucas shared in all this … to a certain extent.”
I nodded.
“I’ve always been fond of Lucas,” she mused.
“It was very distressing to see him when he came back. He had always
been so full of vitality. James is fond of him, too. James said he had a flair for living. I think Lucas loves you, Rosetta. “
“Yes.”
“Has he asked you to marry him?”
“Yes … but not very seriously … really … rather flippantly.”
“I think he might be inclined to flippancy where his feelings are most concerned. You could do a lot for him and, I think, he for you. Oh, I know you think you don’t need him … as he needs you … but you do, Rosetta. All that you went through … well, my dear, you couldn’t really endure all that and remain as you were before.”
“No, I couldn’t.”
“Lucas was there part of the time. There is so much he would understand.”
I was silent and she went on: “You’re thinking Simon was there, too.
And there was this special bond between you and him. “