Gene of Isis

‘Do I question what you decide is best for your children?’ Father defended his decision, although parental guilt at his hasty action was beginning to wear him down a little. We may not have had much of an affinity, but I was still his child and Father couldn’t bear the thought that he hadn’t done what was best for both of us.

‘Thomas.’ Lord Cavandish spoke in a most informal tone to try and share the revelations he’d had in the past few days. ‘I’ve just finished telling you that I had no idea what was best for my children. I thought they were in the kindest of care. Nevertheless it is clear that I’ve been too wrapped up in my own business agenda to care what was truly best for my family. I should never have left my children in the care of a total stranger. Please, forgive my impertinence, old friend. I desire only that you draw some benefit from my mistake.’

My father felt a deep sense of alarm. The earl’s words rang true and clearly Lord Cavandish had learned a very painful lesson, which my father had yet to confront—his own selfishness.

‘Your daughter is in great peril,’ Lady Cavandish announced, anxiety causing her calm tone to falter slightly. My father showed considerable restraint in not rolling his eyes, when she added: ‘A very dark presence has gained access to your beautiful daughter because of her selfless aid to our kin.’

Father hated it that he understood perfectly what the Dowager Countess was saying. ‘He’s the darkest ever…’ My father repeated the observation I had made to Nanny Beat about Dr Rosen, and the words stung at his heart like a thousand wasps. ‘Why must all the rubbish that spouts from that child’s mouth make such perfect sense?’ It was infuriating to my father. And it was totally bewildering. ‘That child will be the ruin of me.’ He stood up and resolved to take action and correct his oversight.

‘I can assure you, my Lord Granville, that quite the opposite is true.’ The Dowager Countess Cavandish rose from where she sat and asked: ‘Where is the Honourable Miss Granville now?’

‘The asylum is a few hours from here.’

Lady Cavandish heard and felt the panic that was rising in my father. ‘Fear not.’ She squeezed my father’s arm to reassure him. ‘Your daughter has many guardians watching over her…and my presence here today is a firm sign of that! All shall be well.’

My father was not the kind of man to graciously accept such comfort or admit that he should even need it, and especially not from a woman he’d never met before! But at this moment, he was mildly thankful for it.

‘Let us make haste then.’ Father turned toward the doors of the downstairs sitting room which led to the foyer, to find Nanny Beat standing in the doorway. ‘Yes, you may come,’ he replied before she’d even asked the question. ‘I wish to speak with you en route.’

Nanny burst into tears, she was so grateful. ‘Oh, thank you, my lord and god bless—’

‘No time for tears, woman.’ He put his arm around her, which he rarely did to anyone in public. ‘Lady Cavandish assures me that all shall be well, so let us waste no tears.’

Nanny nodded and gathered her wits.

‘My coach is out front,’ Lord Cavandish offered, ‘but what of the Lady Suffolk?’ He wondered whether my mother should be notified of the events taking place.

Father shook his head. ‘This whole affair has left Mrs Granville ailing. Better that she sleep and awaken when it is all set right.’

I lay in a dingy little room, unconscious or delirious from the effects of the doctor’s medication, for days. Thankfully, during my periods of semi-consciousness since arriving at the asylum, I hadn’t sighted Dr Rosen—I hadn’t really sighted anybody! The memory of that rotting, smelly man licking my face made my stomach turn and up came the little food I’d eaten. The medication, apart from its tranquillising effect, gave me cramps and made me very weak and unable to follow a train of thought.

I continuted reciting the names of Dr Rosen’s young victims as loud as my parched throat would allow, as this exercise served to keep my mind active. I couldn’t see the ghostly children, but I still heard them repeating their names, one by one, in a continuous round, which I echoed aloud.

Keep heart, Miss Granville, help is coming.

Although my sights were blurry and my wits dulled, the face of Damian Cavandish was perfectly clear to my inner perception.

I’ve arranged everything, he said.

The dark evidence of Damian’s guilt in early life had vanished. The gent was no longer a ghost, but a brilliant celestial being, whose appearance contained all that he might have been in life.

You look like an angel, I thought, too weak to speak.

Damian smiled, most pleased by his transformation. All thanks to you, Miss Granville, I am free of my self-induced limbo…the matter of your future welfare is all that binds me to this earth.

I felt a warm hand take hold of my own and, with a gentle tug, I was aided to rise to a seated position. I knew something impossible was happening: I’d been heavily sedated and yet I felt so light. Light enough to just float out of my body.

What is happening? I panicked as I realised I was floating apart from my body. Am I dying?

Just sleeping, assured the late Damian Cavandish. And when you awake, all of your sweetest dreams will be answered…even the ones you haven’t conceived of yet.

The weakness and pain ebbed as I left it behind me on the bed—apart from peace and contentment I felt nothing at all. I was floating beside the celestial gent, clutching his hand tightly as I observed my body in slumber. I don’t look at all well, I decided—my form appeared to be so small and frail.

The door to my room unlocked and opened. Dr Rosen entered, accompanied by his usual entourage of ghosts, and two young, witless men who carried a stretcher. ‘Sorry to have neglected you, my dear.’ The doctor motioned his lads toward me. ‘Take Miss Granville to my surgery…time for her long-overdue examination.’

The malign delight in the doctor’s voice taunted me, and I was drawn back toward my ailing body. For all my talents, I am defenceless like this!

Do not fear. Damian clutched the hand of my light-body tightly, aiding my consciousness to remain at liberty from my form. You have abilities beyond anything that you can