A comical mixture of expressions chased across Emily’s face: shock, laughter, and even envy.
“Serves you right you’re sick,” she said with some satisfaction. “I wish I’d been there! What was she like?”
“Marvelous. She really can sing, and in a way that makes you want to sing with her. She’s—so very alive!”
Emily tucked up her legs more comfortably.
“So no one murdered her. Then that can’t be why Mina was killed.”
“Yes, it could.” Charlotte recalled Pitt’s argument. “They might have wanted to keep that hidden. After all, she’s Ada Church!”
“Well, who is Ada Church?” Emily was puzzled.
“Ottilie is! Don’t be stupid!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Emily was too curious to be offended.
“Ada Church is one of the most famous singers on the halls.”
“Is she? I don’t know the music halls as well as you do!” There was distinct acid in her tone. “But that would be worth hiding. And there’s always Theodora’s income to look into. I expect Thomas is doing that. But we still have to do something about Mama and Monsieur Alaric!”
“Oh yes, I forgot about the locket. She has it back.”
“She never told me!” Emily was angry, affronted by the callousness of it.
Charlotte sat up very slowly and was surprised that her head felt considerably better.
“She didn’t tell me either. Inigo Charrington did. It was his mother who took it, and he put it back.”
“Ambrosine Charrington took it? Whatever for? Explain yourself! Charlotte, did you get drunk?”
“Yes, I think I did. On champagne. But that’s what he said. I wasn’t drunk then.” She explained with care what she could remember. “But that doesn’t mean Mama can go on with her relationship with Monsieur Alaric.”
“No, of course not,” Emily said. “We’d better do something, and before it gets any worse. I’ve been giving it some thought lately, and I’ve come to a decision. We must try to persuade Papa to pay more attention to her, flatter her more, spend time with her. Then she will have no need of Monsieur Alaric.” She looked up at Charlotte, challenging her to argue. She would leave the matter of Ambrosine Charrington and Charlotte’s champagne to another time.
Charlotte considered it for a moment or two in silence. It would not be easy to convey to Edward the importance of such a course, and the change it would necessitate in his behavior, without allowing him to understand the reason for their concern, the danger of Caroline beginning a real affaire with Paul Alaric— not just suppressed passion anymore, but something that might end up in the bedroom. She frowned and took a deep breath.
“Oh, not
It was not a time to take issue: defense could wait for a more suitable time.
“When are you going?” Charlotte asked.
“As soon as you have dressed. And you had better wash your face with cold water and pinch your cheeks a bit. You are very pasty.”
Charlotte gave her a sour look.
“And you’d better wear something bright,” Emily went on. “Do you have a red dress?”
“No, of course I don’t.” Charlotte crawled out of bed. “Where should I wear a red dress to? I’ve got a wine- colored skirt and coat.”
“Well, put it on and have a cup of tea. Then we’ll go and call on Papa. I’ve arranged it. I know he is at home today, and Mama has a luncheon engagement with a friend of mine.”
“Did you arrange that as well?”
“Of course I did!” Emily spoke with deliberate patience, as if to a rather tiresome child. “We don’t want her coming home in the middle! Now hurry up and get ready!”
Edward was delighted to have the company of both his daughters and sat at the head of the luncheon table with a smile of complete contentment on his face.
“How very pleasant to see you, my dear,” he said to Charlotte. “I’m so glad Emily found you at home and able to come. It seems a long time since I saw you last.”
“You have not been home when we have called lately.” Charlotte took her cue without waiting for Emily.
“No, I suppose not,” Edward said without giving it thought.
“We have been quite frequently,” Emily said casually, taking a little roast chicken on her fork. “And then gone out visiting with Mama. Quite an agreeable way to spend one’s time, providing one is not required to do too much of it. It can become tedious—the conversations are so much the same.”
“I thought it was an occupation you enjoyed?” Edward looked mildly surprised. He had not considered the matter greatly, merely taken it for granted.
“Oh, we do.” Emily ate the chicken and then frowned at him. “But incessant female company has very limited pleasures, you know. I’m sure that if George did not offer me his companionship in the evening and take me to dinner elsewhere occasionally, I should find myself longing for the conversation of some other gentleman. A woman is not at her best unless there is a man she admires to observe her, you know?”
