saying-”
The colonel, as usual, completely ignored his wife’s reprimand. “Middle of the desert, hot as blazes, and we were all dying of thirst. I was riding ahead of the troops on a blasted elephant. Dashed awkward beasts to ride. Much prefer a horse. All that wriggling around was playing havoc with my-”
Phoebe sat up straight. “Freddie!”
The colonel coughed. “Ah… ahem, yes. Anyway, my batman spotted a pile of rags up ahead. He-”
“Frederick!” Phoebe glared at him. “No one is the least bit interested in your interminable war stories. Please cease and desist this minute.”
Normally Cecily would have been in full agreement. Knowing, however, that Phoebe was intent on learning every detail of the murders and the missing baby, the colonel’s tales were vastly preferable. “It’s quite all right, Phoebe. Do go on, Colonel. Your story is quite fascinating.”
Madeline sent her a grateful look, while Phoebe stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. After all, Cecily was always the first one to cut off the Colonel’s hair-raising accounts.
Fortescue needed no further bidding. “Well, anyway, that pesky bundle of rags turned out to be a child. Must have been abandoned by her tribe. Half dead she was, and skinny as a gutted rabbit.”
Cecily winced, while Phoebe shuddered. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she muttered.
Oblivious to the appalled reaction to his story, the colonel blithely continued. “Chalky, my batman, suggested we put her on the elephant with me and take her into town. Well, of course, we had to put the dratted thing on its knees to get her up there. Got it down all right, managed to get some water down the child’s throat, and tied her to the harness so she wouldn’t slide off.” He paused, staring at the clock on the mantelpiece. “I say, is that the time? I’m late for my midday snifter.”
Phoebe looked relieved. “So you are. Run along, then, Freddie. I’ll catch up to you later.”
The colonel blinked at her, as if he didn’t understand a word she’d said. “Right ho. Now, where was I? Ah, yes. Well, the elephant started to get up before I was ready. I slid right off the blasted thing. Fell right down on my-”
“Freddie!”
Fortescue scowled. “Tailbone. Couldn’t sit down for a week. Had to eat standing up. Dashed awkward that. Especially at the regimental dinner. Dribbled gravy all down my uniform. Still hurts in the rear if I sit down too hard.”
Phoebe rose from her chair, quivering with indignation. “Frederick Fortescue. I insist that you either be quiet or leave. This instant.”
The colonel looked surprised. “No need to shout. I’m on my way.” He turned to Cecily and bowed. “Good to see you, old bean. Looking forward to the carol singing tonight. Should raise the roof, what? What?”
“Indeed, Colonel. We look forward to enjoying your participation.”
Phoebe grunted something under her breath, while the colonel reached for Madeline’s hand. “Don’t worry, my dear,” he said gruffly. “All will be well. I feel it in my bones.”
Madeline smiled. “So do I, Colonel. Thank you.”
Phoebe waited until the door had closed behind her husband before exploding with wrath. “That man can be so insufferable, I really don’t know-” A loud rapping on the door interrupted her. “Well! If that’s Frederick again I’ll-”
She never got the chance to say what she would do. Without waiting for permission, Gertie had bounced into the room, words tumbling from her mouth so fast it was difficult to understand her.
“We found her. She’s all right. It was the Millshire youngsters. Found them in the tree house. Laughing like hyenas they were. Clive climbed up the tree and got her. He’s-” She looked over her shoulder. “Clive? Come on! Bring her in here, then!”
Madeline was already halfway across the room. As Clive’s bulky body filled the doorway, the baby in his arms, Madeline let out a cry so desperate, only then did Cecily realize just how well her friend had hidden her torment.
Madeline snatched the baby from the maintenance man and held her close, rocking her while murmuring soft words in her ear.
Cecily got up and patted Gertie on the shoulder. “Well done.”
“Yes, m’m, but it was Clive that found her.” Gertie’s face was flushed with excitement. “It was the little girl, Adelaide. She said she wanted to play with a real live baby. I don’t think she understands what she did.” Gertie glanced at Madeline. “She took really good care of her, Mrs. Prestwick. The baby’s all wrapped up in Lady Millshire’s shawl, and she wasn’t crying all that much.”
Madeline buried her face in the soft folds of the shawl for a moment, then looked up at Clive. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you both. I will give you both a special gift for this. Something precious to last a lifetime.”
“Completely unnecessary, m’m,” Clive said, looking bashful. “I just did my job, that’s all.”
“And me. I’m just glad the baby is all right.” Gertie glanced at Cecily. “I suppose I should go and help Pansy. She’s in the dining room. I’m afraid the midday meal is taking a bit longer to serve up.”
“That’s all right, Gertie. I think we can be forgiven for that this once.”
“Yes, m’m.” Gertie grinned and bent her knees in a slight curtsey.
Cecily turned to Clive. “Would you see if you can find my husband and Dr. Prestwick? Tell them we will meet them in the dining room.”
“Yes, m’m. I do believe they went up to the roof garden. I’ll find them.”
He turned to leave, then paused, waiting for Gertie to go ahead of him.
“I’ll be going then.” Gertie nudged Clive in the arm as she passed him by, and he followed her out the door.
Phoebe rose from her chair. “Well, thank goodness that’s over. Let me look at the little precious.” She cooed for a moment over the baby, who now appeared to be sleeping.
“Would you and the colonel care to join us in the dining room?” Cecily asked, ignoring Madeline’s rolling eyes.
“Oh, no thank you.” Phoebe reached for her umbrella. “Freddie is probably drinking his meal, and I have too much to do to waste time eating. I’ll take advantage of the fact that everyone is in the dining room. It will give me time to make my preparations for tonight.” She bustled over to the door. “Thank you, Cecily, and Madeline, I’m so happy your little one is safe.” She blew a kiss, and left.
Cecily walked over to Madeline and patted the baby’s head. “Did you know that the little girl had taken Angelina?”
“No.” Madeline looked down at her sleeping baby. “I just knew that it would be a mistake to call in the constables. I knew that whoever had her meant her no harm.”
“Still, it was a terrible thing to do. The child must be made to realize-” She broke off as yet another tap on the door interrupted her. “Really,” she murmured, as she crossed the room, “we are most popular today. The whole world is calling on us.”
The woman standing outside had obviously been crying. In fact, the moment she started to speak, more tears poured down her cheeks. Recognizing her, Cecily opened the door wider. “Do come in, Lady Millshire.”
“I was told Mrs. Prestwick is with you,” the other woman said, gulping back a sob. “I would like a word with her.”
“Yes, she’s in here.” Cecily stood back, and Lady Millshire entered, dabbing at her eyes with a small white handkerchief.
Cecily decided to leave. Obviously the woman had come to apologize to Madeline, something that would be difficult enough for her to do without having to suffer an audience.
“I will meet you in the dining room,” she told Madeline, and left them alone to have their discussion in peace.
Instead of going straight to the dining room, she stopped by the office to take a peek at the banquet pictures left by the photographer.
She found them lying on her desk and quickly shuffled through them. She found one of herself and Baxter that she particularly liked, and put it to one side. It was a shame that someone hadn’t yet perfected colored photography, she thought, as she gazed at the images of elegantly dressed guests enjoying the feast. The pretty gowns lost some of their luster in the sepia shades.
