‘The truth is Grandpapa insisted he could fly.’ He reached out and put a hand on his mother’s shoulder. ‘Isn’t that right?’
Mrs Jones swallowed hard and nodded again.
‘In the height of elation, he ran off the edge, hollering with delight. No one expected it. No one stopped him. Not that they could have, anyway.’
A single tear tipped over Mrs Jones’s eyelid and slid down her cheek.
Serena placed her fork on her plate. ‘His father suffered the same malady?’ She swallowed back rising nausea.
‘Yes. We didn’t realise Eddie carried it.’ Mr Jones offered a sad smile. ‘He was always such a bright lad, so smart. He is so full of creativity and enthusiasm and energy, we didn’t even see it coming. We have worked very hard to keep him calm and stable, but—’
‘But since I arrived, it has come undone. Is that what you intended to say?’ It all became clear to Serena—why Mr Simon blamed her, why they tried to keep her away from Mr King—her presence unbalanced his mind.
‘It’s not your fault, please, Miss Bellingham.’ Mr Xavier shook his head. ‘Uncle wanted you here, despite our fears.’ He looked away from her and murmured. ‘And who could blame him?’
Before Serena could respond, Mrs Jones interjected. ‘Unfortunately, his interest in you has agitated his mind considerably.’ Her gaze held a level of gravity Serena had not yet seen.
‘You don’t mean to blame it all on Miss Bellingham, do you, dear?’ Mr Jones seemed surprised.
Mrs Jones gaze faltered, and she stared at her hands. ‘Of course not. I’m sorry.’
Serena looked from one to the other. ‘But, you think I should leave?’
Mrs Jones let out a long breath. ‘I think it would be for the best.’
Serena clenched her hands, her thoughts spinning. ‘Are you aware that he swore to have my father imprisoned if I returned home?’
‘Your father?’ The couple said in unison, confusion marking their brows.
‘Mr King caught my father intending to steal one of his paintings.’
‘Devil, take me.’
‘Xavier, that language is unacceptable.’ Mrs Jones turned back to Serena. ‘I did not know this. But I can assure you, Eddie will not have your father imprisoned. I think you have well and truly paid your dues.’
‘If you’re certain. I shall leave tomorrow.’ Serena searched their faces. Strangely, she hoped they would beg her to stay, to say it was all a misunderstanding.
‘I’m sorry it has to be this way. And you must swear, by all you hold sacred, not to speak a word of this to anyone. Not even your family.’
Serena understood the gravity this time and she nodded. Then her gaze fell to the newspaper once again, fighting her way through mixed feelings. ‘But what will you do about this?’
‘Moncrief will have Eddie locked away if he can. We must stop him.’ Mrs Jones seemed sure about that fact.
‘Incarcerated?’
‘Yes. At the Gladesville Asylum.’
‘The asylum? Surely not.’ Horror crept up Serena’s spine.
‘That is why we must make him well as soon as possible.’
‘But where is Mr King?’
‘He is safe, my dear. That is all you need to know. Edward is safe.’
21
She couldn’t sleep. How was one supposed to sleep having just learned the man they had fallen in love with was in fact insane? For that is what she had started to believe—that she might be in love with Mr King, Edward. But in an instant, her fate had changed and she must leave, perhaps forever. It was a cruel irony. All she had desired since arriving at Aleron was returning to her father and sisters, to help them and care for them. When had her heart changed? Now she felt drawn to stay.
Edward was mad? It was hard to believe. Yes, sometimes he had behaved with definite eccentricity, but to label him unsound seemed exaggerated. Odd. Strange. Weren’t they terms strong enough to describe him? Why should anyone lock Edward up for being an oddity?
And what about the other times? His fervour, his passion for the artistic, his generosity and sensitivity. Surely, they weren’t the actions of a lunatic? Oh, what should she make of it all? If only she could give Edward the chance to defend himself, to help her form her own judgement. Now she possessed the truth, knowing the facts, she could make an informed assessment. She wanted so much for them to be wrong. Although, considering they had known him for much longer than she, there was little chance they were.
Serena threw back the covers with a groan. Her attempts to sleep were fruitless. She slipped her feet into her cold slippers and threw a robe around her shoulders. This time, she would search the whole house and by the saints she would find him. For a certainty, Edward was still somewhere in Aleron. If the family feared discovery, there was no way they would take him anywhere else. She grabbed a candle and headed out.
She knew he was not in his own apartments, so she began her search in the servants’ wing. Supposedly, this section of the house was empty as no servants resided there. Another detail that made sense at last. Servants with loose tongues would have brought Mr King’s illness to light many years ago, so they only allowed them in once per week. And Mr King never showed his face on those days. And his rooms were obviously never cleaned by them.
Careful to remain silent, Serena searched every room in the wing, softly calling for Mr King as she went. The servants’ quarters were cold and empty. Not a sign of life.
Not dissuaded, Serena began a search of the family’s wing. Here, she must be more careful, for fear of waking them. She must not call out for Edward, and she could only search for rooms that might otherwise be empty. It proved to be difficult, and she eventually left the
