But now this ... this unavoidable and wretched confrontation.
‘Who gave you the right to meddle in our affairs?’ Mr Simon glared.
His words provoked Serena to anger, despite a herculean effort to remain calm after what she had witnessed. Still she kept her voice low. ‘And what, may I ask, gives you the right to lock up your uncle like a common criminal?’
Mr Xavier stepped between them then, a hand stretched out to Mr Simon to ward him off, as he looked back to her in supplication. Mr and Mrs Jones watched on with pale faces. ‘You do not understand. Please, Miss Bellingham.’
‘Not understand?’ Serena frowned. ‘I understand perfectly. I can recognise the effects of laudanum and lack of care.’
Now Mrs Jones stepped forward, eyes pleading. ‘You have not lived with Edward enough to comprehend completely. It is as though his mind soars higher and higher in a frenzy of thought. Thoughts that are beyond reality. He does not sleep. He ... he is not safe.’ She swallowed, as though trying to ingest a whole plum. ‘We put him in the cellar with the laudanum to settle him again.’
‘Without a decent meal? Without water for bathing? You punish him for his illness. It is cruel and inhumane.’
‘We intended to bring him out today, I swear it,’ Mr Xavier uttered, his head hung low. ‘We never leave him there for too long.’
‘And what is your estimation of too long? A week? Two weeks? Why can you not confine him in his suite when he is like this?’
‘This is what I mean by meddling.’ Mr Simon scowled. ‘Do you not think we have tried everything possible? His room makes him worse, and then he—’
‘She need not know the unpleasant details of his illness, son.’ Mr Jones cut him off then turned to Serena. He appeared ashen, weary, as though he carried a heavy burden on his shoulders. ‘They speak truth, my dear. This is a heart-breaking condition for us as well as for poor Edward. We do what we can, however desperate and unnatural it may seem, to keep him away from the asylum. I doubt we can say much to convince you that what we do is for the best. And because the best is what is in our hearts, I am convinced it is best that you pack your things and return to your family’s home.’
Serena stood agape for a moment, her mouth working, but no words forming. She’d expected this from Mr Simon, and perhaps even from Mrs Jones, but never from Mr Jones. ‘You’re sending me away because I tried to help him?’
Mr Jones released a heavy sigh. ‘I’m sending you away because your presence brings more heartache to an already traumatic situation.’
Tears pricked behind her eyes. The words hurt. They blamed her for Edward’s sickness, at least this episode of it. They blamed her for interfering. They blamed her for caring. It was not fair, but there was no strong point to argue, except for Edward himself. ‘But what does Mr King want? He told me if I returned home, he would imprison my father. I am afraid to leave without his consent.’
Truth be told, she was not afraid that Edward would condemn her father. Not anymore. Somehow, she didn’t believe he would do it. But she couldn’t walk away without an effort to fight. She feared they would lock him in the cellar again. He didn’t deserve it, even if he was brain sick. There had to be a better way.
‘We can take care of Edward, Miss Bellingham. We shall see that he does not contact the police about your father. My wife already spoke to you regarding this yesterday.’
Serena let out a long breath and let her hands drop to her sides. ‘Well, it seems I am no longer welcome here. I shall do as you ask and leave right away. I always regretted leaving my family, so I suppose it is for the best.’ Somehow, it didn’t feel like the best though. She dropped into a deep curtsy and summoned as much gratitude as she could find. ‘Thank you for having me here for as long as you did. I know it must have been a trial for you as I was unaware of Mr King’s condition. Not a word of this will leave my lips, I can assure you. I have no intention of causing any of you, especially Mr King, further heartache.’
As Serena took her leave of them half an hour later, she knew every word she had spoken was true. She cared about this family, even if they thought her an interfering domestic. Mrs Jones looked relieved in a grim way, Mr Jones wore a resigned expression. but Mr Simon, well, he smiled for the first time she’d noticed. Mr Xavier appeared to be a trifle sad as he handed her into the carriage to drive her home. Serena swallowed her disappointment and turned to face the road ahead.
Emotions warred within her. On the one hand, it would be grand to see Papa and her beloved sisters again. She could play games with her sisters, or walk to the docks whenever she wanted. She would be free. But, on the other hand, she would miss that magnificent house of Aleron, almost magical in its design. And especially she would miss its eccentric owner. That is how she determined to remember Mr King. Eccentric and wonderful. Never would
