As quietly as I could, I made my way down the back stairs to the kitchen. The full moon bathed the room in sufficient semi-light that I didn’t need candles. I saw the bright copper cylinder lying on Cook’s desk, and I glanced up at the small brass door in the wall above. The opening led to a network of vacuum hoses that connected the kitchen to the dining rooms, the morning room, the main drawing room, and Charles’s study. If the vacuum door was open in the study, I might be able to hear some of his conversation. As quietly as I could, I opened the kitchen vacuum door.
Charles’s voice filled the kitchen instantly. He had to be sitting at his desk, right next to the opening.
“She did what? I knew nothing of this.”
My heart skipped a beat. Was the stranger a messenger from George? I couldn’t tell. His voice was muffled, as he was some distance from the open vacuum-tube door.
“After all I’ve done for that family! I’ve given them everything.” I could almost feel the heat of Charles’s words, see his red face deepening into an unhealthy shade of purple.
The other speaker must have moved as his voice came through clear as day. It was George. I felt dizzy all of a sudden and gripped the edge of the desk. He must be telling Charles everything.
“This will be your downfall, Charles. You must take care of it once and for all if you hope to have a political career with a seat in cabinet.”
“Of course. You’re right.” Charles’s voice was subdued, pleading almost. “She has a cousin outside London, I could send—”
“She’s only part of the problem.” George continued to speak at length, but he’d moved off, and I couldn’t make out what he was saying.
“I understand what must be done,” Charles finally said. “It’s the only way. Thank you for coming directly to me with this. I’ll be forever in your debt.”
I stood there in the kitchen for a long while after I heard the men leave the study. My fate had been decided. I only hoped that I could persuade Charles that Harriet was innocent in all this. As for me, I would ask to go live with Edward. It was the only way to protect Harriet from my scandal.
After a fitful night, I rose and knocked on Harriet’s door, but she was gone. To the doctor’s, I remembered. Perhaps it was better that she wasn’t here to see Charles’s anger. With a sense of foreboding, I went downstairs for breakfast. Charles was planted at the head of the dining table, the Times spread out in front of him.
“Good morning,” I murmured.
I sensed him watching me as I made my way along the sideboard dabbing a spoonful from each platter. My mouth felt like I had just bitten into a lemon, and my stomach tightened at the sight of the food. I kept my eyes lowered as I sat down. The feathery white bread that I slathered with chunks of melting butter tasted like cardboard. Charles eyed my plate and moved the butter crock to the far side of the table.
“I’ve received some news about you that has deeply troubled me.”
I knew it was hopeless, but I had to at least try and convince him of the truth. “Charles, let me explain,” I said.
“What were you thinking?” His voice rose an octave as he set his teacup down with force. “Inviting George’s physical affections so you could threaten him and claim he took advantage of your innocence. Force the marriage through blackmail. How gullible do you think George is? How stupid are you?”
It was exactly the lie George said he would tell, and yet I was still surprised. “That’s not what happened. I wasn’t trying to blackmail him.”
“Don’t try to deny it. I saw the letter, and he told me how you ambushed him at the club, demanding an agreement to settle the whole affair once and for all.”
“No, please, hear me out.”
He ignored my protests. “And I question Harriet’s hand in this whole affair as well. How could she go behind my back like that?”
“Harriet has nothing to do with it. She’s been unwell and spending time at her doctor’s,” I said quickly. “And George hasn’t told you the truth.”
“Do you really think I should believe you, my penniless sister-in-law with no connections, over George, the esteemed government whip and pillar of the community? Don’t be ridiculous. There is no longer any room for you at my table.”
Anger bubbled up inside me at the echo of George’s heartless words about my family and me. We had our faults, to be sure, but we were honest, and we treated others with respect and caring, no matter their position. It seemed to me that those seeking the highest levels of society lost their humanity on the way to the top. “I can go to my cousin Edward’s. He’s offered me a position as a governess.”
“I would feel honour-bound to tell him of your behaviour and there’s no way to keep a lid on the rumours, anyway. Edward would never take you now. George is outraged by your attempts at blackmail and is demanding action.” His eyes were as cold and grey as the pewter tableware in front of him. “No, I have other plans for you. You have to go. There is simply no other way to deal with your situation, no other course open to us.”
I felt the pulse in my temples begin to throb. “Go where?”
He presented me with a piece of paper torn from the Times. “George brought this to my attention last night.”
STEAM to the GOLD FIELDS of BRITISH COLUMBIA—Notice to passengers and shippers—For VICTORIA, Vancouver’s Island, (calling if required at San Francisco), the iron screw steamship TYNEMOUTH, A 1, 9 years at Lloyd’s, 1,650 tons register, and 600-horse power indicated, ALFRED HELLYER Commander: will load at the Jetty, London Docks, leaving punctually on
