‘How’sJuliette?’
And that was it,subject changed. Morton knew better than to steer his father back to theprevious conversation, so he accepted it. ‘She’s fine, getting on wellwith her police training.’
‘Oh right. Tell me about it.’
An hour later, just as dusk began tostretch and pull at the shadows, Morton stepped into his front door. ‘Hi,’ he called out, kicking off his shoes. There was no answer and thehouse was quiet. She’s probably asleep on the sofa. Or gone outfor a jog or to get something for dinner. With his laptop under hisarm, Morton stuck his head into the lounge. The room was empty, so hepulled out his mobile and tapped out a quick text. Home. Whereare you? xx He clicked ‘send’ and began to make his way up to thestudy. He probably had a few minutes to get a bit more done on the MercerCase before she returned. He was quite looking forward to adding all thenew details to his study wall. Just then, he heard Juliette’s phone beepupstairs. She was in the study.
Morton padded up to the topof the stairs. The study door was slightly ajar. He pushed itopen. ‘Hi…’ he said, then stopped quickly. Juliette was sitting inhis office chair, bound with blue rope, her mouth gagged with tape. Standing over her, with a vulgar grin on his face, was a man he recognised butcouldn’t immediately place. He held a gun to Juliette’s temple. Shewas trying to appear threatening and defiant but Morton could see the terror inher eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Wednesday 1st November 1911
It was working. Her astute plan wasworking. The future of the Mansfield family was being secured, theirtenure on Blackfriars and their centuries-long high standing in society wouldcontinue for generations to come. A Mansfield baby—God-willing, a boy—wasdue imminently. Lady Rothborne was alone in her room, perched nervouslyat the edge of her bed, waiting. She had eaten nothing all day and herstomach was starting to cramp. When will there be news? DrLeyden was called to Philadelphia’s room more than an hour ago. Theremust surely be something to report, she thought. She had personallyrequested that Dr Leyden himself keep her updated with news of thearrival. As time passed, she began to fear the worst. What ifthere were complications? She strengthened herself and sat upstraight. She needed to exercise patience.
And, sureenough, her patience paid off when, forty minutes later, there was a lighttapping at the door. Lady Rothborne smiled a small, faint smile. ‘Come in.’
An incensedsnarl beset her face when she was not greeted by Dr Leyden, but by MrRisler. ‘I specifically asked not to be disturbed,’ she growled.
Mr Rislerlowered his head deferentially. ‘I do apologise, Lady Rothborne. Ithought it prudent to keep you informed of some developments.’
Lady Rothbornestood, her body rigid and commanding, despite her aging years. ‘Developments?’
‘Your nephew,Frederick Mansfield, has arrived unexpectedly. He seems under theinfluence of alcohol and is most insistent at being present at the birth.’
Lady Rothbornefelt her pulse quicken and her throat tighten. ‘That’s the most absurd,disgusting idea that I have ever heard. Disgraceful man. Alert LordRothborne and request that he get rid of him at once.’
‘Yes, YourLadyship,’ Mr Risler said.
Turning her backto the door, Lady Rothborne began to make her way to the window. When herbedroom door did not shut, she turned to see Mr Risler still standing therewith an apologetic look on his face. ‘What is it?’ she demanded.
‘There’ssomething else,’ Mr Risler began. ‘Mrs Caroline Ransom is in the kitchendemanding to see a member of the family.’
Lady Rothbornescowled. ‘Tell her to go away. Who is she? Demanding to seeone of the family. Why did you even entertain such a person,Risler? And on such a day as today.’
‘She’s thesister of Miss Mercer,’ Mr Risler said, shifting uncomfortably. ‘She’sunder the impression that Miss Mercer is here and is expecting a child at anymoment.’
Lady Rothborne’sperfect poise faltered and she stumbled.
‘Your ladyship,’Mr Risler called, hurrying to her aid.
‘Get off,’ shescolded, sitting herself down on the bed. ‘Who knows that she’s here?’
‘Just myself andMonsieur Bastion at the moment.’
‘Take her to thelibrary and see to it that nobody is made aware of her visit. I willspeak with her presently. I trust that is all the developments?’
‘Yes, LadyRothborne.’ Mr Risler bowed his head and backed from the room.
Clenching her fists to control a slighttremble that had wracked her whole body, Lady Rothborne stood stoically. She knew that in the next few minutes, the fate of her family’s future would besealed: history was about to be written.
Elegantly and gracefully,Lady Rothborne left her room. From the disturbance emanating from thefloor below, she surmised that Cecil had been unable to prevent her dreadfulnephew from reaching Philadelphia’s chamber. She prayed that she was nottoo late.
Standing outsidePhiladelphia’s bedroom, her disapproving eyes fell upon Frederick with his openshirt, dishevelled hair and a general stench of fetid alcohol. He wasgrinning from ear to ear, as if he had just been told the greatest joke onearth. Behind him, forcing one arm bent back between his shoulder blades,stood his angry cousin, Cecil.
‘Hello dearest Aunt,’Frederick slurred. ‘I’ve come to pay my respects.’ With a wriggleand a fierce wrench, Frederick released himself from Cecil’s grip.
With the force of an angrybull, Lady Rothborne strode to Philadelphia’s door. ‘You will notbe permitted entry into a lady’s boudoir in this house at any time,’ shehissed. ‘You most certainly will never be permitted entry whensuch an intimate event is taking place. Your father would be disgusted.’Lady Rothborne stood tall and firm in front of Philadelphia’s bedroom door.
‘Ouch!’ Frederick moaned,turning back towards Cecil. ‘No need to be so brutal, Cousindearest. I just wanted to wish my dear Philly well.’
‘It is uncouth, it is vulgarand it is not going to happen,’ Lady Rothborne ranted. ‘Kindlytake to your room with a glass of water for a few hours.’
The distinct burst of anew-born baby’s cry resounded from the bedroom, cutting through thecommotion. Everyone stopped and stared as a happy sweat-covered Dr Leydenpulled open the door. ‘A boy,’ he said breathlessly. ‘Come and meethim.’
A subtle nod of the
