A Dreadful Splendor (88)

“I can’t believe it,” I whispered. “All this time I imagined it was William who had something to do with Audra’s death, but it was Flora!” I licked my dry lips, unwilling to acknowledge how stupid I’d been to trust her.

Maman was right. I was the only one I could depend on. And yet Mr. Pemberton was still beside me.

“We must make her part of the séance,” I said. “She’s superstitious. I can target her. We’re sure to get a confession.”

“Have you an ounce of sense? We just overheard two people plotting what I’m most certain is your murder, and all you can think about is the schematics for the séance. The obvious course of action would be to call the police and have them both arrested.”

“The coppers are champing at the bit to get me back in a cell. And what kind of proof do we have? All we heard was William say I won’t feel a thing. No one mentioned murder.”

“How can you be so stubborn?” he fumed, his whispered voice slowly rising in volume. “Give me one reason why I shouldn’t go after them this very minute. If you don’t want the police, I’ll accept that, but I won’t have you share the same roof with those two!”

“Shh.” I pointed to the wall. “William was secretly in love with Audra,” I whispered, watching the storm brewing in his eyes. “He confessed to her on the eve of your wedding, and he provided her with information that confirmed he was the heir to Somerset Park. He wanted her to call off your marriage and be with him instead.”

“He what?!”

I put a finger to my lips in warning. Then I leaned closer and whispered the story of William’s heritage. “Mrs. Donovan is the only other person who knew,” I said. “She could be in on this too, but there’s only one way to find out for certain.”

His brow pinched together. “If William is the rightful heir I can understand his hatred of me, but the danger he poses can’t be ignored. He may have been involved in Audra’s death, and I certainly don’t excuse his threats on your life.”

“We have to go through with the séance.” I was surprised by my fervor. Not only because I finally knew who to target, but because I was finally doing what Audra’s ghost had been asking of me from the beginning.

Help me.

And I was the only one who could. This wouldn’t be a con. This would be justice.

Mr. Pemberton leaned even closer, his anger diminishing. “I’ve never met anyone as determined to give me so much strife,” he said with affection.

It was tempting to stay here with him, standing so close in the dark. For a moment I considered taking another step toward him. But time was not on our side. “Let’s see where this passageway ends up,” I said.

I led the way with the lamp, moving slowly. Still, the next dead end came upon us without warning, and I nearly tumbled through the hole in the floor. The top of the ladder barely peeked over the edge.

“Miss Timmons,” Mr. Pemberton managed to say, looping an arm around my waist to pull me back. “How have you managed to stay alive this long?”

“You should lead,” I said, handing over the light.

He took the lamp, and then my hand, pulling me behind him. “I don’t want to lose you in the dark,” he said.

I smiled at his back.

After another series of turns, and one more trek down another ladder, we came through a door that led into the hallway just off the kitchen.

It was quiet this time of night. The door swung shut behind us, blending in perfectly with the wainscoting. I would never have known it was there. How many of these passageways extended through the house?

We entered the empty kitchen. Mr. Pemberton stirred the embers of the fireplace with the poker, both of us trying to digest all we’d seen and heard. We were standing in the same spot where we’d first met.

He blinked at the dying flames. “I can’t help but feel responsible. If I had known, I could have protected her from William. I should have tried harder to earn her trust.”

His guilt was palpable. I knew more than anyone the destructive force of self-proclaimed blame. I was unsure when Dr. Barnaby would confess, but I decided Mr. Pemberton shouldn’t have to go another day blaming himself for something he wasn’t responsible for. “It wouldn’t have mattered,” I said. “Even if you had declared your adoration and thrown yourself at her feet. She was in love with someone else. They were going to leave Somerset together, in secret.”

“You’re certain?” The surprise in his voice was evident, but also, interestingly, relief.

I nodded. I considered telling him the name, but I didn’t want to add to his suffering.

“I wonder if William found out,” he said. “He could have been mad enough to kill her.”

“It’s possible,” I agreed.

He let out a sigh as he shook his head. There was a bewildered expression about him, but one free of the previous burden. I was glad to have given him that reprieve. “Thank you,” he said. “That information means a lot to me.”

“You’re not upset she was in love with someone else?”

“Our arrangement was financial. Any feelings that might have developed out of the union would have been slow, but cordial I suppose.” He paused and locked his gaze on me. “Not like real love. I’m beginning to appreciate what she was willing to do for a love like that.”