Page 34 of The Demons of Wychwood

CHAPTER 19

ARRANGEMENTS

It was seven o’clock in the morning on what appeared to be a pleasant spring day. The sun had burned away the fog and for a change, the sky above us was a lovely wispy blue. With a bounce in my step, I walked beside my secret lover the Duke of Penhelligan, Christopher Havelock, as we made our way through the streets of Stepney heading for Holborn.

“Goodness, I feel rather naked without my top hat,” Havelock commented with a chuckle as we walked. This was a rough, filthy, working-class area and I could see how uncomfortable Havelock was as we sauntered together. With his finely tailored garments, and his gorgeous black curls flowing to his shoulders, he looked out of place, but I didn’t tell him that! Hard faced women were on their knees scrubbing doorsteps and children played in the street without a care. They gave us funny looks as we passed by. Hawkers in stove pipe hats pushed their laden carts towards the Whitechapel Road where they’d find more custom, and the smell of baking bread wafted from the Jewish bakery on the corner. “It ain’t far. We can get an hansom on the Whitechapel Road,” I informed.

We walked on and after a few minutes of silence I stopped and dared to ask Kit a pertinent question.

“Milord, wait.” I reached out and clutched at his forearm. He turned and looked around with concerned shifty eyes. He was right to be wary. Pickpockets would see Lord Penhelligan glowing like the moon on a dark night if we didn’t hurry up to a better part of town.

“I need to know. Do you really believe Elowen?” I said, hoping we wouldn’t come to blows about this. I knew my sister was telling the truth. She was raped by the General and had hidden her shame for nigh on three years while he behaved as if nothing had happened.

“I do…I do.” Kit reassured morosely. “Georgia is only fifteen—”

“I beg your pardon?” I said in confusion.

“My sister, Georgia. Come along Lazarus, we cannot dally. Grab the first empty cab you see.” Havelock said as he rushed on. I scurried to catch up.

“Georgia is a bright, intelligent girl, very bookish,” Kit said as we walked, “Six months ago I entered the library at the St James’ house while she was studying. I wanted to invite her to take a turn around Regents Park with me. Edward was there leaning over the table his hand pressed to my sister’s back. When I interrupted Georgia looked up from her book and met my eyes. I saw something in her gaze that turned my heart to dust.”

“What!” I exclaimed.

“Georgia was afraid, pleading with her eyes for me to do something to help her. Edward looked up and his gaze blazed with fury at the interruption, but he kept his mask neutral. I’d seen that look before so many times. He was displeased with me and I would be punished…I was punished,” he said sorrowfully.

“Oh,” I knew what he meant, remembering the restraints that I’d laid out in room six back then. I was disgusted with myself for unwittingly aiding General Napier in his abuse.

“Edward left the library in a storm, and I knew then, the cycle was beginning again—Edward had me exactly where he wanted, I was under his thumb, he used me, controlled me, and now he was preying on my innocent little sister.”

I clenched my fists to stop from punching something. “What did you do?”

“Legally, Edward has no financial responsibility for me. I came into my inheritance when I was twenty. The St James house and Penhelligan Hall are mine. It’s with my permission that he and mother are permitted to reside at those houses. As the heir of the Penhelligan family I also have the final say on my sister’s choices. I’d never thrown my weight around before, but in this instance I did. I spoke to mother about Georgia’s future. Mother wanted to find Georgia a suitor as swiftly as possible and secure her into an agreement. Georgia is a very bright girl and she wants an education. And so, I put my foot down with mother and decided that it was best for Georgia to go to a preparatory school rather than remain at home in London. I enrolled her at Cheltenham Ladies College. She would be far away from Napier and continue her education without fear of his coercive interference. It was all I could do to protect her.”

“Well, that was a bold, impressive move, milord!” I praised.

“Edward didn’t like it one bit. He was furious and he has fought me ever since. This is why he punishes me when we’re alone. And so, yes, getting back to your earlier question, I don’t believe a maid or a stable boy for that matter is safe around Edward. Even with my wealth and hereditary powers I cannot rid myself of him. But I will keep trying!” Kit said determinedly.

“And I shall help you,” I decided. “Whatever you need, you can count on me. The scoundrel has to be stopped.”

We turned onto Whitechapel Road finding the business day was in full swing. Hansoms were lined up in the middle of the road waiting for the signal man to let the traffic proceed. Young boys were following behind the horses with buckets and spades in hand scooping the trails of horseshit off the road.

“I don’t believe my mother knows his true nature,” Kit continued. “Edward wears a mask of propriety when he’s with mah-ma. She believes he is an honorable and caring family man.”

“She needs to be told the truth!”

“Yes, I agree. But I have to be circumspect about how I do it!” Kit said conspiratorially. “Mah-ma is somewhat of a society gossip, and she tells Edward everything. It is a delicate situation, and I’ll need to find a way to tell her of his sins without revealing my own secret.”

I sent my gaze along the line of cabs and saw one without a passenger inside.

“Oi, guv’nor, can you do a fare to St James?” I called to the driver.

“Yeah, you’d better hop in, quick smart!” he hollered as the signal man permitted the traffic to move on. I opened the double doors and stood aside so Kit could step onboard, then I stepped up after him. I closed the doors and took a breath as I relaxed into the seat. It was nice to be alone in a secluded place with Kit again. The cab moved off.

“So, we’re going back to yours?”

“Yes. When he’s in his cups Edward generally doesn’t go home. He doesn’t let mother see him like that because he knows she’d be revolted.” Kit gave me a side glance and saw how my brows arched with confusion at that piece of information.

“Maybe it’s out of respect for my father, as he was a staunch teetotaler. I don’t know, but Edward treats my mother like she’s a queen. She has no idea of the vices he dabbles in when her back is turned.”