Page 85 of The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
“What is it?” For some inexplicable reason, her heart began to thud. Had something happened to Elliot?God, please not another package.
“There are two men downstairs asking for you.”
“Two men? Did they say where they were from?”
“Yes, ma’am. They are from Scotland Yard.”
She let out a sigh of relief. Botheration, was she to be plagued by the Garvey situation even on her wedding day? “All right, Thomas, I will be there in a moment.”
He left and she moved to her dressing table and dabbed a bit of cologne on her neck and wrists. Then, taking a final look in the mirror, she left the room.
Two men stood in the hall entrance. One of them she recognized as the man who had come to her house the day Miss Garvey had been killed.
“How may I help you, gentlemen?” She tugged on her cream kid gloves.
“Good morning, Ma’am. I am Inspector Longforth. I am sure you remember me from our investigation a week ago.” She gave him a curt nod and then he gestured to the man alongside him. “This is Inspector Osbourne.” He took out a piece of paper from his inner pocket. “You are Mrs. Charlotte Pennyworth?”
She didn’t care for the tone of the man’s voice, and all of a sudden, she wished Elliot were with her. “Yes, I am, as you well know from our prior meetings.” Her voice had turned to ice from the fear that was creeping up her spine.
He ignored her sarcasm and continued. “You are formerly Miss Charlotte Reading, who once resided at the home of Lady Barton of Melbourne Station, and worked as her companion?”
“Yes.” She breathed out the word, her mouth suddenly dry.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but we have a warrant for your arrest.” He held out the paper. She studied it with wide eyes but refused to take from his hand.
A loud buzzing began in her ears, but she fought that, along with the churning in her stomach. “You are mistaken. I never took the jewelry. Lord Barton only claimed I did.”
“Ma’am, we are not here to adjudicate the matter, we are acting on an outstanding warrant. I’m afraid you will have to come with us to Scotland Yard and await transportation back to Melbourne Station to stand on these charges.”
Oh dear God. It was bad enough her past had caught up with her, but on her wedding day? Couldn’t God shine his light on her just this once? “I am about to be married. In fact, we are on our way to the church. Can this not wait?”
“No, ma’am, this warrant is almost two years old. I’m afraid we have to take you in.” Inspector Longforth regarded her with sympathy, but she was afraid that little bit of compassion was not going to save her.
With shaky hands she gripped Thomas’s forearm. “Please go to the church and ask Mr. Baker to come immediately.” She took a deep breath as Thomas left the house. “I assume we can at least wait until my fiancé arrives? It will only be about fifteen minutes.”
The detectives looked at one another, and Osbourne shrugged. “I guess another fifteen minutes won’t matter.”
If she didn’t sit soon, she would surely collapse. Her mind was in a whirl, and all she could think about was Elliot’s arrival. He would get this all straightened out, and her day would go as planned. “Let us retire to the drawing room.”
She led them there on shaky legs.
* * *
Elliot checkedhis timepiece again and slid it into his vest pocket. Charlotte should arrive any moment. He was ready for this marriage. Charlotte was everything he ever wanted in a wife and mother for his future children. Her caring and softness, mixed with the strength she showed during her horrible experience, made for a woman who would stand with him for the rest of their lives.
He loved her more than he had ever thought possible. And his desire for her was beyond anything he’d ever felt.
All the nonsense with the gruesome packages was finally cleared up, her nemesis was dead, and they had a life together to which he looked forward.
Ten o’clock on the dot the door to the church opened and Thomas rushed in. “Mr. Baker. You must come quickly. Mrs. Pennyworth needs you.”
Elliot stepped down from the platform where he and Mr. Spencer awaited the bride. The few guests who had gathered, along with their two witnesses, Lord and Lady Monroe, turned as Thomas strode down the aisle.
“Is everything all right? Is Mrs. Pennyworth ill?” He reached Thomas at the first pew.
The footman glanced around and lowered his voice. “Just come quickly. Please.” He turned and hurried from the church, Elliot on his heels.
They climbed into Charlotte’s carriage, but no amount of cajoling on Elliot’s part satisfied his curiosity, except for the fact that Thomas assured him Charlotte was not ill. Had she changed her mind? Did she decide she did not want to marry him, and wanted to relay that information privately rather than leave him standing at the altar?
