In which the companions argue
Always remember: a lie is a clue.
- from Lady Avely’s Guide to Lies and Charms
Supper was a rather awkward affair.
Sensing Judith’s withdrawal, Dacian also became cool. Furthermore, he took it upon himself to become autocratic.
“You must leave, Judith,” he said, after Phyllis had delivered the first course to their little table: a rich vegetable soup that Judith set into with alacrity. Her appetite, she found, was suddenly ravenous.
She looked up. “Leave? What do you mean?”
“You saw an Illusion today, aimed at you. Someone is trying to chase you off.”
Robert pricked his ears from the door. “An Illusion? Where?”
Dacian’s lips pressed together. “On her walk back, Judith saw an Illusion of me in a meadow, with Lady Vosse.”
Robert stared, then red crept into his cheeks. “Oh! I see!”
“I doubt you do,” said Judith crossly. “His grace wasn’t cavorting naked in the field, if that is what you are imagining.”
Robert coughed, looking rather startled. “Er, no, indeed.” He paused. “What was he doing?”
Judith was trying not to imagine the duke cavorting naked. “He was kissing Lady Vosse’s arm.” The memory of Dacian’s lips on her own skin further deepened her confusion. “Like lovers.”
“And,” said Dacian unfeelingly, “it was clearly meant to upset you, drive a wedge between us, and make you storm off. I am of the opinion that this is exactly what you should do. Pretend that you are convinced, and retreat in a huff. That way you will not be in any danger.”
“I am not upset!” she lied, then added with more conviction, “And I am not going to retreat in a huff!” Though it occurred to her that the amorous Illusion might have indeed succeeded drumming up hostility between them, had she not been a Truth Discernor and able to hear the truth of his denials.
“Retreat with dignity then.” Dacian tapped his spoon impatiently against the table. “Or you can simply vanish, using my Travelling charm, and pop straight into Falmouth and trot along to your castle. Just use the word for Travel.”
“What’s that?” asked Robert with interest.
“ Veho .”
Judith set down her spoon with a snap. “Just as things are becoming interesting? I’m not going to vanish! Don’t you see: by casting that Illusion today, our quarry must have given us several clues.”
Robert nodded thoughtfully. “That’s true. Whoever it was, they know that you are here, your grace, and moreover travelling with Judith.”
“Yes.” Judith tore a piece of bread with a sharp movement. “ You are the one that should retreat. Furthermore, the Illusor also knows that Lady Vosse is here.” She glanced around. “I am afraid that we must conclude that someone has been spying on us.”
Dacian frowned. “The maid, perhaps? Phyllis?”
Judith gave a cross sigh. “It is much more likely that Lady Vosse herself is our villain.” At Dacian’s skeptical look, she hurried on to explain her thoughts from earlier in the day, before she was interrupted by scenes of romance. “All this time, we have assumed that the purpose of the charade was to kill Lord Garvey. What if, in fact, it was all to punish you, Dacian? You had rejected Lady Vosse’s advances, and she saw us together in the glasshouse. Perhaps she was a woman scorned, and wished to provoke you with a sordid Illusion.”
Dacian shook his head dismissively. “I highly doubt it. Isobel does not care that much for me, Judith, that she would orchestrate such a scene.”
“Yet the fact remains,” gritted out Judith, “that whoever cast today’s Illusion knew of Lady Vosse’s arrival this morning. So that means it was cast by one of her party - including herself - or perhaps it was Lord Kenneth after all, watching from his window.” She paused. “The one person it rules out is Mrs Southcott, for she cannot have known about Lady Vosse’s appearance. The same applies to Froode and Faske.”
“Except that,” put in Robert, “Lady Vosse and Lord Triskett were staying nearby last night, in Gurney, the next village over. Perhaps more knew of their presence in the vicinity than we realise.”
“Don’t be absurd,” said Dacian. “It must be Lord Kenneth. Anything else is ludicrous to imagine.”
The mention of Mrs Southcott had reminded Judith of something she had not yet disclosed, in all the upheavals of the afternoon. “I must tell you, Dacian, that I have discovered that it was Selina Pelling with Lord Garvey that night, in the maze.”
Dacian’s brows shot up. “Under the Illusion?”
She nodded. “Selina told me that Lord Garvey was pressing unwanted attentions upon her, and she was grateful for your intervention. So it turns out that your violence was not completely unwarranted.”
“Oh,” said Dacian blankly, then his eyes met Judith’s. A spark of understanding passed between them: that he might forgive himself a little. The truth was, she had already forgiven him. Dacian might have killed Garvey, but he had been directed by an unseen hand. And now she had some inkling of the violence that jealousy might wreak.
Judith cleared her throat. “However, if Selina was there that night, that places her firmly under suspicion. She might indeed be grateful to you - for falling in with her plans to kill off her suitor.”
Dacian shook his head in repudiation, still thoughtful, but Robert agreed with Judith. “It is a possibility. I confess I also want to unravel it to the end, Judith.”
She picked up her spoon again, grateful for Robert’s support. “And if you think I’m going to leave before discovering the truth, you are sadly mistaken. What do you propose to do without me? Barge in there tomorrow, and throw your ducal weight around?” Judith took a large mouthful of soup, savouring it (and Dacian’s look of chagrin) slowly. Once she had swallowed, she spoke again. “Tomorrow I will gain admittance to Garvey House under the aegis of Lord Kenneth, and I will ask a few more direct questions.”
Dacian toyed with his own spoon crossly. “Very well, but I am coming with you - and no arguments about it!” he said, as Judith opened her mouth to protest. “I will wear my disguise, and be your footman again, but there is clearly less need for prevarication, if our quarry knows I am here. We might as well take advantage of the fact.”
“There is also the matter of what Lady Garvey might do if she realises your presence,” she pointed out. “It is more dangerous for you to lurk around Garvey House, than I.”
“I’m not letting you go without me, and that is that.”
“So ducal,” Judith murmured, and had the satisfaction of seeing him glare.
After supper, Judith retreated to feed Marigold and inform her of the recent events. Marigold was not as agog as Judith expected at the news of the Illusory tryst, and she admitted that she had overheard the argument between Dacian and Judith.
“Oh.” Judith flushed.
“Sounds to me like you rather jumped to conclusions,” said Marigold, with characteristic frankness.
“I was completely justified in doing so!”
“Poor duke, to be so maligned.”
“He wouldn’t be so maligned if he showed a skerrick of restraint in his life,” said Judith, then realised she was being unfair. After all, Dacian could have seduced her twenty-three years ago, but he had refrained. Yet somehow that was the worst part of it all.
She told Marigold of their speculations over supper. Marigold was inclined to think, like Judith, that Lady Vosse herself was the guilty party. Dacian himself had said Isobel had gone out for a walk, so she could have been in the meadow herself, casting the Illusion so she might stroke Dacian’s cheek.
“Perhaps,” suggested Marigold, “she was simply amusing herself, if she fancies the duke so much, as you say.”
Judith pursed her lips. “No, I fear I was meant to see it. If only I had the wit to look around for who else might have cast it.” She paused. “I saw something else today that you might find curious.”
“What was that?”
“Vember furniture. In a dollhouse in Mrs Southcott’s drawing room.”
Marigold’s eyes widened, then with quick comprehension, she said, “You think they belong to Miss Belfleur.”
“It is possible.”
“Well, then,” said Marigold cheerfully. “That just shows us that Yvette is perfectly innocent, if she is a companion to Mrs Southcott. Have you not just said that Selina cannot have cast the Seduction Illusion?”
“I suppose,” agreed Judith, though doubt still lingered in her own mind. Perhaps Selina had followed her along the road. “Yet why keep their relation a secret? Selina was rather evasive when I questioned her about the doll furniture and the possibility of bats. Why would she hide the truth from me?”
“These stupid Edicts. She is only being cautious, like you.”
Judith sighed. “Yes, and I hope you are being cautious too. Will you venture out again tonight?”
Marigold sat up on the bed, nodding. “I find myself vastly curious about this dollhouse. Maybe I should pay it a visit.”
“Only if Wooten accompanies you,” warned Judith, “and you stay away from grasping hands. Promise me!”
Marigold grumbled at length, but eventually agreed to refrain from attacking any suspect, and also to don her new cloak. Then they had a long chat about Robert, with Judith complaining to Marigold about his contrariness, and asking the vampiri to casually raise the subject of Cornwall with him.
“He seems set against it,” said Judith, “and I wish I knew why. Please won’t you talk to him?”
Marigold wrinkled her nose and promised to try.
When they reconvened in the parlour, Wooten wore a long face and his own cloak, ready for the night’s adventures. They flapped off into the night together after both swearing to behave with circumspection.
However, when they returned to the parlour later, they did not have much to report. Southcott Hall was closed and dark, the dollhouse visible from the drawing room windows but seemingly unoccupied. Miss Yvette, too, had not made an appearance. Judith could tell that Marigold was disheartened and confused by this, giving short answers to their questions.
“Did you investigate the belfry?” Robert asked. He was sitting round the table with Dacian, playing cards again. Judith was relieved he had allowed his formality to drop once more with the imbibing of decent whisky. His cheeks were flushed and he was smug about his pile of winnings, even as he cocked a questioning eyebrow at Marigold.
Marigold remained silent, worrying at her golden cape with restless fingers.
“We did,” said Wooten, “and there was only a scrap of sheepskin and a length of silk there. They smelled of Miss Belfleur’s presence, but I do not think she has stayed there long.”
“Yes, a faint scent of lavender and pine.” Marigold dropped her cloak and shrugged. “She must have passed through. There is no need to make a mystery of it.”
Wooten sniffed. “She has simply moved on to her next destination.”
“Albeit without saying goodbye,” said Judith sympathetically.
Marigold folded her cape around herself. “Yvette did not owe me any civilities.” She paused. “I only hope that she is not in some kind of trouble.”
The following morning breakfast was rushed, for Robert reported that Lord Kenneth Garvey was up and about. After her pound cake and chocolate, hastily drunk, Judith trod downstairs. She was clothed in one of her more fashionable gowns in a delicate lavender hue, and a matching mobcap that looked well on her honey-gold hair. She told herself it was because she wanted to impress Kenneth and Lady Garvey with her society credentials. Lady Vosse’s wardrobe had nothing to do with it at all.
Dacian, at her heels, was dressed in Robert’s livery, and wore his enchanted cravat pin. His moustache looked perkier today, after Robert had recast it overnight.
They set off to catch Kenneth in his den, but in the narrow confines of the upper corridor, they came face to face with Isobel and Lord Triskett.
Isobel widened her green eyes, taking in the sight of Dacian dressed in livery. “Oh hoh! Dacian! You are lowered, indeed! What is afoot? Can we join the fun?” Pointedly, she ignored Judith.
Annoyed, Judith said, “Nothing that concerns you,” and pushed past.
“I’m in disguise,” explained Dacian. “So nobody knows I’m a duke, of course. Don’t give me away, for God’s sake.”
“Oh! I am a vault of secrecy,” burbled Isobel merrily.
Judith looked over her shoulder to see the smile vanish from Isobel’s eyes as Dacian reached Judith’s side.
“My lady,” he said. “What do you command?”
Flushing slightly, Judith turned and led the way down the stairs, aware of Isobel’s narrowed gaze on her back.
Putting aside all thoughts of jealous women, Judith tapped on Kenneth’s parlour door, for there were more important matters to attend to than Isobel’s wounded pride.
As before, his lordship’s lean manservant opened it, and as before, he seemed disinclined to grant her entry. But she could see Kenneth over his shoulder and gave him a winning smile, trying for something a bit like Isobel’s bewitching charm. “Ah, Lord Kenneth! So lovely to see you again!”
A brief look of chagrin crossed Kenneth’s face, but he bowed. “Lady Avely.”
She examined him carefully. He had already donned his hat, which shadowed his face. She could not make out any scratches upon his cheek, left by Marigold’s grasping claws, for his curling moustache obscured her view. Surely the wounds would not have healed already, in the space of a day and night? Were the scratches hidden by a subtle Illusion? Was Kenneth, after all, the man they sought?
Judith hurried on. “Are you leaving for Garvey House soon? I hope you have not forgotten your promise to support my petition to Lady Garvey.”
Kenneth’s lips thinned. “Indeed not. Your arrival is fortuitous, I suppose. I was just about to depart.” He smoothed his luxuriant moustache.
Judith glanced back to see that Dacian was frowning at Kenneth’s facial hair. Perhaps he was comparing it to his own flat, brown moustache, and feeling some sense of inferiority. She would be glad of it, though Dacian could hardly feel inferior to any man.
“How fortunate,” she said, and stood aside for Kenneth to join her. Politely, he offered his arm, and they made their way out of the inn.
Fortunately Isobel and Biscuit were nowhere in sight. Mindful of her task, Judith began chatting glibly about a fictional liver complaint. “I don’t suppose you know of any medicines that might help?” she asked. “I am willing to try anything that might ease my nightly pains.”
“Ah yes,” said Kenneth carelessly. “You should try the Poleney Elixir. It is a local product; quite new but very efficacious, I believe.”
To Judith’s ears, his words rang with truth. She opened her mouth to ask more, but at that moment Kenneth turned to frown at Dacian. “Is your footman coming with us too?”
“As a matter of propriety,” Judith replied, with a touch of hauteur. “I may be in my dotage, but I must still have regard to the dictates of decorum.”
Kenneth coughed. “Indeed.”
So it was that Dacian sat awkwardly in the carriage with them, ensuring that Kenneth could not ravish Judith in the short time it took to drive to Garvey House. She was surrounded on all sides by moustaches, and she could not say that she enjoyed the experience. Determinedly, she brought the conversation back to the Poleney Elixir.
“Does this recommended remedy have some special ingredient, perhaps? I hope it is not mercury and camphor, like in some medicines.”
Kenneth shot her a look. “None of that!” He paused. “I believe that the Poleney Elixir contains a newly discovered botanical species called the Galenia flower. The bloom is so named because of its healing properties. It is quite potent; you should try it.”
He spoke the truth. Judith kept her face carefully blank, and did not look sideways to Dacian. Kenneth must be referring to the strange flower in the centre of the maze, and he wholeheartedly believed in its curative power. The fact that he had mentioned it - despite Poleney’s secretiveness - was probably because he wanted to increase his profits from the apothecary.
More intriguingly, his words hinted at Healing magic. Could the flower be infused with Healing? And if so, who could have cast the catholicon? With a start, Judith remembered Selina’s throwaway reference to Georgina being put to work in the gardens. Could the girl be another victim to the plot, forced to cultivate the Galenia flower? The possibility made Judith’s errand today even more pressing.
All too soon, the carriage drew up the long drive of Garvey House. A brisk wind was blowing, spinning the ash leaves from the branches, like embers of coal. Dacian leapt out first and helped Judith down. He gave her hand a brief squeeze then stood aside as Kenneth clambered out.