Part 17 (1/2)
The doorbell jangled furiously. Jonathan began to pack a bag. He kept glancing fearfully out of the window until he saw them walk away.
He darted down the stairs, carrying his bag, and called a cab. ”Charles Street,” he said.
Peter walked out to his carriage. It was later in the morning than he had intended to leave, but sheer relief had made him fall into a deep sleep. The carriage was loaded with his luggage.
He had one foot on the step when he heard a voice shout, ”Peter! Wait!”
Peter stared as Jonathan hurtled towards him.
”You little b.a.s.t.a.r.d,” hissed Peter. He started to climb into the carriage.
”They told me it was only a prank,” said Jonathan, tears running down his face. ”They are going to kill me. Take me with you.”
”I am going to the south of France to forget about the whole sordid business.”
Peter climbed into the carriage and rapped on the roof with his cane. The carriage lurched forward. Jonathan jumped on the backstrap.
Twisting round, Peter saw the youth's anguished face through the back window.
He turned away in disgust.
When the hansom stopped in the forecourt of Charing Cross Station, where Peter was booked on the Dover train, he told his manservant, ”Get a porter. Now, you,” he said, glaring at Jonathan, ”run along.”
”Take me with you. I'll do anything. I hate the life here. Please.”
In his anger and distress, Peter could not help noticing that tears did not mar or blotch the beauty of that face. He decided to pretend that Jonathan did not exist.
He heaved a sigh of relief when he was finally settled by his manservant in a first-cla.s.s compartment. ”Take care of the house when I am gone,” said Peter.
Just as the train began to move forwards out of the station, the carriage door opened and Jonathan tumbled in.
”What am I to do?” demanded the furious Peter. ”I cannot call the guard in case you shame me further.”
”I thought it was a joke. I never expected to like you so much. I'm frightened,” said Jonathan.
Peter raised a newspaper and pretended to read. After several miles, the quiet sobbing opposite melted him a little.
”Luncheon is served,” called a waiter.
Peter sighed and lowered the newspaper. ”Dry your eyes. We may as well eat.”
Rose wondered what on earth was going on. ”If only we could get to the captain's office,” she said to Daisy.
”We could simply say we were going for a walk,” said Daisy.
”At the moment we are not allowed out of the house.”
”I'll watch by the window and see whether my lord and my lady go out. My lord goes to his club most days.” Daisy took up a position by the window.
After quarter of an hour, she said, ”There he goes. Now we need to wait for Lady Polly.”
The day dragged on. Rose read while Daisy kept watch. ”Lady Polly has just left,” she exclaimed.
Rose put down her book. ”How do we get past the servants?”
”They'll be taking afternoon tea,” said Daisy. ”If we hurry, we should get out unnoticed.”
”What about coming back?”
”Let's worry about that later. We'll go to Chelsea. He may have finished work by the time we get there.”
At Harry's Chelsea home, Daisy bit back an exclamation of disappointment as Phil opened the door to them.
”Is Captain Cathcart at home?” asked Rose.
”I am expecting him at any moment.”
Rose handed him her card. ”We will wait.”
”Certainly, my lady. Step this way. Sherry, my lady?”
”Yes, please.”
”Who on earth is that?” hissed Daisy when Phil had left the room.
”I believe he is some down-and-out that the captain rescued from poverty.”
Phil returned carrying sherry gla.s.ses and a decanter on a tray. He carefully poured two gla.s.ses and handed one to Rose and then one to Daisy.
He bowed low. ”Will there be h'anythink else, my lady?”
”No, I thank you.”
Phil bowed his way out of the room.
Daisy looked around the book-lined parlour. ”You would think with all the money he's making he would find a more fas.h.i.+onable address.”
”Shh! I hear a motor car.”
Harry walked in, followed by Becket. ”Lady Rose! What brings you here?”
”I must know what is going on,” said Rose. ”What was in that photograph?”
Becket helped Harry out of his coat and took his hat and stick. He smiled at Daisy, who gave him a cheeky wink.