Part 6 (1/2)

*Good heavens!' said Bertram. *We must leave at once. I shall send Merry to you.' He fairly bolted for the door. Miss Wilton gave me an astute look. *I'm not as squeamish as Bertram,' she said, *but I'll concede the field for now.' She got up and went to the door. She paused with her hand on the door handle. *You may like to consider, my dear, that in a very short s.p.a.ce of time your Mr Bertram and myself have found ourselves to be extremely compatible. Unlike Madam Arcana, I cannot foretell the future, but it may very well be in your best interests for us to reach agreement. I understand you have been invaluable in helping Bertram,' she paused as though struggling for the right word, *invaluable in helping Bertram sort things out.'

*He told you about that!' I gasped.

*Not everything, but he will. He seems uncommonly fond of you. Are you of him?'

*Your only interest is in filling your column,' I said astounded.

Miss Wilton raised one dainty eyebrow. *I haven't decided what my interest is yet,' she said. *But readers are always more interested in current news. One never needs to go raking through old material when one has new.' The accompanying smile was as lacking in warmth as it is possible for one alive to be. *I'll leave you to your rest. We'll talk again later, I'm sure.'

I sat up and gaped at her, unable to find the words to express my shock. The smile widened and she left, closing the door gently and slowly behind her. I heard her calling for Bertram as she had intended I would. Her voice was sweet and low and, I feared Bertram would think, enticing.

The door had barely closed before Rory burst in. *What's this? Are ye worse, la.s.s? Do I need to send for yon doctor again?'

I settled my head back against the pillows. *Do you realise you become alarmingly Scotch when you're upset?'

*Do I? It tends to slip out when I'm not concentrating. What's this about you being sick on Miss Wilton?'

*I wish,' I muttered under my breath. *I'm fine, Rory. Or as fine as I was. She and Mr Bertram were pestering me with questions until my head span. I had to find a way to get them to leave.'

Rory came over and placed a hand on my brow. *I wouldn't be surprised if they had worried you back into a fever,' he said angrily. *I've half a mind ...'

*Not to say something to our betters, Rory?' I said. *That's not like you.'

*Aye, well. From what I've heard every time you've got mixed up with the Staplefords it's not come out good for anyone, but they can shrug it off. Look at me. I can't get a job anywhere else now I've been arrested for murder. Even that policeman was looking at me strange. I bet Stapleford's seen to it that the local nick has heard about my past a.s.sociation with the communists.'

*But you were cleared,' I protested.

*That's what I'm trying to tell you. Mud might slide off their groomed, greasy backs, but it sticks to ours.'

*I don't understand why he would do that.'

*Because he doesn't want to lose me.'

*Back-handed compliment?'

*And he doesn't want to pay me what I'm worth.'

*Oh,' I said, casting my eyes down. *I'm sorry about all the stuff I got you involved with last time.'

*Nay, la.s.sie. I wasn't for scolding you. If it hadn't been for your help I'd have ended my days swinging from a noose. I'll always be grateful for that.'5 He took a breath. *Now, don't go biting my head off. It's just that I don't want to see that stuff happening to you. Leave 'em to it. Don't get involved this time. Mrs Wilson has been no friend to either of us and, while I'd not withhold information on what happened to her if I knew, I'm not going to be sticking my neck out to help. And I'd suggest you follow my lead.'

*Yes,' I said.

*Yes?' said Rory. *Are you sure you're not feeling worse, Euphemia? You've never given in without a fight before.'

*Mr Bertram appears to have all the help he needs from Miss Wilton.'

Rory finally removed his hand from my head and sat down beside me. *Och, la.s.s, it was only time before he found someone of his own standing to help him with his mysterying.'

*That's not even a word.'

*You're jealous,' said Rory.

I blinked. *I am not jealous,' I spluttered. *Besides, he helped me.'

Rory shook his head. *Green as the gra.s.s in the park.'

I ignored this. *Much help she'll be. She practically offered me money to make up lies. She'll do anything to fill that column of hers.'

*It's not uncommon for the toffs to tip servants,' said Rory. *Though it's uncommon for it to be an adequate tip.'

*You don't understand,' I said. *She's evil. Nothing matters to her but the column. Mr Bertram is under her spell. She told me he had been telling her all the old family secrets a and the things he and I know, Rory, you'd not believe it! And she said that if I didn't help her with what was happening now, if I didn't give her some current dirt, she'd dig up all the old stuff about the late Lord Stapleford. Mr Bertram doesn't understand a he's a lamb to the slaughter.'

*Now, Euphemia ...'

*I am not making this up, Rory!'

*I never thought you were, la.s.s. All I'm saying is stay out of it. It's as clear as the nose on your face that Beatrice Wilton is up to no good. My advice is: keep your mouth shut.'

*But Mr Bertram! He has no idea.'

*You're his housekeeper, not his guardian angel.'

*But I can't let him fall prey to this menace!'

*Euphemia, even if you have the audacity to tell him his new lady friend is a scheming hussy he'll never believe you.'

*Yes, he will! We've been through a lot together.'

*No, he won't,' said Rory gently. *No matter how much this man favours you, you will always be a servant in his eyes and the word of a servant against a toff is never accepted. Especially when the toff in question is a very attractive young woman.'

*Is she?' I asked. *I didn't notice.'

Rory grinned. *You're no a male. Fine figure of a woman that. Pity, she's a scheming b.i.t.c.h from h.e.l.l, but your Mr Bertram will have to find out in his own time.'

*But ...'

*Has she dropped hints about having you fired yet?'

*Yes,' I said with fury. *She has. She said if we didn't reach agreement she could make things ... well, she didn't say, but she implied.'

*And if you complain about her you'll play right into her hands. Don't put the man in the position of choosing between you, Euphemia, because it won't be you he chooses.'

I remained silent.

*You know I'm right, don't you?'

I sighed. *Yes. But what do I do?'

*Let them blunder around on their own. Your Mr Bertram's an impulsive sort. Without a calm, rational mind behind him he's not going to get anywhere.'