Part 7 (1/2)

Chapter Five.

London Bound

Mr Bertram sat back with a heavy sigh. *I thought if anyone would have spotted anything it would have been you. I suppose Miss Wilton was right.'

*Right?'

*She said I was foolish to place so much expectation on your shoulders.'

I immediately had a strong impulse to confess not only what I knew, but everything I suspected, but my mother's training must have been better than she ever suspected. I held my tongue.

*I'm worried about staying on in the house,' said Mr Bertram. *I don't like the risks. I was thinking of going away for a while.'

*Of course, sir, if that's what you need to do,' I said coldly. I wasn't accustomed to considering Mr Bertram a coward.

*Miss Wilton's heart isn't equal to another shock so soon and your infamous tendency to meddle is doubtless putting you in danger.' Mr Bertram stood and began to pace. *There is no other answer, I shall have to take you both away. Do you think you could act as a lady's chaperone, Euphemia? You're very young, but if I take you both it might quiet the gossips.'

I stared at him as if he had broken into another language. *You cannot be serious, sir,' I finally managed to gasp.

*You're thinking it will look suspicious?' Mr Bertram turned to grin at me. *I have thought this through. I shall tell the police where we are going, of course, but ensure they keep it in confidence. And I am very sure no one will guess our errand.'

The man was almost hugging himself with glee. *Were you hurt in the attack, sir? Did he strike you also?'

Mr Bertram actually laughed. *No, no, Euphemia. You're not the only one who can come up with a cunning plan. I've decided I shall help Miss Wilton with her next article.'

*Her gossip column?'

Mr Bertram laughed again. I had never heard him laugh so much so quickly. I began to be seriously worried. He sat down on the edge of the couch beside me and took my hand. *I know I can trust you, so I'll explain. I'm sure Bea won't mind,' he stopped, *well, she might mind, but once she's come to know you better it will be all right, so we'd better keep this between ourselves for now.'

I had the sense of moving out of my depth. Whatever Miss Wilton had told him I was categorically certain she did not intend him to repeat it to his favoured servant. Especially not his favoured female servant. Rory's warning had never struck me as more appropriate.

I struggled to sit up. *Mr Bertram, you mustn't ...'

*We're going to help Bea out with her very first piece of investigative journalism. You and me. With our keen brains and her writing ability we'll make her a star.'

*She's agreed to this?'

*Well, not yet, but I'm not as obtuse as you think, Euphemia. We've been chatting and I think she's not happy with her lot as a gossip columnist.'

*Oh,' I said. There didn't seem to be anything else to say.

*She mentioned she had a lead on something that would make a good story, but that she'd never be allowed to follow it. She said she didn't feel strong enough to ahow did she put it a challenge the bastions of the male-dominated press alone. So I immediately thought we could help her.'

*And she likes the idea?'

*I haven't told her yet. She has no idea she set off this train of thought.'

*I see,' I said swallowing rapidly. *She has no idea. She just happened to mention to a man she barely knows her secret, heart-cherished ambition.'

*I know,' said Bertram leaping to his feet. *Isn't it touching?'

*What exactly does she wish to investigate?'

*How we treat the mentally unbalanced in our asylums.'

*How opportune.'

*I don't think that's the word you mean, Euphemia. Opportune meansa'

*Never mind, sir, you believe she will accept my help? I am a servant after all.'

*I thought we could start by telling her you'll be acting as a chaperone. I'll tell you what is happening and you can let me know your ideas. It will be quite like old times.'

I was lost for words.

*When the time is right I'll let her know how helpful you've been. I won't hog all the credit to myself, but if for a little while she thinks it's only me and it brings us closer a oh, Euphemia, you will help me, won't you?'

*I am your servant, sir, and hardly in a position to refuse.'

*Euphemia, when have I ever asked you to do anything you did not wish?'

At this point I realised that Mr Bertram was not, as I had hoped, immune to the delightful self-deception that servants were delighted to serve.

*Besides,' continued my smitten master, *it's only an idea. She may not agree.'

*I'm certain she will accept your offer of help, sir,' I said unwisely.

*Thank you, Euphemia. You won't regret it. We will have a grand time.' And the besotted man burled from the room. I then did something I had never done in this house. I rang the servants' bell.

Within a very few minutes Merry was with me. *Are you all right?' she asked breathless.

I lay back on my pillows, breathless and hot. *I'm so sorry to ring for you, Merry, but I need to see Rory. It's an emergency.'

On reflection I could have chosen my words with more care. Rory arrived even more breathless than Merry had been and with a wild look in his eye. *Euphemia!'

*I'm fine,' I said being even less careful with my words. After the very Scotch eruption had finished I explained my predicament with Bertram and Miss Wilton.

*Oh aye, I can see why that might be considered an emergency,' he finally admitted.

*But what do I do?'

*I take it your personal history would make it as difficult as mine to seek another situation.'