The Regency Witch and Werewolf

Chapter 5. Visitors

Chapter 5 Visitors

If I could have stayed in my bed all afternoon, and far into the next following day, I would have. But the feel of a small hand on my face gently patting my cheek informed me of my younger sibling wanting my undivided attention. My eyes fluttered open to find Annabelle resting her small head on a pillow beside me staring into my now open eyes. A genuine happy smile spread across her lips.

“Good Morning Anna.....Did mother send you up to fetch me?”

Nodding her head she smiled even brighter but quickly frowned.” Yes…..but we have guest. Mother is frantic. And Father is quiet. They’re sitting downstairs in the day room with two constables. Her eyes widen in excitement.” They wish to speak with you. “

At her words I sat up so quickly I had to put my hands to my head, as I suddenly gave myself a bit of a dizzy spell.” Why didn’t you wake me faster Anna.” I said slipping from the warmth of my bed as quickly as I could. Why didn’t you let one of the maids, or for God’s sake why didn’t mother or father send up one of the maids?” I glanced over my shoulder to give Anna a glare when my bedroom door suddenly burst open, and in came Sara Hearch. Mrs. Hearch had been with our family since I could remember. She in many ways was more like my mother than my own actual birth mother “Miss I come with your bath water. Miss Anna do head out to the gardens with Melissa,” Her head nodded to the basin in my room briefly indicating me to get ready, before nodding her head to the door for Anna to go out.

Quickly removing herself from my bed Anna feet met the floor and she headed for the door. As her hand grabbed the knob she flashed me one of her Annabelle carefree smiles.” I know you didn’t do anything wrong. I just wanted the first face you see to be mine and not mothers.” Another smile flashed before she disappeared out the door closing my bedroom door gently behind her.

My eyes traveled from the door and back over to Mrs. Hearch. How long have they been here and what time is it now? “

“They have been here since early this morning. They spoke with your father and then with your mother in separate rooms. Your father has been quiet since they finished with him. Your mother the same but biting her nails and looking frantic. And of course Annabelle is oblivious to the obvious issue that is at hand. We must be quick. And get you downstairs so these men can leave."

“Why did no one send for me earlier than now?” I asked slipping away behind the folding screen where my bath rested. The water was perfect.

“The constables came in and spoke only with your father and mother. Both speaking with them in separate rooms and at separate times. Then they spoke together outside for about an hour before coming back in and wanting to speak to you. I think they wanted more of your mother’s words of course than your fathers since whatever has happened has to deal with the soiree you attended last evening. “

I could feel a cold chill sliding down my back even though I rested in a perfectly warm basin of water. Taking a deep breath I splashed my face and told myself to keep calm. As long as I kept my head all would be fine. Calling out to Mrs. Hearch at last knowing I could no longer stay in the bath I mentally prepared myself for the events that lay before me.

My dark green skirts fluttered about my ankles as I descended the steps into the foyer. My emerald Iris landed on two men who awaited it seem for my descent. Both constables bowed at their waist standing together almost as if they practiced all day and evening to do it exactly at the same time. I raised a brow and forced an easy going smile as best as I could.” I am sorry sirs I apologize. If only someone had awoken me to meet you earlier you could have been on your way.” Dipping my head I held out a hand for them.” I am Miss. River Scarlet. “I smiled , and they both looked surprised at my offer of my hand in hello. But I figured the best way to play this was as nice as possible. And as if I was clueless to what had brought them to our house. A cough to my right allowed me to know my father had joined us.

Good afternoon indeed Miss Scarlet said the constable on the right. His face was young. But his eyes a dark brown were sharp. “I am Detective Branson. And this is Constable Nelson.” He waved his hand to a lad whom was indeed young. His bright blue hues remain on my face. His Blonde curls peeking out from his cap.

Father came up to my left and kissed my cheek. I could feel him shaking bit as he rested his hand on my shoulder.” Must you question my daughter good sir’s? I am sure my wife has already given you all the information you might need. “Glancing side’s ways to my father I moved my hand up to pat his own hand on my shoulder.” Do not fear father. I hope I can help solve any issue which has brought these gentlemen here on such a fine day. “Turning my attention back to the Detective and his constable. “Do you wish to talk here or shall we venture out into the garden. I would like a bit of air since I shall not be able to eat a bit until we are done. Would that be fine sirs?”

I felt my father’s hand regrettable pull away from my shoulder. There was still no sign of my mother. Which was good as far as I was concerned. Last thing I would need is her fretting about and reminding me to keep my senses around these men.

“The gardens Miss Scarlet seems to me to be the best of ideas,” said Detective Branson. I shall escort you out. Mr. Scarlet I beg you to stay. We wish to speak with Miss Scarlet privately as we did with your wife. “Holding out his arm to me he nodded for Mr. Nelson to follow. Giving my father a reassuring smile I placed a gloved hand gently on Mr. Branson’s arm before heading in the direction of the gardens. One more glance back towards my father before we turned the corne,r told me he was running to my mother as soon as possible. I only could hope that this would not take long. Of course I knew why they were here. What questions they might ask. The only thing is I wasn’t sure how I was going to respond. Once again I started to repeat in my head, “Keep calm. Keep calm.”

Mr. Branson didn’t travel too far out into the garden. Just down the small staircase and to the nearest bench about a few feet away from the stairs. Sitting down on the bench I reposition my skirts to make myself as comfortable as possible then turned my attention up to those that were about to question me about the events that transpired only a few hours ago. My hands in my lap I nodded to the gentlemen. “I am ready when you’re gentlemen………though…….perhaps I should have inquired to why you are here first.” Forcing out a silly girls laugh I wiggled a bit in my seat and sat up straight playing on the one thing I hate. Ladies of my station are silly Willy nilly lasses.

Mr. Branson regarded me with a stern look. Either he was terribly miffed at my attitude or really hated willy nilly girls. " This will go quickly miss Scarlet if you're simply answer my questions honestly. Can we agree on those terms."

“Well this must be a very serious problem indeed. “ Biting my bottom lip i glance briefly up to the sunlit blue sky. Barely a cloud in the sky. Rare to have such a beautiful day. Pity it was going to be ruin with questions about murder that I can’t answer honestly. “ Of course Mr. Branson ask away.” My eyes landed on his face and I held his gaze reading myself for the first question.

Smiling Mr. Branson started his interrogation. “ You attended the Irewicks party last night with your mother correct?”

“Yes. It was a rather good Soire until i fell ill. “

Nodding he continued to the next question.” Whom else did you meet and speak with that evening? Anyone of high importance perhaps?”

I of course arched my brow. Not much on tactics this one. “Well it was a Sorie the point is to meet as many people as possible…….But i am a rather quiet lady sir. I don’t like to throw myself out into the great unknown that is the ton……But my station in life puts me pretty high to begin with. So unless you want a rather long list of names for the evening perhaps a more ……..direct question. Has something happened last night? “

yghAnd then the scowl of annoyance briefly filled Mr. Branson's face. “ The questions are for me to ask Miss Scarlet. I thought we agreed on this. But perhaps you might have too many names. So i will ask you this. Were you in contact with his Lordship the Duke Waywenth at all last night?”

On cue my hand raised to my chest covering my heart. My eyes widening. “ But of course…….we’re engaged. “ My eyes darted from Mr. Branson to Mr. Nelson. “ Has something happen to the Duke? Why do you bring his name up?” I forced a bit of worry and panic in my voice.

Mr. Branson meanwhile watched me with mixed feelings. Hopefully they were more of the feeling of this poor lass. And not this damn woman killed the man. “I am sorry to tell you this Miss Scarlet………..but your fiance was murdered last night at the Irewicks ball. His body was found a few hours after your departure. We have spoken to a few people this morning who attended the party and they have all said they last saw you with him as he led you off the floor looking rather dire. And then briefly again by himself afterwards. Perhaps you can fill in the holes.”

Pushing a shocked face forward I sat there for a minute or two as I start to force myself to breathe heavily and create tears to fall. Rather hard when you’re quite happy when someone has died that you rather hated. I used the deaths of all those women he viciously murdered to make my false tears fall. Jumping from my seat I began to pace. “ This can’t be real? You must be lying……..not……….not………..Christian.” My hands covered my mouth as I spun and stopped before them eyes red from tears. “ hands shaking I lowered them and fell back down on the bench. “ He……….he is the only man that …..would ever accept me………..oh god……..not Christian.”

Reaching into his coat pocket Mr. Nelson passed me a handkerchief.” No worries now Miss Scarlet. Now we need you to calm yourself. We want to catch his murder. Think carefully. Tell us what happened between you and the Duke. Perhaps you may have even come across the culprit. Your insights to what happened last night would be of great help.”

With shaky hands I took the peace offering and blew my nose. Looking between the two of them I acted as if i was trying to regain my composure. If anything I was having a hard time keeping this devastated the love of my life has died thing going. Nodding I dabbed at my eyes with the handkerchief. “ Me and the Duke…….me……..and Christian danced last night……..only one dance. The waltz. I had been waiting for him all night. Rare we get to see one another since he’s ………….well was a busy man. As we dance…….I……….I became sick………..I have a weak disposition you see. And Christian didn’t ……….care………” Once again I force myself to shed more false tears for a man that I was quite happy was dead. He knew the signs of when I was becoming ill and quickly led me away to get some air. He took me outside towards the Irewicks gardens where I caught my breath…..”

Mr. Branson brows came together. “ But there was someone else……...a man in all black…….people said you left with Waywenth but you came back on the arms of another? Perhaps you can clear this up for us?”

Swallowing hard I sighed and straighten my back before dabbing again at my tears.” His lordship Black. I don’t know much about him. Though he is well know, him and his family among our circles. We had crossed paths earlier that evening. He had helped me when I was feeling ill earlier on before Christian arrived. He must have seen us leave the floor because he found my mother. They came to fetch me in the gardens together to take me home. Him and christian both agreed that to keep the whispers down that we should head home. Christian and Mr. Black went to settle any whispers and me and my mother moved to go to the carriage. Mother dropped her handkerchief in all the fuss and so I went back to fetch it. She dropped it thank god just around the corner we had just turned. She continued of course to go to the door to get the carriage ready. I ran into Mr. Black as I grabbed the handkerchief off the ground. And he escorted me back to the door where my mother was waiting. He very nicely saw us in the carriage and that was that.” Bowing my head I fiddled with the handkerchief in my hand.

“So Mr. Black is the man we need to speak to now. …….perhaps we can get a even more clear point to what went amiss last evening. Thank you for your honesty Miss Scarlet.” As Mr. Branson reached out to pat my shoulder, a deep voice I recognized all too well that sent shivers down my spine in a feel good way, spoke up from behind Mr. Branson.

“Well then it's a good thing that I came to see Miss Scarlet then. You won’t have to track me down gentlemen. I just heard word this morning of Duke Waywenth. However I may be of service to you, I am more than willing to help. “ All eyes turned and landed on the tall man all dressed in black except for his white cravat. But his eyes were on me. I could only guess how long he had been standing there. And I prayed I didn’t say anything that would put me on this mans bad side. At the end of the day he scared me far more than Christian Waywenth.