Mr Scarletti's Ghost (21 page)

Mr Bradley had secured a meeting room at a nearby hotel for his next healing circle, accommodation that could comfortably seat a hundred persons, and was being called upon to do so. There was a small charge for admission, a contribution towards the cost of hire, and simple refreshments. Many of those in attendance were known to Mina: Miss Whinstone, whose green gown had been styled and embellished to her satisfaction, and who, mistakenly believing that she now looked fully ten years younger, had taken to preening herself; Mrs Phipps, accompanied by her nephew, whose main purpose was to prevent her falling out of her chair when she enjoyed her accustomed doze; and Mrs Bettinson, who looked discomfited by the fact that her friends had thrown off their melancholy and was looking around the room in the hope of espying a new project to which to devote her energies. Louisa had brought not only Mina but Simmons, who seemed to be there only so that her drabness could provide a sombre backdrop to her mistress's finery, and Mrs Parchment, whose foot still required Mr Bradley's ministrations.

Some of the assembled throng had, Mina was sure, come simply for entertainment and gossip, but others, as evidenced by the line of bath chairs outside whose occupants, disabled either by old age or injury, were being assisted indoors by attendants, felt in need of Mr Bradley's healing hands. A few eyes were cast in Mina's direction, some of those present perhaps hoping that they were about to witness a miracle, in which her back would straighten and she would announce herself cured, others pitying her inevitable disappointment.

They had hardly taken their seats before Louisa was greeted by an enthusiastic Mr Clee, who quickly attached himself to her party, and declared himself to be bereft of all happiness if he was not permitted to make himself useful.

Louisa was content to accommodate his wishes, and enquired after the health of Miss Eustace. The medium, said Mr Clee, was very tired after all her work, but she fully expected to be restored following a short rest. ‘Miss Eustace is so often called upon in the afternoons and evenings that she likes to spend her mornings in perfect quiet and solitude,' he explained.

‘She does not seem to go about in society a great deal,' Louisa observed.

‘No, she prefers small gatherings if any. I do believe that if she was not called to the service of society she would retreat into some cloistered community of religious and charitable ladies.'

‘You do not think she intends to marry?' asked Louisa. ‘There are rumours in town that she may soon be betrothed.'

He looked amused at the question. ‘Oh no, I cannot think she would ever do so. I have heard the gossip, and I know that there are some who say that I am attached to the lady. I do hold her in great esteem, but as one would a great teacher or a mystic.'

‘How interesting,' said Louisa, smoothing the lace on her collar. She had recently emerged from the full deep black mourning appropriate to a widow, and ignoring the slightly less restricted period that would normally have been expected to last until winter, had leaped instead into half-mourning which allowed more elaborate trimming and jewellery and would soon usher her into brighter colours.

For reasons that Mina dreaded to think about, all the ladies present seemed heartened to learn that Mr Clee was not in love with Miss Eustace.

‘Miss Scarletti,' he said, ‘I trust you have not suffered any ill-effects from your experience of table tipping?'

‘I am well, thank you,' said Mina, ‘although I am not sure that my being present was in any way responsible for what occurred.'

‘Miss Eustace feels very strongly that it was,' replied Mr Clee. ‘But if you are uncertain, then perhaps we might make another attempt? I would be delighted to assist. You have only to ask, and it will be arranged!'

‘Thank you,' said Mina, preferring not to elaborate on her true preferences while her mother was present. ‘I am still hoping to hear more from my father on the subject.'

‘Or if Mrs Parchment might like to try?' he said, turning his irrepressible smile to that lady.

‘For what purpose?' said Mrs Parchment, with a determinedly unfriendly expression. ‘I believe I exhausted all possible subjects of conversation with my husband when he was living, and have nothing further I wish to say to him now.'

‘I understand that your husband was a great benefactor to society,' said Mr Clee. ‘Was he not the inventor of Parchment's Pills?'

‘Oh, yes, that and many other things. He could cure anything and anyone – except for himself.'

The conversation ended when Mr Bradley appeared before the company, and welcomed everyone to the gathering. He was, he said, honoured to see before him the very cream of Brighton society, the most revered and respectable of its inhabitants, who would, he knew, oppose the wholly unfounded suggestions that his humble efforts were in any way irreligious. He made special mention of his honoured guests, and Louisa looked thoroughly displeased to discover that what she had imagined to be her exclusive status was shared with a great many others.

The meeting started with prayers, in which the Reverend Vaughan of Christ Church was especially mentioned, hopes being expressed that the respected gentleman would soon come to appreciate the godliness of Mr Bradley's mission.

He then proceeded to the formal healing. Since the faithful were too numerous to be in a circle, but were seated in rows, Mr Bradley was obliged to walk back and forth along each row in turn, one arm flung out to hover over the head of each person in the room. ‘For the power of the Lord is infinite,' he intoned as he proceeded, ‘and I am but his humble vessel. Through me He shows His healing power, and such is His goodness that it will soothe and calm the affliction not only of all those present but their loved ones, too; parents and children, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, even to the husbands, wives and children of their brothers and sisters, all, all will be healed by the grace of the Almighty.'

There was the sound of sighing and even weeping in the room, and it came from all around, as some of the sitters thought about those in their families who were ill and without hope of recovery.

Quite suddenly, and without any warning, Miss Whinstone leaned forward with a cry, and began to gulp and sob convulsively. Everyone around her tried to comfort her, but her body heaved and shuddered uncontrollably as deep groans of misery were torn from her. Someone went to get a glass of water, and someone else suggested she be laid on the floor, and any number of people wanted to call for a doctor, but Mr Bradley stopped and turned to her, laying a hand upon her head. ‘Oh my sister in God,' he said, ‘be at peace. Only do as the Lord commands you and your conscience guides you and all will be well.' Gradually, the sobbing slowed, and her gasping breaths calmed to the point where she could speak.

‘Thank you,' she said, gratefully, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. ‘I must do all that a Christian woman should.'

He smiled at her and passed on.

Miss Whinstone reassured her friends that she was recovered, but despite Louisa's most forceful efforts she would tell no one of the reason for her distress, and it was thought best to take her home.

When Mina next went to Dr Hamid's baths she found Anna anxious to speak with her, and they retired to the privacy of the office. ‘I was intending to call, but I am very glad you have come,' she said. ‘I am concerned about Eliza.'

Mina was seized with a sudden dread. She and Eliza had formed a bond not only of sympathy but of similar tastes in their two meetings, and she feared that the new friendship was about to be snatched away. ‘Oh, I do hope she is not unwell! May I call on her?'

‘She is well enough, have no fear on that point, and we hope that she may live contentedly for many years yet, and enjoy your company, but it is another matter I need to discuss. The last time we met we spoke of Eliza's wish to meet Miss Eustace. Daniel and I considered the request and decided that it was unlikely to be of any harm. She has very few visitors, and we thought that a new face would do her good.'

‘Did Miss Eustace call on her?' asked Mina, apprehensively.

‘Yes, and a Mr Clee. They stayed for some considerable time.'

‘Oh, I think I know what you are about to tell me,' said Mina, unhappily. ‘And I blame myself, now. I should have seen the danger. I suppose Miss Eustace has tried to persuade your sister that she is a powerful spirit medium?'

‘You are right, she has!' exclaimed Anna. ‘How did you guess? Has she tried to persuade you, also?'

‘Yes, she has, and I am sorry to say it occurred after I delivered your sister's note, and I would have done anything then to have taken it back.'

‘I assume that she did not succeed with you,' said Anna.

‘No – she cannot – will not!' Mina assured her with some energy.

‘I wish Eliza was of the same mind as you,' said Anna, ‘but I fear that Miss Eustace has prevailed. Please do not blame yourself, Eliza is our responsibility, and the decision to allow the visit was ours.'

They were both silent and thoughtful for a few moments. ‘Would you like me to go and see your sister and tell her that Miss Eustace tries these tricks on everyone?' suggested Mina, although she was not hopeful that this would be of any use.

Anna sighed. ‘I hardly know what to do. You see, Eliza is happy, happier than I have seen her in many years. She feels newly favoured instead of at a disadvantage. Ought I to take that away from her? Even if it is an illusion it seems harmless enough.'

‘I entirely understand,' said Mina, ‘and it is the seeming harmless that is, I believe, the real danger, the thin end of what may be a long and subtle wedge with a bad conclusion. Does your sister propose to go to séances now? Or have them come to her?'

‘No, and this is what I meant to discuss. Eliza wants to conduct a séance herself at our house tomorrow evening. There would be only Daniel and myself, but could I ask you to be there also? And if you have a kind friend with a critical eye then by all means bring that friend with you.'

‘Of course I will come,' said Mina, ‘and if my brother Richard is not otherwise engaged I will ask him to accompany me. Is Miss Eustace to be there as well?'

‘No, Eliza asked her to attend, but she has another appointment.'

‘That is something,' said Mina with considerable relief. ‘If we are fortunate then we will all sit in the dark and nothing will happen and she will give up the idea.'

‘Thank you for that comfort,' said Anna.

Once Mina's bath and massage were done she went to see Dr Hamid, who had concluded his treatment of a patient and returned to his office. He glanced up at her with some concern as she entered.

‘Please, I know what you are going to say, but Eliza knows her own mind,' he said defensively. ‘I can't treat her like a child. The best thing I can do to protect her is let her have her enjoyment but be on hand to keep a watch against any dangers.'

‘Of course you can't forbid her to hold a séance,' said Mina. ‘At least, you could, but I have given this some thought, and I can see that it would be unwise. If she is determined enough she will do it whatever you say, so it would be best if she did it while you were there. Miss Hamid has asked me to come to your house tomorrow, and my brother Richard, too, who is the most pronounced sceptic, and we will all keep our eyes open.'

‘At least Eliza is no Jane Lyon,' said Dr Hamid. ‘The man who tries to steal her fortune will have little to tempt him. My father always feared that she could be the target of an adventurer, and ensured in his will that her capital cannot be touched and she has only the income for her lifetime.'

‘I am relieved to hear it,' said Mina. She sat down, and they faced each other across the desk, both feeling worried and helpless. ‘Something is happening, but I am not sure what,' she said. ‘Miss Eustace has tried to make me into a medium and failed. Now she is playing her tricks on your sister. My mother is about to throw off her mourning six months too soon, Miss Whinstone is beside herself but won't say why, and Mr Clee went from sceptic to believer in five minutes. It is as if a disease is rampaging through the town.'

‘Sometimes all we can do in these instances is mop the patient's brow and allow the fever to burn itself out,' said Dr Hamid.

‘Are we immune to this plague?' asked Mina.

He smiled. ‘I think so. I know you are, and Anna is too.'

‘But you, I think, like to hope just a little.'

‘Just a little,' he admitted. ‘And you do not?'

‘Oh, I don't deny the existence of the soul,' said Mina. ‘We all have to hope for something, but when I die I will not choose to converse with my family through a mountebank.'

He said nothing but his gaze drifted as it so often did, to the portrait of his wife.

‘My brother,' said Mina, ‘who has a closer acquaintance with the theatrical profession than he would like my mother to know about, tells me it is all done by conjuring, but unfortunately he refuses to give up his sacred secrets.' She shook her head. ‘If I was brave enough I would enter Miss Eustace's fold and dare her to do her worst, and then I would find out all about her, but if I did that and then turned around and tried to expose her for what she is, I would only look like a jealous rival, and then she would be more famous than ever.'