Once We Were (26 page)

Chapter 23

“
Lavinia tells me Miss Hathaway abandoned us,” Ioan said. “Quit shortly after Mrs. Dillsworth fell dead. Did you see the exchange?”

“
No, sir. I was out. It is most unfortunate that Kitty left us so suddenly,” Mr. Knightly lamented. “A shame still that Miss Hathaway blamed herself.”

“
An illegitimate reason to break her commitment,” Ioan disagreed. “People die every day. It's inevitable that we can't change it. Why should Miss Hathaway be excused when the rest of us must endure? No doubt she used the defense to break her employment contract. Contact Mr. Spruce immediately. I want her found. She will return every penny or see swift justice.”

“
I'm sure he would reply that her salary is hardly worth the effort,” Mr. Knightly pointed out.

“
It doesn't matter,” Ioan said. “It's not why I pay him.”

“
Why does it bother you, sir? It's a small sum. It's not even a pin prick in your fortune,” Mr. Knightly asked.

“
My pistol is moved,” Ioan said. “It's missing from the drawer in my study. One does start to ask questions.”

“
You suppose Miss Hathaway stole it?” Mr. Knightly asked.

“
Something is amiss,” Ioan said. “Find that woman. I want every note, every record, every spec of evidence surrounding her name. I want to know who she is, exactly where she came from, and where she might be going.”

“
Yes, sir,” Mr. Knightly said, leaving him.

Ioan looked himself over in the mirror. He looked right for the part. No groom could afford a fancier suit. It was custom made and fitted for him, but perhaps he lost weight. Somehow, it didn't feel right. Something felt terribly wrong.

“
This is unheard of!” Lavinia protested to Mr. Knightly. “I shouldn't be the first one in this church. He should be here waiting on me. Why isn't he here?”

“
Mr. Saier had a small matter come up which needed his attention,” Mr. Knightly continued. “He will arrive shortly.”

“
Does he know we are scheduled to be man and wife in half an hour?” Lavinia questioned. “What matter is more important than that?”

“
Come now, Lavinia, give the man some air,” her sister pulled her away. “You have Mr. Saier right where you want him. What's an hour more? Mind your tone.”

“
What am I to tell the guests?” Lavinia cried. “Look at Mr. Kinsley. He's looking at the clock again. And dinner. What do I do about dinner if it's frigid?”

“
You'll ruin your face if you keep up like this?” her sister warned. “You keep the guests entertained and I'll inform the chefs of the schedule change. Start with that fellow. He's smiling. Apparently, he's having a very good time.”

Lavinia turned to Gianni waiting at the back row of the church. She marched over to him. “Mr. Antonelli,” she demanded. “May I see your invitation?”

“I understand it is an open invitation,” Gianni told her. “Of course, it would be rude if I didn't show my gratitude.” He hissed something in Italian at the door. Two gallery assistants heaved a painting over. “Rose on the pond,” Gianni introduced. “Painted especially for the happy bride.”

“
It's beautiful!” Lavinia's sister gasped.

“
What do you say to this one, signora?” Gianni asked.

“
Tolerable, not great,” Lavinia sniffed. “Nothing remotely close to Van Goh.”

“
Of course not,” Gianni agreed. “His work looks like a child scribbled it and then vomited. My hand is real, detailed, and precise.”

“
I suppose it'll do for the guest room,” Lavinia sighed.

Gianni's grin shrunk. “I had hoped it'd hang in your husband's study. Perhaps he will love it so much and decide to invest in my gallery.”

“Why would he ever?”

“
He is a charitable man.”

“
You're talking about business, Mr. Antonelli,” Lavinia replied. “It's the last thing I want to hear on my wedding day. Why don't you go ask Mr. Saier yourself? I am busy at present.”

“
Madam,” Gianni said. “I can not just ask Mr. Ioan Saier to invest in my business. We are not properly introduced.”

“
Neither are we. I don't even know how you got in here.”

“
Signora, please. My business won't survive.”

“
So they've caught onto you, have they?” Lavinia said. “I'm sorry, Mr. Antonelli. I really wish I could help you, but I don't see the benefit.”

“
Perhaps the signora and I might reach an agreement in exchange for her husband's favor,” Gianni persisted.

“
Of what sort?”

“
Whatever the signora desires.”

“
Come now, Mr. Antonelli,” Lavinia giggled, guiding him away from earshot. “The last thing you want people to know is that you're desperate.”

“
These are difficult times, signora.”

“
And what could you possibly give me that I won't already have after tonight?” she asked.

“
Nothing material yet, but if you convince your husband to invest, I will name my gallery in your honor.”

“
I don't care about your tasteless collection. Why would I give it my name?” Lavinia laughed.

“
I will grace you with the most exquisite scenes for your morning room, and admit you and yours to my gallery free of charge,” Gianni offered.

“
No, I don't suppose I'll visit it either.”

“
You must take something,” Gianni pleaded.

“
I have it on great authority that you're a man to be feared, Mr. Antonelli,” she commented.

“
Someone has greatly misunderstood my character,” Gianni defended. “Where did you hear that opinion?”

“
From my servant,” Lavinia replied. “Or shall I say, former servant. She has recently left us.”

Gianni laughed. “A servant, signora. You mean to make a fool of me? Gianni Antonelli does not converse with servants.”

“You've got some kind of nerve, you sly dog,” Lavinia lowered her voice. “What man but a mad one murders another man's wife and shows up later begging for his investment.”

“
I don't understand, signora. You must have me confused-”

“
You understand perfectly,” Lavinia persisted. “You murdered Mrs. Saier. Or so you thought.”

Gianni's face hardened. “What is this you talk about?” he cried.

“The little wench worked her way into my house as one of my servants. I swear it was a plot to overthrow me. I'm embarrassed I didn't see it before, but I think it more humiliating that you did such a piss poor job. Now she's my problem.”

“
Signora, please,” Gianni said gravely. “It is vital that I find this servant. The matter is of life and death.”

“
You're livelihood depends on it,” Lavinia informed him. “The one you built off her ransom money. Then you lost her. Clumsy little man. She'd put you right back in that asylum if she had a chance.”

“
Signora, please,” Gianni begged. “Tell me where I can find her.”

“
Why should I? You're a murderer. You deserve to be punished.”

“
Not just I,” Gianni told her. “You know this. I see it right through your eyes and it is everything that you fear.”

Lavinia knew she couldn't do it. She did not have the talent to murder. Starvation and dehydration would take too long. Nothing would silence Cora's screams in the walls. If there was one sure way to get rid of Mrs. Saier without blood on her hands, this was her opportunity. It had to happen now, before Mr. Saier returned to the house.

“Do deliver your inferior gift to my guest room,” Lavinia told Gianni stiffly. “I have something waiting for you in the cellar. Be you as humane as possible, for God sees all.”

The quartet wailed a canon, and the guests sighed with relief as the doors opened. All eyes turned anxiously to the wedding party. Ioan was first. He took a deep breath. Mr. Knightly returned just as Ioan started into the church. “Mr. Saier, sir, I have the information you requested,” he called.

“
Later, Mr. Knightly,” Ioan answered.

“
Sir, you'll want to hear this,” he insisted. “Before anything else.”

“
I said not now,” Ioan told him. “What's gotten into you?”

“
No record exist of a Miss Alice Hathaway,” Mr. Knightly said. “There is no such person.”

“
That's impossible,” Ioan said. “There's been some mistake. Look again.”

“
Apparently, there
has
been some mistake,” Mr. Knightly said gravely. “Mr. Dillsworth came for our dear Kitty's things this morning. He found this in her drawer. It's addressed to you.”

“
This was written over a month ago,” Ioan glanced over the date. “It can hardly mean anything now.”

“
What is going on out here?” Lavinia hissed. “Mr. Saier, we've started.” Ioan slipped the note into his pocket and marched for the church.

“
Mr. Saier, wait,” Mr. Knightly called. “This wedding can't go on.” The church doors shut him out. Ioan joined Lavinia at the hall. They processed down the isle. He glanced around the church frequently, much to Lavinia's anxiety. “Is everything alright, Mr. Saier?” she whispered as the reverend drawled on. “Something just feels quirky,” he said.

Lavinia's stomach sank. “You're not having second thoughts, are you?”

“Mr. Saier, that is the part where you acknowledge your obligations and recite your vows,” the reverend reminded. Ioan stared at him blankly. His mind raced. He saw Cora standing before him dressed in her wedding gown, blushing as feverishly as he was. “I do,” she told him softly. He saw her again. Over and over in his head. Every memory he'd treasured and locked away.

“
Of course,” he said. “I wrote them down.”

“
You didn't memorize them?” Lavinia whispered in disappointment.

“
It sounded better on paper than it did in my head,” Ioan searched his pocket. The reverend glanced at the clock. “Don't mind us, Mr. Saier.”

Ioan glanced over the short speech he'd written. He cleared his throat. “My dearest Lavinia, you've stood by my side as a constant friend and comfort. My affection for you only grows. I hope it gives you warmth and assurance in our days to come. I hereby give you this ring as a sign of my commitment and vow to provide for your every need until my light is eternally extinguished. I offer you my name in exchange for...” He stopped. The words on Mrs. Dillsworth's note faintly appeared through his speech. He pulled it from the bottom. It was simple. One sentence stretched across the paper
. “She lies asleep next to me, and how greatly I wish I could share this joy with you. Forgive me.”

“
Jesus fucking Christ!” he cursed.

“
Mr. Saier, mind that you are standing in our Father's house,” the reverend declared.

“
It's her,” Ioan said. “It's been her all along.”

“
What is he talking about?” Miss Appleby demanded of the reverend.

“
Cora,” Ioan could hardly believe what he was saying. “My wife. She's alive.”

He looked at the appalled reverend and then at Lavinia. “I'm so sorry,” he whispered to her. He turned to the bewildered guests in the room. “I do apologize for the inconvenience,” he said. “This ceremony is over. Thank you all for coming.” He marched for the door.

He couldn't find home fast enough. Lavinia's gown drifted behind her as she ran through the courtyard. “Mr. Saier!” she cried. “Mr. Saier, you can't do this! There is no sufficient evidence to support this wild assumption. Mrs. Dillsworth is dead. How can we be absolutely certain what she meant when she wrote it. This mystery woman could be anyone. Why should you assume it is your dead wife? I know you want Cora back, but nothing will save her. You have to accept that.”

“
I've known it from the beginning,” Ioan said. “I just wouldn't let it in. If there were one sliver of a chance that it could be Cora, I won't give up. I need to find her.”

“
You can't do this to me!” Lavinia shrieked. “I've given you everything! I left my father's house! I rejected every suitor! I gave you my innocence! How am I suppose to go back into the world now? You are obligated to fulfill the vows you made me!”

“
I can not give what I promised you.” Ioan said. “She is my wife by legal account and rightful mistress of this house. My obligations to you are now invalid. Cora must come home.”

“
She won't,” Lavinia blurted out. “She didn't come back for you. She wants nothing more to do with you or this house. As such, she has forfeited her title.”