The Ghost of Christmas Past (9 page)

“So …
so Doctor Doubleday could not have wanted Johnny and Samuel dead, could he,
Father?”

“Whatever
makes you say that, Lizzie?”

“Mr.
Hardacre pointed out that Doctor Doubleday has a knack of being in the wrong
place at the wrong time. He was there when I found Mr. Sanderson, and there
when Sam and Johnny fell through the ice.”

“I
find it hard to believe that a man who strove so hard to save that boy's life
would have been the cause of Sam and Johnny's distress.”

“That's
what I would like to think,” said Elizabeth. “Father?”

“Hmm.”
The Reverend had just bitten into a slice of hot buttery toast. The butter
dripped onto the plate, and he scooped it up in the bread. In the cosy room,
with the firelight spreading warmth, it was hard for Elizabeth to believe there
were dangers in the world. Yet Sam, lying on the sofa, covered in blankets
reminded her that their comfortable lives had been invaded by such horrors.

“Why
do people think that Arthur Sanderson embezzled from his associate then
murdered him?”

“From
what Constable Hounds told me, they found proof in Sanderson’s study of him
having practised his associate’s signature. They never did find out what
happened to the money. As Sanderson was mentally unfit, he could not be brought
to trial.”

“Father,
there was a case in the papers five years ago. It was very similar. A man was
hanged for murdering his associate, after embezzling money which was never
found. The condemned man’s wife disappeared too, only to return after his death
and claim his estate. Don’t you think that’s strange?”

“Yes,
it is rather.”

“I
wish I could find out more about Lucinda Hargreaves.”

“I
imagine the sisters will be your first point of call for all things murderous.
They know about every murder trial going.”

“Will
you be alright to care for Samuel if I call on them after tea?”

“Lizzie
… I want you to be careful, dearest. I'm not entirely sure that Sam and
Johnny's forays into detecting haven't led to today's worries. I should never
have let him go.” The Reverend looked across at his son, his face a mask of
guilt. “I thought it was harmless enough. Who would think children would be
hurt?”

“Johnny
said he'd seen something,” said Elizabeth. “But we all thought it was to make
himself look important. I wonder now...”

“Exactly.”

Despite
her father's warning, Elizabeth wrapped up warm and set out on her trip to see
the sisters. She was just about to turn into their gate when Liam Doubleday
stepped out of Doctor Wheston's front door.

“Miss
Dearheart,” he called. “May I speak with you for a moment?”

“Of
course.” Elizabeth stopped and waited for him to cross the road.

“I
owe you, and your father, an apology for my behaviour earlier. It is not for me
to judge your conduct, and I am sure that you would have had your brother's
interests at heart at all times.”

“There
is nothing to apologise for,” said Elizabeth. “Mr. Hardacre took me by
surprise. I mean, I was not expecting him to become so ardent.”

“He
has asked for your hand in marriage?”

“Yes.”

“And
will you accept?”

“No.
I do not love him.” Why it was important that Liam know that, Elizabeth did not
quite understand.

Liam's
face visibly altered to become more relaxed, breaking into that wonderful smile.
“You're not in love with him.”

“No,
I am not. He is a good...” Elizabeth almost said decent, but something stopped
her, “man, but I realised today that I do not return his feelings. I hope I
have not caused him too much pain.”

“He'll
get over it, I'm sure,” said Liam. There was something brittle about his voice.

“Are
men's feelings always so fickle, Doctor Doubleday?”

“No
more than women's.” Again that bitterness. She wished she could understand what
made him feel that way. “You are going to see the sisters?” Elizabeth nodded.

“I
wish to ask them something.”

“Are
you still investigating Mr. Sanderson's murder?”

“Not
investigating. Just trying to make sense of what happened.” Without realising
why, Elizabeth found herself telling Liam about what she had read in the paper,
and the link – the bloodied fabric – with Albert Sanderson's missing wife. “I
have heard it elsewhere recently,” she said.

“The
Demon Doctor of Delhi,” said Liam.

“What?”

“His
wife also went missing, after he was accused of murdering a patient after a
similar embezzlement.”

“Of
course! Yes, that was where I had read it. How strange that these things should
happen in such far flung places. England, France, India. It makes me wonder...
but it happened with a man too. That was the one in France. So it could not be
connected, could it?”

“People
travel, Miss Dearheart.”

“Yes,
I suppose they do. Well thank you, you have saved me a trip to see the
sisters.”

“I am
sure they would be most disappointed if you did not call. Let me come with you.
I have failed to pay them my proper respects since I arrived.”

Elizabeth
smiled. “I cannot imagine that Mrs. Chatterbucks and Miss Graves are of any
great interest to a man like yourself.”

“Then
you do me a disservice, Miss Dearheart. They are characters, and if there is
one thing I enjoy in life, it is the company of a character. Where else can I
hear stories of amputated legs and dog-eaten fingers?”

“As a
doctor I would have thought everywhere you went.” Elizabeth could not help
smiling. The earlier tension between them had gone, and they spoke as friends
again.

“Ah,
but not told with such naivety and a total lack of understanding of the
humorous aspects.”

“You
must not make fun of them,” said Elizabeth, sternly, smiling despite herself.
“It is not kind.”

“No,
it is not. And I would not dream of it.” His eyes twinkled.

“Miss
Dearheart!” Miss Graves was calling from the sisters' front door. For a moment
Elizabeth felt sad that the spell between her and Liam had been broken. “We
have been awaiting your visit. Isn't it wonderful?”

“Isn't
what wonderful?” Miss Graves' words hardly seemed appropriate with two children
having been harmed.

“Why
your aunt's invitation to her Christmas ball.”

“I
have heard of no such occasion,” said Elizabeth.

“I
daresay her footman called at your house whilst you were on your way here,”
said Mrs. Chatterbucks, pushing past her sister. “It is on Christmas Eve. The
footman said that most of the townsfolk have been invited. Well those from good
families, that is.”

When
Elizabeth reached home, she found out that was indeed the case. Her aunt, with
uncharacteristic generosity, had decided to hold a Christmas ball at Bedlington
Hall for the first time in many years.

Liam
had walked her home, so that he could take a proper look at Samuel. They need
not have worried. Her brother was sitting up, eating toast with damson jam, and
telling the Reverend excitedly about his and Johnny Fletcher's adventure on the
pond.

“Johnny
said he saw a man in rags near to the snowman on the day we found Mr.
Sanderson,” Samuel was telling his father. “So we went out looking for him.”

“Was
it the same man in rags?” asked the Reverend. “The one who chased you, I mean.”

Elizabeth
and Liam each took a seat to listen to Samuel’s story.

“I
don't know, Father. Like I told Lizzie, he had his face covered in a hood,”
said Samuel. “If Doctor Doubleday had not been at the other side of the
pond...”

“What?”
said Elizabeth, her heart lightening for the first time since Samuel had been
brought home.

“I
saw Doctor Doubleday on the other side of the pond, didn't I, sir?”

“Yes,
that's right,” said Liam. Elizabeth could tell by his expression that he knew
exactly what she had thought. She cast her eyes to the floor in shame.

“And
I said to Johnny, 'come on, let's go to the doctor. He will help'. And he did.”
Samuel looked up at Liam as if he were a hero of immense proportions.

“So
did you see the man clearly?” Elizabeth asked Liam, wondering why he had not
mentioned it before.

“No.
As Sam said, he wore a hood. And I was standing much further away and only
looked up when Sam shouted. I did not even see Johnny. Only Sam. I had gone
there to...” Liam stopped, and Elizabeth immediately sensed he was hiding
something. It gave her a sinking feeling. Even if he had not harmed the boys,
he still had secrets. “To take in the fresh air. Of course as soon as Samuel
fell in, my attention was taken up with pulling him out.”

“For
which we are most grateful,” said the Reverend. “If there is any way we could
repay you.”

Liam
smiled. “If you would do me the honour of allowing me to accompany Miss
Dearheart to the Christmas ball, I would consider all debts repaid.”

Chapter
Seven

The
night of the Christmas ball was made somewhat merrier by the news that Johnny
Fletcher had regained consciousness, and whilst he was still weak, Doctor
Wheston expected him to make a full recovery. Samuel elected to spend the
evening keeping Johnny company at the magistrate’s home whilst others attended
the ball. Mrs. Fletcher stayed home with the boys, but Mr. Fletcher put in an
appearance for half an hour.

Elizabeth
hardly recognised Bedlington Hall. For many years it had been a dark, sterile
place, kept clean by the servants, but showing little signs of habitation
beyond Lady Bedlington's boudoir, and occasionally the dining room. The halls
had been decked with sparkling Christmas decorations, and warm fires burned in
every grate, whilst hundreds of candles illuminated the dark corners of every
room.

Minstrels
played in a gallery above the ballroom, and the dancing had already begun when
Elizabeth arrived, escorted by Liam. Her father escorted the sisters, who
though dressed in the same black lace, had attempted to brighten up their
appearance with sprigs of holly, replete with red berries, attached to their
shoulders. The effect was of two rather prickly shrubs. Doctor Wheston and Mrs.
Wheston, who looked very pretty in a pale blue silk gown, arrived soon after.

Liam
helped Elizabeth out of her cloak to reveal she wore a white off the shoulder
gown of silk, with a large red sash around the centre. Her hair was pinned up
with red ribbons. The dress was her mother's, as many of Elizabeth’s clothes
were, and her expert hands had brought the fashion up to date.

“You
look very beautiful,” said Liam. He wore a long black jacket, with a grey waistcoat,
over a crisp white shirt, with a white cravat, and dark grey trousers.

“Thank
you,” said Elizabeth, telling herself that it was the heat from all the candles
making her cheeks feel so warm.

“What
a spectacle!” said Mrs. Chatterbucks. The three men had gone to fetch drinks
for the ladies.

“It
is most exciting,” said Miss Graves. “It is a long time since I have been to a
ball.”

“I
hope you will also enjoy yourself, Mrs. Wheston,” said Elizabeth.

“I am
sure I shall.” Amelia Wheston smiled. Not for the first time, Elizabeth thought
the lady very pretty. She could not blame Liam if he was in love with her, but
following Amelia's eyes, it became clear to Elizabeth that she loved no man but
her husband. She took in the information with immense relief. Yes, there was a
definite affection between Mrs. Wheston and Liam, but it was of a purely
platonic nature.

“Mr.
Doubleday tells me that he brought good news of your brother,” said Elizabeth.
“I hope he is well and that we may meet him one day.”

Amelia
Wheston turned to Elizabeth and looked at her for what seemed a long time. “I
am sure you will,” said Amelia, eventually. “When you do, remember that Liam
does enjoy his little jokes.”

“I’m
sorry?”

“Never
mind.” Amelia smiled kindly. “Liam tells me that you have received an offer of
marriage.”

“Really?”
said Mrs. Chatterbucks.

“Well,
I never,” said Miss Graves.

Elizabeth
looked from one to the other, and was only saved from answering by the return
of the men.

“I
hope I did not speak out of turn,” said Amelia, quietly, when they all had
their drinks.

“Not
at all,” said Elizabeth. “No more than I did about your brother, I am sure.”
Elizabeth felt certain that Amelia had brought up the subject of marriage to
prevent any further conversation about her brother. She only had a moment to
wonder why, because the festivities began soon after.

After
ten minutes, and with all the guests assembled in the Great Hall, Lady
Bedlington's arrival was announced. The whole room gasped when they saw that
she descended the stairs accompanied by her step-daughter, Lady Clarissa. Lady
Bedlington, as before was dressed in black lace, befitting her age and sation.
But it was Lady Clarissa who caught everyone's attention. She wore a gown of
the deepest, darkest red velvet, with a black sash, and a red velvet ribbon in
her hair.