Don’t Look Back

Chapter Thirty-three

A FORTNIGHT LATER, ON A SUNNY THURSDAY afternoon, Tobias motioned Mrs. Chilton aside and opened the door of the study himself. Lavinia was sitting in one of the oversize chairs in front of the hearth, a book open on her lap. The sunlight streaming through the window set fire to her hair.

“Good afternoon, my sweet,” he said. “You have a visitor.”

Startled by the interruption, she looked up with that abstracted expression she always wore whenever she was summoned summarily from one of her books of poetry.

Her eyes cleared when she saw him standing there in the opening. “I did not know that you intended to call this afternoon, Tobias. What brings you here? Have we a new case so soon?”

“Not a new one. Rather the conclusion to an old one.”

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“There is someone here who wishes to speak with you.”

He stood back and held the door for Lavinia’s visitor. The tall woman walked part way into the study and stopped.

“Good day, Mrs. Lake,” she said. “I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you again and under these circumstances.”

Lavinia stared, eyes very wide, lips slightly parted.

Tobias savored the expression. It was not often that he was afforded the opportunity to witness such a charming mix of astonishment and delight on Lavinia’s face.

“Mrs. Pelling. Jessica.” Lavinia fairly leaped out of the chair. She dropped the book on the table and rushed forward. “You’re alive.”

“Thanks to you, Mrs. Lake.” Jessica smiled. “Actually, I have not used the name Jessica Pelling since the day I staged the drama of my own suicide. I have been known as Judith Palmer these past two years.”

“Which is one of the reasons why it was so bloody difficult to find her.” Tobias went to the window. “I sent out my letters of inquiry the day after Lavinia told me her tale. You did an excellent job of covering your tracks, Mrs. Pelling.”

“I did my best,” she said. “I was quite certain that my life depended on it, you see. Oscar was becoming increasingly mad. The rages were occurring more often, and each time he seemed more out of control when they struck. I knew I had to get away. I took your advice, Mrs. Lake.”

Lavinia released her and stepped back. “You took it so well that I myself was convinced that you were dead. The only question in my mind was whether Pelling had murdered you or if you truly had taken your own life.”

“I cannot tell you how much I regret not being able to tell you the truth. I had hoped that you would reason it out for yourself.”

“The fact that your body was never found gave me some small hope, but I could not be certain.” She looked at Tobias. “What were these letters of inquiry you mentioned?”

He moved one hand in a negligent gesture. “I wrote letters to a number of my associates from the old days. They are scattered throughout the country.”

“Ah, yes, your fellow spies,” Lavinia said. “Very clever of you, sir.”

“I also asked Crackenburne to tap his extensive network of friends and acquaintances. You gave me a good description that day you told me the tale. The fact that Jessica was somewhat taller than average and that she had disappeared with an unusual family ring was extremely helpful.”

“Yes, of course,” Lavinia said. She gave him an admiring smile. “You reasoned that Jessica must have sold the ring to support herself in her new life, so you set out to trace it, didn’t you?”

“That was one of several strategies I employed. I also knew that we were looking for a single woman who would have turned up out of nowhere two years ago. Eventually, word came back that there was a person meeting all the particulars operating a school for young ladies in Dorset.”

Jessica gave him a wry smile. “It is fortunate for me that Oscar did not hire you to search for me two years ago, sir.”

Tobias shook his head. “I doubt that he was eager to find you. Your so-called suicide proved quite convenient in financial terms. He had your inheritance, after all.”

“And shortly after that he became occupied with his quest for the Medusa bracelet,” Lavinia said. “He had sold it in his youth after murdering his aunt. But as his madness grew, he came to believe that he needed to recover the bracelet to ward off her vengeful spirit.”

Jessica shuddered. “I knew that he was sinking into his madness.”

Lavinia smiled at her. “I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you.”

“You are not the only one who is pleased to know that Mrs. Pelling is very much among the living.” Tobias smiled. ‘Pelling’s lawyer is equally delighted. Jessica is officially a widow now, and a wealthy one, at that.”

“I must tell you, the money will come in handy,” Jessica said. “There is not much profit in operating a school for young ladies.”

“How do you come to be in London?” Lavinia asked.

“Mr. March sent me a letter introducing himself and informing me of the very good news that Oscar Pelling was dead. He offered to pay my expenses to come to London to visit you and assure you that I was alive and well. I believe he planned this reunion as a surprise for you.”

Lavinia looked at Tobias. He felt the warmth of her smile throughout his entire body. Pleasure and a deep sense of certainty flowed through him.

“Mr. March feels that he has no talent for grand, romantical gestures,” Lavinia said to Jessica. “But in truth, he possesses a distinct and most remarkable ability to select just the right gift for me.”