CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Over the next few days, Daphne took the family around their small village and further into London, visiting all the haunts from her younger days. Most of them had been to London many times, but never had the time or inclination to spend time relaxing as tourists.

The girls all wanted to visit Harrods, and Daphne was happy to show them the ropes. The massive department store was considered a destination in London filled with just about anything you wanted to purchase. If you couldn't find it, they would find it for you and deliver it with a bow on top.

"I suppose we'll need gowns for this event at your parents' home," said Gabi.

"Yes, but you don't have to. I mean, just wear a simple black dress. It will be fine," she said unconvincingly.

"No way," smirked Gabi. "We're going to show up in the finest attire and impress your mother's snooty friends."

"Actually, her friends aren't really all that snooty. They're quite wonderful. Most of them, anyway. You'll be surprised to see that they don't behave like my mother at all."

"I'll be thrilled to find that," smirked Hazel. "Alright. Dresses."

"May I help you, ladies?" asked the saleswoman.

"We will all be attending the gala at Bishop Manor," said Daphne. The woman's eyebrows rose, and she nodded. "We'll all need dresses, and some of the men will need tuxedos."

"Of course, madam," nodded the woman. "Please have a seat, and I'll gather some gowns for all of you." She scurried away, and Daphne smiled at the other women.

"How is she going to know our sizes?" asked Ellie.

"Believe me, it's what they do here. This is like having the ‘Mama Irene' of dress sales. She'll have the right sizes, colors, and lengths without taking one measurement."

As promised, the woman returned with a rack of gowns, then two more. The colors were bold and brilliant, some patterns, some sequins, but all gorgeous, and all perfect fits for each woman.

Daphne stood in front of the mirror in a new Oscar de la Renta. It was a soft floral billowing behind her. When Hazel walked out in a red satin gown, looking like the vixen she was, Daphne nodded with a big smile on her face.

But the white gown with the beautiful fur trimming, cutting low down the back, revealing an impressive amount of skin, was positively heavenly on Gabi.

"Daphne! Is that you?" said the familiar voice. She turned and smiled at the two young women.

"Hildi, Marcia, it's lovely to see you both." She did a proper British kiss on both cheeks and stepped back.

"Darling, you look magnificent!" said Marcia. "Are you back for good?"

"No, I'm afraid not. I've recently married an American, and I'm here with all of his family." She casually introduced everyone, and the women nodded at the array of beauty in the room. "My husband and the others are being fitted for tuxedos."

"I'm so glad to hear that you married and are happy, Daph. You are happy, right?" asked Hildi.

"I'm exceptionally happy," she smiled. "Thank you."

"I'm glad to hear that. I've heard rumors that your mother was trying to get you and Marshall back together. Dreadful, dreadful man. I just knew it couldn't be true. You're much too smart for that," she sneered.

"Yes, he is dreadful, and he tried to frighten me the other day by showing up at Heath and Timothy's."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Daph. Really, I am. I hope you know that we've always liked you and your father, but your mother takes some getting used to. I'm sorry. That wasn't very polite," said the young woman.

"It's okay. I'm still getting used to her as well."

"Well, it was lovely seeing you, and I definitely look forward to catching up at the gala. You're all going to look beautiful, and that should make her mother quite tied in knots," smirked the woman. They all chuckled as the girls waved and left them standing in their gowns.

"You all look marvelous," said the saleswoman. "Would you like me to bring more gowns for you to try on?"

"I think we're good," smiled Hazel. "We'll take them all."

"All? Madam, these are all originals and quite expensive. Are you sure? I mean, we could apply for a Harrods' card."

"I'm aware, and no, we won't need a Harrods' card," smiled Hazel.

They'd made the woman's day. Hell, they made her year. All those gowns, some costing more than a small car, and yet they never blinked an eye. They texted the guys and met them at a local restaurant and pub, enjoying some traditional English pub food. The gowns and tuxedos were locked in the cars, even new shoes and bags.

"What can we expect at this gala, Daphne?" asked Magnolia. "Should we bid on any of the auction items?"

"Oh, no. It's not necessary. I mean, the money goes to a worthy charity, but don't feel compelled unless something really strikes your fancy. You can purchase the items at the asking price if you like. Technically, there won't be a traditional auction.

"There will be a lot of people there that even I don't know. My mother's whole game is to impress, so just be aware of that. She may not introduce any of you, so please don't be offended. We'll stay close, and I'll do the introductions."

"Daph, you don't have to worry about us, honey. We know what we're doing," smiled Maddie.

"Hey, can everyone hear me?" asked AJ.

"Loud and clear," smiled Zulu.

"Daphne, you said that you were told your parents died in a boat accident. Is that right?"

"Yes, that's right. I don't remember them having a boat, but again, I was so little I might not have remembered."

"Daph, honey, listen to me. Six days before you and Cassandra were put in that orphanage, a cruise ship sank off the coast of Spain. It was an Italian ship with nearly eight hundred passengers. Forty-seven were children."

"Alright. I don't understand the connection," said Daphne.

"None of the children were recovered, Daphne. None. All but seventeen of the adults survived, but none of the children could be found. According to the ship's records, the children were all in a playroom. The door was jammed, and when the crew attempted to break it down, they were pulled back by the captain and ordered to abandon ship."

"I'm not sure I understand," she whispered, staring at the people around the table.

" Daphne, all of the people on that ship were extremely wealthy and successful. They belonged to an organization called Lightkeepers."

"Lightkeepers? I've never heard of them. I don't understand what you're telling me. What does all this mean?"

"Lightkeepers were dozens of men and women from all walks of life who used their wealth, influence, ingenuity, and connections for the betterment of the world. For the most part, they were anonymous. The cruise was an annual function where they made decisions about where they could do the most good.

"It was everything from helping war-torn countries to building low-income housing in inner cities or helping young entrepreneurs get their companies off the ground. They were good people."

"Were?" frowned Gabi.

"After the cruise, many decided they couldn't go on. They'd lost all those children and couldn't understand why or how."

"AJ, was the ship's captain charged with any crime?" asked Walker.

" No. But there was a good reason. Someone sabotaged the ship. They planted a small explosive in the engine room that disabled the ship, then another at the ship's computer system and rudder. Whoever did it probably wasn't counting on rough seas. He still should have been held accountable for pulling back on the locked door, but no one seemed concerned with that."

"Wait a minute," said Daphne, shaking her head. "Are you telling me that you think Cassandra and I were on that ship?"

"It sounds like it's a possibility," said Zulu. "I think we need to investigate that orphanage."

" That's another problem. The orphanage was shut down nine years ago, and the woman who ran it was found murdered in her home. I'm trying to find out where the records went. The only thing I have so far is that forty-seven children were in that orphanage the day Cassandra and Daphne were adopted."

"Jesus, what has my mother done?" whispered Daphne.

"Take it easy, babe. We don't know anything yet. We'll do what we do the best and find answers. Until then, let's keep a close eye on Lady Bishop."