Chapter 27

twenty-seven

E DITH WAS GLAD to have agreed to come to Lady Upchurch’s party. It lived up to its extravagant reputation.

The fountain with mermaids and Neptune in the middle of the ballroom disturbed her, and the water sent shivers crawling down her neck, but she had to admit the whole structure was remarkable. Glass dolphins hung from the ceiling, held by invisible threads, and the maids were all dressed like mermaids. Their glittering emerald costumes ended with upturned hems, resembling a mermaid’s tail. Likely not the most comfortable clothes. The footmen were dressed like pirates, and acrobats jumped and twirled in the air without warning.

“Lady Upchurch’s obsession with the sea is quite upsetting and for me has gone too far,” she said to Perry.

Sea algae filled several bowls scattered around the ballroom to spread the pungent scent of the sea, and she couldn’t say she was impressed.

“I told you. Ridiculous,” he said, observing the ballroom from a corner with her.

“Honestly, if I’d known the party’s theme was the ‘enchanting sea,’ I wouldn’t have come.”

“I think the smell is the most awful thing.” He smiled and nodded at a passing couple. “Whoever thought that would be a great idea should be sacked.”

“How are you doing?”

He lifted a shoulder. “If the trigger of my seizures is fear, I don’t see how I might get one here. Although…” He tilted his head back to stare at the floating dolphins. “I’m worried one of those large fish will crush me.”

“Actually, dolphins are mammals, not fish.”

He burst out laughing but turned serious when Daphne walked over to them.

“Lord Ravenscroft, Edith. I’m so happy to see you here.” She bobbed a curtsy.

“Good evening,” Edith said.

“I didn’t know about the nautical theme. I’m sorry.” She touched Edith’s hand.

Edith wasn’t surprised. It seemed that Daphne never knew anything.

“Your concern for your friend’s welfare is admirable,” Perry said in a gelid tone. “It really shows your qualities.”

Daphne opened and closed her mouth a couple of times before curtsying again. “If you’ll excuse me, my lord. Have a lovely evening.” She left as quickly as her brocade gown allowed her.

Perry narrowed his gaze at her. “I don’t trust her.”

“Neither do I, but as Marianne said, with so many guests, what could ever happen here?”

“May I have your attention, please?” Lady Upchurch raised her arms draped in emerald muslin and seashells. They clinked every time she moved.

The orchestra ceased playing, and the constant coming and going of the mermaids and pirates stopped. Only the ominous sound of the water dropping in the fountain could be heard.

“Thank you everyone for being here at my enchanting sea party,” she said, beaming around. “I’m glad you can all enjoy the results of five years of hard work.”

Edith and Perry exchanged a glance. Five years for a fountain and some mermaid costumes seemed unjustified.

“I have more surprises in store for you.” Lady Upchurch pointed at the sets of double doors overlooking the garden. “Please follow me for the pièce de résistance of tonight’s party.”

Excited squeals and a round of applause swept the room. The pirates held the doors open for the guests, who poured out of the ballroom faster than Edith could say ‘splash.’

“Do you want to take a walk in the garden with the others?” Perry asked.

Firm land, or the enchanting sea? Easy choice. “Yes, please.” She took Perry’s arm.

Torches and braziers lit the garden, giving it a warm atmosphere and, above all, a solid, earth-like quality she needed. All the guests gathered at the edge of the manicured flowerbed and trimmed hedges.

Lady Upchurch stood in front of them. “I have a magical surprise for all of you, the renovation of my gardens that took so long. Please walk only on the paths marked by the lanterns. Do not stray away from them, or you’ll have a not-so-pleasant surprise.” She laughed. “Please choose a lane and walk along it.”

The walk was indeed magical. Holding Perry’s arm, Edith strolled with him along a tidy, smooth trail that ran slanted to the others, following the pattern of the spokes of a wheel.

Instead of gravel, as in the rest of the garden, the path was paved with glossy stone tiles. Also, it was a few inches above the ground. Perhaps that was why Lady Upchurch had recommended staying in the chosen passageway. One might twist an ankle, falling off the short step in the dim light.

Small lanterns hanging from the hooks of their stands gave the illusion the lights floated midair, but she couldn’t see what was on either side of her. Grass? Cobbles? It seemed a combination of the two.

“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered, not wanting to disturb the atmosphere.

Perry was tense though. “I reserve my judgement until I understand what this is. I wonder what the surprise might be. After the corpses, I expect the worst.”

“Please stop where you are.” Lady Upchurch stopped in the middle of the pattern where all the paths ended. “More lights, please.”

At her command, several lamps were lit, and a bright yellow glow spread over the paths. The pattern of the paths was exactly like a giant wheel, and Lady Upchurch was standing in the centre. Edith’s smile faltered when a noise like that of stone grinding against stone came. Excited mutters came from around her.

“What’s happening?” she asked.

“The ground is moving.” He held her more tightly. “There are panels on both sides of the path. They’re opening.”

The panels slid, revealing channels filled with water. Lots of water. A big dark expanse of water.

The paths formed a grid over the largest swimming pool Edith had ever seen, and no, she wasn’t impressed. Everywhere she turned, water haunted her.

“Welcome to my Venetian garden,” Lady Upchurch said, raising her arms.

Everyone cheered and clapped as fear coiled around Edith like a snake. She drew in a breath that didn’t bring any relief. No matter how deeply she inhaled, her lungs didn’t work.

“Close your eyes, Edith.” Perry’s voice seemed to come from a distance.

But closing her eyes did nothing to calm her. The thought of being surrounded by dark water and the guests’ shouts triggered her memories. It didn’t matter that the people around her didn’t shout in fear. In her mind, their loud voices turned into calls for help and screams of pain. She gripped Perry’s arm tightly, flinging her eyes open again. Wherever she looked, there was water.

“Close your eyes and trust me. I’ll take you out of here.” His commanding tone was hard to ignore. “Breathe deeply.”

She did as told. He guided her along the path with measured steps while Lady Upchurch talked about something.

“You’re doing great. Keep your eyes shut and lean into me.” He stopped. “Please step aside. I need to pass.”

“What is it?” That was Daphne. “Oh, right. Dear Edith.” The way she said the last two words sent a chill to Edith’s chest.

“Step aside, Miss Ferguson,” Perry gritted out.

“Of course. We don’t want a repeat of the scene in the Scarlet Room, do we?”

Edith opened her eyes. Daphne was grinning.

“So tell me, Lord Ravenscroft,” she said, stepping aside, “is it water that causes your fits? I think it is. I think the fear of water is what Edith and you have in common. Speak. Don’t be shy.”

“I’m not shy, Miss Ferguson. I really don’t like you. Now move!” Perry held Edith closer.

“I know your secret, my lord,” Daphne said. “And I know how to use it against you. Also, watching you twitching on the floor was the most disgusting thing Neville and I have ever seen.”

He cupped Edith’s cheek. “Close your eyes and don’t listen to the harpy.”

Shivering, Edith nodded.

There was the shuffle of feet and the swish of fabric, and a few mutters from Daphne, which Edith ignored. Perry resumed walking, but someone bumped into her from behind. She lost her balance, and his arm slipped out of her grip.

“Perry,” she screamed, hitting the water.

He cursed but couldn’t grab her.

She sank, frozen with fear. Her body seemed to become a slab of marble, cold and stiff. She couldn’t even scream. She touched the bottom of the pool, and the water reached her mouth and nostrils. Her skirts turned heavy. The air was punched out of her lungs in large bubbles, and her vision darkened at the edges. Just like that night.

But another scream reached her ears. It was Lady Upchurch. Everyone screamed as if they were all drowning…except that people started saying something that forced her to calm down and focus on the voices.

“The earl is sick!”

“Lord Ravenscroft is mad.”

“… should be locked up.”

A seizure. Because he was afraid she might get hurt.

She could swear she heard Daphne laughing, but it could be her imagination.

A combination of anger and worry sent a shock through her. It was as if an electric current rushed through her body, energising her. She forced herself to breathe deeply until her vision sharpened. Blinking, she made out the edge of the pool and the path a few inches above it, but she couldn’t see Perry. Too many people were around him.

Shaking with fear and shock, she grabbed the edge and pulled herself up. Or tried to. Her wet dress dragged her down, and a groan of frustration came out of her. Frustration was better than fear.

She tried again, her feet slipping on the wet stones. No one was paying her the slightest bit of attention, but she found a step underwater and climbed out of the pool with trembling limbs. Perry lay on the path, convulsing. None of the horrified, shocked people did anything to help. Awful.

“He has a seizure. Help me.” Dripping water, she squeezed herself through the crowd and held his head up. “Please help.”

“He’s possessed,” a man said.

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard.” Her angry tone surprised even herself.

The man glared at her, and she glared back.

“What can I do?” Lady Upchurch asked, quivering.

“Hold his legs still.”

The lady shivered, and her voluminous dress hindered her movements, but to her credit, she did her best to keep Perry’s legs still until the seizure passed.

“Lord Ravenscroft isn’t mad or possessed.” Edith raised her voice, so every person in the crowd heard her. “He simply had a convulsion?—”

“He should be in an asylum.”

“He’s dangerous,” another lady said. “Men with fits are violent.”

Edith caressed Perry’s forehead as he blinked slowly. “Not true.” Wasted breath.

People shook their heads and muttered. Ladies whispered behind their gloved hands.

Only Lady Upchurch showed compassion. “I believe you, Miss Winkworth. Poor Lord Ravenscroft.” She remained crouched next to Perry until he breathed normally.

“It’s all right, Perry,” Edith said, untying his bow tie. “The seizure has passed. You’re safe.”

He propped himself up on his elbows. “Edith, are you all right?” he stammered, his lips quivering.

“Don’t worry about me.”

The guests filed out of the Venetian garden among whispers and sideways glances thrown at Perry.

“What do you need?” Lady Upchurch asked. “A physician?”

“I think the earl needs to go home.”

The lady nodded. “I’ll have your carriage ready for you.”