Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

After Marina ensured all inhabitants of the Cromwell had left the property besides her, she made a hasty effort to reach Nancy’s room. As she entered, a brief heartache overcame her as she passed through the space she had once called her own, but there was no time to ponder on the matter.

After all, the kiss with Griffin was a situation that left Marina much more troubled than the sentiment of her old room could. Every time she thought of the moment their lips met, she feels a shudder run down her spine in a mixture of fear and excitement. Excitement she couldn’t dare indulge in, because she knew men a bit too well to allow herself to be broken by one.

Thus, Marina made efforts to forget about it all by rummaging through Nancy’s room for evidence- the task at hand that had to be the most important.

“Clothing, clothing, clothing,” Marina mumbled out loud to herself as she looked through a closet. To the average onlooker it appeared that Nancy mainly invested in dresses and beauty items, but Marina knew her cousin to have a more secretive side about her. She was unsure if her cousin was capable of keeping a secret that her father was a murderer, but she had to find out if Nancy could possibly have known.

“Aha!” Marina exclaimed as she pulled out a decorated diary, knowing it could possibly hold some answers she had been looking for. A part of Marina felt hesitant, not wanting to infringe upon the privacy of her cousin, but she also felt like she had few other resorts.

Somehow, each person has the tendency to share their inner thoughts, feelings and secrets. Often the availability of telling these secrets to a human is few, so people resort to pen and paper.

Inside she found mostly entries of mundane things, her excitement for balls, books she’s reading or teas she attended. Little to Marina’s surprise there was a brief entry on how much she hated Marina for stealing the duke. Suspiciously, the entries regarding her jealousy grew fewer. Instead, they started to appear happier with each passing day.

And finally, Marina realised why.

“Dear diary,

Oh, what as splendid day today had been! I took a large risk a couple days ago in writing a letter to Frederic. I hadn’t had any communication with him since father chased him away, but my heart grew sore in his absence. I finally understood why I found it so difficult to grow any attachment toward the duke- I’m still in love with my dear Frederic. To my surprise, however, I received a responsive letter from him today. He confessed his heartache since he had left, wishing to see me once more. I’m already busy writing another letter to him, my heart just feels so happy ever since I could hold his handwriting in my very two hands.”

Marina looked at the diary entry with an unwilling smile spreading across her face. She felt overjoyed for her cousin, who had despite all of the odds decided to pursue the man she deeply loved. Of course, the only obstacle preventing their love was uncle Josiah- and Marina would be sure to rid of the obstacle not for her own good, but her cousin’s as well.

In the back of the diary a stack of letters peeled out. For a moment, Marina falsely believed them to be the letters that should’ve been inside the empty envelopes that she had found in her uncle’s study, but instead they were several letters from the hand of Frederic.

Marina didn’t want to intrude on such private matters, but skimmed over each one briefly to assure herself they held no information about her uncle. To no surprise- the letters appeared to consist of mainly loving words toward Nancy and sentiments of longing.

“Meet me at our beloved garden, my dearest Nancy. Even if it means I have to see you from a distance it would make my heart happy once more. I await your correspondence. Yours sincerely, Frederic Lambourne.”

Marina looked over at the letter, finding the date they intended to meet to be none other the very day Marina found herself in. is that why she was so hasty to get to the carriage? Why would she drag Penny along during her secretive meeting?

Marina tucked the stack of letters back into the back of the diary, being sure to conceal the fact that anyone other than Nancy had had their hands upon the book. She stared at the diary for a moment longer as her heart felt a complexity in the matter.

On one hand, she was overjoyed that her cousin had followed her heart in the pursuit of true love, yet, on the other, a dark cloud hung over her head due to the inability to gather evidence. Her heart lurched at the thought of her uncle getting away with his crimes.

Defeated, Marina made her way back to her room. She had investigated nearly every accessible room within this house, but found the fruits of her hard work to be none.

“Heavens, Leilah!” Marina exclaimed as she walked into her own bedroom, seeing Leilah stand near her bedside. “You can’t give me such a fright, I’ll faint!”

Leilah remained quiet, but turned to Marina with a worried look. Marina’s heart started to calm down from the fright Leilah had given her, but nearly jumped from her ribcage when she saw what Leilah had in her hands.

The file- the file Marina had compiled with regards to the investigation.

“Leilah,” Marina mumbled, feeling as if she had swallowed her own tongue. She didn’t know what to say or what to do. This was no longer a situation that she could sweep under the rug.

“My Lady, I am in need of an explanation,” Leilah’s voice quivered as she placed the file on Marina’s bed. Something about how Leilah had tensed in her stature saddened Marina. Leilah was the only one in the Cromwell House who had been able to keep a smile since the arrival of uncle Josiah, and now fear infested her bones.

“Leilah, I can explain. Just sit down for me,” Marina said, turning to close the door behind her. For a brief moment she looked into the bright green eyes of Leilah, fearing if she would traumatize them with her explanation.

“Leilah, this doesn’t look any good and I’m well aware of that. But I’ve entered a false courtship with the Duke of Darrington in order to join him in his investigation,” Marina started, wondering if she could spin any kind of white lie before it’s too late. Yet, Leilah was already sat with the folder in hand.

“The duke suspects uncle Josiah to have been the one who had murdered his father. I can’t help but feel that perhaps he had committed the same crime against my father, so I courted the duke in search for evidence against my uncle,” Marina whispered to Leilah, who’s eyes were growing wider with each passing seconds.

“My Lady, this is a dangerous situation,” Leilah mumbled. Marina knew what Leilah feared- if her uncle caught Marina in the investigation and had to find out that Leilah knew of it- she’d be as good as dead. The investigation had branched out in such a manner that it could carry dire consequences if anyone just as much as knew about it. Uncle Josiah was a hurtful man, and would destroy anyone who kept their mouth on the matter if he were to find out.

“I know, Leilah, I know quite well what danger I find myself in. But I can’t rest another night knowing that my uncle, the tyrant of the Cromwell House, is possibly the murderer of my father. You are one who enjoys stories of true love, correct?”

Leilah looked up at Marina, perplexed by this question.

“I do, my Lady,” she answered in confusion.

“I might not share true love to the Duke of Darrington,” Marina started, but found herself strangely hesitating to say the words. “But I loved my father very much. He was a father unlike any other man, and I was deeply grieved by his passing. If, possibly, his life was ruined by my own uncle I’d be sure to be the one to get to the bottom of it.”

“I understand, my Lady,” Leilah nodded. Marina was surprised by how quick Leilah was to understand, but then again, Leilah knew her father as well. He was a good man who took great care of his wife, his daughter as well as his workers. Leilah fell amongst them.

“But Leilah, you have to hear me clearly now,” Marina said, her voice shaking as she spoke. She folded her hands out in front of her before she continued. “Not a soul can hear of this, understand? Not a husband, a fellow maid or anyone inside or outside this house.”

“I understand, my Lady. My lips are sealed on the matter and I’ll be sure to raise no suspicion toward you,” Leilah agreed. Once again, much quicker than Marina had anticipated.

“But, in an unwanted case where my uncle catches the investigation of Griffin and I, you still keep silent. He’ll end you as good as us if he finds out that you were aware of what we were busy with,” Marina said, her voice still cracking up in a bout of nervousness.

“Of course not, my Lady. But I do ask of you not to be caught- your uncle frightens me, and heaven knows what he would do to your soul if he catches you,” Leilah whispered, placing a single hand on the folded palms of Marina. Marina looked up to her with sad eyes.

“I have one last question, my Lady,” Leilah asked, looking deeply into the eyes of Marina. “Is it really true that you don’t love the duke? I have watched you during his visits at the Cromwell and I could’ve sworn I saw love spark in your eyes.”

“Leilah, that’s a question that I can’t even answer to myself,” Marina sighed. If Leilah knew part of the story, she might as well know all of Marina’s feelings toward it as well.

Leilah gave Marina a look of heartache, one reminiscent of how Marina felt within. An ache she hadn’t felt before and couldn’t find any way to get used to. Leilah lightly touched Marina’s arm before turning to leave, but Marina held her back.

“Wait,” Marina said. “I was wondering if I can ask you something, if that’s okay?”

Leilah looked confused, unsure why Marina might have any questions for her. As the situation played out, it should’ve been Leilah asking the questions. Instead, Marina asked for her assistance.

“What might I be of help with, my Lady?” Leilah asked, nearing Marina once again. Marina stayed silent for a moment.

“I’ve been hinting for evidence amongst all the workers, but I’ve been unable to gather anything. Since you are well aware of the situation I find myself in, I might as well ask you directly. Are you aware of any possible information regarding uncle Josiah?” Marina asked, her eyes desperately searching for answers within Leilah.

“Oh, my Lady, I wish I could be of more help in that sector. All I know of the Earl is he used to live up north before moving here. I heard amongst his other business he started making tea, but I’m unsure of that. Then, after your father passed, he arrived and my life has been much harder since. I’m sure your life had taken a turn for the worst as well, my Lady,” Leilah answered with hurt eyes, knowing she had no information to relay to Marina.

“Thank you, Leilah,” Marina mumbled, knowing the evidence to already be slim. “But if you happen to overhear anything, don’t hesitate to tell me. This information could be the one thing that could save my life from taking a turn for the worst.”