Death and the Black Pyramid

Thirty

Despite the fact that he wrote several times to ask how she was faring John had no reply from Elizabeth until early in the month of December when a letter arrived telling him that she had returned to Devon. He was overjoyed to get it, naturally enough, but for all that he could not deny that he had thoroughly relished his time in London — living in Nassau Street, seeing Rose every day, working contentedly in his shop in Shug Lane. But when the letter came it contained a charming invitation for the entire family, including Sir Gabriel Kent, to join her at her house for Christmas. John had been hoping all along that this would happen and immediately wrote back accepting.

This time they travelled in John’s coach with Irish Tom driving, a footman with him carrying a shotgun, and Emily inside to look after Rose’s requirements. It was difficult to say who was the more excited but John thought it was probably the maidservant rather than his daughter.

‘Rather different from your last trip, John,’ said Sir Gabriel drily.

‘You mean the one that ended in murder?’ He had checked that Rose was asleep before mentioning the word.

‘I do indeed. What an extraordinary night that was in Vinehurst Place. To see them all gathered together and hear them admit jointly to the crime. What a terrible person Fulke Bassett must have been to raise such emotions in the breasts of everyday people.’

‘I think the last straw for them all was the shooting of Helen. They were all devoted to her in their different ways.’

‘Quite so. I take it you are not going to do anything about it with regard to our friend the Blind Beak?’

‘What can I do? I am sworn to secrecy. As for you, it would be only one man’s word against all the others. I think the best thing we can do is forget the whole incident.’

‘I think, my son, that you are right.’

Stopping every night for the sake of Rose and Sir Gabriel — though he would rather have died than admit that he could no longer travel at speed through the countryside — it took them several days to reach Devon. Thus they arrived at Elizabeth’s home just as the evening was drawing in. Sir Gabriel looked up at the house, etched dark against the twilight sky.

‘Damme, but she has a fine place here, your Lady Elizabeth.’

‘Yes, and I think it has become the hub of her universe. She won’t come to London despite everything I say.’

John’s father lowered his voice. ‘And she won’t marry you, you know that.’

‘Yes, I know.’

The coach drew to a halt and the footman from the house raced forward to pull down the step. Rose jumped out and rushed up the flight of stairs and into the doorway where Elizabeth awaited. Sir Gabriel raised his quizzing glass.

‘She’s a fine-looking woman, my boy.’

‘I know that too.’

‘Well, let’s hope she produces you a clever child.’

‘Of that, my dear Father, I feel quite certain.’

And linking his arm through Sir Gabriel’s, John slowly walked up the great flight of steps and back into Elizabeth’s life.