Acts Of Malice

CRIME SHORT STORY BY CHARMAINE FLETCHER

Someone wanted to keep the Earl of Marlby to themselves at all costs…

Rose, you’re an absolute godsend!” Tobias “Toby” Waverly, Earl of Marlby, exclaimed, addressing his companion, Lady Rose Fox-Wells.

“You’ve only been here a few weeks,” he added, glancing around the parkland where they were to hold the annual summer fete, “and already I can feel your magic working.

“Poor Caroline,” he went on wistfully, referring to his late wife. “She always maintained that Madame Gris’s academy girls stuck together. You and Kitty have done her proud.”

“Thank you, Toby,” Rose replied, nodding her head graciously. “It’s the least we could do. All those years ago in Paris, Caroline, Kitty and I made that pact to help each other when in need.

“It was only natural that we should do exactly that.

“Of course, keeping such a promise is easier with Kitty living next door, as it were,” she said of her red-haired, sporty friend, Lady Kitty Belford.

“I’m just sorry that it is in such tragic circumstances,” the petite woman added, lowing her voice.

Rose observed Toby look away as they paused momentarily, his face sorrowful.

“Stupid accident,” he said bitterly. “I don’t know how many times Caroline ran up and down those wretched stairs without mishap, then suddenly she falls . . .”

“Tell me,” Rose asked softly. “Did you ever find the cause? Daddy’s place is full of valuable, antiquated carpets, but it doesn’t stop them being threadbare.

“Perhaps she caught her foot,” she suggested.

“No.” Toby frowned. “Checks were made and the police were all over it, but nothing could be found. She was so young, with such promise, too.

“When I brought her here, everyone loved her. Caroline breathed new life into the estate. That’s why the summer fete’s success is so important. She really made it her own.

“This year’s event will be a memorial to that, I suppose,” Toby went on. “The village and the staff here at Marlby Hall want to honour her, and that simply wouldn’t have been possible without you and Kitty.

“You’re both such kind, loyal friends – a reflection of dear Caroline herself, I suppose.”

He shook his head.

“I still can’t believe she’s gone. So soon after poor Alice arrived, too,” he added as they turned, observing a small figure in the distance heading towards them.

“Yes, it is very odd,” Rose mused thoughtfully, as a young girl approached, staring warily from one to the other.

“I’ve set up our chessmen in the library,” Alice said breathlessly, finally reaching them.

Then she looked at Rose pointedly.

“We always play chess in the library on Thursday afternoons, don’t we, Uncle Toby?”

“Not today, poppet,” he replied, squeezing Alice’s shoulder affectionately. “Rose and I have important fete matters to arrange, I’m afraid.

“Afterwards, I’ll be running over to Hardesty,” Toby added, referring to the neighbouring estate, “to discuss the charity gymkhana with Kitty.

“As you know, she’s brilliant around horses and quite the perfect person to run it. We’re very lucky to have her expertise.” He smiled.

“Aren’t they supposed to be dealing with all of that stuff? Caroline’s friends, I mean.” Alice pouted.

Astonished by such rudeness, Rose couldn’t help raising her eyebrows, but she realised Toby seemed quite oblivious.

“Yes,” he said, “although I still need to be consulted.

“Look, why don’t you leave everything in place? Perhaps then we might play when I return – and I promise to let you win.” He winked.

Alice seemed mollified, a smile playing about her thin lips.

“All right, Uncle Toby. I’ll come and find you,” she said, running off, looking over her shoulder occasionally.

“Funny little thing, isn’t she?” Rose smiled, intrigued. “Caroline did mention Alice briefly in her last letter but nothing about you being related.”

“We’re not,” Toby said. “Her father, Charles Boniface, was an old chum of mine at Cambridge. Of course, having graduated, we both fought in the last war.

“Only he came off worse – after saving my life, ironically,” Toby said, staring into the distance sadly.

“Peppered with shrapnel, poor chap. He never really recovered,” he continued ruefully. “When he asked me to be Alice’s guardian should anything happen to him, I couldn’t refuse.”

“But what about the child’s mother, or other relatives, for that matter? Wouldn’t they care for Alice?” Rose asked.

“His first wife, Hannah, was our old don’s daughter,” Toby explained. “Always delicate and rather doll-like.

“She had Alice quite late and never really recovered, dying shortly after.”

“Quite the autumn crocus then?” Rose mused.

“Possibly,” Toby replied. “Hannah was in her thirties – older, I suppose, than one might expect for someone in such poor health to start a family.

“Anyway,” he went on, “Alice had Charles to herself for a long time, then he married his secretary, Della.

“Did I mention he owned a pharmaceutical company? Anyway, they’d recently married and were driving to the theatre, but inexplicably overshot a sharp bend then plunged off a cliff.

“They lived by the coast, before you ask. After that I had no choice. Alice came to live here.

“Calling me ‘uncle’ was Caroline’s idea. Alice is at that difficult age, you see; one moment teddies and dolls’ tea parties, the next spots, scent and sulks.

“Kitty says it’s hormones.” Toby smiled. “Regardless, Caroline didn’t want the lines to be blurred, as she said.

“Pity she’s gone,” he added, scanning the haze on the horizon, heralding the searing day ahead.

“Well, it’s the holidays now, but boarding sounds like the answer,” Rose remarked, though privately she felt that Alice was rather spoilt and a tad too possessive.

Either way, it bode no good for anyone, she thought – least of all Alice.

“Yes, Caroline said the same,” Toby agreed, interrupting her thoughts. “She was going to arrange something, but afterwards everything snowballed – the inquest, funeral, running the estate.

“I considered a governess, but Alice was lukewarm. Then the holidays arrived. Plus, of course, she herself was recently bereaved. It seemed heartless to even consider sending her away.

“Perhaps you and Kitty might have some helpful ideas?” Toby asked hopefully.

“Probably,” Rose replied lightly. “We’ll put our heads together tomorrow.”

They walked on, inspecting the fete preparations, when Rose noticed a nearby statue apparently casting a rather strange shadow.

On moving closer it disappeared, making her shiver slightly . . .

“So,” Kitty began, as she and Rose sat in Marlby’s library two days later, “how shall we resolve the problem of rationing with a cake competition to stage?”

They had been busy all morning, putting the finishing touches to the fete plans, with only the entry selection and judging the cake finalists to decide.

“Last time, Caroline chose ten recipes, then picked the final three before putting them to the taste test.

“Of these –” Kitty nodded at the motley pile of paper before her “– I believe Mrs Barrett’s chocolate potato cake is the best.

“It’s flourless and only used one week’s chocolate ration. Clever, see?” Kitty smiled, looking up.

“And what about Miss Patterson’s plum and ginger cake?” she continued. “Home grown and store-cupboard orientated.”

“I agree,” Rose replied. “They’re both quite different, yet compatible with food restrictions.

“Toby’s cook, Mrs Jepson, will supervise the baking in Marlby’s kitchens. Who’s judging?”

“Previously,” Kitty went on, “the war was still on and Marlby served as an officers’ convalescent home. Caroline asked the most senior officer to decide.

“Toby’s not sufficiently impartial, so why don’t you judge?” she suggested.

“Although, I must say,” Kitty added, smiling wryly, “the impact you’ve made recently, everyone’s laying odds that you’ll be the next lady of the manor soon.”

Rose gave Kitty an old-fashioned look.

“Hardly. Toby was widowed only a few months ago!”

“Come on, Rose,” Kitty chided gently. “That last ball at Hardesty before the war, I honestly thought he had fallen for you. The chemistry’s still undeniable.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Rose conceded, “but Caroline got in first and I would never have intruded.”

“That’s precisely why you should pursue him now,” Kitty insisted, “before someone else does. Besides, he clearly can’t run this enormous place alone.

“You know, our parents once hoped Toby and I might marry, linking the estates,” she mused. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.”

She shrugged wistfully.

“What about Alice?” Rose asked. “It can’t have escaped your attention that she hates sharing – including Toby. Apparently even Caroline thought so.”

“Yes, she did mention something to me about Alice being rather proprietorial with Toby.”

“Perhaps it wouldn’t be an issue if Alice went away to school,” Rose said.

“I agree,” Kitty replied. “Anyway, it’s high time she did. Alice needs to be with other girls. The discipline wouldn’t go amiss, either.

“She’s too high spirited for my liking,” Kitty added darkly.

“Oh?” Rose gasped.

“Nothing specific,” her friend began, “but I swear she spooked my horse after I suggested Toby might take a canter with me around the top meadow at Hardesty.

“The creature nearly threw me, and when I checked there was a burr under the saddle.”

“Did Alice admit it?” Rose asked.

“No,” Kitty replied. “She simply gave that smile of hers, you know – secretive, spiteful even.

“Afterwards, my groom insisted she’d been stroking Venture just before it happened.”

Rose nodded, but her reply was interrupted by a book falling from the shelf behind them.

Despite landing with a bang, when she and Kitty investigated there was nothing save a slight draft.

“Blasted thing!” Kitty cried, replacing it. “Someone didn’t put it back properly, I expect.”

Glancing about, Rose wasn’t so sure . . .

“Good morning, Alice.” Rose smiled. “I’m driving into Milchester after breakfast, as I need some face powder. Would you like to come?”

“No, thank you. I’m helping Uncle Toby walk the gymkhana course,” Alice replied.

“Not today, sweetheart,” Toby said, putting down his newspaper. “I have to visit Hardesty instead. Kitty wants me to look at a new foal.”

“Perfect!” Rose beamed, glancing from one to the other. “It’s settled. Perhaps I’ll treat you to some of the perfume you mentioned earlier.”

“That’s the chemist,” Alice said as Rose parked her car. “Miss Freebody runs it. She sells lots of cosmetics. May I go to the newsagents first for ‘Picturegoer’ magazine and meet you there afterwards?”

“Of course, as long as I can have a peek later!” Rose laughed.

“Morning. Lady Rose, isn’t it?” Miss Freebody smiled. “How may I help you?”

“Some face powder, please.”

“‘Naturelle’ would suit your delicate complexion,” Miss Freebody suggested, proffering a box.
“Might I expect to see my seedcake in the cake competition final?” Miss Freebody added lightly.

“Alas, not this year,” Rose said. “It’s rationing, you see. We can’t encourage using ingredients frivolously. Yours did make the top ten, but we’ve only selected two this time.

“Hopefully next year might be different. I’m sure you’ll have your chance then and I shall look forward to it.”

“I expect so,” Miss Freebody mumbled sourly, turning away to wrap the Jergens powder.

“Don’t forget the perfume you promised,” Alice said, suddenly appearing.

“Goodness!” Rose exclaimed. “You scared me, sneaking up like that! And some perfume, too – the lavender, I think.”

“Caroline wore ‘Muguet’,” Alice said.

“But you’re not Caroline. Lavender, please,” Rose stated firmly.

“Perhaps you might carry everything for me,” Rose suggested afterwards, placing the packages in Alice’s shopping basket.

“It’s cheered up for the fete, despite the recent downpour,” Toby observed thankfully, linking arms with Rose and Kitty as they checked the arrangements for the afternoon.

“Yes, pity about your face, though, Rose,” Kitty said kindly. “Will it calm down before this afternoon?”

“I hope so,” Rose said. “I smothered it in calamine lotion soon after the rash started. Blasted face powder! I’ve used that brand before. I can’t think why I should suddenly suffer an irritation.”

“Probably Miss Freebody’s doing,” Kitty said. “She’s miffed about her seedcake.

“Honestly, anyone would think she was Escoffier!” she added, glancing at Rose. “It doesn’t look too bad now. You can have some of my Elizabeth Arden for this afternoon.”

“Thanks, Kitty. You’re so kind!”

“You both are!” Toby laughed, “I should never have accomplished all this without your input.”

“Yes, you would,” Alice insisted, appearing beside them.

“I could have helped, and when I’m older I’ll be able to do even more,” she added defiantly.

“Not if you’re at school,” Kitty said firmly.

“Besides,” Rose added, “you’ll find other friends and interests. One day you’ll probably marry. With a husband, family and home of your own, you won’t have time for Toby.”

“You might even prefer a job. I’m managing Hardesty while my brother works in the city.” Kitty smiled.

“We’ll have to see, won’t we, Uncle Toby?” Alice simpered, eyeing Rose then Kitty, before dancing off towards the merry-go-round and sideshows.

Later, Rose stood on the judging rostrum that was festooned in bunting and flowers for the occasion.

Her face was calmer and camouflaged by Kitty’s face powder.

One by one the prizes were announced: the best flowers, fruit, vegetables, miniature gardens and handiwork categories.

There were beautiful displays of produce and crafts.

Miss Freebody had to be content with only a merit card in the handiwork contest.

Next came the cakes – a chocolate potato concoction towered appealingly on an elegant glass cake stand.

Meanwhile, the plum and ginger offering, sprinkled with icing sugar and crystallised fruit, nestled on a doily and pretty plate.

“Funny, the recipe never mentioned decorations,” Rose hissed to Kitty, frowning.

“She probably saw the other entry and upped her game. Try them!” Kitty whispered back.

“If you say so . . .” Rose muttered.

“Here goes.” She then smiled, daintily forking up some chocolate cake.

Savouring it momentarily, she took a sip of water, then repeated the process with the plum and ginger offering.

“Gosh, this smells delicious! It will be difficult to choose, I’m sure.”

Having carefully selected a portion, the fork hovered near Rose’s mouth when Peggy, the kitchen maid, ran towards her, knocking the forkful of cake aside.

“Peggy! What are you doing?” Toby admonished.

“Oh, sir! Beggin’ your pardon,” the maid began, “but Lady Rose shouldn’t eat that. Mrs Patterson wanted some saffron, saying it would give her cake an edge.

“I offered to fetch it, but Miss Alice was quicker. I didn’t think anything of it, only then I remembered what Mr Burke said,” Peggy continued, referring to the head gardener.

“Well?” Toby frowned, catching hold of Alice’s arm as she began sidling away.

“We were having tea,” Peggy went on, “and he mentioned making a gardener of her. Seemed she was asking about crocuses, saying saffron came from them.

“He agreed, but told her to be careful with autumn ones as they’re poisonous.

“Then I saw the saffron threads Miss Alice brought. There was somethin’ odd about them,” Peggy stated.

“Why didn’t you say anything before?” Kitty asked.

“I was going to, but Cook called me away,” Peggy explained. “When I returned, the cakes were gone! I checked the garden and the autumn crocuses were missing some threads.

“I didn’t want to risk it, so I came straight here. Please don’t eat it!”

Rose put the fork down, staring at Alice, who was struggling to free herself from Toby’s grip.

“Well, Alice,” she began, “did you tamper with the cake?”

“You wouldn’t know an autumn crocus from a crocodile,” Alice spat. “I only wanted to make you ill or uncomfortable, like the itching preparation from the newsagent’s joke section in your face powder.

“You know, to spoil things, so I could have Uncle Toby to myself, like Daddy.

“I didn’t think Caroline would die, either,” Alice continued. “And as for Della, I imagined she would fall asleep at the ballet and seem bored, then Daddy would take me next time.

“How was I to know she would insist on driving?

“Afterwards, I couldn’t tell them about the pills – samples of a new nerve cure from Daddy’s company.

“They were all accidents, you see,” Alice implored, staring round at the horrified crowd.

“Call the police,” Kitty whispered to a steward as Alice began crying.

“What will become of her now, Inspector?” Rose asked later, after Alice was led away.

“She’ll go through the legal processes,” the officer began, “then to a juvenile criminal institution and later possibly to an adult prison, until deemed safe to release into society again.”

“Let’s hope that Alice is not allowed anywhere near the kitchens,” Rose mused. “I’m sure one dish seasoned with malice is quite enough.”

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