Rutland Place - Anne Perry [89]
“What’s the matter with you?” Emily demanded. “Gracie wouldn’t let me in! Are you ill?”
Charlotte opened her eyes. “She didn’t make a very good job of it!” She squinted up at Emily sideways without moving. “I’ve got a terrible headache.”
“Is that all? Never mind that.” Emily dismissed it and sat down on the bed. “What happened? What about Ottilie Charrington? How did she die, and did her family do it? If you don’t tell me, I shall shake you till you are really sick!”
“Don’t touch me! I’m sick now! She isn’t dead. She’s excellently alive, and singing in the music halls.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Emily’s face creased with disbelief. “Who told you that?”
“Nobody told me. I went to the music hall and saw her myself. That’s why I feel so awful now.”
“You what?” Emily was incredulous. “You went to a music hall? What on earth did Thomas say? Honestly!”
“Yes, I did. And Thomas wasn’t very pleased.” Then memories came back, and Charlotte began to smile. “Yes, I did. With Inigo Charrington, and I drank champagne. Actually it was rather fun, once I got started.”
A comical mixture of expressions chased across Emily’s face: shock, laughter, and even envy.
“Serves you right you’re sick,” she said with some satisfaction. “I wish I’d been there! What was she like?”
“Marvelous. She really can sing, and in a way that makes you want to sing with her. She’s—so very alive!”
Emily tucked up her legs more comfortably.
“So no one murdered her. Then that can’t be why Mina was killed.”
“Yes, it could.” Charlotte recalled Pitt’s argument. “They might have wanted to keep that hidden. After all, she’s Ada Church!”
“Well, who is Ada Church?” Emily was puzzled.
“Ottilie is! Don’t be stupid!”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Emily was too curious to be offended.
“Ada Church is one of the most famous singers on the halls.”
“Is she? I don’t know the music halls as well as you do!” There was distinct acid in her tone. “But that would be worth hiding. And there’s always Theodora’s income to look into. I expect Thomas is doing that. But we still have to do something about Mama and Monsieur Alaric!”
“Oh yes, I forgot about the locket. She has it back.”
“She never told me!” Emily was angry, affronted by the callousness of it.
Charlotte sat up very slowly and was surprised that her head felt considerably better.
“She didn’t tell me either. Inigo Charrington did. It was his mother who took it, and he put it back.”
“Ambrosine Charrington took it? Whatever for? Explain yourself! Charlotte, did you get drunk?”
“Yes, I think I did. On champagne. But that’s what he said. I wasn’t drunk then.” She explained with care what she could remember. “But that doesn’t mean Mama can go on with her relationship with Monsieur Alaric.”
“No, of course not,” Emily said. “We’d better do something, and before it gets any worse. I’ve been giving it some thought lately, and I’ve come to a decision. We must try to persuade Papa to pay more attention to her, flatter her more, spend time with her. Then she will have no need of Monsieur Alaric.” She looked up at Charlotte, challenging her to argue. She would leave the matter of Ambrosine Charrington and Charlotte’s champagne to another time.
Charlotte considered it for a moment or two in silence. It would not be easy to convey to Edward the importance of such a course, and the change it would necessitate in his behavior, without allowing him to understand the reason for their concern, the danger of Caroline beginning a real affaire with Paul Alaric— not just suppressed passion anymore, but something that might end up in the bedroom. She frowned and took a deep breath.
“Oh, not you!” Emily said immediately. “I just want you for moral support, to agree with me. Don’t you say anything, or you’ll bring on a complete disaster.”
It was not a time to take issue: defense could wait for a more suitable time.
“When are you going?” Charlotte asked.
“As soon as you have dressed. And you had better wash your face with cold water and pinch your cheeks a bit. You are very pasty.”
Charlotte gave her a sour look.
“And you’d better