The Deeds of the Disturber - Elizabeth Peters [14]
Before I could refute this absurdly naïve remark, Ramses took quick advantage. In a rush he cried, ‘Uncle James is staying at Chalfont House.’
‘Ramses, if I have told you once, I have told you a hundred – What was that?’
‘Rose says that he came there with his valet and his luggage, and is staying. I thought you would want to know that, Mama, having observed the decided lack of cordiality with which you and Papa greeted –’
‘Ah. Without admitting the necessity of a prolonged explanation of your reasons for introducing the subject, Ramses, I confess that I am grateful for the information and for the opportunity to discuss its implications without your father’s being present. I am afraid he will not be at all pleased.’
‘You mustn’t blame me, Amelia,’ Evelyn began, her hands twisting in her lap.
‘My dearest girl! How can I possibly blame you for a weakness so engaging as a kind heart? Knowing James, I am sure he simply moved in, bag and baggage, presuming upon a relationship which is as distant as the affection he purports to feel for me.’ Across from me I saw Rose nodding like a marionette, her lips primped and her cheeks pink. I gave her a kindly nod. ‘The question is, what is James up to? For, as Emerson so wisely remarked, he must want something.’
‘You are very cynical, Amelia,’ Evelyn said reproachfully. ‘Mr Peabody has been open with me; he regrets the sad estrangement between his family and yours and yearns to restore loving relations –’
‘Restore, bah,’ I said. ‘There never were loving relations between me and James, much less James and Emerson. However, you are far too unwordly to recognize a hypocrite when you see one, and too well-bred to treat him as he deserves. Never mind, I will get rid of him – if Emerson has not already done so.’
However, as it turned out, Emerson had not been informed of James’s presence in the house, probably because he had talked the whole time without allowing Walter or James to get a word in. Indeed I was somewhat relieved to see James descend from the cab (with what huffings and puffings I will not attempt to describe), for Emerson was perfectly capable of throwing him bodily out of it if displeased. Jumping lithely to the ground after him, Emerson seized his hand, wrung it fiercely, dropped it, and turned away. Seizing Evelyn in one hand and me in the other, he escorted us rapidly through the gate and along the path towards the house.
Before Emerson bustled me indoors I saw something that took my mind off my brother’s machinations. It had begun to rain harder, and there were not many people abroad. Only one head was uncovered to the elements. It belonged to an individual standing by the park railings across the street, and it was crowned by a mop of fiery red hair.
Catching my eye, the individual in question stood on tiptoe and went through a series of extraordinary gesticulations, first raising a hand with the thumb folded under, then bringing an invisible vessel to his lips, as if drinking, then pointing, holding up his forefinger, and pointing again. These gestures were performed with great vigour and intensity, before he clapped a shabby cap on his head and glided rapidly away.
With a tact I had not expected from him, James absented himself from the luncheon table. Afterwards Emerson and Walter retired to the library to revel in conversation of an Egyptological nature until teatime. I persuaded Evelyn to lie down for a little rest (Emerson’s random surmise as to her delicate condition having been verified by no less an authority than Evelyn herself); and, having left Ramses lecturing Rose on various subjects that did not interest her in the slightest, I was able to concentrate on the peculiar behaviour of Mr Kevin O’Connell.
Why he had not left a written message instead of following us from the dock and carrying on like a maniacal mime, I could not imagine. Possibly – I speculated – he feared Emerson might intercept or inquire about such a letter. Well, I was no more anxious than he to involve Emerson, but I was very anxious indeed to talk with Mr O’Connell.