Of Night and Dark Obscurity

“But she wouldn’t, would she, Miss Derry?” He said gently.

Caroline looked away from his probing eyes.

“I’m only trying to find out more about her to bring her safely home. I’m sorry to be blunt, Miss Derry,” Val said softly. “Do you know of any gentleman she was meeting? Now is the time for honesty. Perhaps she mentioned him in passing.”

Caroline shook her head. “No. I don’t. She made frivolous comments about men, but I put it down to her age and I didn’t think much of it. I would never have thought her capable of sneaking out to meet someone. But if she did, and if that’s where she is, I know she will return soon and my father will deal with her.”

“It does seem I called you out here on a fool’s errand Pierce,” Hubert admitted. “I know your father from university and it was decent of him to reach out to you, to have you come to our home at this ungodly hour.”

Val shook his head. “Not at all Sir. The well-being of a young woman is at stake. I would ask you to do me a favor. If she returns home, you’ve no need to contact me. I will assume she is well. If she does not return by the morning, send word to me.”

Malvina moved into the foyer with the sergeant and her son, leaving the Inspector behind with Caroline.

“I didn’t mean to upset you Miss Derry. I also didn’t mean to besmirch your sister’s character, after all I know nothing about her,” he told her.

Caroline took in the sight of his handsome face as she gazed up into his cool blue eyes. His eyes were filled with intelligence as he gazed into hers.

“She’s young, Inspector. We’ve all been that age. Flighty, a little silly.” She said, trying to mask the

growing unease she felt at her sister not being home at this late hour.

Val nodded. “I hope not to hear from your father. I hope your sister walks through the door any minute now.”

Caroline nodded in agreement, and as they joined the others in the foyer, she looked at the door expectantly. Her father shook hands with both men and thanked them for coming. When he turned to Caroline after the door was closed, she could see his face was lined.

“Father?” She asked.

Hubert shook his head. “This is my fault. I’m gone too much. I work too much.”

“No Father,” She said sharply. “You work hard to provide us with all we need. You are a good father. A kind father. Irene is—“

“She is her own self,” he said quietly. “She listens to no one. She wants to experience life. She’s always been a bit wild. Even as a child.”

Caroline remembered the words Prudence had said about Irene.

“She’s out there perfectly fine. She’s forgotten the time. She never cared about conventions,” Caroline noted.

Hubert adjusted the sash about his dressing gown. “I think I’ll stay down here,” he told her. “When she comes home, we’ll have a serious talk.”

Caroline agreed. “I think that’s best. She needs to understand the chaos her freedom causes those around her.”

He kissed her forehead. “Good night Caro.”

“Good night Father.”

???

The night seemed to seep into every nook and cranny. He liked it that way. There were so many places to hide. So much could be done in the dark that could never be done in the light of day. He pulled on the reins and slowed the horse and buggy to a halt. The air was cold and his breath fogged as he breathed out.

He felt a high that was almost orgasmic. It made him squeeze his eyes shut and almost gasp at the pleasure that consumed him. He felt like a god. He had the power of life. But even more importantly, he had the power of death.

He moved down from the driver’s bench and into the buggy. He had draped her over the seat and her skirts had bunched around her thighs. He pressed the petticoat and skirt down and pulled her into his arms. She wasn’t that heavy and he lifted her up. He carried her into Hyde Park which he loved. The park was so still and green and the rain, which had just recently lifted, left the ground wet.

He placed her at the foot of the tree. She was wearing a dark purple, almost black, dress that looked stark in contrast to her pale skin and dark hair. She looked luminous. He moved one arm across her breast, and then the other joined it to seem as if she was sleeping. In the dark night, her skin seemed translucent and he admired her. He brushed back her hair until he could see his handwork. Even in the darkness, he could see the dark bruising on her neck which had been caused by his hands.

He smiled in the darkness. It was a thrilling thing to watch the life drift out of someone’s eyes. Her eyes, which had been so filled with light and life, were now cold and blank, staring at nothing. He felt a supreme sense of accomplishment.

Finally, after he had arranged her hair to his satisfaction, he pulled from his pocket the white primrose he had brought and placed it in her delicate hands. A work of art. His own work of art.