Of Night and Dark Obscurity

“He won’t.” Mr. Willow said.

“How can you be so certain?” Mr. Basil asked.

“Because there’s nothing to find. The women were all seen by Mr. Cypress. We know that. It was part of the understanding. Now that he’s gone, we move forward, minus one member.”

“I’ve already discovered a new primrose,” Mr. Sage said smiling.

“Do tell. We are anxious to hear.” Mr. Basil spoke up.

???

Caroline pulled on her gloves and checked that she had her small beaded purse. Her father had agreed to attend a dinner party at Lady Lyttleton’s, and though Caroline wasn’t exactly thrilled to be going she had a very important reason to attend. The dinner party was to be given in her honor. She and the Guild were to be honored for their housing project, and as one of the biggest contributors, Lady Lyttleton wanted to show off her new pet project.

Caroline was pleased to attend and share the spotlight with her fellow Guild members, if only that it might attract other donors. Her father and grandmother were waiting down in the foyer for her. The carriage ride to the elegant manor house in Regent’s Park was only forty minutes from their Mayfair home. When they arrived, she saw the gas lights outside the home and a footman waiting patiently to escort them inside.

“My dear Caroline!” Lady Lyttleton came forward and kissed her cheek while she greeted her grandmother and father.

“Lady Lyttleton.” Caroline said smiling.

“I can’t tell you how pleased I was to arrange this soiree. Even though you’re still in mourning dear, this is for a good cause. So please. Let’s honor your dear sister by the good works you do. Oh! Here’s my darling Charles,” she said smiling.

Charles kissed Caroline’s hand and smiled at the three adults. “Caroline. You need some punch. This way.”

He led her to the punch bowl and poured them both a glass, though Caroline suspected he might be on his third or fourth drink.

“So, Mother has managed to bring you into her lair, has she?”

Caroline smiled and took the punch. “Yes. A lair with a hundred other people.”

He grinned and motioned for her to follow him. “I think I’m quite fond of you, Caro. We should marry. It makes sense.”

“This again?”

“Of course.” He drew her into the dimly lit library and closed the door.

“As much as your mother doesn’t mind investing in my projects, I don’t think I’m suited to be her daughter in law.” Caroline pointed out.

“Nonsense.”

“Besides. I thought you liked the younger Miss Derry.” She said boldly.

“The younger Miss Derry!?” He frowned. Then suddenly he burst out laughing. “Do you mean your grandmother? Eh gods Caro! I mean that’s going it a bit, isn’t it? She must be a hundred if she’s a day.”

Caroline steadied her irritation and smiled as to charm him to get information about her sister. “I said younger, Charles. Not older. I was referring to my sister. Irene.”

“Irene?” He looked befuddled.

“Didn’t you spend time with her?” She asked.

“She was terribly young, wasn’t she? I don’t care for girls that are just out of the school room.”

“What do you like?” She asked idly.

“You,” he said suddenly and then burst out laughing. “You—that’s who!” He giggled at the rhyme.

“Charles,” she tried to get him to focus but he seemed very drunk.

He threw himself on the sofa and she sat next to him.