Page 35 of The Curious Story of the Missing Lady
I love you, Father. You are the greatest man in the world, and nothing will change that. And your greatness will only increase if you can see things through my eyes for but a moment. We all need love, Father. Our souls crave it.
I could say more, but I fear to make your stomach lurch.
I beg to remain,
Your loving son,
Beer Breath
Chapter 25
Madeline’s heart began to race as she anticipated the return of Lord Peter. Here was a gallant, prince-like man, ripe to prove his mettle through some daring act. Would he not leap at the opportunity to save her?
Confined to her attic room when not in service to Lady Elizabeth, she paced the floor, treading lightly so as not to make too much noise, lest she incur Lady Elizabeth’s wrath. While it was true that these past few days had seen something of a softening of the wicked woman’s demeanour, it was also true that Madeline was still her prisoner here.
But how would she get the man’s attention? She was forbidden writing materials. Perhaps she could steal some paper and ink from Lady Elizabeth’s room.
No, that was too much risk.
Her eyes went around the room, as if the answer lay somewhere amidst the meagre furnishings. Presently they fell upon the latest book that Mr Garret had provided her.Castle Rackrent, by Mrs Maria Edgeworth.
An idea came to her, one so devious that it could only come from the Devil himself. She shuddered at that thought. But was she not contemplating theft not a moment before? Could these enticements be from the Devil if they were in service of her own liberation? Of course not! Her heart quickened yet as she rushed to the cot where the book lay open.
She had in mind one dramatic passage from the section entitled, ‘The History of Sir Connolly’. Quickly she sat and thumbed through until she found what she was looking for.
And there it was before her now, such plain text – fraught with emotion, yes – but plain all on its own. The words as they were placed on the page had no import other than the conveyance of narrative. And yet, they were her salvation.
“Judy! Judy! Have you no touch of feeling? Won’t you stay to help us nurse him?”
Her nerves were threatening to rattle her bones apart. Her hands trembled miserably as she tore at the page, careful not to make too much noise. When she’d removed the words surrounding the passage, she worked further, tearing with great care as if she were sculpting some fine detail into clay.
After she had removed all the superfluous material, she was left with her simple message:
Stay to help
It blurred before her as hot tears filled her eyes. Here was the one thing that had been denied to her during the entirety of her imprisonment—hope. The apron she wore while she performed her chores for Lady Elizabeth lay neatly folded in the corner of the room. She folded the tiny message carefully and placed it in the pocket, gathered up the remaining bits and balled them up in her fingers until they were nothing but a speck. This she stuffed into a crack in the wall just underneath the recently-repaired window. She’d risk no discovery of it outside, even by accident. If she had anything of her own in this dreadful place, it was this tiny space for herself. True gratitude for that fact filled her heart. This space on top of the house, a mere ten paces for her, was her Aspendale.
Again, tears flowed at the recollection of her beloved home. Never before had she felt such love for it than she had during her time here.
She stilled her tears and took a deep breath, resolving that there would be no more self-pity. She had a plan now. And she’d soon hear that most joyous of sounds in the approach of Lord Peter’s magnificent steed.
Chapter 26
“You’re nothing but a blundering, incompetent fool!”
Lady Elizabeth’s shrill voice resounded throughout the house, rousing Madeline from her sleep.
She crept to the door and put her ear to it, feeling glad that for once, Lady Elizabeth’s anger was not directed towards her.
“Blast it! How am I supposed to cook for such a man?” came the booming voice of Mr Garret.
Madeline wrinkled her face in confusion as she eavesdropped. Soon, the subject of the argument was made clear in the form of a strong odour that assailed her through the door. It was the smell of something having burned terribly. It wasn’t wood. Food? She sniffed the air. Yes, it was food.
“They’re black as the Styx!” cried Lady Elizabeth. “And here we are expecting the man within the hour!”
“Terribly sorry, My Lady,” said Mr Garret, sounding as remorseful as if he’d accidentally cooked her favourite pet.
“Sorry! Sorry? Is that all you can say?”
