“Neither is the mummy,” Victoria answered.
“Girls, we explained. It was Mr. Ashford who was wrapped in bandages. Not a mummy,” Lady Norbright said.
“Yes, we know, but we are talking about the mummy that was stolen from the home in Mayfair.”
If there was a curse, it was certainly far-reaching…unless, it was here. “Do you know where the missing mummy has gone.”
“No, Lord Kilsyth,” Lady Victoria dutifully answered. “However, it’s not necessary that it’s near as anyone who came in contact with it has now been cursed.”
Henry turned to look at Pickmore and nearly snorted.
“I’m afraid that Captain Pickmore is the one to blame for all the accidents that have affected everyone now at Harrington,” Victoria explained somberly.
“And the sudden appearance of the measles.” Olivia sighed.
The two shared yet another look and then stood.
“Now that we are certain of the cause, and that more injuries have occurred, I do believe we should return to the school,” Victoria advised.
“Oh, do be careful Gabriel and Claudia. We’d hate for anything further to happen to you, or anyone,” Olivia added.
“You are truly leaving because you believe Pickmore is cursed?” Norbright laughed.
The girls did not share his humor. “You might not believe it’s possible, but we are not so certain.” Olivia slid a concerned look in Pickmore’s direction as she hurried from the room, Victoria quick on her heels.
“Good God, your sisters have an interesting imagination.”
“No doubt the influence is that of others.” Norbright splashed brandy into his glass.
“They believe it well enough.” Pickmore laughed and then held his side where his ribs were still healing. “Though I can understand their fear. Quite a lot of odd events have occurred, all explained away of course, but it is almost as if the mummy were here.” He grinned.
“Are you saying you believe in this curse?” Henry demanded. Had Pickmore injured his head as well as his ribs?
“Of course not, but if it were, those girls would never believe that everything that has happened was simply a coincidence.”
* * *
“It’s true, Eliza, whether you believe it or not.”
Eve stopped outside of the sitting room. A few of the students were gathered in there because there was little else for them to do. Classes had been suspended and with the teachers and staff taking care of the girls who were now becoming ill, those who were healthy were left on their own.
“You honestly believe that Captain Pickmore is the cause of everything, because he’s cursed because he was near the mummy before it was taken.”
Eve stiffened and edged closer to the door. She’d heard the girls go on and on about the curse of the Mayfair mummy, but this was the first time she’d heard why it was here.
“He visited the mummy and now horrible things have happened.”
One of the girls laughed, and Eve guessed that it was Eliza, but couldn’t fully see into the room.
“Well, whatever you do, don’t tell Mary, Ruth or Abigail,” one of them insisted.
There was a bit of silence and Eve strained to hear.
“We may have already mentioned it,” one girl muttered.
“Maybe by the time they’ve recovered, they will have forgotten,” someone offered. “It’s bad enough they’ve been pestering me about the truth of vampires, ghosts and witches, I don’t have the patience for their fears about curses and mummies.”
“But, what if it’s real?” someone asked.
