She pulled at the ribbon’s tail and it came loose in her hands. With hollow excitement (what did solving an old mystery matter now?), Eliza unfolded the first paper. It was a drawing. In it, the same young man from Ada’s locket sat in the crook of a tree, one leg crossed casually over the other. He was well dressed, with wide eyes beneath the brim of his derby. Eliza turned it over. Written in the bottom corner was:Matthew, April 1894, drawn by Gabriel Winfield.
The mysterious M. That explained Turner’s reaction when she’d mentioned the name Matthew. And Gabriel had known this Matthew—they’d obviously been friends, otherwise he wouldn’t have had occasion to draw him. School or navy chums, perhaps? That would explain how Ada had met him. Eliza put the drawing to the side and unfolded the next item. It was a newspaper clipping.
Havenwood Manor Burns!the headline screamed. Beneath the boldface, there was a photograph of the house, the south wing’s upper floor brimming with flames beneath a pitch-black sky. The article was dated December 23, 1896, and it was short, stating the fire had started under mysterious circumstances attributed to a ruptured gas line. The casualties were listed:
Thomas Winfield, 4th Lord Havenwood, aged 68 years
Lieutenant Gabriel Winfield, aged 22 years
Dolores Galbraith, housekeeper, aged 54 years
There was no mention of Ada or Malcolm. Eliza folded the newsprint and removed the next item. It was a letter. Eliza recognized Eastleigh’s perfect, aristocratic penmanship immediately.
November 1st, 1892
Lord Havenwood,
As you well know, upon the death of my father, the estate and the title have fallen to me. Matters have been poorly managed. I have done up our books. My father’s laxity regarding your debts has been fully revealed. You are in prodigious arrears, Thomas. I have attached the balance sheet. Perhaps you did not realize these numbers were being kept. Perhaps you thought a hand of cards now and again would not add up to this amount. You were rather free with your bets, and now I must be called to collect upon my father’s generosity. You must remit the sum total of your debt by the beginning of January, else I will be forced to lay claim to your estate’s rents.
With all sincerity,
Charles Lancashire
Earl of Eastleigh
There were three more letters from Eastleigh beneath.
January 5th, 1893
Havenwood,
We are at an impasse, it would seem. As you are unable to pay me outright, I will begin calling upon your tenants at the beginning of next month. I hold four mortgages against your estate. Lest you see your family fall into penury and your property seized, you will not impede me. This has been an issue of your own making. I am merely the creditor.
Charles Lancashire
Earl of Eastleigh
February 2nd, 1893
Havenwood,
You are sorely lacking, sir. Do you realize how long it would take to resolve your mortgages with your paltry rents alone? Two lifetimes! And I do not wish to wait that long.
There is something else you have which might allay your debt.
I have long looked with covetous eyes upon your wife.
If you will agree to enter into an agreement with me, whereupon I am allowed to visit Lady Havenwood’schambers and disport myself there, I will apply the sum of fifty pounds per week against your debt. If you agree to this arrangement, apply your signature to the promissory note and send it to me posthaste. I would desire my own key to her room, as well as the assurance she will cheerfully submit to my attentions.
Charles Lancashire
Earl of Eastleigh
February 4th, 1893
Havenwood,
You, sir, you surprise me with your enthusiastic response! Your terms are most curious and unexpected, yet I can see the logic behind your wishes. You may observe my congress with your wife, if it so titillates you. Beyond the keyhole, as it were. I shall make my first visit to her chambers on the morrow. We shall keep one another in check. If anyone should hear of this, we would both see our good names ruined. No one can know of our arrangement. This is imperative.
