ACT III
RAGE & REDEMPTION
Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love.
William Shakespeare fromThe Tragedy of Hamlet,
Prince of Denmark(1599-1601)
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
“You’ve a caller, ma’am.”
Elizabeth looked up from her plate, breakfast still settling in her stomach along with more worrisome thoughts. Milton had left to pay his man Marty, and her father, a visit, because just yesterday he’d sent his loyal footman to Papa’s house to keep an eye on Ginny.
Her husband did not trust Papa or Finch; Elizabeth did not trust them either.
Gerald coughed. “’Tis Madam Audrey, ma’am.”
Oh.“Show her to the drawing room, Gerald. I’ll be down presently.”
She took a final bite of toast and adjusted her hair in her dressing mirror, nervous to greet her mother-in-law. When she arrived, she found Murdoch already doing that honor.
“Why, Mary Audrey, fancy seein’ you here this hour o’ day!”
“All well then, Martha? My son treatin’ staff as he ought?”
“As well as he were taught, Mary.” The housekeeper winked.
Their familiarity reminded Elizabeth she was still the outsider in this house, still not ‘family.’
“Madam Audrey, it is a pleasure to see you again, ma’am.”
“Call me Mary, dear.” The lady settled herself on her son’s settee. “I received your letter, Elizabeth, and apologize for not calling sooner. Matters of business delayed my visit.”
“Marital matters have improved considerably since I penned you that missive, Mary.”
“I am glad to hear it, dear, but that is not why I’ve come.”
Elizabeth tensed.
“Li informed me of your sister, how Finch pursues her.” Her lips thinned. “I am deeply sorry for it.”
“Thank you for your concern, madam.”
“You must call meMary, Lizzie, not madam.”
“Forgive me, Mary, I am not used to?—”
She brushed Elizabeth off. “I suspect Jasper has not apprised you in full of Hieronymus Finch, but your sister is in grave danger, and you deserve to know the truth of that man, of what he did to your husband, my son.”
Elizabeth was suddenly all ears.
“You see, I failed as a mother. I failed to protect Jasper from Finch when my son was young and it—” She stilled. “It is painful for me to recount.”
“Madam.Mary.” Elizabeth impulsively took the woman’s hand in her own. “You needn’t?—”
“I must.” Her eyes flashed. “You must be told what Jasper will not say.”
