She took a step back. “Why are you suddenly so interested? You’ve never wondered before now.”
I swallowed my nerves and said, “I know that the women who died in Whitechapel were—”
“Don’t breathe another word, Kathryn.” She put her hand over my mouth, her voice low and filled with a dire warning. “Not another word.” She looked over her shoulder and then back at me. “If you know what is good for you, you will never speak about this again. I was able to save Mar—” Her breath caught, and panic filled her eyes. “Please don’t speak about those women. I don’t know what you think you know, but nothing is as it appears.” She stared at me. “Promise me.”
I nodded, my eyes wide.
She lowered her hand and took a step back, inhaling a few deep breaths. “Compose yourself and think carefully about what I just said. Not a word, Kathryn.”
I nodded again.
Mother and I left my bedroom, but my legs were shaking. She’d been so fierce and determined. She’d suggested that she’d been able to save Mary, so she didn’t know that my sister’s life was still in jeopardy. And she’d said that she would have welcomed a union between Austen and me—before Jerusalem. Why not after? If Austen’s parents had died heroic deaths, it should be an honor to join our families together.
All I wanted was to get the visit with Mr. Maybrick over so I could go to Mile End and find Thomas Conway to ask him about the trip, despite my promise to Mother. There was too much at stake to not find answers.
As soon as Mother and I entered the parlor, Mr. Maybrick rose from his chair and offered us a slight bow. “It’s good to see you again, Mrs. Kelly, Miss Kelly.”
After the pleasantries were exchanged, I took a seat beside Mother to face our visitor.
“To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?” Mother asked.
Mr. Maybrick smiled, his mustache rising slightly. There was superiority and arrogance in his movements as he said, “I will be giving a performance at St. James Hall this Friday evening, and I was hoping your family would attend as my guests of honor.”
“We’d love to accept your invitation,” she said without hesitation. “How marvelous.”
“And, of course,” he added, “I would enjoy taking all of you to Café Royal after for a late supper.”
Mother’s cheeks were filled with color. “We’d be honored, Mr. Maybrick. Simply honored. Wouldn’t we, Kathryn?”
The last thing I wanted to do was spend an evening with Michael Maybrick, so I asked the question on everyone’s minds in London. “Is it safe to be out at night?”
“Why, Kathryn,” Mother said, “what a thing to ask. Everyone knows that it’s only the poor who are at risk.”
I gave her a look, remembering how she’d reacted when we went to the Lyceum Theatre to seeThe Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It was one of the last times she’d gone out to apublic place at night, and the only reason she agreed to go now was because of Mr. Maybrick’s status.
“You’ll be quite safe in my company, I assure you,” Mr. Maybrick said with a smile that was far too intimate and familiar.
Mother and Mr. Maybrick continued to chat about the concert, one of many performances Mr. Maybrick would give over the course of October and November. He spoke of his frenzied calendar, often with three or four performances a day, moving from one music hall to the next, from one end of England to the other. He hardly seemed to notice that I remained quiet for most of his visit, anxiously watching the clock, wanting to get to Mile End.
When there was a natural break in the conversation, Mother rose, and Mr. Maybrick followed.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Mother said, “I need to speak to the housekeeper about tonight’s supper, and I’m afraid it can’t wait.” She turned to me. “Kathryn, you’ll see our guest out when he’s ready to leave?”
It was a question, but I knew there was only one answer, and I felt sick knowing she was leaving us alone on purpose.
“Of course.”
By the look on Mr. Maybrick’s face, he’d been waiting for this moment.
“Good-bye, Mr. Maybrick,” Mother said, “I look forward to seeing you again soon.”
He bowed over her hand, and then she left.
When he turned to face me, there was a pleased smile on his face. “I thought we’d never be alone.”
I slowly rose from my chair, uncertain. “I’m not sure I understand your meaning, sir.”
He paused, his eyebrows rising high. “Have I misunderstood?”
