A Victorian Tale Part 5

Chapter 5 (Dnkstar) The band called for “ladies’ choice”, and Miss Lane, at once, spied the chance she was looking for. “Ah, Lord Wayne; this is my favorite Waltz. Would you care to take a turn with me, sir?” she asked, as she whisked him off to the dance floor, and away from Diana. For several long moments, Diana watched as the two danced and flirted shamelessly around the room. Suddenly a voice startled Diana from her quickly- darkening thoughts. “Uh, Miss Prince---” “Diana…” “Excuse me?” he said, taken back. “Just Diana, if you please, Inspector.” she said with a slight smile. “I find all these formalities a bit…off-putting.” “Why, yes of course, er…Diana. So, I was wondering, what do you think of London? I mean, I know you haven’t been here all that long, but uhhh….” He found himself fidgeting with his collar again, at a loss for words. “Truthfully, Inspector? I can think of other places I’d rather be…” she said; turning her attention from the dancing couple. “Yes, quite.” he said, noting her unspoken undertones. “You’ll forgive me for bringing up such an unpleasant topic, but about these attempts on your life… I was wondering if you could elaborate on some things for me….” “Certainly. What would you like to know?” “Well, for one thing, when did all this start? If I understand correctly, you had no problems before coming to London?” “Yes, that’s correct. Our trip over was thoroughly uneventful up until then.” “When you say ‘we’, to whom are you referring’?” “Bruce, the staff and myself.” “And all together, how many of them would you say there are?” “Hmmm, not many. Perhaps half a dozen at the most. And there were less than that at the start. At the beginning of our trip, there was just the four of us: Bruce, his man “Alfred”, Etta, and myself.” “And Etta would be…?” “She’s my personal maid and house matron. And before you ask: she’s a woman I find completely beyond reproach.” “And as for the rest of the staff…? “There’s our elderly houseman, “Lawrence”. The rest are children from the local orphanage that Etta and I have taken into our employ. This way, we can teach them practical skills, while they earn a small wage for themselves. So you see, sir? While someone of my staff might be the most obvious suspect, it’s just clearly not the case.” Before the inspector could ask his next question, however; they were abruptly interrupted by her fiancé and the “lioness.” Within full earshot of everyone in attendance, Miss Lane cooed “All this dancing has made me a bit warm. I believe a walk around the lake would be just the thing for a bit of cooling off. Won’t you join me, your lordship?” Before he’d even had an opportunity to answer, she’d once again whisked him off, and dragged him toward the nearest door. The inspector, keen to the growing tension of the situation, once again, picked a timely instance to intervene: “Diana, I was just preparing to leave. If you’re in need of a carriage, I’ll be more than happy to see you home.” “Thank you, Inspector. I think I’d like that. Although, I’ve a feeling my fiancé is going to be in for quite the surprise when he returns…” She suddenly let out a laugh that was both beautiful, and completely wicked. The inspector, thoroughly enchanted, found himself chuckling as well. “Oh, you’re welcome, Diana. And the name is ‘Clark’. I’m not much for formalities, either”, he chuckled. They rode in relative silence, until they finally came to Diana’s house. From the downstairs foyer, a light appeared, and the always- efficient Etta appeared, almost before they made it to the door. “Etta, this is Inspector Kent from the---” “Inspector---? Oh, mercy me! Then it’s happened again, has it?!” gasped Etta, wide-eyed. “No, nothing like that. The inspector was kind enough to offer me transport after---” “Oh, I see--” said Etta, regarding the inspector with a knowing look, and a sudden, impish smile. “Well, thank ye much fer seein’ me Diana home safely. Will ye be stayin’ for tea, then sir? T’will be no hindrance at all t’set another place.” “Uh, no thank you. I’ll be going now. Another time, perhaps?  Good night then, ladies.” Etta waited until she’d seen the inspector’s carriage go, and then demanded in a conspiratory tone “Well, out with it child---” “What?” inquired Diana, feigning ignorance. “What indeed, missy! It’s like this, girl-- “she said as she took both of Diana’s hands in her in her own, and led her up the stairs. “--- First, we’ll get ye out o’ yer tressin’s and into something; comfortable; I’ll bring us up our tea, an’ then ye’ll tell me this night’s tale. An’ mind ye, I’ll have ev’ry detail if I have t’beat it out o’ ye word fer bloody word!” she exclaimed, with a mock ferocity that made Diana giggle. But no sooner had Etta opened the door to Diana’s chambers and   moved to turn up the lamp when something whizzed by her head and imbedded itself into the wall behind her. “What on earth?” “It’s an arrow!” exclaimed Diana, suddenly shaking with anger. “Saints preserve us! The blighter’s a-getting’ bolder by the day!”