Loki: Well, I added that in later to explain why there was such a north/south relationship. But yes, Portugal didn't do badly from it, that's for certain.
Sethanon: Yes, she's definitely memorable enough to deserve the pendents!
Range: Perhaps they will! They are still allies though...for now.
Chapter 16 – Suspicions
23/1/1820
John Adams awoke early that Sunday morning, still deep in thought. There were definite oddities in this place. Perhaps isolation was taking its toll on people.
As John headed downstairs he encountered Victoria heading up the stairs towards his room.
“Good morning, sir. Shall I get you breakfast?”
“Yes please. Also, do you know an Anglican church in Kirkwall?”
“Yes sir, St James’ is on the main street there.”
“Does her Ladyship go there or somewhere else?” John asked.
“I do not go anywhere,” Lady Mendenhall said, standing at a doorway. She smiled at John. “Good morning, John. Sleep well?”
“Yes, Lady, thank you. You don’t go to church?” Though he was not especially devout John did go each week, and even on the steamer from London he had found time to pray in his cabin.
“Not since I was a girl,” Lady Mendenhall replied.
“Do you not think of the state of your immortal soul?” John asked, unable to contain himself.
She smiled at him and let out a chuckle. “All the time, but I doubt any priest can help there. In either case, I must preside in the town over the council meeting. If I leave now I should avoid the inevitable sermon. We will discuss more about your future at dinner, John. Come, Tempest.” With that she headed outside, Tempest following at her heels.
John had breakfast with Victoria serving him, and when he was finished they headed down towards the gates.
“You don’t have to come, you know,” John said.
“Do you want me to stay?” Victoria asked. She looked unhappy at the thought.
“No, come with me if you want to, but don’t feel like you must,” John said kindly.
And so the two of them headed down the road to Kirkwall. They’d not gone far until they’d come to the first bend. There, the ground was badly torn up, and a broken carriage wheel lay on the ground. Some locals were poking around at the remains.
“What happened?” John asked, walking over.
The people had seen where he’d come from, and said nothing. Finally one of them stepped forward.
“There was a carriage crash here last night, sir. Some visitor to her Ladyship’s house, a general I think, he and his driver missed the turn and crashed!”
“Nah, it was a colonel,” another man opined.
“What happened to them?” John asked.
The gazes of all of them were on him. “They both died,” the first man said tonelessly. “As happens when-“ he begun but was nudged into silence.
“We’d best be going, sir,” another one of them said, and they hurried off, occasionally giving him backward looks.
“What was all that about?” John asked. If indeed the Colonel had died did her Ladyship have anything to do with it? It wasn’t something he could ask Victoria about, but being entirely silent was no good either.
“I don’t know, sir,” Victoria said.
“Come on, let’s get into town.”
After spending a few hours in the town John and Victoria returned to find that Lady Mendenhall had just recently returned. As John was changing from his cloak and boots Victoria came up to him.
“Sir, her Ladyship requests your presence.”
“I will come,” John said.
When he arrived in the Lady’s drawing room he found her waiting for him in a tall chair, and a good fire burning in the hearth. The sunlight streamed in the window and revealed a pleasantly decorated room. It was also rather large, doing the job of entertainment and private area.
“Welcome, John,” she said graciously. “Please do be seated. Did you find the church?”
“I did, thank you Lady. How did the meeting go?”
She waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, the same as always in such occasions, John. A farmer sent a petition to repair a levee, a trader complained of outdated charts. The dreary business of government.”
John nodded. He kept all his feelings to himself, especially in regards to the carriage accident and the reaction of the people in Kirkwall. There would be no gain in raising it; all it would do would upset Lady Mendenhall. After all, she had been kindness itself to him. Instead he kept his thoughts to himself and asked more neutral question.
“Lady, if I may, might I be able to consult your library later? I didn’t bring my copy of Plato’s Republic, and I’m guessing you have one?”
She smiled indulgently. “Of course, John. Feel free. There are some old works in there, so be careful with them. You can’t be too careful with ancient items.”
“I will, Lady.”
“Now, you have been here for a few days, what do you think?” she asked, her gaze intent, but friendly.
“You have been very kind to me, Lady. I like it here,” John replied truthfully. “I think that if I was going to continue my education I would certainly do it here. Victoria has been very attentive, and you have not spared me anything.”
Lady Mendenhall smiled. “I am glad you think so, John. Are you willing to stay then? If not I will ensure that the ship to Aberdeen takes you when it leaves next. But I feel that you wish to stay. I feel as though you are…intrigued by this place still. And by me.”
John started somewhat, worried that she had somehow seen his thoughts. He calmed himself though and nodded.
“It does, yes. You intrigue me, Lady, a woman of such…command, such power.”
“Thank you, John. It is certainly true. And yet I sense you are worried about something. Tell me, I bid you.”
John hesitated, and then chose a topic easier to enunciate. “I heard about the death of the Colonel. I just thought it was bad luck, but it’s a worrying reminder about fate.”
Lady Mendenhall seemed to accept this answer, and nodded understandingly. “Death when it comes suddenly is always terrible, more so when it is someone you knew or recently talked to. Unfortunately he could not be saved. It’s a dangerous corner, and many have suffered untimely deaths there.”
“Yes, Lady, I can see that. Thank you for your words.”
“You are welcome. Now, if you wish you may use the library. Make sure it is left tidy though.”
John nodded, rose. “Where is it?”
“Victoria will take you, and then she will attend upon me upstairs.” She looked at the maid and smiled. “Her presence is always a comfort to me.”
Victoria bowed her head, and headed for the door. John was sure that she was blushing slightly, and he knew not why.