Death at Kimbal

Chapter 13

At that moment, the door swung open, making both girls scream loudly.

"What is it?" Luc gasped, rushing into the room.

"We thought you were-" Effie managed to say, trying to prise Jenna's tight grip off of her.

"Thought I was what?" He asked, confused.

"The murderer." Jenna stated, releasing her grip on Effie.

"Why would I want to kill you?" Luc practically laughed, but his face was grim.

"And if it was not you?" Jenna said testingly.

"Who else would it be?" Luc asked exasperatedly, sitting beside the two girls on the bed.

"Him." The maid said in a raspy whisper, "The one who murdered her. I've told you now, he'll kill me."

"Jenna." Effie took her friends hand in hers and looked her in the eye, "We will never let anyone hurt you, but we need to speak in court. If we don't Mama will never get the peace she deserves and the murderer will roam free."

"Yes." Jenna nodded reluctantly, "I agree with you, but please; don't let him hurt me."

"If we know who it is," Luc prompted, "We can protect you more."

"We know enough for now." Effie shot him a warning glance, "There is another time for such facts. We must organise a court meeting this instant. Follow me."

Effie rose from the bed and hurried to the door, motioning for the two others to go with her. They hurried along the corridor and down the stairs, the young maid nervously fiddling with her skirt.

"Godfrey!" Effie shouted as she burst into the hallway, Luc and Jenna behind her.

"My Lady." The butler seemingly appeared from nowhere, bowing as he reached her.

"Godfrey, thank goodness." Effie sighed, "Organise a court meeting with Judge Lennox this instant. There is a matter of much urgency that we must discuss."

"Right away My Lady." Godfrey nodded, letting his eyes flicker over his daughter before he turned on his heel and left.

"What will you say?" Jenna asked her, "We have no way to convince them at all. The word of a serving girl will convince precious few."

"All of the evidence points towards our theory being genuine." Luc said calmly, "They can hardly disagree."

"Of course Sir." The maid bobbed a little curtsey, remembering her place.

"No don't apologise." Luc waved it away, "It's only natural that you wish to ask questions. And it is for definite that the entire court will do the same."

"My Lady." A few seconds of silence later Godfrey was striding back across the hallway, his shoulders back and head up, "A messenger has been dispatched on horseback. He is light and a good rider, you will have your answer within the hour."

"Thank you." Effie nodded gratefully, "Please alert me when it is here."

"Of course My Lady. May I please speak with Jenna?" The butler asked nervously. Effie smiled gently and dipped her head slightly in assent. Godfrey bowed once more before putting one hand on his daughter's shoulder and leading her away.

*

No more than half an hour later the messenger returned. Whilst his sweating horse was led away he nearly ran to the side door of Kimbal manor. He burst threw it and into the side hall, his feet nearly slipping on the polished wood.

"Sir." He managed to breathe out between the gasps for breath as the butler came into view.

"What news Matthew?" He asked the young boy, barely giving him any time to recover.

"She accepts Sir." He panted, "It takes place upon the second 'our. She requests that we be present before so things can be discussed amongst specialists."

"The second?" Godfrey's eyes flickered up to grandfather clock that stood at the base of the stairs, "That is less than twenty minutes. We should leave now. Tell the grooms to prepare a carriage for her Ladyship."

"Right away Sir." Matthew nodded and turned back out of the door, rising to a jog as he headed to the stables.

"What news father?" Jenna asked from behind the butler, making him jump.

"Accepted." He said as he turned to face her, "Tell Miss that we must leave instantly."

"Yes Sir." She curtseyed slightly before leaving and heading to the drawing room, trying to flatten out her flyaway hair.

"Jenna." Luc smiled as she walked in, "You have news?"

"We need to leave now Miss." The maid said, "I don't know why but the horses are ready and a carriage prepared."

"Of course." Luc stood up from the armchair he had been sat in, "Will Ed accompany us?"

"I do believe that he would wish to." Effie took Luc's hand and stood up, the dark, blue fabric of her dress rippling around her, "Would you fetch him please Jenna? You must come as well, give evidence for us."

"Of course Miss." She smiled brightly, "I shall bring him to the courtyard to meet with you."

As Jenna scurried up the back stairs her heart started to beat a little faster. She was really in no mood to go to court and be seen in front of so many people.

"Master Edmund?" She said quietly, knocking on his door, "We need to leave Sir."

"Where to?" Ed snapped, yanking it open and making the maid jump.

"Court Sir." Jenna curtseyed politely, "We are all to meet with the judge in twenty minutes."

"All?" The young boy asked skeptically, eyeing the maid in disgust.

"Well yes Sir." Jenna nodded, "And we must leave now if we are to arrive on time."

"Then leave." Ed spat, stalking past her and out onto the landing.

"Yes Sir." Jenna said, a bit taken aback.

Ed started to strut down the stairs, the maid following with her head bowed. They met with Effie, Luc and Dr Maddock in the courtyard. Jenna curtseyed to each of them in turn, trying her best not to make eye contact. A large, black coach with two horses was parked beside them.

"We must leave now." Luc said calmly, pulling open the door of the carriage and extending Effie a hand. She accepted it gratefully and was followed in by the Doctor, Ed, Luc and lastly Jenna. They sat on the two sofas opposite each other in an awkward silence which was finally broken by Ed.

"What is the charge of court?"

"Murder." Jenna said in a voice barely above a whisper, rising her gaze from her lap.