Storm and Silence (FANFIC)

30. End of All Ends, Beginning of All Beginnings.

Mr Ambrose and I were finally on a carriage, rattling down the streets of London. I was a bit nervous, but he didn't need to know that. Just get dressed and say what you have to say as soon as she asks. I thought to myself as I fiddled with my thumbs. I prayed that Dalgliesh wouldn't be there... If he was, then I'd be taking the next ship back to Africa and stay there forever.

Or just maybe move in with- No! Not a single thought on that, do you understand!? My mind yelled at me. Not until you begin the plan! Because it might not work!

I hate it when my conscious has a point.

The carriage finally reached St. James' Square as the sun was setting and I immediately jumped out of the carriage and ran home. I knew that this was suspicious to Mr Ambrose, but I didn't care. I dashed to the garden and then into the shed, where I found a dress of mine still there. No one in my family knew of my secret - even now. I was about to get out of the shed, but then I heard voices. Freezing, I strained my ears and listened.

It was Ella and Edmund.

And one of them was crying. Not too loudly, no. Just loud enough for anyone in the garden to hear.

"She's been gone for a month! Edmund, I fear that something absolutely horrible has happened to her."

"Now Ella, I'm sure she's perfectly fine! What if she went and eloped like we wanted to so long ago?"

"Nonsense! Lilly under no circumstances would ever elope! She hates marriage and everything that has to do with it!"

Well... She wasn't wrong. But had she forgotten that I had a secret 'lover'?

"Maybe she changed her mind?"

"If she did she'd make it utterly obvious, which she hasn't. I have a feeling that she got abducted and that she doesn't know where she is! Oh no! I cannot lose her Edmund!"

"Please my dearest, do not cry! I do not wish to witness you in such pain. I am sure Miss Lilly is alright."

"Oh I hope so," Ella said tearfully. Edmund began to comfort her when Aunt Branks' familiar shrill called Ella. And it was a quite excited one. "I must leave. Aunt Brank calls me... I shall be back again tomorrow Edmund."

"I shall wait for you then, my love. Do take care of yourself, and do not worry about Lilly. She'll be home before you know it." Ella nodded mutely before blowing him a kiss and dashing away. I waited until Edmund's door closed shut before I myself went to the front door. A carriage was parked in front and I looked at it curiously. Whose was it?

I reached the front door and was about to knock when I heard a familiar voice behind the closed door.

"...Been missing for a month now, I just don't know where she is! One day she was here, the next she disappears! Just like that!"

And then I heard another voice that made me stop cold in my tracks, hand still outstretched for the door.

"Mrs. Brank I'm sure your daughter-"

"Niece."

"Yes right. I'm sure your niece is perfectly fine somewhere in the world." He couldn't possibly be here! Not now of all times!

Wait!

I slowly turned around and squinted in the darkness. With the help of the few street lamps and the moon which was finally out now, I tried to make out any moving dark shapes. My eyes roved across the front lawn and discovered nothing out of the ordinary. I walked back to the garden and ran as fast as I could into the shed. I began searching the trouser pockets for the ring of keys Mr Ambrose gave me. Once I found them, I sighed in relief, turned around and crashed into someone. I gasped and looked up.