I woke up with a start.
Still shaking slightly, I rubbed my eyes, blinking, trying not to forget what I had been dreaming of. But the memory slipped from my grasp. The more I tried to catch it, the further away it drifted.
I sat up in my bed, stretching my arms and looking around. The same old room, decorated with deep red.
"Good morning, miss!"
I hear Margaret's cheery voice through the door.
"Can I come in? I 'ave your morning tea!"
"Of course! And how many times do I have to tell you, call me by my name, not by 'miss'."
Reminds me of mother, I add under my breath.
"Here's your tea, miss- your tea. You should get dressed soon, Mildred 'as nearly finished makin' breakfast!"
♦️
I put my fork down gently next to my plate, wiping any crumbs of bread from my lips with a white napkin.
"Any letters this morning, Margaret?"
I turn my head to see her running toward me, her brown hair straying from the orderly bun on top of her head.
"Yes miss- err, Evelyn. I had checked the post- there was none- so I was sweeping the doorstep, and this lovely gen'leman walks up to me, and in the politest manner, hands me this letter, 'e does. An' 'e said: "Give this to your mistress. Tell her that the Jack of Clubs is dead. Thank you." Then 'e up and left!"
'The Jack of Clubs is dead.'
We've been targeted.
I could feel the frown forming on my face.
"Margaret, what did the man look like?"
"Why, he was wearing a masquerade mask, quite like what you usually wear, might I add!"
"Thank you. Margaret, Mildred, you are dismissed."
♦️
I took the letter and left the dining hall, straight up to my study. I took the letter opener, and opened the letter to read it.
Dear the Queen of Diamonds,
We hope this letter finds you in good health. It would be a pleasure if you could meet us at the usual place tomorrow, at 7pm sharp for our exchange of information and news. As you may have heard, one of our members has recently left us, may his soul reside in heaven. We are hoping that his death has nothing to do with us, but we are not willing to take any chances.
Please be prompt,
Ace of Spades.
How... Peculiar. So, the usual way of organising meetings has become too unsafe? And, how... How did they find my home? No one knows anyone, and... Well, I imagine Ace has his spies everywhere. Maybe, just maybe... This will be a real mystery. A mystery I can help solve.
A mystery to make dear father proud.
♦️
YOU ARE READING
Queen of Diamonds
Historical FictionEvelyn Hyde. She is an orphaned Victorian noblewoman. A Victorian noblewoman with serious trust issues. So, when suspicious murders start appearing all over London, trust becomes more precarious by the hour. At first, the victims are Evelyn's enemie...
