Michael Dun - 27. Chapter 27

My dearest Cecelia,

This letter is written to you for there is no one else to whom I would entrust this task. Charlie is dead, at the hands of a highwayman. Several other people whom I have befriended are also dead for various reasons. Before he died, Charlie wrote a note saying Madelyn had asked him to follow me to Africa and see to it that I do not return to England. I believe she has hired a killer who followed me to the Republic of the Transvaal. I must digress and say that I fear for my father's life. I could write to the authorities but it would cause quite a scandal. Tread very carefully indeed. I require you to watch her carefully, her every move. When you have this information I want you to take it to Lord Granville of the British Colonial Office. He will know what to do. By the time this message gets to you I may not be alive, therefore, the situation is urgent. If my assumption is correct, I will have Madelyn behind bars, facing her jurors.

Yours truly,

Michael.

She paced about the room, flagging the letter between her fingers, then suddenly stopped, placed it in her brassierre, lifted her skirt and walked calmly down the hallway. Now that she had been entrusted with a most dire secret she looked more confident than ever, felt humbled and blessed. She entered an open door at the end of the hallway and knocked on another door beyond. Montgomery answered and invited her in. Inside the room, posing over the chaise, Madelyn greeted her politely.

"There is a letter." She said stiffly, aware of Montgomery's eyes at her back. She handed the note to Madelyn who grabbed it and read it at once.

"Montgomery, that will be all."

"Madam will ring if my services are required?"

"I shan't need you tonight, you will need enough sleep."

He closed the door softly behind him. Madelyn turned to Cecelia who scolded her.

"We had an agreement, Madelyn. You have broken it."

"What on earth do you mean?"

"You said only Michael would die. Several others have died in the process. What is going on here, Madelyn?"

"My darling, I am waiting for the opportunity to strike. My man is awaiting word. Sir Robert needs to become bedridden permanently. As for the other deaths, I do not know who is responsible, believe me." Her attention fell on the letter in her hand.

Cecelia grinned, "Lord Granville from the British Colonial Office? Interesting indeed, would you not agree, Madelyn?"

"Do you think Michael may be working as an official of the British Government?"

"Oh! Lord. Do you think he's a ...an agent? Oh, Madelyn! I cannot bear much more of this. Being away from you is driving me insane and I fear I will succumb to despair. When is this finally going to be over?"

Madelyn brushed Cecelia's hair away from her eyes, and said, with a loving smile, "Soon, my precious. Montgomery has done exactly what I have asked of him - he is an easy one to mislead."

"Have you come to a decision about Sir Robert?"

"Yes. Dr. Lewis has agreed to make it look like an accident."