Виктория Холт - The Captive

“But this Simon … he really is Simon Perrivale?”

“Do you remember the case?”

“Vaguely. It raised quite a storm at the time, didn’t it, and then it dropped out of the news. And you are convinced of his innocence.”

“Yes, I am. You would be. Felicity … if you could have known him.”

“And you were alone on this island …”

“Lucas was with us … but he couldn’t walk. He just lay in the boat and kept a lookout for a sail.”

“It sounds like Robinson Crusoe.”

“Well, all those who are shipwrecked and cast up on an island are like that.”

“Are you … in love with this … Simon?”

“There was a very strong … bond between us.”

“Did you discuss your feelings for each other?”

I shook my head.

“No … not really. It was just there. We were all so intent on survival. When we were on the island we thought we were doomed. There wasn’t enough to eat or drink … and then we were picked up and there was no opportunity.”

“He left you at the Embassy and then you came home and he stayed behind.”

“He would have been arrested if he had come back.”

“Yes, of course. And Lucas shared in all this … to a certain extent.”

I nodded.

“I’ve always been fond of Lucas,” she mused.

“It was very distressing to see him when he came back. He had always

been so full of vitality. James is fond of him, too. James said he had a flair for living. I think Lucas loves you, Rosetta. “

“Yes.”

“Has he asked you to marry him?”

“Yes … but not very seriously … really … rather flippantly.”

“I think he might be inclined to flippancy where his feelings are most concerned. You could do a lot for him and, I think, he for you. Oh, I know you think you don’t need him … as he needs you … but you do, Rosetta. All that you went through … well, my dear, you couldn’t really endure all that and remain as you were before.”

“No, I couldn’t.”

“Lucas was there part of the time. There is so much he would understand.”

I was silent and she went on: “You’re thinking Simon was there, too.

And there was this special bond between you and him. “

“It started before … when he was cleaning the decks.”

“I know. You told me. And now you are dedicated to proving his innocence.”

“I must. Felicity.”

“If he came back … if you saw him with Lucas … you might decide.

Lucas is really a wonderful person. “

“I know. Felicity. I’ve learned that. This operation … when there was just a slight fear that he might not come through … I realized how important his friendship was to me. I have confessed to him what I am trying to do. Felicity, and he is helping me. He has sent Dick Duvane out to see if he can find Simon. He was going to bring him back if he could … he thought they might take a ransom for him as they did for Lucas himself. That was before he knew that Simon couldn’t come back.”

“And you will never be completely content if you don’t see him again.

He will haunt you for ever. You would always remember . and perhaps build up something which was never there. “

“He can’t come back until his innocence is proved.”

“How can he hope to prove it from afar?”

“But how could he do it if he were in prison awaiting death?”

“So … it is for you to find the solution.”

“I want to do it. I shall never stop trying.”

“I know. I remember your stubborn nature of old.” She laughed.

“Some would call it determination.”

We went on talking about it. I dare say I went over the same ground again and again, but she said “she wanted the complete picture. It was typical of Felicity to throw herself wholeheartedly into my affairs.

She said: “It would be interesting to know why Sir Edward brought him into the household.”

“The obvious conclusion is that he was Sir Edward’s son.”

“It certainly seems likely.”

“But the mystery is that Sir Edward was so morally conventional … a strict disciplinarian.”

“But that sort can have their lapses.”

“That’s what Lucas says. But from what I’ve heard Sir Edward was particularly censorious with those who erred in that respect.”

“Well, as I say, that often happens, but it is just possible that the key to the mystery may be in the secret of Simon’s birth. And when one is studying a case of this nature it is as well to know everything possible about the characters in the drama. See if you can remember more of what you have heard about Simon’s beginnings.”

“I’ve told you about Angel. You see, he doesn’t even say she was his mother. She was just Angel.”

“That’s explainable. I expect she called him her angel, as mothers do. It was probably the first thing he remembered. Then he transferred the name to her. I’ve known that sort of thing happen with children. I know with mine. Was she his mother? Or was she someone who had adopted him as a baby? That’s a possibility. “

“What difference would it make?”

“Possibly none. But we don’t know, do we? And every detail can be important. What else about his beginnings?”

“There was a wicked aunt. Aunt Ada was her name. He was scared of her and that when Angel died she was going to take him with her. Sir Edward seemed to sense his fear and stepped in. At least that is the impression he gave.”

“Do you remember anything about the aunt? You haven’t got a surname .. just Ada.”

“Just that. He thought she was a witch and he and Angel went to visit her. It was a place called Witches’ Home, and as it was her home they were going to that was significant.”

“Did he say anything about the place?”

“He said there was water at the bottom of the garden, I think. Yes, he did. It could have been a river.”

“Is that all?”

“Yes. He must have been under five years old, because he was five when he came to Perrivale.”

“Well,” said Felicity, ‘we’ve got. Witches’ Home and presumably a river and Ada. “

“What are you suggesting?”

“I was thinking that we might try and find Ada. A little talk with her might be rewarding.”

“Felicity, you mean that you …”

“I have an idea. Why don’t you come back with me and we’ll spend a few days together before you go back to Cornwall. James and the children would love to see you.”

“I do have my work. I’ve been away longer than I should,”

“The enfant terrible. Oh yes. By the way, how is she getting on without you?”

“Well, I hope. But I must get back. I can’t take too much time, although they are very amenable.”

“A few more days won’t make much difference. In any case, they won’t dismiss you. They’ll be so pleased to have you back.”

“Kate might revert to her old habits from which, I believe, I am weaning her.”

“That will only make them appreciate you all the more. I have a plan.

We’ll find out if there is a place called Witches’ Home . or something like it. It could be on a river . or some sort of water.

That could be useful. “

“It might have been a pond at the end of the garden. All we really have is Ada and Witches’ Home. It will be rather like Thomas a Becket’s mother coming to England, her only knowledge of the English language being London and Gilbert and going through the streets of the capital calling Gilbert’s name.”

“I’m glad you remember the history I taught you.”

“Well, London is rather different from Witches’ Home and a great deal larger.”

“I imagine Witches’ Home is a small village where every one will know everyone’s business.”

“And where are we going to find this Witches’ Home.”