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Novelo Rectangle

Black gave her a ride home when it was still dark but they walked part of the way, so that the sound of horseshoes didn’t wake anyone. “I was wondering, Cecilia, why you have those cuts on your body.” She explained about the incident in the park, but did not mention that John Oliver had brought her home, until he pressed her about it.“John again.” he said, and returned to his brooding mood.“Would it kill you to be grateful to him? I could have been seriously hurt otherwise.” Cecilia snapped, “Whatever you’ve heard, he’s been kind to me.”“Yes, and that’s why you just happen to keep meeting him alone at night? Like me? Maybe he knew you would be there. Maybe he knew, if he had you hurt, you’d be grateful to him. This isn’t right, none of it is. There is something very wrong with this ‘sleepwalking’ tale. And these mysterious injuries, rat indeed. It looks like all of your other marks to me.”“Look. I don’t know what you are accusing John of, or me, but it seems like those ideas contradict one another. So maybe decide which one you believe, before throwing strange notions about.”He scowled, “I believe you, I do, but you must understand how it looks from my point of view. The girl I love keeps acquiring odd injuries, telling me odd tales, and meeting men at night. I don’t know what you did with him, but I know what you were willing to do with me.”“Excuse me? So now we aren’t engaged?”He sighed, “That’s not what I’m saying. Don’t act like I’m being unreasonable by having questions, even worries. You were fragile to begin with and now-”“Go on.” she said frostily.“Well, someone might think you were unstable.”She rolled her eyes, “Not you, of course, just ‘someone’ might.”He turned to her, “I think the concern would be justified, Cecilia.” She pulled away from him, and walked the rest of the way back on her own. Cecilia managed to sneak back in, without anyone noticing. Though, she felt a little bit guilty for actually doing what she had been unjustly suspected of before. She had been caught downstairs by her aunt, who had heard the noise, but explained it away as letting Samson out into the garden. She’d actually had to, as he’d been a bit restless.“Are you alright, dear?” Euphemia asked, before she went back to her room.“I think so, but I’m not…pleased. I’ve had too much excitement recently, and I could do without it.”Euphemia put her hand on her shoulders. “I suppose, I shouldn’t ask why you are wearing a coat indoors, then?”Cecilia flushed, “You can, if you want to.”Her aunt took a seat, and Cecilia explained everything, including the rat, seeing Black and what had happened. Euphemia listened carefully, until she got to the part about Black questioning her mental state. “What wicked nonsense.” she huffed, “He never dared say that to you? How could he! And after he’d just-”Cecilia swallowed, her chest felt painfully tight. “I know. And if I understood why I was sleepwalking- I mean, I know you said it must be stress, but I really haven’t been very upset. I- up until today, I’d say I’d been quite happy.” She felt her eyes fill with tears. At first she’d tried to ignore everything, reasoning that she’d only make herself feel worse. Now that Spencer had stated everything for her, she was beginning to feel helpless.Euphemia took her hands. “Everything will become clear in the end, sometimes, well, sometimes, we don’t know why we do things. I’m inclined to believe that there is usually a rational motive behind it, even if our mind translates things strangely for a time. Just remember, whatever is troubling you, your mind seems to be perfectly in order to me. In fact you always have maintained your reason, even, you remember, when you could barely sleep or eat. I’ll support whichever decision you make when it comes to it, but for now, you should probably sleep.” “Auntie, I want to, but that awful rat touched my bedsheets, and-”Euphemia chuckled, “Well, let’s not wake the servants, I’ll help you take the bedding out of the guest room. Would that help?”Cecilia slept surprisingly well, but, in the morning, after a cup of tea and an eclair, she found herself growing more and more irritated by Blacks insinuation. She had her coach sent for, and told her uncle that she was going out, but needed the address of Mr. Bell’s offices. He handed her a business card and reminded her not to be so careless with her own, which were only upstairs. She smiled, and copied the address out.“What is the trouble anyway?“ he asked, over his newspaper.“Oh, I just need some information from him. He said he’d bring some paperwork over for me, last time, and he actually forgot to.”“That’s unlike him.”“Yes, but really I think it was my fault and not his.” She handed the card back, kissed her uncle on the head, and hurried to put on her gloves and bonnet as she heard the coach pull up.It was a bright day, but with a chill breeze. One of her favourite kinds of winter days, especially to walk Samson. A brisk and sunny day could do wonders to clear one’s head.She found the office doors, without too much trouble, though they were a little concealed from the main street. A junior clerk showed her into Mr. Bells office. Bell was surprised to see her, and offered her a seat, neatly tucking away the papers on his desk.“Hello, Mr. Bell. I hope I’m not interrupting you.”He shook his head, “Not at all. I’m just helping my colleague catch up on some paperwork today. It’s actually been quite dull. What can I help you with?”She took a deep breath. “It’s about Mr. Black. Am I right…in thinking you don’t trust him?”He folded his hands over the desk, “It’s not my job to interfere in your personal affairs. I overstepped before, I’m very sorry.”She sighed, “Yes. That was unprofessional.”His eyes widened for a moment, and he looked more hurt than she’d expected, “I am sorry. If you’d like a different solicitor then-”“No. I’d like you to look into him more thoroughly for me. I think you were right to have concerns, and you see, he’s said a few things to me which give me reason for pause.”He looked at her over his hands and his brow furrowed, “What kind of concerns.”“He…it’s nothing directly related to his finances or anything very concrete, but, there is a coldness to him sometimes, that wasn’t there before. In truth, my fear is that…I’m concerned, that, if I were to marry him, he might later try to have me committed.”“The simple thing, then, would be not to marry him.” Phillip Bell pointed out.She sighed and covered her face with her hands, “This is the problem. He’s made me question my own judgement. I don’t know why I’m sleepwalking, and some nights I’ve gotten so tired from it that I’m not certain I’m thinking clearly. And, the truth is, I really do feel for him.”He nodded, “I understand. You want someone impartial to help you. You want hard proof, either way.”“Yes. That’s exactly it. I don’t know if I’ve come to the right person, but I don’t know who else I could ask.”She was looking at him so earnestly that Bell couldn’t help but smile. “I’ve had my suspicions about him. I’ll do my best to find out what I can.”“Good. Mr. Bell?”“Yes?”“I suppose, you can bill me for all that that entails?”He chuckled, “That’s not a problem. I’m quite good at doing so.”She sighed, “Yes, I had noticed.” They shook hands and she left much happier, so much happier, that she decided to take Samson for a walk up and down the shopping streets and buy him some new toys and ribbons. She stayed out for long enough that it started to get dark, so she stopped to eat before heading home. Cecilia went to a restaurant which her aunt was very fond of, and had some cream of mushroom soup, before she got bored and left. She’d sent her coach back, so walked home through the park. Even though it was now dark, it was still busy, and felt safe.“Hello!” John Oliver called to her. She smiled to see him, and greeted him back. “How’s it going with your intended?”She frowned. “I’m not entirely certain if we are still engaged, actually. He’s been rather difficult.”John sighed, she wasn’t certain if it was because he felt for her, or if it had been because Delilah had tangled one of his legs in her lead. “Well, you know, Cecilia, that might mean he’s not the right man.”She sighed too, “Did I tell you, your aunt half-offered to let me marry you?”He was so stunned that he froze for a moment, “You’re joking?”She shrugged, “It sounded like it. She said, ‘I’d offer you John, but’ and I was talking about my troubles finding a suitable husband.”“But what? That feels like the suspicious part.”“Um, ‘but you won’t find him compliant,’ I think it was.”“Goodness, I don’t mind complying. It’s Elizabeth that’s the trouble.”“I’ll tell her.”“Please don’t.” John laughed. “I’ve asked Mr. Bell to look into Mr. Black officially. I think, he’s getting to my head a bit too much. You really don’t know him? He seems to have particularly taken against you.”John frowned, “I’m not really a very good person, Miss. Everett. My suspicion is that Spencer Black recognises that. I feel similarly about him, even though, no, I really don’t know him.”Cecilia walked with him, towards her house, lost in thought.John took her hands, “How about I ask Aunt Elizabeth if I really can marry you?”“You can’t do it otherwise?” she asked.“No. And I am aware that I will not be the most appealing prospect.” Cecilia chuckled and held his arm, he smiled and let her. “You may not be, but for the record, I don’t care what Spencer has to say about you. I like you.”He turned and, to her surprise, kissed her, “Thank you. That means a great deal to me.” She pushed him away, lightly. “You’re different now, aren’t you? Oh no, were things going very well with Mr. Black?”She blushed and smacked him on the arm. “Mind your own business.”He laughed, “I thought you wanted someone who could mind yours?” She froze, and so did he, seeing what she had seen. Spencer Black was standing at the edge of the public gardens, watching them both. He scowled, turned, and strode away.“I see what you mean.” John sighed. “What on earth is he playing at?” She left him at the edge of the gardens and remembered to praise Delilah’s mildly improved behaviour. John beamed and wished her a good night.*** When she arrived home there was some commotion and her aunt met her just past the door. “Cecilia, I think we had better speak privately.” She caught sight of her uncle, who was quietly fuming in the living room. “Goodness, what happened?” she asked, as her aunt dragged her to her room. “We had a letter. You had better see it.” Euphemia sat her down and handed it to her. “Cecilia, I need you to agree to my terms. I know about what happened between you two. These relations could cause you problems, if they were to become known. Do as I wish, and I can make the past go away. I will write again soon.” “Is this a joke?” she asked.“I haven’t the slightest idea,” Euphemia said haughtily, “but it’s been all I could do this evening to keep your uncle settled. He’s absolutely livid that someone would try to extort the family. He put it more colourfully, of course, but I won’t repeat it.” Euphemia crossed her arms, tucking the tassels of her collar underneath them, as she spoke. Cecilia read the note again, “This person hasn’t even included their name.”Euphemia sighed, “Would they? Blackmail is illegal. I think, it could only have been your Mr. Black.”She tutted, “No, that’s impossible. He would never do such a thing.”“But who else could even know? You, myself, Black, who else?”Cecilia pressed her head into her hands, “Well, Spencer said that John Oliver practiced blackmail. Of course, I don’t believe that. I know, also, that Mr. Bell was watching our house at least once.”“Well, he would never!” Euphemia gasped, “He’s minded, not only yours, but my husbands affairs, for at least eight years. You may not know, Cecilia, but Bell was quite an up-and-coming young man, once upon a time. He’s earned the assignments he has. Don’t let your uncle know I’ve told you, Cecilia, but our own marriage has had it’s share of trouble. I know for a fact that Mr. Bell has seen your uncle, struggle through…certain matters.” She tilted her head upwards, then slanted her eyes towards her niece, “Myself too. He gets what he puts into a marriage, and that’s always fair my dear. It may not be right, but it is fair.”She fell back onto her aunt’s bed and looked up at the ceiling, “I can’t imagine it was any of them, even Mr. Black. He’s a good man, I’ve watched him, and the effort he’s put into being a proper gentleman. He’d never stoop to blackmail. He is dignified, isn’t he? It’s not just in my head?”Euphemia sighed, “I admit, it’s hard to imagine.”“Then, maybe, it’s someone playing around. I really can’t imagine that anyone I know would do this.”Cecilia went downstairs, hugged her uncle and apologised for being a general embarrassment. He kissed her hair and said, “Even so, nothing could excuse this level of foolishness. If I find the one who sent this letter, believe me…” Cecilia kissed his cheek, then retired for the night. Sleeping peacefully with Samson at her feet.*** She woke in the blackest part of the night, to a light tapping at her window, and looked out, to see John throwing specks of gravel. She stuck her head out and gestured for him to wait. She dressed in a hurry, leaving Samson asleep on her bed. John was leaning against the garden wall and smiled when she opened the door. She went straight to him and let him embrace her.“What are you doing here? It’s the middle of the night.” Cecilia asked.“I know, I’m sorry to wake you. I can imagine you must need your sleep. The thing is, I couldn’t wait. I asked Lady Elizabeth about what you had said, and she, I really can’t believe it, she said she wouldn’t mind if I proposed. I can’t imagine why, but she’s taken to you. Maybe it was because you stood up to her.”“Oh.”“So, well, will you marry me? I know it’s sudden. Only, we are leaving for Italy in two days, so, I figured, we could write, and you’d have plenty of time to change your mind if-”“I’d love to!” she beamed, and kissed him. He froze, and so did she. When he pulled away she remained in the same position, hands close in front of her, where they had been against his chest. Her expression now blank.“Cecilia?” he asked. His face fell, as he realised she could no longer see him. He watched as she opened the garden gate and walked away. He’d seen her in this state before, when she had been sleepwalking. It occurred to him that, whatever was happening now, sleepwalking was not the cause. She couldn’t hear him call her, by the time he had thought to wake her relatives, she was so far down the street that he decided to follow her instead. He kept out of sight of anyone who might be nearby, pulling a scrap of paper from his coat, and a pencil. Making notes of what he was seeing so that he could explain it later to Mr. Bell or her family.Cecilia again walked to the park, unseeing, and stopped, beneath the trees where she had been attacked before. It was very dark, but he could see a coach parked on a nearby road. As he watched, a dark figure came into view, he clearly recognised Spencer Black. Cecilia woke when he called her name, and looked around, very much afraid. John noted this down, then approached, catching some of what he said.“Cecilia, why are you here again?”“Why are you?” she asked, her voice quavering.“I’ve taken to coming to the park at night, in case this happens. I told you I would.”“Did you?” she was uncertain, and looked around, seeing John approach.“You. Again. What’s the matter? Don’t you understand what’s going on? Are you really going to interfere?”“I have to.” John said, his voice much colder than she’d heard before.“And, why?“ Spencer Black asked.“Because, you can’t imagine what it would mean for me if I don’t. You know, don’t you, who Lady Elizabeth is?”He scowled, “Cecilia clearly knows who she wants.”John sighed, “Who do you think you’re fooling?”“I saw you. You sent her one of your letters, do you think I’ll just roll over for you? I know who you are.”“If you know me, you know how stupid you’re being.”Black’s lip curled unpleasantly, “Threaten me all you want. You won’t have your way.”Black drew her back sharply, and as Cecilia watched, John was struck, and collapsed. She saw the flash of the blade, and a dark figure, as the assailant vanished into the night, disappearing in seconds. It had happened so fast that she hadn’t seen him approach. Black was still holding her. She shook him off and ran to John, now on the ground, turning him over. It had been a mortal wound, he could barely speak. Black stood behind her, watching for any sign of the assailant, while she put her ear to John’s lips. “No police, take me to Eliza-” He fell back, and was still.

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Novelo Square

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10 Epilogue

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Creeping fate 

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Creeping fate

Michael99

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