Breathtaking Part: Two

"Well, it is not Thea's, and with each letter, the cretin gets sloppier. It is embarrassing how I thought it was Thea's handwriting," Sir Brandy replied, lowering his head in remorse.

"How do these letters get delivered?" Hugh asked as he kept re-reading the letter.

"Mail, of course, but the strangest thing is that the envelope has this wax seal of a lion. At first, when I saw the seal, I believed her to be off with some other fellow, a more prominent man than I." Sir Brandy blinked as a new set of tears began ushering in.

"A lion?" Hugh gave Sir Brandy his full attention.

"Yes, a red lion. While it is not an uncommon seal . . . " Sir Brandy trailed off, losing his thought in emotion.

"Follow me." Hugh led Sir Brandy to the library and approached the chalkboard. He drew a square and labeled it "Sir Edward Brandy." Inside the square, he wrote "Mysterious Letters" and "Lion Seal."

Sir Brandy stood at the library doors, glancing around in wonder at all of the books, and then to the chalkboard. "What are we doing here? What are you trying to achieve?"

"Rationality, evidence, and thought . . . everything is more than what it seems." Hugh intensely scrutinized the board. He felt that he had missed something. He heaved a giant sigh, not being able to put his finger on what bothered him.

Explain, Larkin!" Sir Brandy tilted his head, sneering at Hugh and his mysterious chalkboard, still considering it to be acceptable for him to bellow orders.

"No, Sir Brandy!" Hugh faced him. "I have put up with your preposterous behavior long enough. Now tell me everything about the letters you have received."

Sir Brandy snorted, "Fine, I will play your game. The letters were on expensive parchment with heavily scented floral perfume. That tells me the letters are feminine. The most troubling thing is that they all sound rushed and uninviting, but this last letter." Sir Brandy trembled. "This letter unjustly claims that Thea's disappearance was entirely my fault, and that our child is an abomination. Then this so-called letter tells me she is happy with another man and announces that when the child is born, they will drop it off at my doorstep."

Hugh turned back around and wrote in the square, "Thea Possibly Alive." He then pretended to be reading the board, not wanting to look back to Sir Brandy. What does all this mean that he is hearing from this disagreeable man, Hugh thought. Did he actually just say that Thea is pregnant and with his baby? Has he no shame? Has he no concern for his wife? Hugh continued to stare at the board, his mouth twitching. Finally he addressed Sir Brandy. "Do you have an envelope with the wax seal?"

"Yes, I saved everything that the imposter sent to me since Thea first disappeared."

"I may not need that far back, just bring me one with a lion seal." Hugh waved dismissively at Sir Brandy.

"I will return shortly." Sir Brandy took one final look at Hugh. His eyes went wide. "Good lord, the state of your undress! I suggest you get dressed. And put on your boots."

Hugh rolled his eyes, and in a scoffing tone, he replied, "What a genius idea!" And don't you forget your bath, he wanted desperately to retort.

"I demand to see Matilda's handwriting when I return."

Hugh shrugged. "Be my guest."

Sir Brandy stormed out of the library and retreated from the manor.

"Sir." Butler Locksley had entered the library. "Breakfast preparations are on the way. Mrs. Larkin is in the bath."

"Good, I could use a tasty breakfast." Hugh rubbed his forehead, then stretched out his arms in an exaggerated yawn.

"By the way, Sir, I hope you do not mind, I told the kitchen to prepare extra due to this morning's events."

Hugh, with a raised eyebrow, threw his butler a questioning look. "So, you think it is going to be one of those mornings?" he asked mockingly.

"Afraid so, a distraught Miss Christensen came calling while you were busy in here with Sir Brandy. I had to send her away." Hesitating, Locksley added, "She made sure that I understood she will be back later."

Hugh sat down in his chair. "That name . . . where have I heard it before?"

"I do believe she is one of Mrs. Larkin's friends," the butler responded.

Hugh's jaw clenched. "First Thea, Beatrice, Matilda, and then Miss Christensen. There is one more, Viola Jenkins. Locksley, write their names on the board."

"Certainly, Sir," Butler Locksley moved briskly to pick up the chalk. "Where do you want it placed, Sir?"

"Above everything, I would say. Somehow this all connects to my wife."

Once the butler had finished, he spun around. "Is there anything else, Sir?"

"Yes, what are your thoughts, Locksley?" Hugh leaned in toward him.

"It is not my place, Sir." The butler turned back and forth, swaying in his stance. He was not totally comfortable to know all that had transpired this early Monday morning. And he surely did not understand or respect Sir Brandy's very personal outburst.

"But I am asking," Hugh persisted. Locksley's business-like approach to the world impressed Hugh. He thought Locksley took his responsibilities in running the household very seriously. The other servants respected him, hence they brought him their daily inquiries. This pleased Hugh because it allowed him

more time for his studies and more personal time with his beautiful Matilda.

"Perhaps a disgruntled servant," Locksley finally offered with half a smile. "After all, no one knows one better than one."

"Interesting point of view. Thank you, Locksley. You may go." Now who would have access to my wife's circle? More thoughts began milling around in Hugh's head. It would need to be a person of some amount of educational learning, thus the letters. That eliminates many of our servants. But my question is why? Why do the letters mention Thea, but not Beatrice? Why say Matilda knows? Hugh sat back in the large leather chair, sulking, intensely staring at the words on the chalkboard.