Chapter 3 - the door behind the tapestry
The hidden door led to a servants’ staircase.
Mary Jane discovered it the following afternoon while the household prepared for a dinner with the wedding committee. She waited until Victoria left for a fitting, then returned to the tapestry with her stuffed rabbit beneath one arm.
The brass key fit the lock.
Beyond the door, a narrow staircase descended between the walls.
Dust covered the steps, but one set of footprints remained fresh.
Mary Jane followed them downward.
The staircase ended behind a panel in Julian’s study.
She could hear voices on the other side.
Victoria was not at her fitting.
“Thomas complicated everything,” she said.
A man answered.
Mary Jane recognized Elias Mercer, the family attorney.
“The codicil protects the child only until Julian signs the revised estate agreement.”
“And if he reads the guardianship attachment?”
“He will not. The signature page is included with the corporate consolidation documents.”
“What about Eleanor’s records?”
“We searched her apartment.”
“You missed something.”
“We found nothing connecting you to the accident.”
Mary Jane pressed both hands over her mouth.
Elias continued.
“The greater concern is the ledger. Thomas knew about the previous transfers. If Eleanor gave him evidence before she died, he may have hidden it here.”
“Then find it before the gala.”
“The estate has two hundred rooms.”
“The girl has the key.”
Mary Jane’s heart pounded.
“How do you know?” Elias asked.
“She mentioned the crown. Eleanor used that phrase in the last message she sent me.”
“You said that message was destroyed.”
“I destroyed my copy.”
Silence followed.
Then Elias spoke more carefully.
“Victoria, this is becoming reckless.”
“You accepted your payment.”
“For preparing documents, not frightening a child.”
“I have not touched her.”
“Fear leaves evidence even when hands do not.”
Victoria’s voice turned cold.
“Do not pretend you have a conscience now.”
Mary Jane slowly backed away from the panel.
Her shoe scraped against stone.
The conversation stopped.
The panel opened.
Mary Jane ran.
She raced up the narrow staircase as footsteps followed beneath her. She reached the hidden door, turned the key, and pulled it closed behind her.
Someone struck the other side.
The tapestry shook.
Mary Jane ran toward her bedroom.
At the corner, she collided with Julian.
He caught her shoulders.
“What happened?”
She looked back at the tapestry.
Nothing moved.
“I heard someone.”
“Where?”
“In the wall.”
Julian studied her frightened face.
Victoria appeared at the other end of the corridor, still wearing the coat she had supposedly taken to her fitting.
“There you are,” she said.
Mary Jane stared at her.
Julian looked from one to the other.
“I thought you were in the city.”
“The appointment ended early.”
Mary Jane tried to speak.
Victoria reached them and placed a gentle hand on Julian’s arm.
“Mrs. Dallow told me Mary Jane has been exploring the unused corridors. There are unstable floors in this wing.”
“I wasn’t exploring.”
Victoria lowered her voice.
“Then why were you running?”
“There was a man in the wall.”
Julian’s expression changed from concern to uncertainty.
Victoria sighed.
“She may be having nightmares while awake. Trauma can create vivid confusion.”
“I heard you talking to Mr. Mercer.”
Victoria smiled sadly.
“Elias has been in court all day.”
Julian took out his phone and called him.
Elias answered from what sounded like a busy hallway.
He claimed he had not visited Ashford House.
Mary Jane watched Julian’s doubt grow.
Victoria knelt in front of her.
“You are safe here,” she said. “But stories can cause terrible damage.”
“I am not telling stories.”
“Then show us the door.”
Mary Jane led them to the tapestry.
The brass key was no longer inside her rabbit.
She pulled at the fabric, searching desperately.
Victoria moved the tapestry aside.
Behind it was solid wood paneling.
No lock.
No handle.
No door.
Mary Jane stared at the wall.
“It was here.”
Victoria exchanged a concerned glance with Julian.
That night, Mary Jane found the brass key placed carefully on her pillow.
May you like
A strip of paper was tied to the blue ribbon.
Be quiet until after the wedding.
