The Prudential Light, page 17
part #1 of Cry Havoc Series
“Is it not the same in China?” Milly asked wonderingly.
“Not exactly the same. The female head of the household wields a lot of power, through influence over her husband and her sons.”
“Interesting,” Jemima commented. “Influence, is it?” She glanced wickedly at Edward.
“Do not get ideas, love,” Edward said mildly. “You already do too much manipulating as it is.”
An expression of mock outrage came over Jemima’s face. “It is not manipulation if you are clever and know what to do.”
Fulton cleared his throat. “Let us perhaps have less talk in general of men having an advantage over women. In this house, the women rule; is that not so?” He lifted an eyebrow at Edward. “You know this to be true, old friend.” A footman finished filling their glasses with champagne, and Fulton lifted his in a toast. “To new beginnings. To a son, Louis, for Edward and Jemima, a daughter, Arrabella, to Milly and myself, and to Aunt Prudence reuniting with her daughter Lily, who we welcome to the family. Health and happiness to us all.”
Later that night when everyone was abed, I was able to draw out Yu Tang’s letter. Lily was asleep in the room next to mine, and I felt great comfort in knowing she was there. I was still in a state of bewilderment, and I knew that it would take time for us all to adjust. I never thought I would have my daughter so close to me, and I was so proud of how she’d turned out, so grateful to Yu Tang for doing right by her.
From my dressing table, I took down the small rice bowl that Yu Tang had gifted me when I left him all those years ago. It was white with green-stemmed orange and pink flowers spread out over its surface, and they were just as bright as ever. It was the miracle of Chinese kilns and a skill much envied in Britain. As well I drew out the jade necklace he’d given me the day I left. The leather cord had long since disintegrated so it now sat on a fine chain, one that my sister, Charity, had bequeathed to me. It had brought me good fortune and good health, I thought. I was rarely ill and, given all the activity in my life these past two years, remarkably resilient.
When we battled that monster’s minions, I had used the skills that Yu Tang had taught me to apply everyday things in my defence. Umbrellas and hatpins thrown with deadly accuracy, for example. Milly learned too, and we had helped Jemima and the others prevail.
For the first time, I was able to reflect on how fortunate I had been in many ways. And now I had met my daughter, who I’d never thought I would see again. My mind turned inevitably to my son James, and I pondered whether he was alive or dead, happy or sad, and whether he remembered me.
Letting go a long sigh, I unfolded the letter and read.
* * *
Dearest Prudence,
* * *
I hope this letter finds you well. If you are reading it, then you have met our daughter Lily, who has been a joy in my heart. No daughter could be as good in spirit or as strong in mind as she. I hope you are pleased with her, as I am, and that you know I have been faithful to my promise to you all those years ago.
* * *
Please accept this humble missive from one who honours you and offers prayers daily for your good health and fortune. Not a day has gone by when I do not think of you and our time together. Your beauty and your grace remain in my memory, and your tender heart so true, even when you were in the direst of straits. It was my honour to assist you and keep you safe. It was a gift to love you and hold you close to my heart. I fear I did not know what you were to me until you were gone from my sight. My spirit was very low for months after you left. Only your letter telling me you had arrived safely lifted my mood.
* * *
I kept my promise about our daughter. I have cared for her, loved her and protected her. Lily learned of you from my lips. Even though now she has many brothers and sisters, and her life has been good, I send her to England to discover a future for herself, one not dictated by tradition. There is a strong part of her that is from you. I saw it from her earliest days. I like to think that she is the best of two worlds, united in strength.
* * *
We have prospered and prospered well thanks to your guidance. The gift of language you taught me proved invaluable. Your creativity in design and advice on the fashion market paid great dividends. Please accept this token from me as a return on your investment in a humble merchant to whom you gave many things.
* * *
As surely as you emit the magical and potent Prudential Light when your life is threatened, your inner light burns brightly in those you love. Lily has inherited your gift and with guidance can use it at will. Guide her to use this power for good in your country. I dry my tears now as Lily leaves me to travel across the sea. I feel in some way what it must have been like for you to part from her. It wounds me to the heart to say goodbye to her, knowing this is the last time I may see her. Why is the world a cruel place that separates those we love and cherish from us?
* * *
I have lived many years now and the year I spent with you was the most significant, because you opened my mind to possibilities, to differences, to love. It is always my regret that I did not find a way for us to be together. However, I know that I did the right thing to send you back to your home, for eventually your light would have faded, living in seclusion and away from the world as you were. To be shunned by your people and mine would have wounded your spirit greatly. I hope that you have found fulfillment in this life.
* * *
My soul hopes that you have been happy and that you think well of me, if you think of me at all.
* * *
Your dearest friend
(put Character here)
Chen Yu Tang
12 December 1863
* * *
Oh, Yu Tang, you did the right thing!
I’d had to leave. I could not regret that decision, except—it left so many ‘what if’s in its wake.
While I no longer loved Yu Tang with a passion as I once did, I looked upon his memory fondly. I didn’t believe I would have survived that night on the streets without his help, Prudential Light or no. Now I felt dismayed that I had never really learned how to use it. It thrilled me that Lily had this power and could wield it. I came from a special family, and I had passed on membership in that family to Lily. After glimpsing the power in Louis and Arrabella, I had to ensure that the talent was fostered and the learned to use it. I thought of Milly and wondered if she too had a talent that we had not recognised.
I prepared for bed and then lay down and read the letter twice more. I tried to connect to my Prudential Light and while I thought I had failed, my dreams were rich and strangely lifelike.
I saw a large house in my mind’s eye. The air was thick with heat, but a breeze swayed the leaves of the palm trees that grew around it. I floated into the building through a window. A plume of incense rose from a stick in a holder on a side table. In a chair sat a man. He was dressed in a red silk robe, and he had slippers on his feet. He was smaller than I remembered, thinner, more hunched, with fine lines around his mouth and eyes. His hair was cut short and had grown grey. He looked up as I approached. Eyes wide, he exclaimed, “Prudence?”
I put out my hands to him, and we touched. It felt so real that. “Yu?”
“Yes, it is me.” He smiled, a look of fondness in his features. “I would know you anywhere.”
I sat up suddenly, the scent of perfumed incense in the air. It was as if I had actually been there. Yet, how could that be? Perhaps, it was a strong dream, because I had read Yu’s letter a few times before falling asleep. And yet, it had seemed so real, and he had spoken to me. It felt similar to the times I had seen my brother Brandon—he had seemed so real to me then, too. And the time I visited Wilbur, but I do not think I actually went to his house by conventional means. It was part of my gift. Mr White asked me if I spoke to the dead and I admitted that I did and the living. It was so frustrating though not to be able to direct my talent at will. It was hard to take credit for something I had no control over.
Disturbed, I tried to go back to sleep but eventually gave up. The house was cold, and I pulled on a robe and slippers. Perhaps I could heat some milk in the kitchen to help me go back to sleep.
Chapter 13
In the dim light of the hall lantern, I crept slowly towards the stairs, hoping to stop my pot of hot chocolate spilling over the tray.
“Can I have some of that too, Aunt?” Jemima whisper-shouted from her bedroom door. There were two cups on the tray already, possibly foresight on my part.
“Of course,” I replied, and changed direction. I could hear baby Louis gurgling and cooing as I approached. Jemima had decided to feed the baby herself, which meant she was up at all hours. Luckily, she had a night nurse to help out.
I entered the room. Edward lay sprawled on top of the bed in his nightshirt, his curls standing up. It looked as if he had been supervising and had fallen asleep.
The baby kicked in the cradle. I put down the tray of hot chocolate, poured Jemima a cup and handed it to her. “May I?” I asked, indicating with my chin to baby Louis. “Where is the nurse?”
“Gone to fetch some more linens for Louis,” she replied taking a sip. “He is lively and finding it hard to settle. He cannot possibly be hungry. He has been feeding this last hour at least.”
I picked him up and placed him on my shoulder. “There, there, young man. What is the problem?”
I could feel that he had a lot of wind in his tummy. Jemima would not listen to advice about diet and would eat the peas at dinner, whereas Milly avoided them because she was compliant. Arrabella did not have as much wind. I soothed the baby, holding him upright and rubbing his back until all that nasty wind came out. Louis was a strong baby, able to lift his head a little and look at me. “How do you do, young sir. Are you ready to sleep now?”
As I put him back in his cradle and swaddled him, Louis relaxed and soon closed his eyes. I smoothed his hair with a forefinger and sighed.
I grew conscious of Jemima staring at me, and went to the tray to pour myself some hot chocolate. As we were both awake, it did not hurt to chat.
When I took my seat, Jemima began. “How is the memoir going, Aunt?”
“Very well, considering. I am not sure how much more there is to the story. As you know, some of it is catching up with me now.”
“It is, indeed. How does that feel?”
I took a sip and met Jemima’s frank gaze. We had not always been friends. But we had the measure of each other and had resolved our differences. Lowering my cup, I considered my niece. Cousin Wilbur had been preternaturally young. Only murder had removed him from this life. Why I thought of him just then I did not know.
As I relaxed back into the chair, I responded, “It is hard to articulate. Part of me feels like I am in a dream. Happy to see Lily, of course. It’s like a part of me that broke off years ago has come back to make me whole again.” Tears sprang to my eyes and I searched for a handkerchief in my robe pocket. “I hope that my friends will understand the circumstances.”
“Are there any more surprises?” she asked, her gaze keen, as if she craved more excitement.
“Possibly,” I said cautiously.
“Why did you not marry Lily’s father? Was it because he was Chinese?”
“No. I would have married him if I could, although, of course, our society would have looked at both of us askance. Yu Tang was a lovely man, educated and clever. I could not marry him for the simple reason that I was already married.”
“What?” Jemima’s head titled to the side.
“I had married in England back in 1936.”
“Oh, that was to Charles Leighton.”
I blinked, surprised.
“I confess, I read some of your memoir. Just flicked through a few sections.”
Appalled, I rounded on her. “Jemima!”
Her cheeks grew pink, and Edward twitched as if my voice had cut into his slumber.
“All right!” she began, flapping a hand as if putting out my fire. “I am not proud of myself. And it was only a few pages…here and there. It is a bit a jumble, if you must know.”
“It is not finished yet. It is not orderly. I have not decided what I will share, yet, if any of it. Memories are like threads. You pull one and a whole section of the past comes undone. The final copy will have the parts I want to share.”
Jemima waved a hand. “Aunt Prudence, you should publish all of it. You will make a fortune. Anonymously, of course. It has scandal, intrigue, love, betrayal…secret babies!”
I near choked on my hot chocolate. “You read the whole thing!”
Jemma blushed. “Did I? But it is not finished. Did you ever find James?”
The cup clattered on the saucer as I tried to draw breath. “No, I never found my son.”
Jemima covered her mouth. “Oh, Aunt. That is terrible. Now that I have a child, I understand that bond. How could you bear it?”
Sagging into the chair, I replied, “I did not bear it well.” I blinked hard against fresh tears then turned to her, feigning outrage in every pore. “Really, Jemima, you should not have read my memoir, or any part of it. Why did you?”
Jemima pouted. “If you must know, I wanted to get an understanding of you, about why you act the way you do. Why you hated me so at first.”
I gave a tight-lipped smile. “I have alluded to that in part. But foremost I have not had a moment to reflect on any of my writings. It is just a raw, unfinished remembrance of past happenings at the moment.”
“Cannot you just tell me now?”
I sighed and threw up my hands. “I am fairly certain you have worked it out already, and I have apologised in my way. It was mostly to do with Milly. I had hoped that Edward would choose her for a wife. His mother put the idea in my head, actually. ‘How lovely would it be if Edward married Milly,’ she said. At that time, Edward was at school and not yet sixteen. I will not say it was her dearest wish, because it was only a passing mention, but that had my mind going in a particular way. Milly, as you know, is a remarkable woman, and I raised her and loved her as my own. Then you arrived and tore all my plans to shreds. A charming, beautiful, elegant, rich, clever young woman with claims on Edward’s affection.” I shrugged. “You definitely had his attention. My vision of Milly’s marital bliss was shattered as soon as I looked at you. Of course, as time has gone on, we have all been shown that things turned out the way they were meant to.” I met her stare. “Does that accord with what you have discerned, Jemima?”
Jemima wiggled in her chair, making herself more comfortable. “Well, yes, if you must know, it does. However, you put a certain slant on the situation that softens it somewhat for me, knowing all the parties as I do now.”
We smiled at each other. If we had been at war, I would say we’d reached a truce, but we were not, and I saw that Jemima’s affection was genuine. Then a certain circumstance flashed in my memory. I refilled my cup and took another sip.
“You thought you could outsmart me by buying fabric and giving Milly dresses and exposing her to Fulton.” As I sat back in my chair, I sniffed a little. “That did work out well, I grant you, but you could not have known it would, and thus cannot take the credit.”
Jemma sat up straight, as if I had shot an arrow at her. “Of course I cannot take credit. I did not make them fall in love. I do not control their hearts, but I confess I did encourage them when I saw which way the wind was blowing.”
I smiled and drained the last of my hot chocolate. Then I yawned and tried to smother it with a hand. It was as if Jemima’s vociferous energy had exhausted us both.
“Do I still annoy you, Aunt?” she said gently.
Given what I had just been thinking, my face grew hot. I put my empty cup back on the tray. “To be honest, my dear, you do rub me the wrong way at times. Mostly deliberately, I believe. However, I confess I have an affection and a respect for you that endures.”
Jemima smiled, her blue eyes sparkling. “I love you also, Aunt Prudence.” Then she yawned too, picked up her cup and drank off the last of her own chocolate. “The nurse is back so I really must go to bed. Louis will wake again soon to feed and I really must rest.”
“Oh yes, I as well.” We both stood, and Jemima reached for my hand and squeezed it gently. “I will not tell a soul about what I read. I promise. I beg you, though, to keep in the part about the Prudential Light. That is fascinating. We are a special family.”
My cheeks heated “Yes,” I replied, “I have decided to keep that part, even though I do not understand it as I should.” I was tempted to tell her about my dream visit to Yu Tang, but decided to keep it to myself.
I headed to the door and paused as I turned back. “Sleep well, my dear. Shall I assist you in the morning with the baby?”
Jemima yawned again. “Oh yes, please do. Edward is useless. He just falls asleep all the time. He sings a lullaby and then drifts off himself in a moment, leaving Louis awake. And I dare say he cannot tell one end of the baby from the other. Luckily, the day nurse is as competent as the night nurse. If you come around nine, the nurse can take a break, and I shall get up and dressed.”
“So early? Should you not be resting?”
“I am resting. I am not hunting down the murderers of my father, am I? Come to think of it, I still haven’t had any word from Uncle Ferdy. I need information from him before I can start looking. I must own that I am seriously concerned about him. He is still not answering me when I call. If I could spare Edward, I would send him searching.”
“Perhaps, if Mr White does not respond tomorrow, you should discuss it with Edward. He may have a solution.”
