The Fourth Mistress - Chapter 56

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Lady Viola, who sat opposite Louise, now stared at the fireplace where the logs of wood continued to burn brightly. She said,

“When both Nancy and Johanna passed away, like others we believed that it was because of their sickness. Emily was fast to kill Nancy, but nobody could speculate it to be a murder. She took some more time when it came to Johanna, and even then we thought it was because of the girl’s weak health. With her behavior and the way she looked innocent, no one had a speck of doubt on her.”

Louise, who was quietly listening to Lady Viola, asked, “Graham took time before he married Lisa. Before that, didn’t try Emily confessing her feelings to Graham?”

“I don’t think she did. Graham was busy with expanding our business and he barely had time for anyone. The most we saw him was during breakfast and dinner. He didn’t want to be disturbed,” explained Lady Viola, lines forming on her forehead.

“Did you ever find anything to be strange during that time? About Emily,” asked Louise, and the older woman shook her head.

“Emily… She was good at every work given to her. She wanted us to notice her, and we did because of how attentive she was to everyone. Quiet, but very attentive,” said Lady Viola, turning back to look at Louise. “But whatever she planned, it was thought out.”

“What do you mean?” questioned Louise, her eyebrows furrowed, while Lady Viola looked away, staring into space.

Six years ago…

Emily smiled at her fellow maids, her footsteps graceful as she walked through the corridors of the manor while carrying the washed bedsheets from one room to another. Reaching in front of Graham’s room, she made her hair proper before knocking on the door.

“Come in,” came Graham’s voice and when she stepped inside and bowed her head. Looking up, their eyes briefly met.

“I am here to change the sheets, Master Graham,” she informed him, watching him sitting at his desk.

“Go on,” said Graham, going back to what he was working on.

Emily smiled, walking towards the bed while watching Graham, who looked busy. She had fixed her chores around the time when and where Graham was present. The ice-like wall that Graham had put around him since his second wife’s death had slowly started to melt.

She was happy seeing him from a distance, with no other woman next to him. Lately, his mood had improved, and Emily believed it was time to confess her feelings to him.

But one day, when she was dusting and cleaning the table in the corner of the hall, someone knocked on the front door of the manor, and the butler went to get it. Gilbert bowed his head and said,

“Welcome back home, Master Graham.”

Hearing Graham’s name, Emily quickly turned to look in the direction of the door, wondering why Graham was back this early. But then she saw he wasn’t alone and he had a young woman standing next to him.

Graham said to the butler, “Tell mother and father, and others to come to the drawing room. I have something to tell them.”

“Yes, Master Graham,” Gilbert bowed his head and went to bring Reed’s family members.

“Let’s go this way,” said Graham to the woman who was with him. Emily wondered if it was something to do with the business dealing. But why a woman?

When all the family members came to gather in the drawing-room, Emily quietly walked towards the drawing-room, and she stood next to the window to eavesdrop. Somewhere, she started to feel nervous about the situation.

“What do you want to talk to us, Graham?” asked Mr. Reed to his son.

“Mother, father, this here,” Graham turned to look at the young woman next to him, “This is Lisa Young, and I have decided to marry her.”

Like the people in the room, who were taken aback by Graham’s decision, Emily was shocked.

“Isn’t this a bit sudden?” asked Lady Viola, her lips set into a thin line.

“Forgive me for delivering this information suddenly, but I have known Lisa for quite a few months now and she makes me happy,” confessed Graham. When Emily leaned forward, she noticed Graham’s hand reaching out for the woman’s hand, holding it, and it was enough to fuel the jealousy in full blow. She peeked at the woman through the window.

“My apologies for not making an appearance before, Mr. and Mrs. Reed. I have heard a lot from Graham about you. Lady Alison and Mr.  and Mrs. Wensley too. It is good to finally be able to meet all of you,” Lisa had the politest smile on her face, and her eyes brightened, making her look prettier.

It was Robert Reed who eased the tense atmosphere in the room, and he said, “It is good to know that Graham has found someone. We are happy to be meeting you, Lisa.”

Lady Agatha complimented the young woman, “You are beautiful, Lisa. I can see why Graham has fallen in love with you.” Hearing this, Lisa’s cheeks turned red.

Graham said, “I didn’t want to waste any more time. I would like it if all of you would accept Lisa as I don’t see myself with anyone, but her.”

Emily desperately hoped that someone would reject, waiting for Lady Viola to make an issue about it, but the woman stayed mum.

Alison walked to where Lisa stood, hugging her, and she pulled back with a smile, “We look forward to you being part of our family, Lisa.”

“A word with you, Graham,” said Lady Viola with a composed expression and both Graham as well as Mr. Reed stepped outside the room. Emily moved to the other window so that they wouldn’t find her eavesdropping on them. “Since when have you been seeing Ms. Young, Graham? You never mentioned anything about her to us.”

Graham took a few seconds before he said, “Truthfully, I didn’t expect to fall in love with her, but Lisa is a very sweet woman, mother. It is because of her company that I feel alive these days. I am finally able to get back to how things were before my first two failed marriages. Did I upset you by bringing her home?”

Emily was furious!

He had been seeing another woman all this time, while here she was worrying and waiting for him.

“I only wished that we had some time to spend with her to get to know her,” said Lady Viola with a grim expression on her face.

“I can assure you, she is everything that I will ever need.”

Hearing Graham’s words, Emily’s face twisted in anger. She started to walk away from there so that no one would catch sight of the anger that had surfaced on her face.

She was furious, jealous, and in deep pain, wanting to get rid of the woman, but that would only fall into the same cycle, thought Emily to herself. When she had killed the first wife, she had hoped to be Graham’s wife, but instead, they had brought another wife. And after that, Graham turned cold as ice.

This time, she would be careful and make sure that Graham would take her as his wife once Lisa would die.

Only a little pain and sadness, and then there would be a lifetime of happiness, she convinced herself.

But to Emily, it wasn’t easy to see Graham with someone, whom she believed to be hers, showering his love on another woman. As if that wasn’t enough, Lady Viola had decided on something, but she took this as an advantage.

“Lisa,” said Lady Viola to the young woman, who looked kinder than Emily in appearance. “I would like you to have a personal maid for yourself. Emily is one of our most efficient maids in the manor. Feel free to ask her anything you need.”

“That is very kind of you, Lady Viola,” Lisa bowed her head, feeling grateful that her future mother-in-law was thoughtful. But the older woman had assigned a maid only so that she could keep an eye on Lisa’s health.

Lady Viola said to Emily, “Lisa is going to Mr. Burnell’s shop tomorrow to get the wedding gown stitched, go with her.”

Patience, said Emily to herself. She would get her turn, and she would use Lisa for it.

The next morning, both Lisa and Emily got into the carriage. But before the carriage could leave, the carriage door opened, and Graham climbed inside. Lisa looked surprised and asked, “Don’t you have work today?”

The frozen face of Graham that Emily had been seeing since the last few months had disappeared, and he now smiled at Lisa. He said, “I do, but I wanted to be there with you when you are stitching your wedding gown. We are in this together, aren’t we?”

Earlier, when they climbed inside, Lisa and Emily had taken the same seat, but with Graham, who took the opposite seat, Lisa went to join him and their hands interlocked with each other.

When they reached Mr. Burnell’s shop where Reed’s family bought the customized clothes, Graham spoke to the tailorman, “I want you to make use of the best and most expensive material for the wedding gown. The price doesn’t matter.”

Lisa placed her hand on Graham’s arm and whispered, “I don’t need an expensive gown, Graham. I am happy with a simple one.”

Graham leaned towards Lisa and kissed her temple, “You don’t have to worry about the price, I am here now.”

“You know that’s not the reason,” Lisa stared at Graham, and he smiled at her.

“I want to give you everything I can, and it is from my own hard earned money,” he replied before turning his gaze back to the tailorman and giving him a nod.

The other times, when they had to visit the tailor, Graham accompanied Lisa, where he discussed the details that might look good on the gown, involving himself and sparing his time to spend with Lisa. And all that time, Emily watched the couple at the sidelines in anger.

“I was thinking about having the cross stitches on my sleeves. Do you think it will look good?” asked Lisa.

“Is it possible, Mr. Burnell?” asked Graham, and the tailorman nodded his head.

“I can work on that, Mr. Reed. The gown will be ready in two weeks,” replied the tailorman. “I can tell both of you will make a beautiful pair.”

Three weeks later, Graham married Lisa Young. Everyone around the town of Warlington was invited to attend their grand wedding. While others blessed them to have a happy marriage, one person was readying the casket to put Lisa to rest.

Weeks turned to months, and Emily became close to Lisa. Encouraging her, being her friend when Graham was away at work. One day, when Lisa was roaming around the manor, she had stepped inside Lady Brielle’s room, noticing a window open. Closing it, she returned when she noticed the door of the room to be locked.

“Hello!” Lisa banged her hand on the door. “Did someone lock the door?” she called, but it took more than ten minutes before one of the servants noticed her.

“What is with the commotion?” demanded Lady Viola. On seeing the door being opened, Lisa stepped out.

Lisa looked around. She said, “I think someone locked the room by mistake.”

Lady Viola wasn’t happy with the noises, but she didn’t say anything.

But that wasn’t the last time Lisa had been locked in the room. When more time passed, Lady Viola and the others who were in the manor often noticed how Lisa banged the doors, where she found herself locked in rooms and later let out, where she found no one.

One day, Lady Agatha and Lady Viola were sitting on the patio when Lady Agatha said, “Do you think it is the servants who are playing pranks?”

Lady Viola shook her head, “They would never behave like this. It was fine with Nancy and Johanna. It is getting tiresome how Lisa tries to bring attention to herself.”

“I shouldn’t ask this but… did Graham make sure to check the background of the family?” asked Lady Agatha.

“He said he did. But now I am not so sure. I feel like she’s losing her mind. I am thinking about bringing her to a doctor.”

Footsteps stopped behind them, and when Lady Viola turned to look, she noticed it was Lisa. The two older women were startled, not knowing how long Lisa had been standing there, listening to them. The young woman looked red in embarrassment. Lisa looked torn before she stepped out of the room.

One weekend, after Lisa and Graham had returned from an afternoon soiree, Lisa was changing her clothes when she found something in her dress pocket. After reading it, her face turned pale. But the worst part was that… the handwriting matched with the person she had married.

For the next three nights, Lisa turned distant in fear. Was it true that the Reed’s didn’t want her here? Did Graham not love her anymore? What if the rumours were true about the last two wives being murdered? Questioned Lisa to herself.

“What’s the matter, Lisa? You have been restless since the last few days,” Graham confronted his wife.

“I want to move from here, Graham. Let’s go from here and live in another town,” pleaded Lisa. She had said it suddenly, and Graham looked at her with a frown.

“But what happened?” he asked her.

Lisa shook her head, unable to explain. She couldn’t make out if Graham had written this in his family’s words or if one of his dead wives was haunting her. She said, “There’s something in here. I feel like someone is trying to lock me in the rooms, trying to scare me and people think I am going crazy.”

Graham put his arms around her and hugged her to calm her down. Lisa broke into tears, and she sobbed, “Please don’t leave me. Please, I am so scared and lonely here.”

“I will speak to my family and the servants, they won’t say anything again to you,” said Graham, rubbing her back, but Lisa’s tears didn’t stop.

“I am scared,” said Lisa.

“Nothing is going to happen to you. If it makes you feel better, we can move to Habsburg once the factory is ready. There’s a manor that hasn’t been used in a long while, and we can shift there. Just you and me, start afresh,” Graham tried to console her. “Okay?”

Lisa nodded her head, pulling away from Graham. She looked at him with her tear-streaked face.

But Emily didn’t stop scaring Lisa, making sure a word of rumour slipped out of the manor where people had begun to speak about Graham’s wife who was going crazy. No one in the manor doubted Emily being behind this as she was careful not to get caught. She continued to walk around, helping the other servants so that no one doubted or pointed the finger at her.

Lisa was in the garden, all alone by herself, when Emily walked towards her.

“Is everything alright, miss? You have been sitting here for quite long. The rays of sunlight might burn your skin,” said Emily, polite as always.

Lisa nodded her head, trying to put up a brave face but hearing the concerned words of the maid, it only fell apart.

“I think I am losing my mind, Emily,” confessed Lisa, rubbing her forehead as she tried hard not to cry.

“Is it about what people are saying?” asked Emily, and Lisa nodded her head. “You shouldn’t listen to them, milady. People always talk about things they don’t know about, even I have gone through it and I don’t like it either.”

Lisa turned to look at Emily, who came around and stood in front of her, stopping the rays of the sun from falling on Lisa. “Share with me, Emily. It will keep my mind away from what I am thinking and maybe you can lessen your burden,” she offered false sympathy.

Emily softly smiled, tucking the hair behind her ear because of the sudden breeze. She said, “There was a time when people said things that they didn’t know about. People never try to know the truth and like to blame, without understanding the difficulties a person goes through or the situation. I don’t like gossip, milady.”

“Was it your family member?” asked Lisa, and Emily nodded her head.

“Will you keep it a secret, milady?”

“Of course,” Lisa promised not to utter a word about it. “I promise whatever we speak, it will remain just between us,” she assured.

Emily and Lisa’ relationship had turned to being friends, where they shared things. While one was considered the other as a true friend, the other believed Lisa was a competition. But at the same time, Emily had spent quite some time with the young mistress.

Holding her hands in front of her, she said, “People said bad things about my mother. Even though she didn’t do those things, she was blamed for it as if she had sinned.”

“I am sorry to hear that, Emily,” Lisa offered her condolences. “I can understand why you hate gossip, people are very vile. I haven’t been able to sleep well, that might be it.”

“Don’t feel bad about today, milady. One day you won’t feel what you are feeling right,” said Emily. The tone of her words turned serious, and when it caught Lisa’s attention, Emily said, “After so many years I feel much better now.”

“You are right. Graham told me, he and I can move to Habsburg once the new office, which is in its finishing phase, is complete,” Lisa nodded her head, standing up, she placed her hand on Emily’s shoulder. “I am glad I have you to talk to about things like these, Emily.”

Lisa walked back inside the manor while Emily stood there stunned.

Was Graham leaving Warlington? Was he leaving her behind?

Anger coursed through her. She wouldn’t let that happen. If the family and Graham weren’t convinced that Lisa was losing her mind and had turned insane, it was time to remove Lisa from here.

It wasn’t that Emily didn’t like Lisa, but she loved Graham.

A few days later, when Lisa and Graham went to attend one of the soirees, Lisa overheard some women talking about her and giggling. This increased her distress, and she wondered if she was indeed becoming crazy.

Noticing Lisa’s discomfort, Graham went back to Lisa’s side. He was about to speak to her when she said, “I don’t think your previous wives are happy with me.”

“What?” asked Graham startled, and they moved towards the railings where no one was present. “I thought we had already spoken about this. There is no ghost, Lisa.”

Lisa shook her head, “It is hard to not think about it. They say spirits are often very vengeful.”

Graham took two steps and stood next to her, placing his hands on the railings, and he said, “The priest found nothing in the manor, Lisa. You and I both were there when we heard that there was nothing evil in the manor.”

“You don’t know, Graham. I have felt it, something ominous. I have something to ask from you. Will you do it?”

“What is it?” He looked at her with a subtle frown.

Lisa raised her hand, asking him to promise her, and Graham placed his hand on hers.

She then said, “If something bad happens to me, I don’t want you to spend the rest of your life alone.” Lisa said the words because she knew how much Graham loved her. “I want you to marry someone who will look after you, who knows and understands you.”

“This is nonsense, Lisa,” Graham pulled his hand back, and he let out a frustrated sigh. “You and I are going to spend the rest of our lives being together.”

“We don’t know about that. We cannot be certain about things. I love you very much, Graham and I know you know it,” said Lisa, watching Graham, who turned to look away. “Maybe, I need to be treated and maybe you deserve someone better. So I want to tell you that if something bad happen to me-”

“That’s enough. We are not going to discuss this anymore,” Graham turned around so that he could get back inside.

“You are already leaving!” said Lisa, her voice breaking and attracting other guests’ attention in the soiree.

Graham turned around and said to Lisa, “I don’t want to discuss things like your death anymore.”

“But it will happen,” said Lisa, her eyes looking slightly livid, “When I am gone, you will need someone. Someone to love you, Graham. To fill that void. I have been thinking and maybe I should find someone who is suitable for you.”

Graham closed his eyes, not knowing why his wife stubbornly believed that she was going to die, “You are being ridiculous now, Lisa. Do you know what you are saying?”

“I know, and this is precautionary measures,” said Lisa, walking up to him and saying, “I have been taking everything into account and I think the right person for you is someone who is kind and knows your family well. That person is Emily. I can trust her because she is a dear friend-”

Graham pinched the bridge of his nose, “Lisa, please. Let’s get back to the manor now.”

“No, you promised me. You promised!” There were tears in Lisa’s eyes, and Graham quickly stepped forward to hug her.

“Don’t cry,” he noticed people watching them with a look of suspicion in their eyes. “We can discuss this later, once we get back home. Okay? Calm down now.”

A few days later, Lisa walked around the house, and she called Emily, who was in the kitchen.

“Yes, milady?” asked Emily.

“I need you to get a stool and come with me,” said Lisa and the maid did as she was told, following the young woman.

“Where are we going, milady?” asked Emily in question, not knowing what Lisa had on her mind.

“I will tell you,” Lisa smiled, taking Emily to the attic. Reaching the room, she looked up at the ceiling and said, “I wanted to take a look at the hangings in here.” She placed the stool and stepped on it, balancing herself. “This seems wobbly,” she said before taking a look at the hangings.

By mistake, when Lisa took a step backwards, she slipped and fell hard on the floor. The wooden floor that had weakened over the years broke down to create an open crack on the floor, and Lisa’s head laid right below it.

“Ugh!” Lisa winced in pain because of the sudden fall on the wooden floor. When her eyes fell on Emily, she noticed the maid stared at her while making no effort to help her to stand. “Emily, help me to stand,” said the young wife of Graham, as for some reason, her body hurt, and she couldn’t stand up.

Instead of helping Lisa, she tried to hear for any footsteps in the corridor. When there was none, she finally walked towards Lisa, ignoring the hand Lisa had raised. She sat down.

The maid said, “For how long I have been waiting for this day. But never would I have thought that you would help me… Lisa.” Emily gently placed her hand on top of Lisa’s head.

Sensing something to be off, Lisa’s eyebrows furrowed, “What are you telling, Emily? Help me stand up.”

Emily shook her head, her movements slow, and she said, “With you gone, everything will be back to normal. Don’t worry, I will take good care of Graham for you. Better than you,” a small smile came to form on the maid’s lips.

Lisa’s eyes widened when she finally came to realize what Emily’s words meant. Fear entered her eyes as the maid gripped her head.

Lisa understood that Emily had already made up her mind, “I considered you as my friend, but you broke it. You hurt me, Emily.

“When you’re gone, I will take your place, I will be Graham’s mistress,” said Emily, excitement bubbling in her eyes.

A tear escaped from Lisa’s eyes, and she then said, “Knowing how much you hate gossip and bad rumours, I shall give you a gift. One day people will find out about what you did, and from that day, you will never be known as Graham’s wife. No one will ever acknowledge you as his wif-”

Before Lisa could finish her words, Emily pushed Lisa’s head down to the jagged wooden floor that had an opening with cracked wood pierce through the back of Lisa’s neck.

Emily didn’t stay behind to watch the woman die, and she quickly went outside to meet one of the servants before slowing down and asked, “Do you know where the screwdrivers are? Lady Lisa wants to fix the hangings in the attic.”

The male servant shook his head and said, “You should probably ask Jonas, he was the one holding yesterday.”

Offering a calm smile, she walked around the manor with her heart beating loudly in her chest. Seeing the butler, she went to him and asked, “Do you know where the screwdrivers are? Saul said you might know”

Gilbert nodded his head. At the same time, they heard one of the maids scream.

Everyone who heard it quickly ran in the direction of the scream. They caught sight of the maid, who covered her mouth with both her hands while looking at the ceiling. Blood dripped down with the backside of the head visible on the ceiling.

By the time everyone reached the attic, they had found Lisa’s body lying cold on the floor.

Two years passed after the tragic death of Graham’s third wife in the attic of Reed’s manor.

The Reed’s family tried to cope with the loss, and they decided to move to Habsburg and into the Lestrange’s manor. During that time, Graham was still heartbroken, and he held onto the memories of Lisa. Remembering the time they had spent together. Remembering the words Lisa had uttered and the promise she had taken from him.

Even though he held no feelings or interest towards the woman, whom Lisa had chosen for him, Graham decided to fulfil Lisa’s last wish.

As expected, when the family heard about it, Lady Viola turned livid at Graham’s decision. They had gathered in one room, and she said, “I will never allow this!”

“It was Lisa’s wish, mother and I would like to fulfill it,” said Graham with a serious expression on his face.

Lady Viola shook her head and turned to look at her husband, “Tell him this is not right,” and she turned back to look at her son. “Are you planning to spoil our reputation? People already speak behind our back and this is only going to add more fuel! Out of everything a maid?!”

“Viola, calm down,” said Mr. Reed, his expression grave because of what his son said. Everyone had a confused and startled look on their faces.

“Calm down?” questioned Lady Viola. “I will never approve this! Lisa was already losing her mind and she wasn’t in her sane mind when she said that!”

“People are going to talk, Graham,” said his father, his lips set in a thin line.

“People will always talk, father. All I am doing is fulfilling one promise Lisa had asked from me,” said Graham, remembering the way Lisa had looked at him that day, her eyes anxious.

Everyone looked at Robert Reed as he was the head of the family, wondering what his decision was on the matter. The man then said, “Okay. If that is what you really want.”

“What?!” questioned Lady Viola in disbelief.

“But,” said Robert, “It will be a small, private wedding. Just among us. Do you agree?”

Graham nodded his head, “Okay.”

Hearing the news, Emily was on cloud nine. Her dream to be with Graham had finally come true, and this time, there was no one to come in between them. From the servant’s quarters, her things were shifted to a room that was in the right wing of the manor. Before the wedding, she started to use that room with all the new clothes bought for her.

Now sitting in the carriage, Emily stared outside the little window. Graham had given money to buy her wedding gown, and though she wished for Graham to accompany her, she tried to reason that he was busy.

On reaching Mr. Burnell’s shop, she stepped inside, and the man greeted her.

“How can I help you, milady?” asked Mr. Burnell.

Emily hadn’t slept for quite a few nights just out of pure excitement, and it had brought dark circles around her eyes and her hair ruffled because of the wind, making her look older than her actual age.

“I was looking for wedding gowns to buy,” said Emily, her eyes taking in the shop, while Mr. Burnell didn’t recognize her.

“What are you looking for? We have the designs…” he went to explain it to her.

She then asked him, “Do you have second-hand wedding gowns?

“Yes, give me a moment,” said Mr. Burnell, and he took her inside where they had closets and started to show her one gown after another. Emily’s eyes finally fell on Lisa’s gown, which was sent back to the shop by Lady Viola, her future mother-in-law.

“I would like to buy this one,” said Emily, picking up Lisa’s wedding gown. She had seen how Graham had taken his time selecting the design and the material for the wedding gown, which was why she decided to get this wedding gown.

Coming back to the present, where Louise and Lady Viola were seated in the drawing-room, Gilbert was next to the fireplace, adding more logs of wood to keep the room warm.

Louise could imagine how Lady Viola had looked after finding out that Emily had bought the same wedding gown that she had sent back to the Burnell’s shop.

Lady Viola gritted her teeth, “I now know why I used to get irritated every time I saw her, even though I didn’t remember.”

“When did you find out that Emily bought Lisa’s wedding gown?” asked Louise, being curious.

“It was just a few minutes before Emily was about to walk down the aisle,” Lady Viola shook her head. “Not only did she buy an already worn wedding gown, but she had the audacity to buy Graham’s deceased wife’s gown, who had died in the strangest way.”

If the Reed’s had somehow forgotten about Emily, it was also possible that Lady Viola had forgotten to send back Lisa’s wedding gown to Mr. Burnell’s shop the second time, and the gown continued to stay in the manor without anyone’s knowledge until she had found it, thought Louise to herself.