Anne Perry [Thomas Pitt 25] Buckingham Palace Gardens (v4.0) (pdf)

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Charlotte closed the door and Gracie hoped to heaven she had
remained inside, but she dared not look round to find out.
B U C K I N G H A M P A L A C E G A R D E N S 47
Miss Phipps, Narraway began, what I am about to tell you, you
will keep with the same absolute discretion you do all things you learn
in this house. Do you understand me?
Yes, sir! I know what discretion is, Gracie said indignantly. I
don t talk about things to no one wot in t their business.
Good. Mr. Pitt was called this morning because there has been
a murder at Buckingham Palace, where the Queen lives. Although
she is not there at the moment, fortunately. However, the Prince of
Wales is.
Gracie stared at him speechlessly.
A prostitute was knifed to death, Narraway continued. And
her body was left in the linen cupboard in the guest wing, where there
are presently eight people staying. They are on extremely important
business with His Royal Highness.
An Mr. Pitt s gonna find out oo killed er, Gracie finished for
him. Don t worry, sir. We can take care of things ere.
I m sure you could, Miss Phipps. Narraway nodded very slightly,
the briefest possible flash of humor in his eyes. However, that is not
what your country requires of you.
Charlotte let out her breath with a sigh.
Narraway colored faintly, but he did not turn to look at her.
Wot d yer mean, my country ? Gracie asked, completely bewil-
dered. In t nothing I can do.
I suggest you get to the point, Mr. Narraway, Charlotte cut in at
last. If I may say so, you are wasting time, and it is late.
Narraway looked uncomfortable. There had been a distinct edge
to Charlotte s voice, and Gracie was sorry for him. Her awe of him
vanished. She had heard it said that no man was a hero to his valet.
Perhaps he wasn t to any servant who could read emotions in him
that were so oddly vulnerable.
Wot is it yer d like me to do, sir? she asked gently.
A flash of gratitude crossed Narraway s face for an instant, then
vanished. I would like you to take temporary employment at Buck-
ingham Palace, Miss Phipps. The position is already secured for you,
as a general between-stairs maid. No one will know that you are really
working for Special Branch, assisting Mr. Pitt, except Mr. Tyndale,
48 A N N E P E R R Y
who is in charge of the servants in that wing. It is a difficult job, and
possibly dangerous. One of the guests there is a murderer. We need
someone whose skill and discretion we can trust absolutely, and I
have no man at all who could pass himself off as a servant. He would
be found out in half an hour. You would not. Pitt says you are obser-
vant and trustworthy. It will be for only a few days at the most. We
have to solve this crime before Her Majesty returns from Osborne.
He looked at her very steadily. If this becomes public, the scan-
dal will be appalling. Will you do it? You will report to Mr. Pitt and do
whatever he tells you, to the letter.
You don t have to, Gracie, Charlotte interrupted quickly. It s
dangerous. This man has already killed a prostitute, by cutting her
throat. You are quite free to say no, and no one will think less of you.
Gracie s voice trembled. That in t true, ma am. We ll all think
less o me. Specially I will. I got ter go an elp Mr. Pitt.
And Her Majesty, Narraway added.
Gracie squared her shoulders and stretched to her full height of
almost five feet. An that poor cow wot were killed. Oo s gonna get
justice for er if we don t, eh?
Narraway swallowed and cleared his throat. There was only the
slightest trace of a smile on his face. No one, Miss Phipps. We are
greatly obliged to you. Will you be so good as to pack a bag with what-
ever you require? Uniforms will be provided for you. I shall wait and
take you tonight. The sooner you begin, the better.
Gracie turned at last to look at Charlotte fully, to try to make cer-
tain from her eyes rather than her words that she really wished her
to go.
Please look after yourself, Gracie, Charlotte said softly. We
shall miss you, but it won t be for long.
What about the laundry then? Gracie said anxiously in a last
grasp for safety.
I ll get Mrs. Claypole to come in an extra day, Charlotte
replied. Don t worry. Go and help Mr. Pitt. I think he may need you
far more than I do, just at the moment.
Yes. O course I will, Gracie agreed, her heart beating suddenly
high in her throat. Observant and trustworthy, he had said. That
burned like a flame inside her.
B U C K I N G H A M P A L A C E G A R D E N S 49
An hour later Gracie was in Buckingham Palace being intro-
duced by Pitt to Mr. Tyndale. They were in the housekeeper s room,
but Mrs. Newsome herself was absent. She was not to know Gracie s
purpose here. Only Mr. Tyndale was to be aware of it, and that deli-
cately balanced situation was going to require some skill to maintain.
At the moment Mr. Tyndale was explaining Gracie s duties to her,
and the basic rules of behavior to be followed by servants.
This will be entirely different from any other post you may have
held, Mr. Tyndale said carefully, seeing her ramrod-straight back and
figure so small that all dresses had had to be taken up to prevent her
from tripping over the skirts. It obviously took him some effort to
conceal most of his disbelief that she could really be here on behalf of
Special Branch.
Yes, sir. She had no intention of telling him that she had come
to the Pitts when she was thirteen and had never worked for anyone
else. He was not so very big himself, and he too squared his shoulders
and walked an inch or two taller than he really was.
You will not speak to any of the guests unless they first speak to
you, do you understand? he continued gravely.
Yes, sir.
And in no circumstance at all will you speak in the presence of
His Royal Highness, or, if she should come through to dine with the
guests, the Princess of Wales, or to any other member of the house-
hold. And that includes ladies- or gentlemen-in-waiting.
No, sir.
You will perform ordinary household duties such as sweeping,
dusting and polishing, fetching and carrying as you are asked. You will
wear your cap and apron at all times. You will speak to the menser-
vants only as necessitated by your duties, and there will be no gig-
gling, flirting, or generally making a nuisance of yourself
Miss Phipps is here from Special Branch, Mr. Tyndale, Pitt cut
across him coolly. She needs instruction regarding Palace etiquette,
not in how to conduct herself with dignity. You might remember, sir,
that you require her assistance in this unfortunate matter, and she re-
quires and has a right to expect your protection as she helps me to
learn the truth as rapidly and discreetly as possible. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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