“Quite an improvement.” Barbara mumbled to herself as she considered the room she had previously occupied at Iolanthe’s.
She chuckled to herself. “Now that I’m mad, it seems that Iolanthe values me all the more.” She giggled and rolled over again.
“Madness.” She laughed. “It’s a family tradition.” Her giggles quickly dissolved into a frown. “Well, it’s done now.”
She recalled the moment she decided to feign madness. She knew it had to be done. Had she not killed Marie’s brother-in-law, he would have taken her son. Though she didn’t like the idea of not being with little Colin, she knew that he’d have a better life with Julian and Robert than he ever could have had with her.
Barbara thought of Charles and recalled the look of desperation and sorrow that he wore when he begged her to leave Iolanthe’s and come with him. She wished she could have explained everything to him then—that she wasn’t really mad, that she knew what she was doing, that she had a plan. But, she couldn’t. Who knew what ears listened at the doors of Iolanthe’s house.
She leapt from the bed and rang for Mala who skittered into the room within a few seconds.
“Yes, Miss,” Mala sighed wearily. When did the woman ever sleep?
“Will you do something for me?” Barbara asked.
“That’s what I’m here for,” Mala scowled.
“Will you deliver a letter for me?” Barbara smiled.
“I’m not allowed out,” Mala frowned.
“Oh,” Barbara nodded.
“But, I can get one of them men to do it.” Mala grumbled.
“Wonderful, thank you.” Barbara said. “Come back in a few minutes. I’ll have it for you then.”
“Sure,” Mala grunted, scratching herself and hobbling out of the room.
Barbara shuddered and rushed to her desk to write a letter.
“Dear Charles,” she began.
Little did she know, but Charles was not at home as Barbara suspected he would be. He walked briskly through the streets, Cecil’s revolver weighing down his coat.
Stopping outside of Marie Laveau’s house, he took a deep breath and placed his hand over the revolver, feeling the cool metal through the thick fabric of his coat.
“I’ll put an end to all of this.” Charles whispered to himself. “Even if I hang for it.”
Did you miss Chapters 1-324? If so, you can read them here.
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