Miss Morgan and the Gypsy

Thirteen: Claire?

Harriet's heart thundered and she did everything she could to keep herself gentle and poised, as if nothing was wrong. She closed her eyes and focused on the pleasing feeling of having her hair brushed and loose of its coils and pins.

That Detective Rowe is a strange one, Miss. I'd keep my distance iv I were yews."

"Why's that, Claire?" Harriet asked suspiciously.

"It's vose eyes ov 'his. And 'e's a gypsy. 'e came askin me some weird questions tonight. I answered as much as I could. He sat in a chair an' watched me wiv vose eyes that seem to see into yer soul."

Harriet couldn't argue on that part but the first... "Her ladyship is gypsy do you hold that against her?"

Claire had reddened. "No, o' course not."

They were silent and Claire fumbled a little from embarrassment. Harriet raised her eyes to the woman who had been a mother figure to her. "What did he ask?"

The maid gave a shrug. "About yews, the girls and the fire."

Harriet swallowed the lump in her throat as the room grew quiet. Claire had been in the kitchen, and she could've started the fire there, but why would she hide from the men, Harriet pondered. Then she remembered something Claire had said in the forest.

"We need ter stop an' rest fer a while."

Why would Claire suggest that if she knew they were being followed? Harriet's heartbeat quickened and the blood began to drain from her face.

The betrayal cut Harriet deep. She saw Claire as a second mother, especially after she lost her own while she was attending her first year. It was Claire who had comforted her when she had found Harriet hiding in the kitchen pantry crying.

On the verge of tears, Harriet gave a harsh swallow. Claire sat down the brush and cooed at Harriet in worry. "Yew alright, Miss. The last time I saw yew cry was..."

Another stab tore through Harriet. "I'm sorry, Claire. I'm just exhausted."

Claire gave her a sympathetic look and Harriet wondered if she really was that good of an actress... a liar. Harriet didn't want to assume the worst of Claire, but she was the only one capable of obtaining Harriet's letter opener. It all seemed horribly accurate.

"I shouldn't tell yew this Miss, but all ve girls were 'oping yew'd tell them a story before bed."

All the struggling emotions evaporated for a second and a small smile came to her lips. "Tell them I'll be right there. Can you give me a moment alone for now?"

"O' course, Miss."

Claire left and Harriet allowed herself to hobble over to the bed post, clutching the elegant wood. Her nails dug into it, leaving tiny scratch marks. "No, I can't accept it," she whispered to herself.

She lowered to the floor and laid her head on the bed, her white gold locks a sharp contrast to the velvety red. Before Harriet could wallow anymore there was a scratch at her door.

Harriet knew immediately who it was and went over to open it. Kappi appeared with something strapped to his neck and a folded paper in one of his front paws. Standing on his hind legs, Kappi held the jumbled mess of folded paper up to her.

Harriet reached down and took it from him laughing lightly. "He has you well trained, doesn't he, my darling?"

Kappi squeaked a little and jumped on her bed, laying down while giving Harriet admittance to untie the little rolled up parchment secured to his neck. She looked at the little balled up mess in her palm and bit her lip to stop her giggling. Harriet rarely giggled, and she didn't think she would be capable of laughter or smiling after everything, but she had been wrong.

"What is this supposed to be?" she asked the furry coon as she unrolled the parchment. And, as if knowing exactly what would come out of her mouth, the impeccable manly writing wrote out....

 Laughter exploded from Harriet until tears dropped from her long lashes. "Goodness, Kappi! I had no idea your master could be so charming when he wanted."

Yawning as if bored with the whole ordeal, Kappi nested into her bed and tried falling asleep. Harriet stood and brought the badly folded dove over to her nightstand, gently placing it next to her lamp, but far enough to not cause a fire. She tugged on a lock of hair and touched her ear, remembering how softly he had traced it.

"I don't know how to feel about you, Detective Rowe." Her eyes went searching for her father's wooden coon, but her gaze widened when she saw it was gone.

"What?" Harriet breathed out in dismay. She went to her desk to see if she had left it there when she was doing her correspondence but came up empty-handed. Turning towards the companion in her room, Kappi's head was up, and his eyes looked oh so guilty. Before she could say anything to him, the coon put his head back down and fanned sleep.

Annoyed and wiggling her nose, Harriet briskly walked away, but as she opened the door to leave, she snapped her head to Kappi. "My little savior, I know you're the culprit and I won't rest until I find it."

Oh, sweet Harriet... if only you knew lol! And poor Kappi being accused of such a horrible crime :)