“I do. But it is a torturousstory.”
“I want to hear the all of it,” Markinsisted.
Emily then told them of Silas’s persistent pursuit—and demands that she accept his suit. She then related how that evolved, when she continued to reject him, into him trying to force himself on her. She described his threats, at the Linfield weekend, to ruin the trio if she did not acquiesce to his demands to go with him to his house tosee hisharpsichord.
Both Alice and Mark were stunned at the end of her recitation. They looked at each other unable to speak for amoment.
Then Alice said, “Mark, something must be done about this. I have no doubt of the veracity of Emily’s statement. Even though Silas is our uncle, I have always felt there was a darkness in him. But until now, I have never seen it playout.”
Mark added, “I too have sensed that darkness, but felt it was his torment to deal with, and I never delved further. But this is a serious accusation against him, and I agree that something must be done. What do yousuggest?”
“What are our options?” Aliceasked.
“The timing could not be worse. Father is very near his end. Grandmamma is most likely bereft and in no state to face thisissue.”
“But Silas is not her concern. He is not blood to her, as he was mother’s brother and not of the Linfield family. It needs to be the two of us who deal withhim.”
“You wish to beinvolved?”
“Most certainly,” Alice insisted. “Emily is my dear and trusted friend and I shall not abandonher.”
“Very well, then I shall invite Silas to visit us here, if that suits you.” He suggested. “Silas will not suspect the nature of our interrogation until it is toolate.”
Emily spoke up, “But certainly he must know that Mr. Butler will have informed us of his visit by now. He cannot think he will not be challenged if you arepresent.”
“Emily is right,” Alice said. “I should be the one to invite him and not mention you. I shall base the invitation on some otherpretext.”
Mark continued to consider the situation and said, “But dealing with Silas will not solve the problem of what has happened to Emily, even if he issues her an apology. She has lost her reputation and her representation. And that is an even greaterchallenge.”
Emily turned to Mark and asked. “Then you believe my story,finally?”
Mark hesitated but said, “I never disbelievedyou.”
“But you haddoubts?”
Mark frowned. “There were momentary flashes ofconcern.”
“But no longer?” Emilyasked.
“None.”
“Then what is to be done?” Alicequestioned.
Mark looked greatly conflicted. “I must urgently return to Linfield and see to Father. But at the same time, I fear that any delay in dealing with this matter will only make it worse for Emily, as the accusation against her spreads through the musiccommunity.”
Alice was deep in thought, and then she raised her finger. “Let Emily and me deal with this. You go to Father and we will handle Mr.Silas.”
Mark had to chuckle. His sister certainly did have spirit. “Very well, but keep me constantlyupdated.”
“We shall,” Alice said, “And where do you think Silas is? In town? Or at hishome?”
“He just recently visited with Mr. Butler, so I suspect he is still in town.” Mark paused, and then said, “And you feel comfortable taking this on? Silas is crafty and can be ruthless. I do not want to put you in anyjeopardy.”
“Mark, my beloved brother, I think we can take care of ourselves. And if he becomes threatening, I shall unleash the twins upon him.Go.”
Mark stood, but added, “I give you full power to speak for me. If you need to call upon the family’s authority, it is yours towield.”
Alice nodded. “Fear not. I have every reason to believe we can handle thissituation.”
