The Lady of the Dead

By Cay Reet

The calm lives of twin sisters Joanna and Alice Conrad are disturbed by the arrival of the worldly Madame Ducreux. What does the alchemist, chemist, and physician plan to do in London and why does she seem to think that Joanna and Alice might spoil her plans? One thing becomes clear early, though: There will be blood before this is over. It's good, then, that neither Joanna nor Alice are shy of spilling a little of it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cay Reet
• Release date: May 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223907336

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The Lady of the Dead

by Cay Reet

© Copyright 2023 Text: Cay Reet

© Copyright 2023 Cover Design: Holz Vanderhuetten

All rights reserved. No part of this may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems — except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews — without permission in writing from the author.

This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or used fictitiously. Any similarity to real person, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

In memory of Jeff Zahn and Holz Vanderhuetten

You shall never truly die.

Chapter 1 - Unusual Sisters

Carefully, drop by drop, Joanna Conrad added the distilled essence of Valerian to the rest of the recipe. After every drop, she waited for a few seconds, expecting a change in colour. Just as she lifted the dropper for another use, someone hammered against the door of her laboratory. She squeezed the rubber end and filled the test tube with the essence, spoiling the whole experiment.

With a deadly calm, the young blonde woman lowered the test tube and the dropper and took a deep breath. She placed the tube in a retort stand and the dropper in the beaker with the essence, then she turned away and listened. Again, someone hammered against the door — the door leading into the back garden of 7 Upper Belgrave Street, not the one leading to the back entrance which led to Wilton Mews.

Taking another deep breath through her nostrils, Joanna Conrad walked to the door in question, unbarred and unlocked it, and opened it calmly.

Yes? she asked the footman standing there, looking like he’d prefer to be elsewhere. Among the servants of the household, having to go to the laboratory was not a popular task.

Miss Alice wants to see you in the house, Miss Joanna, he said, then, remembering past reprimands, added hastily, in the back sitting room, Miss Joanna.

She nodded curtly. Tell my sister I will be with her in a moment … I have to clean up a little before I leave the laboratory.

He nodded and bolted. Joanna closed the door and went back to her spoiled experiment. She emptied out the test tube and put it in the sink to clean it properly later. Afterwards, she heaved a sigh and went out of the laboratory and to the house’s back entrance. Were it for someone else, she might simply have ignored the summons, but Alice, despite successfully playing the harmless socialite, had the necessary strength and disregard for her sister’s possessions to just kick the door out of the frame, should so she desire.

Joanna entered the room in question and found her twin sister sitting at a table with all accoutrements for afternoon tea spread on it. Alice was curvaceous and colourful against Joanna’s slimness and tendency to dress in muted colours. A bright smile was thrown Joanna’s way, but failed to eradicate the frown on her face.

Why so glum, sister mine? Alice asked, a laughter in her voice.

I was just getting somewhere with my experiment, then the footman made me spoil it. Joanna crossed the room and took the seat opposite her sister. I will have to start it all over again … losing at least three hours. Close to two in reality — most of one hour had gone into the Valerian essence and that wasn’t spoilt and still usable.

You have been holed up in there since yesterday after dinner, Alice countered, showing no trace of guilt. I felt it was time you got some rest and food.

I have a bed in my laboratory. It was more in the form of a narrow cot, the kind the army took into the field, but Joanna was not choosy about a place to sleep.

With a quick, elegant flick of her right hand, Alice waved it aside. You need food and to take your mind off your chemicals and dead bodies.

Joanna could hardly deny the part about the food, so she sighed and nodded. Alice’s smile brightened as she realised she had won the argument.

She grabbed the teapot. I’ll be mother.

When? Joanna asked.

That earned her a hard look. You know how I mean it, don’t pretend to be obtuse … it doesn’t suit you, sister mine, you are by far too clever.

You certainly have a lot of possible candidates for the father role, though…

Alice shrugged the remark off as she poured them tea. There’s too many nice young men to limit myself to one. She rearranged herself discreetly to display her figure better. That would be unkind to mankind, I’m sure.

Joanna snorted, but didn’t answer. Instead, she grabbed a pastry from the tray and took a bite. It was true that she’d not eaten since the day before — in the midst of her experiments, she tended to forget about such simple tasks as feeding her body.

There’s a lot of talk going around, you know. A woman has moved to London.

Joanna lowered her pastry. An everyday occurrence, I’m sure.

Alice cocked her head. Well, not in this case. This woman is a physician and specialist for beauty treatments. Not that I need those … or that you would be interested. Yet, she is very popular with people.

I’m not surprised.

Neither am I … a lot of people worry very much about getting old.

Joanna’s brow rose. The only reason why you’re not worrying is that you have stopped ageing three years ago.

The only reason why you’re not worrying is that you’re not even human.

Neither of us is fully human, Joanna countered.

At that, Alice battered her lashes at her sister. I’m still more human than you, sister mine.

Perhaps. With a shrug, Joanna went back to eating pastries and drinking tea. Her sister knew better than to expect a constant conversation from her.

Unfortunately, Alice also knew that she could talk to her heart’s delight while her sister was eating after a fast. She used the chance to unload an ungodly amount of information on Joanna, telling her about all and sundry and many people Joanna herself had little to no recollection of. …and that is why we will be at the party of Colonel Rowling and his wife on Tuesday, she finished the barrage of information.

We? Joanna glared at her sister. We have an agreement, Alice. Society is your field, not mine.

Sometimes, even you have to meet with the members of society, Alice countered. This is one of those times. You haven’t been seen in society for more than four months now … ever since that unpleasantness in Paisley.

Joanna rolled her eyes. That was hardly my fault, now, was it?

Most women don’t eviscerate a suitor with their tongue where he stands, Joanna. They’re more diplomatic about it.

He was an idiot and I had better things to do. He’d been lucky she’d only eviscerated him with her tongue.

Alice clearly fought back her laughter. You always have better things to do. Believe you me … men can be entertaining. She waggled her brows suggestively and bowed closer. Delightful entertainment, too.

Keep away from me, you harlot! Joanna pushed her sister back again, but there wasn’t much venom in her voice or strength to the push. Their different takes to the joys of living were a constant topic between the sisters.

Tuesday … party at Colonel Rowling’s … no excuses.

Joanna heaved a sigh and emptied her cup. Understood. Am I allowed to go back to work now?

I’m tempted to say ‘no,’ but I know you, sister mine. You will go anyway, I will have to break down your door, and we’ll be in for another awkward explanation to a carpenter as to how that door got ripped from its hinges. There’s only so many times you can claim a gorilla on the run did it.

That gorilla keeps coming back, yes. Joanna rose. I should be done with my current experiment in time for dinner tonight, Alice … provided there’s no more distractions.

Very well, there won’t be any distractions from me. I’m due at my seamstress’ for a few changes to my evening dress in half an hour. What about yours? Shall I make you an appointment before Tuesday?

My dress is fine…

Alice sighed. I wouldn’t call it that, but if you say so, then it is fine.

Joanna nodded curtly and left the room, aiming for her laboratory again. Life would be so much easier if people didn’t constantly try to lure her out of it…

* * *

On Tuesday evening, Joanna was left with a certain suspicion after having been helped by her sister’s lady’s maid. Greta, who had been in the family since the sisters had been fourteen, was very good at what she did and had turned Joanna’s blond hair into a fashionable hairdo quickly and assisted her with the evening dress. Yet, Joanna couldn’t remember the neckline being quite as low the last time she’d worn it. Since she’d passed her twenty-seventh birthday already, she doubted that she was still developing new curves.

Once both she and Alice were seated in a cab on the way to the party, she mustered her sister closely. You know, Greta is a very good seamstress…

She is, yes, Alice agreed with a bright smile.

She can easily alter a dress without it being noticed at a glance…

She can, indeed.

So you told her to lower the neckline of my dress even more, didn’t you?

The bright smile and sunny disposition immediately vanished. She told you that?

She didn’t have to. Joanna allowed a glare to appear on her face. I may not wear this dress often, but I know my body shape has not changed for several years. It is impossible for my breasts to almost fall out of a dress today which kept them in well in the past.

It is fashionable at the moment, Alice answered. Joanna, I know you do not care for fashion. You’ve worn the same style in shirtwaists, waistcoats, and walking skirts since you started wearing long skirts at sixteen. Society puts a lot of emphasis on fashion, though, especially for those like us who can afford it. I had to do something!

The glare turned even harsher. Do never, ever do something like this again, Alice. I do not blame Greta, she’s your maid and will do as she is told. She certainly can alter a dress for me without too much worry … she knows my measurements as well as yours. I very well can blame you, though.

Well, see the bright side of it. Alice’s face lost the serious expression as quickly as it had appeared — she had no talent for long stretches of seriousness. Many young gentlemen will take notice of you. I’m sure you will find no dearth of suitors after this party.

Joanna’s facial expression was rivalling the eternal ice of the poles. Not one more word in this direction, Alice, or I swear I will stay in this cab and drive right back home after dropping you off at the party.

For a moment, Alice was visibly tempted to continue, but she knew her sister too well, so she swallowed all comments in that direction. Very well. I shall tell Greta tomorrow to return the dress to its former shape.

Joanna just nodded, satisfied for the moment.

* * *

As soon as they reached the city house of Colonel Rowling, Joanna was captured by his wife, Lady Irene, who dragged her around the rooms to introduce her to all and sundry — the rare specimen of a woman in high society few people had met. Joanna did her best to endure it, smiling, nodding, committing names to memory although she didn’t seen how she would need that knowledge again. She glanced around the rooms more than once, looking for Alice, but her sister had utterly abandoned her in favour of flirtation and fun.

Finally, Lady Irene aimed for another woman who had her own crowd of admirers around her. You haven’t met the fabulous Madame Ducreux, have you?

Joanna shook her head. I have heard about her, I think, but I haven’t met her in person, no.

Then you shall, Miss Conrad.

Lady Irene approached the woman in question, parting the crowd around her. The woman turned — she looked to be around thirty, had blond hair with a red touch a few shades lighter than what one might call ‘ginger’ in those curls which often come with red shades of hair, and brown eyes perhaps a tad too large for her face. For a second, her eyes focused on Joanna and there was a frown marring her brow, then it dissolved into a radiant smile.

Madame Ducreux, Lady Irene addressed her, may I take the chance to introduce you to another of our guests? This is Miss Joanna Conrad. Miss Conrad, this is Madame Ducreux.

Charmed to meet you, Miss Conrad, Madame Ducreux said, but her tone rang false in Joanna’s ears.

The pleasure is all mine, I’m sure, Joanna answered, just as insincere.

For a moment, they just looked at each other and Joanna found herself wondering what all those adoring crowds found in the other woman. Madame Ducreux was attractive, even though there were lines around her eyes which suggested that she might be in her forties already and her own best customer, arresting the march of time.

Miss Conrad, how nice to finally meet you, Madame Ducreux said after that moment. Yet, I thought you had another forename? Anne, perhaps?

You might be referring to my sister Alice.

Alice! Yes, that is the name I remember. You have a sister, then?

I do, yes.

Is she here?

Again, Joanna scanned the room. Yes, she is over there, holding court.

A cold glint came into the woman’s eyes — jealous of another woman’s influence, perhaps? Would you introduce us, Miss Conrad?

Of course, with pleasure. The sooner Madame Ducreux was paying attention to Alice, the sooner Joanna would be rid of her.

Together, they crossed the room, drawing by far more attention than Joanna was comfortable with. She preferred not being noticed, yet the presence of Madame Ducreux and that damn low neckline conspired against her.

Alice was holding court, as she always was. A woman with more interest in romance might have detested her sister for it, but Joanna cared less than not at all for romance and happily left it to her sister. Spotting her sister with another woman, though, Alice shooed the men away and smiled at them.

Joanna took over introductions. Alice, may I introduce you to Madame Ducreux? Madame Ducreux, this is my sister, Alice Conrad.

Miss Conrad, Madame Ducreux greeted Alice, then mustered her for a moment. Allow the question, but you must be the younger sister, no?

We are twins, as it were, Joanna answered sweetly, but fraternal ones. Clearly, my sister got the better blood. More of their grandfather’s blood, as it were.

Madame Ducreux nodded. Clearly, yes. She turned to Alice. Miss Conrad, this dress is marvellous … who is your seamstress?

Certain that Alice would enjoy talking to the popular woman, Joanna faded into the background and moved away. She’d lost Lady Irene as well, which was a pleasant development. If only the dress were still in its original shape, she would be as content as she could be outside her laboratory…

* * *

A few evenings later, there was a knock on the second door of Joanna’s laboratory. This one, leading out to the road in the back of the houses, was used for deliveries — but she didn’t expect one that night — and by her customers. Joanna opened the door a slit and glanced through. Outside stood a woman in a rather risque dress, shivering in the cold night air.

Miss Conrad? she whispered.

Yes. What do you want?

The woman was silent for a heartbeat, her hand drifting towards her stomach. I need help.

You’re with a child?

The other woman nodded. Joanna opened the door fully and let her enter. She closed the door again and turned to her visitor. The woman was young, but looked prematurely aged, like many of those