Jane and Max were hustled through to another chamber, a long, palatial room, decorated mostly in tones of red and gold. An ornate dinner table sat in the middle as if stored between functions, as there were no seats around it. But it was not the furnishings or furniture that Jane was interested in, as she was flanked by guards on one side of a table. It was Dracula and the Baroness who stood on the other side with guards surrounding them, too.
The groups only had to wait for a few minutes before the King and Queen arrived and took up a position at the head of the table.
'Now,' the King said. 'I am not in the habit of being interrupted. It is one of the privileges of my position. It is also a privilege of my position that I am answered when I ask questions. Falsehoods and deceptions are met with swiftness and without mercy.' His eyes fixed on Max. 'Explain yourselves.'
Max told him how they had come to be there. Occasionally, Jane interjected, adding details. At the same time, she kept an eye on Dracula. He seemed remarkably composed, considering he was about to be found out.
He is so confident! Jane thought. The scoundrel!
Finally, the King turned to the Baroness. 'Baroness,' he said. 'I notice you are rather pale. Are you being held under duress?'
'No, your Majesty,' the Baroness said.
'This man is your guest?'
'Yes, your Majesty.'
The King turned to Dracula. 'Explain yourself. What is your family?'
'I am a visitor to your country,' Dracula began. 'My home is the Principality of Transylvania, and I have come here merely to enjoy the evening. I know nothing to which this woman refers.'
With this, Dracula pointed to Jane.
'Your Majesty,' Jane said. 'I can prove that Dracula is not who he says.'
'You can do this?' the King said.
'I can. With your permission.'
King George nodded.
Taking out one of the garlic vials from the bandolier across her chest, Jane held it out as she slowly approached Dracula. She searched his face and saw no anxiety.
Incredible. He is utterly without fear!
Jane unstoppered the flask and turned back to the King. 'Your Majesty. I ask that you have your guards ready. A vampire has great strength. Dracula may prove difficult to control once he is discovered.'
The King gave a small nod and motioned his men to be ready.
Jane lifted the bottle. 'You are a demon,' she said to Dracula. 'You will show your true self, and then you will reveal Cassandra's location. Your time of death-dealing is finished!'
She splashed the bottle over Dracula's head. The liquid went over his hair and dripped down his face. He stared impassively at her as she liberally doused him with liquid.
Nothing happened.
Jane stared stupidly at the bottle in her hand. She sniffed the liquid. It reeked of garlic, and so she tossed more of it in Dracula's face.
'I…I don't understand,' Jane said.
Dracula produced a handkerchief and dabbed his face. 'I trust this demonstration is at an end. And we can return to the evening's festivities.'
'Young woman?' the King said, glaring at Jane.
'Your Majesty,' Max said. 'Jane Austen speaks the truth. I can't explain what has happened here, but—'
'I can.'
Everyone turned. The voice belonged to Doctor Porter, who strode into the room with Eddy at her side. Jane had never felt so relieved to see anyone as much in her life. The guards immediately went to block the doctor.
'Doctor Wilhelmina Porter,' she introduced herself loudly to the King. 'My father and I both served with English forces at Pollilur and Porto Novo. I am proud to say we were also in attendance at the signing of the Treaty of Mangalore.'
The King scowled. 'Are you a woman?'
'I am—and proud of it, your majesty. I'll wager that Miss Austen and Mister Filador have spoken to you about Dracula.'
'They have.'
Doctor Porter crossed the chamber. 'With your permission, I will address Count Dracula.'
The King gave a small nod.
'Count Dracula,' she said. 'I must commend you on your attire. You are dressed most stylishly.'
'Thank you,' the man said.
'A lovely coat and waistcoat. Excellent stockings. Stylish pantaloons. Most impressive.' The doctor turned back to the King. 'He is a most remarkable person.'
'Your point?' the King said icily.
'This man called Dracula has dressed most impeccably for the event,' she said. 'He really suits the part. But like the other performers who are here tonight, this man is also wearing a disguise.'
Jane stared at the doctor. 'What do you mean, Doctor?'
Doctor Porter pointed to Dracula's shoes. 'These are not the shoes of a nobleman.'
All eyes turned to the shoes of the man called Dracula. They were old and worn. No person of noble birth would be seen dead—or undead—in such a pair.
'Then, who is this person?' the King asked.
'Some unfortunate that has been mesmerised to assume Dracula's persona,' Porter said. 'He's not a vampire, which is why the garlic water had no effect.'
The King shook his head in annoyance. 'Then we have no Dracula! No vampires at all!'
'Oh no, your Majesty,' Doctor Porter said, producing a vial of garlic water and flicking it at the Baroness. 'This woman has already been turned!'
The woman shrieked as the water bit into her flesh. She smacked Doctor Porter aside and leapt onto the table.
'Die!' she screamed. 'Die!'