by Karen Cogan
“Please, miss, you have to believe that I did not know. If’n I had, I never would have had any part in it.”
Anne frowned. “You are getting ahead of yourself. Start at the beginning and tell me what happened.”
“It was Mr. Ames.”
Tears rolled down her round cheeks and she took another sip of brandy.
“We borrowed a horse to ride to the village. We were to take a coach tomorrow to go into London to be married. When he showed me the ring, I thought it was for me. I asked how he could afford it.”
She sniffed and continued. “He told me not to be so silly as to think it was for me. He had taken it from your Grandfather and decided he had best give it to a gentleman in exchange for payment for a job he did not get to finish, seeing as he was fired. He had arranged to meet the man along the dark bend in the road.”
“What kind of job?”
“I think it had to do with the young master. Mr. Ames told the man he was sorry he did not get to take care of getting rid of him. He said he would have enjoyed it. It all sounded awful.”
She took the rest of the brandy in a single gulp.
Anne took the girl by the shoulders. “Who was this man?”
Polly looked at her dully. “I could not see. He wore a scarf and it was dark.”
“Where is Mr. Ames?”
Polly began to cry softly. “He is shot. The man shot him after he got off the horse. He might have shot me, too, except that I turned the horse and raced back here as fast as I could. Please say that you will not turn me out, Miss Tyler. I truly loved Mr. Ames and I thought he loved me.”
Anne studied the girl and tried to make sense of what she had said. What worried her the most was, who would want to hurt Jeremy and why?
After a few moments, Polly said, “I nearly forgot. Mr. Ames let me wear the ring on the way to meet the man. I still had it on my finger when he was shot.”
She pulled off the precious diamond and handed it to Anne.
Then she slumped in the chair and mumbled, “I told him it was wrong. Truly I did.”
“Take her to bed, Betsy. She made a poor choice, but I do not believe she intended to do evil. Perhaps we can get more out of her in the morning.”
She turned to Arthur. “Go and summon the ‘ostler to get a party of men and ride out to where Mr. Ames was shot. If he is still alive, perhaps he can tell us what this is about.”
Anne sent Jeremy to bed and then took the ring to her own room for safekeeping. Then she went downstairs to await the return of the riders. It was nearly mid-night when the men returned with word that there was no sign of Mr. Ames. Whoever had shot him must have buried the body in the woods.
Anne was left with no choice except to go to bed. Her heart was filled with anxiety for Jeremy. Someone had hired his tutor to harm him. And she had not the faintest idea of why.
She slept fitfully, worried that Mr. Ames might not be the only one hired to harm her brother. When she awoke, she went immediately to Jeremy’s chamber to find him in peaceful slumber. His cheeks were rosy from the warmth of his bed. His black eyelashes curled on his cheeks. He looked so blissfully unaware of danger that her heart ached to protect him. Yet, who could she trust.
Lord Westerfield leapt immediately to mind. He had no reason to wish either of them harm. Perhaps he might be able to tell her what she might do to protect her brother. She would send a note immediately asking him to come.
She hurried to her room to compose the missive.
Then, she rang for Betsy. “Tell Arthur to send a man immediately to Lord Westerfield. Give him this note and tell him it is an urgent matter.”
“Yes, miss.”
Anne picked at her breakfast while she waited impatiently for Lord Westerfield to arrive. At last when it was nearly noon, she heard his voice in the entryway. She scurried to meet him.
His smile of greeting faded at the serious expression on her lovely face. She took his hands and drew him into the parlor.
“Thank goodness you got my note.”
He drew his brows in puzzlement. “What note?”
“The one I sent this morning.”
“Ah, I have been out visiting my tenants. I decided to drop by and see if you and Jeremy would like to come again to see the puppies. But I see that you must have a matter of a serious nature.”
“I do indeed and I am most seriously in need of advice.”
Lord Westerfield leaned forward, giving her his full attention. “Then I shall do my best to advise you.”
When Anne had relayed everything she knew, he suggested they summon Polly to see what else might be learned. The girl was brought to stand before them. She spoke softly, nervously wringing her hands and repeating only what she had said the night before. And though Lord Westerfield gave her a thorough cross-examination, they were unable to learn anything more.
At last, Anne dismissed her to get back to her duties. She turned to Lord Westerfield. “What shall I do?”
He rubbed a hand across his chin. “We must find out what is behind the betrayal by Mr. Ames, though I must confess that I am at a loss as to how to begin. Perhaps I could start in the village and ask some questions to see if anyone else was approached to harm the boy.”
“Would you? That would be a place to begin.”
“In the meantime, do not let anyone new join your staff. And I would keep a good eye on Polly, even though she seems innocent enough of the worst of the affair.”
“I shall ask Betsy to keep an eye on her, too.”
They spoke awhile longer over tea while Lord Westerfield laid out his strategy of who he might approach. Then with a promise to get back with her as soon as he had news, he made ready to depart. He took her hands in his and looked down into her eyes.
“If there is any way to get to the bottom of this, I will not stop trying until I do so.”
She smiled at him. “You are kind, indeed.”
He raised her hand and kissed it. “You have stolen my heart, Miss Tyler. There is very little I would not do for you.”
He turned and strode away, shoulders broad and square. Anne watched him. And in spite of her worry, her heart felt as warm as her fingers from the memory of his kiss.
In the afternoon, she was summoned from the drawing room where she was playing a game with Jeremy. She found Mariah awaiting her in the parlor. She took Mariah’s hands and confessed, “I am so glad you are here. I have so much to tell you.”
“I have something to tell you, too. Yet, I think it can wait as your news sounds most urgent.”
“Indeed it is.”
Anne rang for tea and then settled upon the settee with Mariah. Mariah listened in anticipation as Anne gave the unflattering account of Polly and Mr. Ames and of her fear that Jeremy was in danger.
Polly’s blue eyes widened. “What a dreadful man. And you have no idea who hired him?”
“No idea at all. I sent men in search of him last night, but he had disappeared.”
“This is shocking. What is to be done? Surely something must be done.”
“Lord Westerfield has promised to ask in town if anyone was approached to do us evil.”
“I hope he has success. Perhaps I could persuade Mr. Fletcher to do a similar service.”
Anne shook her head. “I fear Mr. Fletcher will not want to do me any favors at the moment.”
“Perhaps if I ask him, he will do it for me.”
Mariah’s pale cheeks flushed the becoming pink of a rose in bloom.
“Why is that?”
The tea arrived and Mariah accepted a cup. Her blue eyes shone as she said, “Because he came yesterday and asked me to marry him.”
She watched Anne closely as she rushed on to say, “I hope you are not hurt. I know we both thought that it was you that he loved. But then he came and told me that he has been enamored with me ever since the evening of the assembly. Oh, Anne, I have been in agony feeling such fondness for him and thinking that he would ask you. If only you kn
ew how jealous I have been.”
Now that she thought back, Anne recognized there had been a partiality on Mariah’s part. Yet she did not believe it was returned by Mr. Fletcher. How could it be when he had declared his earnest love for Anne on the very same day?
Anne took a sip of tea and then asked, “Have you accepted?”
“Indeed. Mr. Fletcher insists that we be married before the next two weeks. He vows that he can wait no longer for me to become his wife. I have never been so happy. Mama and Papa are unsure, but they will soon consent.”
Anne cast about for a gentle way to warn her friend, finally saying, “Perhaps you should find out more about him before you are wed.”
Mariah scowled. “Why should I do that?”
“I can hardly put my finger on it,” Anne admitted. “And yet, the stories of his past are sometimes flawed and inconsistent. And there is, on occasion, a bitterness about him, as though he carries the ghost of previous misfortune.”
Mariah stared at her. “So you would counsel me not to marry him?”
Tears welled in her friend’s eyes. Anne wished that she could push aside her suspicions and even the small twinge of jealousy at learning that Mr. Fletcher had replaced her so quickly in his affections.
“I would not counsel you to reject him but only to learn more about his past.”
“But he has told me everything. He is the son of a wealthy London merchant. He had the finest of educations and has been to the continent on tour. He has a house in London and wishes to purchase another in the country. What more need I know?”
Anne uttered an incredulous laugh. “A great deal more, dear. Who is his father and what is his business? What has Mr. Fletcher done with himself since he came back from tour?”
Mariah’s bosom heaved with indignation. “Why, he has helped his father, of course.”
She waved a dismissing hand. “It is all I need to know. La, Anne, I thought you would be pleased that I was so happy. Instead, you have dampened my spirits with all of your doubts. Might it be that you are jealous? Perhaps you, too, expected Mr. Fletcher to ask for your hand.”
Anne sighed, debating upon whether to tell her friend the truth. She decided that, if there was true friendship between them, it must be based upon complete candor.
“He did ask me,” she said softly. “He asked me yesterday on the way back from seeing you.”
Mariah’s small plump hand shook as she set down her tea cup. “What a vengeful thing to say. You are doing all that you can to make him look bad. And now, you have cut me to the heart by telling me I was second choice. Well, I do not care if I am tenth choice. I shall marry my Mr. Fletcher and you will not ruin my excitement. I was going to ask you to stand up with me. Now, you shall be lucky to be invited to the wedding.”
Anne leaned toward Mariah. “I did not mean to upset you. I simply thought that you should know.”
“Why should I know? Just to satisfy your pride?”
Anne opened her mouth to protest. Before she could do so, Mariah rose and said, “I shall be going now. And I shall not call again. I suggest you save yourself the trouble of calling upon me. I shall be very busy planning my wedding.”
She turned a deaf ear to Anne’s apologies as she swept out of the room. Anne was left alone to wonder at the circumstances that had caused her to lose her friend. Perhaps she should not have been so forthright. After all, the way things had gone lately, she had few friends to spare. Yet, she knew she would do no differently if she had it to do again. If she had failed to express her doubts to Mariah, she would have been less than a friend.
Mr. Westerfield appeared later in the afternoon. She met with him in the drawing room, eager to discover what he had learned. He sat very close to her and took her hand. He shook his head as he said, “I have asked all around. No one admits to being propositioned to harm the boy. Perhaps Polly misunderstood the conversation.”
Anne frowned, looking doubtful. “I suppose it is possible. But why was Mr. Ames bringing the man the ring?”
“Mayhaps they were to sell it and split the money. The murderer may have found that Mr. Ames was making away with it alone.”
“I suppose that could be true.”
He saw her uncertainty and wanted to ease her mind. “It must be true. What possible reason could anyone have for harming Jeremy?”
“I admit that I cannot think of any.”
“Then we must assume that the murder was a matter between two thieves. Your brother is safe and all will be well. But if it will make you feel better, I shall keep a close eye on him when we go to see the puppies. It will do you good to get out after such a shock to your nerves.”
“Will it now?” She smiled at him impishly, feeling comforted by his reassurances.
“Yes. It is just what is required. I have already sent word to Jeremy, so he will be most disappointed if you refuse.”
He ran a finger down the line of her chin and she knew that she would be disappointed as well.
“I shall not refuse,” she said, softly.
He gazed deeply into her eyes. She sat mesmerized, drowning in the inky depths of his scandalously dark eyes. She caught her lip in her teeth as she felt her heart hammering against her ribs and knew that she was helpless against the effect he had upon her.
Suddenly Jeremy bounded into the room. “Are you ready, Anne?” Lord Westerfield says I might go and see my puppy.”
Anne thought about correcting him in the assumption that he would surely get the pup. She decided just as quickly against it. Let him enjoy his dream and if it must be postponed, she would deal with it then.
“I need only get my bonnet,” she assured her impatient young brother.
When she had secured her ribands, Lord Westerfield escorted them to his carriage. “You know, of course, that my father is anticipating your company at tea. He talked of it for hours the last time you came.”
Anne smiled. “He is a delightful man and I should be most happy to join him.”
“He will be pleased, also. He likes you very well, indeed.”
Lord Westerfield rested a gaze upon her that conveyed his own approval. Anne flushed and wondered that he continued to seek her company. She considered herself a serious sort, unlike the flirtatious girls who usually obtained men’s attention. And though she had never felt the slightest desire to perfect the art of flattery or coquettishness, she had considered herself at a disadvantage with the girls who did. And yet here was a plainspoken young lord who did not seem to find it a fault. And this intrigued her all the more.
They arrived at the stable where Jeremy rushed ahead to see the puppies.
“He will be surprised how much they have grown in the last few days,” said Lord Westerfield.
“I suppose puppies and boys both grow quickly. I shall have to have new trousers made for Jeremy in the fall.”
“You do a wonderful job looking after him.”
Lord Westerfield gave her a warm smile that put a glow in his dark eyes.
“I do my best. Yet, I know that I do not always make the best decisions.”
His smile lingered. “From what I know of you, your best will be quite sufficient.”
They joined Jeremy to watch the puppies tumble and play.
“Look, mine is the biggest of all. He’ll be a fine strong dog, will he not, Lord Westerfield?” Jeremy asked.
The puppies’ mother came over for attention and Lord Westerfield scratched her behind the ear. “He will be the best of all.”
“When may we train him to hunt?’
Lord Westerfield laughed. “It will be a few weeks still.”
“I shall teach him to be the best hunting dog ever.”
“I am sure you shall.”
They let Jeremy tumble with the puppies for awhile. Then Lord Westerfield told Anne, “I think you would feel better if Jeremy came inside to take his tea in the kitchen, would you not?”
“Yes. I cannot think of leaving him alone in the stable. I am
afraid it will take me a few days to recover from my fear on his behalf.”
“Then he shall come in with us.”
Jeremy balked when Anne told him that he must leave the puppies. Yet at her insistence he bid his favorite pup good-bye and drew some comfort from the cakes that were promised to go with his tea.
While Jeremy skipped ahead, Anne and Lord Westerfield walked together to the house. On the way, Anne stopped to admire the lilacs that grew along the path. Their fragrance gave off a heavenly scent that reminded her of the cologne her mother had worn. She was gripped by a nostalgia that brought tears to her eyes. She blinked quickly and saw him watching her.
“Silly is it not, how a certain fragrance can bring back memories. These flowers remind me of my mother.”
He nodded sympathetically and said, “It is not at all silly. I do not remember much about my mother. I do recall that she wore rose-scented cologne. And I can vaguely remember the sound of her laughter and that her hand was soft when she touched my cheek.”
Anne nodded. “And yet it does no good to look back. Perhaps it is best not to think of it.”
She wiped her eyes and straightened her shoulders. The strain of the last two days had taken a toll. She looked up at Lord Westerfield and said, “Please forgive me. I am not usually given to moods of nostalgia.
“There is nothing to forgive. You do not always have to be strong. At least not with me.”
To her surprise, he wrapped her gently in his arms and hugged her to his chest. Anne knew she should pull away and yet she felt so comforted by his solid body and strong arms that she could not will herself to move. His embrace felt like a fortress of protection, a hide-away from all that troubled her. And right now, she desperately craved a refuge from her storms.
Jeremy called back to them from round the hedge. “Are you coming?”
Lord Westerfield released her and Anne straightened her bonnet, squared her shoulders and prepared to resume her responsibilities. He watched her, admiring the resiliency housed in her small form. Most women he knew would have taken to their chambers for weeks after so many mishaps. Overtaken by the vapors, they would have languished dramatically and soaked in the sympathy of friends. It seemed that Anne had never had, nor desired, such attention. Instead, she focused her attention and protection upon those she loved. What an honor it would be to be counted among those few. And to return her affection would take no effort at all. Admiring her as he did, he felt a fierce burning to lavish his attention and protection upon her.
He let his imagination drift as they walked along the path. It would be lovely to have a wife such as Anne in his house, someone he could talk to and respect her opinions. Already, he loved spending time with her. Yet her reserve made it difficult to tell how she felt about him. Still, he took encouragement in the fact that she had not pulled away when he held her.
They walked companionably to the house. After directing Jeremy to the kitchens, Anne and Lord Westerfield joined the elder lord in the parlor where he awaited them, sitting in a straight chair at the tea table, a red wool blanket resting across his lap. He beamed broadly at the sight of Anne. “My dear you are like a rare flower. Is it not nice to have a woman in the house?” he asked his son.
“It is nice to have Miss Tyler.”
“Yes, of course. Miss Tyler is special. She is not giddy, but a sensible young woman. I most enjoy your company, my dear.”
Anne smiled. “I thank you for the compliment. However, I am afraid I must admit to occasions of behaving in as silly a manner as the next girl.”
The young lord drew out her chair and seated her at the table. As he bent down, he whispered in her ear. “I should pay dearly for the opportunity to see you giddy.”
She flushed slightly and turned her attention to the elder lord. “Have you been well, sir?”
“As well as these old bones allow. I am always better as the day wears on. Of course, having you for company takes my mind off my aches.”
She smiled. “I am glad of that.”
When the tea arrived, Anne offered to pour it. When she handed the elder lord his cup, she watched his gnarled fingers struggle to grip it. It was no wonder he complained of aches. Judging from the swollen joints of his hands, she was not surprised that daily tasks caused him such misery.
But, seeming not to want to dwell upon his health, he was eager to talk about how Anne was getting on. She told about the letter from her uncle and about the strange goings-on of Mr. Ames.”
He frowned and clucked his tongue. Then banging his cup onto his saucer, he said, “If there are thieves in town, we must get to the bottom of this.”
He turned to his son. “You must ride in and make inquiries, or next thing we know, this outlaw will be bribing servants all over Sussex to steal from their employers.”
“I did that already. No one in town could tell me anything about the man who hired Ames.”
“Well, I do not like it. I certainly do not like it,” declared the elder lord, his dark eyes flashing. “Something must be done.
“I shall keep an eye out, Father. The man who started this is probably long away by now. But I have asked that if anyone sees or hears anything suspicious, they would let me know.”
“I hope he is caught, and when he is…” he stopped, suddenly remembering Anne was with them.
“I hope he is properly punished,” he said. “At least the girl had the ring and was able to return it.”
“I am grateful for that,” Anne said.
Young Lord Westerfield drew the discussion onto more pleasant topics. They discussed the weather and the gardens and the new vicar who had recently arrived in town.
“That reminds me. I have just had word that Miss Sawyer is to marry Mr. Fletcher,” Anne said. “I must confess that I was surprised by the speed of the match.”
Lord Westerfield nodded. “He was the man who accompanied you to the assembly. I remember him well. I was jealous that he was your escort and I was not.”
“You need not have been jealous. I never felt any special attachment to Mr. Fletcher, especially since he so readily transfers his affection. I am simply surprised that Miss Sawyer accepted.”
“Perhaps she favored him for some time, but did not tell you due to being your friend.”
“I suppose that must be the truth. I can think of no other reason for her to accept him so quickly.”
The young lord, seeming pleased that Mr. Fletcher was out of her life, said, “I wish them both happiness.”
“As do I,” replied Anne, truly hoping she was wrong in her intuition regarding Mr. Fletcher.
They finished their tea and took leave from the elder Lord Westerfield after extracting a promise from Anne to return soon. They found Jeremy happily licking pudding from a bowl in the kitchen.
“May I see the puppy once again before we leave? Please Anne.”
She frowned. “We have taken enough of Lord Westerfield’s time already. I am sure he has business that demands his attention.”
Lord Westerfield ruffled Jeremy’s hair. “I have business in town this afternoon. However, a quick stop to bid the puppy good-bye will not unduly delay me.”
They stopped at the stables where Jeremy hugged the wriggling pup. Anne insisted that he not tarry long and soon they were clattering away toward home with Lord Westerfield. Before they arrived, Anne said, “I have come to tea twice now. I will feel most inhospitable if you do not accept an invitation to a picnic in our park.”
“I should be delighted to accept, only tell me when to come.”
“Would you be available at one-o’clock next Friday? “
“I am available and shall be pleased to accept your hospitality.”
“Then I am very glad indeed.”
Anne’s smile faded as they rounded the curve of trees and saw a couch pulling away from the front of the house.
“Look Anne, someone has just arrived,” Jeremy said.
“It must be Grandfather’s nephew,” she replied.