Elijah helped Eleonora up and onto her horse, and then he helped Diana up onto his horse, before he pulled himself up behind her.
His arms wrapped around her waist, avoiding her burned arm. He clicked his tongue, urging his horse into a brisk trot along the path. Together, the three of them left the cottage behind. They rode in tense silence, the horses moving into a quick canter. Diana felt herself relax back against Elijah. His arms held her tightly in place. His chin was just over her shoulder, and his breath was warm against her cheek. He had a bit of stubble, which rasped against her face.
She knew that whatever happened next, she and Elijah would never be parted again. Soon, the trees fell away and she looked upon Cambolton House and the surrounding estate. Its familiar, long-missed façade comforted her. She knew that she had arrived home, at last.
“I’m never leaving home without you again,” she told Elijah, feeling his lips curving upward as he leaned his cheek against her temple.
Despite her exhaustion, she felt a stirring in the pit of her belly. If only they had made it to Warwickshire. But there was no time for that now. Her arm needed tending.
“Good,” he said, slowing his horse to a walk. “You’re needed here.”
When they arrived, the physician and the constable were both sent for. Diana was assisted up to one of the guest bedrooms, where she sank down onto the bed. Her arm was sore, the skin tight and uncomfortable.
Eleonora sat on the end of her bed, and Elijah sank down into an arm chair. She smiled at them both.
“You have no idea how good it was to see the both of you there,” she said, closing her eyes. “I was so sure that no one knew where I was and that I was going to have to endure three days of torture.”
“I watched the way that the carriage went,” Eleonora told her. “When Lord Cambolton showed up, I told him what was happening, and then we followed. I wish that we had only gotten there sooner, or your poor arm wouldn’t have been so injured.”
Diana smiled at her. “You got there, that’s all that matters, dear.” She sank back into the pillows. Exhaustion was taking over, making her limbs feel heavy and leaden. She listened while Eleonora and Elijah spoke to each other in low voices, making plans for what to do. The door opened, waking her from her drowse.
“Oh, My Lady!” Mary gasped. “You’re hurt.”
“It’s good to see you,” Diana murmured. She was glad to see her lady’s maid.
Mary beamed at her. “What can I do, My Lady?”
“Come and have a seat. We’ll tell you what you’ve missed,” Diana told her.
* * *
The physician arrived, and then Elijah was sent out of the bed chamber. He stood out in the hallway for a moment, when Hanby came to announce the constable’s arrival. Elijah followed his butler to the parlor. When he entered the parlor, the constable was still standing. He was wearing his dark jacket, his hat tucked underneath his arm.
When he had sent the footman to fetch him, Elijah had sent a brief letter, intimating in a few sentences, all that had occurred, and urging the constable to first stop by the cottage, where the body of Lord Lutterhall remained.
“Mr. Brownley,” Elijah said. “Why don’t you sit down?” This was going to be a lengthy interview. There was a lot of ground to cover. Elijah now had all of the answers that the constable had sought.
“My Lord,” the constable said, bowing. “I stopped by the cottage on my way here. I’ve had the body taken by the undertaker. My Lord, I had no idea…”
“We were all taken in, I believe,” Elijah said, waiting for the man to take a seat. Now that the danger had passed, he was feeling a lot more circumspect. After all, the constable’s refusal to check on Diana gave the Earl the time that he needed to take her to the cottage, resulting in her current injury.
The constable sighed, shaking his head. “To think that he was implicit in not one but two murders…”
“And almost three,” Elijah said, his fingers going to his throat, which still hurt. “For, had Lady Eleonora not been quick with the pistol, I would have been next. I trust that you found the maid’s grave?”
The constable nodded. “There was a shallow, newly-dug grave, just behind the cottage. It was covered with branches and well-hidden. If he hadn’t admitted where it was, then we might never have found it.”
Elijah nodded. “The Earl’s men—the footman and the coachman—fled when they saw Lady Eleonora and myself. I imagine that you’ll want to find them. They should be easy to spot, since they’re using an otherwise empty landau with the Earl’s seal on the side.”
“I’ve sent out word amongst the local constabulary,” Mr. Brownley said. “I’ll need to take statements from the three of you.”
“The ladies are just being seen to by the physician,” Elijah said. “I think they will both need some rest, but you can take mine now.”
“What brought you in the direction of Lutterhall, My Lord?” the constable asked.
“I received a letter, from Lady Diana,” he explained. “Brought to me by her lady’s maid, Mary, early this morning.” It felt like a decade ago that he had run out to find her there.
“Where is the lady’s maid, now?”
“I had her remain here, for her safety. She’s upstairs, tending to her mistress.”
“Good, good.” Mr. Brownley nodded.
“The letter told me that Lady Diana and Lady Eleonora were going to come here, and that I was to prepare myself. Lady Diana and I were going to elope, and then the three of us were going to go up north, to safety,” He explained. The constable was listening, rapt.
“I have a friend whose estate is up by the Scotland border. I wrote to him, several weeks ago to let him know that he had good reason to expect some guests. However, neither of them arrived.” He paused, clearing his throat. Now that it was all over, he was beginning to relax. He had been tense all day. Exhaustion was beginning to creep into his limbs.
“I waited, well past the time when they had told me that they’d be here. I had a strong hunch that something was amiss, so I rode to Lutterhall Manor to find that only Lady Eleonora was there.”
“She told me what she remembered, from the night of my father’s murder. From what she said, I knew that Lady Diana was in danger. Lady Eleonora said that Lord Lutterhall had taken Lady Diana to London, to force her to marry the Duke of Morrow. However, she had seen the carriage take the road toward the woods, not in the direction of the main road, so she intuited that he was taking Lady Diana to the cottage.”
“And when you arrived at the cottage?”
“The Earl’s men with the carriage took off when Lady Eleonora and I arrived. As soon as we dismounted, we heard Lady Diana scream. When we entered, Lord Lutterhall was torturing her with a hot poker. I fought him, and he tried to strangle me to death. If it weren’t for Lady Eleonora, I would have been killed.”
“She shot her father?”
“With his own pistol. I had gotten him to drop it by hitting his hand with the hot poker. He was in the process of strangling me with his bare hands. I was beginning to lose consciousness when I heard the shot. She did it to save me. Please, Mr. Brownley—I’ve promised her that I wouldn’t let her be taken from this house. She’s terrified that she’s going to be put in gaol for what she’s done.”
The constable nodded thoughtfully. He sat back in his chair. It was a few moments before he spoke. “I think I can agree that Lord Lutterhall was shot to prevent him from committing another murder,” he said. “Lady Eleonora has been through enough in the past seven months. I wouldn’t want any further upset to come to her.”
“No reason to remove her from this house,” Elijah said pointedly. “Given the fact that she’s still not wholly well. No need to upset her further, and believe me, she’s quite upset.”
“No reason at all,” the constable agreed. “Today, she’s the hero.”
“I couldn’t agree more, Mr. Brownley.”
Chapter 39
Diana was dressed in black bomba
zine and standing out on the terrace overlooking the gardens. Lutterhall Manor was decorated in black crepe, and all who lived there were in heavy mourning. While no one mentioned all that had come to light since her father’s death, Diana knew that they were all talking behind her back. It had all been in the papers. The whole thing, under the headline: The Earl of Lutterhall Murders the Viscount of Cambolton.
Her father had finally gotten the renown that he had sought, though it wasn’t the sort that he had wanted. Now, he would be remembered for a long time.
The funeral that day had been a trial for Diana. She was still so angry at her father for what he had done. Then, to go through the farce of celebrating his life... She couldn’t believe that they had to go through it. Eleonora hadn’t attended. Diana had completely understood.
She breathed out a sigh of relief. It was over, though she still had to get through saying goodbye to all of the mourners. She felt like she was on display.
I don’t care what the ton is saying. Most of it is true.
Her father had been a murderer. The salacious headline was in all ways accurate. She and Eleonora had already moved into Cambolton House. This would be, perhaps, the last time that she would be at Lutterhall Manor. Her father’s heir, a distant cousin, would be moving in and taking over Lutterhall Manor as soon as the estate was settled. Diana was glad.
She heard the sound of the back door open, and then the soft rustle of a lady’s skirts. It was either Aunt Clarabelle or Lady Albany, come to check on her. She didn’t turn, instead keeping her gaze on the gardens.
“Diana,” Aunt Clarabelle said, and she turned toward her aunt. “You should come inside.” She was smiling at her, though it didn’t reach her eyes. They remained sad. Diana knew that the younger brother that Aunt Clarabelle had treasured was forever ruined. She had lost much more than her cherished brother, just as Diana had lost the gentleman that she had believed her father to be.
Diana wiped at her eyes with her handkerchief. She sniffled. “I just needed a moment to breathe. It’s very close in there, Aunt Clarabelle.”
There were tables laden with food and drink. The halls were filled with the constant hum of many conversations. Diana felt tired. It was hard to celebrate the life of a gentleman who had not been the good gentleman that they had all believed him to be. In addition, her healing arm itched incessantly and she had been forbidden to scratch it.
The physician had been worried about the scar. Diana didn’t care. It would be evidence that she had survived. She had been forced into a crucible, and had come out alive, while her father had perished.
“Of course,” Aunt Clarabelle replied. “I’m so sorry that I wasn’t here, when…when it happened. I feel like I wasn’t there when you needed me the most.” Diana had learned from Elijah that her aunt had been sent away by her father, when she had been locked in her room.
Diana took her hand, squeezing it. “You’re here now, and that’s enough. Lord Cambolton told me all about you stopping by Cambolton House to tell him what had happened. If it weren’t for you, he wouldn’t have known anything was amiss.”
Aunt Clarabelle smiled, tears forming in her eyes. “I can’t believe that we were all so taken in.”
“You’re certainly not the only one, I can tell you that.”
“If you need, you and Eleonora can come and stay at Bolger Castle, whenever you’d like.”
“Thank you. I think we’ll remain where we are.” Diana had meant it when she had told Elijah that she didn’t want to leave home again. She belonged at Cambolton House in a way that she had never belonged at Lutterhall Manor.
“They’ll talk, Diana. Two unmarried people, living under the same roof.”
“They already are, Aunt Clarabelle. Besides, I…I cannot be parted from him. We’ve fought so hard to be together, that I don’t think I could bear it.” Diana’s throat tightened at the thought of going elsewhere.
No. I won’t leave him.
Aunt Clarabelle sighed. “I suppose they are talking already,” she said darkly. “Nothing to be done about it. Though, I wish you would consider at least removing to Albany Manor.”
Diana nodded, though she had no plans to do so. Cambolton House was her home. Leaving, for whatever reason, was out of the question. Her arm still ached, and she placed her hand over it—the skin, while healing, was tight and painful. Her long sleeves covered it entirely, even covering up where the bandages were.
Aunt Clarabelle sighed, her gaze out over the gardens. She seemed smaller than usual. In her grief, she had shrunk down in size.
“I wonder when it all began,” she murmured, so softly that Diana almost didn’t catch it. “I loved him so much that I think I couldn’t see him for who he truly was. And at your and poor Eleonora’s expense.”
“You couldn’t have known,” Diana told her. Diana herself had thought the same thing, in the days following the end of her father’s life. “None of us could have known. He was good at hiding his true nature.”
“Quite right.” Though, Aunt Clarabelle didn’t sound wholly convinced.
“Aunt Clarabelle, I hope that you’ll come to the wedding,” Diana said. “It would be good to have you there.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world, my dear.”
The two ladies smiled at each other. Aunt Clarabelle reached out, taking her hand. Her skin was soft and powdery.
“I’ve always cared for you, you know,” she told Diana. “Even if I’ve always seemed so strict.”
“You’ve always seemed to like Eleonora better.” Now was the time for truth. Diana and her aunt had the chance to move forward.
“She’s so much more open,” Aunt Clarabelle pointed out. “But let’s not worry about that. Let’s just agree to do better, in the future, yes?”
“I can agree to that.” Diana smiled.
“Come,” Aunt Clarabelle said, patting Diana on the arm. “We have guests to attend to.”
Though Diana wanted nothing more than to be alone, she followed her aunt, who slipped her arm around Diana’s uninjured one. Together, they returned to the parlor, which was filled with people dressed in black.
Aunt Clarabelle drifted off, to go and speak to some ladies who were standing in a cluster by the fireplace. Diana walked over to the table, where she poured herself a cup of coffee.
When she glanced up, she caught Elijah, standing over by the window, watching her. He beamed at her. Diana’s dearest wish had come true. When she left Lutterhall Manor that evening, she would return to Cambolton House. Together, they would dine quietly, giving each other lingering looks across the table. She smiled at him, then walked over.
“I wondered when you would come back,” he murmured.
“I needed a moment.”
“Your aunt refused to allow me to follow,” he said with a laugh.
Diana smiled at him. They stood over by the window, in silence. She was comforted by his presence. She glanced around, finding Eleonora sitting on the settee.
She wondered what was going on in her sister’s mind. She was dressed in a simple muslin. Her hair had been done simply, with two jeweled combs, holding it back from her face. She had been so quiet.
At least she’s coming back to us.
* * *
Overhead, the clouds hung low and heavy. Far off, the horizon was blurred, impending rain threatening. The cemetery was still and quiet. There were a few visitors, but they were far off in the distance. It was a weekday, and only the priest and three people had come for this particular burial. Sarah hadn’t had anyone else in her life. Her parents had both passed on years ago. Eleonora had been Sarah’s only family. She wished that this parting hadn’t happened.
She had lost both Nicholas and Sarah. Eleonora wasn’t sure how to move forward without them. She stood with the little group around Sarah’s grave. Her coffin had been lowered into the ground. Diana and Elijah were standing back, to give her some privacy. The priest stood beside her.
“Dear Lord, we now commend thy
servant, Sarah, to the earth,” the priest intoned. “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…”
Tears fell freely down Eleonora’s cheeks. She watched as her handful of dirt rained down on the coffin lid. Finally, the priest finished, closing his black leather Bible with a snap.
“I must be off, dear. Is there…is there anything else I can do?” he offered kindly. He had a deeply lined face, and kind blue eyes. His knobby hands were papery, dry.
“No. Thank you, Reverend Daniels.” He bowed to her, then moved to say something to Elijah.
“Are you ready to go home, Eleonora?” Diana asked in a low voice.
“May I have a moment, alone?” she asked.
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