by Janet Woods
He looked at her and smiled. ‘Let’s hope you don’t goad me into proving you’re wrong. Someone has given you a good beating.’
‘I wouldn’t have described it as good.’
‘Allow me to guess who inflicted it? It wouldn’t have been LéSayres.’
She smiled at the thought of Dominic hurting her. He was too gentle a man.
‘Was it that servant couple who worked for my aunt? I caught them selling part of my legacy in the marketplace, or should it be our legacy. They were with a man called Pawley. I recognized him from my infrequent visits to my uncle at Oakford House in the past. My aunt said he used to steal from her. I’m touched that you’d rather take a beating than steal a chunk of my silver metal. As it turned out, I sold it to a silversmith for a rather nice profit.’
‘Anything missing will show up in the contents inventory, and my husband can’t be held responsible for any losses since you chose to ignore the safeguards that were made.’
‘My … you have been a busy little snippet.’
‘I had no choice, since my husband kept me employed with the inventory. You will find everything in order should you care to look at the papers. What did you do to Jessie and Brian Curtis?’
His gaze snapped to her face and lingered there. ‘Why should you care?’
‘Because I wouldn’t like to have anyone’s death on my conscience … not in the pursuit of money.’
‘Ah yes, the money. It always comes back to the money. The woman didn’t appear to be downhearted at being parted from the worm she called her husband. She had a bruised face and a swollen jaw.’
So Brian had beaten Jessie, too. Poor Jessie.
‘Curtis was encouraged to join the King’s navy.’ The brigadier placed his ale on the table and began to remove his woman’s garb, emerging from under his drab cloak and gown like a flamboyant poppy in his scarlet soldier’s uniform.
‘You look more handsome dressed as a man; you remind me of my late father.’
‘Thank you m’dear, I’ll take that as a compliment.’ He held his side and groaned.
‘Are you in pain?’
‘It’s nothing that a dose of laudanum won’t cure.’ He gave her a sharp look. ‘Do you have any in your bag?
‘No, but there’s some at Oakford House and your aunt always kept some on hand.’ And at least she would be taking him in the right direction, even if she was his hostage, and Dominic might shoot her by mistake.
Grace reminded herself that the poppy’s heart stored powerful opiates that robbed people of their senses. It was addictive, and could kill if not handled properly. The brigadier’s empty eyes reflected an addiction to the narcotic.
She’d be the first to admit her knowledge of medicine was restricted to her father’s books, his unconscious teaching of it and her ability to absorb it. Doctoring was a profession closed to women, except for the birthing of children. Therefore she was limited. More likely the brigadier was suffering pain from a war wound. Or he might be constipated, in which case a good dose of liquorice would affect a cure and improve his disposition.
She felt a sudden surge of pity for him. ‘I’ll mix you a dose when we reach Oakford House.’
‘Why are you being nice to me? Dammit girl, I’ve just nabbed you and I might kill you. Aren’t you afraid?’
‘Is that what you did to Jessie and Brian … kill them?’
‘Not at all. The men were given a choice … a fight to the death for the woman, or to join the king’s navy. There just happened to be a ship in the harbour needing extra crew. As for the woman, I daresay she will manage, since she seemed to be the resourceful type.’
Grace’s blood began to run cold and she felt a moment of pity for the Curtis couple, despite the way they’d treated her.
The brigadier seemed tired and swayed on his feet. He’d begun to perspire.
‘Are you going to drink your ale?’ he said.
‘I’m no longer thirsty.’
‘As you wish.’ He reached for it, downed it in a couple of gulps and belched. He held out a hand. ‘Come along, my dear.’
Fear sliced through her calm. ‘I’m not your enemy though you have chosen to make me one, and I’m not going anywhere with you willingly. I’ll scream for help.’ She wondered if she could appeal to his finer feelings, but when he placed his hand over her mouth she doubted if he had any.
‘Screaming is a waste of breath since nobody will hear you above the din, but hear this. If you do scream I’ll kill the first person who comes to your aide, whether it be man, woman or child.’
The noise from the tavern had increased with two separate authorities trying to out-curse and out-sing two different, bawdy drinking songs.
But it was worth trying and she wasn’t going down without a fight. She opened her mouth, and as his hand closed over it she dug her teeth into his fingers. It was the brigadier who screamed.
‘That’s no way to treat a prospective husband.’ He swore, and taking her by the hair he dragged her, bumping painfully, across to the courtyard door. Without ceremony she was pushed through it and dumped in the arms of a soldier. ‘Here Willie, you take her.’
Willie tied a kerchief round her face whilst she kicked and struggled. He cuffed his hand around her throat, squeezed her windpipe and said against her ear, ‘Don’t fight so hard, girl, and then you’ll not get hurt.’
The brigadier warned, ‘I might need her to bargain with, so keep her in one piece for the time being.’
The third man spoke up. ‘We should leave the woman and get out of here.’
Willie leered at her. ‘Spoils of war, Oliver, and she’s quite a prize.’
‘I didn’t join the army to fight women. I joined to defend my country from the Frenchies – not that I’ve seen any yet.’
‘You can tell a Frenchie by the colour of his backside as he runs from the British.’
Oliver laughed at the joke. ‘I daresay the French make the same remark about the British. Besides, I don’t like wenches who are unwilling.’
The brigadier sighed. ‘Then I would suggest you rejoin your fellow officers in the barracks if you’re afraid of the outcome. Willie and I can manage without you. You don’t have to join in, though she’s a lively one and we might need you to hold her down.’
Willie squeezed her thigh with bruising fingers. ‘She feels like any other light-skirt to me, but smells sweeter.’
‘And you smell like a thousand decomposing tomcats,’ she yelled at him, which was the worst insult she could think of.
‘The lady has a vivid imagination,’ Willie said, laughing. ‘Here Oliver, you can carry the baggage. I need to relieve myself and I might be a while, since I rather fancy the serving wench. Just follow the brigadier and I’ll catch you up.’ He picked her up and practically threw her up to the second soldier, the one called Oliver, who jerked her the rest of the way by her arms.
She kicked out at him and missed.
He pulled the kerchief from her face and dashed it to the ground. ‘I beg your pardon Mrs LéSayres. My mount is restless and I didn’t want you to fall under his hooves. Would you care to repeat what you said?’
Now her voice was no longer muffled she made it quite clear. ‘I said … you’re a stupid idiot.’
‘Yes, madam. I quite agree.’ He set the horse in motion and they headed for the road.
She carried her tirade further. ‘You are also dim-witted and grotesque, and if you lay one finger on me my husband will kill you in the most painful way possible. Do you understand?’
‘Your humble servant, Mrs LéSayres.’
‘How do you know my name?’
‘I must have overheard it at the inn.’
‘Please let me go,’ Grace whispered. ‘My husband will pay any reward you name for my safe return.’
‘There are too many men of ill intent abroad, and to let you loose amongst them while their blood is up would invite trouble. Trust me, I’m on your side, and please don’t give me any trouble. The s
ooner I deliver you to your husband the better for all of us.’
Trust him? Grace was halfway to doing that, for he was polite and appeared not to display the aggressive tendencies of his companions. But that could be a trap.
‘If you really didn’t want trouble you shouldn’t have invited it.’ Grace elbowed her captor in the ribs. ‘I’m not a sack of turnips to be thrown about.’
He swore when the horse began to buck under them. ‘Keep still, you devil.’
With a silent apology to the horse Grace dug her heels into his flank. The beast squealed and surged forward. Oliver’s foot tangled in one stirrup and he was forced to release her so he could use both hands to secure his seat and take control.
The flailing legs of the horse missed her for the heartbeat or two it took her to roll out of the way, and then she scrambled into the undergrowth, picked herself up and began to run.
She heard a whinny from Argus and headed in his direction. Would this nightmare ever cease? Grace wished she’d never heard of Lady Florence. There was a drumming of hooves and a horse came up beside her. The soldier called Oliver leaped off. Taking her wrist in a firm grip he stayed her flight and talked quietly but with a sense of urgency. ‘I’m a friend of the LéSayres family. Now … please mount the horse so I can safely take you to your husband, otherwise I shall attach you to a rope and will make you trot the rest of the way. Take your pick.’
No wonder the authorities were eager to see the back of these soldiers. The rough and tumble of the other side of the world seemed the best place for them.
She snorted. It was an expression of disapproval Lady Florence might have made … and it sounded satisfyingly scornful. Then she scowled, which felt infinitely better. ‘Dominic will kill you.’
‘On the contrary, he will be glad to see me, and more than happy to get his wife back in one piece, I should imagine.’
He wouldn’t have sent her away if he’d be happy at her reappearance. She’d be happy to see Dominic again though.
As she mounted the horse she managed to land a kick on Oliver Tuttle’s knee.
‘How many times do I have to tell you I’m on your side? Woman or not, I’ll spank you if you goad me again,’ he roared.
Grace closed her mouth.
Twenty-One
Oakford House
James Archibald mopped his face. ‘Forgive me for being late, Mr LéSayres. The main road is blocked and I had to prove who I was and state my business before the yeoman would let me through.’
‘I admit I’d nearly given up on you, but there should be enough afternoon light left for our purpose.’
‘What is going on, and where are your clients?’
‘Like you, they must be held up, for they haven’t yet arrived. I’m glad you have, though. A situation has arisen that needs attention and I need a credible witness.’
James cleared his throat and took a sip from his brandy flask. ‘Do you have any ale at hand, my throat is dry.’
‘I have a small amount of ale at hand and will water it down. The labourers will come to board the house up, and I bought it for them.’
‘Goodness, I daresay the labouring man can slake his thirst with water. However, I doubt if it will be necessary since a reputable gentleman of my acquaintance has expressed a desire to take up a lease on the place if it becomes available … or indeed, purchase the house outright. I would suggest he could act in the capacity of caretaker until the will is proved. I can supply you with references.’
‘All the better, Mr Archibald. However, the house must be left in a secured state. Once the matter has gone before the court to decide who owns it you can apply to the owners.’
‘Owners? I understood the brigadier and the housekeeper … Miss Ellis, wasn’t it? I was looking forward to a wedding.’
‘The brigadier will not be wed to Miss Ellis.’
‘Oh … and may one ask why?’
‘Because Miss Ellis is married to me.’
James Archibald couldn’t disguise the surprise in his eyes. He smiled as the obvious presented to him. ‘Well, young sir, may I offer you my congratulations on winning both the hand of the fair lady and her equally fair fortune. A neat move on your part, yes indeed. I’m in awe.’
Dominic, who along with his brother had survived childhood penny-poor for most of the time, found it hard to cast off the contempt he felt towards this man. ‘You misunderstand, sir. My wife has no fortune except for a small legacy from her mother, which Mr John Howard has managed for many years.’
The attorney followed after him into the kitchen. ‘You offered a penniless servant marriage? Goodness me, Mr LéSayres, what is the world coming to? I do hope she is properly grateful. Even so, society will never accept her.’
‘It’s me who should be grateful, and to hell with society. May I remind you that Mrs LéSayres comes from a family of good repute and she has no need to prove herself or be grateful to anyone – including you.’
‘Of course … of course … no offence meant, dear sir. I had forgotten her family connection. Her father …’ He shook his head as if trying to remember, so Dominic helped him.
‘Doctor Harold Ellis … I will leave you to ponder on that while I fetch your ale.’
‘Ah yes … and the girl’s mother was a cousin to the Landsdown family, many times removed. It was quite a romantic tale, I believe. There was a scandal when the pair eloped. Later, her mother died in tragic circumstances, in childbed. Harold Ellis was inconsolable and he took to the bottle.’
Dominic said quietly, ‘There’s nothing romantic about that. Be careful, Mr Archibald, this is my wife’s family you’re discussing. Men have been challenged for less.’
The attorney pressed his kerchief against his brow. ‘Quite so. No offence meant, and I do beg your pardon, Mr LéSayres.’
After a short silence Dominic nodded. ‘We will adhere to the business at hand. I suggest three options that might act as possible solutions. Firstly, the fortune should be awarded in its entirety to the soldier. After all, Brigadier Crouch is Lady Florence’s only legitimate kin and he has a valid claim in his own right. Option 2: The legacy could be awarded to a charitable organization. Option 3: It could be shared equally between them. I will recommend the first option.’
‘Your reason?’
‘If I hadn’t intervened in the matter Grace may have been forced into becoming the brigadier’s wife, or just as bad … boarding the ship to the Antipodes to search for gold with that Curtis couple who worked here with her.’ But wasn’t that what he’d done, only more gently? Unknowingly she’d become his co-conspirator in an invalid marriage?
An owl hooted, Alex’s signal to warn him that someone was approaching.
‘While I fetch your ale perhaps you’d care to read the papers I’ve prepared.’
‘A moment sir, you omitted to mention Mrs LéSayres. What of her claim?’
‘Mrs LéSayres demands nothing from the estate and makes no claim. The waiver is there as a safeguard.’
‘You put forward an unusual case for the brigadier. I don’t know what to say except I believe this is the first time I’ve met a totally honest man. Some might think you a fool but I admire you.’
‘Thank you, Mr Archibald, I’ll accept that as a compliment while recognizing I’m not without fault. In actuality very few people I’ve had dealings with consider me to be a fool.’
Dominic found his brother in the kitchen, along with an agitated estate manager. They were strangely muted for a group of men.
‘Something has happened. What is it?’
Fear filled him when the estate manager informed him, ‘Mrs LéSayres was captured by the brigadier and another soldier. A third one, William Reeves, known as Willie and supposedly the worst of villains, received a few smacks from a yeoman’s truncheon to the head when he took a fancy to the serving wench and dropped his guard, along with his trousers. He came off the worst. He’s been delivered to a ship that’s waiting to set sail and the ship’s surgeon is
trying to stitch his split face back together. The brigadier is still at large; he’s a wily old sod.’
‘And the other man?’ Dominic asked.
‘Oliver Tuttle is not considered dangerous. He’s from these parts so is known to the locals. If Mrs LéSayres is in his charge she will not be physically hurt. He was here to inform the brigadier of his imminent capture. Do you know him?’
Alex nodded. ‘I know him from our university days. I recall he was not without courage, but neither was he cruel.’
‘I don’t feel as though I’m doing enough to be of help to her.’
Dominic gazed doubtfully at Alex, who smiled reassuring him. ‘I attended Cambridge with Oliver Tuttle. It’s believed he has Grace with him and she’s unharmed.’
‘Is that fact or supposition?’ Alex asked.
‘The latter, my Lord.’
Dominic cursed as he engaged the eyes of his brother’s agent. ‘Tell me what happened?’
‘We were at the inn waiting for a cab to take us on to Poole. Mrs LéSayres was in the ladies’ parlour taking some refreshment while we changed carriages. There was an elderly woman in there, so I thought she was safe. However, it turned out that she wasn’t a woman, but a man dressed in women’s clothing. He approached Mrs LéSayres and threw off his cloak to reveal a soldier’s uniform. Your lady tried to fight him off but there were three of them. She was dragged through the courtyard door by her hair and pushed on to his companion’s horse.’
Dominic winced. Now sick at heart he knew he’d never forgive himself if Grace were injured. ‘In which direction did they go?’
‘The landlady said the youngest of the soldiers whispered to her that they were going to bring the young woman here, to Oakford House, and he would do his best to keep her from harm. Oliver Tuttle, she said his name was.’
‘When everyone realizes the soldiers were those they were seeking they rushed to get their horses, only to find them wandering all over the road with their saddles removed and scattered. Only two of the three soldiers’ mounts were ready to be used.’