“Pleased to meet you, Kellington,” said Sir Lawrence. “Your brother the duke is a good man. And I thank you for coming to ‘Nessa’s assistance.”
Arthur shook his hand with a death grip that was quickly reciprocated by the other man. “Nessa” smiled brilliantly at the two men.
The butler cleared his throat. “His grace is not expected to receive guests for several more hours, Sir Lawrence. Would you like to be shown a room?”
“That won’t be necessary,” said Newcastle from the top of the stairs. “I doubt our new guest will be staying any longer than our old ones, although you are welcome to freshen up, Sir Lawrence.” Newcastle was dressed immaculately and gave no outward signs of the contretemps from the previous night other than shadows under his eyes due to lack of sleep. “Kellington, I understand you and Miss Gans wish to make an early departure today. I’m sure Michelson will do everything in his power to help you be on your way.” At that shaded command, the butler began giving orders to nearby footmen. “Shall I retrieve the chalice or do you, perchance, already have it in your possession?” He addressed the question to Arthur, having thus far avoided all eye contact with Vanessa.
“We did happen to secure it,” said Arthur. “Thank you for asking. Might we break our fast before departing?”
“Why of course,” said Newcastle, ever the gracious host. “Pray forgive me for not joining you, but I will take myself off for a ride.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, your grace,” said Sir Lawrence, bowing deeply.
Newcastle looked down at the man, but said nothing else. He turned on his heel to go.
“One more thing, Newcastle,” said Arthur as he punched the duke with enough force to knock the man over. From the pain in his hand, Arthur hoped he hadn’t broken any of his own bones, but figured it would be more than worth it if he had.
“See here, Kellington,” said Sir Lawrence as he helped Newcastle rise. “That’s hardly the thing to do to a duke.”
“But it was most appropriate for someone who’s insulted a lady’s honor. Don’t fret yourself, Sir Lawrence. I know Newcastle won’t be foolish enough to press charges.”
Newcastle looked like he wanted to do considerably more than press charges. But instead he simply turned to his butler. “Get them out of here within the half hour. They can break their fast on the road.”
Twenty-nine minutes later, Sir Lawrence tied his horse to the back of the carriage, then joined Vanessa and Arthur inside.
“What news have you from Professor Dumbarton?” Vanessa asked Sir Lawrence.
“It appears we are off to the wilds of Shropshire and the Iron Bridge Gorge. I confess myself wild to see it. I have heard it is an unimaginable piece of engineering.” The Iron Bridge Gorge spanned the wilderness of Shropshire, linking two areas that had previously been traversable only by a circuitous route around a river. The bridge was heralded as an engineering marvel of the modern age.
“Where shall we drop you, Kellington?” Sir Lawrence asked.
“Hopefully not from the bridge,” replied Arthur.
“Ho! I’d heard you fancied yourself a wit,” continued Sir Lawrence. “No, I mean what is the best way for you to go back to London? On behalf of the Home Office, we thank you for your assistance up until this point, but you are clearly no longer needed now that I am here. I will take over the planning and execution of this mission.”
Arthur was gratified to see that Vanessa looked as irritated as he felt.
“Lawrence,” she said, “I cannot see why you should be taking over the mission.”
Sir Lawrence smiled as if a dog had just walked on its hind legs. “You have done splendidly, ‘Nessa. But now I am here and can take charge.”
“Has Lord Willingham placed you in command?” asked Vanessa.
Sir Lawrence lost some of his bluster. “Not in so many words,” he admitted.
“Then Miss Gans is still in charge,” said Arthur with great satisfaction.
“Yes, I suppose technically that is correct, but since I am here now it is only logical I should take over.”
“Logical to whom?” asked Vanessa.
“’Nessa, think of what this could do for my career were I to safely return all the items to London. There is only so far you can go in your career. But I could ascend the ranks to the very top. After all, I’ve already been knighted.”
“For a mission I helped you with,” said Vanessa.
“Yes, and I believe I already expressed my gratitude for that,” he said coolly. “But the fact remains that this would be quite the feather in my cap. Say, Kellington, perhaps you could put in a good word with the Duke of Lynwood.”
“Oh, I will definitely tell my brothers and sister about this conversation,” said Arthur, who caught Vanessa biting her lip to keep from laughing. “But I do not anticipate seeing them until Miss Gans and I return to London with the sword, the chalice and whatever it is we are to fetch from Shropshire.”
“You will not return to London?” asked Sir Lawrence.
“No, but feel free to go yourself. I shall even write a letter of introduction to his grace if you leave now.”
Arthur could tell Sir Lawrence was torn between wanting to hurry off for a meeting with Lynwood and staying to take over Vanessa’s mission. As much as Arthur wanted her out of harm’s way, he didn’t like seeing her pushed aside, especially by an ass like Sir Lawrence. But perhaps he could be of some use in keeping her safe from Mortimer and Cassidy.
Shropshire was little more than fifty miles from Nottingham, but given the condition of the country roads, they didn’t arrive until dusk. There was but one inn in the vicinity and it looked to be in need of a good cleaning. There were only two rooms available, so Arthur resigned himself to sharing a chamber with Sir Lawrence.
It was decided that they would keep the broadsword and chalice in Arthur and Sir Lawrence’s room. While thieves were certainly not uncommon in inns, it was thought they’d be much less likely to break into a room shared by two rather large men, than the lady’s. Arthur paid extra to move a guest so that Vanessa’s room was directly next to theirs. But he would still spend another night with little rest, keeping an ear out for her protection.
They were shown to a private parlor for their meal that night by the solicitous innkeeper. Sir Lawrence took his time ordering, certain he would have to suffer through a meal that would not meet his standards. Arthur had low expectations for the fare, but was more than satisfied with the game pie he and Vanessa shared. Somewhere along the way, he’d developed a liking for simple, hearty food. And while he was looking forward to meals at Lynwood House in the not so distant future, right now all he needed was something filling.
“So Professor Dumbarton believes this is the final stop?” asked Vanessa, as she finished the last of the pie.
“Yes,” said Sir Lawrence, picking over his quail with a look of distaste. “That’s what he said when I happened upon him in London.”
“What was he doing in town?” asked Arthur.
“He’d returned your Merlin to Lynwood House. When I saw him he was in Willingham’s office discussing the mission. When he said he needed to send word to you, I offered to go myself. Dumbarton and Willingham thought it was a grand idea. They explained the mission in great detail, even drawing a map of exactly where we needed to go. It’s a good thing, too. I don’t know how anyone would be expected to find this place without one. We are here to secure a solid gold spike that was rather fancifully hammered into one of the supports in the Iron Bridge.”
“Why the spike?” asked Vanessa.
“Why not the spike? It’s worth a veritable fortune so it would make sense that the villains would want to steal it.”
“But aren’t there easier targets for Mortimer and Cassidy?” asked Arthur. “Why would anyone go to the risk of stealing the spike? For that matter, how are we going to get it?”
“Leave that to me, old fellow,” said Sir Lawrence. “I have in my possession several ropes an
d harnesses of the kind they used to build the bridge. Willingham was so good as to get them for me. Quite capital of him, really, going about town with me personally to track them down. I think he’s taken quite a liking to me, which of course, will bode well for the future.”
“Of course,” said Arthur.
“Have Mortimer and Cassidy been sighted?” asked Vanessa.
“No,” said Sir Lawrence. “They seem to have completely disappeared. Ah, dessert.”
The innkeeper’s daughter served an apple tart, which was quickly set upon by Arthur and Vanessa, while Sir Lawrence picked at his piece with a fork as he complained about the lack of sophistication at country inns.
Shortly after they finished the tart, Vanessa suggested they retire. Arthur suspected even she had tired of Sir Lawrence’s constant complaints. Apparently, he had developed a taste for the finer things in life and a trip to Shropshire was very much not on his list of places he wanted to visit.
Arthur tried to find a few moments alone with Vanessa, but was thwarted by Sir Lawrence’s constant questions about the best Bond Street tailors. Resigning himself to going to bed without even the chance to kiss Vanessa good night, he walked her to her room – with Sir Lawrence in tow. The smile she gave him warmed Arthur’s heart.
The experience of sharing a room with Sir Lawrence proved just as irritating as being in the same carriage with him had been. He laid out his clothes with the fastidiousness of a valet. “The jacket’s by Weston, don’t you know,” said Sir Lawrence as he brushed it once again. “You should take better care of your clothes, Kellington. I’m surprised you don’t have a valet to tend to you. My man is excellent, but his mother died and he needed to go bury the girl. I let him go to the funeral – without pay, of course. You can’t let that sort get ideas above their station.”
So, mused Arthur, Sir Lawrence was a bit of a snob. He wondered if Vanessa knew. Then he wondered how quickly he could tell her.
Arthur removed his jacket, cravat, waistcoat and boots, then lay down on his half of the bed and wondered how Vanessa was faring. How quickly he’d grown accustomed to being with her. He lay awake late into the night, serenaded by Sir Lawrence’s snoring, which was particularly loud and grating, in keeping with the man himself. Arthur knew it wasn’t just the noise keeping him awake. He missed having Vanessa near him. He liked being with her. He needed to be with her, and it had little to do with keeping her safe. That was essential, of course. But he was beginning to think he was a better person when she was with him. And he would like to be that person more often.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
A very groggy Arthur awoke the next morning to the sounds of Sir Lawrence doing his morning exercises. As Arthur watched the man do his deep knee bends he had to resist the urge to throw something at his bobbing head. A knock on their door revealed that Vanessa was dressed as a lad again. They couldn’t get to the bridge with the carriage, so they’d agreed to hire horses for Arthur and Vanessa while Sir Lawrence would ride the one he’d tied to the back of the coach. Arthur was pleased to see she looked like she’d slept as little as he.
Vanessa glanced warily in Sir Lawrence’s direction as the man continued to bob up and down at the knees. He finished with a flourish, then put on his jacket. “We should take the sword and chalice with us,” he said.
“But don’t you think the sword and the chalice would be safer back here in the carriage?” asked Vanessa. “I’m sure Professor Dumbarton’s coachman and groom would guard them.”
“Best not to chance it,” said Sir Lawrence. “You really don’t know whom you can trust.”
Arthur agreed with Vanessa, but he was most concerned about getting on the road so they could finally complete their mission. He wasn’t normally a superstitious man, but he had an odd feeling about the day ahead.
“I can pack the chalice in my saddlebag,” said Vanessa.
“And I shall take the Larsen,” said Sir Lawrence, as he lifted the sword with one hand, then promptly set it crashing to the floor. “It’s a bit heavier than it looks.” He tried again to pick up the sword, but was barely able to move it. Finally, he was able to lift it to hip level, but then struggled to swing the case over his shoulder.
“Allow me, old boy,” said Arthur smoothly, as he scooped up the case with one hand, then slung it over his shoulder. “Shall we go?” He didn’t wait for a response, but simply ushered Vanessa out of the room in front of him.
“Stop gloating,” she whispered, but couldn’t keep the grin off her face.
“It was his idea to take it with us,” said Arthur, shrugging. “How was I to know he couldn’t lift it?”
* * *
It was a slow ride to the bridge because of the rough terrain. There were no cottages in the area. They passed no people or animals. The land had a harsh beauty which would make it all but uninhabitable. After two hours of riding they finally had their destination in sight. A gorge and river divided the surrounding countryside of gently rolling hills. The bridge itself was a manmade marvel two hundred feet wide and one hundred feet high.
Construction of the cast iron bridge had begun in 1775 and was completed four years later when the golden spike was hammered into one of the support beams ten feet from the top. At the time, the project had been looked upon as the folly of its proponents. The cost to build it had been high, both monetarily and in terms of human life. Even now, people died every year after falling from the bridge, either purposely at their own hands or through tragic accidents.
According to Willingham’s instructions, the golden stake was wedged into one of the supports in an area that was so inaccessible it deterred all attempts of theft.
“Is the stake needed structurally?” asked Vanessa, as they sat on their horses to one side of the bridge.
“If you’re asking if the support will collapse, then no it won’t,” said Arthur, “but it won’t be easy to retrieve. I’ve been studying these maps, looking for the best access point and it doesn’t look good. From what I can tell, the only way to get there would be to lower oneself down by rope from the bridge, then climb on a support beam, and from there go from beam to beam until you reach the spike, which is on one of the inner beams. It will likely take a fair amount of struggle to remove it. Then, of course, you have to reverse the process to be pulled back up.”
“Then it makes the most sense for me to be the one to get the spike,” said Vanessa.
“The devil it does!” said Arthur.
“But I am the lightest of the three of us. I also have a better chance of maneuvering through the various beams, given my size. And you could hardly expect Sir Lawrence and me to pull you up.”
“I do have a rather bad back,” said Sir Lawrence.
“It didn’t look that bad when you were exercising this morning,” said Arthur.
“It comes and goes.”
“Would it prevent you from climbing down the bridge?” asked Arthur. “I’m certain I could pull you up.”
“While there is nothing I’d like more than the adventure of hanging off that bridge, I have a bit of a problem with dizziness,” said Sir Lawrence. “’Nessa is the logical choice.”
“Vanessa will do no such thing,” said Arthur, as he dismounted and tied off his horse. “I will retrieve the spike. And, if need be, I can climb up on my own.”
“Arthur, I cannot let you do this….” began Vanessa. But her words were cut off by a kiss, as Arthur grabbed her and lowered his mouth to hers. He tried to keep it light, but he was starving. And, judging by her response, so was she.
“Now see here, Kellington,” objected Sir Lawrence.
“Stow it!” said Arthur, before kissing Vanessa once more. Then he turned from her and, with Sir Lawrence’s help, began putting on the leather harnesses and ropes.
“Have you ever done this before?” asked Vanessa worriedly.
“Kissed a woman? Once or twice.” He gave her his crooked grin again.
“Have you ever dangled off a bridge?” she said, u
nable to hide her fear.
“No. But one summer my family went climbing in Wales and I was shown how to use a contraption like this. The harness attaches to me then we run a series of ropes through it.” He indicated a series of small iron rings scattered across the harness. “The ropes run through the rings with a series of pulleys, so it requires less strength than you would think.”
“So, I could do it,” said Vanessa, as Sir Lawrence finished cinching the harness in a series of criss-crossing straps across Arthur’s back.
“I have no doubt you could do anything, love. But why not give me the chance to look heroic?”
“You already are heroic,” she said quietly. “There’s no need to appear to be more so.”
He almost kissed her again, but the sooner he began his descent, the quicker he’d be done. The three of them walked to the middle of the bridge, then checked the map to pinpoint the support which contained the spike. It was slightly further across the bridge than the middle.
Arthur took a deep breath. He was not fond of heights. While he’d learned about the harness in Wales, he hadn’t actually used one, since he’d been too frightened to make the climb. Ned had been the daredevil that day. There was only one thing which would make Arthur climb down that bridge, and it was to prevent Vanessa from doing it.
He checked the ropes that Sir Lawrence had tied to the bridge. Vanessa re-checked them.
The rope was strong, the type used in sailing and the knots were secure. There was really only one thing for it now. He stepped over the rail, looked Vanessa in the eyes, then slowly lowered himself down off the edge.
Just as he was about to disappear, Vanessa said, “Please be careful. I could not live with myself if you were injured.”
He looked up and smiled at her. “I know exactly how you feel, sweetheart.”
“Do have a care, old chap,” Sir Lawrence called after him. “I don’t fancy having to make the same trip if something goes wrong, although we would probably learn from our mistakes.”
Never Wager Against Love (Kellington Book Three) Page 16