by Anne Herries
‘Yes, I believe so.’
Jenny had no desire to visit the estate, because Adam was not there. She’d heard nothing from him since he’d left the area for Cornwall and wondered how he fared. If Paul had called on them, he might have brought news, but he had not been near since that last day in the Park when he’d ridden off in a fit of temper.
Paul was suffering as much as anyone. Jenny suspected that his pain was not all due to his grief for his brother, but she had no right to speculate or to tell Lucy what she thought might be on his mind. Lucy and Paul must sort out their affairs themselves.
Was Adam finding the rich seam of tin he needed? Or would he discover that the mine was played out and there was no alternative to his problem but the marriage he wished to avoid?
* * *
‘You do not think we could blast deeper into the earth and find a new seam of copper?’ Adam asked the former mine manager. ‘I know it would cost money, but I think I could fund it—if there’s a chance.’
‘I think this part of the mine is played out,’ John Thawson said and frowned. ‘I did hear once that there might be tin in the old mine—the one the earl closed down years ago for lack of money.’
‘You’ve never seen it?’
‘No. It was one of the older miners. He had retired then, but swore on his oath that there was a rich seam of tin if your grandfather would open the old workings up again.’
‘Was the earl approached?’
‘He said he had no money for chasing a forlorn hope. I dare say he thought it just a tale made up to provide work for the men in these parts. Times have been hard since the mine closed down. There are very few still working and the work is jealously guarded. Men from one mine are not welcomed at another and fights break out if they try to undercut the wages.’
‘Yes, I see.’ Adam was thoughtful. ‘Where can I find this man—the one who saw the seam of tin?’
‘He died a few months ago. He was in his sixties and that is a good age for a man who has worked in the mines.’
‘A pity. Is there no one else who might know of the location of this seam?’
‘Horton had a daughter and a grandson. The boy is sixteen and illegitimate—a little wild, they say. I think Horton was fond of him—and now you mention it, I’ve seen them close to the old workings on more than one occasion. It is possible that the old man showed him what was there—or they may just be using the old mine as a place to store contraband. I think Jake is in with a gang of smugglers that frequent this part of the coast.’
‘I see...’ Adam smiled. ‘Well, perhaps I should speak to this young man. He may be able to help me.’
‘I wish he might, sir.’ Thawson frowned. ‘Would you truly consider opening the mine again if a new seam of either copper or tin was found?’
‘I should certainly go into it,’ Adam said. ‘For one thing work brings prosperity to the villagers—and that means they take more care of their homes and they cultivate the land better. Everything has been let go. I cannot put the estate back into any sort of order without help. Had I a fortune at my disposal I would do what I could—but the estate needs to pay for itself.’
‘Yes, of course. Folk blame the earl for what happened, but they don’t understand that no one can keeping pouring money into an empty hole in the ground.’
‘My grandfather is old and tired. He has not managed things as well as he ought, but he loves this land—and it would give him pleasure to see the people prosperous again. I shall find Jake Horton and ask him if he knows where this seam is.’
‘It might be best if you speak to him first,’ Thawson said. ‘If you went down the old shaft alone, you could be in danger. Parts of it may be flooded—and if they’re using it to store smuggled goods you might end up being murdered.’
‘Then I shall visit the Hortons at home and speak with them,’ Adam said. ‘At least there is something I can do. If there’s anything worth opening Wheal Margaret for, I would be willing to have a go. It may come to nothing, but there is always a chance.’
‘You never know with a mine, sir,’ Thawson said. ‘I’ll go down the newer workings myself and take a look. Now that I know someone is willing to open them up again, it’s worth exploring a bit further...’
‘I’ll come with you,’ Adam said. ‘Could we go today? I can call on Jake Horton this evening.’
‘Best leave it until tomorrow,’ Thawson said. ‘He will probably be out with the Gentlemen if it’s a moonless night.’
Adam nodded. ‘Aye, you’re right. But I could speak to his mother. She might sound him out on the idea—and if they need to move a few barrels I’d rather give them time to do it than cause bad feeling.’
Thawson laughed. ‘You’ll make a good master here, Captain Miller. You understand men better than your grandfather ever did—but that’s to be expected after what you’ve been through out there.’
‘War teaches you to respect your fellow men, the troopers as well as the officers,’ Adam said, a grim light in his eyes. ‘We might as well take a look at Wheal Sarah now, while it’s still daylight.’
‘Won’t be much light down there. We’ll need hard hats and lamps to see what’s what. I just hope it isn’t completely flooded.’
Chapter Eight
‘So, here we are then, Lucy,’ Lady Dawlish said, looking fondly at her daughter. ‘Tell me, can you be comfortable here, do you think?’
‘Oh, yes, Mama. Father has taken a beautiful house for us. The Crescent is one of the most fashionable areas of Bath. Jenny and I are looking forward to our walks for there is so much to see here.’
‘It is a particularly beautiful area,’ Lady Dawlish agreed. ‘Some of the beauty spots are close enough to make it possible to drive out in an afternoon and be back in time to change for dinner. We may hire an open chaise if we wish—but I dare say we shall be invited to drive out with friends. I am certain we shall find several of our acquaintance settled here for the summer. Picnics would be quite acceptable for you to attend.’
‘I hope we shall make new friends,’ Lucy said. ‘I think that many people who frequent Bath seldom visit London.’
‘Yes, indeed. I dare say a great many visitors come here for their health—but I am certain they will have young relatives with them. You may meet some young ladies and, indeed, gentlemen that you have not met before.’
‘I only wish to have friends so that I may talk and laugh,’ Lucy assured her. ‘I would not think of... It is too soon, Mama.’
‘Yes, of course, my love—but acquaintances made here may become more in time. I would not encourage you to think of marriage for at least a year, Lucy. This visit to Bath is merely the start of my plans for you. I think in the autumn we might travel to the Italian lakes, if your papa can be prised from his home—and perhaps even if he cannot. We might find some other travelling companions.’
‘I think I should like that,’ Lucy said. ‘I feel better already. At home everything seemed so grey and dull.’
‘Yes, I saw how you were feeling.’ Lady Dawlish hesitated, then, ‘Would I be right to think that you were a little unsure about the wedding, dearest?’
‘Would you think less of me if I said I had considered asking Mark to delay it? I could not be certain of my feelings for him. I loved him dearly as a friend—and he looked so handsome in his uniform when he proposed that I was swept away by emotion—but I was not certain I was in love with him. I thought it might be better to wait so that we could both be sure of our feelings, for I am not certain he was in love with me, Mama. Though I know he cared for me, I think he felt our marriage was expected and did not wish to let me down.’
‘Thank you for your confidence. I had thought it might be that—you have been feeling guilty, have you not?’
‘Yes, Mama. It was so terrible of me. I grieved for Mark, truly I did—but m
y heart is not broken, as it must surely have been had I been in love.’
‘I quite understand. We shall not speak of this again, dearest. Nevertheless, neither Papa or I could countenance an engagement before a year has passed. It would look very bad and we should not wish to give offence to the Ravenscar family for they are our oldest friends.’
‘I do understand, Mama,’ Lucy said and held back a sigh. ‘But you would not think me wicked if I fell in love with someone else?’
‘If you should meet someone you like very much, I should be happy, my love. We should continue to socialise so that you could meet in company, but there would be no formal agreement for twelve months.’
Lucy nodded. ‘Thank you, Mama. I feel better for our talk. May I walk out with Jenny now, please?’
‘Providing you take one of the maids with you.’ Lady Dawlish smiled. ‘Do you intend to go shopping?’
‘We have spoken of it. Jenny wishes to have some pretty gowns made and I need one or two evening gowns in grey or lilac.’
‘Yes, you must have at least one of each and perhaps a dark-blue silk,’ her mother agreed. ‘I think you need three afternoon gowns, two at least for mornings—but you will not need a ballgown. By the time we attend such an affair you will be wearing colours.’
‘I should not wish to dance just yet.’ Lucy kissed her mother’s cheek. ‘It would be disrespectful of me. I did think the world of Mark, truly I did—only not in that way. Jenny is waiting for me. I must not keep her any longer for I only came to tell you of our plans.’
‘I shall visit the Pump room to take the waters. It is nasty stuff, but I dare say it may do me good. Once I am seen there we shall receive invitations to the kind of affair that will be perfectly suitable to our situation—but this evening we shall attend the theatre. I believe they are showing a performance of Othello.’
‘That will be a treat. I love a play—and it is such a passionate story, a man driven to such extremes for love...’ Lucy said and then her face turned pale. ‘Do you think that such a story might be likely to occur in real life, Mama?’
‘It is merely a piece of drama,’ her mama said. She had been sorting through her own gowns and missed the stricken look in her daughter’s eyes. ‘But I think one of Shakespeare’s finest works.’
Lucy murmured something appropriate and left her mother’s room. She saw Jenny standing in the hall and ran down to greet her.
‘Have you been waiting long?’
‘Only a few minutes,’ Jenny said. ‘An invitation to a card party was delivered just now. I have seen it lying on the hall table on the salver. I do not think you will have time to brood here, Lucy.’
‘I am glad of it,’ Lucy said and tucked her arm through Jenny’s. ‘Mama is taking us to the theatre this evening—it is a performance of Othello.’
‘One of my favourites,’ Jenny said, then her gaze narrowed. ‘It will not upset you?’
‘Because the theme is jealousy?’ Lucy shook her head. ‘No, I do not think so. I could hardly think Paul jealous of his brother. He has hardly looked at me since that day he fell from his horse. He did not even come to say goodbye to us.’
‘We do not know the circumstances,’ Jenny said, sensing her friend’s hurt. ‘You know that Lord Ravenscar has been ill. It may be that Paul was reluctant to leave his father at such a time.’
‘Yes, I suppose it might be that,’ Lucy said and her frown cleared as she nodded. ‘We shall not talk about him. I am determined to buy a new bonnet this morning and as many silks as take my eye...’
* * *
‘I thought you would go straight to Bath,’ Paul said and frowned at Adam. ‘Were you not engaged to Lucy and her mother in Bath?’
‘It is my intention to go down soon,’ Adam said, ‘but I had a mysterious and alarming letter from Hallam. He said that he had news of a serious nature and wished to impart it to me in private. Since he wanted you to hear it too, he suggested that I come here. He will join us tomorrow.’
‘I hope to God he has something positive to tell us. It is driving me mad, Adam. To see Father so worn down...I think this business has broken him. He was quite ill and I feared for his life for some days, but he seems to have made a recovery. His physician tells me that his heart is not all it should be, but he has a strong constitution and a will of iron. I am assured that his death is not imminent. He wants me to join you in Bath for a few days, thinks the change will do me good.’
‘Let us see what Hallam has to say tomorrow. Our plans may change, according to his news. If he can tell us something positive about Mark’s killer...’
‘I want that murdering rogue dead or on trial for his life!’
‘You know we all want that,’ Adam said and placed a hand on his shoulder. ‘It has taken longer than I’d hoped to find him out—but you know what they say, revenge is best taken cold.’
Paul nodded. ‘What of you—have you news of your own?’
‘I’m not certain. I was told of a possible vein of tin that one of the old miners swore he’d seen. I persuaded his grandson to take me down and show me where it was found, but unfortunately the way was blocked. The mine had flooded and the force of water had brought down some of the roof. Thawson said they can dig it out once the pumps have dealt with the flooding. Unfortunately, it isn’t a quick fix, but I’ve authorised the work to go ahead.’
‘That will cost a pretty penny.’
‘Yes, it will. I was ready to finance it myself, but Grandfather produced a Rembrandt that should be worth perhaps a thousand pounds. It had been damaged, but should still sell for enough to cover the work we have in mind. As he said, it was a drop in the ocean as far as his debts were concerned, but if we should find that seam of tin the bank would be willing to allow us to run on and we could repay the loans over a longer period of time.’
‘You know my father might be willing to help if you asked, Adam. I should certainly not object to a long-term loan should the bank refuse to accommodate you.’
‘You are my friend so I shall not take offence,’ Adam said, ‘but you must know my answer to that, Paul. I do not mind taking a further loan from the bank or simply extending the repayment term—but I will not borrow from family or friends.’
‘I meant no offence. I know Father would offer to loan you the money if the earl was about to go under.’
Adam shook his head. It was for this very reason that he had not been able to tell his cousins how large his grandfather’s debts had become. He’d always known that Ravenscar would make him a loan if he asked, but he would almost prefer to marry an heiress.
‘I thank you for the kind thought, but my answer will always be no. I shall not take a loan that I might not be able to repay from either you or your father.’
With that the subject was dropped. They talked some more and then parted, Adam to pay his respects to his uncle and Paul to go riding.
* * *
‘An attempt on Staffs’s life?’ Paul cried, staring at his cousin in horror. ‘Hal, this grows worse by the hour. How is he? Is he close to death?’
‘He was wounded, but not fatally,’ Hallam said. ‘I visited him at his home, where I found him in bed being fussed over by his mother and sisters. He was a little groggy at first, but after some strong coffee and refusing to take more of the laudanum his mother pressed on him, he was able to tell me what happened.’
‘Good grief,’ Paul said. ‘I would not be in his shoes for the world—I hope he has the wit to refuse that damned awful stuff. Laudanum may dull the pain, but it robs your mind of sense.’
‘He was in a deal of pain at first, I believe. It seems he was set upon when out riding, dragged from his horse and beaten to an inch of his life. He has several broken ribs, bruises all over and a lump the size of a cricket ball on his head. It was the head wound that laid him low and robbed him of his
senses for days.’
‘Has he any idea of who attacked him or why?’
‘He had none until I told him that Mark had been murdered—and asked him if he recalled a certain diamond necklace...’
‘I dare say he was pretty cut up about Mark,’ Adam said, looking thoughtful.
‘Yes, extremely. Overcome would probably fit the bill—but he recovered and told me something very interesting. It would seem that the night Mark had a run of luck, there were two others involved in the game. Fontleroy was one of them, as we suspected—and his friend Henry Lichfield was the other. Staffs saw Fontleroy hand over his IOUs and he thinks Lichfield owed a similar amount for both had been gambling recklessly—and he says Lichfield had been drinking heavily. He remembers that he had a wild light in his eyes.’
‘So we have two possible candidates for our murderer.’ Paul nodded grimly.
‘What of the necklace?’ Adam asked. ‘Did Staffs see it?’
‘No, not that evening,’ Hallam said. ‘He believes someone asked if Mark would take a necklace in settlement. Staffs cannot recall which of the two suggested it, but thinks it was probably Lichfield. He thinks Mark agreed, but the game had ended and he was called away by someone. The next day Mark showed him a diamond necklace and asked what he thought it worth.’
‘Would he remember the necklace?’ Paul asked.
‘Yes, he is sure of it for he thought it very fine. He believes it may have been Lichfield who redeemed his debts that way—and since we did not find any notes from him it may be that he did.’
‘So Lichfield and not Fontleroy?’ Adam frowned. ‘This has muddied the waters, Hallam. We now have two suspects rather than one...’
‘Yes, but Staffs said he saw Fontleroy leaving Mark’s lodgings the day he saw the necklace and that he was in a foul mood. Says he was muttering something like “...the damned fool, he’ll hang us all...” Can’t be certain, but he thinks that was it.’ Hallam frowned. ‘You must understand that these things came out as we spoke and were but half-remembered. Staffs did not think of everything immediately and he cannot vouch for having remembered it all correctly. He is afraid that his illness may have made him either forget something or remember it wrongly.’