‘Sir Francis.’ She greeted him formally. ‘I see Charles is late.’ She muttered, ‘I do hope he’s sober now.’ As Francis escorted her to the massive, ornately carved oak fireplace
‘I think he is,’ Francis murmured as he handed Victoria a glass of sherry. ‘I saw him leaving the study with a young lady earlier and he didn’t look in the least inebriated.’
‘Good.’ Victoria said and she smiled sadly at Francis. ‘How long had you known my husband?’ she asked as she watched Edward walk away to the other side of the room. She knew he didn’t want to hear about Thomas and how he was killed.
‘I’ve known Thomas Stafford since we were five years old and shared the same tutor.’ He explained. ‘I was just a poor Baronet and he was just a rich Marquis. But we formed a lasting friendship and he was the best friend a man could have.’ Francis said disconsolately and sighed. ‘I sent a messenger to London almost as soon as it happened, so both the King and Lord Liverpool will know about it tomorrow.’
‘Tomorrow?’ Victoria asked in shock, it had taken them a week in a carriage.
‘Yes, tomorrow. He’s under orders not to stop for anything, except the call of nature and to change horses.’ Francis said firmly. ‘I expect a reply in three or four days and the militia probably by the end of the week.’
‘The militia? Why would the militia come here?’ Victoria was alarmed.
‘Your Grace. A peer of the realm has been brutally slain by a cowardly murderer and the King will want to know why.’
‘More like the Prince Regent, actually.’ Charles said as he joined them, he looked elegance personified in black britches and coat, his white silk shirt and dark cravat, complete with diamond stick pin, tied moderately, as befitted such a sombre occasion. ‘I was going to write, but the letter vanished off my desk when I fell asleep.’ He said confused.
‘I threw it in the fire.’ Richard said as he arrived. ‘You couldn’t possibly have sent that rambling nonsense to the King!’
Victoria looked about and asked ‘Where is Kitty?’ as Louise came and joined them, standing next to Charles and smiling coyly.
‘She should be down in a moment.’ Richard said and smiled gently. ‘Mary was just doing her hair.’
Victoria managed to laugh at the impudent expression in his eyes.
Kitty burst into the room at that moment and couldn’t stop the blush that reddened her cheeks. She felt that every person in the room knew what she and Richard had been doing. She walked demurely to Richard’s side and said ‘Good evening,’ to everyone.
‘Good evening, Kitty.’ Victoria said with a frown. ‘Have you been running again, you look a little flushed?’ She said and Kitty almost choked on the first sip of sherry.
‘Yes, Your Grace. I was running on the stairs.’ She managed to gabble out, much to Richard’s amusement.
Victoria turned her attention back to Francis. ‘When will the Magistrate get here?’
‘I should think before we finish dinner. I asked Deacon to keep something warm for him. Investigating this type of crime must be done as quickly as possible.’
Kitty shoved her hand in the crook of Richard’s elbow and clutched him really hard. ‘Where abouts on his body did the bullet hit him?’ she asked in as even a voice as she could manage.
Francis sighed and flicked his eyes to Victoria, but she was serene. ‘The bullet took him straight in the heart. One shot only.’
‘Marksman.’ Charles muttered.
‘Probably someone back from the Peninsular.’ Richard ventured.
‘A hired assassin?’ Victoria asked scandalized.
‘I would think so, Lady Victoria.’ Francis said gently. ‘The shooting was too accurate for anything else.’
‘What distance?’ Richard asked.
‘Probably two hundred feet, maybe more. He was in the middle of the bridge at Middleton and I’ve assumed the gunman was in the poplars.’ He sighed again ‘It’s the only real cover near enough to the bridge.’
‘Were there any witnesses?’ Victoria asked softly as she looked down into her empty glass.I must be careful not to drink too much, Edward still needs me. She placed her glass on the mantle and looked enquiringly at Francis.
‘Yes. There was a local boy fishing on the bridge. He came into the village shouting that the Duke had been shot on the bridge. When I rode out, Thomas was lying on his face, his hand still holding the lead of the horse he was walking.’
Both Kitty and Victoria sobbed at the same time. ‘I knew I should have gone.’ Kitty said as her eyes flooded with unshed tears. ‘If I’d gone back with the mare, he would still be alive!’
‘You couldn’t possibly of known somebody was going to kill your father, Kitty. He wouldn’t have let you walk, just like I wouldn’t.’ Richard said boldly.
‘Dinner is served, Your Grace.’ Deacon said and summoned them all to the dining room.
‘Thank you, Deacon.’ Victoria replied, Francis offered his arm and they followed Deacon into the dining room.
Dinner was subdued, and nobody really wanted to talk about the demise of Thomas Stafford, until the Magistrate arrived.
‘Your Grace?’ Deacon murmured beside her chair. ‘Notary Nigel Pearson, the Magistrate is here.’
‘Thank you, Deacon. Will you show him in and ask Mrs. Tate to bring him some dinner?’ She turned to her son. ‘Edward darling, will you move further down the table? I’m sure you don’t really want to listen to a stuffy lawyer?’
‘Yes, Mama.’ Edward said and moved to the seat next to Kitty. The footmen prepared a setting and the Magistrate arrived.
‘Your Grace.’ He bowed deferentially.
‘Please Mr. Pearson. Won’t you have a seat? Mrs. Tate is preparing you some dinner and we can talk after you’ve eaten.’ Victoria was gracious and soft spoken, like a true noble.
The Notary sat and the footman placed a plate of roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings in front of him. Victoria slowed down the courses for the rest of the party and eventually they arrived at the last course of a selection of fruit, cheeses and biscuits at the same time.
‘Normally at this stage of dinner I would invite the ladies to join me in the informal parlour for gossip and tea, but tonight I’m afraid we shall all have to either stay here or go to the main drawing room.’
‘I think we can all stay.’ Charles said magnanimously. ‘I’m sure Deacon can bring some tea in here, if you don’t mind us having port and a cigar?’
‘Not at all.’ Victoria said and nodded her head to Deacon, who started the procession around the male population with a decanter of brandy, one of port and a humidor of cigars. A footman placed cups and saucers in front of the ladies and another one followed Deacon with pots of tea, which he dispersed the length of the table. Two other footmen were clearing the table of used crockery and a maid was placing ashtrays and match holders by each gentleman’s seat.
Victoria speared the Notary with a firm gaze, letting him know she wasn’t stupid, vacuous or vain. ‘Now, Mr. Pearson, can you tell us what happened?’ She smiled at him gently. ‘I’m sure you have some questions for us, at least.’
‘I do, Your Grace.’ Pearson said and cleared this throat. ‘What time did the Duke leave the party?’
‘We were just fording the river at Holwick.’ Kitty said firmly, ‘Lady Victoria’s mare threw a shoe in the middle of the ford. I offered to take the mare home, but father wouldn’t hear of it and took her himself.’ Kitty finished and managed not to sob. ‘We hadn’t reached Low Force, so it must have been around ten o’clock or maybe eleven.’
‘What time did you set out this morning, Lady Amelia?’
‘Dawn, so I would think five o’clock or there abouts, the grooms were a bit slow, so the light was good before we left.’
‘And where were you going?’
‘It was Edward’s first time here,’ she squeezed Edward’s hand where it laid on the table, ‘and I wanted to show him Low and High Force and Cauldron Snout.’
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‘A substantial outing, My Lady.’ The Magistrate said evenly. ‘So who decided that the mare had to be walked home?’
‘I did.’ Charles said firmly. ‘I led the horse out of the ford, checked the bruising in its hoof and asked Kitty who should take it home.’
‘I was already out of my saddle and fully expected to go, but father wouldn’t hear of it and decided to take her himself.’ Kitty finished.
‘Was there anytime that any of the party were missing for a substantial time?’
‘No.’ Kitty said fervently. ‘Only father was missing when he went home.’
‘You can’t say that Kitty.’ Charles interjected. ‘We were separated when you climbed the rocks at Cauldron Snout.’
‘Yes, but you were never alone and neither was I.’ Kitty said vehemently. ‘And anyway I suspect father was already dead by then.’
‘What time did you arrive at the Snout?’
‘Just before two o’clock.’ Charles definitively.
‘How can you be so sure of the time?’
‘I checked my watch!’ Charles said and laughed. ‘Sorry, but I looked at my watch and was surprised it had taken us six hours to get there, plus an hour or more for lunch at High Force.’
The Magistrate nodded and moved down the table, asking pertinent questions of the rest of the house guests. Agatha had a busy timetable for the day which had started with ‘a treasure hunt after breakfast, a light lunch followed by a reading from “Candide” by Voltaire, which was interrupted by Sir Francis with the most horrific news since we were told of Robin’s demise in Jamaica.’ She finished on a sob.
‘Robin?’ The magistrate asked. ‘Robin Stafford is dead?’
‘My elder brother was killed in a duel in Kingston about two months ago.’ Charles explained.
‘Was the source of this disclosure impeccable?’ Pearson asked intently.
‘Colonel Sidney Bostwick of the Kingston Militia.’ Agatha said proudly.
‘Would this Colonel personally know your nephew, Lady Agatha?’ Agatha took in a breath to confirm that and then stopped. ‘Come to think of it, no.’ She said distantly. ‘No, Sidney hasn’t been to England for thirty years, so he wouldn’t know Robin by sight.’
‘So any man could have turned up in Jamaica and purported to be Robin Stafford and Colonel Bostwick would just accept it.’
‘I believe my father wrote to the Colonel to inform him of Robin’s arrival, but it was already too late.’
‘It may be that the man killed in Jamaica may not have been your brother at all.’ Pearson said calmly.
‘What the devil do you mean by that?’ Charles demanded with true ducal arrogance.
‘I was informed by Farmer Jenkins that he saw Robin Stafford running through his best field of barley, this lunchtime!’
Charles pushed back his chair and started pacing up and down the room. He folded his hands behind his back and was lost in thought.
‘It would appear this event changes everything.’ Victoria understated and beckoned for Deacon to refill the glasses. She even offered hers. ‘I think I could do with a brandy.’
Charles sat again, lit a fresh cigar and swirled his brandy in his glass. ‘Sir Francis? Didn’t you mention that you’d sent a notice to London?’
‘I did Your Grace. I informed the King that Thomas Stafford was dead and his son Charles was now the Duke of Durham.’
‘I think you’ll find that when we get back to London, the new Duke will already have taken his seat in the house and Kitty and I will be out on the street.’ He looked up at Deacon. ‘Have my valet pack the bare essentials. I shall be riding for London tonight!’
‘Why would you go?’ Victoria asked softly.
‘Father told me about Robin’s duel with the Duke of Albany, and how he stood over the Duke’s body and laughed like a hyena.’ He sighed deeply. ‘Any man that can ignore the rules of duelling is capable of murder. I believe Robin is perfectly capable of killing father today and being in London in a couple of day’s time and take the Dukedom for himself.’ He shook his head. ‘It must have sent him over the edge when father disinherited him.’
‘I thought you didn’t want the title?’ Louise asked. ‘This would be the ideal opportunity to give it up.’
‘How could you think that I would give up a title to my father’s murderer?’ Charles asked indignantly. He lurched out of his seat and rushed to Louise as she started to cry at his harsh tone. ‘My love.’ He murmured and kissed the tears off her face. ‘I cannot let him get away with it. It’s not right. The title was my father’s to leave to which ever of us he pleased.’ He sighed. ‘I would rather see it go to the crown, than give it to my insane brother!’ He sighed again and patted her shoulder. ‘I also have to get there before he destroys my father will.’
‘Your Grace, can you explain about the duel?’ the Magistrate asked, so Charles told him all the particulars, exactly as Thomas had told him.
‘In that case Robin Stafford is wanted for the murder of the Duke of Albany and he would find it deuced difficult to be accepted in the House of Lords.’ Sir Francis Burns emphasised.
‘If I can get home before he causes too much trouble, I might even manage to see him hanged for it!’ Charles spat viciously. He turned and looked at Richard. ‘I know you can’t ride for long and today has been very difficult, but can you come in a coach. If you travel non stop, only changing horses, you should still be there in two days.’ Richard nodded solemnly. He knew Charles was going to kill his brother, if he could find him.
‘Charles, you can’t ride alone!’ Kitty said firmly. He looked at her in exasperation. ‘What happens if you lame the horse? Or throw a shoe? I would have thought today was example enough of what can happen when you’re alone! You are a Duke now!’ she finished harshly. ‘Or had you forgotten?’
There was a round of “quite right, Kitty” and “hear hears”, making Charles uncomfortable.
‘It doesn’t matter, Kitty. If I don’t get there before him, Robin could cause irreparable damage not only to our name, but the dukedom as well.’
‘I wonder if this has anything to do with the accidents Kitty was subjected to before she left London?’ Millicent asked pointedly.
‘What accidents?’ the magistrate positively demanded.
Charles again explained the accidents, interspersed with comments from Millicent, Kitty and Agatha.
‘The punch bowl sounds positively murderous.’ Pearson said hollowly. ‘That much weight could have killed you.’ Kitty shrugged her shoulders.
‘Aren’t we getting a little off track here?’ Sir Francis asked. ‘Are there any other suspects?’ He asked Pearson.
‘No. There are no strangers hereabouts. The only person that shouldn’t be here is Robin Stafford, if he was supposed to be killed in Jamaica two months ago.’ Pearson said softly. ‘It was the only thing I couldn’t account for. Jenkins is not the kind of man to make a mistake like that. If he said he saw Robin, he saw Robin.’ He sighed. ‘I must admit I was a little surprised not to see him at dinner. Now I know why.’
‘Did this Jenkins say whether he was carrying a long gun?’ Richard asked.
‘No, but he thought he was going fishing and it made him wonder why he was heading south on foot.’
Richard frowned and Kitty smiled. ‘There is no river to the south that he would be able to fish in, so it had to be the gun wrapped in something.’ She explained.
‘He would have had his horses stashed at Bowes and even now is well on his way to London.’ Charles murmured his gaze intent on the fire. ‘Even if he takes his time, and believes he’s got plenty of time, he’ll still be in London half a day before us.’
‘It would have taken him hours to walk to Bowes.’ Kitty mused, ‘and the terrain is not easy. He would have to pass over Deepdale. Of course, he might have them at Grassholme which is a lot closer.’
Charles shook his head. ‘No, if he’d had his horses that close, somebody else would have seen him.’
‘There’s Kitty’s epee, my sabre and fathers duelling pistols.’ Charles said and looked at the ceiling in thought. ‘There could be a couple of muskets about, but I wouldn’t trust my life to them.’
Chivers arrived just then. ‘You’re bag is packed Your Grace.’ He said to Charles and stood quite still, waiting with a cloak over his arm and a hat in his hands.
‘I’ll be out in the hall in a moment. Chivers, will you check on a horse, please?’ Charles said and stood, walked to Louise and pulled her to her feet. He escorted her down the dining room and they stood by the garden windows.
‘I don’t want you to go.’ Louise whispered, the tears shimmering in her eyes.
Charles engulfed her in his embrace. ‘I have to, before Robin ruins us all.’
‘I could be with child!’ she gasped. ‘And if you get killed what will happen to us?’
‘My love.’ He whispered with his lips against her temple. ‘Be positive. Robin hasn’t spent the last four years in a war. I have. I have no doubt I will succeed.’ He took her mouth in a searing kiss, making her turn to putty in his arms. ‘Stay here and be safe.’ He pushed her away and strode purposefully out of the room.
‘Charles!?’ Kitty shouted after him and ran out into the hall. ‘Charles! You should wait for me to change and I’ll come with you.’
‘No.’ He said simply and swished the cloak about his shoulders. ‘Richard will be all the help I will need. You would be a danger and a lever and I can’t allow that.’ He said as he settled the bicorn hat on his head and pulled his gloves on. He kissed her on the cheek. ‘Stay here and be safe, Kitty. Richard and I will be back before you know it.’ And he strode out of the door.
Kitty stood in the hall with her mouth open, shocked that he’d gone.
‘Lady Amelia? Are you alright?’ Chivers asked.
‘Yes, I’m fine.’ She abruptly spun on her heel. ‘Tell Mary to lay out my riding clothes and pack some necessities,’ and went back into the dining room.
The Theft of a Dukedom Page 18