To Release an Earl

by Ilene Withers

  “I would like it above all things,” she agreed.

  “You have to promise me, though, you will let the nurse give you a small dose of laudanum to help you sleep tonight if your back still hurts at bedtime.”

  He waited as Willa sighed and seemed to contemplate the suggestion. “If it will please you,” she finally agreed.

  John kept his promise, relaxing in his own room for a time and then joining Willa for dinner. He reminded her of her agreement to take the pain killer and bade her good night somewhat early. After a drink with his future father-in-law, John retired to his own bedchamber at a reasonable hour and let Martin assist him in preparing for bed. He read for a short while before blowing out the candle and let the dashing and whistling of the wind lull him to sleep until a feminine scream of “Help! Help!” rent through the silence, jolting him awake.

  Chapter Eight

  John had his dressing gown pulled on and the belt tied by the time he flew out of his room. He was still shoving his feet into slippers, though, so his gait was unsteady as he focused his sights on Fayre, standing shivering in the doorway of Willa's room. Yale was pounding down the hall from the other direction, and both men reached the girl at about the same time.

  "What is it?" John demanded as the young woman threw herself into her uncle's arms.

  John didn't wait, but squeezed past and found his fiancée lying on the rug by her bed, while the acrid stench of smoke filled the room and charred bed covers were obvious on the lower left corner of the bed. He knelt down beside Willa and pushed her tangled hair out of her face. "Willa?"

  Willa’s eyes fluttered open. "John?" she croaked in a voice which came from an obviously parched throat.

  Nancy emerged from the dressing room and rushed over to join them on the floor. “Miss Willa! What happened?” Her gaze rose to take in the scene before returning to her charge.

  Fayre and Yale joined them on the floor, as well, while Blythe had hurried in surrounded by the butler and the housekeeper, all in their nighttime dishabille.

  "Tell us what happened, Fayre,” her uncle urged.

  “I was having a difficult time sleeping because of the storm. The lightning and thunder were making me nervous since I'm not used to the house, so I decided to come in and see if Willa cared if I crawled into bed with her." Fayre took a deep breath and continued. "When I opened the door, there were flames all over the corner of the bed. Willa was asleep. I yelled at her, but she wouldn't wake up, so I dragged her out of the bed and laid her on the rug. Then I ran for the water pitcher and threw it across the bed. The dousing put out the flames."

  John turned back to Willa and caressed her cheek. Her eyes were shut again, and she was asleep. He looked up at his future father-in-law. “Surely she could not sleep through this.”

  Yale said, “I wouldn’t think so.”

  “She asked for laudanum at bed time,” the nurse said.

  John swore she had a defensive tone to her voice. “How much did you give her?”

  The nurse's eyes shifted a bit to the left, and she looked down at her clasped hands.

  "Just a few drops," came her reply.

  "A few? Exactly how many?"

  The young woman raised her eyes and finally focused them on John. "Six drops, my lord, just as the doctor first told Molly."

  "Willa has always hated laudanum," the viscountess stated of her daughter. "She says it makes her feel drugged."

  John then regarded Willa, who seemed to be resting despite the night's activity. “Yes, well, she appears to have been drugged." He paused before continuing. “We need to get Willa into a bed. It is obvious this one is not going to work.”

  “Excuse me,” Fayre said, “why don’t we put her in my room? I can sleep in the same bed with her. Willa needs someone closer by than the dressing room.”

  “Good idea,” the viscountess chimed in. “John can you carry her?”

  “Certainly,” he said as he lifted her into his arms and carried her through the open door to the next room. Fayre had hurried ahead and pulled back the covers on one side of the bed. John laid Willa down and covered her up; she did not wake the entire time. Worried about her, he walked over and was so familiar as to perch on the edge of the bed. He lifted Willa's hand and rubbed it with his own. “Willa? Willa?” he hoped she would wake up.

  John’s hope was realized when she opened her eyes and looked around. "Where am I?"

  "You're in Fayre's room," he told her. "There was an accident in your room. Do you remember anything about it?"

  "An accident?" she frowned. "What type of accident?"

  "A small fire. Fayre was scared of the storm and came into your room for company. She came in time to put the fire out with the water in the pitcher and basin."

  “A fire?” Confusion filled Willa’s voice as she swung her gaze to her cousin. "Oh, Fayre, how can I thank you?"

  "Stay in my room with me," she said. "I'm always nervous in thunderstorms."

  "Of course." Willa’s eyelids were drooping yet again as she repeated, “A fire?”

  John rose and faced Nancy, who had followed them into the other room. “Could you wake her maid and ask her to join us?”

  The woman curtsied. “As you wish, my lord.” The nurse hurried out of the room as though she were anxious to be away from them.

  Fayre crawled onto the other half of the bed and sat up against the pillows. She fussed with the bedclothes just as the viscountess stepped in and smoothed Willa’s mussed hair away from her face. John hoped the attention would drive the panicked look away from his fiancée’s eyes.

  As soon as Molly and the nurse returned, John asked Molly, “Did Nancy tell you about the fire?”

  “Yes, she said Miss Fayre came in and found Miss Willa’s bed on fire and pulled her to safety before putting out the flames.”

  "That’s correct. Do you have any idea of what might have happened?" he asked Willa's personal maid. Although he didn’t suspect her, he watched her face and eyes closely as she answered.

  "No, my lord. I left Miss Willa about an hour before she planned on going to bed. She was in her night shift and was settled for the night. Miss Willa asked me to send Nancy in to her but told me I should retire and she would see me in the morning."

  Lord Amhearst and Abbott stepped back into the room. Yale motioned for John to step into the hall.

  "The fireplace grate was not quite put into place," he told John. "All Abbott and I can figure is, with the storm, a gust of wind blew down the chimney and swept embers out of the fireplace and across the room."

  "Unless the fire was set on purpose," John said.

  Yale shook his head. "I can't imagine who would want to set it."

  "I'm not sure," John said, "but I will continue to try to get to the bottom of this. For now, I will not be comfortable unless their room is guarded."

  Yale shifted. "You're right," he said. "If you're correct, however, we have no idea whom we can trust. Other than Abbott, you and myself, whom can we put our faith in?"

  John sighed. "I know, I feel the same way. If you'll stay with them while I go to put on my clothes, I will sit up outside their room. Other than the windows, are there any other entrances and exits?"

  "No," Yale replied. "And the windows do not have any ledges or even tall trees outside of them."

  "Then I will take care to protect them," John said.

  "Perhaps you can take a stint and I will relieve you in a few hours."

  "That will work," John said.

  ****

  Willa awoke groggy with a bad taste in her mouth. She looked around and realized she was in Fayre’s room instead of her own. Molly was moving quietly around the room hanging up freshly laundered and pressed clothes. That’s when a small glimmer of memory made its way through the grogginess in her brain. Fayre pulling on her upper body as she tugged her from bed. The smell of smoke. John talking to her and telling her she was in Fayre’s room.

  She used her upper body to pull herself more upright
in bed. “Why am I in Fayre’s room?” she asked Molly.

  The maid whirled around, “Oh, Miss Willa, you’re awake!” She moved toward the bed. “How are you? Would you like me to fetch Nancy? She's next door.”

  "No," Willa replied. "You didn't answer my question, Molly."

  "I'm sorry, Miss. I've been instructed to tell Lord Amhearst when you are awake. I'll let him know."

  Willa watched as her maid moved to the door and spoke to someone outside it. She recognized Abbott’s voice. Why was he outside her door?

  Just as Molly shut the door, it reopened and Nancy hurried in.

  "Are you awake now?" she asked.

  "I am, but please don't give me a full dose of laudanum again, Nancy. It does make me feel drugged."

  "But you were in pain."

  "I would rather deal with the pain than the effects the medicine has on me," Willa stated emphatically. She then directed her attention to Molly. "I'd like to wear the dark blue sprigged muslin today, Molly. It's comfortable, and I have a lot of preparations to go over for my dinner party. I can't believe it's only a few days away!"

  "Yes, Miss Willa."

  There was a soft tap at the door, and it swung open to reveal her father. He walked across the room with purpose, pulled up a chair, and sat down next to her bed. Looking at Molly and Nancy, he said, "Would you mind stepping out for a few minutes?"

  Both of them curtsied and left the room.

  "What is it, Papa? Why is Abbott posted outside the door?"

  "I'm not sure how to say this," her father said.

  Willa grew both more curious and worried, "Just say it, Papa. It's the best way."

  "Do you remember John telling you about how, in the night, your bed caught on fire?"

  "I do, but it’s all a bit blurry."

  "Fayre was scared by the storm since she's not used to this big house. She came in to crawl into bed with you, and instead she found fire consuming your covers and the mattress at an alarming rate. We’re lucky that she acted fast and pulled you from the bed. You didn't wake up, and she more or less had to drop your lower body to the floor beside the bed. Then she grabbed the water basin and pitcher and put out the fire before calling for help."

  "How would my bed catch on fire?"

  "We don't know," her father admitted. "There is a chance a gust of wind blew down the chimney and an ember from the fire flew across the room and landed on the bed covers before bursting into flames."

  "That seems a little outrageous," she said suspiciously. "Was I burned?" She realized if her legs had been burned she wouldn’t feel it.

  "No, you're fine. Your mother checked your legs, and we decided not to call Dr. Saunders out in the night because she could see no marks on them.” He paused. “Fayre saved your life."

  "I wonder how I'll ever thank her," Willa mused, still troubled by the thought of a fire on her bed.

  "I don't believe she feels she needs thanks."

  Willa was silent and then, as she had a chance to organize her thoughts, she looked up into the dear face of her father. "Or someone set it on purpose."

  "Or there is that," the viscount agreed. "On that chance, John and I split out the night guarding your door and of course, Fayre was here with you. Abbott took over about an hour ago and John is sleeping in. When he arises, we will discuss the situation."

  "Why would anyone set my bed on fire?"

  "We haven't told you this, Willa, but the saddle girth was cut, and John has done some investigating and found there have been other attempts to harm you. Your bridle was tampered with, but the tack boy caught it and repaired it. And do you remember when Pirate was acting a bit skittish?"

  "Yes." Willa had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

  "Well, Ward saw Miss Marty in town later on and she told him his behavior was typical of a horse who had been poisoned with lupine."

  Willa experienced a sudden flash of anger. "They hurt my horse!” she said with vehemence. "That is not acceptable. I want to meet with you and John. It's my life."

  The viscount leaned forward and kissed his only child on the temple. "I'll make sure you are told when we are ready to meet." With that, he rose and moved toward the door, turning when his hand touched the door knob. "I'll send Molly and Nancy back in. Keep your eyes open dear and remember Abbott, whom we know we can trust, is stationed outside the door."

  Willa thought about the events which had happened. It was hard to imagine anyone would want to hurt her, but when faced with the evidence, it seemed likely it was the case. The idea of an ember flying across the room to light her bedding on fire was absurd. Yet, there could be a chance the fire started that way. However, there was no way the saddle girth was cut by accident.

  The meeting took place behind the sturdy closed doors of the library with only four in attendance — the viscount and viscountess, the earl, and Willa. Tea had been served, and plates of delicacies rested on their laps as they held cups of tea in their hands. Lord and Lady Amhearst were comfortable in the wingback chairs near the fireplace. Willa sat in the Bath chair close to her father, while John had pulled up a desk chair between the two women.

  "Let's start," the viscount spoke, "with listing the happenings which make us question this. My dear," he looked at his wife, "I believe you volunteered to be our secretary."

  Blythe Dutton took one more sip of tea and set her cup on a side table. She had pencil and paper in hand. "I'm ready."

  "There was the possible poisoning of Pirate," Willa said, leaning forward in her chair. "That infuriates me."

  "And the tampering of the bridle which Jem caught," the viscount added.

  "We cannot forget the worst of the attempts," John said, "the cutting of the girth strap."

  "Do you remember when my horse dumped me in the pond?" her father asked Willa.

  "Of course. You were soaking wet."

  "John and I wonder if it was an attempt to harm you instead. The groom swears he saw a rock fly out from a bush as though it had been shot by a slingshot just as you urged Pirate ahead of me."

  "So perhaps my competitiveness is what kept it from hitting my horse instead of yours?"

  John spoke next. "It does seem suspicious, Willa."

  "Shall I add it to the list?" her mother asked.

  It took little thought. "Yes, Mother, I believe you should."

  "The question is," Willa's father said, "who could want to harm you? I no doubt have enemies, but you?"

  John appeared thoughtful, "Unless they are trying to hurt you by harming your only child."

  "In any case, while we have a number of employees on the estate, a stranger who came by often would stand out."

  "And a stranger wouldn't have access to Willa's bed chamber in the night. The house is locked," the viscountess stated.

  "I think we have to assume it must be someone who works here," John said, "whether they instigated it or someone hired them. I believe we might have two suspects – one in the house and one in the stables."

  Willa watched as her father rose and walked to his desk. He opened a drawer and soon came back with a ledger. "I have a list of all employees here," he told them. "Why don't we go over them and make a list of anyone we are sure is not suspect and anyone who might be more suspect."

  "In what order do you have them written?" John inquired.

  "Longest serving to newest," Yale replied. "Of course, many of them have been crossed off over the years as they have moved on, passed away, or retired from service."

  "Why don't we start at the end? It seems to me your most trusted retainers are no doubt the ones who have been here the longest, while the newest would be more suspect."

  Willa chimed in. "Our newest is my nurse, Nancy. Isn't it right, Papa?"

  "It is," the viscount confirmed.

  "I have only met her a few times, but I cannot like her," John added his opinion. "For example, last night when I was asking her about how much laudanum she had used to dose Willa, she wouldn't look me in the eye." />
  Willa looked at him. "I have taken note of that myself. She seems,” and here Willa paused before finishing with, "shifty."

  John smiled at her and reached over and squeezed her hand. "That is exactly what my valet had to say about her. I suggested he speak to her in the servants’ hall during one of their meals. He told me she tended to avoid answering his questions about her past and how he felt he knew more about medicine than she did." Here, he turned back toward the viscountess. "I've wondered, Blythe, if perhaps you should write to those who provided her references."

  "I will do so today," she assured them.

  For the next half hour, they made a list of employees they were not secure in saying were trustworthy. The list was not long, with three working in the house and two in the stables. Plans were made to check their references which had been provided, as well as to interview the longer serving employees about these workers. At last, they decided they had done what they could. The viscount and viscountess prepared to write for references. John rose and smiled at Willa. "Why don't we find Fayre? Perhaps she would be so kind as to fetch your shawl, and the three of us could take a stroll before dark. It's a bit brisk outside, but I think you'll enjoy it."

  "Yes, let's."

  Fayre was amenable to a walk and more than willing to fetch Willa's shawl. John wrapped it around her himself and then guided the Bath chair out the front door and down the ramp. He held out his arm for Fayre, "Take my arm, Fayre." After she did so he continued, "I am a lucky man to be escorting two such beautiful young women on a walk."

  Fayre giggled, and Willa tipped her head back to look up at him. "You could, however, be lucky enough to be escorting two women who can both walk rather than having to push one of them around in a wheeled chair,” she said as she tried to force a light note into her voice.

  Little did he know she had been thinking a lot lately about releasing him from their engagement. In fact, she thought she could help him find a woman who would be a far better choice for a wife than she would be.