To Release an Earl

by Ilene Withers

  “I do know Willa is more than capable of driving it,” John agreed. “My only worry would be if they should come to any harm, but if Brooks is in attendance and is well armed, I do trust him to be concerned over her safety.”

  And so it was agreed that the next afternoon, Willa and Fayre could take a slow jaunt into the countryside. Little did any of the others know, Willa would be driving directly to Townsend Park Farms and would arrive just in time for tea.

  Chapter Ten

  Marty was dressed in trousers and her short-waisted jacket, leaning on a fence and studying her favorite bull when she heard the sound of a vehicle making its way down the road toward the buildings. Turning, she thought she recognized Willa Dutton and her younger cousin in a pony trap with a groom riding a horse behind them. As they drew closer, she became confident she was correct and, keeping Willa’s condition in mind, she walked over to meet them on the road.

  “Good afternoon,” Marty called to the two younger women.

  Willa drew the pony trap to a halt. “Good afternoon,” she greeted. Her cousin almost simultaneously offered the same greeting.

  “Thank you again, for the wonderful party, the night before last. I haven’t been out socially in recent months and I vastly enjoyed myself.”

  Willa smiled. “I enjoyed myself as well, and I know Fayre had a wonderful time." Here her cousin nodded and agreed with an "I did."

  Marty remembered her manners. "You caught me at work, but I was just about to go in and have some tea. I see you brought your chair along. Why don't you drive on up to the house and come in? I can change and join you."

  "Fayre and I would love to join you for tea, but please don't change on our account. I am not put off in the least by your trousers."

  "Neither am I," Fayre said. "In fact, I am a bit jealous of the freedom they offer you."

  "Well, then," Marty replied, "Let us make our way to the house." She turned and strolled off at a brisk pace and arrived only moments after the pony trap had. A footman had come out to assist, and Marty watched as he carried in the bath chair and Willa's groom carried her inside. Soon they were settled in the front parlour while Drake went to bring in tea.

  "I overheard you telling John at dinner you have a bull which jumps the fences," Willa brought up.

  "I do, indeed. In fact, the fine fellow I was having a conversation with when you arrived is the scoundrel."

  "Miss Marty, you said you might sell him."

  Marty couldn't help but sigh. "Yes, I know people see me as odd, but I believe each animal has its own personality, and I like his. However, I have had to have the staff add to the top of the fence, and I have to keep him confined or he wanders all over the neighborhood. I do not believe he's happy having his activities restricted. It might be best for all if I find him a new home where his roaming is more acceptable. There is a farmer in the wilds of Scotland I know who has quite a bit of land, and he might appreciate a spirited yet sweet-tempered bull."

  Willa seemed thoughtful for a few minutes as Drake brought in the tea and the three women busied themselves with their afternoon refreshment. Marty watched as young Fayre's eyes lit up when she bit into one of Cook's shortbread biscuits. "This is delicious," the younger woman said. "I do adore shortbread."

  Willa sipped her tea and then looked up at Marty with a serious look on her face. "So you care enough about your bull to set him free?"

  Marty found it to be somewhat of an odd statement but replied without hesitation. "That is correct. I like him and I want him to be happy."

  ****

  Willa listened to Marty's reply and took it to heart. She spoke again, changing the subject. "When will your brother be finished with his schooling?"

  "This coming spring," Marty said. "It will be wonderful to have him home for good. The school holidays never seem to be long enough. Of course, then I am sure he will want to spend a bit of time in London as most young men do."

  "Certainly," Willa agreed, "The season will be in full swing. In fact, the two of you could go to London."

  "Oh, I won't attend the season. I have had mine – two in which I did not take –and I am perfectly happy to stay on the farm and keep my brother's inheritance profitable."

  "I'm sure you have taught him much about running a farm," Willa stated.

  "And it is a beautiful farm," Fayre put in. "Even though it is autumn, everything is so green and well kept."

  "Thank you," Marty responded, "And yes, I have taught my brother how to be a good estate manager. In fact, someday I'll be superfluous."

  Willa noted how quiet Marty became with the statement. She realized what a position the other woman was in. When her brother married and had children, Marty would become the maiden aunt. No doubt, her brother's future wife would not be as understanding about Marty's somewhat eccentric dress and expertise, either. Miss Marty would be in the way if she did not marry and move to a home of her own.

  As tea came to a close, Willa and Fayre thanked their hostess. Then Brooks was called to carry Willa to the pony trap and strap the chair onto the back before the two girls tooled home and he followed close by, no doubt keeping an eye out for any perceived dangers.

  ****

  Back at home, Willa was greeted by John. "Did you have a nice outing?" he asked.

  Willa hesitated, unsure of what to say. It was Fayre who filled the silence. "Oh, yes, it was lots of fun. We drove over to Townsend Park Farms and had tea with Miss Marty."

  Willa watched as her fiancé raised his eyebrows. "So you didn't end up in the village?"

  "No," Willa spoke. "We went west onto the road and when I saw the sign I thought it might be fun to visit Miss Marty since she seemed to have a good time at our dinner party. Miss Marty is a lovely woman, albeit a few years older than me." As Willa spoke, John stepped to her side and scooped her into his arms, carrying her up the front steps and into the house. "You seemed to enjoy her company," Willa continued.

  "Yes, she is unusually knowledgeable about livestock," he said, gently setting her in the wheeled chair which was waiting just inside the front door. "You must admit, it is not often one meets a female who knows so much about animal husbandry. Of course, you are knowledgeable with horses."

  "Oh, I don't know," Willa said, "I don't believe I am. Indeed, I am a skilled rider," she said without arrogance, "but I have never assisted in the birth of a foal or nursed a horse to health after an illness or injury. I do know good blood when I see it, but I am not nearly as knowledgeable as Miss Marty."

  "I take it there were no mishaps or threats along the way."

  "There were not, and Brooks was practically breathing down our neck the entire way and I swear he kept his hand on his pistol during the entire time."

  "Good. I'm worried about your safety."

  Willa grew quiet. "I must admit I am a bit worried myself."

  ****

  The next day, John had come in from exercising both Pirate and his own horse when the butler told him the viscount wanted to see him when he had a moment. John joined the older man in the library. "You wanted to see me, Yale?"

  "Yes, I did. I have been thinking about sending for a physician from London – a second opinion, if you will. I know you are a well-read man, and I wanted your thoughts on the idea."

  John sat down in the chair across from the viscount's desk. "I believe it is a good one. Perhaps we could not only check with some physicians, but also talk to men of science at Oxford and Cambridge. I think we should start at the Royal College of Physicians."

  "Yes," the viscount agreed. "I was wondering if you would travel up to London and seek the advice of some of these men. I am willing to go myself, but you are more learned in the area of medicine. Also, I don't think we should both leave. One of us needs to be here to protect Willa."

  "Definitely," John replied. "I could certainly ride up. I wouldn't take a carriage, just my horse, and I could travel light. It would be a good time for Martin to travel back to my estate again and pack a few more things
for me. I don't intend to leave Willa until she is better or we get married, whichever comes first, provided you are not adverse to my continued presence."

  “I enjoy having you here,” the viscount replied. There was a knock at the library door, and Yale called, “Enter.” Abbott opened the door, holding a box bound in brown paper and string.

  "I thought you should know, my lords, this was left on the front step. I heard a knock, but when I opened the door there was no one there, just this. It is addressed to Miss Willa."

  John rose from his chair and strode across the room to take the package. He frowned when he took it. It was not heavy, but the weight seemed off, as though the contents were all on one side. As he moved it, the weight moved, yet there was no sound coming from it, such as the sound of an object rolling around. He thanked the butler and took it across to the desk where he sat it. "I have a bad feeling about this," he told the viscount. "It is as if the contents are moving around within the box, yet it makes no noise."

  The viscount stood and reached across the desk to pick up the box and tilt it a bit. John watched as Yale frowned. "I see what you mean," he said. "I suggest we open this box for my daughter and, perhaps, we would be wise to step outside."

  "A weapon might not be amiss," John suggested.

  "Pistol or sword?" the viscount asked.

  "I'm not sure. Why don't we take both, but perhaps have the sword unsheathed since it would be faster than the pistol?"

  "I keep the sword above the hearth sharpened," the viscount said. "I'll load my pistol if you would be so kind as to retrieve the sword."

  Both men reached for their individual weapons and Yale carried them out. John carried out the box. Outside the French doors, he set the box on the flagstone about ten feet from the house. They had shut the doors behind them and John looked at his future father-in-law. The viscount was not a corpulent man; however, he was older and had more girth than John. "Why don't you stand away and let me have the sword? I am younger and perhaps a bit quicker on my feet."

  "I won't argue with you there, son." Lord Amhearst stepped about half the distance to the house.

  John took the sword in his hand and reached over to insert it between the box and the string, pulling up against the taut twine. He felt a certain amount of satisfaction when the sharp blade sliced through it. Taking a deep breath, John then used the tip of the sword to slice the paper around what was obviously the lid of the box. Finally, he used the sword to flip the lid off the box. Almost immediately, a snake with an all-too-familiar distinctive dark zigzag slithered from the box and struck at John. Feeling it strike his knee-high leather boots, John brought the sword down upon the snake, quickly severing the reptile's head from its body.

  "An adder," the viscount said. "Someone sent my daughter a poisonous snake. This makes it clear they are trying to kill her."

  John realized his hands were shaking. He leaned over to inspect the dead snake, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself. "Perhaps I should hire an investigator while I am in London," he suggested.

  "Perhaps you should," the viscount replied. Then he added, "Let's get this thing out of here before any of the women see it."

  John used the sword to lift the still body back into the box. He carried it toward the stables, accompanied by the viscount, and bade Brooks bury it. He kept the box’s paper wrapping as evidence, thinking an investigator might appreciate the handwriting sample the address provided.

  "We have to tell Willa," he told Yale. "She deserves to know, and she needs to be aware of every possible threat."

  "I hate having to tell her," her father said.

  "She's strong," John said. "Quite strong, and it is better to be aware than to be ignorant of something like this."

  "We should include my wife and Fayre in the conversation, then," the viscount said. "We all need to be aware."

  "Yes. It's close to dinner time. Let us leave it until afterwards. It is not much of a mealtime conversation."

  "At the same time, we can tell them you will be going to London to seek both medical advice and an investigator."

  "I may as well leave tomorrow, and will entrust Willa’s safety to you while I am gone."

  "I believe we can trust Abbott and Brooks as well, and most likely Molly. I will meet with them individually to talk to them about the threats."

  Back in the house, John retired to his room to clean up and change for dinner. "Martin, I will be leaving for London on the morrow," John told his valet as the man assisted him into an evening jacket.

  "Will I be going with you?” Martin asked.

  “Not this time. It will be a fast trip and I can make do with one of the London servants for a few days.”

  “I shall pack for you, then."

  "Not much, only a valise. I will be riding my horse and traveling light. Also, I do have a town wardrobe in London."

  "Yes, my lord, you do at that. I will pack a few things for you this evening then."

  "Thank you. I have another reason for not having you accompany me. I was wondering if, while I am gone for a few days, you would take the gig and return home to collect a bit more of a wardrobe for me. I do not intend to leave until my fiancée is recovered or we are married. I'm sure you are getting tired of cleaning the same items over and over."

  The valet agreed. "It would be nice if we both had more extensive wardrobes."

  "I'll write a letter to my mother this evening, and you can deliver it. Also, I'll write one for my estate manager."

  "I will be happy to deliver them," Martin assured him.

  Dinner was, as usual, delicious. The family sat together at one end of the long table, the viscountess at her husband's right side with her niece next to her. Willa sat to her father's left with John beside her. John had discovered dinner at the Amhearst estate was casual, and he was comfortable with it. He might be an earl, but he tried not to let his title go to his head. After all, he had inherited it from his father, whose own father had passed it on to him. He smiled fondly at Willa as she exclaimed over the roasted vegetables Cook had served with the perfectly roasted beef.

  "I do love carrots," she said. "Perhaps I should have been a rabbit."

  Fayre had laughed outright. "Your ears are not nearly big enough, cousin dear."

  "I have never known a horse who was not fond of a carrot," John joked. "I can see you as a sleek and high-bred mare, far before I can a rabbit."

  "Silly man," she replied.

  The viscount, not to be left out of the fun, joined in. "My dear, I do believe John has a valid point. You are a fearless rider, so I suspect you would be quite a good horse."

  "Do you remember how exhausted her nurse was when Willa was a toddler?" the viscountess asked her husband. "Our first nurse quit, and we had to hire a younger one." She swung her gaze from Yale to Willa, "I can certainly see you as a race horse."

  The foolishness continued. John was thankful the conversation was light, and he was sure Lord Amhearst felt the same as the man seemed to encourage the continuation of the silliness. At last, after a pumpkin trifle, the small group retired to the drawing room where Abbott served them tea. The viscount cleared his throat to get their attention.

  "We had an event today," he said, instantly gaining the rapt attention of all three women.

  The viscountess, sounding suspicious, asked what type of event had happened.

  "I'll be blunt," her husband said. "It was another attempt on Willa's life."

  The sound of three feminine gasps filled the room. It was Willa who spoke next. "What happened? I didn't notice anything." Her eyes swung between her father and John.

  "Abbott heard a knock at the door," her father explained. "When he answered, there was no one there, but a parcel addressed to you sat on the doorstep. He brought it into the library where John and I were sitting. John noticed immediately how the weight of the contents kept moving around in the box."

  "Oh, dear, what was it?" Blythe asked.

  John had lifted Willa from her Bath
chair so she could be comfortable on the settee. He had then sat next to her. Reaching over, he now took her hand in his own before her father finished the telling of what had happened.

  "There was a snake in the box, an adder."

  "But those are poisonous," Fayre burst out. "Someone sent Willa a deadly snake?"

  Willa's hand had tightened around John's; Blythe had turned pale. He hurried to assure them. "I dispatched it with your father's sword rather quickly," he told them, purposely failing to mention how the snake had struck his boot. "Please be assured he is not loose in the garden."

  "It's true, then," Lady Amhearst said. "Someone is trying to kill our daughter."

  "I'm afraid so," her husband agreed. "It leads me to an announcement which John and I have to make." He paused, before going on. "John will be leaving tomorrow to go to London."

  Willa turned toward him, "Whatever for?"

  "I'm going to seek out the advice of some physicians, a second opinion, as your father calls it. And I'm going to hire an investigator to come and look into who is trying to harm you."

  "That will make me feel much better," the viscountess said.

  "How long will you be gone?" Willa asked him.

  "A sennight, perhaps," he replied. "I will be riding my horse and traveling light. If I leave at first light, I may well arrive before dark the next day. I will work quickly while I am in town. Your father knows of an investigator who has a good reputation. Therefore, I will visit him first so he can get started here if he is willing to take on the case. Then I intend to go to the Royal College of Physicians, Oxford, and Cambridge to speak to some knowledgeable physicians and find out what the most learned men of science know about spinal injuries."

  "After John leaves tomorrow," Yale interjected, "I will speak with Abbott, Molly, and Brooks about making sure those few servants we can trust keep an eye out for your well-being and safety. I also want us all to be extra vigilant in the days to come."