Andy snuffed the lantern out and the three stepped out from the comparative safety of the rock. Mounting their horses, they gingerly made their way across the sand to where they could access the cliff track and make their way towards to Wherry. When they arrived, Sam, Ashe, Daniel, Rosie and Hannah were waiting there with five small rowing boats and a team of a dozen horses. The horses had been borrowed from a couple of the local farmers, and included Penelope’s black stallion, Gabriel, and Rosie and Daniel’s farm nags.
Penelope looked out to sea and could just see the shape of a large Sloop looming out of the darkness. The men jumped into the small boats and Penelope joined Rosie and Hannah, who were looking after the horses and keeping a sharp lookout.
Penelope had mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation. The excitement of the venture and the risk of being caught made her heart race. She was definitely out of her comfort zone, but she would not have exchanged places for anything in the world. She was eager to see Nat safely home, and Hannah’s eyes were shining in anticipation of seeing her husband again.
The waiting seemed endless, but at last, the five rowing boats pulled into the Wherry fully loaded. Hannah and Penelope moved forward into the breakers to help pull the boats in. Nat was with them, leaving Bart and Mattie to sail the Sloop into Sunderland docks with a cargo of fish, a catch large enough to conceal their nefarious activities.
Hannah greeted Nat with open arms and Penelope gave him a welcome smile, but there was only time to exchange quick greetings. There was work to be done. The group had obviously done this many times as they were undoubtedly highly organised. Penelope was appointed to act as a lookout while the others proceeded to load the horses.
The plan was to split the cargo. Rosie and Nat were to take a supply to store in the secret cavity wall of Rosie’s barn. Penelope’s black stallions adapted admirably to their new duties and stood patiently while they were being loaded. Daniel used his own farm nags to transport a load to store under the purpose built secret cellar he had dug out under his pig sty, and was permanently hidden under a pile of steamy manure. Andy was to head directly to both the Marsden Inn and the Swan Inn to drop off their regular order, and Sam, Ashe and Jem were to head for destinations in Whitburn village. Sam was to deliver a load to Farmer Selwyn’s barn and return his horse. Farmer Selwyn was a regular safe house and he received a barrel of brandy for his trouble. Ashe made his way to the Jolly Sailor Inn, and Jem was to divert off towards the crypt at Whitburn church where they stored their supplies in a large stone sarcophagus. They had decided not to use the false grave in the churchyard since Captain Blackmore had discovered it.
The train separated in two with Sam, Ashe and Jem, heading towards Whitburn. When they got to the outskirts of the village, they separated again for their intended destinations. Ashe wound his way up the narrow Sandy Chare when he heard a noise behind him. He turned, but he was too late. A large figure in a black cape and a tricorn hat loomed up behind him, and he just caught the briefest glimpse of the rogue before the fellow hit him over the head with a flintlock pistol. Ashe crumpled to the ground. The man wasted no time. He stepped over Ashe’s unconscious body and moved to the horses’ heads. There was not much room to turn them around, so he continued up the rest of the lane where his own stallion was waiting in the darkness at the other end. Gathering the reins of both horses, he mounted his own steed and disappeared into the darkness with his stolen gains.
Ashe regained consciousness in the lane and groaned. Rubbing the back of his head, he sat up and looked around. As expected, the two horses and their loads were nowhere to be seen. He stood up feeling a little dizzy and stumbled out of the lane, making his way to Farmer Selwyn’s where he hoped to meet up with Sam. Perhaps if they were quick, the pair could make a hot pursuit. He held out little hope though, for he did not know how long he had been out and the fellow would probably be long gone.
Sam had delivered his load, stabled Farmer Selwyn’s nag and was just mounting his own mare when Ashe staggered toward him. Sam dismounted concerned for his brother. ‘Good Lord Ashe,’ he asked. ‘Whatever has happened?’
Ashe groaned. ‘I was set upon in Sandy Chare and my load has been taken. I am sure it was the same fellow who jumped us in the churchyard last week. Perhaps if we hurry, we will catch the scoundrel.’
Sam cursed. ‘Did you see the direction he headed?’
Ashe regretted that he did not. His head ached and he was not thinking clearly. He rubbed the back of his head and swayed dizzily. Sam was more concerned for his brother than for the loss of the contraband. ‘No, Ashe, we need to get you home. Maggie can see to that wound on your head. Are you sure you are all right?’
Ashe nodded. The truth was that he was feeling rather sick and made no objection when his brother pushed him up into the saddle of his own steed and led him towards home. Sam would need to speak to Rosie. Not only had the contraband been lost, but also two valuable farm horses, one his own and the other belonging to Rosie.
*****
Back at Rosie’s farm, Nat and Penelope had just completed storing the contraband in the cavity wall, and were settling the stallions for the night when they heard the sound of hooves in the farmyard. Nat peered out into the darkness to witness Sam quickly dismounting his horse and tying it to a fence. Nat walked over to Sam closely followed by Penelope, only to discover that Sam was seriously perturbed. Sam looked at him solemnly. ‘We have had a setback, Nat. I need to speak to Rosie straight away.’
Nat frowned and replied gravely. ‘Not trouble with the riding officers I hope? Rosie is in the kitchen preparing supper for when the lads return from the docks. Andy should also be due back any minute. Come along with me and we will discuss it inside the house.’
The party made their way into the kitchen where Rosie was leaning over a pan of chicken broth. She turned around when they entered, surprised to see Sam alone, and noted the look of unease on his face. She put the spoon down on the hearth and wiped her hands on her apron. ‘Where is Ashe, Sam?’ she asked. ‘All went well and no one is hurt, I trust?’ She indicated for him to sit down on the Settle.
‘We hit trouble tonight, Rosie’ he announced, settling himself in front of the fire. He was just about to explain when they heard the latch on the door. Andy entered and looked around at the group. Rosie glanced over to him. ‘Come in, Andy. Sam says that we have trouble and is about to explain.’ She turned to Sam. ‘Go on, Sam, you had better tell us everything.’
Sam proceeded to relate the events of the evening to a rather grim audience. ‘I am really sorry about the loss Rosie, and there is also the loss of your nag as well.’
Rosie gave a wave of her hand. ‘Do not worry yourself. The important thing is that Ashe is all right. It is inconvenient of course, and we will have to cut our losses, but something will have to be done about that man. Captain Blackmore again, did you say? Is Ashe quite sure?’
‘Oh, he is quite sure, but the thing that worries me, Rosie,’ Sam replied solemnly. ‘Is how Captain Blackmore knew about the landing in the first place? He cannot be a co-incidence that he was in Sandy Chare at that precise moment, and he only pounced when Sam, Ashe and Jem had separated company. It goes to confirm the suspicions that we have an informer amongst us.’
Everyone looked at each other. ‘I think you are right Sam,’ Rosie agreed, ‘but I do not think it is anyone of us here. Nat was on the trip. I know it is not you Andy, and why would Sam risk the life and limb of his own brother?’
‘No, I doubt it will be any of the co-owners of the Sloop since they would be acting against their own interests,’ Andy acknowledged. ‘It has to be someone else.’
Sam looked up from the settle. ‘Jem!’ he declared with sudden dawning. ‘He is the only one of us who is not an investor, and he has been acting mighty strange lately. I thought his behaviour was odd that night in the Jolly Sailor when we met to discuss the incident at the churchyard. There was a nervous edge to him, but at the time, I just thought that he had
taken Miss Penny in dislike. He was very surly with her. And when we were attacked in the churchyard, I thought the voice was familiar. He attempted to disguise it, but it niggled me and I could not put my finger on it. Thinking back, it was Jem. I am nearly sure of it.’
‘It is a possibility,’ Nat said. ‘Rosie pays him for his help and if he gets another payment from Captain Blackmore for leading him to the goods, it would certainly be worth Jem’s while. We will have to keep an eye on the fellow and set a test to trap him.’
Penelope, who had been sitting next to Hannah and listening to the conversation felt guilty. She somehow felt responsible for Rosie and Sam’s loss. If it were not for Penelope and the fact that the law was after Captain Blackmore, he may never have fled to the coast and Rosie would not be in this situation now. Penelope’s eyes flashed with fury as she realised the import of the situation. Rosie had been good to her and she had brought her nothing but trouble. Rosie’s losses were not inconsequential and the fact that Ashe could have been seriously hurt added to her anger.
Penelope was enraged, and she resolved that if she ever found the notorious Captain Blackmore, she would make him pay. Why was Captain Blackmore roaming the North East Coastline stealing contraband? He could not need the money. He had stolen nearly everything she had and absconded with it. Surely, he could not have spent it all. There was of course the distinct possibility that he had gambled it away. In the clubs of the Newcastle elite, huge losses of thousands of pounds in one sitting were not unknown. She remembered the rich ruby signet ring he wore on his little finger and the ruby stick tiepin he wore in his cravat. The last time he was seen he still had them and they would earn more than enough to pay for Rosie’s losses. Penelope had developed a newfound confidence and she knew that if she ever encountered him, she would seek her revenge.
Not much later, Bart and Mattie arrived from the Sunderland dock and were told of the situation, and it was a sombre group that sat down for supper. Hannah was the only person who was smiling. She sat next to Nat, so obviously pleased to have her husband home again.
The men were solemn, contemplating the fact that Jem might be a traitor and discussing strategies to catch him red handed. Mattie was furious and Bart disgruntled. They did not appreciate spending days at sea just to have the cargo stolen at the end of the road.
Penelope with only half an ear on the conversation was thinking of ways she could compensate Rosie and Sam for the loss of their farm nags. She decided that it was time to pay her solicitor in Newcastle a visit and ascertain if there had been any progress on the sale of Charlotte Square. If she had the money from the sale, she could at least persuade Rosie to allow her to replace the horses.
Chapter 13
Penelope waited for two days so that Nat could find his land legs and enjoy his reunion with Hannah before she asked him to accompany her to Newcastle to visit her solicitor. Hannah decided to accompany them so they could enjoy a little shopping, as there was a larger variety of shops in the city.
On arrival, Nat dropped Penelope off at the offices of Messrs Brereton and son to enquire about the sale of Charlotte Square and arranged to call back to collect her in an hour. Mr. Brereton senior ushered her in and asked her to take a seat. He was a rather short-sighted man and peered across at her through his wire-rimmed spectacles. ‘Ah, Lady Winterbourne, delighted to see you, although I do not have much news for you, I am afraid. There has been interest in Charlotte Square, but as yet, there have been no offers. The gentleman who viewed it last week seemed very keen, but he needed to move in straight away and decided that there was too much internal work to be done to correct the fire damage, so he changed his mind at the last minute.’ Mr. Brereton sighed. ‘It is a pity that you do not have the funds to renovate it, as it would make it much easier to sell.’
Penelope agreed. It was indeed an obstacle, but something she could do little about. She did not think, however, that it should be too difficult to sell, as it was a very desirable residence, recently built and close to the Cathedral and the Newcastle Assembly Rooms. She watched Mr. Brereton as he shifted the papers on his desk. ‘And has there been no other interest at all, Mr. Brereton?’ she asked hopefully.
‘Believe me, we are trying our best Lady Winterbourne,’ he replied optimistically. ‘We have advertised in the Newcastle Chronicle and the London Gazette. Someone is coming to view it next week and I will keep you informed.’
Penelope nodded. ‘And the other matter. Have you made progress regarding the release of some of the trust fund that my husband left me? You must be aware, Mr. Brereton, that the late Earl would not have wished his wife to be left destitute. The whole point of the trust fund was to safeguard my interests. It turns out that the late Lord Winterbourne was very astute. Captain Blackmore could have extorted the whole. I realise that I have been very fortunate.’
‘As to that, My Lady, I am sure you are right, but unfortunately that is a much more difficult matter. The legal details of these trust funds are very complicated and matters cannot be hurried. We are in touch with the late Earl’s solicitors and will contact you as soon as we hear anything, but I must warn you Lady Winterbourne, that I am not hopeful. That reminds me, I am glad you came to see me because you did not leave me a forwarding address and I shall need it if I am to contact you.’
Penelope furnished him with her address and after more discussion stood up to leave. ‘Thank you, Mr. Brereton. I shall wait to hear from you.’ Penelope was just about to leave when the solicitor remembered something. ‘Ah, Lady Winterbourne, Lord Xavier Lyndhurst paid me a visit last week and enquired after your direction. I was unable to help him, but I thought you should know. What am I to tell him if he calls again?'
Penelope frowned. Why would Croxdale enquire after her after the abominable way he had abandoned her on Bruton Street without a word? She turned to her solicitor. ‘Did he tell you what he wanted?’
Mr. Brereton removed his glasses to wipe them and peered over to her. ‘I am afraid he did not and I did not feel it my business to inquire.’
Penelope stiffened and replied more sharply than she intended. ‘If he inquires again, you are not to tell him my direction. I want no dealings with Croxdale.’
She shook his hand. ‘Thank you for your assistance. You now have my address and I shall wait to hear from you.’ She left the office, leaving a rather perplexed Mr. Brereton wondering just how an exceptional gentleman such as Lord Xavier Lyndhurst could have offended Lady Winterbourne, but he was too busy to dwell upon the matter for very long.
Penelope entered the street to her waiting carriage. Nat and Hannah were waiting patiently at the heads’ of her black stallions and they were talking to Lady Crompton who had recognised Lady Winterbourne’s equipage. The obnoxious woman was trying her very best to glean information and titbits of gossip, but the pair remained tight-lipped. As Penelope approached, Lady Crompton gave her a huge welcoming smile. ‘Ah, Lady Winterbourne, so pleased to see you again. The last time we saw each other you were not quite yourself, but I forgive you. If you care to let me know where you are staying, I can pay you a morning visit to show that there are no hard feelings.’
Penelope climbed up into her carriage. She was furious. Lady Crompton, to forgive her! Penelope may have been sharp the last time she spoke to the Lady, but Penelope’s behaviour was nothing compared to Lady Crompton’s total abject rejection a few weeks ago. Penelope just gave her an icy smile. ‘So kind of you Lady Crompton, but I am staying with very good friends, who despite appearances have helped me through a difficult time, and I think they would find a visit inconvenient. Besides, I am not staying in the city, and it would be a distance for you to travel.’
Lady Crompton pursed her lips at the obvious slight and the unspoken accusation that she had deserted Penelope in her time of need. It was obvious that Lady Winterbourne was not going to give anything away so Lady Crompton nodded politely and walked away with her nose in the air. Nat took the reins and pulled into the busy street and Penelope
cursed softly. ‘Insufferable woman!’
‘Indeed,’ Nat agreed. ‘Rest assured, Miss Penny; she got no information out of us.’ As Nat manoeuvred the horses down Sand Hill and over the stone bridge spanning the Tyne River, Penelope explained to them the situation regarding the sale of Charlotte Square. Hannah then chattered happily about the ribbons and lace she had bought at the penny bizarre and described the ream of striped material she had bought to make a new dress. Nat, however, knowing his mistress, sensed that there was something troubling her. Their relationship had changed considerably in these last few months, but he still did not feel comfortable enquiring into her private thoughts. It was Hannah in her friendly interminable way that broke the silence. ‘Miss Penny, you have been dreadfully quiet this last half hour. Is all well?’
Penelope gave Hannah a remorseful smile. ‘Of course all is well Hannah, as long as I have you both as friends. I just wish Charlotte Square was sold so that I could compensate your mama a little for the loss of her Nag and my upkeep.’
Hannah looked wide-eyed at her mistress. ‘Oh, Miss Penny, do not worry about that. I can assure you that mama does not.’
Penny felt guilty. As much as she persisted, Rosie would not accept a penny from her. It was true, however, that something much more was troubling Penelope, but she was not about to divulge that to Hannah. Penelope was perturbed by Mr. Brereton’s disclosure that Lord Xavier Lyndhurst was searching for her. What could he possibly want? Her feelings were mixed. She had left Mr. Brereton with specific instructions to deny him should he inquire again, but it was not that she did not wish to see him. The truth was that she found the man wholly desirable and she could not trust herself should she meet him again.
Could she withstand his compelling good looks and his charm? She doubted her ability to do so and decided that she could not take the risk. She was more affected by her experiences with Captain Blackmore than she realised, and it could not be denied that Lord Lyndhurst had let her down without any explanation of his unexpected abandonment and disappearance.
Lady Winterbourne's Entanglement: A Romantic Regency Adventure Page 13