The tunnel they were in was gradually getting lighter. Alex slowed down, motioning for her to stay back as he pulled out his pistol. Of course, she had no intention of doing any such thing. She let him take three steps away, then crept along slowly behind him. He turned again to motion for her to stay still.
Her answer was a defiant shake of her head.
He answered with a glare, then turned the corner and walked into a small room. Win immediately followed, only to see her former maid Tawny dead on the floor. Win drew in a sharp breath. Alex put his arm around Win’s waist to steady her. He studied her face, as if ready to withdraw the moment she panicked.
But his touch was more reassuring than she would have thought possible and she was grateful he was there. Win looked over to see that Rose was in Nate’s arms and they were both looking at Tawny’s body. The maid’s neck was at an unnatural angle.
The room itself was small but comfortably outfitted, including a small cot in the corner, along with several bottles of wine – most of them empty.
“It looks like someone has been living here,” said Win.
“Or it might have been a popular spot for an illicit rendezvous,” said Alex. “Did you see anything else of note before you found the body?”
“No,” said Grayson. “Everything was dark until we stumbled in here. I lit the sconces to take a better look. It appears she’s been dead for only a few hours.” Rose made a strangled noise and Grayson held her closer.
“Who is she?” asked Rose.
“My former maid, Tawny.”
“She’s the one you suspected of having an affair with Mr. Pierce?” asked Alex.
“Yes. I do not know if she was seeing anyone else. Nor do I know how she knew about this place. I lived in this house for six years and didn’t know of its existence. If this room was used for….liaisons, I would think it was a great deal of trouble to go to for a few moments of pleasure.”
Grayson snorted. “A few moments of pleasure? You just told us a great deal about your late husband. I think there may be another entrance to this room other than the passageway from the library.” He pointed to another tunnel. “That seems to slope upward and appears to have a light at the end of it.”
“That poor woman,” said Rose, still holding on to Grayson.
“Indeed,” said Win. “No one should have to die in such a wretched way.”
Rose looked at Lewis. “If Tawny died earlier today, surely that exonerates Win because she was at Lynwood House until only an hour ago.”
“It is true that even Bow Street couldn’t arrest her for this murder,” said Alex carefully. “However, it could be argued she conspired with the person who did kill her.”
Win tried to move away from him. “I did not conspire to kill anyone.”
Alex hesitated, but let her go. “I do not think you did.”
“Bow Street didn’t pay attention to the evidence before,” said Grayson. “How can we be sure they’ll be any more honest this time around?”
“Because this time I intend to call Sergeant Fisk. I’ll send for him as you escort the two ladies home.”
“You cannot remain here alone, Mr. Lewis,” said Win. “The killer could still be in the house. I will not have your death on my conscience.”
“I am well able to protect myself.” Then he added with a slight smile, “Provided, of course, the killer does not come after me in the tunnels where I am embarrassingly weak.”
“One could never accuse you of being weak, Mr. Lewis,” said Win quietly. “No, Rose and I will go back to the house and Grayson will stay with you.”
“Absolutely not!” said Alex.
“Out of the question!” reiterated Grayson.
Rose cleared her throat. “May we continue this discussion outside? I fear this conversation may become heated and we cannot awaken the household.”
Grayson nodded. “Good idea. I suggest following this tunnel with the light to see where it leads. Lewis and I can go first, with you two ladies behind us.”
“Win and I are not ninnies who need to follow helplessly behind our men.”
Grayson raised an eyebrow. “I did not know we were ‘your men.’”
Rose’s only reply was an exasperated sigh.
Alex pulled out a knife and handed it to Win. “You and your sister will remain behind us, but in case we encounter any difficulties, I want you to be able to defend yourself.”
Win was extremely touched to know Alexander Lewis trusted her enough to be behind him with a knife. “Thank you, sir. I will keep Rose safe.”
“And I shall keep Win safe,” said Rose, as she pulled out a rather large knife.
“Where the devil did you get that?” asked Grayson.
“Colin always travels with it. I simply borrowed it from his suite once I knew Win and I would be on the streets alone tonight.”
“I’m going to have a very long talk with all your brothers when this is over,” muttered Grayson, as he headed into the tunnel with Lewis directly behind him.
The four of them crept silently into the passageway, which sloped upward, gradually becoming lighter and cooler. There was a door at the end of it. Grayson looked back at all of them, where Lewis had his pistol at the ready. Grayson slowly opened the door. He disappeared into the opening, with everyone else following.
They emerged into a cool, damp cellar, illuminated only slightly by windows high on the wall.
“This is the wine cellar,” whispered Win, as she slowly made her way through the gloom.
“Let me go in front of you,” Alex whispered near her ear.
“You do not know the way.”
“A villain could be hiding behind these racks.”
“And I trust you to subdue him,” she said, as she continued to lead. His grunt was the only answer she received. When she came to the door that would lead them into the kitchen, she hesitated.
“Let me go first,” said Alex. “If villains are on the other side, Grayson and I will hold them off while you and your sister run to safety. Do not argue with me, Win. That is the plan we will follow.”
She was surprised he’d used her Christian name, but she didn’t have time to think about the implications, as Alex went to the door with Grayson close behind. Rose shook her head at the protective men. But Win had to admit she found the change refreshing. Here were two large men unrelated to her who’d placed themselves in harm’s way to protect them.
Alex pushed open the door to the kitchen. Then the four of them slowly made their way to the outer door. There was no sign of anyone lurking about and it was with a great sense of relief that they crossed the garden and hurried past the mews without being seen. They finally stopped in dense shadows half a block away, where Alex wrote out his note. He paid a passing hack to take the message to Sergeant Fisk.
It was a cold night and Win was shivering, as they watched the hack drive away.
“Grayson, you should take the ladies home,” said Alex.
“No,” said Win. “We are staying until Sergeant Fisk arrives. Unless you’ve changed your mind about allowing Rose and me to walk the few blocks on our own.”
“That will not happen,” said Alex in a tone that brooked no opposition.
Grayson pulled Rose into his arms.
“Wh-what are you doing?” she asked.
“Keeping you warm,” said Grayson, as he leaned his head on hers. He was a good six inches taller than Rose. She looked a bit nervous, but settled into the embrace.
“I am only allowing this because it is frightfully cold and it will warm you as much as it does me,” said Rose.
“Rather more,” muttered Grayson.
Win and Alex were standing rather conspicuously apart from each other.
“Would you allow me to hold you?” Alex asked her. “For the warmth, of course.”
Win slowly nodded. “For the warmth.”
He carefully brought her into his arms, so they were lightly touching down the length of each other. He was only s
lightly taller than Win, so as they pressed their heads together, Alex’s lips were but a few inches from Win’s. She wondered what it would be like if he kissed her.
She dismissed the fanciful thought, but remained in his arms as they drew warmth from each other.
A little more than half an hour later, a hack drew up to the house and six men climbed out of it. Win recognized Sergeant Fisk, but the others were unknown to her. They all had varying disabilities. One man had both his legs amputated and had to be carried out of the carriage by two others. Another was missing an arm. One appeared to be blind in one eye with limited vision in the other. But they all had the posture of military men.
Once the hack drove off, one of the men said something to Fisk, then the men turned as one in their direction with weapons drawn.
Win inhaled sharply, frightened to have been discovered.
“Shh,” said Alex against her ear, even as he pulled her closer. “Fisk would not have brought men he did not trust.”
The group made their way toward them, including the double amputee, who pulled himself along on a platform. When they were a few feet away, Fisk said “Mr. Lewis?”
“Yes, Sergeant. Thank you for coming and bringing your friends.” Alex pulled back from Win. Perhaps noting Fisk’s surprised look, he added, “I believe you remember Mrs. Pierce.”
“My lady,” said Fisk, bowing and obviously curious about the embrace he’d interrupted.
“I didn’t get the chance to thank you, sir,” said Win. “I am not certain I would have survived Newgate.”
“Our entire family owes you our thanks,” said Rose. “I am her sister, Rose, and this is our family friend, Nathanial Gage, the Marquess of Grayson.”
“Does his grace know you’ve left Lynwood House, Lady Winifred?” asked Fisk.
“No. Nor do my brothers. I realize I am in violation of the terms of my release…”
“But I insisted she and the others join me here tonight,” said Lewis. “We discovered a series of tunnels beneath the house, as well as a body.”
“A body?” Fisk and the others were curious as Lewis explained the circumstances of how they found Tawny’s body.
“Do you think it’s one of them in that house who killed her?” asked Fisk.
“I do not know, Sergeant,” said Alex. “But I would like to go in and conduct a search of the tunnels, while Grayson takes the ladies home.”
Fisk nodded, then introduced his friends. “We may be a motley crew, but we all met recovering from wounds we got in the war. None of them will miss a thing. More important, you won’t find a more loyal or honest group of men if you tried.”
“That is exactly what we need,” said Alex. He turned to Win and Rose. “Ladies, I bid you good night. I shall call on you tomorrow with the results of tonight’s endeavor.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lewis, Sergeant Fisk, gentlemen,” said Win. She was now surrounded by men not known to her, yet she did not have the overwhelming fear that used to be part of her daily life. She was positive it had not gone away. But in this one moment, with these particular men, she was not afraid.
It was a good start.
Win, Rose and Grayson left the group, then walked quickly through the Mayfair streets, keeping to the shadows.
“I want your word you will not do something this foolhardy again,” said Grayson.
“But if Win and I hadn’t come out tonight, you never would have found your way in the tunnels,” said Rose.
“We would have managed,” said Grayson. “Though I must say Lewis didn’t look at all well when you caught up to us. Did the two of you have words, Win?”
“I believe he was only concerned about the investigation,” said Win. She wasn’t sure why she was keeping Alex’s fear of enclosed spaces from Rose and Grayson, other than she felt she owed him his privacy after his kindness that night.
They made their way through the Lynwood House garden to the door through which they’d made their escape.
“Thank you for your assistance tonight, Grayson,” said Win as she kissed his cheek. “I shall give you two a moment to say good night.”
Win slipped into the house, allowing her sister some privacy.
She said a quick prayer of thanks for their safe return, then turned her thoughts to the events of the night. Who had murdered Tawny? Had it been an intruder? Or had it been a servant or even a member of Pierce’s family? And was it the same person who’d murdered Clarence?
It was too big of a coincidence to think the murders were unrelated. Yet she found it difficult to believe someone of her acquaintance had murdered twice.
Rose entered the house, closing the door behind her.
“Rose, are you all right? Grayson wasn’t too cross with you, was he?”
Rose turned to face her and it was obvious she was reeling from several emotions. “That man is extremely exasperating,” she said.
Win had to hide her grin. “Yes, it looks like you are quite agitated over whatever just transpired. What did occur?”
“Nothing!” said Rose, a bit too quickly. “We shouldn’t talk now. I would hate for us to come all this way only to be discovered skulking about in the hall. Can I still stay with you tonight?”
“Of course.” Win put her arm around Rose’s waist as they climbed the back stairs to the family quarters. There was no doubt that Rose was in love with Grayson. But what Win didn’t understand was how the rakehell without a care in the world had come to be breaking and entering a home with a barrister for the Crown.
There was more to Grayson than met the eye.
And more to the barrister.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Alex watched as Fisk examined Tawny’s body in the small, cramped room. This time when they’d entered the house, they’d gone through the front door, awakening Havers, the butler. Fisk had stationed two men outside and another two in the cellars. The fifth – Bibbly, the double amputee – was waiting in the kitchen, looking like he’d been too infirm to accompany his comrades and all the while making mental note of the servants’ conversations. He’d told Alex that most people tended to speak freely around him, believing that an infirm body encased a child-like mind.
Alex had worried about leaving him defenseless in a group that likely harbored a killer, but Bibbly’s response had been to pull out a pistol and two of the deadliest knives the prosecutor had ever seen.
“What do you think?” Alex asked Fisk, fighting his fear of being in the enclosed space. It had been so much easier with Win by his side. He knew he absolutely should not be calling her by her Christian name even in his head. But he’d fainted into her arms. A certain amount of familiarity seemed warranted.
“I think I’d like to know what you were doing here with the widow, her sister and their close family friend.” Fisk’s look wasn’t accusatory as much as one of genuine curiosity.
“I was as surprised that it came about as you.”
“You realize that if I reported this she’d go back to prison and you’d face disciplinary charges.”
“Yes. Yet I do not regret my actions. You know as well as I there is a conspiracy afoot at Bow Street. I believe it extends into my chambers and quite possibly into the courts, as well.”
“Why are you so certain I think the same?”
“Because I asked you to bring men you trusted and not a one of them is from Bow Street.”
Fisk nodded. “You have a point there. ‘Struth I don’t know who to trust, though if faced with a choice I reckon I’d have to go with you and her ladyship.” He covered the body with a blanket from the bed. “This Tawny had relations shortly before her death.”
“Was she ravaged?”
“I can’t say for certain, but her clothing’s not torn and there ain’t any bruises on her legs. I believe she was likely willing. Do you know who it might have been?”
“Lady Winifred believes Tawny was having an affair with Mr. Pierce, though we can safely count him out as a suspect.”
They were inte
rrupted by Johnson, the man with only one arm. “The toffs just sent for Bow Street. If you want to question them before the others arrive, you’d best be quick about it.”
“Thank you,” said Fisk, as he turned to follow Johnson out.
“Sergeant,” said Alex. “If you could keep Mrs. Pierce and the others out of your report, I would be most appreciative.”
Fisk considered it for a moment. “I’ll keep them out of it. But you might tell her ladyship she’s playing a dangerous game.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“So are you, if you don’t mind me saying it.”
Alex could hardly mind since he quite agreed with the assessment. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so out of his element on a case.
They entered the kitchen to find the staff huddled together in groups. Several of the women looked frightened. A few of the men looked bored.
Fisk addressed the group. “All of you, follow us to the sitting room.”
The group was surprisingly obedient. Perhaps living in a house where two murders had occurred made them realize cooperation was in their best interest. Or, mayhap, they were hoping one of the toffs would soon be hauled off to gaol. Alex had a feeling most hoped it would be Mrs. Warren.
When they reached the sitting room, they found Clive Pierce drinking a rather large snifter of brandy. A disapproving Emmeline Warren watched, accompanied by her dozing husband, Horace.
“Why on earth did you bring all the servants in here?” asked Emmeline. “It is one thing to be awakened in the middle of the night with news of a murder and quite another to be surrounded by servants in their nightclothes. It is most undignified for everyone concerned, but especially them.”
“Were you awakened Mrs. Warren?” asked Lewis. “Or do you always wear a petticoat to bed?”
The crinoline of a petticoat peeked out from beneath her dressing gown.
“A gentleman does not speak of ladies’ undergarments,” sniffed Mrs. Warren, even as she tried to conceal them.
“Where have you been?” asked her brother, bemused.
Always Have Hope (Emerson Book 3) Page 13