“Mr. Patrick, please have the grooms and footmen ride out and search the area. Have them question anyone they come across that seems to be a stranger.”
He could see that the shock was fading from her eyes but she was still regarding him with accusation. “Why would you only question the strangers, my lord?”
“I cannot imagine that a friend would have done this,” Justice explained.
“Who is there to say who our friends are?” she countered with a bite in her tone.
Justice didn’t understand why she was sounding so cryptic but he was more concerned about her injury and the threat against her. He could not bear to lose another wife; he had just gotten this one.
“Did you manage to get a look at your attacker? What did he look like?”
“I saw him, or I assume it was a man. He had his face covered with a cloth so I can’t tell you anything about him. He was riding a brown horse.” Justice could see her eyes fill with tears and he bit back more curses.
He placed her gingerly on the bed. She wouldn’t meet his eyes. Justice couldn’t blame her for the accusatory looks she had been giving him. It really was his fault and she had no idea. Being in her presence consumed him with guilt. He left her in the capable hands of the housekeeper and her maid while he left to run down her attacker.
* * *
Elizabeth was relieved when the earl finally left. He seemed so concerned about her. She didn’t know what to think. What good would it do him to get rid of another wife when she had not even borne him an heir? From what she understood Lord Sinclair was a wealthy man, and she didn’t really think her dowry was all that spectacular. She doubted he would be trying to kill her to keep his hands on her money without the inconvenience of a wife. She was leaning more towards thinking it might be someone who considered her a rival. But why had the earl looked so stricken with guilt when he had realized she had been shot?
Mrs. Patrick and Pansy had trouble remaining calm enough to help her out of her gown and see to her wound. As she had suspected it wasn’t a very deep cut, the bullet had merely grazed her. But it was bleeding profusely and there was always the risk of infection. It made her laugh that she had to calm them down in order for them to be able to help her.
Pansy was so frantic about her mistress she was ready to pack their bags and head to Elizabeth’s parents’ estate within the hour. Mrs. Patrick was too worked up to fully comprehend what Pansy was implying but Elizabeth understood and needed to broker peace amongst her staff.
“Mrs. Patrick, Pansy, I know you are worried and frightened. But so am I and I really need to get out of this gown.”
This brought them up short and moved them to action. Within a few short minutes Elizabeth was out of her gown, cleaned, bandaged, into a night rail, and was gingerly climbing into her comfortable bed. Her mind did not at all feel ready to sleep but her eyes were unable to stay open.
Pansy refused to leave her side, sitting on a chair by her bed. At one point during the evening Mrs. Patrick came in with a bowl of soup the cook had prepared especially for their mistress. Pansy insisted the housekeeper had to taste some first while she watched her with a gimlet eye. Elizabeth had awoken during this exchange and had to struggle to quell her reaction. Mrs. Patrick had huffed with dismay but had done as Pansy had requested before turning on her heel and stomping from the room.
As soon as the housekeeper was out of the room, Elizabeth struggled to sit up in the bed. Pansy cried out for her to stop, quickly put down the soup and rushed over to assist her. Elizabeth had to laugh over her ministrations.
“Pansy, I truly appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I really don’t think it is as serious as you are letting on. It seemed to me to be little more than a scratch.”
“Oh no, my lady, there was so much blood and the doctor hasn’t even been by to look at it. You really need to be careful with yourself.”
Elizabeth couldn’t be bothered to argue with her about that as her arm really did hurt. It was beginning to feel as though it had been burned. She earnestly hoped there was no infection setting in. She remembered what had woken her up. “Pansy, might I ask why you had Mrs. Patrick taste my soup? I don’t mind sharing but that was a trifle strange.”
“M’lady,” Pansy began as though explaining a simple thing to a child, “someone has just tried to kill you. I do not intend to allow anyone near you until we have gotten to the bottom of things.”
Elizabeth felt waves of heat and cold rippling over her. Hot with gratification over the loyalty of her personal servant. Cold with dread over the validity of her words. Someone had tried to kill her that afternoon. Mayhap Pansy was right and they should pack it in and go home. Her mother had not thought the potential threat was enough to keep her from marrying the earl, but now that it was a reality maybe she would be a little more accommodating.
The soup was warm and soothing. Within moments she was feeling ready to sleep some more. She was settling down into the warm covers when there was a soft knock on the door. Pansy went to see who it was.
Elizabeth was just drifting off to sleep when Pansy came back to her bedside.
“The earl wishes you a speedy recovery,” Pansy said in a low, sarcastic voice.
“Did he not wish to come in?” Elizabeth was puzzled.
“Well of course he did, m’lady, but I am not letting him anywhere near you while you are in a weakened state.”
Pansy was fierce in her determination and Elizabeth felt tears prickle at the back of her throat. “I do not see how we can avoid the man forever.”
“Not forever, m’lady, but at least until you have rested. I told him you were asleep and he said he was going to have a footman at your door around the clock to run and fetch anything you might need. I think the man is trying to keep you a prisoner.”
Elizabeth felt a flutter of fear but strove for reason. “Or perhaps he is trying to guard us, to keep us safe.”
Pansy merely grunted softly, not wanting to disagree with her mistress openly but obviously unwilling to agree. “Well you can be sure I won’t be leaving your side all night.”
“Oh Pansy, you shan’t be any use to me on the morrow if you are falling down with your own fatigue.”
The maid refused to be persuaded. Finally Elizabeth convinced her to share her bed. “It will actually be a comfort to me, Pansy. It will feel like when I was a little girl and climbed into bed with one of my sisters if ever I was frightened or wanting to chat. If it makes you feel any better, you can take the outside.”
That seemed to mollify Pansy who was determined to guard her mistress from whatever malevolent creature was out to get her. Within moments both girls were fast asleep.
It was late at night when the doctor finally turned up to examine Elizabeth. She was groggy with sleep and reluctant to have her wound disturbed but the kindly, gentle man insisted in a most reasonable way that she really must allow him to look at it. He fussed over her for a few moments but then declared that the servants had done an excellent job of looking after her.
“It seems like your wound is clean and should heal quite nicely although I am sorry to tell you that there is likely to be a scar, my lady.”
“It shall be an exciting story to tell my grandchildren,” she tried to maintain a brave face.
The doctor left her to rest after giving instructions that she remain in bed the following day and drink plenty of liquids.
“And he’ll probably bill the earl quite a tidy sum for that piece of instruction,” Pansy scoffed after the doctor had left.
Elizabeth couldn’t help a weak giggle. “Are you not reassured, though, Pansy? I know I am. I knew you had done your level best, but just knowing that a doctor has seen to it makes me feel slightly better.”
Pansy was in no mood to agree to any such thing, merely tucking the covers around her mistress after helping her to sip some more tea that she had brewed herself over the fire in the room. She was refusing to take any chances with the servants at Heath.
> The two girls slept the rest of the night undisturbed.
* * *
“How is she, doctor?” the earl asked anxiously as he hovered just outside his wife’s room. He hadn’t wanted to disturb the countess while she was resting and thought it might embarrass her to have him present while she was being examined. And if he wasn’t mistaken her maid didn’t want to let him enter anyway. According to the housekeeper, the countess’ maid thought everyone in the household was to blame for her mistress’ wound. He really couldn’t fault her. He felt as though it was his household’s fault too. Here was a second Countess of Heath nearing death in such a short time. Perhaps he should have remained single and allowed his line to die out. The estate could pass to a distant cousin or be absorbed by the crown. It would make no difference to him if he were to be condemned to a lonely existence. He felt like a worried old woman as he tried not to wring his hands while he waited for the doctor’s verdict.
“Your wife is young and healthy, my lord. There is no reason why she shouldn’t make a full recovery. It wasn’t an overly serious injury. I know Mrs. Patrick and her ladyship’s maid both report that there was a great deal of blood, but that is actually a good thing in this case. It kept the wound clean. And now it has been properly bandaged and it should heal very nicely.” The doctor paused and regarded the earl solemnly. “Your wife will be very tired for a few days after losing that much blood. She should be kept quiet and unexcited. Have you discovered what happened?”
Justice felt his frustration rise at the doctor’s question. “No,” he almost growled. “Lady Elizabeth says she was shot. And a few others reported hearing what they think might have been a gunshot. But her ladyship did not get a good look at her assailant, and no one else has seen anyone out of the ordinary. I cannot believe one of my neighbours or servants has shot at my wife.” Justice felt on the verge of despair.
“It is rather strange that another wife of yours has been the subject of an attack.” The doctor’s tone was bland but his eyes on the earl were bright and attentive.
Justice could feel himself blanch at the doctor’s words but he kept his gaze steady as he looked him right in the eyes. He had absolutely nothing to do with his first wife’s death. While he felt sick with guilt over Elizabeth’s injury, it was only guilt by association. He should have known she might be a target after what had happened to Barbara.
“Strange is not the word that I would use, Doctor. Do you have any suggestions as to which direction I should take my investigation? Or do you have an accusation to make perhaps?” The earl knew he should be grateful that the other man was taking his wife’s injury so seriously, but he could not allow the man to be side tracked into thinking he was guilty.
The doctor valiantly tried to stare down the earl but finally he allowed his gaze to drop. “I’m sorry, my lord, I don’t have any suggestions for you. If I hear of anything around the village I will be sure to let you know. And I will be back mid afternoon tomorrow to check on her ladyship.”
With a nod Justice dismissed the doctor. It wasn’t the other man’s fault. He would be suspicious of him too if he wasn’t himself. He wondered if Elizabeth knew about his first countess. His stomach clenched at the thought that she might actually be afraid of him. He must catch her attacker and get to the bottom of Barbara’s death before something worse happened to Elizabeth. He went off in search of his men to regroup after their most recent search.
Chapter 9
Elizabeth woke up slowly the next morning. She could feel Pansy’s worried gaze fixed onto her face. Even though all the worries of the day before came flooding into her mind she couldn’t help but smile as she opened her eyes.
“Oh, m’lady, good, you’re awake. Would you care to eat? The kitchen sent up some oatmeal for you and I had the maid who brought it eat some. She seems fine so I think you should eat it.”
Elizabeth laughed but then winced as she used her arm to try to sit up in the bed. With some careful manoeuvring she was soon propped up in the bed eating the warm oatmeal. It was not usually something she enjoyed but she was feeling ravenous. She had barely eaten the previous day, only a little bit of soup for supper.
“What shall we do today?” Pansy asked causing Elizabeth to raise her eyebrows in question at the strange inquiry. The maid quickly explained. “The doctor has said you are to remain in bed today. Since you lost so much of your blood yesterday he expects you to be weak for days. I’ve known you for a long time milady and I know it’s going to drive you nearly mad to be cooped up in here all day. So I was wondering if you had any ideas as to how I could keep you entertained.”
Elizabeth gazed at her maid wondering if she should confide in her. She was already well aware that the faithful servant was none too trustful of the earl. But she needed help and Pansy was the only one she could absolutely trust.
“I found something the other day.”
Her words had the expected effect. Pansy gazed at her with wide, eager eyes. “What did you find?” her tone breathed anticipation.
“The previous countess’ diary.”
“You didn’t! How could you not have told me, m’lady?”
“To be honest, Pansy, I’m almost afraid of what I will find out by reading it. So I was shy to share it with you. But as you know, I need your help. Why don’t we read it together and see what we can figure out?”
The maid quickly cleared away Elizabeth’s breakfast tray and left it outside the door. Following Elizabeth’s instructions, she retrieved the diary and settled herself beside her mistress on the bed.
Elizabeth opened the book but then thought to offer a brief explanation to Pansy. “So far I haven’t come across anything of import. The only thing I’ve learned is that my husband has dubious taste in women. Her journal entries have all been long, boring descriptions of each gown she bought and why she thinks she should marry a duke. It doesn’t seem that she cares which duke or what he might be like as long as a coronet is in her future. I really do not believe I would have liked Lady Barbara. And that makes me highly uncomfortable to be reading her diary.” She paused for a moment as she found the page to start on. “Why don’t we take turns reading?”
They passed the book back and forth between them, each reading a page at a time. It was just more of the same and Elizabeth’s attention was beginning to wander when something Pansy read caught her ears and brought her focus back to the task at hand.
“What was that last bit? Could you please go back and read the last couple of sentences?”
“Met up with Jason tonight. He directed me toward Lord S. He told me he would be a ripe plum for the both of us. I had been hoping for a duke, but I guess an earl will do.” Pansy paused to ask, “Was that the bit you were talking about, m’lady?”
“Yes, Pansy, it was,” Elizabeth exclaimed, enthusiasm and excitement permeating her being. “And this changes everything. I have a good feeling that we needn’t be so mistrustful of the earl. It would seem he was entrapped into his marriage. And I have a sneaking feeling I know who Jason is, too.”
“But Lady Elizabeth, just because the earl was trapped doesn’t mean he didn’t kill his wife. In fact, it could be argued that would give him motive. Maybe he found out his wife was in cahoots with this Jason fellow and he was so angry he killed her in a fit of temper.”
Elizabeth could feel the blood drain from her face momentarily. Pansy anxiously apologized to her mistress, obviously regretting her words.
“No, no, Pansy, pay it no mind. Your words were a little bit of a shock to me, but they held a great deal of sense, so please don’t feel bad about it. You are quite correct. We still cannot know who to trust. Let us keep reading. Maybe we’ll get closer to the truth.”
They went back to their reading. There were many more long, boring sections but they were interspersed with enough tidbits of information that it held the girls’ attention. They had gotten closer to each other on the bed as they continued reading. At this point, even though they were taking turn
s, they were both huddled over the diary. Even though it could be described as deadly dull reading, both girls were engrossed in the endeavour.
“Jason told me Lord S would be attending Lady Yorkleigh’s musicale so I arranged to be there as well. I need to catch this man’s attention.” Elizabeth was reading this with a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. She herself had attended one of Lady Yorkleigh’s musicales. It was two years later but it still made her feel guilty by association. Perhaps that was why the earl hadn’t been at the one she attended. Mayhap he remembered meeting his first wife there. She was beginning to feel quite morbid and was deeply grateful for her faithful maid’s presence.
Pansy shook her from her dark thoughts. “Don’t stop now, m’lady, we’re finally getting somewhere.”
“Is it just me or does she sound a little more desperate in this last entry? There was less talk about what to wear and much more about how to go about catching the earl’s attention. From what I heard from Lord Dunbar while I was still in London, Lady Barbara was quite popular. She was beautiful and had a reasonably generous dowry. There was no reason why she had to focus on the earl except for Jason’s direction. Why did he care who she married? What was in it for him? And what connection did the two of them share?”
“I don’t have the answers but those sure are good questions, m’lady. Do you still think you know who this Jason is?”
“Do you remember my friend Rose? She was involved in a plot against the Duke of Wrentham, which was instigated by Sir Jason Broderick. This sounds just like his sort of scheme. He wanted to use a young lady, you remember Lady Anne, to trap Wrentham into marriage so that Sir Broderick could control him. Since Wrentham had just inherited the dukedom and taken his seat in the House of Lords, Sir Broderick was hoping to be able to influence the government through him. Perhaps he has other, similar arrangements, or maybe Lord Sinclair was his first attempt. Do you think we should discuss this with the earl?”
The Countess Intrigue Page 13