Sir Ashley's Mettlesome Match

by Mary Nichols

  ‘Yes, he has. He was caught on the beach when the dragoons came. He seems to think you will testify that he was not one of the smugglers.’

  ‘How can I do that without admitting I am one myself?’

  ‘Quite.’

  ‘Do you think I am fool enough to do that?’

  ‘Then why did you come here?’

  ‘Curiosity, sir, curiosity. And when I asked at your door for Thomas Smith, your man told me this was the residence of Sir Ashley Saunders. Are you he?’

  ‘That is of no import.’

  ‘Indeed it is, if we are to part on good terms. I have heard of you. I believe you are a member of the Piccadilly Gentlemen’s Club.’

  That the boy knew this surprised Ash though he did not show it. ‘Whether we part on good terms or not depends on what you have to tell me. I could send for the Watch and have you arrested.’

  ‘That would not please my sister.’

  ‘You are an insufferably opinionated puppy,’ Ash said, losing patience with him. ‘If you had an ounce of feeling for your sister, you would not consort with smugglers. They are not the romantic heroes of Pippa’s novels, but dastardly criminals who do not stop at intimidation and murder. Not only do you risk your life and liberty, you risk your sister’s reputation, for she is fierce in her defence of you.’

  ‘Is she? Bless her. But I know the risks. I am not a green fool. It is precisely because I love my sister that I joined the band at Narbeach.’

  ‘You have a strange way of showing your affection. Be so good as to explain.’

  ‘Are you asking as Pip’s friend or as one of the Piccadilly Gentlemen?’

  ‘The two are indivisible. The law is the law and if you are going to tell me that you do it for the money to make a more comfortable life for her, then your reasoning is wide of the mark. You have made it infinitely more uncomfortable.’

  Nat laughed. It sounded so like Pippa that Ash winced. ‘Only temporarily, sir, and you seem to be doing well as her protector. And for that, I thank you.’

  ‘Come to the point, man.’

  ‘Pip has always been the one to look after me. She gave up all idea of marriage to do it, a huge sacrifice since she would have been in clover if she had married Edward Cadogan, for all she assured me in the end they would not suit. I owe everything to her. I could not let her throw herself away on Sir Felix Markham, could I? He is a devil.’

  ‘What do you know of him?’

  ‘Oh, more than he would care for me to know, but to discover it I had to get in with him. Smuggling is only a small part of it. I know, for instance, that he murdered his first two wives ‘

  ‘You don’t say so.’ Ash was shocked, even though Ben had already told him the man had been cruel to his wives.

  ‘I do. It was done for their money. He came into the ladies’ portions when they died and he needed the blunt to finance his extravagant way of life.’

  ‘And to buy contraband.’

  ‘That, too.’

  ‘What proof have you?’

  ‘None that will stand in a court of law. That is why I must stick to my purpose, until I get it.’

  ‘Pippa will be greatly relieved to hear you are not a committed lawbreaker.’

  ‘You are not to breathe a word to her. She would forbid me to go on with it and she might say something to Sir Felix and alert him to his danger. Keep this to yourself. And I don’t want any of the Piccadilly Gentlemen poking their noses in.’

  ‘If Sir Felix is as bad as you say he is, you could be in danger and might need help.’

  ‘Not while he thinks Pippa will marry him, so I beg of you, say no more about being betrothed to her until all is resolved.’

  ‘You expect me to stand by and do nothing? That is not my way, Mr Kingslake.’

  ‘You will not be doing nothing. You will be keeping my sister out of mischief. No more wandering about dressed as my brother.’

  ‘That I should endeavour to do in any case. But tell me, what are you proposing to do?’

  ‘I am going back to the Sally Ann. We have just returned from the Netherlands with a cargo of Geneva spirit and sail for Norfolk on tomorrow’s tide. ’Tis a pity you are laid up. I had hoped you would be there when we landed.’

  ‘I will be there,’ Ash said firmly. ‘We leave for Norfolk to morrow.’

  ‘Good.’ Nat prepared to leave. ‘Remember, we have not met,’ he said, then laughed. ‘But I fancy I might like you for a brother-in-law.’

  And then he was gone, leaving Ash deep in thought. It was a dangerous game the boy was playing and he might very well come to grief. And if he thought he could tell one of the Piccadilly Gentlemen what to do, he was glaringly abroad. But Ash would have to tread very carefully; that is, if he could walk at all. If determination could bring that about, he would.

  Tom Davies had arrived with the carriage the previous afternoon and the horses were rested overnight, so they were fresh and ready to go the following morning. Ash hobbled painfully down the stairs and climbed in. Mortimer had put several cushions and rugs inside to make him as comfortable as possible. When this had been done, the valet got in to sit opposite him and Tom was directed to Trentham House.

  Ash did not get out when they stopped, but waited for Pippa and Teresa to come out, which they did, accompanied by Eleanor and two footmen carrying her trunk which they strapped on the roof. The rest of the luggage was put in the basket at the back. Goodbyes were said and they set off at a steady pace, so as not to discomfort the invalid. It was not so bad while they were on the toll roads out of London, but on the country roads, which had not improved with the bad winter and wet summer they had had, it was apparent that the jolting was causing him considerable pain. Pippa wanted to stop and allow him to recover a little, but he would not hear of it.

  He did not feel like talking, having much to think about, but it was a comfort to have her sitting beside him, even if they could not speak of the things that were closest to their hearts. Teresa and Mortimer were at first wary of each other, but were soon chatting amiably, talking about the latest fashions and the gossip of the court. Ash smiled at their efforts to entertain him and surreptitiously reached out to take Pippa’s hand and squeeze it.

  On the journey up, Tom had arranged for a change of horses to be ready for them at inns along the route and when they stopped Ash was glad to leave his seat and try to walk about a little. ‘Now you know what I shall be like when I am old and infirm,’ he told Pippa as she helped him perambulate slowly about the inn yard while the horses were being changed.

  ‘Old age comes to all of us if we are lucky enough to live that long,’ she said, wondering if she would still know him that far into the future, when by then he would be Lord Cadogan. She had been trying not to think about that, but it frequently impinged on her thoughts when she least expected it. ‘But you are a long way from that yet.’

  Sometimes they went into the inns for food and drink, sometimes they had something brought out to them, and then, refreshed with hot meat pies and coffee, they were on their way again. The journey was turning out to be exquisite mental torture, Pippa decided, but she had known from the start it would be. To sit beside him, so close his breeches-clad leg was lost in the folds of her skirt, was enough to send shivers up and down her spine, and to talk of this and that as if they were mere acquaintances making conversation in a drawing room made her want to scream. She wanted to discuss the dilemma they faced, to rail at an unkind fate which had brought them so close and then thrust them apart again, but with valet and maid in the carriage with them, it was impossible. Nor would it have been kind considering he was in so much pain.

  ‘We ought to rack up for the night,’ Ash said to Pippa when they had been on the road nearly ten hours and all four were becoming very stiff and the conversation had long before limped to a halt. ‘But we are so near Norwich, we will keep going if you can bear it. The Maid’s Head will make us comfortable for the night and we can go on in the morning.’

  �
�I can bear it if you can,’ Pippa said, understanding his wish to be home and have the torment of the journey over and done with. Once there, he could rest. ‘Will the horses manage it?’

  ‘’T’isn’t the horses we should be worried about,’ Mortimer put in. ‘It’s Sir Ashley. I fear the journey has been too much for him.’

  ‘Will you cease your worrying?’ Ash told him. ‘And tell Tom to keep going.’

  They drew into the yard of the Maid’s Head half an hour later and Mortimer went to arrange accommodation for them. When he returned he insisted on helping Sir Ashley up to his room, leaving Pippa and Teresa to fend for themselves, which they had no trouble in doing. They did not see Ash or Mortimer again until the following morning, when they set out again with a fresh set of horses.

  The rest of the journey was uneventful and by noon they were drawing up outside Fairfields. ‘It is good to be home again,’ Ash said, as the front door was opened and Augusta stood on the step to welcome them. Pippa ran to embrace her, while Mortimer helped Ash from the carriage and supported him up the steps.

  ‘Oh, I have missed you,’ Augusta said, hugging her. ‘And poor Sir Ashley. The servant he sent for the carriage told us what had happened. You must tell us all about it, but first I think Sir Ashley must be put to bed. He looks exhausted.’

  There were servants in plenty to take care of Sir Ashley’s needs and he was taken from them and carried up to his bedchamber. Footmen saw to the luggage and Teresa followed them to the room Pippa had occupied before. Pippa went with her aunt to a small parlour where they were able to sit, drink tea and talk undisturbed.

  ‘Now tell me how Sir Ashley came to be injured,’ Augusta commanded and when that was done, exclaimed at the great debt Pippa owed him. ‘We both do,’ she added, ‘for I have been made so comfortable here, I am quite reluctant to go back to Windward House. But I suppose now you are here, I must.’ She paused, then went on to the subject closest to her heart. ‘What did you discover in London? Did you see Nathaniel?’

  ‘No, Aunt. But he was definitely on board the Sally Ann. According to one of his shipmates he left the ship when it docked in London, but we believe he might have boarded it again before it sailed.’

  ‘Whatever is the boy playing at? He must know we are worried to death about him.’

  Pippa sighed. ‘I don’t know, Aunt. I wish I did. Sir Ashley believes the ship sailed to Amsterdam. According to Sir Ashley’s informant, Nat was in possession of money given to him by Sir Felix to buy cargo.’

  ‘Sir Felix? Not contraband surely?’

  ‘I don’t know. I would like to think it was legal. I told Sir Ashley I was sure it was, but I do not think he believed it. And to be honest, I am not sure I do. It puts us very firmly on opposite sides.’

  ‘We are not at war, Philippa.’

  ‘It feels like it.’

  ‘I am sure Sir Ashley will find a way out. Ben is sure he will.’

  ‘What does Ben know?’

  ‘Nothing. I am persuaded Sir Ashley will arrange his release or why else would he have had us stay here?’

  As ever Augusta was really only concerned with her son. If Nathaniel was so foolish as to get himself tangled up with smugglers, it was his own look out and he must take the consequences. She did not realise that the consequences for Philippa would be eternal misery.

  ‘I discovered something else about Sir Ashley that will surprise you,’ she told her aunt. ‘He is Edward’s cousin.’

  ‘Good heavens! And he never breathed a word about that while he was at Narbeach.’

  ‘I do not suppose he felt the need. He did not know my connection with him. But Edward died in India and now Sir Ashley is Lord Cadogan’s heir.’

  Augusta put out a hand and laid it on Pippa’s. ‘Oh, my dear, I am sorry. As if you have not troubles enough.’

  ‘It is of no consequence, Aunt.’ Pippa tried to sound as if she meant it, but she could not help being reminded of Lord Cadogan’s hateful words. ‘The sooner we go home, the better. Perhaps Nat will come to us there and we can put all this behind us.’

  ‘Amen to that. Now, I am sure you are very tired after your journey, so go and rest before dinner. Things will look brighter in the morning.’

  Chapter Nine

  Pippa’s first action on rising next morning was to enquire after Sir Ashley and was surprised to learn he was up and had gone out. ‘I told him it was too soon,’ Mortimer told her, ‘but he would not listen. I might as well talk to myself.’

  She left him grumbling and went in search of her host. She found him in the stables talking to Ben. ‘I am afraid, without Mr Kingslake’s testimony, I cannot set you free,’ he was saying.

  ‘I understand.’ Ben grinned. ‘I’d just as soon stay here. I like working for you.’

  ‘You may do so as long as you wish, but I am sure you would rather work as a free man. I am hopeful that we will find your cousin at Narbeach when we arrive and he will be able to explain all to our satisfaction.’

  ‘We?’ Pippa interrupted them. ‘You are planning to go to Narbeach yourself?’

  He turned to her, smiling. ‘Yes, of course. You will need an escort and I am sure you wish to go as soon as possible.’

  ‘When are you planning on leaving?’

  ‘Today. As soon as you are ready. I was just giving instructions for the carriage and some fresh horses.’

  She was surprised that he wanted to go so soon. It meant he had not given up on his search for Nat and hoped to catch him red-handed when the Sally Ann put in an appearance. How could he be so careful of her one moment, so in sympathy with her in every other way and yet be determined to track down the smugglers, knowing her brother was among them?

  ‘But you are not yet fully recovered.’

  ‘I am well enough and I am persuaded sitting about doing nothing is not the way to a speedy recovery. Exercise, that’s the thing.’

  She was still very doubtful, but he had obviously made up his mind. At least today’s journey would only be of short duration and she could make sure he rested when they arrived and try to keep him off the beach until after the Sally Ann came in when, with luck, she would have seen and spoken to Nat. ‘Very well,’ she said. ‘But I insist you stay at Windward House, not the Manor.’

  He grinned. ‘I hoped you would say that.’

  She left him talking to Ben about the horses and went to tell her aunt and give instructions to Teresa.

  He watched her go and then sank onto a bale of hay. Standing for any length of time hurt his back, but he would not let her see that. He had to be at Narbeach when the Sally Ann arrived and he had to keep Pippa from Sir Felix until Kingslake came with his proof. He wished he could tell her about that, but he was afraid her brother was right; it could put her in danger. Now he knew Kingslake was not a committed smuggler, but on an even more dangerous enterprise, his sole aim was to keep her safe.

  They left Fairfield immediately after nuncheon, accompanied by Augusta, Mortimer and Teresa. Pippa was wedged firmly between her aunt and Teresa, while Ash and Mortimer faced them. Stopping in Fakenham for a short time to rest the horses, they were in Narbeach in just over two hours. Joe Sadler came from the stables as the carriage rolled to a stop.

  ‘Miss Kingslake, it’s you,’ he said, as she opened the door and stepped out. ‘And Mrs Whitehouse. Is Mr Nathaniel with you? And Ben?’

  ‘No, Joe. We have not seen my brother. Ben is to stay where he is for the moment.’ She turned to see Mortimer helping Ash to alight. He was looking strained again and her heart went out to him. He was certainly not fit to pursue smugglers.

  ‘Sir Ashley,’ Joe said, his mouth open in surprise.

  ‘Yes,’ Pippa said. ‘He has been hurt and is come to take the sea air.’

  Joe helped Tom unload the luggage and take it indoors, before they took the carriage and horses away. Pippa led the way indoors to find Mrs Sadler in a panic because she had not been expecting them and she had no beds made up and no provisions in. Pipp
a gave her the same explanation she had given Joe and then ushered Ash into the drawing room to rest while Teresa and Mortimer went off to help to make beds and find refreshments. Mrs Sadler rushed off to the village to buy food.

  ‘I am sorry no one was ready to receive you,’ Pippa told him when she had settled him on a sofa. ‘But it was your own fault for rushing off so soon. We could have sent ahead, given time.’

  ‘It is no matter. We are here, that is the main thing. I shall be perfectly content with whatever is available.’

  The news that Sir Ashley was staying at Windward House had spread through the village like wildfire as soon as Mrs Sadler had explained to the shopkeeper why she needed extra provisions in a hurry. And in no time it had reached the ears of Sir Felix. He called the very next morning, dressed in a pale-green satin coat and a long yellow waistcoat with huge pearl buttons. His fat calves were encased in white stockings with yellow ribbons at the knees.

  ‘My dear Miss Kingslake,’ he said, rushing into the room to bow over her hand, before she could arrange for her aunt to chaperone them. ‘I am pleased to have you home again. We all are. We have missed you.’

  She retrieved her hand. ‘Thank you. I am glad to be back. Will you sit down? I will order refreshments.’ Sarah, the parlourmaid, came in answer to her summons and was dispatched to bring tea and cake and to find Mrs Whitehouse.

  ‘I hear that Sir Ashley Saunders is come back with you,’ Sir Felix said from the sofa where he had ensconced himself.

  ‘Yes, he has sustained an injury and we thought the sea air might do him good.’

  ‘He should have come to me. It is not done for a gentleman to stay with an unmarried lady.’

  ‘Sir Felix,’ she said firmly, ‘I care not for what is considered done and not done. My aunt is here and there is nothing improper about it. Sir Ashley was injured saving my life and I owe him a debt of care.’

  ‘Then I owe him the same care, my dear, for your life is precious to me.’