The room still had a slight movement to it. “I am not upset, Clarke.”
With an appraising eye, Richard took the clothes his valet held in his hands. “Bring us some strong coffee and bread. I shall help him dress until you return.” A laugh escaped at the doubtful look Clarke levelled at Richard but he did as he was bid without argument.
“How did you catch him?”
“He took a wrong turn, which had no exit, and we cornered him. He was rather well dressed for a man who does such work, and he is not familiar with Wickham. I am certain of that.” Darcy attempted to button his waistcoat, but Richard batted his hands away. “How much brandy did you take?”
“I sipped the first glass, but once Mr. Baines arrived, I am afraid I hastened to drink the last two—all three were filled to the top.”
“I cannot blame you as I would do the same, but it is at a damned inconvenient time.”
Clarke returned as his last boot was pulled on and set a tray of cold meat, cheese, and bread upon the table. “Cook insisted the master required more than just bread.”
Richard laughed. “Of course she did.” He pushed Darcy to the table. “Eat!”
Once some food hit his stomach, the room and his mind ceased some of the infernal whirling. He took a sip of the coffee, wincing at the bitter flavour. “Clarke brought cream, so why do you insist on torturing me by making me drink it black?”
“I need you sober, not sick. How do you feel?”
“My shoulder is beginning to smart.”
“Capital! We need to return to the gaol.”
The room remained still when he stood, which was a good sign, though Richard did not wait to see if he was sure-footed. Instead, he hastened down the stairs where they happened upon Aunt Charlotte, who was giving instructions to the housekeeper.
“How is Elizabeth?”
“Mr. Baines sees no cause for alarm since the dizziness has subsided, and Mrs. Rowley prepared her some willow bark tea for a mild headache. When I left her, she was fatigued and desired to sleep for a time. Georgiana has been with her since she discovered our return. She now reads while she sits at Lizzy’s bedside.”
“What of Anne and Mrs. Gardiner?”
“Anne wished to return home as Bingley was to call this afternoon. Mrs. Gardiner received a letter at half two. The Bennets arrived a day early.” She giggled. “As Marianne boarded the carriage her husband sent, she groused how she was certain it was Mrs. Bennet’s doing since Mr. Bennet would not have listened to his wife’s incessant pleading for any length of time.” She looked to Richard. “Did you catch him?”
“We did, but I require Darce present. I am certain he has no affiliation with Wickham, but I need Darcy to shake the truth from him.”
“If Elizabeth awakens while I am away, please inform her of my whereabouts, and how anxious I am to see her upon my return.”
Aunt Charlotte’s lips curved in a soft smile as she patted his cheek. “I shall, and I shall remain through dinner this evening. I know Georgiana is with her, but I do not want to leave her alone.”
He grasped her hand and squeezed. “Thank you.”
Richard started and glanced between them. “Are you quite finished? We do need to depart.”
They donned their hats and greatcoats and mounted the horses they had requested while Darcy ate. When Richard turned towards Westminster, Darcy called after him. “Would he not be in Newgate?”
Richard turned his mount in Darcy’s direction. “He was taken to Tothill Fields, but will be moved when they next transport prisoners to Newgate. Unless he goes to trial before then, that is. In that case, he would likely go to the hulks while he awaits transportation instead. He will wish he had remained at Tothill Fields once he is moved.”
Tothill Fields replaced Gatehouse almost five and thirty years before, so it was newer, as well as smaller, than Newgate and the hulks. The living conditions were certain to be vastly superior to the latter two gaols—as long as you had money to pay for them, of course.
Once they handed their horses and a coin to the bedraggled boy who offered to guard their horses, Richard led Darcy inside where his cousin spoke with a man for a few moments. When they appeared to come to some sort of an agreement, Richard gestured for Darcy to follow him further inside, stopping when they met the men he and Mr. Gardiner had hired outside a cell door.
Stale air, excrement, urine, and sweat singed his nostrils. If this prison was preferable to Newgate, he never wanted to set foot inside Newgate!
“He’s been whining since ya left,” the tallest of them chuckled. “He believes he doesn’t belong in here with tha riff raff. He thinks he’s gonna go off with the fall of the leaf.”
Richard gave a humourless laugh. “He should be so fortunate. He may wish for death once he is aboard a boat.”
“Oh! The jailer went inside while ya were gone and managed to get a name from ‘im.”
“Really?”
Richard peered to Darcy and back to Gardiner’s man. “Did he share this information?”
A gap-toothed grin appeared. “Sure did! He claims to be Erasmus Cade.”
A wailing came from inside the room beside them, and the men shook their heads or rolled their eyes to the ceiling. One of the other men handed Richard a key, and the group of them entered, the men standing to either side of the criminal, who was shackled to a chain that attached to one corner of the floor.
No greeting was given, no handshake, or bow. Richard merely leaned closer to the man’s face. “Tell me of Wickham.”
The prisoner yanked at his restraints. “I told you I do not know a Wickham! Now, release me from these before my employer knows what you have done!”
“Your employer?” With a step to the side of his cousin, Darcy appraised the man before him. His suit was not of top quality, but tailored well. He received ample pay for his work, whatever it might be. “Who is your employer? Why would he want you to attack me? I have done nothing to provoke or warrant such an action.”
“My lord has naught to do with this.” He clutched his hands into fists at his side. “Mr. Darcy is a rogue and a knave! He will pay for what he has done!”
Darcy made to lunge forward to strike the man, but Richard held him back. “I deny any such accusations!”
When Cade looked closer at him, recognition flashed across the man’s features. “You… on Bond Street.”
“Yes, before you charged at my betrothed with a blade.”
Cade lunged at Darcy, but the men grabbed his arms and pinned him to the wall. “I never meant to harm her! It was you! I meant to kill you!”
Without looking away, Richard stepped close to the prisoner and crossed his arms upon his chest. “Why would your employer pay you for such an act? Why would he wish to harm my cousin?”
“My employer has naught to do with this!”
“Then why would he hire a man such as yourself?”
After a sucking breath, the man sputtered. “I am the steward of an estate just outside of London! He will come for me! He will not allow me to rot in this place!” Spit flew from Cade’s mouth as he screamed and struggled with the men holding him in place.
“Then who hired you to harm Darcy?”
“Because of his caprice, she has lost everything! He was to marry her, but changed his mind when he met that strumpet! She is broken-hearted. I did this for her!”
“Who?”
Cade turned his head as though he could ignore Richard’s booming voice in his ear, but before Richard could repeat himself, Darcy put a hand to his shoulder.
“I have never been betrothed to any lady or courted any lady until Miss Bennet. I am afraid you have been deceived, but we cannot know why until you tell us who persuaded you to do this.”
Cade’s eyes met his. “You lie!”
“I do not. Disguise of every sort is my abhorrence. I swear to you I have never misled or jilted any lady!”
“She would not deceive me!”
“Who?” Despite his at
tempts to calm Richard, Darcy’s voice now boomed through the prison.
Cade shook his head in a violent fashion. Why would he not simply confess?
“Who?”
He whipped his head back and forth as spittle flew in all directions.
Richard grabbed Cade by the lapels and shook him. “Who?”
“Lady Althea Carlisle!”
Chapter 26
Fury threatened to burst through his flesh as Darcy rapped the knocker upon the door and shifted from foot to foot, waiting for the butler to open the blasted door. He reached for the knob, but a hand set upon his chest.
“Calm yourself.” His uncle moved in front of him. “Good Lord, Richard. He might run Carlisle through if we cannot restrain him.”
“Would that be such a bad consequence?”
“Carlisle is not responsible. I would wager all I own he has had nothing to do with this. His wife and daughter, however, are not cut of the same cloth, so I would not put the deception of that man past one or the both of them.”
Once they had questioned Cade until they were satisfied, Richard insisted they not confront Lord Carlisle without the aid of his father. If nothing else, Lord Fitzwilliam’s political consequence, title, and long standing friendship with the man would place them on more even ground. They were fortunate the earl was not only at home, but also incensed by what happened.
An aged butler opened the door and eyed Darcy and Richard before he bowed to the earl. “Lord Fitzwilliam, I do not believe Lord Carlisle expects you today.”
“I hope he is not busy or from the house. It is imperative I speak with him.” His uncle’s tone was direct but did not reflect the anger they had witnessed earlier.
“He indicated he had no wish to be disturbed while he was addressing estate matters.”
His Uncle stepped towards the servant and looked him in the eye. “Estate matters are easier solved with one’s steward. Is he missing one this morning, perchance?”
The man’s eyes flared for a second before he schooled his expression. “I shall inform Lord Carlisle of your desire to meet with him. Would you gentlemen care to step inside?”
Darcy jumped ahead of Richard. He would not be shut out and would have an audience with Lord Carlisle. This entire situation would be solved that very day if he had anything at all to say about it! He would not walk away without the answers he needed.
The butler did not take long to return. He held out his arm. “If you will accompany me.”
They were led up a flight of stairs, past some garishly decorated rooms, and into a small library where Lord Carlisle sat at a desk littered with ledgers and papers.
“Fitzwilliam!” he boomed as he rose and came around the desk to shake the earl’s hand. “I had not expected you to call today, but Simons indicated you had news of some importance for me.”
Darcy scanned the room, until his eyes lit upon a familiar face in the corner. “You!”
His uncle and Lord Carlisle halted their greeting as Richard stepped forward and grabbed the man by the arm, thrusting him forward.
Carlisle looked between Uncle William and Richard. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Excuse your butler and close the door.” His uncle’s voice was lowered as he leaned closer to Carlisle. “I assure you that you do not want this to be made public.”
“Simons, we do not require anything further at the moment. Thank you.” The butler bowed but stared at Darcy and Richard as he closed the dark panelled oak door.
“Now, I insist you unhand my understeward!”
“Release an accomplice to a murder attempt? I think not.”
As Richard pushed the man into a chair, the understeward began to splutter. “I have done no such thing! I would never—”
“Yet, you followed my cousin,” Richard pointed to Darcy, “on the orders of Erasmus Cade, did you not?”
The man’s head whipped back and forth between Richard and Darcy. “Mr. Cade said he owed Lord Carlisle money. All I did was watch him, and tell Cade what he did and anything I overheard.”
Carlisle stepped forward. “Have I ever asked this of you in the past?”
“Only when your eldest daughter was courted by Lord Sexton. You requested we watch him and tell you of his habits. I have heard rumours of your daughter and Mr. Darcy. I assumed you were ensuring your daughter’s welfare as you did before.”
“Yet my cousin has never indicated an interest in Lady Althea Carlisle and is betrothed to another.”
Lord Carlisle put his hands, palm out, before him. “Before we proceed further, are you saying Erasmus Cade attempted to kill someone?”
“Not just anyone, but my nephew, Darcy.” His uncle placed a hand upon his shoulder—his good shoulder, thankfully, as he was already gritting his teeth to bear the pain of the other. “If it had not been for the quick mind of my son, he might have escaped after the attempt.”
“I do not understand why.” Carlisle shook his head. “He has a good position. I pay him well. What could drive him to harm another?” He looked at Darcy. “Though he does not appear to have done you any damage.”
“That is due to the swift action of my servants, sir, who acted with haste to notify my physician. The wound is stitched, though painful. When Richard had news of the culprit, a resolution to this nightmare became my priority. This man put my betrothed, my cousin Miss de Bourgh, as well as my aunt Lady Fitzwilliam, in danger with his foolhardy attempt on my life. I must see this resolved before I lick my wounds.” Darcy’s voice was hard. Could Carlisle be innocent? Cade declared him to be so, as did his uncle, but how to trust the man who raised such a daughter? “I can summon my physician should you wish for his testimony.”
Richard’s hand motioned towards the injured shoulder. “Or he could show you the wound for that matter.”
“Richard!” his father cried.
Lord Carlisle’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he waved his hand. “Of course, not. I do not require proof of that nature.”
His uncle turned to face his long-time friend. “Cade has claimed Darcy abandoned your daughter, Lady Althea, for Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and broke Lady Althea’s heart.”
Carlisle’s brow furrowed as he turned his attention to Darcy. “No understanding ever existed between the two of you. You were introduced just recently, after your courtship began with Miss Bennet.”
“That is correct, sir. I have spoken with your daughter on a few separate occasions: at church, Clarell House, the ball. I never gave her any indication to hope. In fact, Miss Bennet was present during several of those meetings, yet one of my uncle’s footmen informed us he had overheard a mother and daughter speaking after the ball of Miss Bennet and myself. They indicated they would end my understanding with Miss Bennet in order to ensnare me to the daughter. Based on the description and what I now know, I believe the mother and daughter to be your wife and Lady Althea.”
“Cade has confessed Lady Althea claimed she had an understanding with my cousin, he reneged, and engaged himself to Miss Bennet. Based on what Cade has said, we believe your daughter feigned a broken heart and persuaded him to take revenge on Darcy.”
“The entire situation is preposterous!”
Richard sat in the closest chair to the understeward. “Why would Cade lie?”
“He would not, but I…” Lord Carlisle speared his man with a heated glare. “Fletcher, what did Cade ask of you? I want to know it all.”
His man looked to each of them in turn and jerked his head back and forth. “I swear I thought he was operating under orders from you. When you arrived in town and requested a meeting to go over the books for Edgemoor, we came as you ordered. On our return to the estate that evening, Mr. Cade said he had a task for me. I was to take the two Jenkins boys and follow a Mr. Darcy.”
“He claimed Mr. Darcy owed me money?”
“Yes, sir. Two days later, he took us to Mr. Darcy’s house in Grosvenor Square and explained where we would meet to inform him of Mr. Darcy’s comings and
goings, whom Mr. Darcy met, and other details we might find important.” Fletcher licked his lips and pointed towards Richard. “Cade became angry when this man followed us to St. Giles. He said he no longer required our help. I heard no more of the matter until today.”
“You indicated you knew of my betrothal to Miss Bennet.” Darcy did his best to maintain a steady voice. While Carlisle appeared bewildered, this man in a matter of moments had been reduced to a panicked, panting mess.
“I read of it in the paper, sir, but Mr. Cade had first asked us because of a supposed debt. I assumed I had been incorrect and did not question Cade’s orders. I have never had reason to do so in the past.”
“What of Cade’s relationship with Lady Althea?”
“I have had reason to believe Mr. Cade fancied her.” His eyes darted to Lord Carlisle as a bead of sweat trickled down his nose. “I thought I once saw a drawing of her, but Cade shoved it into his desk before I could be certain.”
After clenching his jaw several times, Carlisle dipped his pen in ink and began to write on a piece of paper, which he sanded and folded. “I need you to return to Edgemoor. You are to crate the contents of Mr. Cade’s desk and have them delivered to me here.”
Fletcher glanced around with wary eyes and stood. “Sir, I cannot be without work.”
Carlisle pulled a book from his desk, placed the missive he just penned on top, and handed it to Fletcher. “Do as I ask. Cooperate with any information I, Lord Fitzwilliam, or Mr. Darcy request of you, and you will not require a new position.”
He bobbed his head and gave a short bow. “Thank you, sir. I shall, of course, give you any information I can, though I am afraid I do not know much.”
“Just pack his belongings and have them sent to me. I also expect you to keep today’s conversation as well as any knowledge of what comes about to yourself.”
“Yes, sir. I hope you know I would never share your private business. I never have.” He looked to each of the men before he departed through the servant’s exit.
Once they were alone, Lord Carlisle turned from them and leaned upon his hands at his desk. “I have known Cade since he was a babe. I cannot fathom his attempting to harm another.”
Particular Intentions Page 28