by Paula Paul
When the pale light of dawn crept across the seaside village, Alexandra had Samuel help her move Charlotte to the bed, then sent him to fetch Wilma Beaty to stay with Charlotte and the baby so she and Nancy could return home to their other duties. Wilma knew well what needed to be done, and without a word, she set about trying to spoon some of the broth she’d brought into Charlotte’s mouth. When Nancy and Alexandra left at last, Charlotte, weak from loss of blood, still had not fully awakened, and Samuel was sound asleep on the floor next to her bed.
Alexandra would have to forgo her morning rounds, and she was thankful none of the patients who were homebound were in critical need of her. She and Nancy had hoped for a short nap before patients began to show up at the surgery door. That was not to be, however, and it was past noon before Alexandra could get away to visit Judith Payne again.
—
The young woman was working in her garden and looked up when she heard Alexandra approaching Lucy. Leaning on her garden hoe, she gave Alexandra a brief nod. There was no smile, however, and her expression was blank
“Good afternoon, Judith,” Alexandra said.
Judith made no response.
Alexandra dismounted and took a step toward the young woman. “I meant to stop by earlier, but I was called away.”
There was still no response from Judith.
“I didn’t have time to tell you yesterday that I was unable to speak to the Constable Snow. It seems he’s left the village for some reason.”
“I know,” Judith said, and nothing more.
“According to the note he left on his door, there is to be a deputy in charge. Perhaps I could bring him here so you can tell him your story.”
“No,” Judith said, breaking her silence at last. “I’ve changed my mind about that.”
“Judith…”
“It’s because I’m afraid. I should never have mentioned it. Not even to you. Please don’t betray me.” Her voice trembled even more.
“Of course I won’t betray you, Judith, but if your father is a murderer as you say, it’s difficult for me to understand why you wouldn’t want him arrested.”
“I’m protecting myself. You see what he’s capable of.”
“If you truly believe he may harm you, that’s all the more the reason that you should inform the authorities,” Alexandra said. “If what you believe about your father is true, he should be arrested.”
“And if he learns I’m the one who set them on him, he’d come for me.”
“Your father need not know you spoke to the deputy. I believe I can assure you of that.”
Judith was silent for a moment. “Are you certain no one will know?”
“Yes,” Alexandra said. “I can arrange it so no one will know. You will come to my house on the pretext of visiting the surgery. I will arrange for you to talk to the deputy, or the constable, if he has returned.”
“If any of your patients see me there when the constable or his deputy is present, word is certain to get back to my father.”
“Please trust me,” Alexandra said.
Judith was silent for another long moment. “All right,” she said finally. “I will do it if I have your word.”
Alexandra took her hand in both of hers in a gesture of warmth and reassurance. “Of course,” she said.
Now she must set things in action. She would need cooperation from the constable’s office. She was certain it would be more effective to deal with Snow himself than with a deputy. She would enlist the aid of the sixth Earl of Dunsford to locate him.
Chapter 6
Nicholas Forsythe, sixth Earl of Dunsford, was not at home at his country estate, Montmarsh, outside of Newton-upon-Sea. He did not reside there permanently, as might be expected of him. Instead, he spent a great deal of his time in London, where he still maintained his practice as a barrister, a source of considerable chagrin and embarrassment to his mother, Lady Anne Forsythe. To her, his law practice was unbearably middle-class, and she’d greatly prefer that her son concentrate on his estate and his position in the House of Lords. She wanted him to marry a suitable woman and live the life that was expected of him at Montmarsh as Lord Dunsford. In her mind, the only reason to be thankful that he spent as little time at Montmarsh as he did was that it meant he saw less of Alexandra Gladstone. He seemed not to care at all that she was entirely unacceptable.
As for Alexandra, while unable to deny to herself that she found Lord Dunsford attractive in more ways than one, she was determined that nothing of a romantic nature would ever develop between them. Her reasons were similar to those of Lady Forsythe. The difference in their class overcomplicated any relationship.
She also knew that Lord Dunsford was not at Montmarsh. In spite of his attempts to slip in and out unseen, everyone in the parish knew when he was or was not residing in his country house. For that reason, Alexandra didn’t bother to ride Lucy out to the estate, but stopped at the telegraph office at the train station. She sent him a brief wire telling him she believed Constable Snow to be in London, since it was his habit to make frequent visits to the city, and she asked his help in locating him. Lord Dunsford, by virtue of his law practice as well as his seat in the House of Lords, had remarkable means and connections to accomplish any number of seemingly impossible tasks.
As soon as the wire was sent, she told Michael Gray, the telegraph man, that she expected a reply that could be delivered to her home, where she would be busy in the surgery. Mr. Gray was a man in his late thirties with light-colored hair and features so unremarkable they would be difficult to describe. He reminded Alexandra of a nondescript drawing of a human figure in one of her medical texts. He was impeccably professional in his work in that he never commented on any message he translated from the electronic click-clack of his machine. The end result was that it made his personality appear as bland as his looks.
Alexandra went back to her surgery to see patients, expecting to be interrupted at any time by one of the boys Mr. Gray hired as runners to deliver telegrams. When the day ended and she still had received no word from Lord Dunsford, she could only assume he was traveling and had never received her message.
Zack, who had a way of sensing when something was wrong, emitted a soft, whining growl as he stood in front of her while she sat in a chair with a book and tried to relax in the parlor.
“Something troubling you, Miss Alex?” Nancy asked.
“What makes you think there’s something—”
“No need to deny it, miss,” Nancy interrupted.
Alexandra sighed audibly. “No, I suppose not,” she said, and told Nancy about her conversation with Judith. “I thought if I could contact Nicholas—I should say, Lord Dunsford—he could help me find Constable Snow so I could arrange a secret meeting between the constable and Judith. It’s important that the entire matter be handled with great discretion.”
“Find Constable Snow!” Nancy sounded indignant. “He’s always running off to London, and I suspect he doesn’t want to be found. He has a secret life there, and you can be sure it involves a woman. But there’s more to it this time. He doesn’t usually leave in the middle of trouble in the village.”
“I’m not concerned with his secret life, if indeed there is one. I’m seeking his help.”
“Left at a bad time, I’d say.”
“I agree, he’s never left so suddenly,” Alexandra mused. “And he always gives the town notice that he’ll be away for a day.”
“Suspicious, if you ask me.”
“You’re still trying to implicate him in the murders.”
“Of course not. Got no proof, now, do I? All I can say is I just have a caution…” Nancy let her voice trail off.
Alexandra gave her a concerned look. However, she’d learned long ago not to dismiss Nancy’s “cautions.” All too often she’d had a prescience about something amiss that turned out to be valid. She didn’t want to think that Constable Snow was in any way connected to the murders, as Nancy had hinted earlier.
>
“I suppose he left Daniel Poole in charge as the deputy, just as he always does,” Nancy said.
“That’s likely,” Alexandra agreed. “I suppose I could ask Deputy Poole to come here to meet Judith, if all else fails.”
“Excuse me, miss, but I have to say, Miss Payne is right when she says every patient who came to the clinic will know both of them were here. Newton’s the kind of town where everyone knows everyone else’s affairs and all their comings and goings, and gossip spreads fast. I wouldn’t rely on it not getting back to her father, even if he is in Foulness.”
“If only Nicholas were here…” Alexandra regretted her words as soon as she spoke.
“Don’t see how His Lordship could help.” Nancy sounded more than a little disdainful.
Alexandra was silent for a moment. “He owns a carriage—a truly fine one he uses when he travels up from London,” she said, thinking aloud.
Nancy gave her a confused and questioning look. “True, he has a fine carriage, but ’tis not relevant to the problem, if you ask me.”
“He almost always comes here to my house when he travels up to Montmarsh from London.” By this time Zack had relaxed and was resting his head on Alexandra’s knee.
“ ’Tis true,” Nancy agreed. “Everyone knows that’s because he’s sweet on you. Even you know that, I dare say.”
“The reason he comes here is irrelevant. The point is, no one will consider it out of the ordinary,” Alexandra said. Much to her chagrin, she knew she was blushing, but she carried on. “So if Judith is here, he can spirit her away, hiding under a blanket, perhaps, in his carriage, and—”
“And you think no one will see her leave?” Nancy asked, her voice full of doubt.
“We can arrange that somehow, I expect.”
“We? You’re going to involve me? Forgive me, miss, but I don’t think I—”
“Oh, stop it, Nancy. You’re always up for something tricky and devious.”
Nancy hesitated for a moment. “Well…Perhaps you’re right, but it’s not like you to be tricky and devious.”
“You’ve corrupted me, Nancy,” Alexandra said and grinned.
Nancy frowned. “Are you sure you’ve thought this through completely? Where’s Lord Dunsford going to take her once he has her hidden in a blanket? To the constable’s office? Someone will see her there.”
“I think he should take her to Montmarsh,” Alexandra said. “It shouldn’t be too hard to spirit her into the house. It has so many doors, you know, including one that’s more or less hidden from view that leads down to the kitchen and servants’ quarters.”
“Which you’ve used to your advantage on another occasion,” Nancy said, her eyes flashing mischief.
Alexandra blushed. “That’s neither here nor there, Nancy.”
“More to the point,” Nancy said, enjoying herself, “is why take her to Montmarsh?”
“Constable Snow, if he’s back, can come later, or the deputy if need be, and Judith can tell him her story,” Alexandra said. “It’s certainly not unusual for the constable to meet with Lord Dunsford when he’s here. There’s always business relating to the assizes or the county elections, or issues to present to Parliament. Any number of things.”
“Oh, my! I see I’ve taught you well,” Nancy said. “You’ve become quite devious. Still, I think your plan is a bit far-fetched, and I’d be careful about telling the constable too much.”
Alexandra did her best to ignore Nancy and to concentrate on her reading, but it was a futile attempt. She put her book aside and, telling Nancy she was going to retire, started up the stairs to her bedroom. That’s when Zack set up a frenzied angry bark, alternating with a menacing growl.
Alexandra stopped on her way up the stairs and looked down at Nancy, who was trying to quiet Zack. “There’s someone out there,” Alexandra said, hurrying down. “Something must have happened to Charlotte. Tell the boys to saddle Lucy and—”
“No need for that,” Nancy said, peeking out a front window. “Speak of the devil.”
“The devil?” Alexandra picked up her medical bag and was searching for her cloak.
“Lord Dunsford.”
“He’s here?” Alexandra was unable to keep the excitement out of her voice. “I was afraid he was traveling and wouldn’t get the wire.”
Nancy had already started to the door. “I’ll wager he hasn’t eaten, and we’ll have to have a try at filling his belly.”
When an urgent knock sounded at the door, Zack’s barking stopped. But his low growl sounded even more menacing. “Hush now, Zack,” Nancy said. “He’s not here to take her away from you.” Nancy’s theory was that Zack, who treated all others, friends and strangers alike, with the happy eagerness of a puppy, was jealous of Lord Dunsford and disliked him because of his attraction to Alexandra.
“Nicholas!” Alexandra’s heartbeat quickened. “I really didn’t expect you to come. I only meant to ask you to help me find—”
“I took the late train,” Nicholas said, shucking off his coat. “Was almost the only person to board, but I couldn’t get away any sooner.” He was eyeing the enormous dog with caution as Alexandra forced Zack away from her guest and made him sit.
“You said you needed to consult with me. Is something wrong?” Nicholas asked, absently handing his coat to Nancy.
“I thought you’d telegraph a reply,” Alexandra said, still a bit stunned. “I didn’t expect you to come so quickly.”
“You know I’m always looking for an excuse to come back to Montmarsh. More and more lately, I’m thinking of making it my permanent home, you know.”
Alexandra was even more surprised. “You’d give up your practice as a barrister?”
“I could always be available, couldn’t I? If a good case should arise, I mean.” Nicholas took a seat as far away from Zack as possible.
“I’m sure I don’t know about such things,” Alexandra said, “but my guess is it would make Lady Forsythe happy if you gave up practicing law.”
“I can assure you my motive isn’t to please MaMa. Oh, what have we here?” Nicholas asked as Nancy reappeared, bearing a tray.
“I knew you’d be hungry,” Nancy said, setting the tray on a table next to Nicholas’s chair. “We had a bit of boiled beef and a hasty pudding with treacle.”
“Aw, Nancy, your cooking is one of the many reasons I’m contemplating making Montmarsh and Newton-upon-Sea my permanent home.”
Nancy rolled her eyes and moved toward the hallway that led out to the kitchen. She’d never been known as a good cook, and she was certain the earl was only trying to flatter her. Or tease her. She didn’t leave the room entirely, however. Alexandra and Nicholas both knew she would be far too interested in what they had to say to venture far. Zack, in the meantime, had not taken his eyes off Nicholas.
“Now, what’s this about Constable Snow? Disappeared, has he?” Nicholas touched a napkin to his mouth and pulled his foot in a bit closer, imagining Zack had his eye on it.
Alexandra took notice. “Nancy, would you remove Zack from the room, please? I fear his presence could interfere with Lord Dunsford’s digestion. You’ve heard the story, so you won’t be missing anything.”
“Of course, miss,” Nancy said, moving toward Zack to urge him out of the room. “And as for my missing anything, you know I’m not in the habit of eavesdropping.” She managed a hurt look on her face.
“Thank you, Nancy,” Nicholas said to her back as she led Zack away. “The beast does have a way of making me uncomfortable.” Turning to Alexandra, he said, “Now, about your request…”
Before Alexandra had finished telling Nicholas about Judith’s suspicion about her father and her fear of him, she saw Nancy had moved with Zack within hearing range of their conversation. Alexandra continued nonetheless, explaining her strategy.
“My dear Alexandra, that is a rather convoluted scheme you’ve come up with,” Nicholas said when she’d told him her plan to ferry Judith away in his carriage a
nd take her to Montmarsh for a meeting with the constable or deputy.
“I’m afraid Nancy agrees with you that it’s somewhat contrived,” Alexandra said with a glance toward her maid, who was back in the hallway, trying to appear not to be listening. “I am, of course, open to a better idea,” she added, a tinge of hope in her voice.
“Well, I certainly agree with you that Miss Payne must share her suspicion with the authorities,” Nicholas said, “and I shall give it some thought as to how we can accommodate her. Shall I contact you first thing in the morning? I’m sure I’ll have it all worked out by then.”
“You’re very kind, Nicholas. I knew I could count on you,” Alexandra said, “and yes, please do let me know as early as possible. Poor Judith is simply tormented by all of this. If you could come by here before eight in the morning when I start my rounds, I would be able to stop by her house. It will give her a great deal of reassurance, I’m quite certain.”
“Before eight, you say?”
Alexandra noted the look on Nicholas’s face. It was nothing less than consternation. “Is that too early, my lord?”
“Too early? Of course not,” Nicholas said, sounding flustered in spite of himself. “I’m quite used to rising early.”
“Of course, my lord. Forgive me if I offended you.”
Nicholas laughed. “When you start addressing me as my lord, there is almost always trouble ahead.”
“I certainly hope not,” Alexandra said.
“Nevertheless, I think it best we both get a good night’s sleep so we can be effective with the plan I devise,” Nicholas said, standing.
“You’re right, of course,” Alexandra said. “Nancy, fetch Lord Dunsford’s coat, please.”
Nancy appeared almost instantly, holding the coat. “Thank you, Nancy,” Nicholas said. “Always good to be back in Newton-upon-Sea, where everything runs so smoothly.” He slipped an arm into a sleeve. “Oh, and by the way,” he said as Nancy helped him into the other sleeve, “I saw the most extraordinary thing as I was driving through the village.”