Pushing back from the desk, he marched over to the table where he kept most of his drawing supplies. Matthew grabbed up a small pad of paper and several pencils then put them in a small canvas sachet. Draping the strap over his shoulder, Matthew started to the front door, then stopped on seeing Connor coming toward him.
“Is there a problem”
“M’ lord. I heard you stirring around and thought you might be in need of something?” Connor replied.
“No. I’m going to the river again to look over the site I found yesterday. I believe His and Her Grace will find it perfect.”
“Very good, m’ lord, and I did pass along your request for a seafood stew for luncheon. Cook told me it wouldn’t be a problem.”
For the first time since rising from a disturbing night’s sleep, having dreamed of a certain young lady, Matthew could feel his lips curl into a smile.
“Then I shan’t be more than an hour, two at the most.”
With that decision made, walking was out of the question. He’d ride Devil. Now that he was familiar with the path, not to mention the beast, today he’d gallop. With a nod, Matthew made his way out to the stable where he met King.
“Good morning. You haven’t turned Devil out, have you?” Matthew inquired.
“No, m’ lord. I had planned on speaking with you before we did, in case you wished to ride him.”
“Thank you. Let me get him saddled. I shouldn’t be away long.”
“Would you like a groom to accompany you as I see you have your drawing things with you?”
“Will Devil stand quietly if I tie the reins to a branch?”
“Yes he will,” King answered.
“Then that won’t be necessary.”
Giving the stable master a nod, Matthew picked up a saddle and bridle and made his way down the main aisle to the horse’s stall. Peering in, he was pleased to see Devil standing calmly looking back at him.
In minutes, Matthew led Devil out and to the back of the stable. Swinging onto the saddle, Matthew tapped his heels against the beast’s sides, sending him into a comfortable ground covering canter. Once on the trail, Matthew sent Devil into a gallop.
He remained at that pace until the small clearing came into view. Slowing to a walk, Matthew guided Devil across the field then to the river. Climbing down, he tied the reins to an overhanging branch then marched over to the rock he’d noticed yesterday. Taking out the sketch pad and pencil, Matthew looked around then started to draw a rough outline of the gazebo and where the structure would be.
As he continued to draw, Matthew started to wonder if a pavilion might not be better suited for the area. Standing he walked over to the river’s edge where it would be built. Glancing between the land and water he saw he was right.
“Yes, that would be perfect,” he mumbled.
Returning to the rock, he was about to sit down when he noticed something large floating in the water. He marched over and looked down at the object, immediately recognizing it was a dead body. A man to be exact. Matthew started down the bank when he heard a horse gallop up, then slow to a walk. Stopping, he turned back just as Kathleen came into view.
“Don’t come any closer,” he called out while raising his arms to emphasize his words.
Happy she was doing as directed, Matthew stepped up to her.
“Kathleen, why are you in such a rush, and where is your chaperone?” he asked.
“Father sent me. There has been a murder, and the constables have no experience in dealing with this type of crime. They mostly deal with fights and drunks.”
Not wishing to tell her about the body he found, he said nothing.
“Where is the body? Do you know?”
“Yes. Father had several grooms take it to our cold building. The doctor has been sent for to determine the cause of death. Why?”
Now, he had no choice but to tell her what he found.
“Kathleen, then we aren’t dealing with one but two murders. As you rode up, I was about to drag a body from the river. That’s why I stopped you. I want you to ride back to the field and wait there for me. Then, we’ll go to the Hall, and I’ll instruct King to send several grooms here to get the body then take it to your father. This way the doctor will be able to examine them both. Also, the one your father has, do any of you know the man?”
“From what I understand the person is a woman and no, those who have seen it don’t recognize her. As for going back to the clearing, I’ll do as you request since what you are about to do isn’t something a lady should see.”
Matthew waited until Kathleen was out of sight then returned to where he’d left the body. After dragging the form up the bank, Matthew quickly packed up his drawing equipment, freed the reins from the branch, then climbed onto Devil’s back. Racing along the track, he slowed on seeing Kathleen waiting for him.
“Are you allowed to gallop?” he asked, even though he already knew the answer.
“Yes.”
“Good, then let us race back to the Hall then over to your father’s estate.”
Accepting a nod from her, Matthew set off at a ground covering gallop. Risking a glance back to see if Kathleen was following, he noticed she and the little mare she rode were directly behind him. What he found even more interesting was that she’d swung her right leg over the pommel. This he knew was so she’d have better balance at the speed they were racing along.
As the stable came into view, Matthew slowed to a trot then walk, fully aware Kathleen would be doing the same. Riding into the stable yard, they were met by King and Connor.
Quickly Matthew gave instructions about where the body could be found and where to take it.
“Yes, m’ lord, I’ll see to everything at once,” King said.
“What do you need from me, m’ lord?” Connor asked.
“Oh yes. Tell Cook I might not be here for luncheon.”
“I will, m’ lord. And she’ll be disappointed you won’t be able to enjoy her seafood stew.”
“M’ lord, as I’m not sure what our cook has planned, and I can’t see a delicious seafood stew going to waste, would the grooms be able to bring the pot when they come over with the body?”
“M’ lord and lady, I can’t see why not. I’ll have them use a wagon, so no one will see the corpse covered with a tarp. One of them then can hold the container Cook puts the food in,” King declared.
“That will work. Make sure Cook has made enough for four,” Matthew replied then turned to Kathleen. “We must be off as I wish to examine the body your father has, then where it was found. I’ll also wish to speak with the person or persons who found the corpse.”
“I agree, m’ lord. Regrettably, there’s no fast and easy way to reach our estate. We’ll have to stay on the main road which will mean we can’t go above a canter. If we do, His Lordship will learn, and I’ll not be allowed to ride, for how long I don’t know.”
“Then so be it.”
With Kathleen riding beside him, Matthew started for the drive at a walk. Once on the drive, leading to the main road, he glanced to her then increased to a canter. He maintained the gait onto the track which would take them to the Ashburn estate.
Twenty fast minutes later, Matthew happily followed Kathleen into the Ashburn courtyard where they were met by the earl. Matthew wondered where the countess was. Then he saw her standing in the door out of earshot.
After turning Devil over to a groom, Matthew stepped over to Kathleen and waited while she freed her right leg from the pommel and left foot from the stirrup. Reaching up, he gently wrapped his hands around her slim waist and lifted her down. What he didn’t expect was her visible reaction to his touch. He noticed she had difficulty getting her breath while her cheeks pinked ever so slightly. Releasing his hold on her, he turned to Roger.
“Kathleen, why don’t you join your mother while I speak with the earl,” Matthew whispered.
“Yes, that might be for the best as I’m sure you both have things to discuss which I don�
��t need to hear,” she softly replied.
Matthew waited until she was out of earshot before stepping over to her father.
“M’ lord, as you can see I learned of the body you found. Shortly, another will arrive. This one, I found floating in the river. I directed to have it brought here so the doctor may examine both.”
“I’m happy you suggested Kathleen join her mother. If you’ll come with me, I’ll show you the one my workers found, also in the river.”
Now, this Matthew found highly interesting. Both bodies, maybe not killed in the same way but found in or near the same location. Whoever had killed these people had done their best, but failed, to hide the crime. This wasn’t something he was used to solving. After all, he was an architect, not a detective. Then again, Matthew knew solving the problem of finding the perfect setting for a structure wasn’t much different than finding a murderer. Look at what was presented to him, landscape or in this case two bodies, then decide in what direction to take.
In the back of his mind, something told Matthew he would be getting assistance from Kathleen, whether he wanted it or not. Following the earl around to a stone building, he stepped in. On a table he saw the body of the woman, neatly dressed even though her clothes were soaked with water. Walking up to the corpse, Matthew made sure he didn’t touch the body. Leaning over, he examined her, specifically the injury to her head.
Straightening, he turned to Roger. “Whoever did this must have been a man and angry as evidenced by the indentation to the skull. This is like the one I noticed on the man.”
“I agree with your conclusion. So the one you found was killed in the same manner?”
“Yes, which has me now very disturbed. From what Kathleen told me, you nor any of your staff knew her. I suspect the same when they see the man. To me, that means they aren’t from around here and could have been running from someone. But who? And why?”
“On those points, I agree. My question, Viscount Rathbourne, will you be able to assist in finding the murderer?”
A little surprised at the formality presented to him by Roger, it took a moment for Matthew to regain his mind set.
“M’ lord, I will do my best to find out who did this. First off, we need to learn who the victims are. From there, hunting down the murderer might be easy. I’d also suggest you have your staff ask, both in the village and on the farms, if strangers have been seen in the district. To aid the staff, even though I don’t do portraits, I will do my best to draw true renderings of them. That way your people will have pictures to show around.”
The sound of footsteps on the cobblestones caught his attention. Turning he wasn’t surprised to see Kathleen and Elsie, both wearing frowns.
“M’ ladies, this is no place for you. I beg you return to the mansion and await us,” Matthew demanded.
Matthew studied the expression of anger on Kathleen’s face and her fisted hands settled on her hips. Much to his pleasure that simple action thrust her breast out, allowing him to study their heavenly form. Even her pinched lip expression he found alluring.
“No. These murders involve us all, and we demand to assist in bringing the villains to justice. I am much more familiar with doing portraits, I’d suspect, than you, Matthew, so I would be the best to create the renderings needed,” Kathleen declared.
Reaching into his sachet Matthew withdrew his sketch pad and a pencil. With a frown, as he still didn’t approve of Kathleen being in the cold room, he handed them over.
“As you are insistent, you may start on this victim. When the other arrives from the Hall, I will escort you out so you may do that one.”
“Thank you. If you don’t mind standing to the side, the outside light will strike the face better,” Kathleen requested.
Doing as requested, or it ordered, Matthew stepped over to the far wall along with Kathleen’s parents.
Silently, he watched and was amazed at the concentration on Kathleen’s face. It made him wonder if he wore the same expression when working on a final rendition of a structure. As he always worked alone, he’d never learn if he did.
“Elsie, pray forgive me but I forgot, when the other body arrives one of the grooms will be bringing a seafood stew. I had originally planned on having luncheon at Radcliffe Hall. With everything going on Kathleen suggested I eat here,” he said softly so not to disturb her daughter.
“Thank you. That sounds delicious. As I see Kathleen is finished, shall we adjourn to the mansion, then I can notify Cook.”
Stepping over to Kathleen, Matthew held out his hand and wasn’t surprised when she turned over the pad and pencil. He looked at the work, and then smiled to her.
“Yes, you did a much better job than I could have.”
After offering Kathleen his arm, they followed her parents to the mansion then up to the earl’s office. Enroute, the earl informed Brown of the wagon coming from the Hall.
“Also, please inform Cook the grooms will be bringing over a stew Lord Matthew’s cook made,” Elsie told the butler.
“And once the body is in the cold building come get us,” Roger added.
“Yes, m’ lords and ladies. I’ll tell Cook then keep an eye out for the dray.”
When they walked into the office Matthew guided Kathleen over to a settee. Once she was settled, he started for a nearby chair.
“No, sit with me. I want to see if I can improve on the sketch, and I’ll need you to hold the sheet up,” Kathleen said.
Unslinging the sack, he set it on the floor then retrieved the pad. After opening the aforementioned notebook, he carefully tore out the drawing then handed the sketchbook over.
“Thank you. Now this shouldn’t take as long since I’m already familiar with the woman’s features.”
While she got to work on the new copy, Matthew turned to the earl.
“Roger, as we’ve had enough excitement today, I was thinking tomorrow I’ll ride into Cornwall and show both renderings around.”
“If you don’t mind, I’ll join you. Being the magistrate I should also be involved,” Roger stated.
“As I’m sure you gentlemen would prefer not to enter dress shops or other establishments ladies frequent, I’ll accompany you,” Kathleen declared.
As much as Matthew wasn’t sure he wished her involved in searching out the killers, he already knew she would. For him, spending time with her would be more than welcome.
“My dear lady, if I may use that endearment, you are more than welcome to join us. My only question is do we ride or take a coach?”
“On this particular occasion you may take your mare, but no galloping. I only ask you not make a habit of doing so when others are around,” Roger said.
Just hearing his statement, Matthew realized he needed to spend more time with Kathleen. Not only was she highly insightful, but he enjoyed being in her company. Granted, considering their reactions to each other, a chaperone, Elsie, would have to be present, and he didn’t care. But he still needed to find out how the earl and countess would travel to the village.
“As I asked, do we ride or go by carriage?”
“Might I recommend we ride. We can leave the horses at the Seafarer Tavern and then have luncheon there,” Kathleen suggested.
“If that is the case, then I will have a coach take me in, as I do love the table the mistress sets,” Elsie declared.
Matthew appreciated the fact she would be joining them, but only for luncheon. Then he had an idea.
“As there is a landau at the Hall, instead of riding what if I stop by here and we take it into the village. That way, after we dine and with the countess using a carriage, you, Kathleen, and Roger can easily return with her. This way, I may then return to the manor and write down what was learned.”
“Yes, that would be for the best. Now, as I hear the gong sounding, shall we eat? Then, daughter, Matthew may escort you back to the cold building so you may make a sketch of the body he found,” Roger declared.
Later, with luncheon finished and Kat
hleen on his arm, Matthew led her parents back so she could draw the face of the man he’d found. With that done, he made his way back to the Hall and spent the rest of the day trying to understand his feelings for her while at the same time working out how to find the murderer. Or was it two different people who killed the woman and man?
After retiring early, his sleep was constantly interrupted by dreams of Kathleen.
Chapter Four
Settled against the squabs of the landau, Matthew appreciated the skill in which Toby, a Hall groom, handled the bays. He’d gotten a glowing recommendation from King about the young man and his ability to drive the coach.
As they rolled into the Ashburn Manor courtyard, Matthew was surprised to see Kathleen waiting for him on the top stoop. He hoped she was there because she couldn’t wait to see him again. Coming out the front door were her parents, with the countess wearing a pelisse similar in color to the one Kathleen had on. Matthew found this interesting since the Elsie hadn’t planned on going with them but instead was to come into the village later.
Once Toby brought the landau to a gentle stop, Matthew climbed down and watched Kathleen sweep up. With a bow to her curtsey, he smiled.
“Lady Kathleen, I see the countess joining us?”
“Yes. Even though the coach is open, she did feel coming along as my chaperone would be for the best.”
“And I wish to see what new fashion plates the dressmaker has. I thought this would be the most appropriate time to do so,” Elsie declared, gliding up with Roger trailing humbly behind her.
“M’ lord, I do hope you don’t mind this little change in our plans. As the countess only made the decision over breakfast, there wasn’t time to notify you,” her husband said.
“Not at all, m’ lord. It will be a pleasure being seen in the village with two such lovely ladies,” Matthew uttered, earning a titter from Kathleen.
As much as he tried to lay a glare at her, his effort was lost on seeing the sweet smile she bestowed on him. Handing her up, Matthew stepped aside so the earl could assist Elsie in. He found it interesting when the countess took the squab across from Kathleen. When the earl climbed in he sat beside his wife, thus leaving the seat beside their daughter for him.
The Viscount's Bride (The Radcliffe Family Book 2) Page 3