After returning to the castle, she started for the second floor only to stop on seeing Hamish. She knew the last thing Robert would want was whisky or brandy.
“Have a pot of coffee delivered to Lord Markson. He should be in our suite.”
“At once, m’ lady. Would you care for anything?”
“No, thank you,” she said.
After checking on her husband she retired to her private sitting room. There she wrote out the notes from the interviews, which she’d planned to do earlier but had been distracted.
Later, once her husband had bathed and warmed up, Kristina met up with him in his office.
Strolling in, with a loving smile for him, she watched as he stood from behind his desk and came up to her. He gave her a hug that spoke of his inner turmoil.
“Thank you, my dear, for letting Glenn sober me up so quickly. I admit I did need the wake up and I can assure you, on my word as a gentleman and your husband, the behavior of earlier will never happen again,” he whispered. He glanced down to her then settled his lips over hers gently.
She opened her mouth letting him slip his tongue in. As she let him taste of her, she was happy to notice he carried no lingering hint of his earlier drinking, not that she would have minded but enjoyed deeply the taste of coffee more. It was when he slid a hand up, cupping her breast she felt the papers fall from her hand.
If the sound of footsteps approaching hadn’t halted him Kristina deeply suspected he would have lifted her up and carried her to the settee. With a last little nip of his lower lip she stepped back.
“I didn’t order anything. Did you?” she asked.
“No and it sounds like Hamish is in a rush to get to us. I would hazard with bad news of some sort,” he replied just as the butler entered.
“I hope it’s not about my brother,” she whispered.
“M’ lord and lady, pray forgive my intrusion but word just reached me that Mr. Colin has been found murdered on the road from Glasgow.”
Kristina let out a partially muffled scream when she brought her hand to her mouth.
“Here, this might help,” Robert told her. He thrust a glass into her hand.
“Thank you but no, I’ll be fine,” she answered before glancing at Hamish. Taking in a deep breath she asked, “Have the authorities been notified.”
“No, m’ lady. From what I understand, he was found about an hour ago. His Lordship is the closest peer. Since Mr. Colin is the estate manager that’s why I informed you.”
Kristina wondered if her brother should be made aware. Against her better judgment, she decided to inform Ethan of the death.
“Hamish, would you be so kind as to have Lord Rosewood join us in the viscountess sitting room? You also might want to make sure there’s coffee for him and Lord Markson. I’ll have a tea,” she ordered.
Once the butler departed, she glanced down to see Robert picking up the sheets of paper that had slipped from her hand.
“I see you were busy today,” Robert declared.
“Yes, but I wish to review my findings with you privately as several of the people interviewed mentioned people. If my brother learns the names I’d wager he goes after them without all the particulars,” Kristina explained.
“I wholeheartedly agree as I learned some interesting facts before I got too drunk to think straight. I was in the process of writing what I learned when you entered. When we leave here to meet with your brother I’ll lock the door and have a footman stand guard in the corridor,” he recommended.
“I suggest we depart as I wish to be settled when he arrives. It would also send him the correct message if you stood beside me with a hand resting softly on my shoulder. I feel it will tell him he’s released to listen, learn and only talk when directly addressed.”
She accepted his arm, settling her hand on his forearm, then together strolled to her parlour. Stepping into the room, she evaluated the furniture and how it was arranged. She knew, for the sake of this interrogation, several needed to be moved. She made her suggestions to Robert and he agreed then proceeded to reposition select pieces.
Choosing a comfortable tapestry covered chair Kristina took a seat as Hamish came to the door. She didn’t need to tell Robert what to do as he took his position to her left, thus putting her in the place of power.
“M’ lord and lady, Lord Ethan Rosewood,” the butler announced.
“Robert and Kristina, you finally realized the error of your ways I’m pleased to see,” he declared.
“Sir, you have not been given permission to sit by either myself or Lady Markson. You will also address us appropriately as to our rank and title.”
Kristina watched her brother spin about and storm over to where she was seated, with Robert standing beside her and his hand gently resting on her shoulder. From his behavior she could tell Ethan wasn’t pleased with what Robert had told him. She knew this was going to be an interesting, to say the least, interview when she saw he’d fisted his hands.
“Stop right where you are. To begin with, I don’t care if you are employed by the Crown. Here you are our guest, albeit unwanted, so I’d suggest you behave as a gentleman or Father will receive a detailed accounting of what’s gone on here.”
The threat of their father learning what he’d done was all that was needed to get him to relax, which pleased her.
With him in what seemed a better frame of mind, his hands relaxed, she reached into a pocket set along the seam of her gown and withdrew the letter. The same one that had been given to her yesterday. Holding it up, she dangled it in front of him. She watched as Ethan’s face paled. Then, with a wave of her hand to Hamish he came forward with the beverage tray. She knew her brother needed whisky but was only getting coffee.
“My dearest, I believe Lord Rosewood would benefit from sitting down while we lay out what we learned a short while ago.”
With a nod, she indicated Ethan had her permission to take a seat. Once he seemed comfortable, she turned to Robert.
“According to the letter my wife is holding, one person your people suspected was Mr. Colin, my estate manager. Unfortunately, we’ve learned he was murdered on returning from Glasgow. We have it on excellent authority his body will be delivered here later tonight. As I’m senior peer of the district the investigation into his death falls under my jurisdiction,” Robert told Ethan.
“What we need, or rather demand, from you is any and all information you have on the dead man. Before you make a decision on how to answer that question, remember your freedom hinges on what you say. Not to mention Father will learn of either your assistance or hindrance in this matter,” Kristina said.
She knew, if anything, that final threat would be all that was needed to get him to talk. Her father, on several occasions had threatened to cut Ethan off from funds if he didn’t toe the line, such as presently.
“Agreed. However, I’ve notes in my suite which I will wish to reference during our continued discussion,” Ethan informed them.
“Then go with Hamish, collect them then he’ll show you to my husband’s office,” she declared. With a flick of her hand she ended this portion of the meeting.
Chapter Seven
After Ethan left, Robert rubbed his brow feeling a dull ache coming on.
“If I might recommend we let him tell us what he knows,” Robert said.
“Yes, as I’ve several questions which need answering also. For one, why has it taken this long for the Crown to get involved? Also, who is the laird who’s land these men are digging on?” She offered her hand so she could stand.
“My darling, shall we proceed to the office and then I can answer the last one?”
As they strolled along he explained the land had reverted to the crown when the baron died as there were no male heirs.
“Robert, why has no one done anything to stop the thievery?” Kristina asked.
As they entered the room, Ethan joined them.
“I can explain. Until a few months ago, we weren’t a
ware of the gold being smuggled into France. The thefts came to our attention when, by sheer luck, one of the people slipping the gold out was captured. Originally we learned of only this mine but suspect there are others,” her brother said.
“Then why not send in soldiers to seize it?” Robert asked
“That had been proposed but not knowing who the ringleaders are I was able to convince the government to wait. With the information we’d received from the smuggler, it would appear there are several of these mines in different parts of Scotland.”
With a nod of understanding, Robert then glanced to Kristina, who’d already taken a seat on the divan. Joining her, he waved Ethan into the chair opposite, with a low polished oak table separating them.
Once comfortable and to show Ethan not to attempt to bully Kristian Robert slipped his hand in hers.
“Now, I see you’ve several documents with you. Would you care to lay them out and explain, in detail, what you’re investigation has to date uncovered?” Robert directed Ethan.
“Most certainly, m’ lord and lady.”
“If I may, before we continue, as it would appear you have learned manners then might I suggest we dispense with formality,” Kristina suggested to the men.
“I’m in agreement with Kristina, as long as you don’t try any strong arm tactics as you have in the past,” Robert reiterated, receiving a nod of understanding in return.
“As I was beginning to say, we already had someone in the area that had been able to send us the information. Through this contact, I’m sorry but the person must remain nameless, over the past several month events around here became more disturbing to the point where I almost forced you to remain in London until things could be straightened out. It wasn’t until I learned from Mother you’d departed did I have to move things along.”
“Understandable, Ethan. Might one of the reasons you had to rush north is you learned of the death of the farmer and his wife?” Robert declared.
It was the wide-eyed expression Ethan now wore on his face, along with a slight tensing of the shoulders, which let Robert know he was correct. He knew this information could have only come from one source-Glenn, since he’d found the bodies in the loch.
This now explained a great deal as to how his old friend from their youth was involved. One point Robert was sure of, the information Glenn had shared never went any further than the two of them. This, he knew, would give him the upper hand in resolving the mystery. When the time came, he might inform Ethan he already was aware of much more, but first and foremost he’d tell Kristina, in the privacy of their bed.
“Ethan, are you able or willing to divulge the name of the person who told you of the murder?”
“Yes, it was the minister, in the letter he posted to Bow Street. It was passed along to us and in it said he’d discovered two badly decayed bodies. He was able to know who they were by the matching wedding bands which he remembered blessing many years ago.”
“Were the bodies reburied?” Kristina enquired. She turned to Robert hoping he understood her question and its import.
“From what I know but haven’t had a chance to confirm no, they’re still where the minister found them on the Marin farm,” Ethan uttered.
Now Robert was even more curious than before as that particular piece of land wasn’t part of his. Why would the minister be there, not to mention, it was two valleys over. If he was the same man he remembered from his youth, he would be very old by now. It seemed there were more questions than answers so far.
With this conflicting information Robert knew, as did Kristina he suspected, they’d need to examine the bodies. Earlier he’d seen those found by Glenn and did recognize the man by protruding jaw. Something he’d remembered from years ago.
“Darling, as we haven’t had time to discuss this, what I’m about to say, I apologize beforehand for springing it upon you.”
“Robert, if it’s about what Glenn discovered his mother already informed me. It would seem my brother is the only one not in the know.”
Partially surprised at her reply, then knowing how easily she could get someone to divulge things, he directed his attention to Ethan.
“I’m sorry to tell you this but the two bodies the minister found aren’t the farmer and his wife. Who they are only deepens the mystery? Glenn, whom I trust with my life, told me that only recently he found them in the loch, shot. I know this because he showed me the bodies as they hadn’t started to decay. That’s how recently they were murdered. My guess they were killed at around the same time as Mr. Colin.”
“So, except for the gold being smuggled out to France, almost everything in the letter we have is false?” Ethan sputtered out.
“Yes brother. Did you perchance bring the missive with you?” Kristina asked. She then rang for the butler.
“Hamish, whisky for the gentlemen while I’ll have a sherry,” she directed the man.
“Yes, m’ lady,” he said with a bow then slipped from the office.
“I didn’t know you enjoyed sherry? I’ve a bottle back home of amontillado I haven’t touched. On returning south I can have it sent to the estate if you desire,” Ethan declared.
Curious at this new and very sudden change in behavior Robert looked to Kristina only to receive the faintest of shrugs in return.
“I’m sorry for digressing from your question. I did bring the letter as I wanted to confirm it was actually sent by the minister. And yes, before anyone goes off in a rush, remember I’m imparting information I’ve only recently come into,” he told them. Ethan handed the letter over to Robert.
He didn’t immediately unfold it but released the note into the capable hands of his bride.
“No, no gentlemen please remain seated as what I need do will only take a few minutes.”
Not one to argue with a lady, in particularly his wife, Robert waved Ethan back into the chair while he watched his wife glide over to his desk.
“Robert, can I ask what Sister is doing?”
“Certainly. She’s checking to see the quality of the sealing wax. As you’re well aware, proprietors of stationary establishments, which there are none in the entire district, make the best. At the same time Kristina is examining for any watermark on the paper, which should be foolscap if I’m not mistaken,” he explained.
Hearing the gentle scrap of the desk chair legs, Robert glanced over to where Kristina was sitting astounded at the frown on her face. This alone told him something was wrong.
“Dear husband, I don’t wish to be the bearer of bad news but you are mistaken. The wax is from a shop in London and the foolscap is from there also.”
“Kristina, of all the shops that sell sealing wax and foolscap how can you be positive it’s this particular one,” a befuddled Ethan asked.
A knock on the door distracted her from answering as Hamish entered with the requested drinks. After they were passed and he departed she glanced first to Robert, who seemed confused as well, then to her brother whom she was happy to see perplexed.
“Gentlemen, it’s the same shop where Mother and I purchase our paper, ink and sealing wax from. So, whoever wrote this letter either did it from London, then somehow arranged to have it appear to come from here, which is the most likely. The only other option, it’s a complete forgery designed to send your people, Ethan, looking in the wrong direction,” she declared. She then handed the note back to Robert.
He opened the letter and read. Robert groaned in anger. Even though it had been years since seeing the minister one thing would never have changed, his flowery language. This included not only the spoken but also the written word. Robert easily remembered several Sunday sermons that wore on much longer than needed because of the man delivering them. It was as if he wanted to take his flock to these far off places with his words.
“Ethan, you and the people you work for have been duped. I am well familiar with Reverend Wallace and his wording. I can assure you completely he never penned this. As Kristina told us the pape
r and sealing wax are from London. I’d recommend posting a letter to whoever you work for and tell them that along with giving them the name of the stationary shop,” Robert told him.
“Agreed but there’s a problem. How can I safely send a letter without fear it will be intercepted?”
As he pondered the question, Robert leaned against the back of the divan, drawing Kristina with him. He knew her brother was correct in that the missive might not reach the authorities. A gentle squeeze on his hand brought his attention to his wife.
“Yes, my dear?”
“By our traveling carriage the soonest it would reach London would be four days but, what if the bearer took public coaches? The longest would be seven with the shortest five depending on traveling conditions. Now, who is the least likely to be suspect in carrying a missive?” she stated.
Suddenly Robert knew in what direction her comment was going and he wholeheartedly agreed with her. Now the question, would Ethan accept her recommendation.
“Darling, you wish to add something to this particular discussion?” he asked of his wife.
“Certainly. What if we have an unmarried and pregnant young woman take it? She could use the excuse of going to live with an aunt who’s willing to take her in until the child’s birth. No matter how cruel these people are I don’t think they’d suspect, much less injure them.”
“And where would we find such a person?” Ethan said.
“We have such an individual here and she goes by Rose. She stopped by to apply for a maid position admitting she was hoping to earn enough funds to go to London and live with her aunt. From what I’ve learned she’s made it known within the district of her desire,” Kristina explained.
“Well, we now have the perfect person and for her to leave wouldn’t cause a disturbance. I say, if she’s willing, we have her deliver the letter,” Robert declared.
“Then gentlemen if you’ll permit me I will discuss what’s needed with her on the morrow. This, Ethan than will give you the necessary time needed to compose the letter to your superior.”
To Catch a Killer: Markson Regency Mystery Series Collection Page 22