He had reached the archway that led into the stable yard when he decided to wait for young Fox to catch him up.
‘Mr Reed, sir, may I come with you? I am as unwelcome here at the moment as you are. The only way Eliza will ever forgive me my part in this is if I bring Sarah safely home’
‘Then we are on a joint mission, lad. I take it that you made enquiries in the village before returning to your mother and telling her that Sarah had been abducted?’
‘Yes, I did. She was seen getting into a closed carriage with Jane and then several people saw her waving happily from the window obviously enjoying the excursion. There was no sign of Wydale; as far as anyone else knows she was merely engaging in a harmless pursuit.’
Fletcher frowned. And where the devil was Wydale in all this? If his intention had been to ruin Sarah’s name then he should have been in the carriage with her. ‘I have to go to Town. Can I leave you to arrange things here? If Eliza receives a message and leaves have two of your men follow.’
Edward nodded vigorously. ‘That I can do, sir. All the staff love Sarah and would do anything to bring her back safely. Why do you have to go to Town, if I am permitted to enquire?’
‘I have to speak to friends. It is imperative to discover whether Wydale has been lying to me about his financial circumstances. He told me he had ruined you because he had the bailiffs at his heels, that all his estates were sold to pay his debts. If that is the case, then where does he intend to take Sarah? He had no time to arrange anything in advance.’
‘You believe he still has a suitable property in which to hide her away?’
‘I do. It’s the only explanation. However, I have no idea of the whereabouts of such a place, but I have friends in London who can make enquiries for me.’
His black stallion had been rubbed down and walked around the yard to cool and was now waiting for him to mount. ‘If the message comes before I return, make sure your men stay out of sight. And you must send word to me - or even better, come in person. You have my direction in Grosvenor Square?’
Edmund nodded. ‘Yes, sir, I do. I wish you Godspeed and good luck with your mission.’
Fletcher looked down at the young man waiting anxiously in the yard. ‘If you are persona non grata here, why don’t you take my rooms at the Sun? I shall pay your shot.’
* * * *
Fletcher decided to travel post. He returned to the Sun Inn where he brought his servants up-to-date with what was happening. He also wanted to know if downstairs gossip had perhaps let slip a clue what to about Wydale’s intentions.
His valet Sam already had his bags packed. ‘This is a rum do, sir. Word is all around the place that Sarah Fox has gone gallivanting in a carriage. His lordship’s carriage is also missing - it don’t take too much to work out the connection.’
‘I had already guessed as much, Sam. I want you and Billy to return to Hendon Manor. Billy can ride my horse, I’m afraid you must hire a conveyance of some sort. It’s a dratted nuisance that I chose to come in Wydale’s carriage; I wish I had brought my own.’
‘Never mind, sir. I reckon that I’ll be back at the Manor by the time you return. Is there any particular message I’m to take to Mrs Percy?’
Fletcher thought for a moment. He knew he could rely on his manservant’s absolute discretion, he had been with him for years; he was an ex-prizefighter he had sparred with when he first went about town. Previously there had been a supercilious man to attend to his wants, but he had discovered that he was in the employ of his father, was in fact a spy.
He had dismissed all his staff and then employed his own choices. Sam was an unlikely selection for a wealthy man-about-town, but he had soon learnt his trade and was as efficient at keeping his clothes pressed and his quarters clean as he was at escorting his current ladybird to and from her resting place.
‘I believe that Wydale has taken Sarah as a ruse. I don’t think he intends to harm her whatever he might have said to the contrary. He’s using her to entice Miss Fox to his side. It is she he intends to ruin and by so doing he believes he will have his revenge on me.’
‘I guessed as much, sir. Like April and May you’ve been, since you met that young lady. I knew when it finally came, if you don’t mind me saying, that you would choose your wife as quickly as you chose me. And you’ve never regretted that, have you, sir?’
Fletcher smiled reluctantly. ‘Most of the time I haven’t, Sam.’ His man understood the message. He said no more, dropping to his knees to clean his master’s riding boots and brush away every speck of mud and dust from his person.
‘That will do.’ Fletcher removed several gold coins from an inside pocket and handed them to Sam. ‘This should be enough for your needs.’ He realized he had still not explained why he wished him to go to Hendon Manor and not join him in London. ‘I believe that Miss Fox might need somewhere private to go and Hendon Manor will be ideal; the staff are loyal and I never receive visitors. She will be safe from prying eyes there until….’
He left the rest of his sentence unfinished. It was no business of Sam’s that he intended to apply for a special licence whilst he was in London. If did not manage to find out where Sarah was being held before Eliza went to join her his beloved would lose her good name and be unable to return to Dedham until they were safely married and her reputation restored.
He knew she was as stubborn as he and might very well take some persuading, but she would, whether she wanted to or not. He would make quite sure she understood she had no choice. If her family were not be ostracized as well then she would have to do as he suggested.
It did not occur to him that his demands might be seen by Eliza to be unpleasant.
Although he was in love with her he did not fully understand how she felt about matters of honour. He truly believed that she would be glad to marry him. If she lost her good name in order to save Sarah, then he could not see any possible objection to his suggestion that she marry him.
He had been about town long enough to know that no woman would willingly sacrifice her reputation. He knew of at least one young lady of previously impeccable character who had been unwise enough to take a lover and when the consequences became evident, had happily agreed to marry the most unsuitable of partners.
His face stiffened and his eyes blazed with anger as he realized where his thoughts had been leading him. Up until that moment he had been glossing over the facts, thinking glibly about a licence, a need for privacy, but now he had let the awful truth in, he could not force it out again. Wydale would ravish Eliza without compunction, but would he then force her into marrying him?
Eliza was a women like any other, so would she be only too happy to marry the man who had ruined her? Any child she might have would then be legitimate.
‘Remember, tell my housekeeper to have everything prepared for Miss Fox. Sarah and her companion might well be with her, but I expect that they might prefer to return to Grove House. Also Mr Fox is taking these rooms, make sure they are paid for until the end of the month.’
Throwing his top coat over his arm he barged out of the bedchamber and took the stairs down to the flagstone entrance hall in threes. Outside in the yard he found Billy.
‘Find me a hack, Billy, that can convey me to the nearest posting house.’
He had ample time to consider his next move during the tedious journey from Colchester to London. Although he travelled by post-chaise this still involved stopping for refreshments and waiting whilst ostlers changed the horses.
Eventually he arrived at his destination and haled a hackney to transport him to his townhouse in Grosvenor Square. The streets were teaming with people but he ignored them. He had decided exactly what he should do. Firstly he would change his garments then send someone reliable round to apply for the special licence at the Archbishop of Canterbury’s office at Doctor’s Commons. When he was refreshed he would visit each of his clubs. It was just possible that some of Wydale’s acquaintances would be there.
It was early evening, most of the club members would be dining at home. The clubs and gaming hells did not fill up until much later in the evening, sometimes in the small hours when gentlemen had done the pretty with their wives at a ball and were then free to please themselves.
Wydale, of course, would have no such friends. His circle had become filled with hangers on and the more unpleasant members of the ton. Fletcher knew that he should have severed the connection long since, but somehow the debt he owed from his childhood had never seemed to be repaid. Fletcher had spent far less time with him than in former years, but on this occasion Wydale had sought him out and he had not had the heart to refuse.
The carriage rattled to a halt outside his palatial home. He jumped down and tossed a coin to the waiting driver, the man touched his hat with his whip and drove off leaving Fletcher to run up the steps and hammer on his own front door.
Endean opened the door himself. For the first time in the ten years he had employed him his butler was completely at a loss.
‘I have returned unexpectedly. Sam is going to Hendon Manor so I shall require Peterson to stand in for him. Also have my carriage brought round, I have several calls to make this evening.’
Endean finally recovered the power of speech. ‘Yes, sir, at once. Shall you be staying long?’
‘I doubt it. I expect to be leaving tomorrow or the next day.’
He was so used to the opulence of his surroundings he no longer noticed the spacious entrance hall or the wide galleried staircase, or the many footmen who were scurrying into position at his unexpected appearance. As one of the young men flattened himself to allow his master to pass by something in his hand attracted Fletcher’s attention. Good God! The man was holding a feather duster - he had thought that maids did all the cleaning, but obviously he was wrong. The young man’s embarrassment only added to his amusement; he was surprised that he was able to smile when things were so bleak.
That evening he visited two less salubrious drinking places and was on his way to a third when he spotted someone he needed to talk to. He rapped sharply with his cane on the roof of the carriage and as soon as it drew to a halt he flung open the door and shouted across the street.
‘Here, Jamieson, I need to speak to you urgently.’
The slightly overweight gentleman in his thirties jumped as if he’d been stuck with a large pin. For a moment Fletcher thought he was going to make a bolt for it, but he was beside the man and had grasped his elbow before he could make good his escape.
‘Come along, Jamieson, I shall give you a ride to wherever you are going. We can
converse in my carriage.’ Giving the man no opportunity to refuse he bundled him across the street and into the vehicle. By this time the groom, who had been travelling at the rear of the carriage, was waiting to slam the door shut behind them.
In the gloom the other man’s face showed that he was visibly shaken by this unexpected encounter. ‘Well, Jamieson, I would like to know the answers to a few questions. I hope you’re in a position to assist me?’
Fletcher had placed himself opposite, he leant forward, pushing his face close enough for the man to recoil in fear at what he saw there.
‘What do you want to know, Reed? I shall answer if I can.’
‘Excellent. Firstly can tell me if you have seen Wydale.’
The man nodded vigorously. ‘Yes, he was in town earlier this evening, but he said he was too busy to stay and talk. I believe he was on his way to meet some acquaintances at a cockfight somewhere.’
Fletcher felt a wave of relief. If Wydale was already in town, he could not have accompanied Sarah wherever he had sent her. She was safe as long as the man remained in sight. ‘Good, an excellent answer. Now, the second question - do you know if Wydale still owns any properties ?’
Jamieson now shook his head equally hard. ‘He has told me that he recently acquired a neat little place somewhere in the country, a distant relative left it to him. However he didn’t tell me where it was. Perhaps if you spoke to Sir Giles Mayhew, who knows him better than I, he might be able to give you the information you seek?’
Fletcher folded his arms and stared morosely at the man cowering back on to the squabs. Was he telling the truth? Would it be worth further investigations? ‘Very well, thank you for your assistance. Where was it you were going? Allow me to convey you there.’
Jamieson shook his head. ‘No, thank you. I much prefer to walk, it’s good for my constitution.’ Without giving Fletcher a chance to dispute the matter the coach door was open and the man almost fell out in his desire to escape further interrogation.
Fletcher rapped on the roof a second time indicating that he wished to continue his journey to Brooks. He had two pieces of useful information, but what he really needed was the exact location of this neat little property that Wydale had neglected to mention he owned.
He scowled in the darkness as he realized Wydale had deliberately misled him, he had fleeced Fox because he wanted to, not because he had bailiffs hounding him. It was not only bailiffs that the bastard had to worry about now. By God, Wydale had better be ready to fight for his life when he finally caught up with him.
* * * *
Eliza decided that the less time she spent downstairs being sneered at by the staff the better. Sarah said that she would be happy to join her in the pretty sitting-room that adjoined her bedchamber. As it was still too early for supper Eliza suggested that they go for a walk around the garden.
The late afternoon sunshine was warm enough to make such an excursion pleasant. Sarah led the way, amazing Eliza at how well she knew her surroundings after such a short residence. They strolled around the formal gardens with Sarah chatting happily.
‘Liza, have you looked in your closet and seen the lovely dresses you have been given
to wear for the party?’
Eliza thought the less said about them the better. ‘Yes, Sarah, they’re very bright and cheerful. Are your evening gowns like mine?’
‘No, Liza. His lordship said I was a lovely innocent princess and should wear pale colours, not reds and oranges like yours.’
Eliza was determined that nothing would persuade her to don the hideous evening gowns that hung in her closet. They were obviously intended for a certain kind of lady. Wydale’s intention was to make her look like Haymarket ware. She would rather wear a simple muslin afternoon dress for a ball than appear decked out in such a gown.
Sarah chatted on oblivious to her sisters disquiet. She was full of praise for the way the staff looked after her, the pretty dresses she had been given, and the pony and trap that had have been put at her disposal.
‘A pony and trap? You are allowed to drive out in it alone, Sarah?’
‘Oh yes, Liza. I’ve already been out in it three times. The pony’s called Bubbles and he is very sweet and kind. He looks like my rocking horse in the nursery at home.’ For the first time Eliza saw her sister’s expression change to one of worry. ‘Is my rocking horse still there? I hope everyone knows I am coming home very soon to tell them all about my lovely stay.’
Eliza felt a rush of relief. ‘Of course your rocking horse is safe in your nursery, Sarah darling. And everybody knows you are having a delightful time, but they are all missing you dreadfully. Mama has sent me to bring you home so that they can hear all about your adventure.’
Sarah’s smile vanished. Eliza realized she had made a grave error of judgement.
‘I shan’t come home until I’ve been to all the parties that Lord Wydale has promised me. I’m not allowed to stay up late at parties at home, nor do I wear such pretty frocks.’
‘Well, as soon as you’re back, I shall arrange one especially for you, and you shall stay up to the very end, how about that?
Sarah’s face cleared. ‘Then I shall come home with you. I’ve promised I shall be a good girl and be nice to his friends when they come. So we must wait until after that, because I have given my promise, and you always tell me that it is naughty to break
one’s word.’
Eliza though it best to ignore that statement and deftly changed the subject. ‘Do you drive yourself round the park, Sarah?’
‘I wouldn’t do that. I would be scared by myself. Jane always comes with me. There’s just room for two the of us in the cart. It’s such fun and I’ve even made Bubbles canter.’
‘Do you ask to go out, or does someone tell you when it’s available?’
She could see that her sister was becoming bored by this constant questioning. ‘I don’t know, I think Jane says we should go out for a drive and so we do. The pony and trap is always outside waiting for us when we come down.’
Eliza was shocked at how quickly Sarah had adjusted to a completely different routine, living contentedly somewhere that wasn’t her home. She had always thought that she would be unhappy away from familiar things, but she obviously was not like a normal five-year-old. She might have limited intellectual capacity but her sister was obviously developing a certain amount of independence and ability to function away from her family.
‘I think I should like to go out for a drive very early tomorrow morning, before the sun is up. Do you think that would be something you’d like as well?’
‘Yes I would, I should love to drive you. Shall we go round to the stables and speak to Jethro to make sure that Bubbles will be ready so early in the day?’
Eliza was relieved that Sarah didn’t ask why they needed to go out at sunrise, she appeared to accept the strange fact without concern and had suggested herself that they go and speak to a groom. It would be far easier to talk to one of the stable boys when she had Sarah beside her.
For some reason her sister was not viewed with the disfavour that she was. Lord Wydale had obviously circulated some malicious rumour, but she was not going to enquire too closely exactly what he’d said. She already had a shrewd idea.
Sarah led the way round to the back of the house pointing out various aspects as they passed. Eliza learnt that the head gardener kept his tools in a small stone building and that the handsome building held farm carts and carriages. She also learnt that two cart horses were stabled with the carriage and riding horses.
Fenella J. Miller Page 11