Now her life was in ashes. Whatever happened next, nothing would bring poor Jethro back to life. She knew she was grieving before her fears had been confirmed, but Wydale’s eyes had told her what had happened. It was only a matter of time before the men searching the ground would come across his body.
If there captor was prepared to murder someone whose only crime had been to offer assistance, then what hope was there for the rest of them? Eliza looked around the room, it seemed safe enough, but she knew that somehow that monster would get to them. Where were Fletcher and Edmund? Why didn’t they come?
‘We must pray together, Ann; pray that Mr Reed and Mr Fox arrive before Lord Wydale comes to fetch me.’
Fletcher turned to Edmund. ‘I intend to marry Eliza, whatever happens, I have a special licence in my pocket.’
‘There will be no need to use that, Mr Reed. Both my sisters will come out of this safe and sound; then you and Eliza can have the wedding that she always dreamed of. I shall march down the aisle with my sister on my arm in front of all our friends and family.’
‘God willing! I have sent a note to my man, who is waiting to hear from me at my estate, Hendon Manor. Looking at the map, I estimate that Winterton Hall is no more than ten miles from my home. I have asked Sam to bring two of my men and join us at Newfield. I have also asked for my coachman to bring a closed carriage to transport the ladies.’
‘How far is it from London to your estate, sir? If we are leaving within the hour, surely your man will not be able to join us in time?’
‘Never fear, Edmund, I have already sent a groom, if he gallops all the way he should be there not long after we leave here. They should be able to cover the miles easily and join us before dark.’
The three men clattered out on to the cobbles of Grosvenor Square in slightly more than the hour. All carried pistols in their saddle bags. Fletcher was confident all eventualities had been covered. The route he had devised would take them across country, and through quieter lanes, he had no wish to draw attention to themselves. Wydale might have spies positioned, watching for him.
It was about two o’clock when they arrived, hot and dusty at the White Hart. To all intents and purposes they were two gentlemen travelling together, accompanied by a male servant. Fletcher dismounted and tossed the reins of his sweating horse to a waiting ostler.
‘See to our mounts; we intend to rest here before continuing our journey.’
The man nodded and touched his forelock before raising his hand to take the reins of Edmund’s mount. Roberts followed, leading his own horse. He had instructions to pick up any gossip from the men who worked at the inn.
Inside it was cool and dark and appeared deserted. Fletcher looked around and seeing no-one he raised his voice and shouted for attention.
He heard the sound of hurrying footsteps and a jovial red-faced man appeared. ‘Good afternoon, sirs, can I be of assistance?’
‘Yes, my good man. We require a room in which to remove the grime of our journey and whatever food you can provide at this time day.’
‘At once, sir. I shall send one of my girls to conduct you to a chamber. Do you wish to eat downstairs or shall I have a tray sent up?’
Fletcher pondered for a moment, it would probably be best to remain out of sight as long as possible. ‘Send up a tray; anything will do, bread and cheese, mutton pie, whatever you have available.’
The man disappeared and moments later a young woman, in cap and fairly clean white apron, appeared. ‘Come this way, sirs, we have a room ready.’
The chamber they were conducted to was on the front of the building, overlooking the deserted yard. Fletcher scarcely noticed the polished furniture and sparkling windows. He had more important matters to consider. ‘What arrangements have you made to meet Denver?’
Edmund, who had been gazing out of the window, turned to face him. ‘He’s staying at the next village; it didn’t seem wise to be here, so close to Winterton Hall. The presence of a stranger might have caused remark amongst the locals. We’re to ride over to the Red Lion and rendezvous at four o’clock.’
‘Excellent, the horses should be rested and ready to continue by then. Is it far?’
‘No, two miles, but I’d better warn you, sir, the establishment he’s using is not half as grand as this. Not somewhere you’d chose to stay.’
Fletcher chuckled. ‘Your man Denver sounds a stout fellow. Having a manservant one can trust is invaluable in circumstances like these.’
Edmund looked at him with some surprise. ‘I had no idea you had been embroiled in abductions and such things on a regular basis, sir.’
‘I haven’t, you nincompoop. And stop calling me sir for God’s sake. I think, as we’re going to become brothers, sooner rather than later, it would be acceptable for you to use my given name.’
The young man grinned, apparently pleased to be accepted as his equal. Edmund turned back at the sound of voices and the clatter of hoofs in the yard, curious to know who was arriving. His face blanched when he saw who dismounted. ‘It’s Denver. He would only come here in an emergency.’ He was about to rush from the room but Fletcher restrained him.
‘Hold on, lad, your man will find us soon enough.’ He watched, as the same ostler who had dealt with them appeared to take the reins of Denver’s hack. He saw them exchange a few words and then the two men walked together into the stables.
‘I think your valet has gone to speak to Roberts. It will seem less conspicuous if he comes up to speak to us. I’m sure we shall hear the news soon enough.’ A soft knock at the door caused them both to swing round.
‘Come in,’ Fletcher barked.
The door opened and a pot-boy staggered in carrying a laden tray followed by the maid who had served Eliza and Sarah that morning. The girl curtsied and placed the two jugs of frothing porter on the table next to the tray.
‘Thank you, that will be all. We shall serve ourselves.’
The two men ignored the food, they were more concerned with what information might be on its way from the stables. Edmund peered out of the window, but the yard remained empty. Fletcher paced, his face stern, his mind turning over the various possibilities that could have brought Denver out of hiding.
He didn’t have long to wait before a second bang on the door announced Roberts wished to be let in.
‘Well, what’s the news? Why has Denver ridden over here instead of waiting for us to come to him this afternoon?’ Edmund demanded, pre-empting Fletcher, who was about to ask the same question.
‘It’s grave news, sir, very grave indeed. It seems that Miss Fox, Miss Sarah and the two maid-servants managed to escape from Winterton Hall this morning with the help of a groom. He drove them part of the way and then they walked across the fields. Denver had already taken up his position and saw them walk safely to this very inn.’
‘Go on, man, what happened next? I take it from your demeanour that the outcome was not a happy one.’
Roberts shook his head. ‘No, sir, it wasn’t. Somehow their flight was discovered and Lord Wydale was waiting for them when the coach stopped to change horses. It seems they returned here in his carriage, but didn’t come in again, just stopped long enough for a message to be given to Ann and Jane to return immediately to the hall.’
Roberts appeared to be having difficulty controlling his emotions. Fletcher watched him, knowing that whatever was coming he was going to like it even less than the news that Eliza had failed in her attempt to escape.
‘Well, sir, Denver thought it would be a good idea to go and talk to the groom, find out who he was and suggest that he left the hall at once, and came to join him where he would be safe from reprisals when the girl’s disappearance was discovered. He had almost got within hailing distance, when two men emerged from behind the trees and bludgeoned the groom to death in front of his very eyes.’
‘The devil take it! How dreadful.’ Edmund clutched the back of a chair.
Fletcher was made of sterner stuff. ‘Pray co
ntinue your story, Roberts. What did Denver do?’
‘He could do nothing; there was no point in revealing his presence. The two assassins dragged the corpse into the bushes and then sent the carriage and horse galloping back towards the house as though there had been a mishap.’
‘Thank you; go back down and tell Denver to wait in the stables. We shall join him presently. Make sure you get something to eat too – we’re all going to need our wits about us before this day is over.’
He waited until Edmond and he were alone again before speaking. ‘This is a very bad business, Edmund. Wydale appears to have stepped over the line. He has always been reckless, but I never thought him a cold-blooded killer. We must eat and then ride over to Winterton Hall and pray that we can release the girls before his cronies arrive.’
Neither men had much appetite, but both knew it was imperative they ate or they would not have the energy to fight. They rejoined Denver and Roberts in the stables half an hour later. Fletcher left a message with the friendly landlord that Sam was to follow on to Winterton Hall when he arrived with the coach and two extra men.
The horses had barely had an hour’s rest after their strenuous journey and he knew it would be foolish to press them. ‘If we go across the fields we shall be visible for miles. Is there a more private route we can take, Denver?’
‘There is, sir, if you follow me, we can take the track I’ve been using. No one has accosted me, so I’m pretty sure it’s safe.’
They left the White Hart in sombre mood. Denver led the group out of town and down a lane thickly grown with overhanging bushes. A mile along he reined in and dismounted to open an ancient gate.
‘In here - we have to ride through these woods and it brings us out quite close to the hall.’
They trooped through and Denver carefully closed the gate behind them. They were obliged to ride single file along this track. Denver raised his hand to indicate they should stop.
What now? Fletcher vaulted from his saddle and tossed his reins to Roberts who was riding just behind. He approached quietly. Denver was staring through the tangle of leaves. ‘What is it? What can you see?’
‘I think they’re looking for the groom, Mr Reed. The grounds are swarming with men and some of them are heading this way; if we don’t want to be discovered I reckon we’ll have to retreat and come back when it’s dark. These men might be employed directly by Wydale, or they might be friendly, but I doubt we can take the chance.’
‘Can you recognize the two killers among the men?’ Fletcher asked.
‘No, sir, I can’t. I didn’t get a good look at their faces, they were both of medium height, stockily built, and roughly dressed, like many of the people we’re looking at now.’
Fletcher swore under his breath. Things were becoming more and more complicated. He had hoped to get into the house and remove the girls before the place was overrun by Wydale’s friends who would be witnesses to what he intended to do.
‘Denver’s right, we must go back. I don’t think we should return to Newfield; perhaps we can find somewhere not too far away where we can hole up and wait until dusk.’
‘There’s a charcoal burners hut, in the very heart of this wood, it’s not been used for years, but it would be ideal for us.’
It was only after the horses were unsaddled, hobbled and quietly munching on the lush grass that grew in the coppice, that he remembered about Sam.
‘Roberts, I think you’d better go back to the White Hart, hang about somewhere inconspicuous, then waylay my men, and the carriage, before they enter the inn’ He scowled, trying to think where he could send the coach to wait until it was needed. He looked across at Denver. ‘You know this area better than I, where should I tell my coachman to wait?’
‘Tell him to go to the Red Lion in the next village, it’s not much of a place, but no one will ask questions, as long as he’s prepared to pay for their silence.’
Fletcher turned to Roberts. ‘Did you get that? Explain to my coachman where he’s to go, then bring Sam and the two men back here.’
He withdrew his hunter from his waistcoat pocket and glanced at the time. It was already four o’clock. The sky was becoming overcast and the clouds getting thicker, with any luck darkness would fall early tonight and then he would be able to begin his assault on Winterton.
Chapter Eighteen
Eliza, Jane, and Ann took it in turns at the window, hoping to see them bringing Jethro home injured, but still alive. The two who were not watching the park were occupied with entertaining Sarah; they played endless games of hunt the thimble and spillikins until even Sarah was bored with these.
‘It’s getting awful dark out there, Miss Fox, no point in standing here anymore.’ Jane said mid-afternoon. ‘I reckon it’ll be dark early tonight; I expect Miss Sarah will be happy to go to bed in an hour or two.’
‘Sarah, would you and Jane like to find us something to eat for our supper? Remember we must eat up all the things that will perish first, leave any pies, fruit and bread until tomorrow.’
‘I’m not hungry, Liza, I want to go home and see Mama.’
Eliza detected tears in her sister’s voice and knew she was trying her best to be brave. ‘Never mind, darling, I’m sure we’ll all be home safe and sound very soon. Mr Reed and Edmund will be coming to take us back.’
‘If we’re going home why did you ask me to hang all the clothes up? Do I need to pack them up again?’
‘What a good idea, Miss Sarah. Come along, let’s you and I sort out what we need for the night and put the rest back into the bags. We’ll want to be ready and not keep Mr Reed or Mr Fox waiting.’
Eliza smiled gratefully. She was the only one who haven’t managed to have a rest during the afternoon. They had been up at dawn and she had hardly slept the night before. She was bone weary and her head ached. ‘I think, whilst you both do that, Jane, I shall have a quick doze. I expect you can be very quiet in the dressing-room can’t you, Sarah?’
Jane led the girl into the dressing room and closed the door. Eliza kicked off her slippers but left her dress in place. There was no point in getting anything else creased.
Sheep curled up on the pillows and pulling the soft comforter over her ears. Within seconds she was fast asleep and didn’t wake until Sarah shook her gently by the shoulder an hour and a half later.
‘Liza, Liza, it’s time to get up. Look, I’m all ready for bed and you’re in my place.’
Eliza felt fresh and surprisingly hungry. ‘I am so glad you’ve woken me; I could do with my super now.’ Quickly scrambling out of bed she pushed her feet back into her slippers. ‘Do you realize, Sarah, that we’re going to have to take it in turns to sleep tonight? I think you must all have the first turn because I’ve just had a lovely long nap. I shall wake one of you in the middle of the night and take your place.’
Sarah giggled, she liked the sound of these unusual arrangements.
Their supper was more or less the same as lunch, but tasty nonetheless. Cook had provided them with bread and cheese, scones and jam, a plum cake and various cuts of meat. There were also fruit pies and biscuits. To drink they had lemonade and buttermilk.
Eliza sniffed the jug suspiciously. ‘Do you think this is still fresh enough to drink, Jane? It’s been sitting around here for several hours.’
‘I stood it in a basin of cold water, miss, so I’m certain it’s as fresh as it would be coming straight from the pantry. If we finish it off tonight the lemonade will do for tomorrow morning.’
They were all careful not to waste anything. Eliza was relieved to see there was still more than enough for breakfast, and lunch as well. She prayed they would not need it.
‘Are you ready for bed now, Sarah? If you go and get in I shall come and say your prayers with you. Do you wish me to tell you a story too?’
Sarah shook her head. ‘No, I’m very tired. I want Jane to lie down with me, then I shall feel safe and cosy in there. Can we draw the curtains round the bed?’
> ‘Excellent idea, then we can move around in the room and not disturb you.’
* * * *
Ann and Eliza retreated to the sitting-room and were silent, both lost in their own thoughts, when they were jerked awake by shouts and screeches of feminine laughter coming from the corridor. Eliza rose in horror. It hadn’t occurred to her that Wydale’s friends would bring their fancy women with them.
The caterwauling and yelling going on outside told her what she could expect if she was forced to go downstairs. She listened to the clatter and raucous laughter as the couples were escorted to their various chambers.
‘I’m going to change my gown, have I anything respectable, Ann?’
‘Your apricot muslin with the matching spencer has been left hanging in the closet. It seemed a shame to pack it too soon. The creases have fallen out wonderfully; you would hardly know it had been rolled up most of the day. Would you like me to help you change?’
Eliza was about to refuse, she was quite capable of getting out of her gowns on her own. None of her garments had the rows of tiny buttons that required the assistance of a dresser. But this evening she didn’t want to be alone, she certainly didn’t want to leave Ann by herself in the sitting room just in case someone hammered on the door.
They were obliged to creep past the bed. Eliza was ready to return to her vigil feeling calmer now that she was freshly dressed, her hair brushed until it shone, silk slippers on her feet and her spencer and reticule in her hand.
There was no sound from inside the curtains on the large tester bed. She tiptoed over and peeped through - both Sarah and her companion were sound asleep.
It was now only a little after six, but tonight it was pitch dark. Whilst they had been busy in the dressing-room the guests had obviously gone downstairs for dinner. Eliza was sitting quietly when she heard the sound of heavy feet rapidly approaching. There was an angry bang on the external door.
‘You are expected downstairs, Miss Fox. You are already keeping us waiting for our dinner.’ Without waiting for her answer Wydale attempted to open the door. Eliza shuddered, holding her breath, but it didn’t budge. The barrier they had erected held firm.
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