A Debt From the Past (29 page)

‘But Dan could have sent a message, Alice.’

‘Oh, he’s worse than any of them for keeping information to himself. And when I mention my family, Dan is included. My father jokes about him, but I know he greatly admires that complex man and looks upon him as another grandson. I think it would be best if you go about your business today, and I will stay here to do the worrying.’

Helen nodded. ‘You’re right. Tom, I will be ready to leave in half an hour.’

‘Yes, my lady. I’ll get Honey ready. She told me she’s looking forward to a gallop this morning.’

‘In that case I had better not disappoint her.’

Grinning broadly, Tom spun on his heels and tore out of the room.

As they approached the Gresham home, all but one of the soldiers peeled off and disappeared to various positions around the home.

Dismounting, Alex went to James, concerned. ‘They were in a hell of a hurry. Are you all right after such a frantic ride?’

‘I’m fine, but I wish they had taken the time to tell us what this is all about. Whatever Dan’s up to, he doesn’t intend to let Gresham escape. That must mean he has some damning evidence against him.’

‘Of course he has!’ Grandfather leant over, trying to catch his breath. ‘And he’s damned determined about it.’

Dan had remained in the saddle, as had the man who was clearly an officer, and it was only when the door opened and Gresham appeared that they dismounted.

‘Well, well, what’s all this? Come to apologize, have you?’

Dan gave a smile that made Gresham take an involuntary step back. ‘I would like to introduce you to Major Andrew Gresham, the rightful owner of this desirable property.’

‘I don’t believe you. I am the only living relative of this branch of the Gresham family. Leave here this instant!’

‘You are the one who will leave, Mr Peter Walton.’ Dan removed documents from his jacket. ‘I have here all the proof we need. The woman you have been presenting as your sister is indeed your wife. I visited her in London and she is already packing to leave the Major’s house. You have used many names to carry out your criminal activities, but you were foolish enough to use your real name for a crime many years ago, and more recently here. That is how we tracked you down.’

‘Uh, oh.’ Alex moved closer to James and whispered. ‘Look, he’s not alone.’

When four men began to emerge from the side of the house, Dan nodded to the Major, who let out a piercing whistle. His men rode out of their hiding places, forming a circle around Gresham’s men. ‘Thinking of fighting your way out of this, were you?’

Seeing there was no escape, Walton glared at Dan and then focused on the Major. ‘Where the hell did you come from? I went into the Gresham line carefully, and there wasn’t anyone left to claim the inheritance.’

‘So you thought you would have it?’

‘Why not? And you haven’t answered my question. Why has it taken you so long to appear?’

‘I have been in India for the last three years and didn’t realize that the estate should have come to me until Mr Edgemont informed me of the situation. Now, Mr Walton, my men will escort you.’

‘Where to?’

‘Gaol, of course. Mr Edgemont informs me that you have rather a long list of charges to face, dating back some thirty years. The London constabulary are also anxious to question you. I believe a charge of murder was mentioned, as well as fraud, embezzlement and blackmail, to mention but a few.’

‘By all that’s merciful, we’ve got him at last, James.’ Grandfather gripped his grandson’s arm, a tear trickling down his cheeks. ‘Not for his crimes against us perhaps, but he’ll surely go the gallows now.’

Walton was already mounted on a horse with his hands tied in front of him, and there was no sign of his men.

The Major turned to James. ‘Lord Sharland, I will leave you four of my men, and you have my permission to clear the property of all staff. Tell the regular workers to present themselves to me at the village in two days from now and I will see they receive any money owing them.’

‘It will be my pleasure, sir.’ James shook his hand. ‘And thank you.’

With only a slight nod of his head, the Major swung into the saddle. ‘Once this man is safely locked away, I shall meet you at the Langton estate with Mr Edgemont. We have things to discuss.’

‘What did he mean by that?’ Alex watched as they cantered away.

‘No idea.’

One of the soldiers came up to James. ‘I’m Sergeant Dickins, your lordship, at your service.’

‘Well, your officer wants everyone off his property, so let’s carry out his orders.’

It was late afternoon when they arrived back at the house, where they found Alice and the girls anxiously waiting for them.

Alice breathed a sigh of relief when she saw them. ‘Thank goodness you all look cheerful. I’m guessing everything went all right.’

‘We’ve got him!’ her father laughed, giving her a hug. ‘He won’t get away this time. Dan’s made sure of that. What a day! I could have kissed that boy for the way he handled the situation.’

‘I’m glad you didn’t; it would have ruined the whole thing.’ Dan strode into the room, followed by the Major. ‘Allow me to introduce your hostess, Miss Elizabeth Langton, and her friend, Lady Helen Denton. The other charming lady is Lady Trenchard, Mr Beaufort’s daughter. Ladies – Major Andrew Gresham.’

The Major bowed respectfully to each of them.

The name had startled Beth, but, although bursting with curiosity, she maintained her poise. ‘Welcome to Langton house, Major Gresham. Would you join us for dinner?’

‘It would be my pleasure.’

‘What about your men, sir? I would not wish them to go hungry.’

‘They are already comfortably settled in the local hostelry.’ His eyes shone with amusement. ‘I can assure you that they will not go short of anything.’

‘In that case I will go and let Cook know that we have a guest for dinner.’

Beth had just reached the kitchen when Tom burst in excitedly. ‘I’ve got a warhorse in the stable! Wow! You ought to see the size of him. He likes carrots and apples. Can I have some, please, Mrs Howard?’

‘In the store cupboard, but don’t take too many. And Tom,’ she called as he made for the stores, ‘you be careful of that animal. I’ve been told they can be quite vicious.’

When he emerged clutching the treats for his new charge in his arms, he had a look of utter disbelief on his face. ‘He won’t hurt me.’

Cook sighed. ‘I suppose he told you that?’

He nodded, then turned and ran, eager to get back to the stables.

‘That boy’s got no fear when it comes to animals. What are we doing with a horse like that in the stables, Miss Langton?’

‘It must belong to the Major. I’ve come to tell you we have a guest for dinner.’

‘Ah, I thought that might be the case. We’ve more than enough for an extra one. Shall I have a room prepared for him as well?’

‘I don’t know yet if he’s staying the night, but it would be wise to have it ready. Tom’s going to be very disappointed if the warhorse doesn’t stay for a while,’ Beth joked.

‘He’ll be in the stables all night.’ Mrs Howard lowered her voice. ‘Any news about what happened today?’

Beth shook her head. ‘No details yet, but Grandfather is jubilant. He said they’d got him, and that was all.’

‘Ah, well, that’s something, and it was good to know they had all come back unharmed.’

‘Indeed it was. I must return to our guest.’

The only occupants of the sitting room when she arrived were Alice and Helen. ‘Where have they gone?’

‘They’ve withdrawn to the library with a large bottle of brandy.’ Alice pulled a face. ‘They have things to discuss. Men’s talk.’

‘Did they say any more about today?’

Helen sighed. ‘What do you think?’

‘Of course they didn’t!’ Beth sat down and folded her arms. ‘So, we are to be left in suspense – again.’

The Major sipped his brandy appreciatively. ‘Dan has told me about your plans for a school for underprivileged boys, Lord Sharland.’

‘James, please. I am going to open the school in the new year. At least it will give a few children the chance of a good education.’

‘An admirable project. And you would find extra land useful?’

‘Not essential at this point, but it could become so if I decide to expand the school. That will depend upon its success, of course.’

Andrew Gresham nodded. ‘With your qualifications, I am sure that success is assured. I also agree that all children should receive a sound education, and I would like to make a donation towards your work. The Gresham estate, and everything it contains, is yours.’

The brandy glass in James’s hand nearly went flying as he leapt to his feet. ‘But you can’t just give it away! I will be happy to pay a fair price for the property.’

‘I neither want nor need a country home, but I shall keep the London house as that could be useful. In two months I shall be returning to India.’ He shook his head. ‘What would I do with the place? And before you argue further, James, I do not need the money, and it would please me to know it will be helping such a worthy cause. I am a very distant relative of the Greshams and can’t ever remember having met them. The place means nothing to me, and I would be honoured if you would accept it as my gift to your school.’

‘What can I say but thank you?’ James bowed his head. ‘I am overwhelmed by your generosity, and I hope you will be able to visit us when you are home on leave next time?’

‘That is an invitation I shall accept with pleasure. I will have the transfer documents prepared as quickly as possible, but from this moment you may consider the property yours.’

They shook hands to seal the arrangement.

‘This is cause for a celebration.’ Grandfather began refilling their glasses. ‘Dan, all we need now is your assurance that Walton will go to prison for a very long time.’

‘Now he has been exposed, the London police want him for many serious crimes. He will be transferred there tomorrow, and I am confident that it will either be the gallows or transportation for him. I will be involved in the trial.’

‘Good.’ Grandfather raised his glass. ‘It has taken thirty years, but at last we can look forward to justice being done.’

Dinner that evening was a lively meal, with everyone in high spirits, and although they heard some details of the day’s events, the girls were still awaiting the full story.

The Major had accepted Beth’s invitation to stay the night, and the men retired to the library as soon as the meal was over.

Alice, Beth and Helen retired then, knowing from the laughter coming from the library that the men would be talking and drinking well into the night.

A commotion coming from the paddock the next morning had them all running outside to see what the noise was about.

Beth and Helen were the first to arrive, with the men close behind. The sight of Tom running as fast as his legs would carry him and the enormous warhorse in hot pursuit made Beth wrench the gate open. ‘Tom, come out – quickly!’

The boy turned in their direction and skidded to a halt to slam the gate shut. ‘No, no, don’t let him out!’ Then he tore off again.

‘Help him!’ Beth turned to the men gathered along the fence.

The Major was about to vault the fence when Jenkins stopped him. ‘You don’t need to, sir. Our Tom knows what he’s doing.’

‘But what
is
he doing?’

‘Don’t know, sir, but
he
does. Look at him; he’s laughing.’

‘He has a great understanding of horses,’ James told the Major. ‘It’s quite remarkable. He isn’t running scared; he’s playing with the animal.’

They all watched in astonishment as the animal caught up with Tom and pushed him just hard enough to knock him off his feet. The boy sprung up and stood on tiptoe to reach the horse’s head, pulling it down so he could say something in his ear. That sent the warhorse into a mad gallop around the field. Then he stopped in front of Tom and dipped his head.

‘I don’t believe I have just seen that.’ The Major shook his head in disbelief. ‘That animal is trained to kill, not play games with young boys. I did explain this to him when he was so eager to take charge of Zeus. Tom!’ he called.

‘Yes, sir.’ He arrived flushed and grinning.

‘What was that all about? And why have you put him in the paddock?’

‘Ah, well, I had to, sir. He’s a handsome beast and er ...’ He shuffled his feet in embarrassment, casting a quick glance at Helen. ‘Er ... you see, Honey fell in love with him, and when she kept talking to him, I couldn’t stop her. I tried, my lady, but she wouldn’t listen to me. Well, Zeus could see her over the partition, and well ... I had to separate them. Zeus thought I was going to bring Honey out as well, and when I told him she wasn’t coming, he decided to give me the run-around. In the end we was both laughing and having fun. He’s calmed down now, sir.’

‘Zeus didn’t get near Honey, did he?’

‘Oh, no, Major, sir. I wouldn’t have allowed that without her ladyship’s permission. Honey’s just a bit cross at the moment, but I’ll go and have a little talk to her. She’s a good girl and will understand.’

Muffled laughter quickly turned into coughs from the men gathered there. The Major was controlling his expression with difficulty. ‘You did well, Tom.’

‘Thank you, sir.’ The boy looked shyly at the soldier. ‘Zeus would do anything for you, sir. He told me, and he also said that it’s too cold here, so can you both go back to the warm?’

‘Really? Can you tell him we will only be here for a short stay?’

‘I’ll do that, sir.’ Tom bounded off towards Zeus again.

Grandfather was openly laughing now. ‘That boy is a treasure.’

Before anyone else could comment, a soldier galloped up to them. ‘Sir! We’re needed.’

‘What’s happened, Sergeant?’

‘The police were getting ready to take Walton to London when he tried to escape. Don’t have more details, sir.’

Tom had anticipated the need and Zeus was already standing near the Major, almost saddled and ready to ride. Another stable hand was leading Dan’s horse out in case it was needed.

The major nodded his approval. ‘Excellent staff you have, Miss Langton.’