The Duke's Dilemma (17 page)

In one fluid movement he was on his feet, sword
raised. The man collapsed with a crash as the sword pierced his heart.

Ralph straightened, looking round for the man
he’d sliced earlier. He saw a fourth body and shrugged. It was over. The seven
men were dead. A pity the injured one hadn’t survived long enough to be
questioned. He’d let the militia sort that out when the weather cleared and he
could send another message to fetch them.

He heard muffled sobs coming from behind
another row of trunks and guessed this was where the other ladies were hidden.
‘Tom, bring the lantern; we need to get the ladies away from all this mess.’ He
heard them shifting behind the trunk. ‘I should stay where you are, Miss Bird,
let me sort things out before you bring the girls.’

‘I understand, your grace. We shall remain
where we are until you tell us to move.’

He saw the light approaching and headed towards
it. ‘How’s the boy, Tom?’

‘I’m shot in the shoulder, your grace, but not
about to meet my Maker.’ James answered cheerfully. ‘I can help you and Tom
tidy up.’

‘Excellent; don’t overdo it - we have
sufficient corpses already.’ Ralph dropped his sword on the floor not wishing
its bloodstained blade to be seen. ‘Hester, sweetheart, you stay where you are
as well. There are things that need doing before you come out.’

‘I know, we’re unharmed; thank God! I knew
you’d come.’

He heard her swallow back a sob and wanted to
go and her take her in his arms. The thumps and bangs on the stairs indicated
the corpses were being removed from there. There was just sufficient light for
him to drag the bodies over and drop them on top of the two that had fallen by
her hiding place.

He hoped that in the darkness they might be
invisible. There was nothing he could do about the congealing blood on the
boards; he’d just have to guide the ladies past and pray they would be so
concerned with finding their way in the gloom that they wouldn’t notice.

 
The dog
was no longer growling and greeted him by banging his tail on the hollow side
of the trunk. ‘Well done, old fellow, you’re a fearsome beast, but without your
help this could have had a different ending.’

There was the sound of shuffling and his
beloved spoke to him, her voice steady, her previous distress under control.
‘I’m coming out. I refuse to crouch behind here a moment longer. I just killed
a man and watched my dog tear the throat out of another. It’s far too late to
consider my sensibilities.’

He held out his hand to guide her and she
walked straight into his arms where she belonged. ‘My God, you’re shaking.
Sweetheart, it’s almost over. We can send for the militia tomorrow and let them
find out who’s behind all this.’

She didn’t answer, she was pressing herself
against him and despite the circumstances, he felt the all-too-familiar
tightening in his groin. He smoothed his hand up and down her spine and she
relaxed against him.

‘All clear down here, your grace. Shall I come
up with lanterns? James is safely on the daybed – he’ll do for the moment.’

‘Can you hang a lantern in the stairs, Tom? I
don’t think we need further illumination up here at the moment.’

The man understood. ‘Very well, your grace,
I’ll come up with both hands free.’

Ralph called to the others. ‘You may come out
now, Miss Bird. Take care where you walk. I suggest you go straight to the
kitchen, its warmest there and you must be chilled after your sojourn here.’

‘Of course, your grace. I believe a restorative
drink would be beneficial before we think of retiring tonight.’

Miss Bird was a treasure. Keeping his arm
firmly in place he waited whilst this paragon escorted her two charges from
their hiding place.

*

Hester saw Tom arrive and hurry over to assist
Birdie and the girls. The three women stumbled past the pile of corpses
apparently unaware of their presence and vanished downstairs. She was content
to remain where she was, loving the feeling of Ralph’s arm around her and
feeling his strength slowly restoring her equanimity.

Something Tom had said finally registered.
James had been shot; he was wounded and still untended. She allowed herself to
be guided to the sitting area where Birdie was waiting, the girls had continued
down to the kitchen. She saw James stretched out, his face ashen, jacket blood
soaked and forgot her own discomfort.

‘James, lie still whilst I fetch my bag. We
must stop the bleeding.’

 
‘No, my
dear girl, allow me to take care of James. You go downstairs; you have much to
discuss with Lord Colebrook.’

‘If you’re sure, Birdie. If you need any
assistance call me at once.’

‘Come along, darling. Miss Bird is going to
take care of James. He’s lost a deal of blood, but the shot passed cleanly through
his shoulder. He’ll make a full recovery.’

Hester didn’t argue; his words were to reassure
her and the patient for he hadn’t had time to examine James, neither had he
spoken at any length to Tom about the young man’s condition. The good Lord had
taken care of them so far, she would leave the matter in his capable hands.

The kitchen was warm, the range still burning
brightly and candles had been lit. She stopped, puzzled. ‘How can this be? Who
has been down here and opened the range and lit the candles?’

 
Ralph
kissed the top of her head. ‘Look, the candles are almost burnt out and the
range no

doubt
the same. It was left like this when all the fuss started. My dear, Polly and
the other girl must take care of you. Tom and I have go back and assist Robin
and the two grooms.’

She stared at him in bewilderment. ‘I thought
you said everything was over, that we’re safe and now you tell me you’re
leaving again.’ She
 
was hysterical but
she couldn’t bear to think of him going back into danger for a second time that
night.

Chapter
Seventeen

‘Sweetheart, I shan’t be gone more than an hour or so. I must be sure the
last two villains are secure.’ One of them had better be breathing so the man
could be interrogated. Her lips quivered and he almost changed his mind.
‘Please, don’t wait up for my return; when you have had a hot drink, retire.
We’ll talk in the morning.’

She was going to protest but he forestalled her. Stepping close, for the
second time that night he embraced her in full view of the servants. She
snuggled against him and he tightened his hold; ignoring the circle of
interested spectators he lifted her from her feet and covered her mouth with
his. Never had he felt such passion; tomorrow when things were settled,
whatever the weather, Robin would ride to find the nearest vicar.

Reluctantly lifting his head he whispered softly in her ear. ‘I love you,
and intend to marry you as soon as it can be arranged.’ As she slid down his
chest, her softness aroused him further. Her eyes told him his feelings were
returned.

‘I’ll take hot water and drinks up to James and Birdie; Godspeed, my
love, come back to me safely.’

Unable to reply, he raised one hand, seeing too late there were blood
smears on it, and caressed her cheek. Unbothered by the gore she covered his
and smiled sweetly.

‘Your grace, shall we take the dog with us?’ Tom spoke from behind him,
sharply reminding him of his pressing responsibilities.

‘No, he’s done enough tonight; Jet can stay here and guard the ladies.’

The return journey down the passage was made at speed, the necessity for
silence and secrecy over. Both pistols were reloaded but the sword still
languished on the floorboards in the attic so the belt and scabbard had been
discarded. The danger was over; Robin was an expert at springing an ambush and
the guards were either dead or captured by now.

There were lights ahead and Robin’s voice called out. ‘Thank God! I was
about to come in search of you, your grace. We had no problems here; one dead –
one ready to be questioned.’

Ralph felt a surge of excitement. The information he needed would be his
before the night was out and tomorrow they could seek out their leader. None of
the intruders was the man he sought; that person was well spoken, a gentleman,
and these were no more than rough ex-soldiers.

‘James received a bullet through the shoulder. However there are seven
cadavers to remove and I need Seth and Robert’s assistance with this.’

He looked round the roughly circular space that had been hewn out of the
ground, the walls were supported by beams, the ceiling also. There was a ladder
leading up to a trap door at the far end. The two men nodded and grinned at
him. ‘Well done; you shall not go unrewarded for this night’s work.’

After glancing at the bodies on the floor of the cave it was obvious that
one was dead, the other securely tied, unconscious. ‘Robin, you stay here. Tom,
can you clean up at the Hall?’

‘Where do you want me to put the bodies, your grace?’

 
‘Outside. It’s so cold they’ll not
turn putrid for a day of so. Pile them up in one of the outbuildings.’ He
walked over to stare up at the trapdoor above his head. ‘Has anyone been up to
discover exactly where this comes out?’

‘That we have, your grace, but there’s so much snow you can’t see a damn
thing out there. We could be anywhere.’ Robin nodded towards the pile of empty
barrels piled against the far wall.

‘It’s a smuggler’s den; somewhere they can hole up when the excise men
are on their trail. From the looks of the walls this has been here a long time,
probably when the house was built the owners were involved in free trade and
had the passageway put in.’

Ralph wasn’t so sure. ‘It’s more likely to have been a priest’s hole; the
smugglers took it over. At least we know now how they were able to vanish. But
God knows how the bastards found out about the passageway or the way to release
the mechanism.’ He yawned. ‘No doubt I’ll discover the truth tomorrow.’

Deciding it would be easier to interrogate the prisoner in privacy; away
from someone less squeamish than himself or Robin, he waited until the others
had gone. ‘Wake him up. The sooner I have the information I need the sooner I
can get some shut eye.’

*

The kitchen seemed overlarge without Ralph. Hester turned to the girls
who were waiting politely for instructions. ‘Polly, is there any milk in the
pantry? I think I would like a mug of chocolate with a large dose of medicinal
brandy in it. Would you like the same?’

‘That would be grand, miss, Meg and I can make the drink, but I wouldn’t
know where the brandy was kept.’

‘Thank you, Polly. There’s some in the study, I’ll fetch it. I’m sure
both Miss Bird and James would appreciate a glass as well.’ This time she was
content to venture into the dark on her own. There was no need to worry about
intruders; Ralph had dealt with them and she was safe.

The cognac was in the decanter exactly where she’d seen it last and
triumphantly she returned to the kitchen. Polly had already found the milk and
it was gently steaming in a copper saucepan on the range. Meg was busy
assembling the necessities for tea. The girl looked up at her shyly.

‘I thought that his grace and the others might prefer a brew of tea,
miss, the gentlemen don’t generally like chocolate.’

‘Good idea; make a pot for James now, but leave everything ready for when
the men return.’ She realized that in spite of all the excitement of the
evening she was ravenous. ‘Meg, find the bread and butter and see if there’s
any of that ham left from supper. We shall make them all a
midnight
feast.’

Once she was certain they knew what to do sure you hurried upstairs to
see whether she could be of any assistance to Birdie. James was sitting up, a
neat bandage around his shoulder, a trifle pale but apparently in good spirits.

‘Good heavens! How are you feeling? There will be sustenance and tea
arriving soon, but I have some brandy here for you both.’ He looked
uncomfortable at being discovered without his shirt on.

‘Thank you, miss, I’m not too bad. Miss Bird has done a splendid job
patching me up. She’s gone to wash her hands and then she’s going to find me
something to wear.’

Hester tipped a generous measure into the crystal glass she’d removed
from the pocket of her skirt. ‘Here, drink this. I’m going to see Miss Bird.’
Her friend was drying her hands when she entered and greeted her with her usual
calm.

‘There you are, my dear. I’m about to venture upstairs to find something
for poor James to put on. I thought this blanket could go around his shoulders
for the moment.’

‘The girls will be bringing up chocolate and some cold cuts and bread and
butter. I should like something to eat before I retire. Will James require any
sutures?’

‘I don’t think so, my dear. The bullet had lodged in his shoulder bone
and was easy to remove. If he rests I’m happy it will heal without further
intervention from a physician.’

Hester smiled wearily. ‘I’m relieved to hear you say so. There’s a
blizzard outside at the moment and I doubt if anyone, however willing, will be
able to get to town for a day or two.’

There was the sound of footsteps approaching and she hurried to open the
door. ‘Thank you, girls, I’ve cleared a space on the central table for
you.’
 
She smiled at James, now decently
dressed, his arm in a sling and as cheerful as usual. ‘I see there’s tea as
well as chocolate, James. Which would you prefer?’

‘Tea would be grand, miss, and some of that plum cake to go with it,
thank you.’

‘Miss Frobisher, you sit down and let me and Meg serve; it’s not right
for you to wait on us.’

‘If you insist, Polly, then I’ll do so. I should like some of everything
and chocolate to drink, please.’

 
The trays and the chocolate jug
were almost empty when they heard further footsteps on the stairs.

Jet raised his head and thumped his tail and Hester relaxed waiting to
see who would emerge from the door, praying it would be Ralph, disappointed
when Tom appeared.

‘Miss Frobisher, his grace says to tell you everything is under control,
all the men who have been attacking us over the past few days have been dealt
with. Seth, Robert and I will help ourselves to the supper you’ve left out. No
doubt you’re going to retire soon?’

She understood this was more a suggestion than a question. Why should he
want them … then she recalled there were several corpses to dispose of; not
something he would wish to do in front of them. ‘I’ve finished and am off to my
bed chamber. Perhaps you could assist James to his before you go downstairs,
Tom?’

She stood up knowing the other three would be obliged to follow. Leaving
Birdie to arrange matters with the girls, she retreated to her room. Tonight
she would use the facilities in there while she was alone. She could hear the
murmur of voices and the clatter of crockery as Birdie directed the maids.

*

Ralph walked over to check the bolts on the inside of the trap were
firmly across; he wanted to be certain no one else could break in. The rest of
the gang might come to investigate when their comrades failed to return, but he
thought the blizzard raging outside would keep them away tonight. Tomorrow,
whatever the weather, he would take the fight to them.

‘It would be easier if we had a chair to tie this bastard to, your grace.
Shall I attach him to a wall beam instead?’

‘Here, let me give you a hand.’

The man smelt rank. Ralph’s nostrils curled in disgust as he assisted in
hoisting the inert form upright and lashing it to a couple of beams. ‘Do we
have water to throw over him?’

‘I collected some snow in their slop pail when I opened the trap; it’s
melted a bit and will wake him up better than water.’

Ralph stepped back allowing Robin to hurl the contents of the slop bucket
over their semi-conscious captive. The man groaned and his eyes flickered open.
His gaze was vacant as he stared around the chamber, until he spotted the body
and then comprehension dawned on. Time to commence the interrogation.

Without a second’s hesitation he stepped up and punched the man hard
enough to split his lip, but not enough to render him senseless. He saw the
victim’s head snap back and his eyes widen in fear. ‘I am Waverley. I wish to
know the whereabouts and identity of the man who sent you here to murder me?’

For a moment he stepped in close and raised his fist to strike again. The
man’s bladder emptied, the liquid splashing noisily on to the beaten earth of the
floor. Ralph moved sideways avoiding the noisome puddle and felt a flicker of
sympathy for the humiliated man hanging limp and defenceless. He hardened his
resolve. He was a soldier and this man would have cut his throat without
compunction given the slightest chance.

‘I’m waiting. Don’t make me ask the question a second time.’

The man’s head jerked upright and words tumbled from his lips. The
gentleman behind the attempts was renting a house a couple of miles away,
Bracken Manor. There were a further six men there to scare away whoever
remained alive.

‘Cut him down, Robin, but make certain his bonds are secure. He can wait
down here until the militia arrive to collect him.’

Robin completed his task and picked up a lantern. ‘Do you wish to leave him
with a candle?’

‘No. He’s fortunate to be alive, that’s comfort enough.’ He headed back
along the tunnel, his thoughts whirling. There were still too many unanswered
questions. He didn’t know who lived at Bracken Manor nor how he came to know so
much about this place. It had to be someone Aunt Agatha knew, a distant
relative, someone who might have visited Neddingfield in the past and learnt
its secrets.

He scowled. If his aunt had known of the existence of the passage she
would have told them about it. This was a conundrum that wasn’t going to be
solved tonight. He was exhausted, his brain foggy; in the morning, after a good
night’s rest, no doubt they would come up with an explanation.

The faint glimmer of light ahead told him they were approaching the exit.
‘Robin, we’ll not leave for the manor until I’ve made sense of what I’ve
learned tonight.’

‘Very well, your grace. Shall we meet in the library after breakfast?’

‘Yes; the animals must be seen to, the snow cleared from the paths before
we leave. I wonder, do Seth and Robert ride?’

‘Doubt it, sir. But if the choice is walking thigh deep in snow or
hanging onto a saddle, I reckon they’ll manage right enough.’

The house was quiet, everyone retired. There was a light coming from
under the kitchen door and Ralph paused, had Hester ignored his instructions
and waited up for him after all? His fatigue vanished and he threw open the
door to discover it empty.

‘Look, Robin, tea, brandy and food. Will you join me for supper?’ He
smiled, guessing who had arranged this welcome for him. The kettle was bubbling
and whilst Robin made tea he pulled out a chair. After several slices of bread
and ham, three cups of tea and a generous measure of brandy, he was feeling
less fraught and more confident that morning would provide him with answers.
Whoever he was, the man was a formidable opponent and he would need all his
tactical skills to beat him.

*

At last! Jet was banging
his tail against her door; Ralph must have returned safely. It couldn’t be Tom,
who was already in bed. She heard him pause, obviously fussing the dog, then
his footsteps faded away and there was the click of his bedchamber door.

The gentle snores coming from the bed of the
far side of the room told her Birdie was sound asleep. Once her companion was
in the land of nod she would remain there, unless shaken awake, for at least
five hours. After that her friend would wake at the slightest noise; a life
spent rising with the lark made her more responsive as dawn approached.