Fenella J. Miller (12 page)

       ‘Have you asked everyone in the vicinity?’ Fletcher demanded.

       ‘Yes, and I left my man Denver to continue making enquiries. He has yet to return.’ His face had a pinched look and he seemed to have aged ten years since breakfast. ‘I am certain Wydale has taken them but I cannot imagine why he should wish to do so. I thought he had had a change of heart when he returned my vowels to me.’

       ‘I’m afraid that you’re under a misapprehension, Mr Fox. I took the papers without his permission after I had broken his nose for making improper suggestions about Miss Sarah.’

       Eliza stared from one man to the other. Sarah would be safe if Edmund had not been stupid enough to gamble. Sarah would be safe if Fletcher had not seen fit to break his friend’s nose and then steal the vowels from his pocket.

       That it was Lord Wydale who had abducted her sister, she had not the slightest doubt. He would have his revenge if he could not have the property. She felt her heart shrivel and the fledgling love she’d formed for the tall man watching her through narrowed eyes, died within her.

       ‘This debacle is your fault. If you had not assaulted him, Mr Reed, and then stolen property from his jacket pocket, none of this would have happened. I lay the blame entirely on your shoulders.’ She looked at him dispassionately and saw his cheeks pale as he understood that all was at an end between them.

       ‘You are quite right to castigate me, it is my responsibility that this situation has arisen. But be sure, I shall return Miss Sarah to you unharmed.’

       Eliza remained impassive, not impressed by his protestations. Hadn’t he promised that no harm should come to any of them, indeed, given his word as a gentleman on this matter?

       ‘Mr Reed, I believe that your interference has caused enough damage already. This is a family matter; it has nothing whatsoever to do with you. You are a stranger to us, kindly leave the house and do not return. We shall arrange things as we see fit.’

       She saw Edmund flinch at her harsh words, but was unconcerned. She knew that Sarah’s abductor would contact her, not because he wanted his money, but because he wanted to hurt both Edmund and Mr Reed.

       She saw the man she thought she had loved nod briefly to her. ‘Your servant, madam. Please convey my sympathy to Mrs Fox.’ He said no more, just straightened his shoulders and strode out taking her happiness with him.

       Edmund hurried off behind him and she did not bother to call him back. She had no time for either of them; she had to contact Mr Firmin at once and make sure she had a banker’s draft made out to Lord Wydale waiting for when the summons came.

       She rejoined her mother and grandmother in the drawing-room, knowing what she had to tell them was the very last thing they wanted to hear. She braced herself for an outburst of anguish and sobbing. She told them both as gently as she could why Sarah had been taken.

       ‘Are you saying, Eliza, that all this is Mr Reed’s fault? If he had not interfered in the matter, Sarah would be safe at home with us now?’

       ‘That’s exactly what I’m telling you, Mama. The blame lies entirely with Edmund and Mr Reed. Between them they have caused this disaster. However, I have the money from the holdings coming any day, and I’m sure that Lord Wydale will accept that in exchange for Sarah’s safety.’

       ‘But she will be so frightened, she has never stayed away from home before and what if… and what if….?’

       Mrs Fox could not finish, but Eliza knew exactly what she was referring to. ‘Sarah will be frightened, there is nothing we can do about that, however, remember, Mama, she has Jane with her. His lordship would not have taken Jane as well if he had intended anything improper to happen. He’s using her as a bargaining tool; he wants his money and knows he will never get it now Edmund has burned the IOU’s.’

       Mrs Dean patted her daughter’s hand. ‘Hannah, my dear, you must be strong. Eliza is right; that wretched man will deal with Eliza, not Edmund nor Mr Reed. All we have to do is wait for his message to come.’

       ‘I shall call Reverend Clarkson to pray with us, we need all the help from the Almighty that we can get.’

       Eliza shook her head. ‘No, Mama. We must keep this matter to ourselves. Only the staff know and they are loyal and will not breathe a word outside Grove House.
We
know that Sarah will be unharmed, but do you think anyone else will believe that?’

       The older women exchanged worried glances and then looked back at Eliza. Her mother spoke, her voice thick with tears. ‘Then we must pray together, my dear. Pray that somehow good can come out of this evil.’

* * * *

Eliza visited the office of her lawyers in Colchester, stoically enduring the uncomfortable carriage drive of several miles. She returned with the knowledge that the required document would be with her when the lawyer returned from London. She prayed it would be sooner rather than later.

       She had not told anyone that she believed it was not only the money that Wydale would demand. He wanted revenge on both the men who had shown him such disrespect. Taking Sarah was just the first step; what he intended was to compromise her. By doing this he would destroy the happiness of Mr Reed, and her brother.

       Mr Reed would never take a woman as his wife who had been besmirched by another man. Eliza understood quite clearly that she would be damaged goods when she returned, but that was a small price to pay if it safely reunited her family.

       She would never feel the same way about Edmund again. She had indulged his every whim, as had both her mother and grandmother. From now on he would have to manage on his own. He would not be welcome at Grove House until he had become a man who could be trusted. The fact that he was the owner of her home, and had more right to be there than she did, did not bother her.

Edmund had vanished. He had returned to his chambers and collected his belongings and left, presumably with Mr Reed, to search for Sarah.

       The day after Sarah’s disappearance Mr Firmin arrived with the bank draft that Eliza was waiting for.

       ‘Is Mr Fox not here? You must be so relieved that he can pay his debts so easily.’

       ‘No, sir, he has gone away with his friend Mr Reed for a few days. I thank you for your concern, but the matter has been settled and we shall have no further need of your services. I appreciate your promptness in this matter.’

       Eliza read the document carefully, making sure that there could be no flaw found in it when she handed it over. Satisfied it had been drawn up exactly as she wished, she hurried upstairs to make her preparations.

She needed to remain strong, pretend that she was just awaiting the summons from Lord Wydale and would be able to go at once to collect Sarah. Later that day a closed carriage arrived outside Grove House. Eliza had been expecting it. She already had her bag packed, and one for Sarah as well.

She had asked Ann, who had been acting as her personal maid in Jane’s absence, to prepare the bags for Jane and herself. Eliza was waiting in the drawing-room, bag at her side, when Mrs Green appeared in the doorway.

       ‘There is a note for you, Miss Fox, the driver says as he’ll wait.’

       Eliza recognized the handwriting, it was that of Sarah’s companion, Jane.

She ripped it open and quickly scanned the contents.

 
Dear Miss Fox,

Miss Sarah and I are being well looked after and have come to no harm. Lord Wydale requests that you return with the carriage. He says that you have something of his that him wishes you to return. We are alone in the house at present.

      
Signed

 Jane Smith, Miss.

Eliza’s summons had come. She was glad she was alone, her relatives had taken the carriage into the village to call into the church, believing that their prayers would be more effective if spoken in God’s house.

She looked up to see the housekeeper hovering in the door. ‘This is the message I was expecting, from Jane, Mrs Green. As you can see I am ready to leave. Please tell Mrs Fox that I shall be away overnight but expect to return with Miss Sarah safe and sound tomorrow. ‘

       Ann appeared at the housekeeper’s side, having also heard the carriage arrive. The girl picked up her bag and tucked it under her arm. Eliza hurried out to the coach noticing that the blinds were drawn. The coachman sitting on the box had his collar turned up and his hat pulled down over his ears making it impossible to see his face.

The second man, opened the door and politely handed Eliza up the steps. Her maid followed and placed the bags on the floor between them. Eliza glanced down and even in the near darkness of the closed carriage she could see that the handles on the inside of doors had been removed. It would be impossible to escape even if they had wished to. She was a captive, and only yards from her own home.

Sinking back on squabs, she pulled her warm cloak around her shoulders, glad that the deep brimmed bonnet she had chosen hid her expression from the anxious girl beside her.

She felt the coach rock as the second man climbed up on the box next to the driver and

then she heard the whip crack and the four horses leaned into the traces and the coach moved away. Eliza closed her eyes, grateful that the blinds were down and no one could see her disgrace.

       She didn’t see the two men, mounted on sturdy horses, trot out of the drive and follow behind the carriage. Eliza believed she was totally alone, that the safety of her sister rested entirely on her shoulders

       The journey seemed interminable, the coach although well sprung, rocked and bumped over potholes and ruts which told her one thing, they were not travelling on the toll-road, but by side lanes. She had far too much time to dwell on what might have been. How could she have imagined herself to have fallen in love with Mr Reed? It was hardly surprising that their love had taken wing at this disaster when it had flown in so unexpectedly. She supposed that she must resign herself to a miserable life as a doting aunt to Edmund’s future progeny.

By the time the carriage finally rocked to a standstill she was bruised and sore from the three hours she had spent inside. Eliza smiled across at her maid, hoping to reassure her.

‘Ann, you must do whatever you are told, do not argue, for your very life might depend on it, and the life of others.’

As soon as she had spoken, she realized her words had terrified the girl. She watched her face pale, and thought she would have to deal with a fainting companion as well as everything else.

‘Come now, Ann. You knew when you came we were not going on a shopping expedition to Colchester or a jaunt around the countryside. You knew that we were responding to the bidding of a dreadful man in order to rescue Miss Sarah.’

       ‘Yes, miss, I beg your pardon. Of course I did know, it’s just hearing it put so baldly gave me quite a turn. I’m steady now.’

       Eliza slipped her hand into her cloak pocket and her fingers closed around the polished butt of a small pistol that was primed and ready to fire. She might be naïve, but she was not stupid. She had come prepared for every eventuality. She also had sewn a tiny stiletto knife into her chemise. This delicate blade in its finely tooled leather scabbard had been brought back from India by her father. He had intended her to use it as a letter opener, but she believed it might prove to be invaluable.

       She had never harmed another human being, but hoped that if it meant a choice between her life, or that of Lord Wydale, she would not hesitate. She was determined not to let him sense how terrified she was. She had to remain strong, set an example for Sarah who had already endured more than a day’s captivity. Ann, although a sensible country girl, was not used to mixing with villains and abductors.

       She heard someone pushing the handle back into the empty hole in the door and then it swung open. The man who had incarcerated them several hours before leant in and flicked down the carriage steps. Without a word, he stepped back, and assisted her descent. She turned to collect her bag but Ann spoke quietly behind her.

       ‘You go on, miss, I can manage the bags. Go and see Miss Sarah, I’ll be along directly.’

Chapter Twelve

Eliza looked around expecting to see a dismal, derelict farmhouse or maybe a ruined castle, but not this. The carriage was standing in a neatly trimmed turning circle, the gravel swept, weed free, the greensward neatly manicured. She glanced up at the house itself. It was a mixture of Elizabethan and more recent construction. This also was in excellent repair, leaded windows sparkling in the evening sun.

       Nothing could be further than the image she had carried in her head for the past few hours. This was a home, not a hide-out for people who had been abducted by an evil man. Had she been mistaken? Had Sarah gone with his lordship willingly and was a guest and not a captive?

       The uncomfortable pressure in her bladder reminded her that it was several hours since she had used the commode. It was going to be hard to maintain her dignity until she had been given access to a private place to relieve herself. She almost smiled at her thoughts,

they were hardly the wild imaginings of someone arriving to sacrifice herself in order to save her sister.

She heard Ann shuffling up behind her; no one had come out to help them with their bags, which was odd, considering that the house must have several staff in order to keep it in its immaculate condition.

       ‘This looks all right, miss. Not what I expected, I can tell you. I reckon Miss Sarah and Jane have been having a bit of a holiday here and maybe we’ve been worrying without grounds.’

       Eliza drew breath to answer when the front door opened and a stony faced woman dressed in crisp black, appeared followed by a footman suitably be-wigged and a parlour maid in his wake.

       ‘Good afternoon, Miss Fox, if you should like to come this way I shall show you to your rooms. I’m sure you will wish to refresh yourself before coming downstairs and being reunited with Miss Sarah and her companion.’