His Shadowed Heart ((Books We Love Regency Romance)) (17 page)

“You must come, sir,” she cried, her eyes wide with fear. “You must come,” and she ran from the room. As he gained the hallway, several of the servants were already gathered there also having heard the young girl’s cries.

“What is wrong?” he demanded of the girl who stood before him, feeling a desire to box her ears to rid her of her hysteria.

“The picture gallery,” she cried, pointing up the sweeping staircase, and the earl took the stairs two at a time, the men following in his wake.

When he achieved the gallery he came to an abrupt halt, all the portraits with the exception of two were slashed, and hung from their frames. The two that remained whole were those of himself and his former wife. He slowly traversed the length of the gallery to stand before them; Elizabeth’s face gazed down upon him totally unmolested, her enigmatic smile seeming to mock him. His own was daubed with blood, blood that he assumed to have come from the butchered fox the night before as a stone jar, which still held its macabre contents, lay at an angle on the floor, seeping some of its scarlet liquid across the carpet.

“’Tis demons or ghosts,” cried one of the under-butlers. “Naught could have passed us last night, we had the house covered.”

“Nonsense,” snapped the earl
, turning sharply to face the youth, “unless I am very much mistaken, that is a human footprint in the blood,” and he knelt to examine it. “A very human print,” he reiterated, straightening, “and a booted one at that. Our man is no spirit, I assure you, but he appears to have been disturbed before he could complete his task. But why this?”

He turned abruptly as he heard slippered footsteps running down the gallery to see his wife, robe flying, in a state of anxiety. “What are you doing here,” he demanded sharply, catching her in his arms to turn her away from the scene. “Did I not tell you to remain in your room? Where is Julia?”

“She’s with her nurse. I had to come. The whole house is in uproar. I could not fail to be aware of what has happened.”

“Then you must return to your room Caro, and remain there. I will come to you.”

Reluctantly, Caroline withdrew herself from his arms and with lagging step returned to their apartment.

*****

The vigils were repeated over several nights but nothing was found and there were no further occurrences. However, dark mutterings of ghosts and spirits were heard throughout the staff, none being convinced that the perpetrator was of human form.

“’Tis
Her Ladyship returned,” one parlor maid was heard to utter to her companions below stairs. “Was not her portrait the only one undamaged?”

“Why should she choose to return now, after four years?” queried the scullery boy scornfully.

“Why of course, because the master brings his new wife to Lordings and she has everything changed,” she replied with some aplomb.

“You talk utter rubbish,” stated the upper butler, but he was too late, the seed had been set and none went about their business with an easy mind. The east wing was avoided, even when duties necessitated that it should be visited, none were easy to traverse its corridors alone, their imaginings running riot.

News of the disquiet came to the earl through his valet who thought it his duty to apprise his master of the situation as he eased him into his well-fitting riding coat of olive leather.

“I will not allow such foolishness,” snapped the earl, turning abruptly so that the valet was obliged to execute a neat side step to avoid being overturned by his employer. “If such was the case, why should she leave a brace of crows hanging on her daughter’s door? The child is innocent enough. I will not have this talk of specters
—it only serves to increase the disquiet in the house. You may inform them that anyone perpetuating the rumor will be dismissed. Some attempt must be made to return the house to normal.”

Caroline had also heard the
rumors, and whilst being of a sensible turn of mind, could not help but feel a slight unease, which she attempted to explain to her husband when they rode out together later that morning. “Have you heard the rumors?” she asked tentatively.

“I have,” he replied shortly, confining his gaze to the road ahead.

“Do you think…?” she began.

Turning full in the saddle, he barked, “I do not!” and she recoiled at the fury on his face. “
Whoever it may be, it is certainly not Elizabeth. I still affirm that it is of human form. Such imaginings are beyond the realms of belief and I would have thought you at least to have had more sense,” and he urged his horse forward, leaving Caroline to follow as she may.

When she finally drew abreast of him atop the hill that overlooked the house, he turned toward her and held out his hand. “You must forgive me, my love,” he said in a tone of appeasement as reaching out she clasped his fingers. “I had thought to put Elizabeth entirely from my mind, but even now, she is forced upon my thoughts. It is insupportable,” and he raised her fingers to his lips. Looking down at the house, his face hardened. “You said I had a pride in it,” he said in a harsh tone. “I begin to hate the very thought of it, to believe it to be somewhere to avoid. Will we ever be allowed our happiness?”

“Nothing can destroy that, only your own imaginings,” she assured, wishing to alleviate his mood.

“I have a mind to demolish it,” he continued as if she had never spoken.

“You must not! You cannot!” she cried, disbelieving it to be his true desire. “It has been your family’s home for generations. This mystery will resolve itself, and your feelings will change. Elizabeth is gone, and have you not told me that for some while now, you have felt yourself free of her influence?”

He smiled ruefully. “As always, you are perfectly right, my love. I have allowed my mood to overtake me and I shall not do so again, but these bizarre happenings irk me and I am mindful for you and Julia. I would that I could get to the root of it all.”

“You will,” she assured. “Whatever has been the cause seems to have disappeared as quickly as it came and do not Julia and I fare very well? We have not been harmed in any way.”

“Even so, it does well to be cautious. I have been thinking it would be wise to send you both back to London until all is resolved. I will write to Victoria, she will bear you company I am sure.”

“But what of you? I will not return alone,” she cried, turning a pleading look upon him. “I cannot bear to be separated from you again. Will you not come with us?”

“I stay here—for a while at least,” he
averred. “Neither is it my wish that we should be parted, but I must know that you and the child are safe. I will write to Victoria on our return, it is more important for me to be assured that you are out of harm’s way.”

The letter was duly written and a reply received. Victoria would be only too pleased to stay
at Waverly House with her sister-in-law and but awaited further instructions on the matter. Penning his reply, the earl sent the letter with one of the servants, arranging for his wife’s departure for London within the week.

*****

“Mr. Eaton awaits you in the library my lord,” informed the footman, when the earl returned from a visit on the estate.

Quite taken aback by this revelation, the earl gave a brief nod in reply and repaired immediately to the library, a slight frown marring his brow, for he had not looked to see his secretary and wondered at his arrival.

“Ah, John,” he said, entering the room. “There was no need for you to hurry down to Lordings. I but required Waverly House to be made ready for Her Ladyship. I have no further duties for you at this moment in time.”

“I have been sent on a matter of urgency, sir,” replied Eaton, coming forward to greet his employer, and dropping his voice. “I am entrusted with a commission from Horse Guards. They thought it better that I should come so that the issue would remain confidential and discreet.”

The earl groaned. “What the deuce is to do now? I had thought to have removed myself from their influence, for the time being at least,” and he took his seat on the hearth, indicating that Eaton should take the chair opposite.

“I will get straight to the point, my lord. There is uproar in the house. An important memorandum has gone missing, one that outlines the plans for Wellington’s future campaigns.”

The earl sat abruptly forward in his chair. “Gone missing? I know they are very lax at the ministry, but to say it has
gone missing
is a fallacy. Such a document would be closely guarded.”

“There are only two copies in existence, sir, and one is with Wellington. Information is for ever leaking out, but until now the plans have managed to stay secure.”

“Do they suspect an infiltrator at work within their ranks?”

“Aye my lord, though they are keeping very close about the affair. It would not do that it should become common knowledge. Too many questions would be asked.”

“Then the whole campaign is at risk should the plans fall into the wrong hands. Bonaparte would give a great deal for such information. Wellington should be informed immediately. Who has been dispatched?”

“The directive is that you should go, my lord. I bring your orders from Castlereagh himself.”

At any other time, the earl would have been all eagerness to go, but a confusion of thought ran through his mind. He recognized that the situation must be addressed immediately. No time could be lost in seeking out Wellington; but what of the situation at Lordings? At least Caroline and the child would be safe, he reminded himself; they are to go to London. Lordings must wait.

“Give me my instructions, John, and then leave me,” he commanded, extending his hand for the orders, which Eaton held in a leather pouch. “I will read them immediately and arrangements will be made. I will call for you presently.”

Handing the documents to the earl, Eaton rose and left his employer to their perusal, knowing full well the hazards he would face when setting out on such a mission.

*****

“I have just met Eaton and he tells me that you wish to see me,” said Caroline, entering the library some while later. “I was not aware that he had come down from London. Did you send for him to escort us? For I promise you, we are well able to travel alone.”

“Come and sit down, my love,” said the earl quietly.

Surprised at the seriousness of his tone, taking the seat recently vacated by Eaton, Caroline did as she was bid, raising enquiring eyes to meet his concerned gaze.

“Caro, I am commanded to Spain on government matters,” said the earl, awaiting her reaction. “I cannot tell you more. Indeed none should be aware of my going, but it is necessary to offer you some explanation for my desertion at such a time as this.”

She sat forward in some agitation, but he raised his hand to quiet the questions that sprang instantly to her lips. “I must leave immediately, the matter necessitates urgent action. Eaton will organize your removal to London. I have arranged that you should leave here by noon tomorrow.” He gave a half smile. “You may then think of me as but remaining at Lordings as we arranged.”

With a cry, Caroline was on her feet to cross the hearth and kneel at his side. “There are dangers in Spain,” she cried, grasping his arm. “Couldn’t someone else go in your stead? You are needed here.”

“You may be easy on my account,” he said, leaning forward to place reassuring arms about her. “The mission is quite straightforward. Indeed, I will be returned before you have even noticed my going.”

“There is no need to treat me as a child, Richard,” she cried. “I know you would have no need to be secretive if it was so straightforward.”

He smiled, attempting to allay her fears. “Then it shows how little you know of the Ministry. It is because of my knowledge of Spain that I am sent, no other reason. Now come, don’t cry. You know I can’t stand to see you cry, and it will make my going that much harder.”

Holding back the tears, she rose to her feet, not wishing to make their last moments together those of reproach. “When do you leave?” she asked, with a calmness she was far from feeling.

“I but change into something more serviceable and then I am away,” he said, standing before her. “I have sent my orders to the stables already. I leave within the hour.”

“Then I will delay you no further,” she said, turning to go so that he should not see the tears that refused to be quelled, but as she gained the door his voice halted her.

“Caro,” he called, opening his arms wide, and sobbing, she turned to run into them.

Chapter
Ten

As much for her own reasons, as for the child’s safety, Caroline decided that Julia should spend the night in her room and smiled as she snuggled happily beside her in the large bed.

“I will read you one more story and then you must go to sleep,” she said, tucking her cozily in the crook of her arm. As she read, she watched indulgently as the child feigned sleep, peeping only occasionally when she halted her narrative, but eventually the peeping stopped, and
, listening to her even breathing, she realized that she had drifted into sleep. Caroline however was not destined for such easy repose. She lay with Julia still within the circle of her arm, her thoughts with her husband who was at that precise moment boarding a clipper destined for Portugal, his intention being to travel overland into Spain. However, as the evening advanced into the early hours of the morning, repose finally came and she drifted into a dreamless slumber.