Realm 05 - A Touch of Mercy (31 page)

The sound of his men rushing to his aid brought Aidan from his stupor. “Tell Miss Hanson to take Aaron to a point of safety outside. Stay there until I come for you.”

“Yes, Sir.” The girl rushed away to do his biding. Aidan glanced to Mary Purefoy’s room. She had spent the night with him; and then the lady had departed. “Just like all the others,” he whispered. The tumult surrounded him, but not all of the chaos came in the form of the fire. Aidan shoved his heartache aside to bark out orders. “You two organize the water buckets. You check the nearby rooms to make certain the fire has not spread to the rest of the house. You others, come with me.”

Aidan led the way outside. The water line had formed, and he stripped off his jacket to join it, but before he could heft the bucket from Deland, one of the grooms caught his arm.

“There be someone in the fire, Sir.”

Aidan’s eyes followed along the line of the young groom’s arm. “Damn!” he growled. “Do we know who it is?” A woman was tied to the center post close to where Miss Purefoy had rescued Aaron. Through the flames, Aidan could see the brown and gold of the day dress he had commissioned for the woman. She writhed and pulled at the ropes. “Good Lord!” he groaned.

He rushed to the door leading to the yellow drawing room. It stood open upon the night. It was likely the entry point for Jamot and his accomplice, but Aidan had no time to investigate the scene. A woman’s life rested in his hands. He had lost Susan in a fire, but the suicidal plunge into the fire’s center had been his wife’s choice.
This was different
, he told his reasonable side.

Climbing the servants’ stairs two and three at a time, Aidan emerged into the same hallway where he had encountered Jamot earlier. Now, thick smoke filled the air. Dropping to the floor, Aidan crawled along the passage to the open door.

Emerging into the open space, Aidan tottered on one of the braced joints before claiming his balance. From his vantage point, he could see the fire line was a large circle about a makeshift bonfire in the middle of the open space. Flames danced high, but the fire was not as dangerous as he had first thought. Aidan bent low to direct his men. “Place water on the circle first.” He lay out along the beam and gestured to those below. “Deland, direct part of the men to pull the timbers from the bottom. Spread it out. Not all the pieces hold fire!”

“Aye, Sir.”

Aidan began to work his way toward the girl. Secretly, he had hoped it was Miss Purefoy. In fact, the possibility of Jamot’s accessory having teased Aidan by placing Miss Purefoy in danger would have been the script if the Baloch had been in charge. Jamot enjoyed pure drama. Instead, the girl was a wide-eyed Millie Joseph, Mary’s maid. The reason the girl wore Mary’s gown would be addressed once he saved her.

The heat from the flames below streamed upward, but the fire would not reach them. The stacked timbers and broken furniture were not so high. Even so, it was a dangerous situation. The structure was less than stable. To reach her, Aidan would have to walk across a narrow crossbeam. He wished Wellston near. The earl would easily dance along the distance. Aidan glanced up at the girl. “I am coming for you, Millie.” He edged along the beam. “Do not be frightened.”

Wide pleading eyes met his. Either Jamot or the Englishman had gagged her with a large handkerchief tied about her head and covering the girl’s mouth. She groaned a response he could not identify. “Just a few more minutes,” he said as he tittered on the board, his arms spread wide to counterbalance his steps. He wondered how the man had lured the girl to such a dangerous spot.

Finally, he reached the braced point where four large beams met to form a double cross. Aidan went to work loosening the knots. First the gag. “Thank you, my Lord,” the maid whispered on a throaty cough. As if the culprit never meant for the girl to suffer, the knots were not too tight. The situation was a message to him: His enemies could wreak havoc with his household, and he was helpless to stop them. When the last knot gave way, Aidan tossed the rope to the floor below.

His men had followed his instructions. They had dragged the fiery timbers from the pile and had attacked them with buckets of water. White smoke trickled upward, but it was not as thick as previously. “Come with me, Millie,” Aidan said as he caught the maid’s hand. “We must cross the beam to safety.” He stepped onto the cross beam and gently tugged the girl’s arm so she might follow him. “Do not be frightened. I will not permit you to fall.” The maid nodded her agreement, but Aidan noted how her breath came with a ragged catch. “Do not look down. Keep your eyes on my shoulder,” he ordered.

She bit her lip, but Millie allowed him to lead her onto the beam. Aidan said a silent prayer that the wood would hold their combined weights. He easily recalled how another cross beam had given way from under Miss Purefoy, and the lady certainly was feather light. The image of Mary in her muslin-clad pantaloons led to one of her naked body beneath him. He paused to steady his progress.

“Easy.” Aidan looked up to see John Swenton reaching his hand out to Aidan. His friend had his other arm wrapped about a support post.

Aidan did not know whether to laugh or to frown. He had left the baron behind in Ellesmere Port some eight hours prior. He certainly did not expect to see Swenton so soon. “Nice knowing you appear when most needed,” Aidan said sarcastically.

The baron smiled easily. “Always glad to oblige.” He stretched his hand further in Aidan’s direction. “Now take my bloody hand and stop with the heroics.”

Aidan did as he was instructed. Stepping to safety, he turned to brace Millie’s final steps. With Swenton’s assistance, he managed to direct the girl to the ledge marking the room’s former floor. Swenton caught Millie’s other hand and led the way along the narrow framing. Finally, the three of them stood in the west wing’s hallway. Smoke had settled along the floor.

Aidan called to the servants rushing to assist them. “I want windows and doors left open to air out the rooms. Temporarily move Miss Chadwick and Master Aaron into the newly finished rooms.” He shot a questioning glance to Swenton, who nodded his agreement. “The baron will also require a room.”

“Yes, Sir.” Mr. Payne had organized the maids and several footmen.

“Millie, you will accompany me and the baron to my study. I have several questions, which require answers.” The girl trembled, but she nodded her understanding.

Mrs. Osborne wrapped her arms about the girl’s shoulders. “I’ll see Millie below, Sir, and then I’ll bring in refreshments. This looks to be another long night.”

“That it does.” Aidan scrubbed his face with dry hands. “Thank you, Mrs. Osborne. Baron Swenton and I will follow momentarily.” With the exit of the cook and Millie, Aidan directed Swenton to a private corner where they might speak. “It is not that I shun your company, but what has sent you after me? We parted only hours prior.”

Swenton took a second glance around the area. “Lowery questioned the prisoners further. One indicated Jamot might be using the name ‘Talpur’ and was in the vicinity of Lexington Arms. I followed to warn you. I am to meet Sir Carter in London at week’s end to attend Pennington’s engagement ball.”

“In the chaos, I had forgotten about the celebration for Pennington and the dowager duchess, and as for your warning, you are too late. Jamot has been here and gone. I stumbled across him in this very hallway, along with a young Englishman of whom I held no prior knowledge.”

“Jamot was in your house?” the baron asked incredulously. “What occurred?” Unwelcome feelings of pity filled Aidan.

“We tussled. Jamot taunted. He shared some cryptic statements regarding my household. Then his compatriot showed, and I discovered the fire. Jamot and the Englishman escaped while I attempted to save my manor and all in it.” Aidan’s frown lines met in a tight knot.

The baron considered what Aidan had communicated. “Likely the reason your local inn was full. I stopped there before seeking lodging at your estate. I planned to speak to you on the morrow. Perhaps I should return to the village. I suspect two rooms have suddenly become vacant.”

“Although I expect you correct, I am in need of your good sense in discovering what is actually occurring under my roof. Jamot claimed two of my employees admitted him last autumn and again tonight. Plus, I have discovered from Miss Chadwick that Miss Purefoy departed Lexington Arms the night I rushed off to join you and Lowery.”

Swenton studied his face, and Aidan attempted to hide the turmoil churning in his stomach. “What else?” the baron demanded. “You keep some facts private.” They exchanged a sorrow-filled glance.

Aidan considered keeping his own counsel, but he knew the baron to be trustworthy. “What I confide in you must be kept secret until I can interpret the truth behind the lies. You must not speak of what I am about to share with the others.”

“I promise.”

Aidan murmured a self-deprecating curse. He clenched his jaw against another rush of despair. “I should not believe him. I know Jamot rarely speaks honestly.” He paused to compose his thoughts. “Jamot claims…Jamot claims my Miss Purefoy is really Miss Nelson.”

“A relative of Lady Godown?” Swenton asked skeptically.

Aidan stood perfectly still; he dared not breathe–dared not to put into words his worst fears. Bile scorched his throat. “I know from Pennington’s investigation that the real Mary Purefoy is a maid in an inn in Derbyshire, but even with that knowledge, I never thought the woman meant me harm. Yet, if what Jamot speaks is true, my ‘Miss Purefoy’ is the sister of the woman the marquis suspects of staging several attempts on his life, as well as being the younger sibling of a man who has played a role in bringing opiates to English shores.”

Surprisingly, they had spent a comfortable night in the marquis’s lodge. Lucifer had enjoyed ‘Miss Purefoy’s’ company. They had played cards before the hearth and had spoken of home.

During the evening, he had sought answers to his questions. When he had first uncovered the lady’s name to be Mercy Nelson, Lucifer had not made the connection to Gabriel Crowden’s estranged wife. The two women did not favor each other in looks, and “Nelson” was a common surname. He had executed a private investigation and had uncovered the lady’s roots. With the discovery, Lucifer had thought to drive Miss Nelson from Lexington Arms, but when he had observed the difference in Aidan Kimbolt, Lucifer had decided he must find a means to bring the viscount and Miss Nelson together, rather than to drive them apart. He suspected he had been more than a bit successful in his manipulations. When the lady had appeared suddenly in the kitchen garden, the girl held the look of a woman well bedded.

“Do you wish to tell me what is in the note you left for me?” Lucifer said casually as he played a card.

Miss Nelson studied her hand. “I expressed my deepest gratitude for your kindness.” She blushed deeply.

“Is that the extent of the note?” Lucifer asked curiously.

The lady placed her cards aside. “No. There is more…” She paused as if deciding whether to speak of what she had written. “I want you to know I spoke of a discovery I made in the last week. One which could affect His Lordship’s happiness, and so I did not include the information in Lord Lexford’s farewell. I shall leave it to you to decide if the viscount is to be apprised of my finding.”

“I understand the need for discretion,” he said earnestly. “You have piqued my interest.”

Miss Nelson sighed deeply. “Last Friday, when I went for my walk, I stumbled upon an opening behind the waterfall.”

Lucifer screwed up his face in concern. “What kind of opening? A cave?”

“At first, I thought it a cave,” Miss Nelson admitted. “But there was a lantern and flint close to the opening, and a narrow passage between the rocks, wide enough for a person to squeeze through. There is also a steep slope, which appears to lead to the outcropping.” She hesitated, and Hill wondered if she would speak the full truth. Finally, she continued, “I lit the lantern in hopes of exploring what turned out to be a tunnel, but I encountered a man within the depths.”

Lucifer said incredulously, “Did he hurt you?”

Miss Nelson shook her head in denial. “Your calling my name frightened the stranger away.” Lucifer watched her expression. The lady, obviously, meant to disclose only what she thought important to the viscount. He belatedly wondered if her brother had recruited the girl to spy on the Realm. From what Lucifer knew, Baron Nelson held ties to the infamous Lord Spectre, who had kidnapped Godown’s aunts and Lady Godown, as well as a close association to Jamot and the opium ring.

“What else can you tell me of the man and the cave? Did you recognize the intruder?”

She hesitated again, which spoke volumes. “The man said he had used the tunnel previously to enter Lord Lexford’s house.” Lucifer knew immediately the culprit had been Jamot. What he did not know was the connection between Miss Nelson and the Baloch. “I did not have the opportunity to explore the tunnel. I had hoped you would seek out an answer for I strongly believe many of the ‘ghosts’ who plague His Lordship’s house enter and exit through the opening.”

“The woman who appears as Lady Susan?” Lucifer pondered aloud. “No wonder the apparition easily disappears each time we give chase.”

Miss Nelson leaned forward as if to share a secret. “What I could not understand is why Lord Lexford is not familiar with the tunnel.”

Lucifer had not considered that particular fact. “Could it be part of his memory loss?”

She shook her head in the negative. “The memory loss covers the past two years. Would not the viscount have knowledge of the tunnel from his youth?”

“I do not know,” Lucifer said cautiously, “but I mean to discover the way of it.”

After their guarded talk, Lucifer had spent a restless night. He wondered what devious forces had overtaken the viscount’s household and how this new information related to Lady Cassandra’s journal.

He was anxious to return to Lexford’s side before more mischief occurred. In Warwick, Miss Nelson had remained with him while he sold the wool at a market. It was late in the afternoon when Lucifer purchased a ticket for the mail coach, the only transportation available to Bedford, where she could make connections to London.

“Promise me you will not venture into London’s East Side. Also, promise you will find housing at one of the three places I listed for you last evening, and you will seek employment first from one of the fine houses I have included.” Lucifer had purposely sent Miss Nelson to homes of relatives of the Realm. “Use my name as a reference.” He handed her another small piece of paper. “If you are in need of assistance, you know my direction. Send word, and I will come immediately.” Miss Nelson frowned her disapproval, and he had understood immediately. “In case you do not wish Lord Lexford to know of your whereabouts, I have included the directions for my Hannah. She will contact me in confidence.” Lucifer would not tell the girl Hannah knew only a few letters. Lady Worthing had agreed to teach Hannah more as time went on. Meanwhile, Her Ladyship read his letters to Hannah and transferred Hannah’s response to paper. Lucifer would speak to Lord Worthing and apprise him of the possibility of Miss Nelson contacting Hannah.

“I promise,” she said softly.

Lucifer pressed part of the profits from the sale of the wool into her gloved hand. “Save it for emergencies,” he insisted.

Miss Nelson protest, “I cannot. It is too much.”

“Lord Lexford would have my head on a platter if I gave you less. You will need it while you search for employment.”

The lady threw her arms about his neck and planted a kiss on Lucifer’s cheek. “You are absolutely incredible. God blessed me when our paths crossed.”

*

“You met the gentleman the day you awaited your mistress at the inn?” Aidan attempted to keep his voice calm, but the maid’s naïveté drove him to distraction. He had asked her the same questions several times in hopes Millie would contradict herself. Yet, the maid had not varied from her tale. That fact bothered Aidan more than the girl’s involvement with a man who was obviously a fast-talking rake.

Millie admitted to sneaking out to meet the young lord she called “Lord Spectre.” The man’s name provided no new information. He and Swenton were both well aware the original “Lord Spectre” had been Benjamin Talbot, a man who blamed Gabriel Crowden for the lost of his title. Talbot was currently incarcerated in Old Bailey, awaiting execution for attacking members of the aristocracy. Yet, if the man who had invaded Aidan’s house earlier used the same name, it meant the intruder was involved with Baron Nelson, which proved Mary Purefoy was truly Miss Nelson, the baron’s younger sister. The thought was a knife to Aidan’s heart.

“As I told ye before, I didn’t admit Lord Spectre. I might’ve been out to meet him on other nights, but I would never let a stranger into yer house, my Lord,” the maid said anxiously. “Ye must believe me. Lord Spectre was mighty upset when I told him Miss Purefoy had left. He gave me a note for the mistress, and then she leaves.”

Swenton asked, “Do you know the contents of the note?”

“No, Sir,” she answered quickly. “Lord Spectre sent Miss Purefoy a note when she be in the mercantile, but ye be takin’ my mistress home early.”

Aidan now understood why Miss Nelson had gone so pale while she waited for his return from the solicitor’s office. “And you wear your mistress’s dress because…” He clenched his fingers into a fist rather than to shake the full truth from the girl.

The maid blushed thoroughly. “Miss Purefoy leave all them fine clothes behind, and I be thinkin’ they be wasted away hangin’ in her wardrobe. The mistress be so kind, I thought she not mind if’n I wear somethin’ nice to meet with Lord Spectre.” The girl’s tale made Aidan cringe. The young maid had obviously been intimate with this unknown lord, and Aidan would have no choice but to send her away to await news of whether the girl was with child. Later, he would decide if he would permit Millie’s return to his household.

“You will remain in the kitchen with Mrs. Osborne or in your quarters. I will decide your fate on the morrow.” Aidan rang for Mr. Payne. He would give the butler instructions for what remained of the night.

After the servants had exited, Aidan addressed Swenton, “Do you have any insights?”

“Likely no more than do you.” The baron sipped his brandy. “I would say you must determine whether these are separate incidents or whether they are somehow connected.”

Aidan slouched in his chair. “I have no idea where to begin.”

“Perhaps a few hours of sleep will bring clarity.”

Aidan murmured, “I doubt I will ever sleep again.” Immediately he thought of the sound sleep he had experienced following his intimacies with Miss Purefoy.
Miss Purefoy
, he thought caustically.
I suppose I must begin to think upon her as Miss Nelson
.
Aidan stood heavily. “As I have much to accomplish tomorrow, I will bid you good night.”

Swenton followed Aidan to his feet. “It is a great responsibility, but one you were born to bear.”

Aidan shook off his friend’s response. “I am the second son, the one meant for the military. The viscountcy was designed for Andrew.”

Swenton placed his hand on Aidan’s shoulder. “I know little of Andrew Kimbolt, but this title–this estate–has your name on it. Andrew would be found wanting.”

*

Aidan had made another tour of the house before he retired. He checked every room, every door, and every window. The west wing held the faint smell of smoke, but he would set the staff to cleaning and polishing tomorrow. He climbed the stairs to the nursery to check on Aaron. His nephew slept soundly in his crib. Aidan bent to stroke the child’s cheek. He had held hopes of marrying soon and filling the nursery with noisy children, who would be playmates for Aaron. “It will be just us two,” Aidan whispered as he pressed a curl behind the child’s ear. “We will run a bachelor household.”

Leaving the boy to his slumber, Aidan first checked Miss Chadwick’s room before stopping before Miss Nelson’s door. He closed his eyes to conjure up her image. What he would not give for the door to open and the lady to greet him with her mesmerizing smile!

Aidan’s fingers trailed gently along the wood. Although she had betrayed him, he could not shake the empty feeling in his chest. As if something important was missing. Why had he not sent her away the first time he had laid eyes upon her? The question tore at him.
Because she filled your world with her spirit.
Aidan’s throat constricted. His heart squeezed tight. Had the lady been so unhappy with him? Could she not have trusted him with her secrets? With her heart?

On impulse, Aidan entered the room. Someone had cleaned and polished the furniture, but Miss Purefoy’s scent still filled the space. Aidan closed his eyes and inhaled her essence. Bile rose in his throat and the bitter taste of acid filled his mouth. It was all he could do not to groan his disappointment at losing her. With the assistance of the hall sconces, he could make out the gowns he had purchased for her draped across the back of a straight backed chair and the brush she had chosen upon a visit to Mr. Chadwick’s shop upon her dressing table. Feeling suddenly very empty, Aidan sat upon the lady’s bed. “Why?” he asked the stillness. “Why share yourself with me and then leave?”

Dejected, Aidan leaned backward across the counterpane. He draped his forearm across his eyes. His legs hung down over the bed’s edge. Aidan was not certain he wished to sleep in his chambers. The room held too many memories of Miss Purefoy’s joy in redecorating his quarters and of her body wrapped about him in ecstasy. Aidan caught the edge of the counterpane and rolled over in the bed to lie diagonally, drawing his knees up under him. His eyes closed to bring her image forward. Within minutes, he dreamed of the woman who had once occupied the room.

*

“Good morning, my Lords.” Lucifer Hill bowed to Aidan and Swenton. “I understand we experienced another fire last evening.”

Aidan glanced up from his breakfast. He had awakened early, still wrapped in Miss Purefoy’s bed linens. He had groggily made his way to his dressing room and purposely avoided looking upon his chambers. He meant to leave his memories of the woman behind. He reasoned he had managed to do so with Susan, a woman he had loved throughout his youth. Therefore, Mary Purefoy would be easy to obliterate from his reminiscences. After all, the woman had been a part of his life for a mere ten weeks. “Come join us.” Aidan gestured to an empty chair. “I have excused the staff for services.”

Hill filled a plate from the items on the table. “Did you two not think of Sunday service?” he sat casually.

Swenton explained, “Lexford and I thought while no one was listening to our every word, we would use the time to discuss last evening’s events.”

“I know some of the details from what the grooms have shared, but would one of you care to apprise me of the missing information?”

Aidan spent the next quarter hour summarizing what had occurred and what the maid had disclosed.