Death Comes to the Nursery

by Catherine Lloyd

  Lucy decided not to say anything to Agnes until Robert returned from visiting the Green family. If Polly and James were found together, there would be plenty of opportunities to discuss the matter further.

  Chapter 4

  “I found James at his parents’ farm.” Robert came into Lucy’s sitting room and shut the door behind him. “He has no idea where Polly is.”

  Lucy frowned. “Then where has he been? Foley told me that James only had a half day yesterday and did not have permission to stay the night at the farm.”

  “James claims that someone hit him on the head, and that he woke up the next morning in his father’s hay cart with his dog next to him,” Robert commented.

  “You don’t sound as if you believe him.” Lucy studied her husband’s face.

  “Because it is quite fantastical! How can he not know how he ended up at his parents’ farm?” Robert asked. “If he really was hit on the head, then why would his attacker pick him up and deposit him nearly a mile away where he was sure to be found?”

  “I agree that it does sound somewhat strange,” Lucy said slowly. “It makes one wonder why the person who supposedly attacked James knew him well enough to know where he lived.”

  “James lives here now, Lucy, and has done so for several years,” Robert reminded her. “Why didn’t his attacker drop him off at our front door?”

  “Perhaps because he would’ve been found too quickly?” Lucy looked up at her husband. “If the person simply wished to get James out of the way, then the longer before he was discovered, the better.”

  “Mr. Green did say he wouldn’t have found James so quickly if it hadn’t been for his dog.” Robert shoved a hand through his hair and sat down opposite Lucy. “And I’m still not convinced he was even attacked.”

  Lucy stilled. “Do you think he was fighting over Polly again?”

  “Or fighting with Polly.” Robert sighed. “He says he saw her walking ahead of him into the village, but that she was too far ahead to notice him.”

  “I suppose that is possible.” Lucy bit her lip. “Robert, are you really suggesting that James is lying about everything?”

  “I dealt with a lot of young men in my time in the cavalry, Lucy, and I’m fairly good at spotting the liars, the bullies, and the cowards.” Robert hesitated. “I don’t think James is telling me the truth, but I don’t know why.”

  “Perhaps he argued with Polly, and she was the one to knock him out, and he’s too embarrassed to admit it.”

  “It’s possible, but how did he end up at his parents’ farm?”

  “He could’ve walked there,” Lucy pointed out. “If he truly was dazed, he might have forgotten that.”

  “True.” Robert was still frowning. “He did seem genuinely shocked when I told him that Polly was missing.” He raised an eyebrow. “I assume she hasn’t been found yet. ”

  “Not yet. I was thinking I might go down to the Queen’s Head and see if she bought a ticket on the mail coach.” Lucy said.

  “I’ll go. I haven’t had a chance to change yet, and the gig is still outside.” Robert went to stand. “You stay here and rest.”

  “I’m not an invalid, Robert.” Lucy sat up straight. “I’m not even tired.”

  “I am quite aware of your capabilities, my love, but I’d rather you coordinated our efforts to find Polly from here.” Robert went toward the door. “If Polly is discovered before I return, send one of the grooms to find me.”

  With that, he was gone, leaving Lucy feeling mildly aggrieved at his display of high-handedness. In moments of stress, he had a tendency to order her around as if she were of inferior rank. Too restless to return to her book, Lucy went out into the hallway and toward the main entrance, which was in the oldest part of the house and led into the medieval hall.

  She’d asked Foley and Mrs. Bloomfield to organize a search of the manor house, which, because of its construction, contained many unexpected nooks and crannies, staircases that went nowhere, and dark cellars. Polly wouldn’t be the first member of her staff who had accidentally wandered off and gotten lost.

  Mr. Fletcher had gone down to the rectory, and Aunt Rose had volunteered to check all the houses in the village. Lucy’s father had ridden out to the outlying parishes of Kurland St. Anne and Lower Kurland to make sure Polly hadn’t gotten lost on her walk and sought shelter somewhere.

  On one of their shared walks with Ned, Polly had confided to Lucy that she found the countryside a confusing and somewhat frightening place—what with the open fields and lack of light. It was possible that she had just lost her way.

  Lucy paused at the bottom of the stairs, for once unsure how to proceed. She could go up to the nursery and see Ned again, but she would be disrupting the routine she had very firmly put in place purely out of her own restlessness. Her certainty that Polly hadn’t merely gotten lost and that something was truly wrong consumed her.

  “Lucy?”

  She blinked and turned to the now-open front door, where her sister Anna was smiling at her.

  “Anna!” Lucy hurried toward her sister and embraced her. “How lovely! I was not expecting you back until next week!” She took her sister’s hand. “Come and tell me all about your visit with the Akers family. How was Harry?”

  Anna laughed and patted her shoulder. “Goodness me, Lucy. So many questions when all I want to do is run upstairs and see how my adorable nephew is!”

  “You may go and see him later,” Lucy said firmly as she gestured to Foley, who had come into the house behind her sister. “But, first, we will have some tea.”

  “As you wish.” Anna untied the ribbons of her bonnet to expose her natural blond curls held in a loose bun on the top of her head. “I only just arrived back at the rectory, and no one was there except Cook. I decided to come up to the hall to see you first and tell you my news.”

  Anna pulled off her gloves and held out her left hand for Lucy to inspect. “I married Captain Akers.”

  Lucy gasped and pressed a hand to her chest. “You are married?”

  “Yes.” Anna blushed adorably. “I know you will wonder at such haste when we had decided to wait, but while I was staying at his home, he received new orders that will take him from our shores for almost a year.”

  Anna’s bright smile dimmed. “Harry tried to pretend that everything was all right, but I knew that in his heart he was worried that another year of delay would make me forget him entirely.” She shrugged. “Not that such a thing is possible, but you know how men are.”

  Lucy couldn’t imagine Robert even thinking such a thing, but she nodded encouragingly.

  “He asked me if I’d consider marrying him before he left, and I said yes,” Anna continued somewhat breathlessly. “He managed to obtain a special license, and due to the necessity of speed, I was unable to invite my friends or family to join me. I do hope you will forgive me for that, Lucy.”

  “Of course!” Lucy agreed. She was disappointed not to have been present, but she was so surprised Anna had gone ahead with the marriage that her emotions were a mere nothing. Her sister had always been averse to marriage because of her fear of having a child.

  Captain Harry Akers had not only gained Anna’s love, but had convinced her that he was willing to do everything in his power to protect her from her own fertility. Lucy knew such intimate details only because she had inadvertently overheard a private conversation when she’d visited the Akerses and Anna had sought her advice.

  “Where is Captain Akers now?” Lucy asked.

  “He had to report to Southampton at the earliest opportunity.” Anna looked as if she was trying not to cry. “His mother asked me to stay with her while he was gone, but I wanted to come home first and share my news with everyone.”

  Lucy took Anna’s hand in hers. “I’m so happy for you, my dearest sister. Father will be delighted.”

  “He will certainly be surprised.” Anna hesitated. “Do you think his feelings will be hurt that he was not able to officiate at the wed
ding?”

  “I suspect his pleasure at your wedded state will easily outweigh his disappointment, Anna,” Lucy said robustly. “When Captain Akers returns, perhaps Father can hold a ceremony blessing the marriage in Kurland St. Mary church.”

  “I’m sure he’d love to do that.” Anna nodded. “And I’m quite certain Harry would not object at all.”

  Foley appeared with a tray of tea that he placed in front of Lucy.

  “Apologies for the interruption, my lady, but I wished you to know that we have completed the search of the house and have found no trace of your missing maid.”

  “Thank you, Foley.” Lucy busied herself pouring tea as Anna unbuttoned her pelisse. “Did you walk up here, Anna?”

  “Yes, because there was no one at home, which was most odd, because I sent a letter ahead announcing the time and day of my arrival.” Anna took her cup. “Is something amiss?”

  “My new nursemaid didn’t come back after her afternoon off yesterday,” Lucy said as she offered Anna a biscuit. “The whole village and hall are out looking for her.”

  “The poor girl!” Anna exclaimed. “That explains why Aunt Rose was not at home and Father’s favorite horse was missing from the stables.”

  “They should be back soon enough,” Lucy said. “I can send someone down to tell them that you are here at the hall if you wish.”

  “I told Cook. I’m fairly certain she will tell Aunt Rose when she returns, so there is no need to worry.” Anna looked over at Lucy and smiled. “You look very well.”

  “Thank you.” Lucy’s hand came to rest on her rounded stomach. “I’m expecting another child in December.”

  ‘Oh!” Anna’s smile dimmed. “Are you . . . happy about that?”

  “I am.” Lucy smiled to reassure her. “It’s wonderful news.”

  “Yes, of course. How selfish of me not to immediately congratulate you.” Anna reached for Lucy’s hand. “You must think me such a shrew.”

  “Not at all.” Lucy well understood her sister’s fears. Losing their own mother in childbed had put its mark on both of them. “Robert is also pleased. He believed we would all spoil Ned rotten if he remained an only child.”

  “If you wish, I will stay with you until the birth, and then return to visit the Akers for the remainder of Harry’s voyage,” Anna offered eagerly.

  “That would be lovely,” Lucy said. “Otherwise, you will leave me with Penelope, who will tell me not to be silly about the pain of childbirth after she sailed through it with barely a squeak.”

  Anna rolled her eyes. “I would not wish ill on any woman having a child, but Penelope has been rather obnoxious since the birth of little Francis.”

  Lucy poured more tea, more grateful than she could’ve imagined to have her sister back with her at Kurland Hall to gossip with. “And she warned me that my new nursery maid was too beautiful and would encourage Robert to stray.”

  Anna spluttered into her tea. “She did not.”

  Lucy nodded. “Unfortunately, it is that particular maid who is missing. I’m rather surprised Penelope hasn’t been up here to inquire whether Robert is still in residence and to remind me that she said that the girl would be trouble.”

  “I do hope she is found.” Anna set her cup back on the table. “Perhaps I should stay here at the hall for a few days before I return to the rectory. I can help you manage the nursery until she returns.”

  “I would appreciate that greatly.” Lucy smiled at her generous sister. “As long as Aunt Rose and Father won’t object.”

  “They will understand.” Anna waved away Lucy’s objections with a chuckle. “After I tell them about my unexpected wedding, they might kick me out altogether!”

  * * *

  Robert sent Michael around to the stable yard with the gig and went directly into the Queen’s Head, where he found the proprietor, Mr. Jarvis, behind the bar.

  “Afternoon, Sir Robert.”

  “Good afternoon.” Robert nodded. “Do you have a moment to speak to me privately?”

  “Of course, sir.” Mr. Jarvis beckoned Robert to follow him into the back of the old inn and through to the kitchen. “I’ll get Mrs. Jarvis. She won’t want to be left out.”

  Inwardly, Robert sighed, as Mrs. Jarvis tended to be rather garrulous and was very fond of speaking her mind.

  He waited in the small snug room to the right of the kitchen, with its low black beams and white wattle and daub walls, until they both joined him.

  “Polly Carter didn’t return from her afternoon off yesterday,” Robert said. “Did she purchase a ticket for the mail coach here?”

  The husband and wife looked at each other and then at Robert. “Not that I know of, sir,” Mr. Jarvis answered for them both.

  “Is it possible that she obtained a ride from another source without paying for it?”

  “With her pretty face, I have no doubt that any number of men would’ve been willing to take her up,” Mrs. Jarvis said. “But I can’t say that I saw her here at all yesterday. Did you my love?”

  “No, but I’ll go and ask at the stable if you’ll wait here for a moment, sir.” Mr. Jarvis looked askance at Robert.

  “I’d appreciate that.”

  Mrs. Jarvis decided to keep Robert company after her husband left. It didn’t take her long to start talking again.

  “If Polly had bought a ticket for the mail yesterday afternoon, she would’ve had to wait until this morning to leave, and she didn’t stay here last night.”

  Robert grimaced. “I hadn’t thought of that. Thank you.”

  “It’s more likely that she smiled at some young farmer and he took her wherever she wanted to go. Where’s she from?”

  “London, I believe,” Robert replied.

  “Then the mail coach would have been the most sensible route.” Mrs. Jarvis nodded. “If she could afford the ticket.”

  “She received her first month’s wage last week.”

  “Was she not content up at the hall?”

  “As far as I am aware, she was well settled.”

  “She was a nice girl, always happy to chat, and very respectful of her betters,” Mrs. Jarvis commented. “Perhaps she got some upsetting news in that letter she picked up when you came in the other day.”

  “Perhaps she did.” For once, Robert was glad that the landlady was willing to gossip and had noticed that Polly had received mail, which he certainly had not. “Her family is still in London.”

  “Then maybe that explains it.” Mrs. Jarvis smoothed down her apron. “She waited for her money and left at the first opportunity. You’ll probably get a letter as soon as she gets home.”

  “I would’ve preferred it if she’d just given her notice in the traditional manner,” Robert commented. “Leaving without a word to anyone—even her cousin—is highly irregular.”

  “The young rarely think of these things, Sir Robert, do they?” Mrs. Jarvis heaved a sigh that almost dislodged her bounteous bosom from the low-cut bodice of her gown.

  “Is Bert Speers still employed here?” Robert asked.

  “I believe so,” she said cautiously. “Mr. Jarvis had a word with him the other day about Polly, and he insisted that she was deliberately enticing him.” Mrs. Jarvis chuckled. “As if a girl like that would be interested in plain old Bert. I told him so as well.”

  Robert picked up his hat. “Perhaps I will make my way out to the stables and find Mr. Jarvis. I’m probably keeping you from your work.”

  “It’s no trouble talking to you, sir.” She winked as she opened the door. “Although we wouldn’t want any gossip flying around the village about the two of us, would we?”

  “No, we would not.” Robert excused himself and hurried toward the door that led into the coach yard and stables that sided onto the old inn. He’d already overcome one misunderstanding with his wife over the landlady of the Queen’s Head, and he was reluctant to incite another incident.

  Mr. Jarvis was already stepping out of the stables and came over to wher
e Robert was standing.

  “No one remembers seeing Polly Carter here yesterday, sir.”

  “Thank you.” Robert paused. “What about Bert Speers?”

  “He’s not here today.”

  “Why not?”

  “It’s his day off, Sir Robert.” Mr. Jarvis gestured at the half-empty yard. “We’re never that busy on a Tuesday. I need them all here on market days and Saturday.”

  “Will you let me know when he returns?” Robert asked

  “You think Polly might be with him?”

  Robert noted the incredulity in the landlord’s voice, but he wasn’t prepared to ignore any possibility, which stopped him worrying about much worse scenarios.

  “One never knows the way a woman’s heart works, Mr. Jarvis.” Robert replied. “Just let me know when he returns. I wish to speak to him.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll do that.”

  Robert found Michael and climbed into the gig. After they drove out into the village proper, he turned to his servant.

  “Did you hear any gossip about Polly while you were in the yard?”

  “None, sir. No one had seen her, either.” Michael shortened the reins. “I asked most specifically.”

  “Then where is the damned girl?” Robert muttered to himself as they retraced their journey back to Kurland Hall.

  If Polly hadn’t purchased a ticket to leave on the mail coach, had she persuaded someone to drive her all the way to London? It was possible that some besotted fool might have done so, but in that case, who had dealt with James? Was it possible that the two incidents were entirely unrelated? Past experience told Robert that they must be inextricably entwined.

  He set his gaze on the horizon and attempted to order his thoughts as the two men approached the gates of Kurland Hall. Mrs. Jarvis had also mentioned that Polly had received a letter. Had she not needed to buy a ticket because someone had sent her money or driven down to Kurland St. Mary to pick her up? If they had, that might explain why James had been knocked out. Had he witnessed something? Gotten involved in a scuffle with Polly and some unknown man?