After getting settled she noticed the beginnings of a worried look in his eyes. This made her wonder if there was something he’d learned today but chose not to share. At least at this point. Kristina decided what was bothering him wouldn’t come freely. She’d pressure him later or in the morning.
It wasn’t until he started pacing about the room that had Kristina greatly increase her worrying. She felt a bit of nervousness in her stomach. At first she attributed the feeling to the baby she was carrying, then decided it had to be Robert’s change in behavior.
“Darling, I know you’re being bothered by something as your countenance has greatly changed since you bestowed this on me,” she placed her hand to her throat. “From past experience, I know you prefer to evaluate everything you’ve learned before sharing to receive my council. However, I feel now you should tell me what’s bothering you,” she pleaded.
“Yes, as always you’re correct in that I’m confused about what I learned earlier. Might I suggest though, we wait until after dinner then I’ll tell you. All I can or will say on the subject, what I learned will have you as befuddled as I was and still am. Now, as I hear Hamish announcing dinner, shall we dine then retire here?”
Later, with dinner finished Kristina glided into her parlor while Robert went to hunt down Glenn and Robbie. Over their evening meal she’d questioned her husband as to why he wished them but, much to her frustration, he withheld answering. Now alone with her thoughts she wondered what the two could bring to the discussion which had bothered her husband earlier.
Not sure how long he’d be, she picked up the book from earlier. This time as she read Kristina listened for his footsteps. After several pages she heard Robert and Glenn talking as they came toward her sitting room.
Marking the page, Kristina set the book back on the table just as the three stepped into the parlor.
“Please forgive our tardiness, m’ lady, it took longer than Glenn and I thought to find his wayward son as the young man was in the company of a certain maid. Before you go off on either, they have been properly chastised,” Robert stated, then joined her on the settee.
In silence, Kristina laid a glare on Robbie and held the glower until she saw him shuffle from foot to foot.
“Young man, His Lordship and your father may have spoken to you, however you still have to deal with Mrs. Fairbairn and I. Trust me, when I say, your behavior will improve, not to mention you will do exactly as ordered. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, m’ lady, I understand and will do nothing to shame this house nor Julie,” Robbie sputtered.
“Good. That’s all I wish to hear. However, tomorrow morning you will report here, where Mrs. Fairbairn and I will tell you what will be expected of you.” Kristina paused, took in a breath then glanced over to Robert. “With that taken care of, can you please explain what had you so worried before dinner and what do Glenn and Robbie have to do with your uneasiness.”
Chapter Nine
Not sure how or where to begin, Robert waved Glenn and Robbie onto chairs opposite the settee. He turned to Kristina.
“Simply put, Toby Underwood didn’t murder the two men nor the others when we last visited. He’s also not the possible father of Rose’s baby,” Robert declared.
“Are you sure? Look at the evidence we have collected. Everyone, including your father and brother, were murdered in the same exact way.”
Robert was astounded at how calmly the words slipped past her lips. He wondered if an outburst was forthcoming. He waited for a few heart beats then continued.
“Robbie, you told your father then me what you saw. I need you to disclose to Her Ladyship exactly what you witnessed.”
“Yes, m’ lord. M’ lady, I was returning to the farm from the village when I saw a man looking at something in one of the fields. When I got closer I saw he had black hair. Remembering what His Lordship had said I knew the person had to be Toby Underwood. I must have made a noise because he not only looked in my direction but turned so I could see the front of his shirt and trousers.”
“And his clothes were covered in blood?” Kristina asked.
“Yes, at first that’s what my eyes saw. This is where everything gets confusing. After he ran off I went up to see who he’d killed. It was old man Harold. Forgive me for saying this, his throat was slit from ear to ear,” Robbie said.
“From what we know of the man that’s his style of killing someone, but only if paid. Do you know why someone would want Harold dead?” Kristina uttered.
Robert easily detected a bit of confusion in her voice, which he’d had when Robbie recounted the events to him.
“M’ lady, as I said my eyes saw blood but when I got up to where Harold was lying, there wasn’t any on the ground as there should have been. I then closed my eyes and thought back over what I’d seen and that’s when I realized Underwood didn’t have any on his clothes. They were as clean as ours are now,” Robbie declared in conclusion.
“I’m sorry, but I still don’t understand,” Kristina pleaded.
“M’ lord and lady, if you’ll allow me to explain I’ll be as delicate as possible,” Glenn requested.
Robert turned to his wife then back to his friend.
“Continue, Glenn.”
“When we need meat, after selecting the cow or pig we take the animal to a separate part of the farm, but near to the house. Becky then makes Robbie and I change into trousers and shirts we’d used for the gruesome task in the past. Our first swipe of the knife is to cut the veins in the neck resulting in the spurting of blood all over us. Thus the need for the old clothes. Once the animal is butchered and packed away my darling Becky makes us strip out of the clothes and bathe. Only then will she let us into the cottage and put on clean attire.”
“And that’s when, m’ lady, I knew Underwood couldn’t have murdered Harold. His clothes were clean of blood. If he had done the deed they wouldn’t have been even if he was standing behind the man,” Robbie explained.
“Lady Kristina, do you now understand what I meant when I said he couldn’t have murdered either man?” Robert stated.
Not waiting for her to reply he nodded to Glenn and Robbie, dismissing them but reminding Robbie of his appointment in the morning.
“Thank you, as I’m in agreement what we need to discuss shouldn’t go any further than this room. From what Robbie told us, now I understand your mood of earlier, confused and worried.”
“And with this new information we seem to have a dilemma, who could have murdered the two men? Why? And finally, did this same person kill the others when we were here a few months ago?”
Patiently, Robert waited while she digested his words all the while wondering if she might have an answer to any of the questions. He did suspect, of everyone he knew, there could possibly be one or two who might have the information they were seeking. The problem, even by post rider it could take over a week for a letter to reach London, if that’s where one of the gentleman was. And if not he’d have to be hunted down, most likely at either his parents’ estate or that of The Duke of Clarion. After all, Robert knew or at least suspected the duke had been able to keep the hounds at bay when Ethan had been accused of murdering the man’s oldest son.
“Why don’t we move to your office and continue this discussion? Also, the albeit brief stroll might help me to organize a few thoughts I’m having,” Kristina suggested.
Whatever seemed to be on his wife’s mind had to be important, not to mention somewhat confusing for her to make the statement she had. After helping her stand Robert followed Kristina down the corridor. He did so she could think without interruption.
Strolling in Robert watched her go directly to the settee and in an unladylike fashion flopped down, curling her feet under her skirt.
He joined her on the divan. Slowly, he watched as her expression went from confusion to awareness.
“Yes, my dear?”
“Last year when you, in the company of your sister, were escorting me aro
und town, remember when we took a stroll in the park. There I thought I recognized Underwood, except then his hair was all white.”
“Yes, I do, but what troubled me even more was who else I spied partially hiding behind a tree. And before you say Ethan, it wasn’t him but someone we met recently.”
Robert was about to continue when the sound of hooves coming from the courtyard distracted him.
“Are we expecting a visitor?” Kristina asked.
“No, not that I’m aware of,” Robert declared.
Not sure who or why this person was calling so late in the evening Robert went to the desk. He barely had a chance to get comfortable in the chair when Hamish appeared in the doorway.
“What?” Robert snapped.
“I apologize for the late hour but a gentleman is insistent on meeting with you and Her Ladyship. I tried to send him away but he refused.”
Peering to Kristina, Robert accepted her nod as one of approval to allow this unwanted visitor to enter.
“Send him in but have two footmen standing ready first. If you hear anything untoward send them in. Do you understand?” Robert declared.
“The footmen are already in place in anticipation of your order. If you’ll give me but a moment, I’ll bring the person up.”
While Robert waited for this mysterious person to appear he looked over to his wife who now seemed as confused as he was. Before he could ask Hamish reappeared.
“M’ lord, and lady, Mr. William Atkinson.”
Robert studied the man marching toward him all the while trying to hide the confusion in his eyes. He knew The Duke of Clarion family surname was Atkinson and the sitting duke went by William. But, this couldn’t be the same senior peer he and Kristina had met a month ago.
The man presented before Robert had dark brown, unkempt hair with several days’ growth of thick beard. Then there was the attire, a thread-worn and faded brown jacket in need of being burned. The trousers where in even worse shape and at the knees they were ripped and even the riding boots had seen better days.
With a glance to Kristina, Robert noticed her studying the man’s profile intently.
Turning his head back to the man Robert straightened.
“Sir, have we ever met before?”
“I think not.”
“I beg your pardon, but you’re incorrect, or at least partially. Last year before His Lordship and I married he was escorting me around Hyde Park. This was shortly after the Bluestockings Bookstore had been partially burned and we were hunting for someone who might have set the fire or knew who had created the blaze. As we strolled about I noticed a gentleman with all white hair sitting on a bench. He bore a striking resemblance, save the hair color, to the man we were hunting down. Then, in the distance I noticed someone examining this individual. Sir, that was you watching our quarry, Toby Underwood,” Kristina declared.
As Kristina spoke Robert studied the man calling himself William Atkinson to see what, if any, his reaction would be. Nothing. Which was unusual because until his wife had mentioned seeing him Robert had been at a loss. Now, frustrated, it was time to find out exactly who this William Atkinson was and what connection to Underwood he had.
“Sir, everything Her Ladyship said is true. Until she declared having seen you in the park I’d not remembered you and the incident in question. Now I do. I also happen to know the surname Atkinson belongs to The Duke of Clarion and he goes by the Christian name of William. I ask, nay demand to know,” Robert paused to take in a deep breath. “Are you The Duke of Clarion or an imposter? If you are he, then why are you in this, for lack of a better word ‘disguise’?”
“Yes, Lord and Lady Markson I am the duke. However, for my tenure here I’d prefer to remain Mr. William Atkinson. As to why I’ve invaded your lovely castle, I’m more than willing to share that with you,” William uttered.
Robert watched as the man reached into his trouser pocket, withdrew a ring and set it on the edge of the desk. Immediately, Robert recognized the Clarion ducal crest. He stood.
“Why don’t you have a seat?”
What Robert found interesting, how intently Kristina was studying William. As if she was looking for something she’d either missed or what the man had not told them. He wanted to interrupt her thoughts but decided not to as he knew she’d share them in her own good time.
Robert took a seat beside his wife and took her hand in his, glanced at her and smiled. He waited until William focused on him.
“Sir, what is your connection with Toby Underwood?” Robert demanded, ignoring the fact the person he addressed was a duke.
Chapter Ten
“Sir, before you answer that question, I should point out His Lordship and I have been searching for Underwood since he was seen fleeing the fire over a year ago. He’s also suspected of murdering several individuals,” Kristina told William.
“Simply put, m’ lord and lady, Toby Underwood is in my employ as is Lord Ethan Rosewood, your brother.”
Stunned by this news, Kristina leaned against the back of the settee then glanced to Robert. She’d known for a long time Ethan worked for the Crown but until now never had learned who he reported to.
“If that’s the case why hasn’t Underwood come forward? It’s well known within the ton and even here Lady Kristina and I help in solving the unsolvable,” Robert once again demanded of their guest.
“He’s afraid to make his presence known to your household as his daughter is in your employ. Before you ask who, please allow me to explain.”
Against her better judgement, she waved her hand for William to continue.
“I met Toby about eighteen years ago when I was the marquis and had recently been contacted by a certain person. This individual requested, because of my contacts on the continent due to my Grand Tour, I form a select group of people to spy on certain individuals or groups.”
“Sir, Ethan barely speaks French and his Italian is totally horrible. What use is he to you?” Kristina asked.
“Your brother has the unique ability to see without being seen. Think back to the Upperton ball which you attended shortly after your coming-out. Remember the crusty old gentleman you partnered with in a country dance?”
“Yes, and later I found a different handkerchief than mine in my reticule. I never learned how it got there,” Kristina said.
“The man was your brother and the square of lace belonged to my mother, the dowager duchess. Anyways, I digress, for that I apologize.”
Things were now beginning to make sense to Kristina, why Ethan would eschew a social event or disappear for days on end. None of this explained Toby.
“Sir, but what about Underwood?” Robert said.
“I’m sorry. I learned about him from a friend at Harrows. His father was English with a French mother. From her he learned to speak the language. After Underwood graduated I approached him and explained that he had certain skills which were needed and he accepted employment with us. His first position was not far from here. To shorten the story, he fell in love and married a young woman, Aileen. At the time we didn’t know of the union nor that she was with child. If I had Toby would have remained in England and not been sent to France.
“When he returned over a year later, his wife had died in childbirth and the baby was nowhere to be found. Only within the past few months, much due to your capturing the gold smugglers, did he learned the infant was raised here and later took a position within these walls,” William concluded.
“I require to know who this girl is? Fear not though, and let Toby learn also, nothing untoward will happen to her,” Robert told William.
“It’s Rose, isn’t it?” Kristina declared with a smile.
“Yes, m’ lady. You’re correct but he doesn’t know she has a child,” William told them.
“Does he know she’s marrying the groom Keith Moore at the start of the festival?” Robert asked.
“Of that I’m not sure of. If the banns haven’t been read or posted, then I’d suppo
se not. I’m sure he will be pleased to hear she’s found a young man to help take care of her.”
“Sir, this is Scotland and the reading of the banns doesn’t occur,” Robert informed William.
Kristina wondered what Toby would do when he found out this last piece of news about his daughter. But, none of this still answered one very important question.
“If you’re to be believe and considering who you are we do, have you or Toby a clue who is the murderer?” Kristina asked.
“We do which is why I’ve arrived. To make sure the man is brought to justice. He’s a deserter. This person is, I suspect, the one who attacked Rose last year getting her with child. He’s from the district and goes by Albert Nevin.”
For Kristina and she knew Robert, this last piece of information could be the breakthrough they were hoping for. Not only did they now have a name but knew the man was familiar with the area. Since the hour was getting late for her, at least, she decided to send William away then speak with Robert in private.
“You must be tired. I’ll have Hamish show you to your room and arrange for Cook to send up something to eat,” Kristina directed.
Taking her directive Robert went to his desk and rang for the butler then returned to his wife’s side.
“Thank you, m’ lady. I am tired as it’s been a long hard ride from my estate. I do promise, in the morning I will be more presentable but would still prefer to be called as I am now,” Atkinson explained.
“Hamish, please show our guest to his room and arrange something for him to eat and water to wash up with,” Robert directed.
“Yes, m’ lord.”
“Until tomorrow, sir,” Kristina said, curtly dismissing Atkinson.
Accepting his bow Kristina waited until she heard him climbing the stairs to the second floor. Once well out of earshot she turned to Robert.
“To see William not in his normal capacity but as he presented himself, tells me what he said was the truth. My dear, what is your opinion of the interview?” Kristina asked.
A Highland Romance (Markson Regency Mystery Book 5) Page 5
