Lady Winterbourne's Entanglement: A Romantic Regency Adventure

by Miriam Rochester

  Penelope was intrigued. ‘How many men exactly are in your smuggling ring Rosie?’ she asked. ‘I am willing to help out in any way I can.’

  ‘There are seven of us who have invested in the Sloop and share the profits, Miss Penny. You already know everyone here, including me, Andy, Daniel, Sam and Ashe, but there is also Bart and Mattie, both fishermen who work out from Sunderland Docks. You have not met them yet because they are on board the Sloop with Nat. In addition, we also have Jem the gravedigger at Whitburn church, he is not an investor, but he will help us out for payment. The landlord John and his wife Pat also help and we give them a couple of free barrels for their trouble. We can rely on others if necessary and pay them for their assistance.’

  ‘And me.’ Penelope responded. ‘I would like to help out if I can. Does everyone have specific jobs to do?’ she asked.

  ‘I suppose they do, but they can all turn their hand to anything, from taking the small boats out, to organising the land run.’

  ‘I see,’ said Penelope, ‘and what can I do?’ she asked eagerly.

  Rosie frowned. ‘I really think you should keep a low profile Miss Penny, I would hate to draw you into this business. It is perilous and there is a constant risk of being caught.’

  ‘No Rosie,’ she objected, ‘I want to do my part. Give me a job to do or I will find one for myself.’

  Rosie looked into her eager, shining eyes and wondered what had happened the vulnerable lady Winterbourne, who had sat in her kitchen three months ago. There was no sign of the demure Lady Winterbourne and an eager young woman thirsting for action had replaced her. Rosie knew that she could not hold her back. ‘All right then,’ she conceded. ‘We shall take it slowly; you can go with Andy tomorrow night and keep a lookout along the coastline. However, I must warn you that what you are about to do is illegal. Once you have set the signal you will have gone past the line and if you are caught, the consequences could be serious. We are fortunate here. Mr. Jameson the Sunderland magistrate is quite sympathetic and he is one of our customers, but if you are caught red handed by an excise man there is very little that even he can do.’

  Andy nodded across to the riding officers sitting in the window. Those two over there are the regulars. Lieutenant Bartoft can be bribed at a push, but Captain Monaghan is a hard nut to crack. I would be particularly careful when dealing with that one.’

  ‘Yes, we will need to do something about them,’ Rosie said thoughtfully. ‘I will ask Pat to enlist the help of Lisette.’

  Lisette, the serving maid was a petite little blonde. She had wide brown eyes and a pert little nose and was engaged to be married to Mattie. Lisette was a particular favourite of Lieutenant Bartoft as he had a tendre for her. Lisette was quite adept at acting a hen wit when she wanted to, but she was far from it and she had helped Rosie on many occasions. After receiving instructions from Pat, she made her way over to the window to where the riding officers sat. ‘Is there anything I can get for you gentlemen,’ she enquired, giving them an alluring smile. Lieutenant Bartoft, not one to pass by an obvious invitation, grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her onto his knee. ‘Not at the moment, sweetheart, but perhaps a little of your company would be pleasant.’

  Lisette wriggled seductively on his knee. ‘That is not quite what I meant,’ she giggled. ‘You two gentlemen will be getting me into trouble with my employer.’

  Captain Monaghan glanced at her feet as she sat perched on his colleague’s knee. Like the landlady, she wore a pair of the most exquisite shoes. They had a small heel, were fashioned in embroidered pink satin and had silver tassels on the front. He frowned. ‘Now how would a serving wench like you be able to afford a pair of shoes like that,’ he asked contemptuously. Leaning over, he swiftly pulled a shoe from off her foot and examined it. ‘Ah, as I guessed. They are of a French design,’ he said triumphantly.

  Lisette grabbed the shoe back and put in on. ‘Don’t be silly,’ she giggled. ‘Of course I can’t afford em. Miss Pat gave em to me. They were too small for her and pinched her feet, so she said I could have em.’ She held her foot out and drew circles with her toes, admiring the shoes. ‘She sent for them all the way from Lonnen she did, from a French fashion designer.’

  Captain Monaghan grimaced. ‘One has to wonder how the landlady can afford them either,’ he remarked dryly. Lisette, ever resourceful looked at him innocently with her big, brown eyes. ‘Oh, they were not so very expensive. You see, she gets em cheap because they are substandard, but you cannot tell unless you look at em closely.’ She held her foot out again to admire the shoe. ‘Pretty, aren’t they,’ she said. Captain Monaghan thought they looked anything but substandard, but held his tongue.

  Lieutenant Bartoft ran his hand up her skirt to her knee and smiled at her. ‘I suppose your employer gave you these silk stockings too. Are they substandard as well?’ he asked sceptically.

  Lisette slapped the Lieutenant’s hand and he quickly removed it from underneath her dress. ‘Oh, you gentlemen are obtuse tonight. How could Miss Pat afford silk stockings?’ Captain Monaghan rolled his eyes. It appeared that the landlady could afford extravagant shoes, but could not afford silk stockings. Did the whole world think he was daft? There was contraband being passed at this very Inn and he was determined to catch them out. The Captain, not so easily swayed by a pretty face, was pleased with himself for he knew he had caught her out. ‘Explain the silk stockings Lisette,’ he demanded sternly.

  ‘Yes,’ explain the stockings,’ repeated the Lieutenant more tenderly, stroking her leg.

  Lisette, not the least put out, answered airily. ‘Oh, that is easy. These stockings belonged to old Lady Lyndhurst. My sister Annette is Croxdale’s parlour maid and his mother often gives her hand me downs that she no longer wants. Annette sometimes hands them on to me. Lady Lyndhurst no longer wanted these stockings because they had holes in em at the top. I am handy with a needle, you see, and was able to fix em.’

  Captain Monaghan might have guessed that Lisette would be ready with an answer. Her explanation was plausible, but he doubted that she was telling the truth. He looked at Lisette who was still sitting comfortably on Lieutenant Bartoft’s knee. ‘Are you sure Lisette?’ he asked. ‘You know I can always give Lady Lyndhurst a visit and check out your story.’

  Lisette looked at the Captain with her large, innocent, brown eyes. ‘Oh, you are welcome to do so,’ she replied gaily. ‘I am sure the Countess will confirm it.’

  The Captain watched her for any signs of weakness, but there were none. Perhaps she was telling the truth. The fact was, that he was reluctant to go interviewing Lady Lyndhurst without just cause. To upset the old Countess would invite the displeasure of her son, Lord Xavier Lyndhurst and that was the last thing he wanted to do. Lord Lyndhurst, a peer of the realm and a practising parliamentarian, could make things very unpleasant for him.

  Lieutenant Bartoft pulled Lisette closer to him and attempted once more to slip his hand up the soft contour of her calf and over the smooth silk stocking. Perhaps, if his hand wandered high enough and he could distract her, he could discover the repairs. Lisette however, was far too vigilant to allow such a thing and slapped his hand away once more. ‘Lieutenant you are naughty,’ she scolded. ‘I am a good girl.’ Lieutenant Bartoft smiled. He found Lisette temptingly attractive and was at risk of becoming rather distracted. He looked across at his colleague who was frowning at him. He must remember that he was on duty and not allow himself to be diverted by this fetching wench. He lowered his head to her neck and planted feathery kisses across the soft contours of her skin, whispering softly in her ear. ‘Would you like to earn yourself a shilling Lisette?’

  Lisette pushed him away half-heartedly. ‘I am not that kind of girl Lieutenant. Besides, Miss Pat, she is a decent sort and will not allow that kind of thing.’

  Captain Bartoft could feel his loins burning and shifted her position so that she could not tell. He pushed a loose tendril of hair back behind her ear. ‘How disappointing. Perhap
s you could give me some information as a consolation prize,’ he added.

  ‘Why, what would you like to know?’ she replied innocently.

  ‘Tell me where the landlady keeps her illicit kegs and there is a shilling in it for you.’

  Lisette wrinkled her brow ‘Really Lieutenant, if Miss Pat was accepting smuggled goods, she would not see fit to inform me. I am just the serving maid. I have seen no evidence of smuggling activity at this Inn.’ She giggled and landed a light peck on his cheek. ‘But perhaps I might have some other information for you if there is a shilling on offer.’

  ‘And what would that be my angel,’ the Lieutenant replied, as he ran his fingers through her silky golden hair.

  Lisette hesitated as if to change her mind. ‘Perhaps I should not,’ she said. ‘After all, it is probably nothing and Miss Pat does not like me to gossip.’

  The lieutenant cajoled her seductively as he planted kisses on her neck, ‘Come on you can tell me, Lisette.’

  Lisette looked into his face. The Lieutenant was certainly handsome with his wavy blonde hair and his blue eyes, but she was not to be diverted from her main purpose and she would not do anything to risk her Mattie’s life.

  ‘A shilling did you say?’ she asked innocently.

  ‘A shilling,’ Captain Monaghan confirmed, ‘if your information is reliable.’

  Lisette leant over conspiratorially to whisper. ‘I was down at Sunderland Market the day before yesterday and I heard someone saying that they were expecting a huge smuggling drop on the far side of Sunderland, sometime within the next few nights. They say it is being organised by a Captain Blackmore. I am told he is a good for nothing ruffian, so I do not mind telling you, but that is all I know. Mind, be careful because I am told that he is a dangerous fellow.’

  Captain Monaghan, who had caught the whisper, became alert. He had heard of Captain Blackmore and so believed that Lisette could be telling the truth. Lisette had given them one or two hints in the past that had led them to a small haul of contraband here and there, but nothing as big as this. The riding officers could not have known that Lisette’s occasional affirmative information was a deliberate ploy to maintain her credibility. Captain Monaghan tossed her two pennies.

  ‘What is this?’ she demanded. ‘You promised me a shilling!’

  ‘You will get the rest next week, if what you have told us proves founded.’

  Lisette jumped off Lieutenant Bartoft’s knee and glared at Captain Monaghan. ‘I might have guessed that I could trust no riding officer,’ she pouted furiously.

  The Lieutenant tried to pull her back in one frisky movement, but she resisted. ‘You can keep your shilling, but don’t expect any more information from me.’

  At that moment, Pat walked over. ‘Lisette!’ she scolded. ‘What are you doing here? We have customers needing your attention.’

  Lisette gave Pat a respectful nod, bobbed a curtsy and dashed off to continue her duties, leaving Pat with the riding officers. Pat addressed them. ‘You are more than welcome to drink here, but I shall have to ask you not to distract my serving maid.’

  When Pat got the first opportunity, she pulled Lisette to the side. ‘Well?’ she asked in a low whisper. ‘Did you manage to convince them?’

  ‘I think they fell for it,’ Lisette replied. ‘I had the sudden inspiration to drop Captain Blackmore’s name, and that brought Captain Monaghan to attention all right.’

  ‘Good Girl, Lisette,’ Pat approved. ‘I will tell Rosie. No doubt, she will assign a man to keep an eye on them before she signals the lads to come to shore. You have done well.’

  As the evening progressed, Rosie and her men prepared for the next day. It did not escape Lady Penelope’s sense of humour that they were making plans under the very noses of the riding officers. Penelope was sitting facing the pair and she was aware that they were scanning the room, keeping their eyes peeled for anything suspicious. It did not take long before their eyes fell on Penelope. The riding officers, although not knowing everyone personally were quite familiar with most members of the community and they immediately identified Penelope as a stranger. Captain Monaghan got up and crossed the floor to the group. Andy was discussing the tides for tomorrow evening and the best place from which to set a look out, when Penelope kicked him violently under the table. He looked across to her and acknowledged her warning gaze. He turned around to see Captain Monaghan, who was now half way across the floor trying to negotiate his way through the crowded room. Andy was relieved, as he could not possibly have heard anything. Captain Monaghan approached and looked across at Rosie. She was another resident of whom he was suspicious, as she also appeared to live beyond her means. He had turned her farm upside down and had been unable to find any hidden contraband, but since Rosie’s hiding place was particularly ingenious, that was not a surprise. Rosie and Captain Monaghan had no love for each other and what is more, Rosie had a most infuriating dog that had taken him in great dislike.

  He bowed politely. ‘Good evening, Mrs Haldane, I see you have the most charming company tonight. Would you like to introduce me to the lovely lady?’

  ‘Not particularly,’ Rosie replied coolly. ‘I do not see what business she is of yours, or do you suspect that, like everyone else, she is a free trader?’

  ‘Of course not,’ he replied patiently. ‘But I do make it my business to know what is going on around these parts.’

  Realising that as a representative of the law, he could make things difficult for her, Rosie thought it best not to antagonise him further. ‘This is my niece, Miss Penny,’ she lied. ‘She has come to stay with me for a while.’

  ‘Pleased to meet you Miss Penny,’ he said, giving her the most charming of smiles. He did not have time to say much more because Pat returned to the makeshift stage to announce the recommencement of the entertainment. He took his leave. ‘Perhaps we will meet some other time and become acquainted.’

  ‘Well, you are not welcome to visit,’ Rosie retorted sharply. ‘You and the Lieutenant can keep your roving eyes away from my niece.’

  Captain Monaghan ignored Rosie’s last remark as he retreated. He would certainly have to make an effort to get to know Miss Penny better.

  Rosie turned to Penelope. ‘You need to watch that one,’ she supplied. ‘He may look as if he could charm the feathers from off a peacock, but he is ruthless. He is out to catch us and nothing will stand in his way. He will try to get to us through you, Miss Penny, so be careful.’

  Penelope acknowledged the warning. ‘Do not worry, Rosie, I trust no man. Rest assured that I shall be careful.’

  Chapter 12

  The next evening after darkness fell, Lady Penelope found herself behind Marsden Rock. The rock was a huge, natural, monolith of Magnesium Limestone, which lay approximately one hundred feet from the huge cliff face. It was a hundred feet high and was home to a colony of seabirds, including kittiwakes, fulmars and cormorants.

  The cliffs behind the rock contained a large grotto, which had been blasted out and made larger by a colourful character who had earned the name of Jack the Blaster. He had made his home there with his family, but he had died a few years earlier and the caves were now sadly neglected. When the tide was in, Marsden rock was completely surrounded by water and cut off from the Grotto cave. Fortunately, this evening, the tide was out, and Andy and Penelope were able to walk across the damp sand to reach the rock. Penelope could see that it was a good lookout, for once behind the huge structure; it would not be easy for a signal to be seen from the land.

  ‘What do you do when the tide is in and you cannot reach this place,’ she asked Andy curiously.

  ‘We have a number of lookouts,’ he replied. There is the new stone mill at Whitburn or the bell tower of Whitburn Church. Jem, the gravedigger leaves the church doors open so that we can enter. We must sit here for a while and wait for the word that it is safe to make a signal.’

  Andy and Penelope sat for twenty minutes until they heard the sound of horse hooves o
n the soft sand. Jem approached, dismounted and walked across to them. ‘It is all clear,’ he confirmed. ‘Captain Monaghan and Lieutenant Bartoft left for Sunderland twenty minutes ago. It is safe to light the signal. If the Sloop is out there, send the signal directing them to the Wherry. The others are waiting there.’

  Andy sat down on a large rock and reached into his pocket for his tinderbox. Setting an oil lamp on the ground, he proceeded to light it. Penelope watched him as he raised the lamp above his head and began to sway it back and forth. To her amazement, a signal answered back through the darkness. The signal had been brief but unmistakable. Andy proceeded to send out a series of signals using a piece of thin driftwood to intermittently block the light. Three flashes followed by a twenty second wait, which he repeated five times. This was the arranged signal to guide them into the Wherry. If the Sloop could get close enough to the shore, the small boats, which they had arranged, would only need to make a short trip out to meet them.

  Penelope was full of questions. ‘What if the riding officers noticed the signal from the sloop? Will that not give you away?’ she asked with a worried frown.

  ‘It is possible, Miss Penny,’ Andy replied, ‘but they cannot possibly know where the goods are going to land. If they see the signal, it will hopefully confirm Lisette’s report and they will expect the landing further up the coast. We need to act quickly though. The goods must be landed and dispersed before they realise that they have been duped.’

  Penelope was puzzled. ‘Then why did you not just signal from the Wherry to save time,’ she asked, mystified.

  ‘There is more risk that a signal would be seen from the shore.’ Jem replied. ‘If that happened, then we would have the excise men down on us in no time. We never signal from the place that we are to land the goods. It serves to confuse any observers. This way it is a little more inconvenient, but it is safer. ’