by Anne Herries
‘No, indeed, the restoration of furniture is a delicate task. However, I believe the viscount may have something in mind.’
‘You believe in him implicitly, Mama,’ Hester said with a smile. ‘I do hope he will not let you down.’
‘Viscount Sheldon is a remarkable man,’ Lady Sheldon told her. ‘I should not worry, Hester. I am sure he has thought of everything.’
‘Yes, I dare say he has…’ Hester would have said more, but at that moment the door opened and someone came in. She did not look round, but she guessed from her mother’s expression that it was Jared and her heart took a sudden leap.
‘Lady Sheldon, Hester.’ Jared’s voice made her spine tingle. She had been impatient for his return, but now she felt almost shy. ‘I hope you will excuse me coming to you in all my dirt, but I wanted to let you know at once that I was back.’
‘We are so pleased that you have come, sir,’ Lady Sheldon told him. ‘I do not fear the smell of the stables. My late husband often came to my salon without changing, for he was a great horseman. You are welcome to take a dish of tea with us just as you are.’
‘You are very kind, ma’am,’ Jared said. ‘But I shall not join you until I have changed. I merely wished to let you know I had arrived.’
‘Cousin Jared,’ Hester said, getting to her feet and turning to greet him. Her heart leapt at the sight of him for he looked so good to her eyes that she wondered why she had not thought him particularly handsome when they first met. Seeing him now after a few days apart, he seemed to her the most attractive man she had ever known. ‘I am pleased you are back. Have you visited the west wing? You will be pleased with the progress, I believe.’
‘No, not as yet. Have they got the new ceiling in?’
‘Yes, and the cleaning is done. It is just a matter of redecoration.’
‘Good. I have arranged for the new furniture to be delivered the day before the ball. Hopefully, it will all be finished in time.’
‘You employed an army to make sure that it would be,’ Hester said and smiled. ‘Would you care to look and see what has been accomplished in your absence?’
‘If you would like to show me,’ Jared replied, his eyes moving over her. ‘I hope it has not been too disturbing for you—or the duke?’
‘He was a little grumpy the first day when the ceiling made a noise as it came down, but it has not been too bad, thank you.’
‘I am glad.’ Jared stood back for her to precede him. ‘I am sorry that I was so long. I had hoped to be sooner, but I was delayed.’
‘Oh, I did not expect you to hurry,’ Hester said, outwardly cool though her heart was racing. ‘I dare say you had a great deal of business?’
‘Yes, as it happens I did,’ Jared said. ‘Some of it concerns Shelbourne, but some of it was personal.’ He had unexpectedly been forced to attend to some matters concerning his property in Paris, but as she knew nothing of his empire yet he kept the details to himself. ‘However, I am back now and I do not intend to leave again for a while.’
‘I see…’ Hester’s pulses were beating furiously, but she maintained her cool manner. ‘I am sure Grandfather will be pleased, though he will not expect you to spend all your time here. I dare say you will make friends and wish to spend time with them—or at your club in London. If you are not a member, I am sure someone will put you up when you are ready.’
‘Friends…’ Jared hesitated, remembering something he had done in an unwise moment. ‘I have invited an extra lady to the ball, Hester. I hope you don’t mind. She is Lady Raven’s sister and I met them together in town.’
‘You know Lady Raven?’ Hester was surprised.
‘No, I know Lady Selina Mallard. Lady Raven said that she had been invited and her sister asked if she might come with her.’
‘Yes, of course. Do you wish to invite anyone else?’
‘No, just Lady Mallard.’ Jared hesitated—he knew that must sound as if he particularly wanted the lady to stay, but he had felt obliged to ask for the sake of their friendship. He had afterwards wondered if it might have been better to avoid it, but could not see how it could have been done without offence. ‘I knew her in Paris.’
‘Ah, yes, I believe you said you were in Paris last year.’
Hester felt a pang, for she was aware of the lady’s reputation, even though she did not know her herself. ‘We have plenty of guest rooms, cousin. It will be no trouble to prepare another.’
‘Perhaps I ought to have written.’ He sensed that she was not pleased.
‘No such thing,’ Hester replied, lifting her head in what she hoped was a dignified way. ‘As the heir, you are perfectly entitled to invite whomever you please, sir.’
‘But I would not wish to offend you, Hester.’
‘I am not offended. Why should I be?’ She avoided looking at him, even when he was silent for a few seconds. ‘I was pleased that you told the builders to keep to the original colours, for it was a beautiful house once.’
‘Yes, I think it must have been,’ Jared replied, following her lead. ‘It will be again, I am sure. That pale blue the builder spoke of…what would you call it?’
‘Some people call it duck egg blue, but it is a pale aquamarine when freshly done, as you will see.’ They were about to enter the west wing. The first small salon had been the least damaged of all and was finished. It smelled new because the silk wallpaper was freshly pasted, and the ceiling had been whitewashed. ‘This is a delightful room again now as the sun comes in here in the mornings rather than the afternoon.’
Jared stood in the centre of the empty room and glanced about him. ‘I think it looks good, Hester. I hope you are pleased?’
‘Yes, I am.’ She smiled, some of her reserve melting when she saw the expression on his face as he sought her approval. ‘In fact, I love it, cousin. I do not know what you have in mind for the furniture.’
‘It is French, Louis XIV, but not too extravagant. Small pieces, the wood gilded and pale rose-and-cream satin-finish upholstery.’
‘That sounds lovely.’ She stared at him in surprise. ‘Where did you find it at such short notice?’
‘It already belonged to me. I sent for a load of furniture almost as soon as I came here the first time. It was waiting for me at a warehouse when I arrived in London. I have asked for it to be brought down with some other things…’ He hesitated, looking at her seriously. ‘I have made these arrangements so that it will all be respectable for the ball, but if you dislike what I have done you may tell me what you wish changed later, Hester.’
‘Oh, no,’ she cried. ‘It is not for me to dictate to you, cousin. I am sure I shall like whatever you choose.’
‘You shall have the choice when it comes to the rest of the house,’ Jared promised. ‘I am accustomed to doing what I think fit without reference to anyone. I did not mean to offend you.’
‘You could not offend me,’ Hester said. ‘You have made this house live again, cousin. I can only thank you for all you have done.’
‘But this is your home. I do not wish you to feel that I have swept away all that you loved and knew.’
‘The fire did that here, sir. Besides, had I the money, I might have changed things sooner.’
‘Then you are not angry with me?’ He moved a step closer, looking into her face. ‘Hester, I—’ What he was about to say was forgotten as a man entered the room. ‘Mr Knighton…’
‘I heard voices and came to investigate, for the builders left a few minutes ago,’ Mr Knighton said. ‘They said that they would be here early in the morning to finish off. I must say I think they have done very well. You are to be congratulated, Sheldon. I would not have thought it could be done in time. I dare say it has set you back a pretty penny.’
‘Not so very much as things go,’ Jared replied easily. ‘I am glad you think it has turned out well.’
‘Oh, yes, but I think you should get them to look at the back of the house, Sheldon. There is some loose stonework and, if it fell, it could
cause a nasty accident.’
‘Yes, that is true,’ Hester said. ‘Your master builder told me that the day you left. He wanted your permission to put it right.’
‘I told him to do whatever needed doing,’ Jared said. ‘We cannot have that, for people may walk there and be at risk. Would you show me where it is loose, Knighton?’
‘Yes, certainly—would you like to go now?’
‘I think we may as well. Hester, do not let me keep you. I shall change after I have inspected the damage and see you this evening.’
‘Oh…Yes, of course,’ Hester said. She was frowning as she returned to the parlour where her mother was sitting.
‘Back so soon?’ Lady Sheldon asked. ‘I thought you would be longer. Is the viscount coming for tea?’
‘No. He has gone to look at some loose stonework at the back of the house.’ Hester shivered suddenly, feeling very cold. ‘Excuse me, Mama, I must go…’ She ran from the room, flying through the house to the west wing. She was panting and her heart was hammering wildly in her breast, though she did not know why she was so frightened. She could see the two men a little way ahead, staring up at the roof. ‘Jared…’
Her cry made him hesitate. He turned and took a step towards her. At just that moment a large slab of stone began to fall. Had he not moved, he would have been standing right beneath it.
‘Look out!’ Knighton shouted. ‘Good grief!’
The stone had smashed into pieces on the ground just behind Jared. He hardly noticed it as he moved to reach Hester, holding her as she flung herself at him, clearly distressed.
‘What is the matter?’
‘I don’t know. I thought something would happen…that chunk of stone only just missed you.’
‘It must have been very loose,’ Jared said, seeming unperturbed. ‘Knighton was right—it is dangerous.’ He felt her tremble. ‘It is all right, Hester. It missed me. I am not hurt.’
‘Yes, but you might have been killed.’ Her eyes were dark with despair, revealing more than she knew.
‘Hester is right,’ Knighton said, coming up to them. ‘I know the builder was up there earlier looking at the damage. He must have dislodged it and it fell. It was a good thing you shouted, Hester. What made you come after us?’
‘Instinct,’ she said. ‘I just felt that something awful was going to happen.’
‘Just as well you did—that might have killed one of us,’ Knighton said. ‘I know the builder said it was loose, but I didn’t think it was in such a dangerous condition.’
‘He should have made sure it couldn’t fall,’ Jared said. ‘You didn’t go up there yourself?’
‘No, but I saw someone coming from the stairway that leads up to the roof just before I came to you. I warned him that it was not safe to go up there and he gave me an odd look…a very odd look, come to think of it.’
‘Who was that?’
‘Mr Stephen Grant,’ Knighton said. ‘He arrived this afternoon, Hester. You knew that, of course?’
‘No, I didn’t know,’ Hester said. ‘I am not sure that Mama does.’
‘Your mama did not mention it? How very odd…’
‘You are certain it was he?’ Jared asked, frowning.
‘Yes…quite certain. I imagine the servants must have seen him arrive, but it is strange that Lady Sheldon did not know of it.’
‘I think I shall go and ask her,’ Hester said. ‘Please go into the house, Cousin Jared—and you, Mr Knighton. I would not want either of you to be killed.’ She had stopped trembling and walked away from them, head down. Her pulses were still racing, for the look in Jared’s eyes had been so strange—almost as if he were warning her of something.
Hester returned to the salon to find that Lady Ireland had joined Hester’s mother for tea. She took a deep breath, determined not to let either of them see that she had had a terrible fright.
‘Mama, did you know that Mr Grant had arrived?’
‘No, I did not.’ Lady Sheldon looked puzzled. ‘When was this, Hester?’
‘I am told that it was earlier this afternoon.’
‘Will you ring for Mrs Mills, please, my dear? He should have been announced. I would not show him any neglect, but I was not aware that he had arrived.’
‘Yes, Mama.’
Hester rang the bell. A maid arrived and the housekeeper’s presence was requested. She came in ten minutes, looking flustered.
‘Forgive me, ma’am, I was busy with all the guests arriving tomorrow. Is something the matter?’
‘Did Mr Grant arrive this afternoon?’
‘No, ma’am. Not to my knowledge. I should have come to inform you at once.’
‘Thank you, please do not let me keep you from your work, Mrs Mills.’ Lady Sheldon waited until the woman had gone and looked at her daughter. ‘Who told you that Mr Grant had arrived, dearest?’
‘Mr Knighton thought he saw him,’ Hester replied. ‘He must have been mistaken.’
‘Oh, well, it does not matter. I am sure he will be here for the ball. Unless he has changed his mind…’
‘Yes, Mama. I am sure he will come.’
Hester accepted the dish of tea her mother handed her, taking a seat on one of the small, elegant sofas near the marble fireplace. She was thoughtful, her mind wandering restlessly as she listened to her mother and godmother making small talk about one of the many scandals concerning the Prince Regent that was currently circulating in town.
Someone had dislodged that heavy chunk of stone, hoping that it would fall and injure someone, but how could that person have known who would be standing nearby? Unless that person was still up on the roof and had taken his chance to make the attempt.
Mr Knighton thought he had seen Mr Grant near the staircase leading up to the roof, but the housekeeper did not know he had arrived. If he had entered the house, he had done so secretly, which meant he had come with the intent of doing harm. All the evidence pointed to Mr Grant as it must have been a chance thing. No one could know that Jared would be there at that time. Mr Knighton had known, of course, but he had gone with him—and there had only been inches between them. The falling stone could as easily have hit him as Jared. Besides, he had nothing to gain from Jared’s death. Mr Grant had a great deal to gain.
Oh, how could he? How dare he! Hester was seething with anger. She could hardly believe that Mr Grant—a man of the cloth—had done such a wicked thing, and yet who else could it have been?
She would have to speak to Jared that evening alone. They must discover what was going on before someone else was killed!
Chapter Nine
Hester dressed in a dove-grey silk dress with a modest neckline and small puffed sleeves. She fastened a string of pearls about her throat, and added the bangle her godmother had given her. She was thoughtful as she went downstairs a little earlier than usual, hoping that she might find Jared alone. He was not in the drawing room, but something made her go to the library in search of him. He was there, an open book on the table in front of him. He looked up as she approached, but made no attempt to hide what he was reading.
‘Your great-grandfather’s journal,’ she said, feeling surprised. ‘I do not think I have read that volume.’
‘It deals with the curse,’ Jared said. ‘I was looking for something, but it does not appear to be here.’
‘Perhaps it is in one of the others,’ Hester suggested. ‘Was there something in particular that you wished to know?’
‘It was rather a matter of confirming it,’ Jared said. ‘I have recently been given some information that may explain what has been happening here.’
‘You think the accidents have something to do with the curse?’
‘Not exactly,’ Jared said. ‘Nor do I think them accidents, Hester. Someone worked at that masonry to make it loose enough to fall. I went up to take a look myself before I changed, and I could see that a tool had recently been used to pry it forward.’
‘But no one could have known that you would be there at
exactly the right moment, Jared.’
‘No, perhaps not. It may not have been meant to kill me, merely to warn—or to place the blame on someone by suggestion.’
‘You mean Mr Grant?’ Hester looked at him in concern. ‘I thought that it must have been him. If Mr Knighton saw him near the stairs leading to the roof…’
‘If he saw him there, it would certainly point the finger in Mr Grant’s direction—but did he? Does it not seem curious to you, Hester, that no one else has seen Mr Grant this afternoon?’
Hester was thoughtful. ‘He is not in the house. Mrs Mills went to the room he always uses when he visits to make sure, but his things were not there. I thought it meant that he had entered secretly in order to do harm.’
‘That is one explanation,’ Jared agreed. ‘I know everything seems to point in his direction. He is the one who would benefit if I died. He might have had access to this house the night the fire was set and he could have fired that shot at me.’
‘But you think otherwise?’ She stared at him for a moment and then the sudden realisation of what he must be saying hit her. ‘You cannot think…Mr Knighton? But why? He would not benefit if you died.’
‘Directly, no, though he may be distantly related.’
‘To my mother, but not the Shelbourne family.’
‘If my information is correct, he may be related to my great-grandfather through a bastard-born son. I have learned that the child of the tragic affair your family thought had died, actually survived and was brought up in secret. He changed his name to Knighton when he was a man, and he married a relation of your mother’s. The man you know is his son.’
‘But he could not inherit the title even if that were true,’ Hester said, feeling bewildered, because it was all so new to her. She had not once considered that Mr Knighton might be concerned in this horrid business. ‘Besides, he was shot at.’
