The Rector heard exactly what was being said – he could suggest that the neighbourhood would benefit from spending more money on the poor and Mr Heythorne would instantly respond, overtly following the lead of ‘the good man, the vicar’.
The Bishop would always be pleased to discover that his vicars were leading the wealthiest of their flock in the right direction.
“I do not recall seeing you often of a Sunday, Mr Heythorne…”
“The demands of my many businesses, Rector, have caused me to become remiss in my religious duties. I must remedy this and set a lead to my people.”
They parted, smiling sweetly at each other.
Reverend Scott was not entirely pleased at being bullied into obedience to Samuel Heythorne, a young man and less educated than him and definitely of a lower family. He did not think it right that he should be treated as a lesser mortal and forced to conform to the demands of an upstart, distinguished solely by his possession of money. Over the space of a few days he spoke to his churchwardens, idly mentioning he had met Mr Samuel Heythorne and had wondered a little at his abrupt, brusque ways.
Three of the four simply agreed but commented that the Heythorne family was both wealthy and open-handed – people in the locality could tolerate much for knowing that a cold, hard winter would not do them too much harm. The last simply said it was not especially wise to stand up to the Heythorne family. The old man, long dead, had been far too handy with a pistol and the young gentleman seemed to take after his father.
“So I believe, Reverend. My mother’s cousin Young, a farmer up the valley, trod on Mr Samuel Heythorne’s toes and was very soon dead in an accident on his way to market. There are those who believe it was no accident at all, sir, but it is unwise to speak a word aloud, especially if Nick might hear. A good friend to the family is Nick, and an even more dangerous man than old Sam Heythorne. Some say that Farmer Perry, who came into most of Mr Young’s land, might have known what was going on. I do not believe he put an end to Famer Young’s existence – but I do not doubt he knows more than he chooses to say about the business.”
Reverend Scott said no more, but he chose to drive out on a Tuesday morning to visit his own relatives in Derby, staying with them for two days and discussing some matters at length with his uncle, the Sheriff.
The following week saw a couple of strangers on market-day in Cheadle, chatty fellows who talked to the farmers and bought from them, willing to pay a high price for anything they wanted and gossiping as they did so.
Word spread that questions were being asked about Farmer Young and his family and their current whereabouts. The word reached Nick and he came anxiously to confer with Josie.
“Sheriff’s men, my lady, and asking any number of questions, innocent-seeming, about Farmer Young and his neighbour Perry and Mr Samuel Heythorne in passing. I much fear there has been a suggestion that Farmer Young was done to death, my lady.”
“Surely, there could be no evidence to that effect, Nick?”
“Very little which exists just now, my lady – but evidence is ephemeral stuff, so they say – it comes and it goes as the need arises.”
“In other words, if there is a probability of foul play, the sheriff’s men will ‘discover’ the evidence they require.”
“Exactly, my lady. It would not be difficult to dig up a witness who was on his way to market, who saw all but was afeared of Mr Heythorne and would say nothing until he was offered protection. It would not even cost a great deal of money, times being hard and ten pounds in the pocket going a long way. I hear a whisper that Mr Samuel offended Reverend Scott, who is a gentleman with connections, it would seem.”
“They will hang him, do you think, Nick?”
“It seems not unlikely, my lady.”
“What is to be done, Nick?”
“He must go, my lady, before any warrant may be sworn against him. If he is not to be found, he cannot be declared a felon. His goods and chattels will be safe.”
Josie swore, much to Nick’s surprise – he had not imagined his lady to know such words. She called Samuel from his office and outlined the problem they faced.
“Was I to stand trial, Mother, would conviction be certain?”
“No. The Sheriff is not the only one who can buy evidence. We could probably, but not certainly, muddy the water sufficiently to achieve an acquittal. But, and a very big ‘but’ it is, they might well choose to arrest you the day after the Assizes, so that you would have three months to wait in custody – in the common room of the gaol, facing the abuse of the other prisoners and vulnerable to the fevers. The chance of your dying is not small and your health could well be broken. The risk is very great. Your reputation would certainly be sullied. You know what people are – the cry of ‘no smoke without fire’ would rise and you would ever after be a criminal in men’s minds.”
Samuel thought a little while and then agreed – he himself was inclined to accept the cry of ‘no smoke’ – it was only logical. He did not believe that any man was innocent merely because he had been found ‘not guilty’.
“Then, Mother, what is to be done for the best? Simply to disappear for a few months would not be sufficient, I fear.”
“It would not, to my mind. What say you, Nick?”
“Mr Samuel Heythorne must vanish, my lady, never to be heard of again. Mr Stephen Harris – sharing the same initials for the benefit of signet ring and such – might well surface in London as a merchant in, perhaps, the glass trade. Better still would be Mr Harris setting up in New York or Boston or Richmond as a gentleman in a prosperous way of business. In time, my lady, we could sell our all here and quietly take ship ourselves… The more I consider that latter course, the better it seems. I do not doubt we would find well-wishers who would assist us on our way.”
Samuel nodded gravely – he could imagine that a lot of local folk would be glad to see Nick leaving the vicinity. As well, Mr Malone might rest more comfortably for knowing the Heythornes to be gone.
They talked long and drew up a plan of action.
Josie would take over the businesses again and would slowly, bit by bit, sell them off over two or three years. Samuel would take ship from Liverpool in the immediate future. Mary would continue in her own way of life, with a substantial sum of money to aid her. Nick and his lady and Josephine would follow across the Atlantic when all was turned to cash, to reunite the young couple.
“And thus, Mother, the Heythorne dynasty will pass from the locality, quietly dying away. We will become provincial unknowns in the Colonies, I fear.”
“I do not fear so at all, Samuel. No family with fifty and more thousands of pounds will be insignificant in the colonies, from all I hear. We shall seek out your brother Abraham and use his knowledge to make a start and we will build a new family across the ocean.”
There was no sense in delay. Samuel had his bags packed and drew all he could in cash from Mr Martin and set out for Liverpool and Mr Hayes’ office. He sailed within the week.
Josie let it be known locally that her son had fallen out with her, had objected to her holding the financial whip hand until he was finally of age and had walked out – run away, indeed. She did not know where he was gone to.
Reverend Scott called to commiserate with her and discovered her to be upset but still to be full of plans for the promotion of her business activities. She might be persuaded to sell out – at a long price – but while she remained, the pits and pottery and coke ovens, and especially the new foundry, would all be very active.
The first buyers made contact with her soon after she received a letter from the New World telling her that Samuel had met up with Abraham and was well on the way to purchasing an allotment of land in the Virginias and that he had it in mind to commence the growing of tobacco. He was to operate on credit initially, but the provision of as little as ten thousand pounds would clear him of all his loans and set the family up well for the future:
‘There is a little of political unres
t, just at the while, Mother, but I cannot imagine it will not be settled. Wise men sitting around a table must soon be able to create a sensible agreement which will benefit all. I am sure a minor matter of taxation will not create any rupture between the Colonialists and their King.’
She replied immediately – there would be money, a sum in gold sent by the hand of a messenger selected by Mr Hayes and hence trustworthy. Samuel should continue his good work and create a new home for the family. As for political worries – they should be left to the proper people to deal with; they were no affair of theirs.
# # #
Thank you for reading Killing’s Reward. Note: The author’s recently completed Innocents at War Series, has received much critical acclaim and comes highly recommended. Find out more here:
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By the Same Author
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Man of Conflict Series: Youngest son of a wealthy English merchant, Septimus Pearce is an utterly spoiled brat whose disgraceful conduct threatens his family’s good name. His father forces him to join the army in an attempt to reform him, but even the disciplines of army life where he sees bloody action in three countries fail to exorcise his nastier character traits. Please note: This series is currently available to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
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Innocents at War Series: The Royal Flying Corps grew from the amateur hobbyists flying the earliest and most dangerous machines. Mostly drawn from the Army and Navy, the pilots regarded themselves as gentlemen members of a new club. The Great War saw the death of amateurism - except in the higher ranks - and the unplanned, fortuitous creation of a professional force.
Innocents at War follows the career of Anglo-American flier, Tommy Stark, an enthusiastic boy forced to grow up quickly as many around him die. His deep affection for squire’s daughter, Grace is his only certainty as the bitter conflict threatens to strip the world of its innocence.
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A Poor Man at the Gate Series: Book One: The Privateersman is FREE on Kindle -Escaping the hangman’s noose in England, commoner Tom Andrews finds himself aboard a privateering ship before fleeing to New York at the time of the Revolutionary War. It is a place where opportunities abound for the unscrupulous. Hastily forced to return to England, he ruthlessly chases riches in the early industrial boom. But will wealth buy him love and social respectability?
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The Duty and Destiny Series: These superbly-crafted novel length sea/land stories are set in the period of the French Revolutionary War (1793 – 1802). The series follows the naval career and love-life of Frederick Harris, the second son of a middling Hampshire landowner, a brave but somewhat reluctant mariner. (Book One was first published in 2014.) Please note: This series is currently available to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
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Born in a home for fallen women, at the age of eight the barefooted and waiflike Harry is sent out to work. After years of unpaid toil and hunger, he runs away and is cajoled into believing that the Army is his only option. He joins a battalion that is sent to Africa’s Slave Coast where disease is the biggest killer of men. When the much-thinned battalion returns to England and is disbanded, he drifts into smuggling in order to survive. All goes well until he is betrayed and forced back on the run. Leaving the West Country behind, he enlists in a Sussex regiment which is sent to quell rioting in the north where he faces danger from the angry Mob, and from the rage of a sadistic young ensign who is out for Harry’s blood.
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Book One: Long Way Place
In the early 1900s gutter rat, Ned Hawkins aims to rise from the grinding poverty of an English slum, but is forced to flee the country and ends up in Papua. It is a dangerous place where cannibalism and cannibals are never far away. Despite this menacing backdrop, he prospers and almost by accident, finds love. However, there are ominous stirrings in the land that bode ill for the future. Note: All three books are now available on Kindle.
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