A Scandalous Journey: The Amberley Chronicles

by May Burnett

  Roger could readily imagine it. Hendrickson’s was an interesting profession, no doubt about it.

  “Make sure that Captain Dorrington and Lieutenant Meller are included in the investigation,” he recommended. “And try to find out exactly who invented those vicious rumours about Captain Kinninmont. He will want to punish the guilty parties, I imagine.”

  “Better tell him to forget the whole matter, if he can,” Hendrickson advised. “Duels are illegal, remember, and unless I’m mistaken those who were involved in this thieving ring will find themselves neck-deep in trouble, without his having to lift a finger. Even the officers who are not directly implicated may find advancement come more slowly than before. They’ll never be allowed to forget it.”

  “I’ll forward the Captain your advice,” Roger said. “Thank you for coming down from London so quickly. Father was not sure you would be able to do so, since you have been so busy lately.”

  “So I have,” Hendrickson said complacently, “but your father is one of my oldest clients, and now that I have two assistants permanently working for me I can juggle my cases so as to oblige him, as I always like to do. Please give him my compliments, Mr. Roger.”

  Roger promised to do so and went off to pack, whistling. For once, it seemed that the guilty would get their comeuppance.

  Of course, if Captain Kinninmont had not met Monique and found his way to Amberley, events might have taken a very different course. Kinninmont was a lucky man, he mused. Even luckier if Monique had him in the end, as Roger rather expected she would. Unlike his twin, he had not failed to notice the covert interest with which the Captain and Monique watched each other, the warmth in their eyes and voices. Many would be shocked at such a match, but Rogers’s parents were also of widely disparate birth, and still happy together after a quarter-century. When Roger found his own lady, he would not let any considerations of birth or fortune stop him.

  Chapter 31

  Lady Amberley’s three-week house party was drawing to an end, and Monique was glad of it. All those near-strangers interfered with the delicious courtship the Captain and she were conducting.

  “May I have a word?” Her cousin, Bertrand de Montalban, bowed to her with his customary grace. They were in a corner of the music room, from which the other guests were just departing after enjoying another performance of singing, flute, harp and piano. Duncan was talking to Uncle James across the large room.

  “Certainly, mon cousin. I suppose you want to take your leave, if you are departing early tomorrow? It has been a pleasure to know one of my relatives better.”

  “It is not my fault we have not known each other since our childhood. Are you aware that your father threatened mine, warning him and our whole family not to approach you until you were of age? He had a bee in his bonnet that we might be dangerous, because of the silly way his marriage contract with your mother was drafted.”

  “It is a great deal of money,” Monique said apologetically, “and he had a scare long ago, when it seemed that I might have been kidnapped by my own wet nurse.”

  “A father worried for his child’s welfare can be forgiven, I suppose,” Bertrand said. “Fortunately you are of age now, and there is no reason for suspicion any longer. You made a strong impression on Matthieu when he met you at court. Now that you are engaged, however, he’ll bear his inevitable disappointment like a man. I have written to him with the news.”

  “Please give him my best wishes for his own future,” Monique said. She had liked Matthieu de Montalban well enough, and as a handsome young Count of the old aristocracy, he should easily find some other heiress. She did not flatter herself that he had felt an overwhelming passion for her.

  “Knowing of my brother’s hopes, I was upset at your engagement to a mere commoner. For that, and any resulting lack of courtesy, I must beg your pardon,” her cousin continued. “Now that I have seen you together with your fiancé for the last week, I believe you are well suited, and want to proffer my wishes for a long and happy life with many children.”

  “Thank you,” Monique said, surprised and a little touched. “I look forward to a better acquaintance with all four of you, and your future spouses, after my marriage.”

  “Will you be living in France or England? Have you decided yet?” Bertrand asked.

  “We shall see.” It was not the first time she had been asked that, and Bertrand’s question reminded her that she and Duncan ought to be planning their future lives, not simply enjoy surreptitious looks and stolen kisses…

  After Bertrand had left, she gestured to Duncan, who made his excuses to Uncle James and came straight to her side. “What did your cousin say to you, love?”

  “He was taking his leave, and to my surprise, mentioned my father’s long-standing suspicion of his family. I am glad all that is at an end. If there ever was any danger, as my father and nurse believed, it must have come from his late father only.”

  Duncan clasped her hand in his big, warm one. “Good. I agree that Bertrand is harmless.”

  “He asked if we were going to live in France or England. I was wondering about that myself.”

  “Wherever we shall be happiest.” He drew her to sit on a sofa, and sat down in the armchair facing it, his expression serious and intent. “This seems as good a time as any to discuss what has been on my mind. I cannot lead a life of idleness, Monique. I have not been brought up to it and would grow to despise myself if I merely lived on your money without engaging in some useful activity.”

  “I never supposed you would be idle,” she said, surprised. “Managing a great fortune is time-consuming, when I consider my father and stepmother.”

  “Yes, but they have those breweries and vineyards, from what you told me. You have some of the latter and arable lands, but I understand they are leased out. Mr. Ellsworthy mentioned that most of your fortune is in the funds, so there is little work involved in managing it. I would like to use a part for various commercial enterprises, since I have talents in that direction. But you are already marrying beneath you. If your husband engaged in trade, that would make the match even worse in the eyes of your fellow aristocrats. What do you think?”

  “My stepmother and father engage in trade too. And, secretly and in a small way, so have I, at least on occasion.” Monique had never imagined that she would be able to admit this fact to her future spouse. With Duncan she could risk it. He would not judge her interests unladylike.

  “You? I cannot imagine how. Surely your family would not have let you?”

  “Since they were so busy all the time, five years ago Father agreed to let me handle the restoration of our library. Two large libraries, in fact, the one in the castle and another in our Paris residence. During the revolution the original books were dispersed or destroyed. I spent many happy hours examining and buying rare volumes, to restore the libraries to their former glory, insomuch as possible. After a time, and some costly mistakes, I learned to gauge the value of rare books, and knew how much collectors would pay for particular finds. Now and then I would buy some especial bargain that I did not want to keep for our own collection, and re-sell it.”

  He raised his brows at this, but said nothing. “I had to use a middle-man, but I was the one who set the price, and I felt childishly proud when I made even a small profit. I used to think that if I had to flee and live in exile, as my grandparents did in the revolution, I would open a small shop for serious book collectors. My grandparents, of course, would have considered such an occupation beneath them and never engaged in a day’s work or trade. But I would have enjoyed it.”

  “You could still open such a shop,” he suggested, “either in London or Paris, as long as you don’t openly appear in the business. You could hunt and buy the stock, a perfectly genteel pursuit if you keep expanding your family library at the same time. You could leave the selling, at the prices you set, to an expert salesman.”

  “You would not mind?” Her bookshop had only been an idle dream. None of her suitors would
ever have allowed his wife to engage in such an activity, no matter how discreetly.

  “I would help you ensure it is a success, sweetheart, and check on your employees. Then you won’t mind if I invest some of our money in up-and-coming businesses? There are so many bright young fellows these days, men who could succeed brilliantly, but for lack of a little initial investment capital. Finding and funding such enterprises, in exchange for a portion of their business, would be an interesting way to grow your fortune.”

  “Our fortune,” she reminded him. “That sounds potentially profitable, though I imagine there will also be dead losses. You must keep me abreast of your activities, and I’ll do the same. You really mean it about the bookshop?”

  “Yes, why not? Why not two, for that matter, one in Paris and one in London?”

  “Why not, indeed,” she repeated, and could not keep a broad smile from breaking out. “We would not want to become bored, after all.”

  “I don’t think we could be, once we are married,” he said, and after ascertaining with a quick look that they were the last ones left in the music room, pulled her into his arms for a hearty kiss.

  They could not continue long in this pleasurable embrace, for soon Aunt Charlotte came upon them with an indulgent smile; they broke apart, but their eyes continued to cling to each other for a long moment more.

  Duncan bowed. “Mrs. Ellsworthy.”

  “Far be it from me to disturb young lovers,” Aunt Charlotte said, “I remember how that feels. However, Lord Pell has received a letter from his friend in the War Office, Captain. Even more encouraging, it was delivered by Mr. Hendrickson, who has been investigating the situation in Portsmouth. That he came in person must mean that he is ready to deliver his final report, Captain Kinninmont.”

  “It is time I put the Captain away,” Duncan said. “My military days are over, Mrs. Ellsworthy.”

  “Since you are to wed Monique, who is like a daughter to me, I might use your first name if you have no objection,” Aunt Charlotte suggested.

  “I could imagine no greater honour and pleasure, Ma’am, than to hear my given name from your lips,” Duncan replied. “I daresay Lord Pell is in the library, with Lord Amberley and your husband? And your son, and this Mr. Hendrickson?” It was a reasonable inference, since the older men liked to share a whisky there at the conclusion of the evening’s entertainment. “If you’ll excuse me, I shall join them there without delay.”

  Monique and Aunt Charlotte watched him stride away, full of energy and optimism. “It is amazing what a change you have wrought on your young man,” Aunt Charlotte said, “he is so happy and carefree now. When he first came to Amberley, it was very different indeed. Love is an extremely potent medicine.”

  “Is it so very obvious that we are in love?”

  “A blind man could not fail to notice it, my dear. And be glad that it is mutual, for there is nothing more painful and humiliating than a one-sided love.”

  Monique thought of her poor friend Renée and gave thanks that she had never experienced that sorry state, and never would, now she had found Duncan.

  “Does the arrival of Mr. Hendrickson mean that Duncan’s enemies are unmasked and harmless at last, do you suppose? That his name is cleared, and we can proceed to set a date for the wedding? I certainly want to find out who shot at poor Rita and wrecked your carriage.”

  “All of that, I hope, and we shall hear soon enough. Let the gentlemen retire to the library and smoking-room, and deal with their correspondence from the War Office; they are happier if we ladies leave them some rooms of the house for their undisturbed use. But a good wife will know everything by the time we go to sleep, depend on it.”

  “Uncle James does not keep secrets from you?”

  “I should hope not, at least none of any importance. But such trust has to be voluntary, you know. Prying into matters before a man is willing and eager to confide in you is not a good policy.”

  Monique nodded. Her father and stepmother also consulted each other on all important issues, and she looked forward to the same practice in her own marriage. So many fashionable couples divided their spheres so strictly, spent so much time apart, that they hardly knew each other when they chanced to meet. That would not happen to Duncan and her, if she had anything to say about it.

  Chapter 32

  “Have a cigar, Kinninmont.” Lord Amberley extended his box to Duncan, who declined with thanks. He had never taken to tobacco in any form, one more thing that had set him apart from his fellow officers.

  Duncan’s eyes were drawn to a tall, heavy-set man with greying light hair and blue eyes in his high-coloured face.

  “This is Mr. Hendrickson,” James Ellsworthy said, “Captain Kinninmont, Hendrickson.”

  “Ah.” The large man grinned. “I have heard a great deal about you. That was a real wasp’s nest you stepped into, Captain.”

  “Wasn’t it, though,” Roger agreed. He had returned from Portsmouth some days earlier, and like Duncan he declined the cigars, opting for a small whisky instead. He filled another glass for Duncan, who thanked him with a nod.

  “You have found out more, beyond the facts Roger told us upon his return?” Duncan asked. “If so, I am very much obliged to you.”

  “It was not just my own work,” Hendrickson said modestly, “the audit and subsequent investigation helped a great deal. I found, ah, a very helpful source there, who I promised not to name.”

  “We also have information from Anthony’s friend in the War Office, Lord Amberley said. “I suggest we hear that first, and you can fill in the rest afterwards.”

  Hendrickson nodded, and everyone looked at the Marquis expectantly.

  “Such inspections take time, especially to write up the results, cross every t,” Lord Pell explained. “I had not expected results for at least another week or two. However, my friend in the War Office, a general I have known since our mutual school days, has seen a first draft of the report.”

  He must be a good friend indeed, Duncan reflected, wondering if Lord Pell was very influential in the government.

  “I never doubted that your account would be confirmed by the audit, Kinninmont. And so it has indeed proven, but the matter went further than you could know. For six years Colonel Mossley and a small number of trusted officers, namely Major Donforth, Captain Dorrington, Lieutenant Meller and two Quartermaster Sergeants were all lining their pockets, sharing the spoils according to rank. They had developed a sophisticated system, and were confident that nobody would ever find them out.”

  “It was indeed clever, for until I got my hands on those books, I never suspected a thing,” Duncan said. “But why did they second me to Major Donforth, when they had so much to hide?”

  “I can answer that,” Hendrickson said. “Donforth was irked by the bookkeeping, according to his full confession. He liked the extra income well enough, but tiresome clerical work, which in other regiments is usually left to an officer promoted from the ranks, proved too much for a man devoted to sports and carousing. They recognised your ability, and decided to delegate the innocuous part of the work. At the beginning, there was some idea of drafting you into their plot. When they knew you better, however, they realised that you were too unbending and would not be easily corrupted.”

  “A pretty compliment, no matter the source,” James Ellsworthy commented.

  “They managed well enough, by keeping the books for arms and munitions strictly out of my hands,” Duncan said.

  “Just so,” Lord Pell said. “They could not foresee that Donforth would be immobilised for such a long period by his accident.”

  “Bills needed to be entered in the books, and when I could not find the key, I broke open the cabinet where the accounts were kept. That was the moment my troubles began.”

  “When you reported your findings to Colonel Mossley, did you not suspect that he already knew, that he himself was involved in the scam?” Roger asked curiously.

  “When you are an officer,” Du
ncan explained, “you are not encouraged to suspect your regiment’s commander of criminal activities. If one could not trust that each officer in the chain of command exercised their function with impartiality and good faith, the whole institution would soon be worthless.”

  There was a short silence. Duncan realised that what he had just said, considering the known facts, amounted to a blistering indictment. “It is only the one regiment, surely,” he said. “Even now, when I have made my peace with the end of my military ambitions, I hate to think this could be more than a highly unusual aberration.”

  “I certainly hope you are right,” Lord Amberley said, and Lord Pell nodded. “So do I. We need to schedule more frequent audits, to catch such cases before the guilty parties try to massacre their fellow officers, and to deter others from even trying.”

  “Is it confirmed, then, that the attempts against Kinninmont and Monique were caused by the crooked officers?” Roger asked.

  “Yes, and attempted murder is not something that can easily be hushed up,” Hendrickson said cheerfully. “Donforth was not directly involved in the attacks or rumours against the Captain, whom he rather liked, according to his confession. He was only too glad to implicate the others in the hope of more lenient treatment. He knew all about their campaign against you through letters from Lady Rowena Mossley, who appears to be his mistress. Those frank letters may hang them.”

  “I did not know that,” Duncan said. “Major Donforth and Lady Rowena? Then she was also involved in the scheme? It seems incredible.”

  “I never suspected her at all, when I danced and talked with her,” Roger added. “She must be an excellent actress.”

  “She egged the others on, and I believe it all started because Colonel Mossley’s income was insufficient for her expensive tastes,” Hendrickson said. “The guilty parties all have well-connected relatives, who will not be happy at the scandal about to envelop their families.”