“I am going to look upstairs in the loft. Would you check the perimeter, particularly behind the stable?”
“Right away, my lord.” Woods hurried to cover the area.
“Peeling?” Colin called out the man’s name, annoyed by the lack of response. The carriage bay was empty. “The ladies have this stable, although no means of transportation, it would appear, save going by foot,” he muttered to himself. Long, neatly stacked wooden planks lined the rear wall, affirming the projects that Nora had described. He heard a groan coming from the stalls. Carefully, he edged in that direction. Glancing inside the first, he saw a prone figure sprawled across the swept floor. Dashing under the breeching chain, he found the red-headed Runner moaning and trying to regain consciousness.
“Woods!” he yelled, “I have found him.” There was blood on the wall of the stall behind Peeling’s head, as if his assailant had hit him from behind and dragged him here. His mouth had been stuffed with a blackened rag and his feet and hands were bound with rope. Colin heard sounds of running from outside and moments later, Woods appeared.
“Help me get him to the house,” he ordered the footman.
“There is a small cot in the storeroom near the kitchen. We can put him in there,” Woods suggested.
“That is a good idea. Did you find anything behind the building?” Colin remembered to ask after a pause, watching as Woods pulled a small knife from his pocket and cut the rope around Peeling’s feet and hands.
“Someone had pried loose a couple of planks from the fence. It appeared new because the nails looked fresh. Marsh repaired the fencing early on,” he explained.
“Here. I will carry him by his shoulders, and you lift his feet. It looks to be a severe head injury. We need to keep from jostling him too much.” Colin recalled being told often enough by physicians that head injuries were dangerous.
The back door to the kitchen opened. “Mercy me! He is bleeding,” Mrs. Simpkins, evidently harried, cried out.
They carried him to the small room Woods had described. They had added shelving to the back wall and small jars of preserved items sat alongside baskets of dried spices.
“Mr. Woods,” Mrs. Simpkins stated more calmly, “we need to clean the injuries. Could ye retrieve some coal and stoke the kitchen fire? I’ll need boiling water t’wash these wounds. It appears he also ’as rope burns where his hands and feet were bound. I can make him comfortable and tend ‘is wounds, my lord. And please send Mary to me if ye see her. I’ll need her help with this.”
“Thank you. I defer to your experience, Mrs. Simpkins. I will send for a physician.” Colin was about to find Nora when she appeared at the door to the small room, with Mary behind her.
“Oh, my!” Nora cried as she scrutinized the man on the cot. “Is this your man?”
“Sadly, it is, Miss Mason. I will send for Dr. Andrew Perth, the friend I mentioned earlier. He is very good with head injuries, having trained on the battlefield years ago.
“Thank you, Lord Shefford. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and will be glad of his services.” She turned to her servant. “Mrs. Simpkins, please do anything you can. I will see Lord Shefford to the door and be back in a few moments to help you.” Her voice trembled. It was the first time Colin had heard any sign of unease from her.
They walked to the front door without a word.
“I will return as soon as I can,” he said, drawing her near. “There is no one about…” He could not help himself. Slanting his head, his lips caressed hers, drinking her in. Then he pulled back and cradled her face in his hands. “I think I know who wrote the note; however, I need to be sure. I will send Perth with my driver. And I will make haste.”
“Thank you for earlier,” she breathed. “Do be careful.”
“I will be careful, I promise you.” A chill went through him, almost a feeling of foreboding. “Keep the doors locked and have Woods again check all the windows, upstairs and down.”
She nodded and opened the door. To both their surprise, her grandmother was standing there, a look of astonishment shaping her features.
“Grandmama!”
“I apologize for leaving in such a hurry, Countess…” Colin began.
“Go, there is no time for delay! I will tell her everything,” Nora responded, giving him a reassuring nod that all would be well.
He gave a quick bow. “In that case, I shall return as soon as possible.”
Chapter 17
Nora gave her grandmother a warm hug and a kiss. Grandmama had smelled of violets for as long as Nora could remember, and the scent always soothed her. She needed soothing at the moment. Her nerves were as frayed as she could remember them ever being.
“Let me take your cloak,” Nora said, holding out her hands.
The Countess drew back, clearly perplexed. “Where is Woods? I expected he would meet me at the door.” She offered Nora her hat, gloves, and pelisse. “I had hoped he would take over the porter’s duties. Now I find you assuming the role of butler. The day normally quietens by this hour,” she remarked, her speech more succinct than usual.
Nora exhaled a long sigh. “I agree, and it is usually quiet at this time of day. Woods is helping with a situation that has occurred. There is much to tell you.”
“Then let us adjourn to the parlor and be comfortable. I always find that a good chair and a cup of tea ease day-to-day upsets,” she said affably.
“I shall have Mrs. Simpkins prepare some tea. I want to show you the additional room that the men have completed today. Our little orphanage is coming along so nicely.”
The Countess preceded Nora into the parlor and took a seat on the sofa just as Mrs. Simpkins came in with a tray bearing the requirements for tea.
“M’lady, ’tis wonderful to see you. I have served dinner to the children.” She picked up a silver teapot and carefully poured both ladies a cup of tea. “’Tis a wee past four of the clock. I would be happy to bring you ladies a light repast to hold ye until dinner,” she said, smiling.
“That would be very welcome, Mary. Miss Mason and I have much to discuss. Perhaps a light repast would be appreciated,” she said, nodding toward her granddaughter.
“I believe I could partake of a sandwich,” Nora agreed.
“Very good, ma’am. I shall return shortly.” The maid curtsied and pulled the door closed as she left.
“I rarely need to ask Mrs. Simpkins to do anything. It is as if she knows we need something and appears with it. She is a delight. Thank you for lending her to our orphanage, Grandmama.” Nora looked around the room. “We are all quite taken with her, you know, especially the children.”
“She is a jewel, to be sure. I was sure she would prove indispensable,” her grandmother responded, considering Nora meaningfully.
Nora dipped her head in acknowledgement. “I will endeavor to keep the story short. A man threw a stone through the kitchen window and a Bow Street Runner, who Lord Shefford had engaged to protect the property, was found beaten and out of his senses. Lord Shefford seems to suspect a particular person and left to look into the matter. There is a lot of concern about this afternoon. We do not know whether the person who hit the constable was the same person who threw the stone.” Nora bit her lip. She wanted to tell her grandmother about the engagement, which, absurdly, seemed insignificant compared to the rest of the goings-on.
“Obviously there is more, yet perhaps I should begin with my personal news. There is so much to tell you.”
“So, it would appear!” the Countess remarked, arching both brows, not bothering to disguise her bewilderment.
Nora stared into her teacup, absently stirring the contents with a spoon. “I have received an offer of marriage.” She stole a glance from the corner of her eye to see her grandmother’s reaction. To her surprise, the Countess was smiling widely.
“Grandmama, you do not yet know from whom.”
“Perhaps I have reacted too quickly. I suspect Lord Shefford.”
Nora blushed, bobbing
her head slightly in response.
“Not only do I approve, I wish to hear every detail.” Gone was all evidence of her irritation at the lack of decorum exhibited by her granddaughter at the front door.
“We began with quite a contentious relationship. You will recall, our first meeting was more or less a notice to vacate the orphanage. Mention of your name gave me a small measure of redress, relief, and a sliver of hope. When he returned, he offered an arrangement. Can you imagine such a thing? He asked that I show him that the orphanage had merit beyond the purpose he had in mind for the building.” Nora felt renewed irritation at the mere recollection of that request. “I could not conceive the nerve of him. He insulted my abilities, and I refused him. Unsympathetic, I saw how incensed he became in return. Clearly exasperated, he demanded that if he offered marriage, would I turn it down? Out of sheer pique and without proper reflection, I accepted.”
Her grandmother’s eyes shot open for a second before she tittered, almost dropping her cup.
“I am sure, my dear, your grandfather is smiling from Heaven at you in this moment!” she touched her granddaughter’s arm with affection.
“I think Lord Shefford’s offer surprised him as much as it did me.” She put down her teacup and smiled winsomely at her grandmother. “Of course, he assured me he would stand by his offer. While I am convinced he was duping me, truthfully, his words and honor emboldened my decision to accept. I have no regrets. We seem to rub along well, which I find… refreshing,” she said, struggling to contain the heat rising up her neck.
“Considering you have always held little but contempt for the ton, I find it ironic that your betrothal makes you a member of Society.” A glimmer of laughter glittered in her grandmother’s eyes and a satisfied smile settled on her lips.
Nora winced at hearing the truth so candidly, and she recognized when her grandmother felt satisfied.
“We have spoken about the marriage…” she answered carefully, “…today, as a matter of fact. It has been our first opportunity.”
“Judging from the urgency in his words as his lordship rushed past me in the doorway, dare I hope that he has developed more feeling towards you and you towards him?” Her grandmother shamelessly prodded for information.
Nora’s blush deepened. “I think that is a possibility.” She straightened her shoulders and sat closer to the edge of the chair. She had promised Colin she would ask, and at this moment, she had her grandmother’s full attention. “I must ask a favor.”
“Tell me, my dear. There is naught you cannot request.”
Nora studied the Countess’ face. She appeared happy, which could prove of benefit.
“Grandmama, I know how much you have wanted me to marry, for as much as it will grant you the opportunity to plan the occasion as a good match would secure my future.” She drew a deep breath. “Would you consent to consulting with his mother and sharing the planning of the wedding? It would mean a good deal to him, and he has been so kind to the children, and to me. He is to ask his friend, Doctor Perth, to examine the children. We are particularly concerned about Benjamin, a small boy of eight, who has been here but a short time. He has a horrible cough, and I know he worked in the chimneys before he came to us.”
“Are you truly giving me license to plan the wedding your grandpapa and I would have wanted for you?”
“I am but would hope you limit the size of the ceremony,” Nora answered, hoping she would not regret this decision. Her grandmother enjoyed creating extravagant affairs.
Grandmama clapped her hands in delight. “It would be my pleasure to take Lady Shefford into my confidence. We are old friends. I find it very thoughtful that you asked. I am assuming I have leave to contact her?”
“Yes. Colin told me she is already aware of our engagement.”
“How wonderful.” Her grandmother clasped her hands together excitedly. “You and Lord Shefford will form a good partnership. “And I feel there will be much more to this than a mere social pairing.” The Countess rose and stepped over to her granddaughter’s chair, holding out her hands. “I shall make known to your mother that she and your father should visit soon. I am certain they will be pleased, even with the unconventional offer. The origin of the proposal itself suggests promise. Passion adds spice to a marriage, and to become engaged in a fit of pique is most extraordinary,” she added, smiling and angling her head. “Lord Shefford’s family is reputed to be honest and generous. ’Tis an excellent match.” She sniffed. “And by the way, Dr. Perth is an exceptional choice. He opened his practice in London two years ago and the ton accepts him as a doctor of high regard. I would also like to meet this young man, Benjamin, when we review the rooms.”
“Grandmama,” Nora cried with relief, “how happy it makes me to know you approve! I was worried you would think me too impulsive.”
“Not at all, my dear. I understand your temperament well,” she responded, her eyes crinkling with amusement.
“If I did not know better, Grandmama, I could almost think you had something to do with this…” Nora let the words die. “I apologize. I know not why I said that.”
“Ha! Let me say that if the opportunity had ever presented itself to see my favorite granddaughter married to a man of impeccable reputation and character, I would have tried,” the Countess said, once more wearing a knowing smile.
Nora felt a twinge of something. It was the same feeling which came upon her when she had a forewarning. Did her grandmother know something? No, impossible. If she did, she reasoned, the Countess would never tell.
Nora shook her head, clearing her thoughts. “Grandmama, have you found anything out about the deed to this building?” She still wanted to know the title’s legitimacy, regardless of her promise to Colin.
“I expect to have news soon. My lawyer has quite a few papers to sift through, but he felt it would not take long. I visited his office on my way here, as a matter of fact.”
Nora inclined her head. “Thank you. Now, I might tell you of this latest difficulty.”
“I have been waiting, although it was delightful to hear of your betrothal first. It has quite diverted me!”
Again, that strange feeling surfaced. Nora studied her grandmother for a moment before shaking her head. Impossible. What could she have known I have not told her? Nora took a deep breath and began the tale.
“Lord Shefford and I arrived back after our brief carriage ride. As I mentioned, we were discussing our marriage,” she blurted, glancing at her grandmother’s face. “Shortly afterwards, someone threw a stone through the kitchen window. It was a warning.”
“What kind of warning? Perhaps you should have told me this first—not that your engagement is less important.” The Countess’s voice trembled. “This portends trouble and I shall want to take some measures to further secure your safety. How was the threat conveyed… and what was the threat?”
“A piece of paper covered it. His lordship and Woods went out to check the garden and stable area, and found the Runner seriously injured. Lord Shefford sent for Dr. Perth,” she replied, realizing her response had become more formal.
“Tell me again. What was the threat?”
“My apologies. The paper said, ‘Your children are in danger.’”
“May I see it?”
She noticed her grandmother’s face had suddenly paled. “Colin, I mean, Lord Shefford, took it. He plans to return later.”
“My dear, he is your intended. You may use his given name.” Her grandmother made a dismissive sound with her tongue and then smiled gently at her. “I would like to see the note, when he returns. Tell me about the injured investigator.” Grandmama pressed quietly.
“To my knowledge, he has not yet recalled anything. We have made him comfortable in the storeroom off the kitchen. Incidentally, Woods and Marsh have built some excellent shelving for Mrs. Simpkins. She and I are in awe of their ideas and talent. Thank you, Grandmama.”
“I am glad they are here. For the time being, perhaps
they spend less time on the renovations until they have resolved this!”
“Yes, Grandmama. I quite agree.” Nora planned to speak to them as soon as her grandmother left.
“Shall we go upstairs? I would like to look in on the children. They should be readying themselves for bed now. The boys will use the newly refurbished room, which lies across the hall from the other room, for the first night. I love the small cabinet-type beds the men have crafted on the far wall. It makes more space for beds, without making it crowded,” Nora enthused.
“I grew up with a bed similar to those you describe. I would like to see them.”
Together, the two ladies went upstairs and looked over the new furnishings. Nora could not shake the strange feeling that had come over her. She did not like the uncomfortable sensation that events were careening out of her control. With the broken window and the injured Runner, she was feeling more and more anxious. When they reached the new boys’ room, they found Benjamin in the doorway, staring at the cabinet beds.
“Ah, there you are! Grandmama, this is the young man I wanted you to meet.”
Benjamin extended a hand. “Pleased to meet you, your ladyship,” he said, bowing.
“Oh! I like him!” her grandmother cooed. She glanced from Benjamin to the room. “Young man, why are you staring at the beds?”
“’Cause I ain’t sure I wanna be stuffed in a cabinet. I likes to stretch me legs, me lady, and have more’n one way out.”
Nora interceded. “Benjamin, we shall allow each of you to choose. We have a few extra beds in here, if you look.” She extended her hand towards the six beds already placed in the room. You may choose your favorite one.”
“Thank you, Miss Nora. I want the one nearest the door.”
Seeing his apprehension and understanding that it could have something to do with being squeezed into a chimney, she had an idea.
“Benjamin, turn down the blanket on the bed you wish to have. That will signify that you have claimed it.”
Excited, he stopped at the bed nearest the door and turned the blanket down. “Thank you, Miss Nora.” Happy, he joined the other children, whose voices were coming from what was becoming known as the girls’ room across the hall. The process to claim the beds had started, and the children were enjoying themselves.
Earl of Shefford: Noble Hearts Series: Book Three (Wicked Earls Book 28) Page 13
