“You’re correct. If you will take a seat at the table Sally and I can explain what we found. Then, with your support to keep the men in line, to wit Samuel and Cole, we wish to tell them what we’ve learned,” Brittany said, explaining her reason for this private gathering.
With her mother and godmother seated, slowly, carefully, and precisely Brittany laid out everything she’d found. Once finished, she nodded to Sally to describe what she’d learned from the anagrams, culminating with pointing out Mr. Winterbottom and Hersey’s names.
“Mother, we know the men want to find and bring to justice the criminals involved, however I fear they will overlook what Sally and I’ve found. We wish you and my godmother present when we lay the facts at their feet. This way none of them can or will brush us off as silly headed females,” Brittany declared.
“I agree. To that end we must set the proper tone in which they will listen and not speak unless asked. I feel, as does Lady Wallace, you both should treat Lords Samuel and Cole with a certain amount of disdain for their dishonesty,” Barbara told them.
“I also believe the proper venue is important to set them off balance. If I’m not mistaken there’s one room within this entire mansion which will set the correct mood. The formal sitting room,” Lady Wallace declared.
“Shall we adjourn there and order refreshment,” Sally suggested.
“Yes, but only tea. I don’t believe the men need anything stronger than that,” Barbara added, to nods from the others.
Brittany noticed her lady’s maid had slipped into the suite and waited near the door.
“Aggie, please have a tea tray brought to the formal sitting room then have Peter report to the countess,” she ordered.
“It will be my pleasure,” she responded, then stepped out.
When they entered Brittany noticed some of the furniture had been rearranged. In front of the fireplace two matching light green divans had been placed side by side. Several feet in front, a long table. What she did find most intriguing the chairs had been removed to the walls. From the amazed look on Sally’s face, the elder ladies meant business.
“This should prove to be an interesting audience,” Brittany whispered, to her friend which earned a smile.
“As you ladies can see I’ve already anticipated your needs. The table is for you to lay out your findings which the gentlemen will have no choice but to evaluate as you explain them,” Lady Wallace declared, before taking a seat on one of the settees.
Brittany set the books down then glanced to see Sally spreading out the pieces of foolscap she’d jotted her notes on. She barely finished when the sound of footsteps outside the formal sitting room caught her attention.
“Hurry, for we must be seated before they enter,” Brittany pleaded with Sally.
They barely sat when Peter swung opened the door.
“M’ ladies, His Lordship with Samuel, Earl of Brockworth and Cole, Earl of Williamson as ordered.”
As the three stormed in, Brittany tried to hide a smile seeing how irritated the men were. In a few minutes she knew they would become even more upset at being bested by not one but two bluestockings.
“Gentlemen would you care for tea,” her mother announced.
Brittany watched her father turned to Peter.
“We’ll have whiskey,” he ordered, from the hapless man.
It was Brittany’s turn to step in.
“Dearest Father, m’ lords, your choice is tea or nothing. We’ll not be having scatterbrained men listening and learning what Miss Crocker and I’ve discovered.”
If she hadn’t been a lady of the ton Brittany would have jumped for joy with excitement at the look on their faces, one of total disbelief.
“You heard Lady Brittany. What will it be?” Barbara announced from her seat.
Brittany smiled when they requested tea. Silence filled the room as it was poured and passed, first to the ladies then the gentlemen.
“Now, please listen without speaking to Lady Brittany and Miss Crocker as they reveal what they’ve uncovered. I do believe you’ll be astounded at what two bluestockings can find where you can’t.” Barbara smiled.
Over the next thirty minutes Brittany informed the men what she’d found hidden within the original Hersey book. At each point she directed their attention to the passages which helped cement her argument. Once finished, she turned the gathering over to Sally who expounded on the anagrams, focusing on the latest find.
“If I might ask a question?” Samuel said.
“Yes. If it’s who is in charge of the slavery ring we don’t have an answer. What we did find interesting, Mr. Winterbottom is mentioned several times and quite prominently, I might add. It will take more research into the book to find that out,” Brittany curtly told him.
“Then, I strongly recommend you return to your books while we take what little you’ve given us and attempt to find the leader,” Samuel all but ordered.
Forcing back tears, Brittany collected her documents and saw Sally also gathering up her papers. In silence they stormed from the room. On reaching Brittany’s suite only then did she finally let the tears fall.
“What had I ever saw in that pompous man? I’ve a mind to call off the wedding. At this juncture I don’t know if he’s marrying me for love, or not,” she barely got out before her crying overwhelmed her.
Chapter Twenty Two
“Aggie, I don’t want to see anyone, especially that man,” Brittany ordered from her bed, between fits of crying.
“Certainly, m’ lady. I understand but does your demand extend to Her Ladyship and Lady Wallace if they should wish to visit?”
Sitting up, Brittany glanced to Sally, “No, you should let them in. Only them.”
“Yes, m’ lady. I’ll also ask Mrs. Garrett to place several maids outside your door,” she said, curtsied then quietly slipped from the room.
“Sally, can you believe that man, dismissing us with not even a thank you? We found out information they couldn’t by using our minds instead of fists,” she stated, taking a handkerchief from her friend and indelicately blowing her nose.
“So what do you wish to do? Continue with our research to see if we can find the ring leader?” Sally inquired.
Brittany flopped back on her bed, staring at the fresco painting on the ceiling. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock. Rolling her head to look at the door, she watched as Sally stepped over, opened it a crack and peeked out.
“It’s your mother with Lady Wallace and neither look all that pleased.”
“Yes, let them in.”
She waited until both ladies stepped in the room and the door closed.
Sliding off the bed Brittany stepped over to her mother, accepting a hug from her then from Lady Wallace.
“My dear, I can’t understand what happened moments ago with Samuel.”
“Mother, please refrain from using that man’s name,” Brittany stated firmly, to the positive reaction from both women.
“As you wish, my dear. Now, after you young ladies hastily departed, which we both felt was justified, you should have seen him. I’ve never seen someone so contrite. With time I am confident he will retract his uncalled for words,” Barbara said, just as Aggie entered with a tray.
“M’ ladies, somehow Cook learned of the event. Along with tea she sent some of her special pastries,” Aggie told them.
“Thank you and thank her for us,” Brittany said, taking a seat so she could pour.
“I will. Now several maids are standing outside your door to prevent any untoward intrusions along with another footman at the entrance to the corridor,” Aggie told them, curtsied then left.
“It seems the entire household has formed around you,” Lady Wallace uttered.
Brittany gave her a nod. She started to contemplate her actions for the next few days. Guests would arrive tomorrow. It would continue all morning and afternoon as the annual Christmas Eve ball would be held that evening.
“My dear, considering
everything you’ve been through today, I’ve decided to excuse you from your duty in greeting guests tomorrow. Mayhap Miss Crocker, if she’s willing, would stand your stead,” her mother declared.
“Yes, I would be honored,” Sally voiced.
“What shall I do to pass the time until the pre-ball banquet?” Brittany asked, relieved she’d not need to deal with Samuel until the evening.
“Work on the book to find more information which can point to the leader. Take a stroll in the garden or read. The important point is to attempt to relax so you may make a decision if you wish to go through with the wedding or not.” her mother stated.
On hearing her mother’s words Brittany could feel a great weight taken off her shoulders. Whatever the decision, she knew she’d have to live with her choice.
“Thank you, Mother. I really need to think back over the past weeks to see if they outweigh the hateful words he spoke to me.”
“Now, if you’ll excuse us we must start to dress for dinner. I’ve already arranged for trays to be delivered for you ladies,” her mother announced, rising from her chair.
“Thank you, again Mother.”
“Yes, thank you Lady Sexton. And I’ll make sure she finishes every morsel of her meal,” Sally teased.
“Trust me, my dear Sally, I can assure you not only will she complete her dinner with zeal but might steal some from yours, so be careful,” Lady Wallace jokingly said.
Brittany suspected what they would be served, many of her favorite foods over several courses. She decided not to tell Sally as she wished to keep the meal a surprise. With the long table still in the suite the platters could be laid out easily. Her only hope, there wouldn’t be a footman present to serve but Aggie. She would be more comfortable discussing matters of the heart in her presence. That, plus her maid had seen how impossibly obnoxious he had been at the beginning. Brittany knew between Aggie and Sally she would receive excellent advice.
Alone with Sally she looked around her suite wondering how to occupy her time until the trays were delivered. Normally, she’d spend the next hour bathing then dressing but tonight, thanks to her mother, she didn’t need to. Instead she decided to bathe later as she knew that would help relax her. After informing Aggie of her decision, she along with Sally turned their attention back to the Hersey books.
Later, after enjoying a sumptuously prepared dinner of multiple dishes Brittany finally said good night, with promises to continue searching out the truth in the morning.
****
After a fitful night’s sleep Brittany tossed the bed covers off as Aggie slipped into the room.
“I’m not very hungry. I’ll have several slices of toast and tea”
“Yes, m’ lady. I shan’t but be a few minutes,” Aggie replied.
With her morning needs taken care of Brittany stepped back into her suite as her maid returned with the tray. With the door partially opened she was able to hear the sound of guests arriving. She wondered, with all the commotion, if she’d be able to think clearly on how to resolve her most important question. To marry Lord Samuel or not.
“As we’ve not received word of strangers in the area after I eat I’m going for a short ride. I wish to wear my dark red habit,” she instructed Aggie.
“I agree. With all the tumult for the next hours that might be for the best. Then, you’ll be able to collect your thoughts. Shall I send word to the stablemaster to have Patti ready for you in an hour?”
“Yes, but left in her stall. The safest way for me to get away will be from the rear of the barn,” she answered.
Later, dressed in her favorite riding habit, which also went with the holiday season, Brittany slipped down the servant stairs then to the barn. In minutes she stood in front of her little mare’s stall.
“Ready to stretch your legs and get away from the confusion,” she asked of Patti. Much to her surprise the mare bounced her head up and down getting a giggle from Brittany.
“M’ lady, I’ve a groom ready to accompany you,” the stablemaster told her.
“No, that won’t be necessary as I’m not leaving the estate. I just need some quiet time to think a few things through. I won’t be more than an hour or so,” she told the wizened old man who’d taught her years ago how to ride.
“Very good, m’ lady.”
****
Samuel made his way to the main dining room when he saw the panic stricken butler walking quickly toward him.
“What’s the problem, Peter?”
“M’ lord, His Lordship, requires your presence in his office at once. It would seem several unsavory men have been spotted near the estate,” the man sputtered out.
“Bring me a pot of coffee,” he ordered, before turning on his heel and retracing his steps up to the first floor.
Marching into the earl’s office Samuel saw a worried father.
“Samuel, it’s even worse than we thought. My daughter decided to go for a ride without a groom. A short while ago her mare returned without her and blood on the saddle. The bad news, my stablemaster only knows she went to the west and I’ve already ordered several grooms to search out in that direction.”
The earl’s words hit him like a solid blow from a pugilist at Gentleman Jack’s boxing house. The one true love of his life had gone missing, was possibly hurt and could be near death. All he could think, how to take back his words of yesterday.
“Eli, what do you wish of me?”
“I need you to lead one of the search parties. If you go to the east I can take several gentlemen south while more grooms, under Cole will search to the north. This way we will be able to cover the most ground in the shortest period of time,” Eli explained.
“Let me find Cole and get the search going. With unknown men in the area, time is of great import. Besides, she may be lying injured somewhere.”
“I’ve already notified him and he’s standing by awaiting my order to proceed.”
Chapter Twenty Three
After clearing the rear stableyard, Brittany guided Patti onto one of several paths which led through the woods. The one she selected would take her across a sleeping field which in a few months would grow wheat.
From there she had an easy canter up a slight incline where she would be able to look out over the estate. This spot had always been one of her favorites. During the winter she could see from the mansion all the way to the river two miles away.
As Brittany crested the hillock she turned Patti around allowing her to gazed back as carriage after carriage rolled up to the mansion. She watched as others continued on to nearby estates where the passengers would be staying. Most of those people were distant friends or minor peers.
From where she sat Brittany couldn’t see any details of the crests on the coach doors. However, she knew all or most of the guests as they’d attended in the past.
The wonderful sight of a stag dashing across the field caught her attention, bringing her mind back to why she decided to be out here, not in her suite. Samuel, Earl of Brockworth.
Over dinner last eve she and Sally had discussed the pros and cons of the marriage. Much to her surprise the good outweighed the bad by a great deal. This made everything so confusing. She loved him, even admitting that to her friend. What she wondered, did he have feelings for her as he’d never said. Then again, she’d not told him either.
She had asked Sally that all important question, “Why did he behave and speak the way he had?”
At the time Sally’s answer didn’t make sense. Now though, in the clearness of a new day, it did. “Darling, to begin with being a gentleman, Lord Samuel feels necessary to protect us from harm. Not once were you in any danger even when people broke into the townhouse. There’s always a faint possibility of harm descending upon you and his only concern will be to keep you safe.”
Turning Patti around Brittany looked to the river which cut through the eastern part of the estate, dividing the land in half. She remembered many times, on hot summer days she and her govern
ess would sneak away for a cooling swim.
A faint wisp of smoke rising from one of several buildings caught her attention. The last time she’d seen them the cottages were about to fall down. She’d mentioned the fact to her father who converted them into small hunting lodges for guests.
Even if the work had been done they would be unoccupied. The only event taking place would be the ball later. Curious about the smoke she tapped Patti’s side with her heel, setting the horse into a comfortable slow trot.
Entering the forest she slowed Patti to a walk for safety. Making their way along the path the only sound she heard came from her horse’s hooves on the frozen ground. Then, two men jumped out from behind a bush. One grabbed Patti’s bridle while the other wrapped an arm around her waist, dragging her from the saddle. In the process she felt her head hit the pommel.
“Home,” Brittany called out, then struggled against the iron-grip of her capture as a hood was thrust over her head. Through the material she barely heard Patti gallop off.
Now her father and Samuel, interestingly she’d even thought of him, would learn something untoward happened to her. They would set about a hue and cry to find her. With the estate so large, though, it could be hours or even days before help came. The other question on her mind, why her? Nothing would be gained by her being kidnapped. One of the men pulled her to her feet then tossed her over his shoulder. What she found frightening, neither man had said a word, as if grabbing up a young lady was something they’d done before.
After an unknown length of time she heard a door open followed by footfalls on a wooden floor. Lifted from the man’s shoulder, she was unceremoniously dropped onto a chair. She wanted to scream, but feared what would happen.
The hood was lifted from over her head. Looking around she saw they’d brought her to one of the hunting lodges. Which one she couldn’t tell as she’d never seen the inside of any.
In front of her lay a piece of foolscap and pencil on the well-worn table.
“If you want to live you had best do as I say. Write a note to your father telling him to bring the Hersey book to the crossroad by the bridge. He has until four this afternoon or he and the countess will be burying you instead of celebrating your wedding,” a deep voice from behind told her.
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