A Murdered Earl

by Marina Oliver

  The crush of hungry guests thinned, and still there was no sign of her. Luke hastily swallowed his food, and with a muttered excuse to his aunt slipped out of the room. Had she remained in the drawing room? That, he discovered, was empty, and he had just emerged onto the landing when a stifled sound from above caught his attention.

  Swiftly he ran up the next set of stairs, and at the top found Bella. She was huddled onto the first step of the next flight, and attempting to mop up her tears with a totally inadequate scrap of handkerchief.

  Luke handed her his own, and sat silently beside her on the stairs. She sniffed, blew her nose vehemently, and tried to smile at him. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders.

  'Thank you. I'm sorry! I – I am not feeling well,' she said, her voice trembling slightly. 'I shall be quite all right in a moment.' Then she took a closer look at him. 'You didn't come to Red Lion Square.'

  'I had to go out of London, and there was no way to tell you,' he explained.

  'On business?' she asked. 'You work at Bow Street, don't you?'

  Luke ignored the question. 'Won't you tell me what's wrong?' he said gently. 'Is it to do with Mr Silbermann?'

  Bella's composure wavered. She tried to speak, and sobbed instead, then took a deep breath. 'He wants to marry me,' she managed, 'and I must, for everyone's sake, but I don't think I can bear it!'

  She buried her face in her hands and began to sob again. It was the most natural thing for Luke to pull her towards him, and almost before he knew it he was cradling her in his arms, murmuring what comfort he could. After a while the sobs ceased, and she lifted her head and tried to laugh.

  'I'm sorry, I'm being a real watering-pot. You must think I'm a silly vapourish female with no sense. Why should I reject a good offer just because he is a deal older than I am?'

  'Is your mother forcing you?'

  She nodded dolefully. 'I know it would solve all our problems, and rid her of all her debts,' she said. 'But I can't bear the idea of such a marriage!'

  'Then we must find a way out for you,' Luke said firmly, and at the hopeful look she turned up to him he forgot all the problems, and bent to kiss her. She stiffened slightly, and then relaxed, returning the kiss with fervour. It was there that Mrs Prevost discovered them.

  ***

  Chapter 16

  'There's nothing you can do about it,' Aunt Caroline said the following morning. 'What can you offer the child to compare with Mr Silbermann's fortune? You can't support a wife, even if you obtain another post as a valet or footman.'

  Luke groaned. 'I'm well aware of that. It's not simply the fact no other girl has appealed to me so much, I can't bear the thought of her wed to an old man! And she hates the very notion of it, but her mother has been pressing her for months. She told me that Lady Bates was throwing out lures months ago, and at first he seemed quite uninterested, then suddenly he began to pursue her. She's held firm until now, but fears she will be forced to accept to save her mother from her creditors.'

  Aunt Caroline looked at him thoughtfully. 'Forget her, Luke. You don't have to wed the heiress Father is suggesting. You're young yet and can afford to wait. Who knows, the revolutionaries may be overthrown, you could recover your estates. You might discover where the jewels were hid.'

  'There seems scant hope of that,' he said despondently.

  She regarded him sympathetically. 'Oh, I almost forgot, this message came for you while we were out last night.'

  Luke took the screw of paper and pressed it flat. 'It's from Sam,' he said, sighing. 'It's difficult to read. No wonder he had no desire to follow in his father's footsteps and enter the Church! He wouldn't have been able to read his own sermons. As far as I can understand it the constable, and someone else whose name I can't read, is becoming increasingly anxious to see me again, and angry that I cannot be found. He, the constable, was there last night, after the fire.'

  'He can't believe you started that, surely?'

  Luke shrugged. 'Who knows what anyone will believe? Sam thinks there has been some new development, but he doesn't know what. I'd better go and see him.'

  'Is it wise to go there? If they have trumped up evidence against you, or suspect you over the fire, even that could be dangerous.'

  Luke frowned. 'I cannot see what they might have against me. Sam might have discovered more.'

  He left the house soon afterwards, and walked towards Mayfair. It distracted him from worries about Bella. He'd be able to see what was happening after the stable fire, and with luck contact Sam without entering the house itself, or letting the rest of the household apart from Amos know he was there.

  In the mews he met Amos, looking unusually cheerful.

  'Were the stables quite destroyed?' he asked.

  'The walls are sound, they say they can rebuild the stalls an' 'ayloft easy enough, and the coaches weren't 'armed though the doors were scorched.'

  'Can anyone say how the fire started? I didn't have time to ask yesterday, I wanted to get to my room and change.'

  Amos chuckled. 'Yer caught a bucket o' water, they said. I bet young Jenny were all anxious ter take yer inside an' 'elp yer change.'

  Luke shuddered. The idea of Jenny, now he'd met Bella, was more unwelcome than before. He felt guilty at how, even though he'd tired of her, he had led her on with the sole intention of getting information. And he still hadn't taken her on the promised visit to Vauxhall. 'How did it start?' he repeated. 'Does anyone know?' It didn't seem that Amos shared any suspicions he'd been to blame, he was as friendly as ever.

  'Must 'ave bin deliberate. When it cooled down we was looking ter see what we could save, bits of 'arness an' such, and yer could smell lamp oil. And a candle 'ad fallen down in a crack outside the walls an' not bin burnt. It were a new 'un, beeswax, not tallow, an' the wick were on'y burnt 'alf an inch.'

  'Were the candles Gilletty's?'

  'Nah! 'E never would a' used candles amongst that 'ay. An' where'd 'e get good uns? All we'm give are tallow.'

  'But why? What was the purpose? Who'd have wanted to cause such destruction?'

  Amos snorted. 'I thinks it were some nippers, sneaked in. There's nobody ter care 'cept me an' Danny, an' we was both sent on errands by 'er Ladyship. Exercise the 'orses, she tells me, an' fetch some hatboxes from three dressmakers, Danny. We'd both just got back an' were rubbin' down the nags when it started.'

  Luke was thinking hard. Was it just an accident, or was it perhaps spite? Yet who would wish to harm the Earl, and risk killing several horses? Or did someone mean to throw the blame on him? Could it have been children as Amos thought? He supposed it was possible a child from a nearby house could have stolen wax candles, and come here to play, not realising the risk of fire. But they'd have been unlikely to have lamp oil too.

  'Where's Sam?' he asked.

  'Takin' back most of the dresses an' 'ats she bought while 'is little lordship was away. Such an uproar there was when 'e came back last night, so Maggie said.'

  'He's back?' That must be the other person in Sam's note, who wanted to see him. 'When did he arrive?'

  'Just after you went. Put 'im in a proper fury, it did, ter find 'is stables burnt.'

  Luke was thoughtful. Was it the Earl's return that had increased the pressure on the constable to find him? Was he being blamed for the fire by the Earl? Whatever the risks he needed to talk to someone in the house.

  'Where is he now?'

  'Gone ter see some banker in the City, an hour since.'

  So it would be safe to enter the house. Luke went thoughtfully towards the kitchens, which were unusually quiet. Only Betty was there, preparing vegetables. She grinned at him as he went in.

  'Come ter see Jenny, av' yer?' she asked cheerfully. 'They'm all turnin' out 'er Ladyship's rooms. Goin' ter get 'em redecorated, new curtains, new furniture, the lot.'

  Luke chuckled. 'Does the Earl know? I thought he was here and had sent her new clothes back to the shops?'

  'Came last night, but 'e's out, said '
e'd be out all day, an' 'e don't know what she's doin'. It's in place of the 'ats, she says. 'E'll throw a fit when 'e finds out, Miss Armitage says.'

  'Amos says the fire was started deliberately. Does anyone else know why?'

  'Could 'ave bin Charlie.'

  'Who's Charlie? Luke asked, surprised.

  'Oh, forgets yer weren't 'ere long. 'E's one o' the footmen from next door. Jealous o' Joseph, I s'pose. Thought 'e'd destroy Joseph's little love nest.' She chuckled. 'What 'e dain't know, is they meet in coach house.'

  'They? Who?'

  'Joseph an' young Lizzie.'

  'Who is Lizzie?' Luke asked patiently.

  'Gal what brings the milk. 'Er an' Joseph bin walkin' out fer a couple o' months, but she were wi' Charlie afore that.'

  Luke nodded. He was surprised he hadn't discovered that while he worked at the house, but Joseph had always been a little suspicious of him. That might explain the voices he'd heard that night. And on the fatal morning, according to people in the kitchen, Joseph had been in the still room with this girl. Did that clear him of suspicion? He sighed. So far almost no one had been cleared, and it looked increasingly unlikely that anyone ever would. Did this increase his own danger? If no other suspect could be found, would they arrest him as the most likely?

  'Maggie's leavin',' Betty said suddenly. 'I wish I could, but they don't want a kitchen maid, worse luck.'

  'Maggie? She's found another post? Where?'

  'Wi' same geezer as took Cook an' Gilletty.' She laughed. 'If 'is 'ouse were bigger, 'e said, 'e'd a' give us all jobs.'

  'When did he say that?' Luke demanded urgently. 'Have you seen him?'

  'No, it were Lizzie.'

  'I'm becoming confused! How does Lizzie know all this? Surely she doesn't deliver milk in the City as well as here?'

  'Course not! But 'er ma's 'ousekeeper ter someone 'oo lives next ter this old man.'

  ***

  Reluctantly Luke went to look for Sam. He didn't want to stay in Redditch House longer than necessary, and hoped to waylay him as he was delivering the parcels in Bond Street. It was time to keep his promise to Jennie and take her to Vauxhall. But he was determined they would not be alone.

  He saw Sam, empty-handed, as he rounded the corner into Berkeley Square, and they retreated to a nearby tavern.

  'Did they see you at the house?' Sam asked anxiously. 'The Earl's back.'

  'Only Amos and Betty. But what's this about the constable wanting me? He hasn't been over-concerned before.'

  'I couldn't hear all of it, you know the library door's too thick.' Sam confessed his attempted eavesdropping with a grin. 'Hopping mad, the Earl was, and I don't believe it was only because of the fire. He was in a fret and shouting to find the constable before he heard about that.'

  'Something new had turned up?' Luke suggested.

  'Yes, and it was to do with Harris. I was sent for him after about ten minutes, and he went in for a bit. He looked pale when he came out, and won't talk to any of us.'

  'Is it the Earl's alibi? But Harris wasn't anywhere near the chocolate that morning, as far as we know.'

  'And if he'd said anything amiss he'd have been out on his neck. Instead the Earl was shouting to know where you were, and in a rare taking when no one knew.'

  Luke smiled his thanks for Sam's discretion. Then he shook his head. 'Guessing will serve no purpose.' He explained his plan to take Jenny to Vauxhall.

  'And you want me to ask Maggie?' Sam exclaimed. 'I'll never hear the last of it! I had problems enough avoiding the wench when I first came here. If you ask me the Viscount didn't need to do much persuading to get her in his bed. Besides, there's Amos.'

  Luke had forgotten the groom's interest in the girl. 'I'll put it right with Amos,' he promised rashly.

  'Why don't you ask him?'

  'He doesn't know everything, like you do. I daren't trust him, and I mean to try and persuade Maggie to tell us the truth. If she was with the Viscount she'll be less likely to admit it if he's there.'

  'Why should she admit it to us then? And mightn't she betray you?'

  'She doesn't know where I'm living, and she won't get an outing if she tells anyone I'm going with you. Or you could contrive it so that she doesn't know until we meet there. As for getting her to admit the truth, I'll have to find a way to persuade her. From what you say they're more anxious to find me than before, so I have to make a last push. And try to discover what Harris said.'

  Five minutes later they parted, Sam promising to bring the two girls to Vauxhall on the following evening. He explained that the Earl was engaged with friends and the Countess visiting her sister, so they wouldn't be missed. Luke set off for Clerkenwell. There was nothing more he could do until the following evening, apart from keep out of the constable's way.

  ***

  Within an hour he'd driven Aunt Caroline to distraction with his ceaseless speculations.

  'For goodness sake, Luke, plaguing yourself, and me, with all these questions neither of us can answer won't help discover the truth,' she exclaimed at last. 'Why don't you seek distraction with your friend Louis? I'd welcome you home with a thick head better than I can tolerate these megrims!'

  He had to laugh. 'I do apologise. You're an angel to tolerate me, but I'll take my impatience out of your way for a while.'

  He went to Theobald's Road, hoping to meet with Bella walking the pug, but she was nowhere in sight, there or in Red Lion Square. Though he walked up and down several times, until he feared he would attract attention, there was no sign of life at Lady Bates' house. Restless, he went to call on Louis, and found his friend preparing to visit the theatre.

  'Ah, there you are! I was wondering what had become of you. How goes the search for truth?'

  Over a glass of wine Luke admitted he had discovered nothing useful, but Louis clapped him on the back cheerfully. 'No matter, in time all will be revealed. You need distraction. Come with us, lose yourself in contemplation of the beauties playing breeches parts. Isn't Drury Lane famous for providing your English kings and princes with the lovely ladies? Mayhap there is one which will take your eye.'

  Luke wanted to retort that Bella Bates was enough for him, but discretion silenced his tongue. Good friend though he was, Louis would not forbear to chaff him if he admitted his lovelorn state. But he hadn't seen the new theatre since it had opened the previous year, and there might not be many more opportunities to see John Kemble in one of his tragic roles if he had to flee from London, accused of murder.

  For a couple of hours he managed to forget his problems, or at least banish them to the back of his mind. Louis and his friends were in cheerful spirits, both during the play and afterwards when they repaired to a chop house for supper. Luke was tempted to accompany them back to Louis' rooms for a night of cards, but he declined. He had drunk deep already, and he needed a clear head on the following day for the visit to Vauxhall, if he were to persuade Maggie to tell the truth.

  He retained sufficient caution to avoid Drury Lane itself, notorious as it was as a haunt of pimps and thieves, and went by a circuitous route to Clerkenwell. The moon was full, its light penetrating even to the narrow streets he traversed, and casting a bright glow in the wide spaces of Lincoln's Inn Fields. He entered the narrow passage leading from it, and his thoughts turned to Bella. He was so close to her. He was tempted by wild notions of climbing up to her window, then he laughed bitterly, for he had no notion of which her window was.

  His laughter was cut off abruptly as he heard soft footsteps behind him, hurrying as if to catch up with him. This alley was narrow, noisesome, and darker than the rest. He whirled round, seeking for the dagger which he kept in his belt, and saw a man's shape, no more distinct than a shadow, rear up behind him. Then a glancing blow from a cudgel caught his shoulder before he could avoid it. As he staggered backwards he saw another shadow behind the first, and he turned to face them.

  Wincing, he managed to retain hold of the dagger, while ducking to avoid the other man, a
lso armed with a cudgel. A swift glance reassured him he had just the two of them to deal with, unless others were concealed in the dark caverns of doorways nearby. As he slid sideways to keep the wall at his back, the fumes of wine dissipating rapidly, he quickly assessed his options. They had moved to either side, he could not escape them by flight. With their cudgels, they had a longer reach than he did with his dagger, and if they made a concerted attack he would stand little chance of escaping without severe bruising or broken bones. One of them, however, the taller one, was holding back. Luke tried to distinguish some features, but both wore black masks and had some kind of knitted bonnets pulled low over their brows. Then he had no attention to spare from trying to save his life.

  The cudgel was raised high, in preparation for a mighty blow which would have smashed his skull had it landed. But the distance needed for the swing gave Luke the chance to judge the arc. He dodged aside at the last moment. Before the other man could recover, his arm shaken by the force of the cudgel against the brick wall, Luke slid within his guard and, giving no quarter, thrust the dagger into the man's belly.

  The ruffian screamed, and for a moment Luke was reminded of pigs being killed on the farms at home. He wrenched his dagger free before the other, clutching himself and uttering horrible gasping noises, staggered aside and collapsed to the ground. Luke turned to face his remaining assailant, who was approaching more cautiously now, but with his cudgel held menacingly high.

  Luke stepped back. He could try to disarm this one too, or he could flee, and hope to be faster, but before he could bring himself to turn his back the other attacked.

  It was a frenzied assault, but the cudgel was heavy and unwieldy, not difficult to dodge but too dangerous for Luke to close with the man and attempt to wrest it away. One solid blow would finish him. Luke tried to back against the wall again, but his foot slipped on some garbage, and he almost fell. With a grunt of triumph the other man rushed forward, swinging the club, and Luke did the only thing he could think of to avoid the blow. He let himself fall, using the momentum of his body to fling himself against the fellow's legs. The cudgel connected with his knee, but he barely felt the pain. In a tangle of limbs they rolled over, clutching one another and trying to maintain a hold. The cudgel had been dropped, and Luke had lost his grip on the dagger as the other man, much heavier, straddled him, seized his wrist with both hands and bent his arm back.