by Aileen Fish
“We came back shortly after Stephen and Jane’s wedding. Mother, Trey and I, that is. I guess you know David and Knightwick went to Ascot Heath, not London. They’ve been on the road more than home since then.”
The footman arrived with a tray, which Joanna had him set on the table in front of her. She poured the tea into the cups. “Traveling to race meetings?”
“I don’t believe so. Trey said something about investigations.”
“Into what?” Amelia took the cup and saucer Joanna handed her.
“Into who tried to kill Lady Joanna.” Lady Hannah’s expression said she thought the answer was obvious.
Amelia gasped. “I thought it was merely tainted food. Someone intended for you to die?”
Joanna shook her head. “No one could have known I would eat those oatcakes. They were given to our groom. Someone wanted him dead.”
Lady Hannah accepted her cup and saucer then sat back in her chair. “Trey said that makes two of your grooms who have been poisoned. Why would anyone do that?”
“I don’t know. It seems a severe scheme to ensure Patriot doesn’t race, or doesn’t win. They could accomplish the same with a burr under his saddle.”
Amelia stirred sugar into her tea and took a sip. “Please say you won’t attend any more race meetings, Joanna. At least not until they find who is doing this.”
“I won’t be traveling, other than to Bath with my aunt. I tire so easily.” Even sitting with her friends was taking a toll, but she nibbled a biscuit to keep up her strength. Speaking of her illness was also taxing, so she changed the subject, asking Hannah, “How was your cousin’s wedding?”
“So lovely. I hope my wedding breakfast is just as beautiful.” Hannah went on to describe in great detail the décor and the foods served.
Joanna became increasingly tired as she listened. She didn’t want to credit it to the thought of a wedding she would not be having, so she smiled and made what she hoped were appropriate comments.
How had her life become such a mess? When she’d arrived in London this spring, she’d thought the best days were in front of her. But they’d quickly proven themselves to be worse than she could imagine living through. She almost hadn’t lived through the last two weeks.
Hannah must have noticed her expression. “Are you truly well? Have we stayed too long? You look peaked.”
Joanna smiled. “The doctor says I’ll regain my strength soon. Cook has been making me some of her horrid gruel. I believe I shall heal quickly if only to escape eating any more of it.”
“Would you care to go riding tomorrow?” Hannah asked, then shook her head. “No, you aren’t strong enough for that, are you? I could ask Trey to take us in the curricle. We could go back to Richmond Park and feed the ducks in the pond.”
Memories flooded Joanna of David kissing her and asking if he could speak to Robert. It was more than she could bear. Her eyes welled and spilled over. The pain of her loss overwhelmed her.
“Oh, no, what have I said?” Hannah jumped up and rushed over, taking Joanna’s hand.
Amelia came to her other side and wrapped an arm around her. “Please don’t cry, Joanna. What can we do for you?”
Taking her handkerchief from her pocket, Joanna blotted her eyes. “I’m sorry to fall apart on you this way. All I’ve been through is catching up to me.”
“Will it help to talk to us?” Hannah brought a small stool next to the chaise and sat by Joanna’s knees.
Joanna hesitated. “I feel rather awkward discussing it.”
“Because you love my brother,” Hannah suggested.
“Yes. I don’t want to hurt your feelings.”
Hannah laughed. “I’m the first to admit when my brothers have done something foolish, but this time even David agrees with me. If he could find a way to undo his mistakes, he’d have done it weeks ago. There’s nothing you could say against him that would hurt my feelings.”
“Thank you for that.” Joanna smiled, the tears not quite dried yet. “In recent weeks I’ve wished I never came to Town, but I would not have met you two. I’ll be forever grateful for your friendship.”
“And we are pleased to know you, aren’t we Hannah?” Amelia said. “Maybe in time the bad memories will fade, and the good will rise to the top.”
“I hope so.” Joanna rested her head on Amelia’s shoulder for a moment. “Will you both return for the Little Season? If so, we can attend the balls together and meet a whole new set of gentlemen.”
Amelia patted the back of her head. “Well, I hope to be engaged by then, if Sir Richard asks when he comes back to Town. But being engaged doesn’t mean I must sit home every evening. My beaux and I will help chaperone you two.”
They all laughed at the idea of their parents agreeing to that. Joanna realized the friendship she shared with these two ladies was worth all the painful experiences she’d been through.
Well, all except almost dying. Nothing was worth going through that fearful time.
~*~
After Robert came home that evening, Joanna found him in his study. “May I interrupt you for a moment?”
He set down his pen and smiled. “Of course. What is troubling you?”
“Lady Hannah was here this afternoon, and of course, Mr. Lumley was mentioned. You know I overheard you two talking that night, don’t you?”
“He said as much, yes.”
“Yet, you continue to seek his aid in finding the person behind these poisonings. After he told the constable you were guilty of it.”
“That’s correct. I don’t feel capable of the work needed to investigate all the incidents, while keeping you safe. I’m grateful for his help, and that of Knightwick.”
Joanna scratched her fingernail on a spot on her dress, trying to find the right words. “How can you forgive him for believing you capable of murder?”
Robert leaned back in his chair, resting his elbows on the arms and making a steeple of his fingers. “Perhaps if he knew me, if he’d been a friend before making the accusations, it might have hurt more. There is history you are unaware of, however, between our fathers. Bridgethorpe and Father had a rivalry of sorts, and David grew up not trusting our father, and by extension, me.”
She pursed her lips. “I don’t find it any more comforting he thought father was a murderer.”
“For as much as he said so, he didn’t truly believe it. He was angry over Zephyr’s death, and needed someone to blame.” Robert’s lips thinned and he drew in a deep breath. “I have a confession of my own. I have tried to protect you and Mother from the depths of Father’s problems in his final years, but I can see I’m doing you no favors. You need to see what kind of man Father was. He’d let his obsession for owning a winning runner drive him mad. He borrowed money to buy horses, but they didn’t win. He couldn’t see how he was destroying his own life, and all of ours.”
“Father was borrowing money?” Those words sank in, making clear some other questions she’d had. “From…Sir Frederick?”
Robert ducked his head as if unable to meet her gaze. “Yes. And yes, that is why I was unable to turn down his suit for you. I thank God that matter was resolved in time.”
“How were you able to pay him off?”
Again, he looked away, reaching for some letters on his desk. “I’m not at liberty to say. The debt is paid, and you are not under any obligation to marry Sir Frederick.”
Robert’s manner was very odd, but she knew better than to push too far. She tried a vague question. “Is Mr. Lumley responsible for the debt being paid?”
“I cannot discuss the business with you. But let me say this: David Lumley is a good man. Whether or not you intend to marry him, you need to move past this if you want to be happy.”
“I don’t know if I can.” She sighed. “Thank you for speaking with me. I shall see you at supper.” She rose, and went to the small garden behind their home to consider her thoughts. Of one thing she was certain, she owed Mr. Lumley a great debt if he was re
sponsible for saving her from Sir Frederick. But gratitude wasn’t enough to base a marriage on, and she didn’t know if she could trust him enough to believe he cared for her. He had pretended affection for her while alleging her brother was a criminal. Could she forgive him that?
~*~
Starley showed David into Northcotte’s study and closed the doors as he exited the room. Northcotte rose and motioned for David to sit. “Any news?”
David grunted. “None. The old woman at Ascot Heath might never have existed. You?”
“How can he leave no trace? He must pay the men who work for him quite well, because my man has offered a hefty purse in exchange for information.”
“Knightwick has been inquiring at the clubs to see if anyone will admit to borrowing from Sir Frederick. I don’t know what good it will do us to speak to them, but if he has threatened any of them, or if they’ve suffered some suspicious loss, perhaps we can persuade them to inform their magistrate, or Bow Street.”
“Have you considered stationing men to watch the stables at each race meeting coming up?”
“My brother has several men lined up for Bibury next week. Will Patriot be entered?”
“I don’t feel right entering him since he is now your horse. Besides, I still don’t think it’s wise to enter Patriot. If anything happens to that horse, it will kill Joanna. I have another horse I can enter.” Northcotte licked his lips as if he’d swallowed something bitter. “I hate to risk a good runner to draw the man out, but it has to be done. I’ll do as you have said, have someone stay with him at all times. And send my older grooms, whom I trust.”
“Very well. It will be a long summer if we must continue like this, keeping watch over our horses ‘round the clock.”
A knock came at the door and Starley opened it. “Sir Frederick Ardwen is here to see you, my lord.”
Northcotte met David’s gaze before responding. “Tell him I’m not available.”
“Very good, my lord.”
When the door latched, David asked, “Don’t you want to know why he’s here?”
“I’ve paid my father’s debt, so the only business he could have with me is my sister.”
“You didn’t refuse his offer for her?”
“I did, just as soon as I had his signature on my father’s vowels. He didn’t accept it as my final answer.”
David rose. “What does he expect to do? Persuade Lady Joanna with the charm he doesn’t possess? I wish she’d accepted my proposal so I could send him away for good.”
“About that…do you plan to renew your suit with Joanna?”
“Would it do any good? She was in tears when she sent me away. I don’t wish to hurt her further.”
“She’s been in tears since she refused you. I believe that hurts more than marrying you could ever do.”
Combing a hand through his hair, David glanced at the door. She was probably upstairs. He could ask Starley to inquire if she’d see him. He didn’t think he could bear it if she sent him away. “You know I’d give her everything she wanted. I thought, perhaps, in time…She seemed happy to see me in Windsor.”
“It meant a lot to her that you were there. I think that told her more about you than any prior act.”
“I hope so. Maybe when I return from Bibury I’ll call on her. Start anew. Will she still be in London then?”
“She and my mother will leave for Bath that week, with Aunt Ophelia. You’d better speak to her before you leave Town.”
David nodded. “I’ll do so. I’ve some calls to make, so I’ll take my leave. If you need assistance finding men to keep watch at the race meeting, send word here in Town, or at the Shepherd’s Inn in Bibury.”
Taking his leave more briskly than was warranted, David sought to reach his curricle before temptation won out and he begged Starley to ask if Lady Joanna would see him. He needed to give her time. He’d forgotten to ask if Northcotte had told her she now owned Patriot. He doubted the man had said anything, more likely leaving it for David to do. That gave him an excuse to call before he left Town.
As he trotted down the front steps to the street, David noticed a curricle parked nearby. He thought nothing of it, until he noticed the furry white side-whiskers of the man at the reins. Sir Frederick. Why hadn’t he gone when he was turned away? David hesitated, the simmering heat of pent-up anger threatening to surface, then turned toward his own vehicle.
“Lumley.”
He stopped. Slowly turned around. Gritted his teeth and reminded himself he was on a public street in front of his loved-one’s home. “Sir Frederick. May I be of assistance?”
“You may keep your distance from Lady Joanna. I highly recommend it.”
He could have recommended a wine for supper, his tone was so even. David took a few steps closer. “You don’t speak for her. Of that I’m certain.”
“She is confused by your flattery and pretty face. She will come to her senses soon.”
David’s arms began to tremble. He flexed his fingers. “Was she your intended target? You nearly killed her. How will that convince her she wants you?”
Sir Frederick sat up stiffly. “I’ve no idea what you’re speaking of. I would never harm her.”
Strolling closer, fighting the need to haul the man out of his curricle and pound him into the street, David kept his voice calm. “No, you told the old woman to give the cakes to Northcotte’s groom. Why, because he’d paid his debt to you, and you could no longer lay claim to Lady Joanna’s hand? But my lady enjoys sweets, and the groom was more than happy to share.”
David gave the man credit, he didn’t flinch. Sir Frederick could have been sitting in church on a Sunday morning. “I know not what you are referring to.”
“Of course you don’t. Listen well. The lady does not want you. You no longer have anything to hold over her brother. Don’t trespass on their lives any longer.”
“You do not speak for them, Lumley.” Sir Frederick’s calm broke and he shouted now. “You have no business ordering me about. You’d best keep to your own concerns.”
The door to Northcotte’s town house opened and Starley came down the stairs. “Is anything amiss, Mr. Lumley?”
“No, Starley. Sir Frederick was just leaving.”
“Very good, sir.” Starley remained where he stood, watching Sir Frederick.
Without a word, Sir Frederick picked up his reins and pulled away. David waited until he reached the end of the block before moving. “You’ll inform Northcotte of this?”
“Of course, sir.”
~*~
As he’d told Northcotte he would do, David called on Joanna before he left for Bibury. She had color in her cheeks, finally, and the shadows beneath her eyes had faded. Her smile seemed genuine when he took her hand and bowed. “Good morning, my lady.”
“Good morning. Please take a seat.”
Nerves made it difficult to remain in one place, but politeness forced him to control the anxiety. “Thank you. I understand you will remove to Bath for the summer.”
“Yes, my aunt has extended an invitation to Mother and me.”
“Hannah was disappointed you won’t be visiting Bridgethorpe Manor, but I can understand your reluctance. If it’s any comfort, I’ll be staying at Fernleigh in between race meetings, as I usually do.” He told himself he wasn’t leading her to talk about her feelings for him.
Her cheeks darkened. “I hope you don’t think I was avoiding you.”
“I’m not sure what to think. You didn’t send me away in Windsor, but you were so sick I cannot credit anything that was said then.”
Her eyes widened. “Did I say something when I was out of my head?”
“No, I’m taking hope in what was not said.” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth. “I’m not here to press my suit again, unless you wish it. I merely wanted to ask that I may still call you my friend.”
“Yes, I would like that.”
“I am glad. Now, there’s one more thing I must say before I go
. I realize I’m not in the position to give you a gift, but there’s something I purchased with you in mind. Northcotte will confirm he has agreed to it. Patriot is now yours.”
“He’s mine?”
“Yes. Your brother holds the signed papers.”
“But how…? I don’t understand.”
“There is nothing to understand. I had it in my power to give you the one thing I knew you treasure most of all. I hope he brings you joy. And of course, wins.”
Her eyes were glassy as she stared at him. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you, of course, but those words are too weak to express what I feel.”
He rose, wishing to leave before she said something she might regret. He would see her again, perhaps at a race meeting, and he could discover if her feelings for him had changed. But if he didn’t escape immediately, he would utter the plea he so desperately needed to make. Marry me. “Enjoy your visit to Bath, my lady.”
With a brief, formal bow, he left.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The weather at Bibury, in Gloucestershire, was warm, and the stables were humid, their normal odors overwhelming David as he stood in Triton’s stall. He wished they could determine who was poisoning people and animals at the race meetings, so he could once again enjoy the thrill of competition.
He smiled wryly. He hadn’t fully enjoyed a race meeting in recent years, not until Triton won. He scratched his horse between the eyes. “You have done us proud, old boy. Let’s do it again this afternoon, all right? Make this blasted heat worth bearing.”
Pacing once more to the stall door, he looked into the passageway. Men walked back and forth, owners and grooms, judging by their clothes. Some entered stalls empty-handed, or bearing a bridle, others just continued out of the building. No one seemed out of place. He began to turn and pace back when movement caught his eye.
A man of small stature with graying dark hair exited a stall with a bucket in his hand. There was nothing odd about that, but the hairs on the back of David’s neck rose inexplicably. The man pulled a paper from his pocket, glanced at it, and shoved it away again. He made his way down the row of stalls, glancing in each, then entered one. A moment later, he stepped out and headed for the building exit.
