The Viscount's Bride (The Radcliffe Family Book 2)

by Lindsay Downs

  “Might I suggest we ask Rick to have some of the crew hidden in the bushes at the estate in case there’s trouble from anyone?” Serena said.

  “And each of us, who feel comfortable with a weapon carry one,” Kathleen suggested, which much to her amazement received nods of approval from everyone.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Dressed in britches, a shirt, and boots, with a thin-bladed knife slipped in the right one, Kathleen stepped out onto the front porch and stopped on seeing Emma dressed similarly. Glancing around, Kathleen didn’t see any staff, which made her happy.

  “Emma, I wasn’t aware you rode astride.”

  “Yes, when I was living at my parents’ estate, father had a beautiful stallion which he let me ride, under the condition I didn’t use a side saddle.”

  “I’d wager when you did for the first time at the ducal estate you caused quite a stir,” Kathleen said, with a smile.

  “That, Kathleen, would be putting it mildly. I thought the stable master would have a fit on seeing her astride the first time,” Simon declared.

  Kathleen glanced back as Simon and Matthew stepped out. She found it interesting neither of the men had visible weapons. Then she remembered the discussion of last eve, to only carry knives as that way the party wouldn’t be to threatening to the earl and countess. They’d fight only as a last resort. However, the Radcliffe crew would be more heavily armed with guns and cutlasses.

  “Matthew, shall we be off so we can meet my parents at the top of their drive?” Kathleen uttered.

  “Yes, and I see our horses are being brought over.”

  Peering in the direction of stables, Kathleen saw Toby leading Marigold while Rick had Rose. King was bringing Devil, Lucifer, and Satan, which she found interesting as none of them seemed worried about the other. No wonder the men wished to take them to their estates. The only one missing was a mare for Serena. Glancing over to Jeffrey, who’d just now joined the party, she raised a brow.

  “My wife will be down in a moment. As Serena’s never worn boots or britches before, she’s having trouble getting used to them.”

  “I’m right here, my love. I don’t know why I’ve never tried riding in this attire before as the freedom is marvelous,” Serena declared.

  “Trust me, you will love the feeling of power, which you don’t get riding side saddle,” Kathleen said. “And I see a groom leading your horse over.

  “M’ lady, I’m sorry we don’t have another mare which will take a saddle, but I’ve given you a very gentle gelding ,” King called out.

  “Thank you, sir. By any chance did you also bring a mounting step for me?”

  “Worry not, Countess. I may be a bit older than these other two gentlemen, but I believe I can still lift you onto the back of the horse,” Jeffrey announced.

  With everyone on their respective horses, they rode out to collect Kathleen’s parents then confront the Redditches again.

  With Roger and Elsie having joined the group, they made their way to the adjoining district in silence, which didn’t surprise Kathleen. Even she was deep in thought as to what would happen when they barged into the Redditch mansion. Hopefully, the earl and countess would finally come to their senses and tell them where, other than the warehouse, Ringer was hiding. Kathleen wondered if they could be persuaded even with proof the man had returned to England.

  At the top of the drive leading to the Redditch mansion, Kathleen watched as Simon brought the group to a halt.

  “Rick, are the crew in position, do you believe?”

  “Yes, Your Grace. They are to remain hidden unless there’s trouble then come to our aid. Once we leave, so shall they.”

  “Good. As agreed upon last night, once we arrive in the courtyard and dismount we will not knock on the door but storm directly in.”

  Granted, she’d never read accounts of assaults on enemy positions before, but she was aware Simon had, and that’s precisely what they were going to do. Racing down the road at a canter, they rode into the forecourt, and before she’d even completely halted Marigold, Kathleen bolted from the saddle to the ground. Much to her amazement the others, even Serena, did the same. Turning her horse over to one of the other grooms, Kathleen, with Matthew at her side, followed Simon and Emma up the stairs and into the mansion. There to be met by the butler.

  “I’m the Duke of Kettering with my duchess, the Earls and Countess’ of Ashburn and Stratham, along with the Viscount and Viscountess Rathbourne. We are going to speak with your earl and countess. Now, out of our way.”

  Kathleen held her breath, wondering what the man was going to do. Much to her amazement, the butler bowed, allowing them to pass.

  “They are in the office,” the man said.

  Not bothering to give him a nod, she swept past the butler and followed the others, as Matthew’s title was lower, up the stairs and into the office. Once again, she wasn’t surprised to see the countess seated behind the desk with the earl this time at her right shoulder. She knew this was going to be another interesting interview.

  “What may we do for you? Last time you were here I told you Jonas had been sent away and told not to return until his father passed,” the countess demanded.

  “You will show proper respect to a senior peer of the realm and his wife. Now stand, come around the desk, and give us a deep curtsey,” Simon ordered.

  Silently, Kathleen watched and pondered what the earl and countess would do.

  “No. Now leave, before I have my men throw you out.”

  “We will not depart until you tell us the truth. We know your son left England and returned a year later. We even have the manifests.”

  She waited while Jeffrey stepped up, took the sheets of paper from his jacket, and held them up to show the obstinate woman.

  “That doesn’t prove anything. His name could have been written in by anyone to make people, such as you, believe he returned,” the earl spoke for the first time.

  “Then as we said last time, he’s been seen in Cornwall and shot Viscount Rathbourne in front of witnesses. Then yesterday, on searching your warehouse in town, we found where he’s been hiding,” Simon pronounced.

  “You can’t do that. The building is private property, and you need permission to enter,” the countess proclaimed.

  “Yes they can, under my direction. You seem to forget I’m the magistrate and thusly, any building is subject to being searched with or without the owner’s consent,” Roger stated.

  “Not only did we find the tiny room where Ringer slept, we also found a tunnel,” Simon started then turned and waved Rick forward. “Son, inform the earl and countess what you found.”

  “Yes, Your Grace. The passage led from the warehouse directly to the house next door which is owned by Mr. Hopner.”

  “The same man who no longer works for you but currently resides in jail, awaiting removal by the Bow Street runners. Since he hid, knowingly, a murderer and the person who tried to kill Viscount Rathbourne, they will be dealing with him. I’m sure before he hangs Mr. Hopner will tell the runners everything,” Roger uttered.

  “Now, you have two choices. Tell us what we wish to know or be taken into custody, under the direction of Robert, Earl of Ashburn, and magistrate of Cornwall for harboring a fugitive,” Simon demanded.

  “Not only don’t you have the authority, but you wouldn’t dare arrest us. The staff here will make sure that doesn’t happen,” the earl spat out.

  Kathleen found it interesting he was the one who spoke and not the countess. She watched Simon step over to the window, raise the windowpane, and then give a single, high-pitched whistle. If she wasn’t mistaken, that would signal the crew to make themselves known. From the sounds she heard below the stairs, Kathleen suspected the men were making their way in and up to the office. She turned to see the second in command to Rick storm in.

  “Your Graces, m’ lords and ladies. What do you wish of us?”

  “Secure the earl and countess, then have horses hitched to a
carriage,” Simon ordered.

  If nothing else, Kathleen was aware doing this would bring Ringer out from hiding to save his parents. Her only hope was that no others would be hurt or killed. For that though, only time would tell.

  “You can’t do this,” the countess protested.

  “Yes, we can. However, you will not be sharing a cell with Mr. Hopner but, under guard, will continue directly to London. There you will be held in the Tower until the House of Lords sits. There you will answer to them for your crimes.”

  “This is unconscionable,” the countess shouted.

  “You have been given several opportunities to provide us with what we seek and have failed to do so at every turn,” Simon stated.

  As she’d never seen a duke angry before, Kathleen was a little surprised at how calm he, not to mention Emma, appeared. Seeing the earl and countess having their hands bound, she wondered if one of them might say what was needed to save themselves. If not mistaken, the earl would lose his title and thusly the land which would send them both to debtors’ prison at worst. If they were lucky, they’d be transported to Australia where they would live out their lives working, something neither had ever done before.

  Kathleen, pondered why both were so adamant in not giving over Jonas Ringer. Granted, the man was their son, but to risk everything for him was something she couldn’t understand. Unless, one or both were mad. If that was the case, that person would be sent to Bedlam.

  Then she watched Simon turn to Rick and hand over several sheets of foolscap. “These will allow you passage to London while staying at inns. I’ve included instructions for the owners to follow your direction as if I was giving them.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace. With your permission, I’ll have several of the crew accompany us along with one of the grooms. This way, we will arrive safely and with the prisoners unharmed.”

  “I was about to say that, so thank you for your forward thinking. This letter, to the warden, will explain why they are being delivered in this manner and not to allow them visitors until I return to London.”

  “Yes, Your Grace.”

  Following everyone from the office, Kathleen was amazed at the guards, from the crew, which protected them from the staff who’d gathered. In the courtyard she watched, without any protests but a disturbing grin from the countess, as they were loaded into the carriage. She then climbed onto the back of Marigold as the others in her group mounted their horses.

  As before, the ride back to the Ashburn mansion then onto Radcliffe Hall was done in silence except when she bid her parents good day. Helped down by her husband, for which he earned a smile, she held his hand and marched into the manor.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, shall we meet in the office in thirty minutes? Of course, if anyone needs more time, that is understandable,” Simon directed.

  Making for the suite she used for bathing and dressing, Kathleen kept thinking back at how quickly Simon had the earl and countess taken into custody. Even to the point of holding up a document from the Lord Speaker. She was aware not enough time had passed from sending the post to Simon receiving a reply. She wondered if everything had been a ruse to get them to admit where Jonas Ringer was hiding.

  When she stepped in, after promising Matthew she’d be ready in time, Kathleen was pleased Patty had selected a light-pink day dress. Fresh undergarments were also laid out on the bed.

  “After I get out of these clothes, I’ll need to refresh. Once in the gown, do my hair simply, maybe a chignon?”

  “Yes, m’ lady.”

  Twenty-five minutes later, in the dress with her hair done, Kathleen stepped through the door into the adjoining suite. She smiled on seeing Matthew was also ready.

  “My dear, shall we meet the others as I’ve been pondering how everything happened so quickly and without the desired results,” she said to him.

  “I’m in agreement with you on that fact.”

  She took his hand in hers and went to the office. Entering, she was surprised they were the last two at the meeting.

  “Please accept my apologies for being late. And before any of you even go there, no, we behaved,” she stated, earning a giggle from Emma.

  After getting comfortable on the settee, Kathleen waited for Simon to start and wondered why he was pacing. She believed he never did unless worrying about something.

  “Yes, ladies and gentlemen, those two panicked me when they refused to tell us anything, not to mention denying their son was back.”

  “Was sending them to London part of your plan to get them to talk?” Kathleen said.

  “I had no choice. However, currently they are on the way to the cave where the crew hides the smuggled goods. Once night falls, the earl and countess will be taken to Ashburn, as agreed with Roger. He’ll keep them secreted away in the cellars where only a few select staff will know about them.”

  Will we ever learn what we need? Kathleen felt herself getting anxious.

  “Simon, in what direction do we take the hunt? Do you have any recommendations?” Matthew inquired.

  “I wish I did. I’ve never come up against an enemy so determined to protect what they knew. Do any of you have an idea?”

  Leaning against the back of the settee, Kathleen rubbed her chin with her forefinger deep in thought, then she felt her lips curve upward in a smile.

  “There may be a way to find Jonas Ringer, however I’m sure there is at least one person here who will disagree with my suggestion. Put me out there. No guards except the usual coachman and footman. If we can’t get to him, let Jonas come to me,” Kathleen declared.

  “No, I absolutely forbid you to do that,” Matthew bellowed out.

  “If this is the only way to catch him, I agree with Kathleen. We should seriously take her recommendation to heart. However, I would suggest we modify the plan slightly. Instead of having you completely unprotected, we ask Rick to have members of the crew watch over you, Kathleen, when in town. As for here at the Hall, go about your normal routine of taking walks in the garden or fishing. Again, with hidden guards,” Jeffrey explained.

  “Yes, I will agree under those conditions,” Matthew said.

  “Then, tomorrow, when we ladies need to return for fittings, we’ll set the plan into motion,” Serena said.

  “If that’s the case then, gentlemen and ladies, if you’ll excuse me, I am desirous of a stroll in the gardens.”

  “My dear wife, would you mind if I joined you?”

  From the cocky grin she noticed on Matthew’s lips, which she hoped no one else saw, Kathleen suspected he had a different reason for wishing to join her. Even though, until now, they’d only made love between the sheets, being outside might add an entirely new dimension to their relationship.

  “I would be honored to have you squire me about.”

  Standing with Matthew’s assistance, she let him guide her from the office, pointedly ignoring the few ribald comments from Simon and Emma.

  As they stepped out onto the veranda, Kathleen glanced around then out toward the ocean. There, she spied several ships sailing along. She wondered if the crew would be making a run to bring in smuggled goods from the continent any time soon. If so, she’d love to go along with them as she knew her husband and Simon would be accompanying her as well.

  “Yes, my dear wife. If I’m not mistaken, we’ll be going out tomorrow eve, and you’ll be joining the crew. Seems more silk is being brought in.”

  “And how did you learn of this? But first shall we step away from here and see how the flowers are faring?”

  Freeing her hand from his, she walked down the steps and started across the lawn.

  The sound of a gunshot caught her attention. Something stung her. Glancing to Matthew, she saw panic in his eyes. Looking back to the manor, she saw Simon and Jeffrey running toward them. Emma and Serena stood on the terrace. Kathleen barely made out the fear in their eyes.

  Brightness turned to blackness.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  When
he heard the all too familiar sound of a gun being fired, Matthew turned to see a splotch of red slowly getting bigger on the side of Kathleen’s chest. Stepping to her, he watched his bride start to collapse then scooped her up in his arms as Simon and Jeffrey got to them.

  “The shot came from over there. Musket I believe,” Matthew called out as the men raced past him.

  As quickly and carefully as possible Matthew carried Kathleen back to the manor and started up the steps when Connor, Mrs. Swithin, and Cook came out.

  “M’ lord, we’ll take care of her. You go help hunt down the dog who tried to kill your wife,” the housekeeper stated.

  “Yes, Matthew, we’ll look after her. You go assist Simon and Jeffery. Bring the man to justice,” Emma declared.

  Gingerly, he relinquished his grasp on Kathleen to Cook, turned, then raced toward where the shot had come from and he’d sent Simon and his father.

  Seeing the two men ahead, he kept running until he came up to them.

  “Anything?” he demanded.

  “No Son, but the shooter did leave the musket behind. Simon and I are only guessing he did so if caught he could claim he had gotten lost.”

  “And heard the shot and came running to see what had happened,” Simon added.

  Having spent a great deal of time exploring the grounds, in particular this area, Matthew was aware of a narrow footpath leading down the cliff.

  “Whoever took the shot in hoping to kill Kathleen went down the trail right there. Fortunately, it’s nowhere near the caves where the earl and countess are being hidden.”

  “But on hearing the shot could they have attempted to cry for help?” Jeffrey said.

  “That wouldn’t be possible. After they were loaded into the carriage they were gagged to prevent just that from happening. I’d wager neither were very pleased, but right now I don’t care,” Simon stated.

  With a nod of understanding, Matthew carefully made his way down the path, not stopping until he was standing on the beach. Looking left then right he chose that direction as it led to where the smuggling caves were. He’d wondered if the men guarding the earl and countess might have seen or heard something. Walking up to the cave, he was about to call out when he spied blood splatter on several rocks.