When he heard footsteps coming after him, Matthew glanced over his shoulder to see his friends following. Holding up an arm to slow their forward progress, he waited until they were beside him, then pointed to the blood.
“Seems we’ve got more problems than just trying to kill my wife,” Matthew whispered.
He had started to march into the cave when he saw Rick stagger out, blood dripping from his scalp.
“Dad, here look after him. Simon, come with me, but be careful, the shooter could be in the cave,” Matthew called out.
Not waiting for a reply from either, he carefully slipped in, staying against the side. As he got further in, he saw two of the crew and a groom lying on the ground. From what he could see, all three had had their throats cut. But, how could this have happened?
“Matthew, Jeffrey is taking Rick back to the manor. My question is how could Ringer have found his parents and killed the three guards?” Simon asked.
“That, we may never know. As of this moment I want drawings of the three made up and spread throughout the district and even into the neighboring one. I don’t want those three to find a place to hide or people who will help them,” Matthew demanded.
“I agree. Now let’s get back and have staff come down and return the bodies to the manor. Do you know if they have families?”
“As for the groom, King will be able to tell us. The two crew have wives, and I think at least one had a small child,” Matthew replied.
“And we will take care of all the arrangements. Make sure the families are aware,” Simon stated.
“And speaking of the Hall, we should return before a wife and mother come hunting us down,” Matthew added.
He accepted the duke’s nod as one of agreement. Marching out of the cave, he rushed back to the manor and up to the suite adjoining his. He knew or at least suspected that’s where he’d find Kathleen under the care of Mrs. Swithin, Emma, and his mother.
Stepping in, he was met by frowns from three ladies and a scowl from the forth.
“What? I didn’t do anything except try, and fail miserably, to protect you.”
“And you did, my dear husband. Our looks are for your appearance. Your jacket and shirt are covered in blood. Please change, then return so we may learn what you found,” Kathleen uttered.
Lowering his head, Matthew saw what she was talking about. That got him wondering why his father nor Simon had made mention of his state. If they had, he would have cleaned up before seeing to Kathleen.
Lifting his head, he smiled to her. “I will be back shortly, but first, let me just say I’m happy you weren’t hurt too seriously.”
“Thank you. The wound is more an annoyance than anything. Now, off with you,” his wife demanded.
With a bow, Matthew slipped into their sleeping suite through the adjoining door, there to be met by Connor.
“Welcome back, safely I might add. Rick is in one of the empty suites being tended to by Cook as Mrs. Swithin is still with Her Ladyship. As you can see, I’ve laid out a clean shirt and jacket. In your private room is hot water in the pitcher to wash up.”
Even though he was aware Connor would make an excellent valet, which he still had to address with Simon, the man’s forethought of having everything laid out confirmed Matthew’s resolve. Shrugging out of the coat, cravat, and shirt, all of which were most likely ruined, Matthew stepped into his room and cleaned the blood from his arms and chest. Returning, he put the shirt on but waved off the cravat and jacket.
“Some place in the armoire is a jerkin. I’ll wear that instead. I’m not in the mood for proper attire. Mayhap for dinner, but I’ll decide later,” he directed to Connor.
“Very good, m’ lord.”
Finally dressed as he desired, Matthew now had a decision to make. Return to Kathleen’s side or look in on Rick. Amazingly his question was answered by his mother who barged into the suite.
“Son, your wife is resting comfortably so look in on Rick. I’m sure he can give you the necessary information to catch Jonas Ringer.”
“Thank you, Mother. Please tell Kathleen I’ll be in shortly.”
“I will. Now do your duty as a viscount and future earl should.”
“As you command, Countess,” Matthew said, not in a teasing but serious voice. He bowed and went to look in on the groom.
Easily he found the suite were Rick had been set, not because the door was open but the arguing between the young man and Cook.
“No, you will stay abed until I say otherwise. Your mother and I are close friends, and if you don’t do as directed she’ll be informed. If that be the case, then you’d best worry about your backside for she will wail upon you until next week, and you won’t sit for a month.”
“Yes, Cook, I’ll do as you demand, but I still need to report to His Grace and Viscount Rathbourne.”
Matthew took that as his cue to enter. “Then you can lie there as directed and tell me what happened,” Matthew ordered, then waved off the start of a curtsey from Cook.
“M’ lord, I’ve no clue as to where to start.”
“Try the beginning, son, and take your time. Besides Jonas Ringer, who else attacked you and the others. I saw three had their throats cut in the style of Ringer.”
“Yes, m’ lord. To start, how they found us in the cave, I’ve no idea as we along with His Grace were the only ones aware of where we were hiding.”
This told Matthew there had to be a spy within the Radcliffe Crew, but to what end? Create dissention within the men? No, that couldn’t be the end game. However, that was something he’d have to look into.
“And the prisoners were bound and gagged as directed by His Grace?”
“They were, m’ lord. I even checked to make sure they couldn’t escape if the opportunity presented itself. We were waiting for darkness then would take them to Ashburn. As we cooled our heels, a gunshot distracted us. That, I am now aware of was the signal to sweep in and free the earl and countess.”
“Yes, someone, most likely Jonas Ringer tried to kill Lady Kathleen but only wounded her. He then made his way to the cave where the guards had their throats cut?”
“M’ lord, you’re partially correct. Once the earl and countess were freed, it was she who killed the men. I’ve never seen someone so enjoying that as she did. What made everything even worse is that her husband cheered her on.”
“But then, how did you survive?”
“The Redditch crew thought I was dead. When they attacked I was hit over the head, as you can see. When I went down, I didn’t move as the men rushed in but watched so I could tell someone, such as you, what happened.”
“Son, that was smart and quick thinking on your part. Regrettably, you will end up, most likely, carrying the weight and sight of their deaths in your head forever. For that, I’m truly sorry. Now, follow Cook’s directives as if they came from myself or Her Ladyship. Rest.”
“I will, m’ lord, for I fear she’ll do as promised.”
With a nod and a better understanding of the people they were up against, Matthew quit the suite and marched down the hall to were Kathleen was. Quietly, as he suspected she was sleeping, he entered only to be met by his wife now smiling.
“My dear, how are you feeling?”
“Much better after my little nap. Unfortunately, neither Emma nor your mother will allow me to get up. Mayhap you can convince them otherwise? After all, the ball only grazed my side. Granted there was bleeding, as you well know, but I’m feeling much better.”
Matthew glanced across the bed were his wife lay, under protest, to see both ladies in question. Not only were they glowering at him, but their arms were crossed at their breasts. Never in all his days had he seen two more determined ladies.
“Wife, as much as I would love to come to your assistance, considering the looks I’m getting, I fear for my hide.”
“As you well should, Matthew,” Simon declared strolling into the suite.
“On that you are more than correct. No
w, tomorrow, dearest friend, you may get out of bed but only for a short time and with supervision of Serena or myself,” Emma pronounced.
“And remember, Kathleen, what I was and wasn’t allowed to do when I was shot,” Matthew reminded her.
“Yes, yes I will abide by your decisions. Am I at least allowed to take care of my needs?”
“You are, but only with help walking to and fro,” Serena stated.
“Then, would one of you ladies care to assist me?”
“Am I permitted to offer my arm?” Matthew said.
“Then I shall retreat to the hall until this brave, and stubborn lady is back in bed,” Simon uttered.
Waiting until the duke left and the door closed, Matthew then helped Kathleen stand and with her leaning on his arm, the other of which was wrapped around her waist, slowly walked her to the private room.
“I’ll be right outside the door.”
As he waited for his wife, he looked back to Emma and Serena and realized someone was missing-Patty.
“Where is Kathleen’s maid? Shouldn’t she be here helping?”
“When your wife was brought in, Patty was in such a state I had Connor give her a whiskey and told her to lie down. Once she’s recovered, I’m sure she will be able to take over her duties,” Emma said.
Hearing the door behind him open, Matthew turned and this time carried his wife to the bed. Once she was settled and covered, he opened the portal into the hall and invited Simon and now Jeffrey in.
“I apologize for my tardiness, but I was visiting with the families of the murdered guards. They are rightfully upset and have vowed to give any and all assistance in bringing Ringer down,” Jeffrey declared.
“Thank you for taking on that job, uncle. Now, Matthew, what did you learn from Rick?” Simon said.
“First off, what we’ve learned about Jonas Ringer might not be correct as Rick told me something which is startling.”
Matthew then spent the next ten minutes relaying to them what he’d learned about the attack in the cave. When he told them that the countess had killed the guards, he made sure not to go into great detail to protect the three ladies’ sensitivities.
“Wait, Matthew, are you saying the countess is the real murderer here and not Jonas?” Kathleen said.
“That’s quite possibly so. However, we know he tried to kill me, and Kathleen most likely. At this point, to what end I’ve no idea.”
No sooner had he spoken than he realized why Ringer had shot them and why the earl and countess wouldn’t give their son up. Each, in their own way was protecting the other. Which in the eyes of the law made them all guilty of murder. When he told everyone his thoughts, immediately they agreed with him.
“Matthew, son, this still doesn’t bring us any closer to finding them. The earl and countess won’t return to their estate as that will be the first place we’d look for them,” Jeffrey uttered.
“On that you are correct, Father. However, there’s still a way to hunt them down as the dogs they are.” Matthew paused and glanced down at his wife. “Kathleen, once you’re strong enough, and with mother and Emma’s permission, we will put your plan of earlier into action.”
“With even more hidden guards than before, and Matthew you need to be at her side always,” Simon directed.
As he wasn’t only Matthew’s uncle but also the duke and head of the Kettering family, this was a directive which had to be obeyed, to the letter. Even more so his response had to be formal.
“Yes, Your Grace. I will do as you command.” He then bowed deeply to Simon. I’ll never get used to calling you Duke or Your Grace.
“Thank you. Now, as I see your bride trying, and failing, to hide a yawn, shall we retreat so she may rest.”
“I’ll stay in case Kathleen needs anything,” Matthew stated.
“No, m’ lord, if you don’t mind, now that I’ve recovered from the shock of seeing my mistress injured, I will. With your permission, of course, as I’m sure you have to plan on how to capture Ringer,” Patty declared, stepping into the suite.
“Granted.” He turned back to Kathleen. “And I also need to send the Earl and Countess of Ashburn a short note informing them of your wound and reassure them it’s not serious.”
“Please, also encourage them not to rush over today but wait until the morrow,” Kathleen declared.
“Trust me, I will, without making your injury sound all that serious.”
With a warm, so he hoped, smile to his wife and a nod to Patty, Matthew quit the room and made his way to the office. Walking in, he wasn’t surprised to see his father and Simon studying the map of the Redditch lands. How they’d been able to come about this particular piece interested him, and he wanted to ask but needed to make Roger and Elsie aware of their daughter being shot, but not seriously.
“I know what’s on your mind, son. Take care of penning the note as Toby has already been notified he will be needed to deliver the letter to the earl and countess.”
“Thank you, Father. Once I’ve taken care of writing it I’ll join you both so we can try to find where they are hiding.”
Finally, with the letter on its way, Matthew stepped over to the table where his father and Simon still stood studying the land. Looking down, he spotted the one building where people could easily, not only hide, but slip into the village.
“Have you considered here?” he said, pointing to the structure.
“No, we haven’t. Why do you believe they’d be hiding there?” Simon asked.
“See how close the river is? Anyone can escape using it or overland to the nearest road, here.” Matthew pointed to where he was talking about. “If I’m not mistaken, and having ridden the area with Kathleen, there’s a track which leads to the main road, which isn’t shown on this map. That’s another reason why I’d hide there. This chart has been altered by someone. If I might ask, where did you get it from?”
“In the confusion at the Redditch estate I happened to notice it on a table and on the way out scooped it up,” Jeffrey answered.
To Matthew, that meant someone had been looking over the map for the perfect place to hide, as if everything which had happened had been planned. His only questions were by who and why? Could there be someone in the Redditch household who wanted the reign of death and destruction brought to an end? Again, more questions than answers which he’d have to bring up to everyone later.
“Jeffrey, I’m glad you did, and Matthew what you’ve told us does make a great deal of sense. When should we investigate the building?”
“Not until I’m strong enough to go with you,” Kathleen declared bringing the men to look to the door and her waving off not only Emma and Serena but Patty as well.
“Agreed, and I’m taking you back to bed so you can rest and regain your strength,” Matthew demanded.
“Thank you, for I’ve used all my strength to come here and hear what you gentlemen have planned.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Two days later
Tossing the covers off carefully, Kathleen stood and tip-toed into her private room. Finished with her morning routine, she returned to the suite to be met by Matthew.
“Good morning. I hope you slept well as I didn’t. Hopefully, tonight we will be sharing the same bed.”
“I am in total agreement with you on that. Will you be going into the village to visit the dressmaker?”
“I’d like to if Emma and your mother give their approval. Now, let me ring for Patty so she may change the bandage and help me dress.”
The sad look which suddenly appeared in Matthew’s eyes told her he’d rather help, but she suspected once his hand touched her skin they’d never get to the village.
“I’ll meet you in the dining room, but I might be a little late as I need to check on Rick.”
“Yes, and to see about having some of the crew keep a watch over us. I’m assuming you’ll be accompanying me?”
Accepting his nod, Kathleen stepped over to the bell pull and tug
ged the cord twice. This would inform Patty her mistress was awake. She waited until Matthew left then went to the armoire to select a comfortable walking dress. As with last eve, she didn’t wish to wear something too confining as the wound still hurt but not as badly as the day before.
She was about to take out a gown when the door opened and Kathleen heard three sets of footsteps enter. Turning, she was greeted by not only her maid but Emma and Serena.
“Your Grace, m’ lady, this is a pleasant surprise. Have you come to check on your patient?”
“Of course. How are you feeling?” Emma said.
“Much better, even to the point of wishing to visit with Mrs. Brass,” she turned to Patty. “I’ll wear the light blue one as it will be more comfortable.”
“Yes, m’ lady.”
From Serena’s worried look, Kathleen wondered if she’d be allowed to go out. When the expression changed to a smile, she knew everything was going as planned.
“We’ll let you get ready then and meet you downstairs,” Emma stated, then with Serena swept from the suite.
A little while later, the wound bandaged, wearing the dress, and with her hair done simply Kathleen slowly made her way to the dining room. As she glided in Matthew stood and escorted her to the table. Taking her seat, she let him put together a plate for her.
Once the meal was set in front of her, she gave him a smile and waited for him to retake his seat.
“M’ lord, as you must have learned, I’ve been given formal permission to visit the dressmaker.”
“I did, and Rick will be setting guards up along the streets in case the earl, countess, or Ringer try anything.”
“We will be staying here and inside until you return, hopefully unscathed,” Serena said.
“And with the news they have been caught,” Emma added.
No sooner had she finished than Simon and Jeffrey marched in. She could feel her eyes widen at the sight of them. Neither had shaved and both were in clothes more fit for workers than a duke and earl.
The Viscount's Bride (The Radcliffe Family Book 2) Page 25
