Chapter Seven
“Do you know where his cottage might be,” Robert asked of his sister.
From the worried expression on her face he suspected she didn’t and now wasn’t sure if he wanted to ask anyone in town. He feared Lord Williams might not be using his rank and title if this was a place he used as a retreat.
“I’m sorry, but all I know is the house is next to the river, which I know isn’t much of a help.”
Robert glanced over to his wife when she touched him on the arm and was met with one of her sweet smiles. This alone he’d learned was her way of letting him know she had a suggestion on how to find Williams. “Yes, my dear?”
“When someone arrives in a town this size and wish to stay hidden they wouldn’t have staff with them. However, this individual would either have to come by carriage, either private or public. The other choice would be on horseback.” Kristina peered over to Donna. “When you knew Lord Williams, did he ride?”
“As a matter of fact, he did and was quite excellent. He used to love taking jumps that others wouldn’t or couldn’t dare to try.”
“Then I suggest we speak with the village smithy, for if anyone might know he would.” She grinned.
Robert wrapped an arm about Kristina’s waist drawing her into his side and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek. He would have preferred to kiss her senseless on the lips, but since they were standing on the main street with people strolling by, he decided to wait until they were alone.
“Well then, shall we find him and see if he can inform us of Lord Williams’ direction?” Robert linked his arms with that of Kristina and his sister.
As they’d entered the village from the northern road and not seeing the shop Robert guided the ladies toward the far end of the town. Walking along, he studied not only the pastoral sight of the gently moving river but the people who were fishing. He happened to sneak a peek at his wife’s face and saw the same expression he suspected he was wearing, relaxed.
It had taken them a day and half to reach here from the estate but he didn’t think it would be more than a day from London. He started to wonder if she’d love to have one of these tiny cottages where they could come and be alone, just the two of them with no staff. His only flaw to the plan, could she cook? He knew from his years in the cavalry he was able to prepare a fairly decent meal. Then, how would she feel not having Amanda to assist her? Once this murder was resolved, he’d approach her about purchasing a cottage somewhere about.
Looking back out onto the river, he saw several couples in skiffs, the men dipping fishing lines into the water while the ladies were either knitting or reading. What intrigued him was the one man alone in his small boat. As he studied this person in greater detail, Robert realized he looked familiar.
“Excuse me ladies but we don’t need, as wonderful as your recommendation was Kristina, to find the blacksmith. If you’ll turn your attention to the lone man on the river I believe you’ll see Williams fishing.”
He waited while they were looking out where he’d suggested and not expecting his sister’s reaction when she turned back to him.
“Yes, that’s Lord Williams. I recognize him by his bright red hair though he seems to have expanded his waist quite a bit since I last laid eyes on him,” Donna confirmed her brother’s finding.
“As we don’t have to search him out and it appears he’ll be out there for a bit, might I suggest we find a nearby tea shop? Someplace where we can keep an eye on him while refreshing ourselves,” Kristina proposed.
“I agree and there’s one right across from the landing,” he said, guiding them over.
Robert made sure he positioned Donna with her back to the river so when Williams came ashore he wouldn’t see her. He seated Kristina so she could look out over the river and took a chair beside her as a matronly woman strolled up.
“Good afternoon, ladies, sir. You’ve chosen the best table with which to watch the goings on on the river. I must say there are quite a few out fishing. Now, what can I get for you good folks?”
He saw Donna was about to correct the woman for the casual greeting she’d given but was able to halt her with a biting glare. Right now, the last thing he wanted was to draw attention to themselves. Thus, he had dressed in canvas trousers with a heavy cotton checkered shirt under a wool vest. For the ladies, he’d advised simple dresses to which they turned to their maids for assistance.
With a glance to Kristina, he nodded. She should handle the ordering.
“Perchance do you serve coffee as well?”
“Certainly, as we have many gentlemen who would rather partake of it when they stop in.”
“Then a pot of tea for us and coffee for my husband. And what pastries would you have?”
“Why don’t I have the pastry cart brought out as we have quite a large selection? I can assure you they are all fresh baked today. What isn’t sold I give over to the orphanage on the outskirts of town.”
“I think that would be a wonderful idea,” Kristina uttered.
Robert hadn’t been paying much attention to the conversation between Kristina and the woman until he heard the word orphanage. This was something he hadn’t expected. Cocking his head so he would be able to look at the woman, he grinned.
“That’s a very noble thing to do. Is it the same with other shops?”
“Yes, sir. We even give a few of the children a job so they can learn a trade. I have several little girls who help. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll collect your tea and coffee.” She smiled then turned and entered through the open door.
Minutes later, Robert noticed a small girl, who couldn’t be more than six years old, with huge blue eyes and raven black hair pushing a cart onto the terrace. What he found so amazing, she had to look around the side of it to see where she was going. He was happy when he spied a happy smile brightening her face. The only thing that concerned him was her dress, albeit clean, it dragged on the ground. Glancing to Kristina, he noticed she saw the same.
“Hello, little one. Do you have a name?” he asked as she stopped the cart at their table.
“That’s a silly question, everyone has a name. I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.”
He tried not to laugh and hoped this little child didn’t see his shoulders shaking, then looked her in the eye and smiled.
“Well that’s true. My name is Rob. This is Kristina and Donna,” he said. He wasn’t surprised when neither didn’t contradict him, but smiled and nodded.
“Hi. I’m Risha,” the little girl proudly announced.
“Wonderful, now let’s see what delicious morsels you brought us,” Kristina interjected. Only to add, “Is there one that is your favorite?”
“The chocolate cookies,” she sheepishly answered, dipping her head.
Just then the shop owner stepped out carrying a large tray.
“Ma’ am I wish to purchase all the chocolate cookies, but not for me but so no one can. This way Risha can enjoy a few of them later,” Robert told the woman.
“Then consider it done,” she set the tray on their table and scooping up the plate.
Robert could easily tell the little girl wanted to jump for joy but didn’t. He suspected that would come later. “Instead, I’ll have an apple tart.” He glanced to Kristina and Donna.
After they selected fruit pastries he dug several coins from his pants pocket and handed them over. “There, that should take care of the bill including the cookies.”
“And then some, sir.” The woman beamed.
Robert watched as Risha had pushed the cart away. “Mayhap she could enjoy one of her treats now?” he said with a raised brow.
“Most certainly. Now I’ll leave you to enjoy your afternoon refreshment.” The woman turned and went back inside her shop.
With the little girl still happy, they turned their attention to their drink of choice along with the tarts. During the exchange of pleasant words, Robert had also kept an eye on Lord Williams. Seeing he was still dippin
g his line in the endless search for fish, he turned his attention to the apple pastry. He was delighted to find the crust was light but also flaky while the filling had a sweet tartness to it. It was so delicious he knew he’d have to hunt down the baker if the shop owner hadn’t made them.
Enjoying his coffee, he felt a pensive stare upon him and glanced across the table at his wife.
“Husband, what’s on your mind? Granted we’ve not been married long for me to learn all your nuances, but when I see that expression I know you’re thinking about something of great import.”
“You are correct, my dear. However, let’s save the discussion for a later time once we prove sister didn’t kill her husband,” he requested of her.
“As you wish,” she answered.
“Wonderful, then can we finish our tea as I see the reflection of Lord Williams in the shop window and he’s returning to shore,” Donna interjected, bringing everyone back to the task at hand.
“Most definitely,” Robert said. He then took the last bite of his tart.
“And might I suggest we don’t approach him in the open but carefully follow him to where he’s living?” Kristina suggested.
Glancing back he saw the owner exiting onto the terrace, smiled then, out of character, bowed to her.
“Dear lady, we’ve enjoyed the service and when we return to London where my father has a printer shop we’ll make sure to let our friends know of your hospitality.”
“Thank you. I was wondering what had brought you here?”
“My sister,” he paused and looked to Donna. “Has been given a governess position in Bath and we’re making sure she arrives safely,” Robert said.
“That’s very noble of you, sir. Well, have a pleasant trip.”
With a smile and nod, he collected on his arms Kristina and Donna then set out casually strolling down the side path keeping Williams in sight. As they walked along, Robert noticed Williams didn’t seem concerned about anything. Not once did he look around or into a shop window. All this told him Williams suspected he was safe from anyone, in particular the French who could have wanted him dead.
“Robert, he seems to not have a worry going for him which has me a little concerned. For someone who might possibly be hiding out this isn’t what I’d consider safe actions,” Kristina said in a low voice.
“Don’t forget except for myself, to the best of my knowledge, no others are aware he’s a cottage here. For all they know he could be hiding out in one of his several estates with staff to protect him,” Donna corrected Kristina.
“Ladies, I agree with you both, which means we have to be extremely careful in approaching him.” Robert watched as Williams opened a garden gate, walked up to a thatch roofed cottage then stepped in.
Now they knew where he lived. The only question on Robert’s mind was how to make him aware they were here to not only clear his name, but protect him.
“Robert, what if Donna knocked on the door as he knows her and should remember her even after all these years. We’ll stay close if need be, but not so he sees us until we step out,” Kristina proposed.
“That might be the best.” Halting, he turned to his sister. “Tell him before he gets a chance to speak you have proof he’s innocent.”
“Yes, then I can push my way into the house with you both following. Before you say anything against the plan brother, I know it’s dangerous but to clear both our names we need to take the advantage,” she added.
“I wasn’t going to. Actually, I wish to agree with it. So, now I suspect he’s started to clean the fish, thus relaxed, I’d say we put this part of the plan in motion.”
Looking up and down the street to see if anyone was watching, Robert was happy to see no one paying them attention. He opened the gate to the path leading to the house. With Donna leading and, he with Kristina following a little behind, they approached the door.
Robert watched as after two knocks the door opened to see Lord Roland Williams standing in front of Donna, knife in hand and raised as if to strike.
Chapter Eight
“M’ lord, slowly lower your hand holding the knife,” Kristina demanded as she shouldered her way past Robert and pushing Donna from harm’s way.
She was stunned at the startled look in the man’s eyes at not only her words but action when she’d stepped between them. Throwing off the hand, she knew to be from her husband, Kristina took another step forward forcing Lord Williams into his cottage.
Inhaling a deep breath, she layered her gaze on the poor man standing before her. From what she could tell there was no possible way he could kill someone, much less direct another to do the deed. All she saw was a fearful person standing in front of her barely even able to breathe.
“I asked you once to lower your hand, now do it before I make you. We come here to only enquire about a few things, not bring harm to you,” Kristina strongly stipulated. At the sternness of not only her words, but tone, she watched as Lord Williams did as she instructed then took a seat.
“My apologies, m’ lady.”
Kristina was about to ask how he knew she was a lady and not referred to as Miss when Robert stepped up beside her.
“Actually m’ lord, it’s Kristina Markson and I’m Robert. We’re friends of Lady Kersey,” He looked over to his sister. “She asked us to help prove her innocence in the murder of Lord Kersey.
“Yes, I know the authorities believe me guilty as they claim to have someone who saw me stab my husband. I’ve, through Bryce, have known them for several years and trust my friends explicitly,” Donna said.
“How then may I help? As you can tell I’m hiding out here as I heard someone was out to silence me after I learned what had been going on at my seaside estate,” Williams proclaimed.
Not wanting to give away they suspected this was where the spies were coming in and out of England, Kristina schooled her features. Now she needed to get the man even more relaxed so she glanced to the battered oak table in the kitchen, with a partially filleted fish splayed out on it.
“Please forgive us for taking you away from preparing dinner. We’ve only a few questions.”
“I’ve several trout. Would you both and Lady Kersey care to join me?” Williams looked to them then the table.
“That would be wonderful. If you don’t mind while we talk I can finish up the fish.” Kristina took the knife and strolled over to the table. She noticed Lord Williams was about to say something but was halted by Robert.
“Trust me, m’ lord. The last thing you want to do is argue with her as I assure you you’ll lose,” he said with a grin.
“Not a problem. I always have trouble getting all the bones out. Now, how can I help you?”
“You said someone was after you because of the estate? How were you able to find out something was amiss?” Kristina enquired as she easily separated the flesh from the bones.
“Several weeks ago, when I received the accounting from the manager, I noticed something was greatly inappropriate with the figures. It’s a small holding and only brings in a little income but this report showed a large increase. I then looked at the letter accompanying it and it was addressed to my man of business.”
“So when you questioned them both they denied any knowledge of the rise?” Robert asked.
“Yes, saying it was a mistake in the bookkeeping, but I didn’t believe them since this has never happened before. Now, might I enquire how did you get on to me?”
“Robert, let me answer that,” Donna said. “From some of my late husband’s papers. An individual, who we don’t know or have a name, reported to him about spies being brought in and out via your land.”
“And the French paid the manager for the use of the portage. It was believed you had a hand in it until now. And your man of business has to be involved somehow as he’s been able to hide the added income.” Kristina explained. She then set the knife down having fileted the last of the trout.
She then studied the expressions from Donna and her
husband and found it interesting they both understood where she was going with her statement. Even though she’d never, being a lady, been involved with her father’s estate management she had learned household management. This had been especially true for the past several years.
What she knew, every pence in and out was accounted for by first her mother then her under the guidance of the housekeeper. Everything had to balance and if someone returned with less money than the receipts showed that person would be questioned.
“M’ lord, so to clarify you’ve not been to this estate in what, years? And why is that? If I had a house near the ocean and another in a town I’d want to spend as much time as possible there.” Kristina suspected this was the same question Robert had on his mind as well.
“This particular estate had always been my parents preferred place. After they died in a boating accident, I would have sold it off, except it was entitled so I couldn’t,” Roland told them.
“But why here then? I knew you’d had this cottage, or at least someplace around here, for years,” Donna queried him.
“Here I can be myself and don’t think of the baron and baroness. As you might have learned, I come in on the post carriage dressed in simple clothing. Everyone in town only knows me as Roland Williams. And yes, I use it for a hideaway from rumors because no one, here, asks or cares. For all they know, I’m a ship captain thus the infrequent visits.”
Somehow to Kristina’s mind none of this made sense and from the wondering expression on Robert’s face he was in agreement. She wasn’t able to note Donna’s response as she’d stepped into the cold room to collect potatoes to go along with the fish. Given a choice between boiling or frying them she chose the first as they tasted better.
If nothing else, she suspected Donna had overheard his words and they’d discuss everything later but for now would take him at his word. She was saved from continuing the conversation further from Donna stepping out with not only potatoes, but something she couldn’t see.
To Catch a Killer: Markson Regency Mystery Series Collection Page 14
