The Mysterious Lord Marlowe

by Anne Herries

  ‘Lady Fanshawe knew her abductor, but Avonlea will not wish to drag her name through the courts. He intended to deal with this himself.’ Andrew’s mouth drew into a thin line. ‘At the start I would have seen him tried for his crime—but if he tries to escape I shall shoot to kill.’

  ‘It is always best to take the lawful course if possible,’ George said. ‘If I am forced to fire, I shall, but I would seek to maim rather than kill.’

  ‘You have sympathy for the rogue?’

  ‘None—but I prefer the law to take its course.’

  ‘What if Blake reveals your part in the affair? It will bring scandal to your name, for it is bound to get out.’

  ‘That is the chance I must take.’

  ‘Very well. You must abide by your conscience, sir. I shall follow mine.’

  ‘We are agreed.’

  They shook hands, then looked towards the back of the house as a door opened and a man came out. Blake stood for a moment as if in thought and then began to walk towards where they had taken cover behind the stable.

  ‘Damn! Where is he going?’

  ‘Probably to find an inn and get drunk.’

  ‘It is now or never,’ George said. ‘I’m going to confront him. Stay behind me unless you are needed.’

  He walked out from behind the corner of the stable block, his pistol cocked and held firmly in his right hand. Blake saw him instantly, hesitated, his expression murderous.

  ‘What the hell are you doing here?’

  ‘I have come to bring you to justice, Blake. You tricked me into helping you abduct two innocent women. For that you deserve punishment. In my opinion, you should hang, but the judge will decide your fate.’

  ‘And if I do not care to accompany you?’

  ‘You have little choice, sir.’

  Andrew came out from behind the stable block, also pointing a pistol in Blake’s direction.

  ‘Damn! How many more of you are there?’ Blake’s eyes were everywhere, his face pale. ‘Who the hell are you, anyway?’

  ‘You took my sister when you abducted Lady Fanshawe,’ Andrew said. ‘You made enemies that day, sir—powerful enemies—and now it is time to pay the price.’

  ‘To hell with you!’ Blake grunted, his hand going to his pocket. He fired through the cloth of his coat, narrowly missing Lord George, who stumbled against Andrew, causing him to misfire his pistol. Seizing his chance, Blake turned and plunged into the shrubbery.

  Andrew swore and grabbed George’s pistol, firing after the fugitive. He heard a cry and knew that he had found his target, but Blake clutched at his shoulder and kept running.

  ‘Damn it,’ Andrew muttered and began to reload his own pistol as fast as he could. ‘I merely winged him.’ He pointed his gun in the direction Blake had disappeared and then lowered his arm. ‘Which way did he go? We must search for him.’

  ‘We might have done better to wait until he was drunk,’ George said and looked rueful. ‘I am sorry for spoiling your shot, Lanchester.’

  ‘Was it an accident?’

  ‘His shot was too close. My reaction was to jerk aside and I stumbled into you.’

  ‘It is a pity my aim was not true with the second shot.’ Andrew’s expression was grim. ‘Have you any idea where he would go?’

  ‘None…’ Hearing the sound of hoofbeats, George pointed and they both swung round as Blake raced away on horseback. ‘He must have found our horses. He’s taken your horse, Lanchester.’

  Andrew cursed and fired, but Blake was moving too fast and the shot went wide.

  ‘Curse the rogue. Now what do we do?’

  ‘I’ll go after him. You will find horses in the stable. Take your pick and follow me. We must try to catch up to him. He will be like a wounded beast now—and more dangerous than ever.’

  ‘Yes, do not wait for me. Go after him—and if you get the chance, shoot to kill.’

  * * *

  It was noon the following day when the two men met up again. They looked at each other. Andrew shook his head and George frowned.

  ‘We missed our chance,’ he said. ‘Blake will not go back to his house again. He will find somewhere to hide up and lick his wounds.’

  ‘What else will he do, that is the question that troubles me,’ Andrew said grimly. ‘I do not think he will allow this to go unrevenged, Marlowe. He is not the kind of man to lick his wounds for long. He will try for some kind of retaliation. He knows we are out to get him and he will make his plans accordingly.’

  ‘We must both watch our backs,’ George said. ‘I am for London—what of you?’

  ‘I shall accompany you. I must be there in a week’s time anyway. There is some business that will not wait. I must make arrangements before then, because with that cobra at large I fear for my sister.’

  ‘Jane?’ George’s eyes narrowed. ‘You think he might try to strike at you through your sister?’

  Andrew’s gaze met his. ‘In his shoes, what would you do?’

  ‘We must return to London with all speed,’ George said. ‘Jane could be in terrible danger.’

  Chapter Eight

  Jane sat before the dressing mirror, watching as her godmother’s maid twisted her hair up on the top of her head, arranging its glossy lengths in curls and allowing a small bunch of ringlets to cascade onto her nape.

  ‘I think it suits you very well this way, Miss Lanchester. It is less severe than your old style, if you do not mind my saying so.’

  ‘Thank you, Milton. It looks very well. I am ready now. Please do not feel you need wait up for me this evening.’

  ‘It is my pleasure to attend you, miss. I should be failing in my duty if I did not.’

  Jane stood. ‘Very well, thank you. I shall go to my godmother now.’

  She was thoughtful as she went downstairs. They were to dine with friends of Lady Mary’s this evening, and then go on to a card party later. Would her brother and Lord George have returned by the time the evening was over? She was impatient to hear from them, but subdued her anxiety as she saw her godmother talking to her housekeeper in the hall.

  ‘Ah, there you are, dearest,’ Lady Mary said. ‘We must be prompt this evening, for Mrs Buxton does not like to keep her cook waiting. It is so difficult to find servants who suit one, and she does have a rather splendid cook, as you will discover when we dine.’

  ‘You also have an excellent chef, Godmother.’

  ‘Yes, my dear, but…’ Lady Mary lowered her voice as they went out. ‘My chef does not compare with Madame Felice. Her soufflés are truly to die for, my love.’

  ‘Then we must certainly not keep our hostess waiting,’ Jane said with a smile. ‘I remember we once had the most dreadful cook. Poor Papa was forever complaining about his beef and Mama did not know what to do…’

  * * *

  The drive to Mrs Buxton’s house was much taken up by talk of the difficulty in finding good servants.

  Their carriage drew up outside their hostess’s house. A linkboy was holding a torch aloft to light the path for the guests, who were arriving one after the other.

  Jane gave her hand to the groom and stepped down. Glancing at his face, she thought that she had not seen him before. Her godmother’s head groom must have employed a new man.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said and turned to look at her godmother.

  The door was opened as they approached, and the butler bowed and welcomed them to the house, standing back to admit them. About to step inside, Jane glanced back and discovered that the new groom was watching her. For some reason she felt cold at the nape of her neck, but dismissed the odd little shiver as she went into the lights and warmth.

  ‘My dear Lady Mary—and Miss Lanchester.’ Mrs Buxton came bustling towards them, her silk skirts rustling as she exuded the scent of lavender water. ‘I am so delighted that you could both come this evening.’

  ‘We were happy to accept,’ Lady Mary said and kissed the proffered cheek. ‘I have been telling Jane about your cook.’

/>   ‘Madame Felice is beyond compare, a treasure.’ The lady beamed. ‘Wait until you see what she has prepared for us this evening. I think she has excelled herself.’

  Jane smiled as the two ladies walked ahead of her, engrossed in their talk. Mrs Buxton was one of her godmother’s very best friends and the two always had much to talk about.

  The drawing room was filled with ladies and gentlemen of a similar age to Lady Mary. Jane liked her godmother’s friends, but sometimes these evenings could be a little tedious. She could not help her thoughts straying now and then to Lord George. Where was he and what was he doing? Was he with her brother? Did he think of her at all?

  * * *

  ‘So, Miss Lanchester. How are you enjoying your visit to town this time?’

  Jane turned her attention to the gentleman at her side. He was a man of middle years, stout and serious, but kind and with a reputation for generosity. She knew him to take a great interest in the unfortunate people of London.

  ‘I am enjoying it very well, sir,’ she replied. ‘I believe you have recently founded a hospital for the poor of London, Sir James?’

  ‘Yes, indeed that is true. I am looking for people of good character to sit on the board, Miss Lanchester. Would you be interested in becoming one of my governors?’

  ‘That sounds very interesting, sir. It is something I should like very much were I in town permanently. However, I think Lady Mary goes to Bath soon and then I shall return home to the country.’

  ‘A pity. I should have liked a lady of your good sense to join us—but perhaps one day, when you marry?’

  ‘If I have occasion to spend more time in London, I should be happy to join you, sir.’

  The butler had announced dinner. Sir James offered his arm, escorting her into the dining room. He was seated on her left hand and spent the next hour or more telling her about his various good works. On her right was a gentleman of advanced years, whose only comments concerned the excellence of the meal they were served.

  * * *

  It was some two and a half hours later when Jane and Lady Mary took their leave of Mrs Buxton. Jane thanked her hostess for a very pleasant evening and walked a little ahead of Lady Mary, who lingered to talk with her friend for a moment longer in the hall.

  Jane approached the carriage, which was drawn up and waiting for them at the side of the road. The groom opened the door for her, giving her his hand to help her inside. Jane took it and climbed into the closed carriage, settling back against the squabs. To her astonishment the groom followed her inside and pulled the door shut. Even as she protested, the vehicle started off and her cry of alarm was cut short as the man drew a pistol and pointed it at her.

  ‘It is useless to call for help, Miss Lanchester,’ he said. ‘You are being abducted and my orders are to shoot you if you try to escape.’

  Jane caught the rope that hung from a metal ring above the door and hung on. The horses were in such a frenzy of speed that she was in danger of being flung across the carriage.

  ‘Is your driver trying to kill us both?’

  ‘He will drive more slowly once we are safe away. Be sensible, miss, for I do not want to harm you.’

  ‘I am hardly likely to throw myself out,’ Jane replied, for to do so would be certain injury or even death. ‘Pray put the pistol away, sir. It may otherwise go off and injure one of us.’

  The groom eyed her uncertainly. ‘I was told to be wary of you. He said you were too clever for your own good.’

  ‘I suppose by he you mean Captain Blake?’

  The groom looked at her with suspicious eyes. ‘I’ve been paid to do a job, miss. I know he is a cold cove—and dangerous to cross.’

  ‘Yes, I imagine he is,’ Jane said. ‘Why has he ordered you to abduct me? I am not an heiress. He will gain little from this, I assure you.’

  ‘I don’t know what he wants from you, miss. I do what I’m told and that’s the end of it.’

  Jane sat back against the squabs, studying the face of the man opposite. He had not lowered his guard or put away his pistol. Clearly, he was afraid that she might try to jump from the speeding carriage, which had slowed sufficiently for her to let go of the rope, but was still too swift for her to risk throwing herself out.

  ‘What did you intend to do had my godmother accompanied me to the carriage?’

  ‘I was told to bring her, too, if there was no choice.’

  ‘What happened to the coachman?’

  ‘We jumped him as he got down to ease his thirst while you were in the house. He had a little knock on the head, but he’ll be right as rain when he wakes.’

  ‘How many of you are there?’

  ‘Two more,’ the groom replied. ‘Had you been difficult I should have called for help. It’s as well the old lady stopped to gossip. She might have been hurt. I do not hold with hurting ladies, miss.’

  ‘And yet you were prepared to kidnap me?’

  ‘No choice, miss. He says you’ll come to no harm if you behave yourself.’

  ‘That has set my mind greatly at ease,’ Jane said a trifle ironically. She lapsed into silence, her mind working swiftly.

  Blake had had her abducted—why? Did he hope to gain a financial reward? She was not a rich heiress like Mariah, but she supposed Andrew could raise a few thousand guineas for her ransom. Yet why had it happened now?

  Jane believed there might be more than a mere ransom behind her abduction. However, there was little she could do for the moment. With a pistol aimed relentlessly at her chest, she could only wait for the opportunity to present itself. Besides, she would like to know why she had been abducted.

  * * *

  ‘Thank goodness you are both here,’ Lady Mary cried as she entered the house some time later that evening and saw Andrew standing with Lord George in the hall. ‘I did not know what to do. I was never more shocked in my life. It happened right before my eyes, outside Mrs Buxton’s house.’

  She gave a little moan of distress and swayed. Lord George moved to support her. ‘What is wrong, dear lady—and where is Jane?’

  ‘She was abducted—right under my nose, if you please. We were leaving Mrs Buxton’s house, where we had dined. I stopped to speak with our hostess at the door. Jane had said her farewells and entered the coach. Before I knew what was happening, the rascal jumped in with her and the coach set off at such a pace. I was stunned. For a moment I did not know what to think and then I realised that they had stolen the coach and made off with my goddaughter.’

  ‘Blake. Damn his soul to hell,’ George said, his mouth set in a grim line. ‘He must have come straight to London and taken her.’

  ‘He would hardly have had time,’ Andrew replied, a glint in his eyes. ‘If you ask me, he has been planning this for a while. Whoever did this must have known where you would be this evening, Lady Mary, and had access to your stables.’

  ‘I think there was a new groom,’ Lady Mary said. ‘Coachman told me he had taken on a new man to replace someone who had left without warning.’ Her eyes widened in distress. ‘Do you think…?’

  ‘I think it very likely that your groom was either paid to abscond or disposed of in some way. It was the only way to infiltrate your service and get close to Jane. They must also have influenced your coachman in some way—or incapacitated him—in order to make off with your coach and Jane.’

  ‘I do hope they have not harmed Billings. He has been with me for thirty years.’ Lady Mary made a choking sound. ‘Who has done this dreadful thing to Jane? Please tell me the whole truth. Jane told me about the abduction, but I thought that was all over.’

  ‘I told you that I wanted to remove Jane from the country for a while and that she had had a little fright.’ Andrew frowned. ‘I should have told you everything when she was abducted.

  The rogue has not been caught and may be looking for revenge on both her and Lord George. It may be he that has her snatched.’

  ‘No! Why did you not tell me all of it? Had I known, I should have
been more careful of her. Had my coachman been aware of danger, this could not have happened.’

  ‘Jane was not the intended victim the first time. The rogues who took her did so because she tried to stop them abducting someone else.’

  ‘I must sit down,’ Lady Mary said. ‘We should all have some brandy. You will tell me the whole—and what you plan to do to rescue Jane.’

  ‘This is our fault,’ George said, his face white with strain. ‘You will excuse me, Lady Mary. I had agents watching Jane. I must speak to them, discover what they know of this affair.’

  He strode from the house, his expression grim. Lady Mary watched him go, then turned to Andrew.

  ‘You have some serious explaining to do, sir. I wish to know who abducted my goddaughter and why she is still in danger.’

  * * *

  They had been travelling for no more than half an hour at most when the coach began to slow down. Jane decided that must mean that they were either still in London or on the outskirts.

  ‘Where are we?’ she asked, looking at her captor apprehensively. ‘What is happening?’

  ‘Please do not ask me any more questions, miss,’ the man replied. ‘He gave me orders to bring you here and that’s all I know. He said nothing bad would happen if you behaved yourself.’

  ‘You believed him?’ Jane raised her head. ‘I hope he paid you well, sir, for abduction is a hanging offence—and since he did not take part, you would hang while he escaped punishment.’

  ‘We had no choice, miss. When Blake tells you to do something, you do it—if you want to live.’

  ‘Indeed? Why do you work for such a master?’

  ‘He ain’t my master. I take his money, but no man is my master.’

  ‘Your employer, then. Surely you must know that he is an evil man and capable of any infamy?’

  ‘I may know it now, but I didn’t when I started to work for him. He were in a rare temper when I last saw him. I believe he will be waiting for us—and if I were you I should be careful of what you say to him, miss.’

  ‘I am quite interested in meeting Captain Blake,’ Jane said. The door of the coach had been opened and another groom stood waiting to help her down. He was also armed, his face half covered with a mask. ‘I am hardly likely to try to escape with two of you pointing pistols at me. Pray put them away. I have no intention of trying to escape—at least until I have spoken to your employer.’