The two warhorses trotted to the stalls and entered like a couple of lambs.
Harry had a firm grip on his father’s arm to keep him from moving, and they watched the scene in silence.
When they disappeared from sight, Joe asked through his laughter, ‘Who the devil is that?’
‘That, my friend, is the blasted girl we have been searching far and wide for, and here she is not ten miles away.’ His expression was unreadable as he let go of his father’s arm and without another word headed for the stables.
He entered quietly and stood where he could watch without being seen. Both horses were in the same stall and appeared quite happy. She had a brush in her hand, and while running it over Red’s glossy coat, she was talking to both animals, explaining how much she had missed them. The other hands were standing well back, and clearly worried about a girl being in with such large, unpredictable animals. Harry could understand how they felt. They had been struggling to get them to the stable, and along came this girl and they were immediately docile, following her around like puppies. He hadn’t been able to believe his eyes when she’d climbed on Red and rode him bareback. He’d been told she did this, of course, but seeing it for himself still surprised him. If anyone else had tried that they would have been flying through the air very quickly. These two animals were still with him because of their unpredictable temperament. Only he had been able to control Midnight, but Red was quite another thing; you never knew what he was going to do. His father had told him she had a way with animals, but it had to be seen to be believed.
She had started on Midnight now, still chatting away to them, and oblivious to the dust and dirt beginning to cover her white blouse and black skirt. She was certainly better dressed than the last time he had seen her, looking tall, elegant and quite beautiful with her dark hair coming lose from its pins.
Suddenly she stopped and put her hand to her mouth. ‘Oh, I was so pleased to see my handsome boys again I never thought to see who you came with. Is his lordship here? He wouldn’t have sold you, surely. Who do you belong to now?’
Harry stepped forward and slapped Red on the rump to make enough room for him to get in to the stall. ‘They belong to me – always have done and always will.’
She looked up at the tall man and her heart plummeted, but she didn’t break eye contact. ‘I’m pleased to hear they are still where they belong, sir. They are in fine condition, and Midnight has fully recovered from his injuries.’
Red jostled Harry and he grimaced.
‘But I see you haven’t. Be still Red, there’s a good boy.’ She frowned, reaching out as if to touch Harry, then quickly pulled her hand back. ‘You’ve been injured again. What happened?’
‘I don’t think that’s any of your business,’ he replied sharply. There was something about this girl that irritated him. There was an openness he was not used to seeing in a female, and when she fixed her dark gaze on him he became defensive. Why he should react in that way was a mystery.
‘I beg your pardon, sir. I know you don’t like me, and that doesn’t bother me, because everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I only enquired out of concern.’ She was still frowning and reached out again until one hand was a few inches from his side and the other one resting on Red. ‘Ah, that’s why Red is still troubled; you were together when you were injured.’
He was shocked by her accuracy. ‘Resorting to your fortune-telling again?’
She shook her head. ‘No, it’s just a feeling, that’s all, and my feelings are telling me you must still be careful. Someone doesn’t like you, sir.’
‘What, someone other than you?’
‘I don’t dislike you, sir. You are a fine man who has suffered the kind of pain and grief it is hard to rise above. Trouble is still following you.’
‘You would do well to take heed of what she says.’ Lord Frenshaw was standing in the doorway and smiling at Chrissie.
The frown left her face and she pushed the animals aside so she could get past Harry. She then curtsied. ‘I am so pleased to see you, your lordship. Are you well?’
‘I am now I can see you are all right. We’ve been worried about you.’
‘There was no need. I can look after myself, but thank you for your concern. Sir Gretham didn’t tell me it was you he was expecting.’
‘Why would he tell you?’ Harry joined them.
‘I work for him, sir.’
‘Chrissie is my assistant.’ Stuart strode up to them. ‘I’ve given her the afternoon free. Are you going for your walk?’ he asked her.
‘I’d rather stay with the horses. I haven’t seen them for some time.’
‘As you please,’ he replied, smiling warmly at her. Then he turned to his guests. ‘Shall we see if we can find a solution to your problem?’
Harry cast a withering glance at Chrissie and then at Stuart, before making his way to the house.
Once they were settled comfortably in the library, Charles let his anger show. ‘Why the hell didn’t you tell me Chrissie was here the last time I came? You knew we were searching for her, and you could have let me see her.’
‘No, I couldn’t, because she was at my London chambers.’
‘How can a girl of that background be of any help to you?’ Harry wanted to know, a glint of suspicion in his eyes.
‘Don’t belittle her. Perhaps you don’t know that I try to help those who are not as fortunate as us. Many only need to be given a chance, and Chrissie is one of those. She is intelligent and picks things up quickly.’ He held out two documents. ‘Which is the original?’
They gathered round and after inspecting them carefully, shook their heads.
Stuart held up one. ‘This is the original, and the other is a copy made by the girl you think so little of, Harry. Not only that, she has been reading law books so she can understand the difficult words. She is also polite and good with people, and I would keep her in London if I could.’
‘But she won’t stay there,’ Charles said.
‘Unfortunately not. The country is her dream, and I have been unable to change her mind, even with the offer of a job with good prospects.’ He looked pointedly at Harry. ‘However, she has agreed to work for me here. Now, let us get down to business. Have you managed to unearth anything useful?’
Harry let his father and Joe do all the explaining while he studied Stuart. It was years since he’d seen him and he had grown in to an impressive, shrewd and confident man. He could imagine he would be a dominating force in a courtroom. He’d also just told him, in no uncertain terms, that the girl was his and he intended to keep her. Well that was all right with him, but he was suspicious about Stuart’s motives. His father had told him there were rumours that Stuart’s marriage was in trouble, so was he intending to fill the gap with this girl? He was a man used to winning, and no doubt could turn a young girl’s head if he wanted to. He pondered this idea for a moment, and then dismissed it. From what he’d seen and heard about her, she was not a girl he could imagine being persuaded to do something against her will. Still, it would be interesting to keep an eye on the situation.
‘I’m still doubtful we could make him leave.’ Charles was shaking his head. ‘What do you think, Harry?’
‘I agree with you.’ He snapped himself out of his reverie and tried to hide the fact that he hadn’t been listening. ‘It’s hard to gauge how he will react to anything.’
Stuart turned his attention to Joe. ‘You say you have some markers of his, so let’s shake Edward up a little before offering him a way out. There is to be a function in London next week, and I have been told he has been invited. Why don’t we all attend, and we can confront him, hinting that we know he is the one who shot Harry, and Joe can become menacing as he demands payment of the money he is owed.’
‘I think that’s the only way we can approach this,’ Charles said. ‘But how do we get invited to this function?’
‘You can leave that to me.’ Stuart closed the book he had been making no
tes in. ‘The essential thing, though, is to get a confession, otherwise you will never feel completely safe, Harry.’
‘Joe suggested we lie and tell him we have a witness.’
‘What you do between yourselves is your business, but you know I couldn’t be a part of anything underhand or dishonest.’
‘Understood.’ Harry grinned. ‘We just won’t tell you. I’ve got to be free of this threat hanging over me and will do whatever has to be done.’
‘Be careful or I could end up prosecuting you.’ When they all laughed, Stuart stood up and rang a bell. ‘That’s all we can do at the moment. I’ll arrange for you to receive invitations, and you can stay at my London home for a few days.’
The door opened and the butler appeared. ‘Sir?’
‘My guests are leaving. Will you see that their horses are made ready?’
‘Yes, sir.’
They talked for a while longer and then walked outside. It was chaos as the hands tried to get harness and saddles on the warhorses, with Chrissie standing back and roaring with laughter. The more docile animal Charles was riding was ready for the return journey.
‘My God!’ Harry exploded. ‘That girl is not a good influence on my animals. Midnight, Red, stop that at once,’ he ordered.
The command of their master made them stand still and turn their heads to glare at him as he stormed towards them.
‘What the blazes are you doing?’ he asked angrily. ‘Why didn’t you help the men?’
She was not intimidated by his anger. ‘I was going to get them ready myself, but the men wanted to see if they could do it.’
‘That’s right, sir.’ One of the men came forward. ‘We thought that if a young girl could handle these beasts, then it should be easy, but as you saw the animals had other ideas.’
‘Well, you can carry on now because they won’t dare disobey while I’m here.’
‘Now, that’s a sight to see,’ Joe said to Charles as he watched Harry confront Chrissie. He was a force to be reckoned with and he’d seen many a recruit wilt under his anger, but not this girl. She didn’t even flinch when he stormed over to her, but faced him, hands on hips, her expression calm.
‘That’s my girl,’ Charles murmured. ‘Don’t you let him win.’
They were almost toe to toe, and what a striking pair they made, Joe noticed. She was tall, but Harry could still look down on her from his six feet two inches height.
She tipped her head to one side and smiled. ‘Would you like to apologise, sir?’
‘No, I damned well wouldn’t.’ He spun away to check the horses were ready, and mounted smoothly. ‘Let’s go.’
Before they moved out, Chrissie went to each horse in turn and they lowered their heads so she could kiss them, and then she moved back.
Joe winked at her as he swung in to the saddle. Charles was already on his way and cantering to catch his son.
‘My, my,’ Joe thought as he urged Midnight to a gallop. ‘How very interesting.’
Chapter Twenty-Six
The next day, while Harry was having a pre-lunch drink with his father and Joe, the butler entered the room.
‘There are two’ – he hesitated before saying – ‘gentlemen asking to see you, Major.’
‘Who are they?’
‘They wouldn’t give me their names.’
‘And you do not think they are gentlemen?’
‘No, Major. They are dressed well enough, but I would judge them to be rather rough, and not to be trusted. Shall I tell them you are not at home?’
‘We had better see who they are and what they want. Send them in.’
The butler left the room, clearly not happy about these visitors.
Harry walked over to the desk and slipped a small pistol into his pocket, and Joe indicated that he was already armed. ‘Father, would you rather leave?’
‘Certainly not. I want to see what this is about, and I am quite safe with two armed cavalry officers.’
The door opened and the butler announced, ‘Two visitors for you, Major Frenshaw.’
A quick look and it was clear the butler had been correct in his assessment of the two men. ‘I am Major Frenshaw. What can I do for you?’
‘We’ve come to collect a debt, sir. We have some gambling markers that are overdue.’
‘Why do you come to me? I don’t gamble.’
‘Your name is on them as guarantor.’
‘Really? May I see them?’
They were handed over and all three of them examined the markers.
‘Edward!’ Charles said angrily. ‘How dare he.’
‘Where did you get these?’ Harry demanded.
‘They came from Viscount Elland. We buy up markers at a reduced rate and then collect the debts.’
Harry knew there were men like this, and they were reputed to go after the debts using any method needed to collect. He handed them back. ‘Then you have wasted your money.’
‘We never do that.’ Their whole attitude now changed. ‘Payment is due, and you will settle up now!’
‘Those notes were made out and signed by my cousin, Edward Danton. He is the one responsible for the debts, not I. I was not present when they were made out, and I can prove that my signature on them is forged. Therefore I am not responsible. My cousin is addicted to gambling and will say or do anything to keep on playing.’
‘We are sure these are legal markers, and will not leave here until the debt is settled.’
‘You are threatening the wrong man.’
Joe was leaning casually against the desk with a slight smile on his face. ‘I would advise your friend to keep his hand away from his pocket … That is very wise,’ he remarked when the man put his hand to his side.
If the situation hadn’t been so tense, Charles would have laughed. He didn’t doubt the two men were quite prepared to use violence if it was needed to collect a debt, but they obviously hadn’t realised they would be facing two war-hardened cavalry officers. They knew now, and he could see the doubt in their faces.
‘You claim these are legal documents, so would you be prepared to have a barrister, Sir Gretham, examine them? He is renowned as a prosecutor, and once he knows the facts I am sure he will be happy to take the case – against you. I can prove without a shadow of doubt that is not my signature. I never sign in that way.’
Charles moved over to the desk and picked up several papers, then held them out for the men to see. ‘That is my son’s signature, a simple H. Frenshaw. He never uses his rank.’
The men examined them closely, and when Harry thought they’d had enough time, he said, ‘I suggest you leave now – unless you would like to take a ride to see the barrister?’
‘That won’t be necessary. We will sort this out with Mr Danton. Do you know where he is?’
‘I have no idea. Good day, gentlemen.’ Harry dismissed them firmly.
They watched them ride away, and as soon as they were through the gates, Charles exploded. ‘How dare that boy do such a thing? Even if he wasn’t the one who shot you, though there’s little doubt about that now, he has to leave. He is a menace not only to us, but to himself as well, and if we don’t get him out of the country then someone is going to kill him. What the devil has happened to him?’
‘He’s got himself into a real mess with no chance of getting out of it, as far as I can see.’ Harry stared out of the window, shocked at how deeply his cousin was in debt. ‘His compulsion to gamble must be so overwhelming it has pushed aside all common sense. I’m wondering if the damned fool will even dare to come to that function.’
‘I think he will,’ Joe told them. ‘He will feel safe there and the gaming tables will draw him to attend.’
‘Let’s hope we can get to him before those men do,’ Charles sighed heavily. ‘One moment we are trying to prosecute him for shooting you, and now we will have to try and save the idiot’s life. It is a blessing my sister isn’t alive to see what her son has become.’
Harry poured hi
s father a large brandy, seeing how distressed he was. ‘Try not to worry. We’ll get him on a boat quickly, you’ll see.’
Charles took the drink and smiled sadly. ‘The sooner the better.’
‘I’ll leave for London in the morning and see if I can find Danton before those thugs get to him, and I’ll see you there.’
‘We’ll all come with you, Joe,’ Harry told his friend. ‘I’ll send a message to Stuart to let him know we are on our way, and if those invitations don’t materialise then we will invite ourselves.’
‘Good idea.’ Charles looked more relaxed now they were planning to move quickly. ‘There are a couple of places the fool could be hiding.’
During the early hours of the morning, Harry was jolted awake and was out of bed and rushing to the window. What the devil was going on? Rain was thundering down, the wind howling, and he could just make out figures running around outside shouting to each other. The animals!
With his army training he was used to moving fast, and he was dressed and running down the stairs in double-quick time. Joe was with him as they exploded out of the house.
Part of the roof had come off the barn and crashed in to the stables, tearing a hole in the end of the stalls. The men were struggling to control terrified horses, all except Midnight and Red, who although wary were standing their ground as they had been trained to do.
‘The mares?’ Harry shouted.
‘Can’t get them out,’ someone replied.
Harry and Joe began to tear away large pieces of roof, desperate to get at the two mares, knowing they were in foal. Others joined them and they eventually got inside.
‘Thank heavens they are all right.’ Harry began to calm them down.
‘Better get them out, Major.’ Joe reverted to the use of military rank. ‘The whole place could come down any minute.’
‘Give me a hand, Captain, we need to clear the wreckage away to make enough room to get them through.’
The men worked quickly and efficiently, managing to coax the animals out just in time. As they reached the yard, that part of the stables collapsed.
When Midnight Comes Page 19
