‘If he talks.’
Stuart smiled at Harry. ‘You and Joe in full uniform would be enough to frighten anyone, and once Charles joins in he will want to run. I wouldn’t like to have the three of you after me. Let’s hope our information is correct and he is there, otherwise we will have to go looking for him.’
Stuart was right. When they walked in, the room buzzed with excitement, and mothers began assessing them as suitable husbands for their daughters.
‘Mingle,’ Stuart told them, not even trying to hide his amusement. ‘You are the two most eligible males in this room, and will be pursued by hungry mothers. While you’re enjoying all the attention, don’t forget why we are here.’
‘We are battle-trained officers and can handle any situation.’ Harry slapped Joe on the back. ‘Let’s infiltrate the enemy, Captain.’ Smiling politely, the two men strode forward.
Charles was laughing so much he had to turn his back to the room for a moment, and then said to Stuart, ‘You did that on purpose.’
‘Of course. This is a serious business, but I thought we might as well have some fun as well. Look at them, both over six feet tall and as impressive as hell. Come on, Charles, let’s see what the champagne is like.’
They had been there an hour and there wasn’t a sign of Edward. Harry had lost track of Stuart and his father, but Joe was close by, doing the same as him by fending off eager mothers. They had been introduced to so many people he had given up trying to remember their names. Although he came from a titled and wealthy family, they were not frequent visitors to the social scene.
The hostess approached with three more people in tow. ‘Major Frenshaw, may I introduce Mr and Mrs Hamlin and their son, Walter. They have expressed a desire to meet you.’
The name immediately caught his attention. Where had he heard it before? Then it came to him in a flash. It had been mentioned when his father had been telling him what had happened to Chrissie. Were these the same people? He began to make polite conversation while studying the son carefully. It soon became apparent that the boy was brash and opinionated as he started to hold forth about the Crimean War. He looked in Joe’s direction and made a silent signal with his eyes, and his friend came straight over.
‘Captain, allow me to introduce you to Mr and Mrs Hamlin and their son, who has views about the Crimean War.’
‘Really?’
They both turned their attention to the boy as if interested in what he had to say on the subject, and saw the fool preen visibly. They knew what he was thinking – he was going to cut these two, who were causing such a stir in the room, down to size.
After talking for a few minutes he looked mockingly at the two Light Brigade officers and said, ‘Those that took part in that disastrous charge must have been fools. I’ll bet you’re glad you weren’t there.’
‘Those men were following orders.’ Harry spoke calmly as he moved a touch nearer to the boy. ‘And we were two of those – fools – as you so rudely put it. You have just insulted all those brave men who died in that battle.’
The Hamlins were suddenly alarmed at the blunder their son had made and stammered out an apology. ‘Sirs, our son means no offence.’
‘Of course he did,’ Joe replied. ‘He is giving an opinion on something he knows nothing about.’
Walter had tried to move away, but the officers blocked his escape route, and at that moment Charles arrived and gave his son a questioning look. ‘Is everything all right? Your conversation is causing a lot of interest in the room.’
‘Everything is fine, Father. Let me introduce you to Mr and Mrs Hamlin and their son, Walter. He has just been telling us what fools we are.’
‘That is unwise of him.’ Charles studied the boy. ‘Hamlin, you say?’
‘Apologise,’ Mr Hamlin told his son, thoroughly embarrassed at the attention now focussed upon them.
The boy stood there sullenly, and Charles turned to his son and Joe. ‘Do you think this is the boy?’
‘Certain of it,’ he told his father. ‘I can just imagine Chrissie giving him a thrashing, and I must say he deserves one at this moment. It’s a shame we are at this gathering because we would love to explain what it is like to see your friends scattered over the battlefield dead or dying. Wouldn’t we, Captain?’
Joe looked at his clenched his fist. ‘I would consider it absolutely necessary.’
‘There’s no need for that! My son spoke without thinking.’
Charles gave a grim smile. ‘I understand he wasn’t thinking when he went to the servants’ quarters at night and tried to molest a child.’
The Hamlins, who had been in the process of trying to escape from these dangerous men, stopped dead in their tracks, and turned back to face them.
‘Where did you hear those lies?’ The mother had raised her voice.
‘The person I heard it from is absolutely truthful, and only told me because she knew if I asked you for a reference about her employment with you it would not have been favourable.’
‘That Banner girl!’ The son exploded now. ‘You don’t want to believe anything that tramp from the slums says.’
‘Be very careful, young man,’ Charles said while taking a menacing step towards him. ‘You have already insulted two decorated officers of the Light Brigade, and you should know that Christine Banner is a friend of ours, and I won’t allow her to be slandered by a spoilt, immoral brat like you.’
‘Can I be of assistance, gentlemen?’ Stuart joined them.
‘I think you can.’ Harry pulled him in to the group, which had grown rather large by now. ‘In your capacity as a barrister, could you tell us if, according to the law, it is a punishable crime to molest a child?’
‘I have handled such cases with success. Do you have someone in mind?’
‘This boy is the one Chrissie stopped from doing just that. His name is Walter Hamlin.’ Harry gazed around at the crowd listening avidly. ‘But I think the case is already won.’
The Hamlins turned and fled, and Joe smiled with satisfaction. ‘I don’t think they will be receiving many more invitations.’
‘I came over because I think Edward has arrived, but I’m not certain as I haven’t seen him since he was a child,’ Stuart explained.
‘Where is he?’
‘The man I saw was making his way to the games room.’
‘That will be him.’ Charles was already moving, and the others followed.
Before they had reached the door the flustered hostess caught them. ‘I must apologise for the way the Hamlins treated you, gentlemen. I will not have the heroes of the Crimea insulted in my establishment.’
Harry bowed slightly. ‘Please do not concern yourself, madam. We are the ones who should apologise for causing a scene.’
She gave a little laugh and reached out to touch his many decorations. ‘Please think nothing of it. That family are not popular, and my guests were highly entertained to see them put down so expertly. I do hope you are not leaving already?’
‘Of course not.’ Harry’s smile worked its magic and made the colour rise in her cheeks. ‘We are going to visit the games room.’
‘Ah, of course, gentlemen do like to gamble a little. I wish you good luck.’ She hurried away, eager to share in the gossip this incident had caused, knowing her evening was a success.
‘I had forgotten you could turn on the charm with such devastating effect.’ Stuart was laughing as they made their way along the passage. When they reached it, he said, ‘There is a room opposite, so Harry you go in and bring him there. We will be waiting for you.’
Edward had just taken his seat when Harry strode in and gripped his cousin’s shoulder. ‘Good evening, Edward, we need to have a word with you.’
He looked up, surprised to see who had such a firm grip on him. Relief crossed his face when he saw that it wasn’t someone he owed money to. ‘I’m about to play.’
‘That can wait a while.’ Harry smiled at the other men around the table. ‘Please
excuse us, gentlemen.’
When they nodded he tightened his grip on Edward, giving him no option but to leave the table.
‘What’s this all about?’ he demanded the moment they were outside the room.
‘You are a hard man to find, and we have some questions you need to answer.’ He guided him, firmly, into the next room.
The moment they entered the side room his gaze fixed on Joe, and then back to his cousin, both wearing the same uniform. ‘You know each other! I demand an explanation why you sought me out in Bath.’
‘I was there to see how much money I could win from you.’ Joe’s smile was not one you would want cast in your direction, and it clearly unnerved Edward. ‘It was easy. You really are a very bad player.’
‘You cheated!’
‘Be very careful who you accuse. We have already been insulted this evening, and we are not inclined to let that happen again. I could make you retract that slanderous accusation.’
‘You don’t frighten me,’ he blustered, ‘and you won’t get any money from me.’
‘I know those markers are not worth anything because you can’t possibly redeem them. How many people are pursuing you for payment?’
‘That’s my business. Uncle, what is this all about? If you don’t explain, then I am going back to the game.’ Edward turned, and only then noticed Stuart leaning against the door, blocking his exit. ‘Who is this?’
‘Not someone you would recognise because you were only a child the last time you saw him. You don’t want to meet him now, because if he takes an interest in you that will be very bad,’ Harry warned. ‘Since I was shot we have discovered some very interesting facts about you, cousin. You are desperate for money, and are an excellent shot – just to mention two.’
‘Are you suggesting I was the one who shot you?’
‘We know you did.’
‘Who’s doing the slandering now? You can’t prove that.’
‘But we can,’ Joe said. ‘We have a witness who saw you.’
Edward laughed. ‘You’re lying!’
‘Why are you so sure we are lying?’ Charles asked, coming in to the conversation for the first time. ‘Is it because you didn’t see anyone while you waited in the trees for Harry to ride by?’
‘No … no, I mean anyone hiding in that copse couldn’t possibly have been seen.’
Charles sighed in sadness. ‘How do you know the man was hiding in the copse? We never told you where the shooting took place, and you never asked.’
‘You must have forgotten you told me.’ He was chalk-white now and his guilt evident to all the men in the room.
‘We never told you, because we suspected you from the beginning, and took steps to find out if you were capable of hitting a moving target. The instructor at that club you belong to was very complimentary about your abilities.’
He was close to tears now and shaking with fear. ‘I’m so sorry. I was desperate and not thinking straight. I had been so sure the estate was as good as mine, and then Harry returned, and I panicked. What are you going to do with me?’
‘We have discussed this at length. If Harry had died you would have been sent to the gallows, family or not. Thankfully, he lived, and we have come up with a solution, and you do not have a choice. You agree or go to prison for attempted murder. Our friend by the door is a renowned barrister, and is ready to prosecute – if necessary.’
‘Don’t send me to prison, Uncle,’ he pleaded. ‘I’ll do whatever you say.’
Charles nodded to his son to take over, and stepped back.
‘We are aware that you are in dire financial trouble, so what we propose is this. Father and I will buy you passage to a country of your choice, and a substantial amount of money will be waiting for you when you arrive. It is our hope that you will mend your ways by giving up gambling and make a new life for yourself. Before leaving here tonight you will sign a confession, to be witnessed by all of us, and this will then be placed in the safe keeping of our barrister. If you return to this country you must be a reformed man or that confession will be used against you. Is that clearly understood, Edward?’
‘Yes,’ he murmured, relief flooding his face. ‘That is very generous of you, and I think I would like to go to South Africa. I believe there are good opportunities there.’
‘That can be arranged and passage will be booked on the first available ship.’ Harry produced a pen and paper for his cousin to write out his confession.
When this was done, Charles handed it to Stuart. It was a sad business, but at least they were giving him a chance to make a new life for himself, and they all fervently hoped he would make a success of it.
Edward appeared more composed now, but still obviously frightened. ‘Er … I have people after me for money, so can I stay with you until the ship sails?’
‘You can stay at my house,’ Stuart told him. ‘You will be safe there.’
‘We will deal with all your debts, so you can leave clear of any problems in this country.’
‘Thank you, Harry. That’s more than I deserve.’
‘Yes, it is,’ Charles told him, ‘but you are the son of my dear sister, and we hope you will make the most of this chance to start afresh.’
‘I will, Uncle, I promise.’
For the rest of the evening Edward stayed close by their sides, showing no desire to return to the games room. Harry watched him carefully, and noted that instead of being dismayed by the prospect of leaving this country, he appeared relieved. It was also a relief to all of them, because no matter what his cousin had done, he was still part of their family, albeit one who had gone astray. They had given him a chance to reform and they could do no more than that. What kind of a life Edward carved out for himself, was now up to him, and Harry was free from that threat.
Chapter Thirty
When they arrived back at Stuart’s London house they went to the lounge to discuss the evening while they enjoyed a nightcap before retiring. Edward was clearly exhausted, declining a second drink and went to the room Stuart had allotted him for the duration of his stay. They were remarking how well he had taken the idea of leaving the country, when the butler entered holding a silver tray with a letter on it.
‘This was delivered while you were out, sir, and is marked urgent.’
Stuart took the letter, not paying much attention as urgent messages were not unusual in his line of work. While listening to the conversation he glanced at the writing on the envelope and recognising it he slit it open quickly. By the time he had read the short note through twice, he was seething and began to curse.
Joe smirked. ‘Dear me, Stuart, even I don’t know some of those words.’
‘I feared this would happen! My wife was all apologetic while I was there, telling me she had been to the doctor for a tonic and was feeling much better. That clearly wasn’t true because as soon as I was out of the way she has caused trouble again. How much more misfortune is that poor girl going to have to endure?’ He slammed his fist on the arm of the chair.
Harry was on his feet at the mention of a girl. ‘Stop ranting, and tell us what has happened.’
He took a deep breath. ‘Chrissie has left my house.’
‘What?’ Charles exclaimed. ‘Where has she gone?’
‘I don’t know. All she says is that a situation has arisen that makes it impossible for her to stay, and by the time I receive the letter she will have moved on.’
‘She doesn’t give you a reason?’
Stuart shook his head. ‘She doesn’t have to. My wife took a dislike to her and has done her best to make her life with us difficult. I told her that she was not to dismiss Chrissie, but she has obviously found a way to make her leave. I have felt for some time that my wife was mentally sick, but did nothing about it. Now I must.’
‘You have come to know Chrissie quite well since she’s been working for you, so where do you think she will go?’ Charles asked.
‘I really don’t know. I will return home tomorrow a
nd try to sort out this mess, and also see if I can find Chrissie.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ Harry told him, ‘and you can leave tracking down Chrissie to me while you deal with your trouble at home.’
‘Thanks. Charles and Joe, you are welcome to stay here for as long as you like.’
‘You two go and do whatever you have to. I’ll stay here and make all the arrangements to get Edward on his way. What about you, Joe?’ Charles asked.
‘I have a job waiting for me, so I’ve spent as much time with you as I can, but I’ll be in London and can help you if you need it.’
‘I don’t think my nephew will give any trouble. It’s been good to have you with us, and you’ll be welcome at the Frenshaw estates at any time.’
‘I’ll keep that in mind.’ Joe turned to his friend. ‘You’ll let me know how you get on finding Chrissie?’
Harry nodded. ‘I’ll find her to make sure she is safe and well and perhaps persuade her to come back, if I can. The way she keeps disappearing makes me think we need to keep an eye on her. There’s no telling what kind of trouble she could get herself in to.’
‘I don’t think she will listen to you.’
‘You two are forgetting me,’ Stuart remarked. ‘I also want her back, and I can give her the best chance to advance in life. All you can offer is mucking out stables or scrubbing floors. She’s intelligent and deserves better than that.’
Joe was shaking his head. ‘And she deserves better than you three mapping out her life for her. All you can do is see she is all right, and then ask what she wants to do, but she will probably tell you all to go away and leave her alone. After all, apart from Charles, her time spent with both of you hasn’t been happy for her.’
‘I know when she sees me she will probably punch me on the chin.’ Harry grimaced. ‘But I’ll take Midnight and Red with me for protection. You wouldn’t be able to come with me as well, would you, Joe?’
‘Sorry, I can’t. This is one mess you will have to sort out for yourself, my friend. Just remember to duck when you find her. Oh, and you can give her another option.’
When Midnight Comes Page 22
