His Michaelmas Mistress

by Marly Mathews

  “Lord Lumley told us about the secret passages, and showed us where they were, and where they led to. Freddie couldn’t believe it. He thought it great fun. I thought it a mild inconvenience, and I didn’t like the way the passages were so dark, and a little damp, and filled with spiders, but now…now, they just might be the only thing that saves us from the fire.

  “I will gladly use them to get out of this bloody mess we are in. Alas, they won’t be a secret any longer, once we save the boys. Now, luckily for us, one of the passages leads into the Billiards Room. I think that is one of the reasons why Freddie likes it so much. He used it once or twice to drive the servants mad. He would exit the Billiards Room from using the secret passages, and he told me later that he heard them saying they couldn’t believe how quickly he could move,” she laughed. “They said he moved like a ghost.”

  “Did they?” the maid asked.

  “Ruby, do you know how to shoot a pistol, perchance?”

  “Mama wouldn’t let me learn. Uncle Thomas didn’t agree with her, and went about teaching me anyway. I might not be the best shot, but I do know how to shoot one.”

  “Good.” Julia moved over to where Freddie kept his weapons. She already wore the dagger he had given her. Freddie loved to collect dueling pistols, and fortunately, had quite the collection stored in their bedchamber. She reached for two cases, and put one case into the basket that Ruby would carry, and then, readied the other two pistols for her and Ruby. “I hope this isn’t too heavy for you,” she said, handing Ruby the pistol. “This is just in case we run into resistance while trying to free Charles and Tobias.” Ruby nodded her head, and took the pistol from her.

  Julia turned her attention back to the maid. “I don’t remember you,” Julia said softly. “What is your name?”

  “Millie. The name is Millie, my lady.”

  “I see.” Something about the young woman unsettled Julia, but she shook it off, and returned her attention to the pressing issues at hand.

  “See this wardrobe,” Julia said, moving over to it. “Come, Alfie,” she called. The little terrier eagerly came over to her. She couldn’t leave him here, he’d have to come with them. Fortunately, he seemed to stay close. He was one of those dogs that would eagerly shadow her every step, if invited.

  Carefully, she set aside her pistol, and opened the wardrobe, and took out some of the dresses. Then, she started feeling the back of it, and hoped that she would trigger whatever made the door slide open to reveal the secret passage. She pulled her hand back when she hit it, and it made a strange grating noise, as it slid open to reveal the doorway that led to the secret tunnels.

  “Millie, grab that candle, would you? We shall need something to light our way.” She reached for her pistol, and she stepped into the secret passage, and waited for Alfie, Ruby and Millie to follow. “Close the wardrobe door behind you,” Julia said.

  Standing in the tunnel, Julia sighed, and attempted to gain her bearings. She’d only been here once before, and then, well, then, she hadn’t actually been paying attention. However, she had one talent she could always rely on. Even if she was barely paying attention to something, she could still absorb the information. All she had to do was concentrate, and it would all come flooding back to her.

  “This way,” Julia said, pointing in the direction they had to go. They walked down a few hallways, and then reached the narrow staircase that would take them down to the main floor of the house. Alfie was right at her heels, and stopped when she stopped, and walked when she walked. He hadn’t barked once, and for that she was relieved, because they didn’t need him to give them away.

  “Everything is so spooky,” Ruby breathed.

  “It’s not spooky, it is damp,” Julia said, curling her lip. “And there are too many spiders and spider webs too count. I am going to need a bath when we get out of here. Now, why can’t you be like Millie and not complain, Ruby?” Ruby tapped her on the shoulder. “What do you want?” She stopped and turned around to look at Ruby. Ruby looked like she’d seen a ghost. She stood holding the flickering candle, with her eyes wide. Julia sighed. “Where is Millie?”

  “She didn’t follow us into the passageway. I turned around to hear the wardrobe door shut, and she was gone. It was like she vanished into thin air, Julia. It was quite disconcerting.”

  “That is silly. No one can vanish into thin air. I suppose she went back so they wouldn’t suspect.”

  “What if Millie is leading us on a wild goose chase, Julia? What if the servants aren’t corrupt, and nothing is amiss? What if it was all a trick?”

  “Well, if it was all a trick, we shall know once we walk down that narrow stone staircase. It looks like you could break your neck going down it, doesn’t it? Be careful, we don’t want to fall holding these ruddy things. I didn’t think much about it the last time, as Freddie went in front of me…but now…I don’t know if I want to navigate it or not.”

  “We don’t have much choice, do we?” Ruby asked nervously. “We have to continue and go downstairs and reach the Duke of Stoneleigh and Lord Charles, or we have to go back upstairs and hope we can keep ourselves locked in the Scarlet Bedchamber. Either option isn’t the one I really want to pick. I wish we were all back safe and sound at Lark Hall.”

  “They shall start to miss us soon. Don’t worry, Ruby. Someone will come out and help.”

  “And what if they fall into their trap? They sound pretty ruthless. I wouldn’t want Simon or Uncle Edward to fall into their nefarious clutches,” Ruby said.

  “No, you are quite right, Ruby. We shall have to get ourselves out of this scrape all on our own. I don’t know how we shall make it off the grounds. Oh, how I wish Freddie was here.”

  *****

  Freddie was relieved to be back in Castleton.

  They were riding toward Lark Hall, and he prayed that Julia would be there. He wanted to hold her in his arms, and steal a kiss when no one was looking. The weather had let up, and now the sun was coming out from behind the clouds. Once they reached Lark Hall, he was going to get out and give his legs a good stretch.

  “You look like you’ve just eaten a slice of sunshine,” Clarence mused. “Love certainly looks good on you, Freddie.”

  Freddie chuckled. “I only hope that Julia is at Lark Hall.”

  “She usually is, when she’s not at Castleton Court,” the Duke mused. “I haven’t seen such a closely knit family before.”

  “You didn’t get to see much of Clarence and Cyril’s family. They’re close as well, aren’t you, Clarence?”

  Cyril had fallen back asleep, and his soft snoring echoed around them.

  “Aye. We will do just about anything for each other. Val even fought a duel for Ginny once. Well, she fought the duel for Ginny’s first husband…terrible wretch, he was,” Clarence said, shuddering. “Of course, Mama would tell me not to speak ill of the dead.”

  “At least she fared better the second time around,” Freddie said.

  “Aye. All of her dreams have finally come true. Ah, Lark Hall, is a sight to be sure. I never get over how beautiful these country estates are. It looks so serene and tranquil, as if it’s sitting on its own patch of heaven,” Clarence remarked. The carriage turned into Lark Hall’s long drive and drove up to the house. The carriage stopped, and after a few minutes, a footman whisked open the door. Cyril muttered something they couldn’t understand in his sleep, and his eyes snapped open.

  “We are here, Cyril,” Freddie said patiently.

  Cyril looked around a little dazed, and then, smiled. “Splendid. I don’t think I could have spent one minute longer in this blasted carriage,” he said, as he stepped down from the carriage.

  “You slept for most of the trip, you bloody twit,” Clarence muttered.

  The grounds were unusually quiet. No children were out playing. Freddie could only figure that it had only recently stopped raining here as well.

  The sound of dogs barking, met Freddie’s ears, and Lark Hall’s front door opened
, and Artemis and Athena came running out.

  He smiled and greeted the affectionate mastiffs. They rubbed against him for head rubs.

  “Big, aren’t they?” Clarence asked, as he looked uneasily at them. “I only remember them having a little dog…a cute pup named Cleo. These giants, well, they’re new.”

  “Oh, aye, but they won’t hurt a friend of the family. You needn’t fear them, Clarence,” Freddie said.

  “I am not afraid of them…not really anyway,” he muttered. “Where is Cleo?”

  “Cleo was Rose’s dog. She is with Rose and Micah at Maidstone Manor.”

  “Ah. I see,” Clarence muttered, as Artemis and Athena affectionately nudged him.

  Edward and Alice emerged from the house with a few of the children walking behind them.

  “Ah, the rain has finally let up. I might just go for a walk,” Edward said. “You’ve brought friends with you, Freddie. And I know who your friends are. They are family of ours. The Deville boys. Well, it is good to see you two, again. How are your parents? And your sisters?”

  “They are all well, sir,” Clarence said solemnly. “Pop told us to send his felicitations to you, and he said to tell you that he and Mama shall be coming to your Michaelmas Ball.”

  Edward smiled. “Did they really? Well, then, come on inside, and we shall call for some refreshments for you.”

  “Has Julia been down to see you today?” Freddie asked.

  Edward frowned. “She was here earlier to pick up Ruby, but they haven’t been back yet. Now that I reflect upon it, they’ve been gone a little longer than I had thought was necessary. I don’t want to think the worst, but…maybe we should go and check on her.”

  “Where did she and Ruby go?” Freddie asked.

  “Julia wanted to go to Wilton Park to fetch a few frocks,” Alice said calmly. “And now that I think of it, Edward, you are quite right, she should have been back by now. She told us she wouldn’t be long...and usually when Julia gives a length of time, she sticks pretty close to it.”

  “I know,” Freddie muttered, sighing heavily. The thought of the poachers entered his mind. What if there had been more of them? What if Julia had run afoul of them?

  Tiny and Lucky had come up to stand behind them.

  “I think we shouldn’t tarry for long, mates. I think we need to hasten to Wilton Park. You…mayhap, you and Cyril should stay here, Clarence. And Father, I think you should remain as well, with Hamish and the rest of your retinue.”

  His father snorted loudly. “Did you think you’d butter me up by calling me Father, Freddie? You shan’t issue orders to me and have me obey them. No, indeed. If you think there is trouble on the horizon, I will go and face it with you. I am not afraid.”

  “I never said I expected trouble,” Freddie said.

  “You didn’t have to say it. It is written plain as day across your face, and the fact that you are trying to shield us all, only reinforces my suspicions. I know why you want these young lads to stay behind with their relations, but I shan’t listen to you like a good little soldier. If your beloved is in trouble, I am going with you.”

  “So am I,” Edward said quickly. “If Julia is in a scrape, I shall be there to help her out of it. I wish the Lovett Girls would get over their ability to land smack dab in the middle of danger. Of course, I’m certain that she’s merely dilly dallying by taking her own sweet time looking through all of her frocks,” he chuckled, attempting to make light of the situation.

  Freddie looked into Edward’s blue eyes. He was just as worried as Freddie was. Julia was a dependable sort of person. If she said she was going to be back in a specified amount of time, then, she was going to be back within about five minutes of the time she gave.

  Lewis and Micah emerged from the house. “Doc, how do you feel?” Freddie asked.

  Lewis shifted uncomfortably. “I feel like there is something in the wind,” he admitted. “We shall go and have a few horses saddled for us. We are not all going to fit into that carriage.”

  Julia hadn’t ever let Freddie down until now.

  “I shall be, but a minute. I only have to fetch a pistol,” Edward said. “Do you need anything, Freddie?”

  Freddie shook his head, and opened his coat to show Edward what he concealed within. Edward’s eyes widened. “There is more on my person that you can’t see, sir.”

  “I understand. I suppose your time with The Angels of Death has conditioned you to be prepared for anything.”

  “Aye,” Freddie said.

  “Oh, aye,” Tiny interjected. “Freddie is a walking bloody armoury. But then, I’m almost as bad.”

  “So am I,” Lucky admitted. “We never want to be caught with our trousers down, eh, lads?”

  “Right,” Freddie said.

  “I wouldn’t mind seeing Wilton Park,” Clarence started.

  “You won’t charm me, Clarence. You stay here, where it is safe. Your Aunt Alice would probably love the pleasure of yours, and Cyril’s company, and since Lewis and Micah are here, you will be able to meet their wives.”

  “Aunt Alice? Oh, yes,” Clarence said. “I suppose…I guess I can stay behind this time, and become reacquainted with all of my cousins, but one of these days, people are going to have start treating me like a man. I am not a boy anymore.”

  “I know, you aren’t Clarence, but the sort of people I have a hunch we shall have to deal with…well, they aren’t the kind you’re accustomed to dealing with.”

  “If you lads are anything like my sons, I expect you are a wee bit peckish,” Alice said, catching Freddie’s gaze. She smiled at him, and started walking back toward Lark Hall, just as Edward emerged from it. “Would you boys like some plum cake? Or I could have some sandwiches made up for you. If the weather holds, you can go picking blackberries with the children later.”

  “Oh, that sounds like jolly good fun. I do like blackberries,” Cyril said, falling into step behind her. Artemis and Athena barked, and followed Alice back into Lark Hall.

  “Tell your men to stay behind, Father,” Freddie said.

  The Duke looked at him. “They can be of help, Freddie. They know how to handle themselves in a fight.”

  “Aye, but my men don’t know how to work with them. We have our own ways of doing things, and I think we should go on, alone.” At his words, Lewis and Micah rode toward them on horseback. The grooms had really made haste to saddle two horses for the men.

  “How bad do you think it could be?” Edward asked softly.

  “Julia might just be taking longer than usual to pick out her frocks—but somehow, I doubt it. I think we’re going to have to deal with poachers…and this time, they’re going to be a hell of a lot more violent than Enoch Smith and Madge were.”

  “So…I guess we fight fire with fire, eh?” Tiny asked. “Ah, it’s going to feel good to be able to undertake another mission.”

  Freddie remained silent, as he climbed back into the carriage, and Tiny and Lucky mounted their horses, and rode ahead of the carriage with Lewis and Micah. All he cared about right now was Julia. He couldn’t think of her in the clutches of the sort of men that were a part of the gangs that operated out of London.

  If they’d hurt her…if they’d touched one hair on her head, he would make them all die a slow death.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Julia opened the secret door that led into the Billiards Room.

  She and Ruby crept into the room with Alfie bouncing around happily. Fortunately, the large room was empty, save for Tobias and Charles. They wouldn’t have to use their pistols, and she really didn’t want to use them unless they had no other choice, because the noise they made, would alert the entire household. She prayed that not all of the servants were in on this scheme, because the Cook and her kitchen staff hadn’t seemed the sort. But then, she supposed it took all kinds.

  She walked toward Charles and Tobias. They sat in chairs and were tied up. Their backs were to her, and they might not have heard them open the panelling
and might not have even heard them step into the room.

  She touched Tobias on the shoulder, and he jumped in his chair. Walking around so he could see her, she put her finger to her lips. She was going to ungag them, but she didn’t need them talking too loudly. She removed Charles’s gag first.

  “Where the bloody hell did you come from?” Charles whispered, as Ruby attended to the Duke. “You have to go back to wherever you came from, and hide there until help comes, Julia. The men running this ring are hardened criminals. They are not to be trifled with. They don’t even flinch when it comes to having to kill. They are all quite mad. You should see the hardened glint in their eyes. They are mean and cruel, and are probably, as we speak, making plans to have some fun with you and Miss Massey, and those two pistols you are carrying will only do so much.”

  “I know,” she whispered. “One of the maids warned us. She told us that they would stop at nothing, and that they had all gone to Bedlam. She also told us that they killed Mr. Browne.” She couldn’t fathom why Mr. Hargreaves had even allowed her to go up to the Scarlet Bedchamber. Had he had a good chuckle thinking about what he would do to her and Ruby once they came back downstairs? She couldn’t make sense of any of it, but then, people that had gone barmy rarely made a bit of sense.

  “That’s why we are in this mess,” Tobias sighed heavily. “Charles became curious and wandered off, while I was talking to Mr. Hargreaves, and he discovered the body, laying out in the Gardens,” Tobias explained.

  “Oh, Charles,” she sighed. “You always have to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong. I had hoped you had somehow grown out of that trait. I see you haven’t.”

  “Men rarely change, Julia. I had a feeling you’d show up today, I was right. I needed to see you and throw myself at your feet. I still want you, Julia, and I still have hope that you will see the error of your ways.”

  She groaned. “You have to stop thinking about me, Charles. You must. You have to move on. I shall never see the error of my ways, because…because there is nothing wrong about the love I feel for Freddie,” she sighed, and stood up.