Читать книгу A Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder - Dianne Freeman - Страница 12

Chapter 5

In the interest of keeping the Kendrick sisters apart, I invited Anne to join Rose and me on our morning ride the following day. She and I were just about to stop in the breakfast room for tea and toast when a footman handed me a note.

“Mr. Hazelton asked you to meet him in the stables, my lady.”

In the stables? I unfolded the note as the footman bowed and stepped away. Lady Rose and I are choosing a suitable mount. Won’t you join us? The warmth that radiated between one heartbeat and the next told me I was completely besotted with the man and delighted he was trying to win my daughter’s favor.

Anne eagerly agreed to postpone breakfast in favor of joining Rose and George. I felt light and carefree, enjoying the crisp morning air, as we tripped along the path to the stables, entering through wide, open doors in the center, just in time to see George assist Rose into the side saddle—on the back of the same gray horse Leo had ridden yesterday. The creature looked entirely too big for her. She’d only just graduated from a pony a little more than a month ago.

Rose spotted me and waved. Once George had her settled, he turned to me with a smile. I hated to ruin the moment, but as a mother, my nerves rather forced me to it. “She’ll be safe on that horse, won’t she, Mr. Hazelton?”

His smile slipped. “Of course not, Lady Harleigh. I’ve found her the wildest stallion in the stable. No man in the county has managed to ride him, but Rose wanted to try her hand, and I thought, why not let her have a go?”

He said this with such a calm demeanor, I might have believed him if not for Rose’s giggles. “She’s not a stallion, Mummy, she’s a mare.”

I gave George a tight smile. “Laugh if you must, but I worried you might overestimate the level of Rose’s skill.”

“I’m a good rider.” Rose’s red cheeks told me I’d embarrassed her. Anne quietly stepped off with a groom to select a horse of her own. I was making a complete hash of this.

“I know you are dear. Perhaps I’m overreacting.”

George stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. “Paloma is as gentle and obedient as a horse can be. I would have chosen her as your mount had Rose not developed a fondness for her.” He shrugged. “I can have the wild stallion saddled for you.”

This time I laughed along with him and Rose joined in. “If Paloma has a mild-mannered sibling,” I said, “that would be preferable.”

“I’ll see what we can do.”

While the groom assisted Anne, George found a quiet, reliable mount for me, and the three of us set off within a few minutes. As we guided our mounts out of the stables, I reminded myself Rose knew how to handle both herself and her horse and decided simply to enjoy the ride. The sun was just breaking through the trees to the east, and we walked on toward the path George suggested we’d enjoy. It wound through a cool section of wood before opening up to a road where we could let the horses have their heads. Not that I was likely to do anything of the kind. New to riding, I found anything faster than a trot caused palpitations.

My horse, a roan gelding named Hercules, had a different idea. As soon as we broke from the trees, Rose and Anne gave each other a nod and set off into a canter. Hercules clearly felt left out. Without bothering to consult me, he bolted. Granted, it was only a matter of a few hundred feet before we caught up and settled into a speed and rhythm I could manage, but it was enough to rattle my bones and confidence, whipping off my hat for good measure.

Rose and Anne never even noticed. The road led to a neighboring estate, and they turned back upon reaching its drive, slowing down to a walk. Fortunately, Hercules followed suit.

“Well, that blew off the cobwebs,” Anne said, her cheeks flushed from the exertion.

“And my hat.” I reached a tentative hand to my hair to find it had fallen from its smart knot into a tangled mess.

“We’ll keep an eye out for it on our way back,” Anne said as the two sidled up beside me. Anne looked me up and down with some concern. Rose leaned over and touched my arm. “Are you all right, Mummy?”

“Of course, dear,” I said in as breezy a manner as I could muster. “You are clearly a horsewoman, Anne. I think Rose did well to keep up with you.”

“I’ve been riding since I was about Rose’s age. There’s some good riding just north of London, but I wish I had more opportunities to visit the country and ride like this.” She gave my daughter a nod. “And the fact that you did keep up with me tells me you will be a far better horsewoman than I. If you keep at it, that is.”

Rose beamed at the compliment. She and I had both been taking riding lessons for the last two months. It was my present for her eighth birthday. Rose had already been a good rider, but she longed to jump. She even injured herself trying to take her fat pony over a fence not long ago. Her determination made me decide it was in both our best interests to have proper lessons and a proper mount. Taking the lessons with her was more of an afterthought and a gift to myself for my twenty-eighth birthday. I’d never been much of a rider, but this was something we could enjoy together, and it was never too late to learn, was it?

We urged the horses forward in a walk and headed back three abreast with Rose at the center. The groom followed behind.

“Mother and I plan to ride every morning while we’re here,” Rose said. “You’d be welcome to join us, Miss Kendrick.”

“We plan to ride as long as it doesn’t interfere with Lady Fiona’s schedule,” I added. “I hope you will join us, Anne.” Apart from my assignment, I was coming to enjoy her company. Moreover, she gave Rose a far greater challenge than I did.

“There’s nothing I’d like better.” Anne cleared her throat as she leaned forward to pat her horse on the neck. “I should warn you, my sisters don’t ride much, but they may ask to join us when they learn I’m riding with you.”

That would completely defeat the purpose. “Do the three of you enjoy spending time together?”

She raised her shoulders in a shudder. “Not at all, but Eliza is terribly jealous. If she thinks I am receiving any sort of preference from you, she will want her due. Clara cannot bear to be left out of any activity.”

Rose watched Anne with interest, perhaps giving thanks for her status as an only child.

“I doubt you need worry about your sisters, at least not Mrs. Durant. It seems to me Lady Fiona has taken a liking to her, and if I know anything about Fiona, your sister will not have a moment to spare for you.”

Anne seemed to brighten. “I am glad to hear that. Clara’s prattling I can manage, but Eliza is often cruel.”

She gave me a sharp glance. “Perhaps cruel is too strong a word, but she does like to have her way. She is quite jealous of everyone, even Leo. She thinks my father should make her husband a partner in the company, as Leo is.”

This was, perhaps, more information than she ought to discuss outside her own family circle. “I’m certain your father knows his business and has good reasons for his decisions.” I gave her a firm nod, intending to end the discussion.

“Of course. He expects Arthur to quit working as soon as he inherits his father’s title. Why should he invest the time to train him, and give him a position of responsibility, if he’s just going to leave the company?”

That reasoning made perfect sense except for one crucial detail and good manners aside—I had to inquire. “He does realize Arthur Durant’s father is not yet fifty, does he not?”

Anne nodded and bit her lip, clearly trying to hold back her laughter, which ultimately snickered its way out. Rose and I joined in though I wasn’t sure Rose understood why we were laughing. It was a fine morning, she was riding with two companions, and that was reason enough.

“I do hope Lord Durant is not aware my father expects his demise to come at any moment.” Anne barely choked out the words through her laughter and tears.

“I promise never to breathe a word of it.” I leaned forward to give Rose a conspiratorial smile. “Rose, we must ask you to keep this secret as well.”

She drew a cross over her heart with her finger, and I was much relieved.

“I’m glad Aunt Lily and Mr. Kendrick decided to hold their wedding here rather than at a big church in London. The country is so much better.”

Anne nodded her agreement. “A society wedding is just for show, don’t you think?”

Rose looked a bit undecided, but I could attest my own wedding had been entirely for show. I’d been utterly embarrassed by the pomp and ceremony my mother had insisted upon. I hoped I’d be able to console her when she learned Lily was to have such a simple affair.

“I do prefer an intimate, family ceremony over a lavish public display.” I smiled at the girl. “And I love being in the country, so for me, I must agree with Rose, this is much better.”

“There’s your hat, Mummy.”

I glanced around, expecting to see it stuck to an unreachable branch or attached to a hedgerow, but instead saw it in the hands of an elegant gentleman dressed in tweeds and a homburg, walking toward us with a friendly smile.

We stopped as he approached. “I suspect this must belong to you, madam?” He held out the chic top hat with its now-torn veil. He had a gentleman’s hands, his nails neatly trimmed and buffed.

I took the hat and returned his smile. “Sir, if you are implying I should cover my bedraggled hair, well, I can only agree with you.”

He removed his own hat and gave us a courtly bow. A shock of blond hair fell over his dark eyes, and he swept it back in a reflexive motion that suggested habit. “I would never imply any such thing. I only noted it seemed to match your habit. Are you ladies riding out from Risings?”

“We are. And you, sir? This seems a strange place for a man on foot.”

“Ah, perhaps it does to you now, but if you go forward just a few steps”—he gestured behind him—“you will see the lane leading to Fairview. I’m visiting my aunt there at present.”

I searched my memory for the owners of Fairview. “That would be Lady Esther, would it not? You are her nephew?”

“Great-nephew.” He grinned, deepening the lines around his eyes. “Percy Bradmore at your service. You know my aunt?”

“You have indeed done me a service, Mr. Bradmore. I thank you for rescuing my hat. As to your aunt, we have met many times in town. How does she fare?”

“Not well at all, I’m afraid. She’s recuperating from an illness, and while she’s much improved, she has some way to go before she can claim good health.”

I had a sudden rush of guilt for having always thought of Lady Esther as a crotchety old woman. Though I had never wished her any ill, I had often wished her out of my sight. Or better yet, my hearing. Considering this man was her relation, and George’s neighbor, it seemed churlish to refrain from introducing ourselves.

I gave Mr. Bradmore our names and leaning over as far as the saddle, and my stays, would allow, shook his hand. “I’m glad to hear someone is in residence at Risings,” he said. “I’d heard the earl is traveling on the continent.”

“You heard correctly. His brother, Mr. Hazelton, is in residence, and he is hosting both a shooting party and a wedding.”

“Is Hazelton to marry then?”

His question sent heat rushing to my cheeks, but I was quick to clarify my statement. “He is not the groom. Are you acquainted with the Hazelton family?” I waved a dismissive hand. “Of course, you are. How foolish of me. You are neighbors after all.”

“Actually, we are not acquainted, at least not as adults. The last time I visited here I was a child of six. I recall something of children in the neighborhood at the time, but not enough to know who they were.” He shrugged. “Neither do I spend much time in London, which explains why we have never met, my lady. I hope while my aunt recovers, I may call on her neighbors and have a bit of conversation. I only arrived yesterday and already the quiet of this house has become rather gloomy.”

Poor man. I knew well what that was like. During most of my marriage, I’d been left alone at Harleigh Manor. Too much solitude can be depressing to the spirit.

“You do seem to be a man who prefers society,” I said. “I hope you will call on us when you have some idle time.” I made a mental note to tell Fiona I’d met her neighbor. No doubt she would send over a message inviting him to join us. And perhaps the gentlemen would welcome another gun.

“Thank you, I shall. The shooting party is after woodcock, I’d wager.” His broad grin faded as he turned serious. “Is that how the earl’s steward was injured? I’d heard he was recuperating with his sister.”

Word certainly traveled fast in the country.

“He took a fall from his horse,” Anne said.

Bradmore cocked his head. “Truly? The talk around the village was a bit more extreme. I believe someone said he was set upon by brigands, though I thought that unlikely.” He chuckled. Not only did word travel fast, it escalated.

“Nothing so dramatic as an attack, I’m afraid. Simply an accident.”

He nodded. “Accidents can be every bit as dangerous. I hope you’ll all take care, especially those in the shooting party.”

“Most of them are quite experienced, and I’m certain they’ll keep a sharp eye on the novices.”

Bradmore gave me an expansive bow. “It was a great pleasure meeting you, ladies. I look forward to furthering our acquaintance in the coming days.”

As Rose grew restless, I thought it best to move on. We bid Mr. Bradmore good day and set off back to the estate. The sound of gunfire warned me we were approaching the open meadows, and I motioned for the groom who trailed behind to move ahead and lead us back to the estate. He guided us back to a path through the wood which would take us around the grounds to the far side of the house and on to the stables.

We walked on companionably, chatting when we could ride abreast, and lost in our own thoughts where the path narrowed. The day had turned from bracing to brisk and it was a pleasure to be on the sun-spattered trail. As we took a turning, I realized this was the path Fiona and I had taken to the village. Just up ahead was where the steward had fallen.

I wondered if Mr. Gibbs’s insistence he hadn’t fallen but was knocked from his seat had any basis in fact, or if the man was trying to divert attention from an embarrassing fall. The path grew narrow here, but as I’d noted yesterday, the trees were mature, with branches closing in overhead—well overhead. Mr. Gibbs was surely taller than I, but he’d have to be a good three feet taller to come into contact with any of these branches.

While we passed through the area, I looked around for any broken branches and gashes in the trees where a limb might have broken off. I don’t know what I expected to see. Did it matter whether Mr. Gibbs fell off his horse or was knocked off?

Then my gaze lighted on something that didn’t belong. A length of line tangled among some leaves. I urged my mount closer to the branch. It looked like a braided fishing line, tangled about shoulder height, but the branch sprouted from the tree about six inches lower. Try as I might, I could not disengage the hopelessly tangled mess.

“Would you like me to get that for you, my lady?”

The groom had stopped at my side, and my two companions waited patiently behind him, giving me curious looks. “What would this be doing here, I wonder?”

“Couldn’t say, my lady. Maybe someone swinging a fishing pole got the line caught. At least that’d be my guess.” The young man looked as if he couldn’t imagine what interest this bit of line could hold.

“I suppose that’s possible.” I set my horse back on the path. “No need to remove it. It just stuck out amid the greenery and caught my attention.” I smiled at Anne and Rose. “Excuse the delay. I expect you’re as hungry as I am. Shall we head in for breakfast?”

They agreed readily, and we headed past the stables and across the lawn bordering the maze. My stomach growled, pushing the thought of the fishing line from my mind. It might have been tangled there for years.

The three of us dismounted in the drive and headed to the house, leaving the horses in the care of the groom though Rose wanted to stay to help.

“Nanny will be waiting for you, dear,” I told her. Passing through the great hall, I sent her upstairs and turned to Anne. “Do you suppose if we take the time to change out of our riding gear and freshen up first, there will still be some breakfast left?”

She looked doubtful. “Lady Fiona planned an outing for this morning, and I suspect the group left early. I’ll go and check the breakfast room. If the chafing dishes are still out, I’ll ensure they stay there until you come back down.”

“Thank you, dear.” Anne was off, but before I could place a foot on the stairs, the housekeeper, Mrs. Ansel, pushed through the baize door at the end of the hall and called out to me. She rushed forward with some urgency.

“Yes, Mrs. Ansel? Is something wrong?”

“My lady, there’s a terrible ruckus below stairs, and I’m afraid I just can’t settle everyone down. Mr. Hazelton has been gone since dawn, and Lady Fiona took the rest of the guests on a jaunt early this morning, so there’s been no one about while all the staff is screaming bloody murder.”

How strange. The staff had seemed so disciplined, it must be quite a crisis to have set them all off. I turned and walked with her toward the service door. “Of course, I’ll do what I can, Mrs. Ansel. What exactly happened?”

She raised troubled eyes to mine and heaved a sigh. “One of our footmen died during the night, and some are saying it’s murder.”