CHAPTER SEVEN #2
There were signs that someone, or several people, were sniffing out local details, and being quite generous in buying drink for those who would sit and be convivial for a half hour.
They were always ‘passing through’ or ‘visiting relatives’ without saying whom or where.
Both Lady Simmondley and Lady Holdenby's houses had been mentioned, and then his blood ran cold. Elliston Court had been discussed. It crossed the major’s mind that Lady Dembleby had only been in the house a couple of months, and it was possible that the burglars assumed it was the elderly dowager living there.
It was a very grim-faced gentleman who called for his horse and rode to Elliston Court.
Lady Dembleby received the news that it seemed likely that her home was under threat with only a moment’s alarm showing on her face, although Mrs Goodworth exclaimed, and made odd clucking noises interspersed with ‘what is the world coming to’ and ‘I shall not sleep a wink’.
‘What do you advise that I do, Major Barkby?’ The widow looked to him in a situation beyond her scope of knowledge.
‘I would have you alert your staff, ma’am, for anyone coming to the house upon the pretence of seeking casual 103work, that sort of thing.
Also have Leece remove any clearly valuable items that you treasure personally to his own room.
This gang, and we know there are several men involved, has not sought to go upstairs where people are sleeping, nor into the servants’ quarters. ’
‘I will have the servants gathered together. I do not want panic, but … would you speak, sir? You are used to decisive actions, commanding.’ She rose, and went to the bell pull, and requested Leece to bring everyone to the drawing room, immediately.
He was initially horrified at the thought of presenting them without them all being scrubbed to their Sunday best, but obeyed.
Major Barkby surveyed the household staff.
There were two middle-aged women, cook and housekeeper from garb, two housemaids, a scullery maid, the nursemaid Betty and Lady Dembleby’s personal maid, Leece, a footman in his twenties, and the lad he had seen before, who was in training.
Two men, a boy aspiring to manhood, and seven women, he thought.
That was not much of a defence force. Logic said that the best thing to do was simply to remove the items that were of any sentimental value or good use, and whatever they did, not to go downstairs if they heard the sound of glass breaking.
That was also saying to the gang that they could do as they wished, and that angered him.
He had grown up in this area on the Somerset and Wiltshire border, and in a way it was ‘his’, and they were violating it.
Yet if he tried to get these peaceable people to defend property, he was risking lives.
Burglary, especially from the important, was a hanging offence, and the gang had already assaulted a man who disturbed them.
He cleared his throat, and spoke 104calmly, almost matter-of-factly.
They knew, he said, that there had been burglaries in the area.
Someone unknown locally had been asking about this house.
It meant it was at risk. If they encountered anyone peering about, anyone suspicious, they were to report it to Mr Leece, who would send a message to Woodend Hall.
At this point a housemaid raised her hand, bobbing a curtsey as she did so, which looked rather odd.
‘Sir, there was a man as came to the back door yesterday, asking if we wanted to buy brooms. He had one broom with him. I did not like it that he came like that and told him to go away, because we had all the brooms we need … and he did.’
‘I see. And you do not get men selling brooms, I take it, at the door?’
‘No indeed, sir,’ interjected Mrs Knowle, bristling. ‘We discourage chapmen, and buy our goods when we have need, not upon a wheedling persuasion, and those that travel hereabouts know that well.’
‘Did you see him arrive?’ The major looked at the housemaid, who shook her head.
‘No, sir. I went out to take a rug for beating and he was outside then, and I asked what he wanted and he said he had brooms to sell.’
‘So he may have been about for some time?’
‘Yes sir, he might. Sorry, sir.’
‘It does sound highly suspicious.’ Major Barkby paused.
Everyone was looking at him. He knew that look; it was the look of men, and women, expecting to be led.
Well, he led from the front. He turned to Lady Dembleby.
‘In 105view of this, ma’am, I have to say that I think this house may be at risk in the next few days, great risk.
If you will permit it, I will spend the nights here, and organise the men, including Joshua Wyre and the coachman if I may, and we will try to dissuade any burglar that tries to enter. ’
‘Dissuade, Major Barkby? But they attacked a man.’
‘One man, ma’am. If they think there are a number of men, ready and waiting, they will not “storm” the house. I suggest the plan is to make as much noise as possible, indicating greater numbers than we actually possess.’
‘Do we shoot them, sir?’ enquired young William, the youthful footman, not without enthusiasm.
‘Have you ever fired a pistol, lad?’
‘No, sir.’
‘Then might I suggest you do not start now. In what may well be poor light, with your blood up, you are more likely to shoot yourself or your companions.’
‘But you c—’ William stopped, and his eyes went to the gloved hand.
‘I can shoot left-handed,’ continued the major, ‘but not so accurately that I would do so from choice in the dark.’
‘No, no shooting, please.’ Lady Dembleby looked pale. ‘Your lives are of most importance. Do not risk them. I … do you think it that likely, sir?’
He nodded.
‘Begging your pardon, sir, but might we have staves or clubs, to defend ourselves?’ This was Frederick, the older footman.
‘That sounds reasonable, since the criminals seem so armed. If I may, Lady Dembleby, I will return to Woodend 106Hall and make my own preparations and return this evening.’
‘Then the least I can offer you, Major Barkby, is dinner. If you would be so good as to dine with us?’
‘Thank you, ma’am, I will be honoured.’
‘Dinner is at half past six of the clock.’
‘I will be here for six.’ With which he bowed, and departed.
In normal circumstances, the opportunity to dine with Lady Dembleby would have delighted the major, though for him to do so alone, even with Mrs Goodworth present, would set tongues wagging.
He hoped, at least for a few days, to keep his visits covert.
He explained to his mama, who at first panicked.
‘But then they will come here, Benfield.’
‘No, Mama, because they believe I am here, and we have also more men about the house. I do not wish to advertise my presence at Elliston Court in case it alerts the gang.’
‘But surely that is what you want, to put them off?’ Lady Barkby looked confused.
‘That might only mean that they bide their time. No, if they want to make their attempt, I would rather they did and were scared off in the act, or even taken. They would not return in that case.’
‘But it is dangerous.’
‘Hardly, Mama. Not in comparison with charging a French square, I promise you.’
‘Oh dear.’
107‘Now you are to say that I shall not be dining because I have gone to visit Gilmorton in Bath for a couple of days.’
‘But you cannot stay with Lady Dembleby overnight, Benfield.’
‘Mama, I will be sitting in the drawing room in a chair, with her butler and Josiah Wyre, if I am lucky. Lady Dembleby will be upstairs somewhere, in her bedchamber, sleeping the sleep of the just.’
‘But people will talk.’
‘The truth is innocent. Only if someone lies can it be seen as … oh, whatever they want to see. I have a duty …’
‘To her?’
‘To protect a woman who has no protection worth the having, Mama.’ There was some heat to his tone, and he frowned. ‘I am sorry. But if you say only I have gone away …’
‘And if they come, the burglars, and you catch one? How will you explain that before the magistrate when you take the man to him?’
‘He will have the truth, and the affidavits of Lady Dembleby’s staff, which will not be gossip, but true. It is not perfect, I know, but it is the best that can be achieved. If the culprits are apprehended then we can all of us sleep soundly in our beds.’
‘You will take care, Benfield?’ Lady Barkby laid a hand on his arm. ‘Please?’
‘Yes, Mama, I will.’
Major Barkby had no qualms about riding in the dark, at least not with a good waning gibbous moon and English 108lanes to trot along.
He had his cloak about his shoulders and a small valise strapped behind him with the minor necessities so that he might shave and have a clean shirt upon the morrow.
He also had a serviceable dragoon’s pistol, for all that he had told William he would not care to use it.
In dire necessity a warning shot ought to be enough.
In the back of his mind was the concern that if it came to any hand-to-hand encounter, well, for fighting purposes he had but the one.
There was also going to be the embarrassment of dining.
He would be damned if he would ask for his food to be cut up for him, but the best he could manage for himself was to transfer the fork to his right hand, gripping it between thumb, the remnant of index finger and his palm, and stabbing whatever was to be cut up while he used the knife with his left hand.
In his own home it had not seemed quite as bad, but it was not suited to company.