Chapter 17 Elvaston Castle
The carriage stopped at the Crown, and Darcy stepped down to stretch his legs. Peter went at once to the stables to inquire after Richard, and returned with the report that the colonel had departed at sunrise.
“Thank you, Peter. We shall eat here. Robert, see to the horses.”
Darcy entered the inn and ordered a meal. His cousin was making swift progress, and it seemed possible he might not overtake him.
It was dark when they drew up before the White Horse at Dunstable. Rain had fallen for the past hour, and the road had become nearly impassable. Peter opened the coach door, and Darcy handed down the wrapped carbine and the spadroon, while he himself carried in the pistols and his own musket.
The coachman joined him beneath the eaves.
“Sir, I beg your pardon. We have made only six and thirty miles.”
“Never mind, Samuel. You have no command over the weather. Come to me if the inn cannot provide adequate rooms and food for you and the men.”
“There is no concern there, sir. The stable boy says there is ample room, for the inn is near empty.”
“Then we are fortunate. I only hope my cousin fares as well.”
At that moment, he heard his name. He turned toward the entrance, and Richard stepped out.
Darcy grinned. “Richard! I have been chasing you all over England.”
He placed the case containing the pistols into Richard’s hands.
Peter approached with the ammunition and the carbine.
Robert followed with Darcy’s trunk, which Darcy took from him.
“Attend to the horses, then eat and rest. Your brother will join you shortly.”
“Yes, sir.”
Richard and Darcy dined together in a private parlor. When the maid had cleared away the dishes, they moved nearer the hearth.
Richard poured a drink for them both and asked, “Darcy, what brings you rushing after me in such haste?”
Darcy related his suspicions regarding Manvers.
“Richard, he may already have committed one murder, and he was prepared to commit another when he fired upon your brother.”
Richard’s expression darkened.
Darcy added, “I came armed, and your batman is with me.”
“Cooper? Very well. We may have need of him. He has been trained in surveillance. We shall set him to watch Manvers while we travel to Elvaston. Lady Abigail may be able to fill in what we do not yet know.”
Darcy added gravely, “She will inherit should anything happen to the heir.”
Richard swore an oath under his breath. “We must protect that boy’s life. I pray we are not too late.”
The two men retired early.
The following morning, they departed at sunrise, traveling the length of the day and stopping only to eat and to rest the horses. That night, they lodged in Leicester.
The next day, they started out at six and rode together until they reached the junction near Cavendish Bridge. There, they halted to refresh themselves and rest the horses. The Black Bull was a busy coaching inn, yet Darcy was able to secure the private parlor, and the men ate together.
The colonel took the opportunity to speak with them all, and particularly with his batman, before they separated.
“Cooper, no heroics. Manvers may have murdered one man already, and he came very near to succeeding against my brother. I require only that you observe him, and, if you are able, learn what he intends next. He is mortgaged to the hilt and has gambled away his fortune. I doubt he would ever be sent to a debtor’s prison, for he is a peer, but matters are pressing upon him now. He may prove dangerous.”
“Yes, Colonel. I understand.”
The colonel then addressed the others.
“This warning applies to you as well. If Manvers is already at Elvaston, any one of us might be shot. We believe he may be desperate enough to seize one of Harrington’s daughters for the sake of her fortune.”
When they had finished their meal, the batman set off along the Great North Road, while the carriage turned westward. Elvaston lay only five miles farther, and they reached it within half an hour.
Richard sat opposite his cousin and asked, “Well, Darcy, do you feel at home?”
“You jest, but Pemberley lies only five and thirty miles to the north. If Lady Harrington and her children are in danger, we might shelter them there while we root out Manvers.”
Richard considered. “That may be the safest course.”
When they were within a mile from the house, Richard halted the carriage. He and Darcy stepped down, and the Miller brothers joined them upon the road.
“We must proceed as though Manvers may be within the castle, or in the surrounding woodlands. Jeffers, draw the carriage into the trees, and keep to the edge of the property until we are certain there is no danger.”
Then the colonel distributed the firearms and ammunition.
The coachman reached beneath his seat and produced a musket. The colonel acknowledged it with a nod.
“Darcy, you two will go in on the left. We shall go in on the right. Remain outside and keep watch. If you encounter a servant and can safely question them, learn what you can.”
The coachman then guided the carriage away from the main approach and deeper into the woods.
After nearly forty minutes, Darcy and Robert reached the formal gardens. Darcy paused to take in the castle. The two-story Gothic building stood among beautifully manicured gardens and was bordered by woodland.
They passed the pump house and continued on until they reached the coach house, from which they could observe the kitchen gardens. There they halted to watch.
After half an hour, a servant emerged from the house and began gathering herbs.
Darcy turned to his footman.
“What do you think, Robert? Is it safe to show ourselves? That servant appears to be at her work, with no sign of alarm.”
Robert continued to watch, and then his attention sharpened.
“The colonel, sir.”
Richard stood just outside the kitchen door, lifting an arm in signal. Darcy and Robert joined him. They entered a small parlor and closed the door. Peter stood at the window, keeping watch, and Robert moved to join him.
Darcy’s gaze fell upon three women standing before a settee, observing him with anxious attention. He bowed.
The colonel made the introductions, then asked, “My lady, pray tell us, are you or your daughters in any danger from the Earl of Manvers?”
“I have believed so, Colonel. He asked my husband for Abigail’s hand in marriage, but was refused.
My husband called him a rake and a gambler and declared that no daughter of his would be wed to a gambler.
I stood in the hall when the Earl stormed out of my husband’s study, and when I saw the look in his eyes, I feared then that he would stop at nothing.
Soon after, my husband died in that dreadful accident. ”
Richard interrupted her.
“Is the carriage in which the accident occurred still here upon the estate?”
“Yes, it is in the coach house. It was taken there the day he died, and it has remained there untouched ever since.”
Richard turned to Peter.
“Miller, go out and inspect the carriage. Examine the shaft for any sign of deliberate damage.”
Robert joined his brother, and the two men departed together.
Richard returned his attention to Lady Harrington.
“And your son, madam? Does he reside at home?”
“No, sir. Michael is at university. He remained until the funeral, but I sent him back, lest some misfortune should befall him here.” She wrung her hands. “Colonel, do you think there is a possibility that my husband’s death was not an accident?”
“There is a strong possibility, my Lady, that it was intentional. We shall know more when the Miller brothers return.”
Lady Abigail’s voice faltered.
“Colonel, will you tell me of Philip? Was that not an accident either?”
Richard answered, “We have learned that Manvers has gambled away his fortune, and his estate is mortgaged. We are investigating further, but Manvers is desperate for money. We fear he may attempt to abduct one of you for the sake of your dowry.”
“He asked my husband for a loan some four years ago and was refused at first, but the Earl pressed him until he agreed. He borrowed against his estate, and my husband held the mortgages.”
Lady Anise spoke then for the first time.
“Do you believe our father was killed? To release the mortgages?”
Richard shook his head.
“No. There will be signed documents that protect the rights of the lender, who holds the claim until the debt is repaid in full. I believe Manvers may have killed your father to remove him as an obstacle. If your father refused to permit a marriage between your sister and the Earl, then Manvers may have resolved to remove him.”
Lady Abigail reached for her sister’s hand.
Richard continued. “I believe the three of you should come with us. My cousin resides nearby in Derbyshire, near Bakewell. He can keep you safe while we resolve this.”
Lady Abigail asked in a tentative voice, “Colonel, might you take us to Matlock instead? Is Lord Stafford at Haddon Hall? Perhaps my mother and I could assist your mother in his care.”
Richard turned to Darcy. “What think you, Darcy? It is much the same distance from here to Pemberley as it is to Haddon Hall.”
Darcy considered the request.
“Your mother is there, which makes it perfectly proper. More proper than sheltering in a bachelor’s home.”
Richard straightened. “Very well. Have your maids pack your trunks. I hope to depart within two hours.”
The three women rose.
Darcy added, “Do not tell anyone you are going to Haddon, lest one of the servants be in the Earl’s pay. Tell them you are to be taken to London.”
Lady Harrington turned to Richard.
“Colonel, shall I order our carriage?”
“Yes, pray do. You and your daughters shall travel in your own carriage, and ours will follow behind. We will ride alongside, armed and prepared to offer you our protection.”
The three women withdrew, while Richard and Darcy remained in the drawing room.
Darcy ventured. “This matter appears to rest entirely upon money.”