Chapter Thirty-One
Gideon knew his delayed return to Bracknell was most likely costing him much needed time with his soon-to-be bride.
He had the distinct notion that Violet might be worried he wasn’t able to procure the bishop’s license they needed to marry, since he hadn’t come back in the week he thought it would take to get the bishop’s permission.
Gideon would reassure her once he saw her again that he had succeeded in both his quest for a license and his godmother’s blessing for a happy life.
They had only been too pleased to learn he was falling in love, even if he hadn’t said the words aloud.
The hour had grown later than he intended when he reached the outskirts of Bray and his plans to pay his respects to Mrs. Myers at the Boar’s Head.
His horse could use the rest and he didn’t plan to tarry long.
As he neared the coaching inn, he saw a cloaked figure emerging from behind some tall bushes along the brick wall near the rear of the establishment.
Curious, he watched the person glance over their shoulder before disappearing around the corner.
Gideon narrowed his eyes. He wasn’t entirely certain they were deceiving him or not given the dusky part of the day.
But he swore the man resembled Dawkes. Could he be that careless as to expose himself so recklessly?
But then again, the person, whoever he was, did appear as though he was sneaking around the coaching inn trying to hide something.
Gideon rode his steed around toward the back.
There was no one to be seen, unfortunately, but a stableboy who quickly came to take his mount.
The shadows of the night began to lengthen when Gideon dismounted.
He watched the boy lead his horse toward the barn before Gideon strode toward the wall.
When he reached the brick building, he moved aside the branches where he had seen the person come out from and wasn’t surprised to see a hidden doorway.
Trying the handle, he found it locked and was once more curious as to where and who had used such a secret entryway, and why it even existed.
Entering the Boar’s Head, Gideon went to Mr. Myers who was behind the bar in the tavern.
The man greeted him with a wide smile and, after they exchanged salutations, Gideon leaned close and asked in a low voice, “May I have a private word with you, Mr. Myers?” He hoped the owner would take time for him considering how busy the tavern was for the dinner rush.
Mr. Myers wiped his hands on a towel, gave a brief nod, and then called out to another servant to tend the bar. He then walked down a corridor to a private office and shut the door once they were alone.
“Wasn’t expecting you to return to the Boar’s Head after you told my wife your reason for staying in Bracknell before you left us. What can I do for you now, Captain Tyler?” he asked as he went to sit behind his desk and motioned for Gideon to take a seat in one of the chairs opposite him.
“I came to pay my respects to Mrs. Myers for her kindness during my stay before I went on my way to the next town,” Gideon began, wondering how to ask about the doorway at the back of the coaching inn. After all, it wasn’t any of his business who came and went from the Boar’s Head.
“She’ll be happy to see you, sir. It’s not too often we have someone so polite that they stop by only to say a friendly hello,” he said before a quizzical gaze lit his face. “But that’s not why you asked for a private word, is it?”
“Not exactly.” Gideon stood, thinking how dangerous his and Violet’s situation was he wasn’t sure how much he should tell the man.
After all, he didn’t want to jeopardize whatever investigation the constable in Bracknell had completed in Gideon’s absence nor did he want to further endanger Violet by possibly speaking to the wrong person.
“You can speak frankly, Captain Tyler. I keep my mouth shut and don’t give in to local gossip if that’s what you’re worried about,” Mr. Myer proclaimed leaning back in his chair and resting his folded hands on his stomach.
He tapped one finger against the back of his other hand as he waited for Gideon to make his decision on whether to talk freely or not.
“I don’t want to involve you with a matter that could be life or death,” he admitted since he didn’t want innocent people to get hurt. It was bad enough that someone was out to kill Violet.
“Bah! I’ve had more than enough people threaten me in my own tavern on a nightly basis. I can take care of myself.”
That settled it. Best to just get the matter out into the open. “The little you know is probably for the better,” Gideon began before returning to his chair. “I couldn’t help but notice someone coming out of a hidden doorway at the back of your building. Can you tell me where it leads?”
Mr. Myer’s eyes went wide. “Now that is indeed interesting,” he grumbled as he swiped his hand across the back of his neck in apparent frustration.
“Not many know of the tunnel that runs between my place and the manor house next door. Before I bought the coaching inn I heard it was used by a famous highwayman to make his escape from the authorities. I’ve kept the door locked from the inside so if someone is using the tunnel, it’s without my knowledge. ”
“You might want to take another look at that door. This may be a random incident but then again, maybe not given on what is going on in Bracknell,” Gideon said, further interested and wondering if he really had seen Dawkes.
“What’s going on in Bracknell?” Mr. Myers asked with a frown.
“Break-ins, mostly, but there was also a fire set to Miss Barnet’s house. There’s nothing left,” Gideon confided, watching the man intently.
“Tell me that young lady wasn’t inside?” he inquired, seeming concerned for Violet’s welfare.
“She wasn’t, but that doesn’t mean this was an isolated accident. I’m truly afraid for her safety since the break-ins and vandalism occurred at her apothecary.”
“Odd that,” the man grumbled while stroking his chin.
“Locals wouldn’t dare harm the woman, not when even those of us in Bray depend on her and need her help now and then.
Without her brother, but mostly Miss Barnet, we’d have to travel all the way to London to get a surgeon to even consider coming all the way out here.
Most folks in these parts can’t afford a house call like that. ”
Gideon nodded at his reasoning, which brought him back to his suspicions about Dawkes. He couldn’t help but wonder why the man would be sneaking out of the coaching inn or if he might be staying at the manor house next door. “Tell me about the manor house and who is the owner.”
“Been vacant for a while now. Original owners had too much debt and no one has been willing to take the place over. Heard tell there are a lot of renovations that need to be made and that’s costly.
If I had the spare money, I would have bought the place myself a long time ago.
But times are hard and I can’t afford the price they’re asking. ”
“Have you perhaps heard of a Major Cosmo Dawkes in the area? He’s tall with dark brown hair and eyes,” Gideon inquired quietly.
Mr. Myers shook his head. “That description could be any number of my guests who come and go from my place but I haven’t heard of the name being registered as someone who has rented a room. Clearly he’s not a friend of yours,” he muttered coming to a conclusion that wasn’t hard to dismiss.
A grimace lit Gideon’s face while another flash of memory unfolded before him of he and Dawkes on the battlefield in France.
It was fuzzy inside his head but he could remember arguing with the man until they were pushing at one another.
What was he forgetting? He shook himself from the past to focus on the future.
“That, kind sir, is an understatement. We had a run in back in London and it’s my belief that Miss Barnet is bearing the brunt of our dislike of one another and our altercation. ”
A snicker left Mr. Myers. “And if my wife was correct after you left the last time, you’re doing your part to protect the young lady.”
“Yes, I am,” Gideon confided with a smile. “In fact, I went home to London to get a bishop’s license so I could marry Miss Barnet without further delay.”
“Heard some rumors that someone was getting themselves hitched but as I mentioned a few ago… I don’t pay too much attention to gossip let alone happenings in the next town over.”
“I’d appreciate it if you would send word to the Raven if you hear or see anything unusual or that might be useful to the constable’s investigation.”
“Of course. And if a Major Dawkes comes snooping around, I’ll let you know that too.” Mr. Myers stood and the two men shook hands. “Now let me find the wife so you can say a proper hello before you go. I can then go check on that door.”
After a pleasant but short visit with Mrs. Myer, a promise to return with Violet, and enough food to see him fed for at least two days, Gideon was back in the saddle making his way to Bracknell.
He could only hope that the wedding would go as planned without any further incidents and nothing else had happened while he and Violet had been apart.